Patents by Inventor Christopher W. Followell

Christopher W. Followell 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: 8587415
    Abstract: A wall switch motion sensor detects motion using a lens and an infrared detector, and in response performs a function (for example, turns on a light). The motion sensor is also adapted to respond to IR remote control signals of the type customarily used to control electronic consumer devices in the home. In one example, a user uses an ordinary remote control device to transmit a sequence of IR control signals and dead times toward the motion sensor. The detector in the motion sensor detects each IR control signal as an increased amount of IR energy, whereas it detects a dead time as a period of less IR energy. If the periodicity of the sequence is appropriate, then the wall switch motion sensor determines that the sequence is an instruction. In one example, the instruction is to turn on/off the light controlled by the wall switch motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: IXYS CH GmbH
    Inventor: Christopher W. Followell