Patents by Inventor Brian Chemel

Brian Chemel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10306733
    Abstract: An ambient light sensor measures an ambient light level at one point in an illuminated environment, such as a warehouse, office, shop, cold-storage facility, or industrial facility, and provides an indication of the measured ambient light level to a processor. The processor maps the measured ambient light level to an estimated ambient light level at a different point in the illuminated environment from the measured ambient light level (e.g., a “task height” about three feet from a warehouse floor). The processor may determine the difference between the estimated ambient light level and a desired light level at the task height, and may change the artificial illumination provided by a light fixture to make the actual ambient light level at task height match the desired light level at the task height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Digital Lumens, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, John F. Egan, Scott D. Johnston, Steve T. Kondo, Jesse F. Kuhn, Matthew W. Massicotte, Frederick M. Morgan, Colin N. Piepgras, Henry B. Sick, Christopher L. Elledge
  • Publication number: 20180195706
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an occupancy sensing unit configured to monitor an environment illuminated by a lighting fixture. An inventive occupancy sensing unit may include an occupancy sensor to detect radiation indicative of at least one occupancy event in the environment illuminated by the lighting fixture according to sensing parameters. The occupancy sensor can be coupled to a memory that logs sensor data, which represent the occupancy events, provided by the occupancy sensor. A processor coupled to the memory performs an analysis of the sensor data logged in the memory and adjusts the sensing parameters of the occupancy sensor based on the analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Digital Lumens, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, Colin N. Piepgras, Frederick Morgan
  • Patent number: 9915416
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an occupancy sensing unit configured to monitor an environment illuminated by a lighting fixture. An inventive occupancy sensing unit may include an occupancy sensor to detect radiation indicative of at least one occupancy event in the environment illuminated by the lighting fixture according to sensing parameters. The occupancy sensor can be coupled to a memory that logs sensor data, which represent the occupancy events, provided by the occupancy sensor. A processor coupled to the memory performs an analysis of the sensor data logged in the memory and adjusts the sensing parameters of the occupancy sensor based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, Colin N. Piepgras, Frederick Morgan
  • Publication number: 20170042001
    Abstract: An ambient light sensor measures an ambient light level at one point in an illuminated environment, such as a warehouse, office, shop, cold-storage facility, or industrial facility, and provides an indication of the measured ambient light level to a processor. The processor maps the measured ambient light level to an estimated ambient light level at a different point in the illuminated environment from the measured ambient light level (e.g., a “task height” about three feet from a warehouse floor). The processor may determine the difference between the estimated ambient light level and a desired light level at the task height, and may change the artificial illumination provided by a light fixture to make the actual ambient light level at task height match the desired light level at the task height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, John F. Egan, Scott D. Johnston, Steve T. Kondo, Jesse F. Kuhn, Matthew W. Massicotte, Frederick M. Morgan, Colin N. Piepgras, Henry B. Sick, Christopher L. Elledge
  • Publication number: 20170027045
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed for monitoring, analyzing, and automating aspects of the built environment using a plurality of sensors configured to utilize existing infrastructure supporting a plurality of lighting fixtures in the environment. The existing infrastructure includes a plurality of physical locations provided in the environment for the plurality of lighting fixtures, an electric power supply including a plurality of electrical connections for powering the plurality of lighting fixtures, and/or a network including a plurality of network connections for exchanging data with the plurality of lighting fixtures. Detected changes may be used to store and report historical data, send alerts, control connected devices, enable machine learning, etc., for security monitoring, search and rescue, inventory management, marketing research, space utilization, and other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventor: Brian Chemel
  • Patent number: 9510426
    Abstract: An ambient light sensor measures an ambient light level at one point in an illuminated environment, such as a warehouse, office, shop, cold-storage facility, or industrial facility, and provides an indication of the measured ambient light level to a processor. The processor maps the measured ambient light level to an estimated ambient light level at a different point in the illuminated environment from the measured ambient light level (e.g., a “task height” about three feet from a warehouse floor). The processor may determine the difference between the estimated ambient light level and a desired light level at the task height, and may change the artificial illumination provided by a light fixture to make the actual ambient light level at task height match the desired light level at the task height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Digital Lumens, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, John F. Egan, Scott D. Johnston, Steve T. Kondo, Jesse F. Kuhn, Matthew W. Massicotte, Frederick M. Morgan, Colin N. Piepgras, Henry B. Sick, Christopher L. Elledge
  • Patent number: 9241392
    Abstract: Digital Control Ready (DCR) is a two-way open standard for controlling and managing next-generation fixtures. A DCR-enabled lighting fixture responds to digital control signals from a separate digital light agent (DLA) instead of analog dimming signals, eliminating the need for digital-to-analog signal conditioning, fixture-to-fixture variations in response, and calibration specific to each fixture. In addition, a DCR-enabled lighting fixture may also report its power consumption, measured light output, measured color temperature, temperature, and/or other operating parameters to the DLA via the same bidirectional data link that carries the digital control signals to the fixture. The DLA processes these signals in a feedback loop to implement more precise lighting control. The DCR-enabled lighting fixture also transforms AC power to DC power and supplies (and measures) DC power to the DLA via a DCR interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Digital Lumens, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, Frederick M. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20150184842
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an occupancy sensing unit configured to monitor an environment illuminated by a lighting fixture. An inventive occupancy sensing unit may include an occupancy sensor to detect radiation indicative of at least one occupancy event in the environment illuminated by the lighting fixture according to sensing parameters. The occupancy sensor can be coupled to a memory that logs sensor data, which represent the occupancy events, provided by the occupancy sensor. A processor coupled to the memory performs an analysis of the sensor data logged in the memory and adjusts the sensing parameters of the occupancy sensor based on the analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, Colin N. Piepgras, Frederick Morgan
  • Patent number: 9014829
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an occupancy sensing unit configured to monitor an environment illuminated by a lighting fixture. An inventive occupancy sensing unit may include an occupancy sensor to detect radiation indicative of at least one occupancy event in the environment illuminated by the lighting fixture according to sensing parameters. The occupancy sensor can be coupled to a memory that logs sensor data, which represent the occupancy events, provided by the occupancy sensor. A processor coupled to the memory performs an analysis of the sensor data logged in the memory and adjusts the sensing parameters of the occupancy sensor based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Digital Lumens, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, Colin N. Piepgras, Frederick Morgan
  • Publication number: 20140333222
    Abstract: Digital Control Ready (DCR) is a two-way open standard for controlling and managing next-generation fixtures. A DCR-enabled lighting fixture responds to digital control signals from a separate digital light agent (DLA) instead of analog dimming signals, eliminating the need for digital-to-analog signal conditioning, fixture-to-fixture variations in response, and calibration specific to each fixture. In addition, a DCR-enabled lighting fixture may also report its power consumption, measured light output, measured color temperature, temperature, and/or other operating parameters to the DLA via the same bidirectional data link that carries the digital control signals to the fixture. The DLA processes these signals in a feedback loop to implement more precise lighting control. The DCR-enabled lighting fixture also transforms AC power to DC power and supplies (and measures) DC power to the DLA via a DCR interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Digital Lumens Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, Frederick M. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20140292208
    Abstract: An ambient light sensor measures an ambient light level at one point in an illuminated environment, such as a warehouse, office, shop, cold-storage facility, or industrial facility, and provides an indication of the measured ambient light level to a processor. The processor maps the measured ambient light level to an estimated ambient light level at a different point in the illuminated environment from the measured ambient light level (e.g., a “task height” about three feet from a warehouse floor). The processor may determine the difference between the estimated ambient light level and a desired light level at the task height, and may change the artificial illumination provided by a light fixture to make the actual ambient light level at task height match the desired light level at the task height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Digital Lumens Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, John F. Egan, Scott D. Johnston, Steve T. Kondo, Jesse F. Kuhn, Matthew W. Massicotte, Frederick M. Morgan, Colin N. Piepgras, Henry B. Sick, Christopher L. Elledge
  • Patent number: 8841859
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system is provided for designing improved intelligent, LED-based lighting systems. The LED based lighting systems may include fixtures with one or more of rotatable LED light bars, integrated sensors, onboard intelligence to receive signals from the LED light bars and control the LED light bars, and a mesh network connectivity to other fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Digital Lumens Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, Colin N. Piepgras, Steve T. Kondo, Scott D. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8729833
    Abstract: Digital Control Ready (DCR) is a two-way open standard for controlling and managing next-generation fixtures. A DCR-enabled lighting fixture responds to digital control signals from a separate digital light agent (DLA) instead of analog dimming signals, eliminating the need for digital-to-analog signal conditioning, fixture-to-fixture variations in response, and calibration specific to each fixture. In addition, a DCR-enabled lighting fixture may also report its power consumption, measured light output, measured color temperature, temperature, and/or other operating parameters to the DLA via the same bidirectional data link that carries the digital control signals to the fixture. The DLA processes these signals in a feedback loop to implement more precise lighting control. The DCR-enabled lighting fixture also transforms AC power to DC power and supplies (and measures) DC power to the DLA via a DCR interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Digital Lumens Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, Frederick M. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20140028199
    Abstract: Digital Control Ready (DCR) is a two-way open standard for controlling and managing next-generation fixtures. A DCR-enabled lighting fixture responds to digital control signals from a separate digital light agent (DLA) instead of analog dimming signals, eliminating the need for digital-to-analog signal conditioning, fixture-to-fixture variations in response, and calibration specific to each fixture. In addition, a DCR-enabled lighting fixture may also report its power consumption, measured light output, measured color temperature, temperature, and/or other operating parameters to the DLA via the same bidirectional data link that carries the digital control signals to the fixture. The DLA processes these signals in a feedback loop to implement more precise lighting control. The DCR-enabled lighting fixture also transforms AC power to DC power and supplies (and measures) DC power to the DLA via a DCR interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Digital Lumens Incorporated
    Inventor: Brian Chemel
  • Publication number: 20120143357
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an occupancy sensing unit configured to monitor an environment illuminated by a lighting fixture. An inventive occupancy sensing unit may include an occupancy sensor to detect radiation indicative of at least one occupancy event in the environment illuminated by the lighting fixture according to sensing parameters. The occupancy sensor can be coupled to a memory that logs sensor data, which represent the occupancy events, provided by the occupancy sensor. A processor coupled to the memory performs an analysis of the sensor data logged in the memory and adjusts the sensing parameters of the occupancy sensor based on the analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Chemel, Colin N. Piepgras, Frederick Morgan
  • Publication number: 20100204841
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing theatrical illumination. In one example, a modular lighting fixture (300) has an essentially cylindrically-shaped housing (320) including first openings (325) for providing an air path through the lighting fixture. An LED-based lighting assembly (350) is disposed in the housing and comprises an LED module (360) including a plurality of LED light sources (104), a first control circuit (368, 370, 372) for controlling the light sources, and a fan (376) for providing a flow of cooling air along the air path. An end unit (330) is removably coupled to the housing and has second openings (332). A second control circuit (384) is disposed in the end unit, and electrically coupled to and substantially thermally isolated from the first control circuit. The lighting assembly is configured to direct the flow of the cooling air toward the at least one first control circuit so as to effectively remove heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Brian CHEMEL, Michael K. BLACKWELL, Colin PIEPGRAS, John WARWICK
  • Patent number: 7766518
    Abstract: Modular lighting fixtures that allow convenient installation and removal of LED-based light-generating modules and controller modules. In one example, a modular lighting fixture includes a housing configured to be recessed into or disposed behind an architectural surface such as ceiling, wall, or soffit, in new or existing construction scenarios. The fixture housing includes a socket configured to facilitate one or more of a mechanical, electrical and thermal coupling of the light-generating module to the fixture housing. The ability to easily engage and disengage the LED-based light-generating module with the socket, without removing the fixture housing itself, allows for straightforward replacement of the light-generating module upon failure, or exchange with another module having different light-generating characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Piepgras, Tomas Mollnow, Michael Blackwell, Brian Chemel, Frederick Morgan, Kevin McCormick, Michael A. Bass, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20100127634
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conveying information. One or more information signals representing scalar or numeric information that is not associated with color is/are received from a data base, a network, the World Wide Web, or a software program. The information signal(s) is/are converted into one or more illumination control signals representing at least color information, and a color of illumination generated by one or more LED-based light sources is controlled in response to the illumination control signal(s) so as to convey the scalar or numeric information via at least the color of the generated illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Kevin DOWLING, Frederick MORGAN, Brian CHEMEL, Adriana MINCHEVA, Ihor A. LYS
  • Patent number: 7703951
    Abstract: Modular lighting fixtures that allow convenient installation and removal of LED-based light-generating modules and controller modules. In one example, a modular lighting fixture includes a housing configured to be recessed into or disposed behind an architectural surface such as ceiling, wall, or soffit, in new or existing construction scenarios. The fixture housing includes a socket configured to facilitate one or more of a mechanical, electrical and thermal coupling of the light-generating module to the fixture housing. The ability to easily engage and disengage the LED-based light-generating module with the socket, without removing the fixture housing itself, allows for straightforward replacement of the light-generating module upon failure, or exchange with another module having different light-generating characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Piepgras, Tomas Mollnow, Michael Blackwell, Brian Chemel, Frederick Morgan, Kevin McCormick, Michael A Bass, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7642730
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conveying information. One or more information signals representing scalar or numeric information that is not associated with color is/are received from a data base, a network, the World Wide Web, or a software program. The information signal(s) is/are converted into one or more illumination control signals representing at least color information, and a color of illumination generated by one or more LED-based light sources is controlled in response to the illumination control signal(s) so as to convey the scalar or numeric information via at least the color of the generated illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Dowling, Frederick Morgan, Brian Chemel, Adriana Mincheva, Ihor A. Lys