Patents by Inventor Dale H. DeGraff

Dale H. DeGraff 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: 10932343
    Abstract: A protection system and operating method thereof promotes the longevity of components of a control subsystem. The protection apparatus may include a first connector for connecting to the control system and a second connector for connecting to a target system. The protection apparatus detects states of a component of the control subsystem over time and causes a state transition of a switching circuit of the protection apparatus based on the detected states of the control subsystem. The state transition of the switching circuit of the protection system may be initiated after a defined period of time has elapsed after detecting states of the control subsystem component. The state transition of the switching circuit may be a transition between an open state in which power is not provided to a node of the second connector and a closed state in which power is provided to the node of the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf, Donald Arthur Vendetti
  • Publication number: 20200045794
    Abstract: A protection system and operating method thereof promotes the longevity of components of a control subsystem. The protection apparatus may include a first connector for connecting to the control system and a second connector for connecting to a target system. The protection apparatus detects states of a component of the control subsystem over time and causes a state transition of a switching circuit of the protection apparatus based on the detected states of the control subsystem. The state transition of the switching circuit of the protection system may be initiated after a defined period of time has elapsed after detecting states of the control subsystem component. The state transition of the switching circuit may be a transition between an open state in which power is not provided to a node of the second connector and a closed state in which power is provided to the node of the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf, Donald Arthur Vendetti
  • Patent number: 9801248
    Abstract: An illumination system verifies whether one or more aspects of an output signal provided by a photosensitive transducer fall within a threshold of an expected value for the aspect. The aspect may include a sunrise time, a sunset time, a dawn time, a dusk time, a solar noon time, a solar midnight time, or similar. Upon verification the illumination system uses a microcontroller to adjust one or more output parameters of a solid-state light source responsive to the output signal provided by the photosensitive transducer. Where verification is not possible, the illumination system uses the microcontroller to adjust one or more output parameters of the solid-state light source responsive to a schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf
  • Patent number: 9693433
    Abstract: An illumination system verifies controls the operation of a luminaire without the use of any photometric data. The illumination system uses data indicative of a current time, date or latitude to determine one or more aspects of a solar event. Such aspects can include a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event. Responsive to the determination of a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event, a control subsystem can adjust the luminous output of a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf
  • Patent number: 9497393
    Abstract: An illumination system and methods to control a light source are provided. An illumination system includes a light source, a two-dimensional non-Passive Infrared (non-PIR) imager, and a controller. The light source may provide at least two levels of illumination. The non-PIR imager images an area and to produce image data representative of images across at least part of a visible portion of an electromagnetic spectrum. The controller is communicatively coupled to receive the image data from the non-PIR imager and process the received image data to detect at least one object in the area of a defined type of object. The controller is also coupled to control operation of the light source based on, at least in part, detection of the ambient characteristic of the environment. Alternatively, one or more components of a system may be used to monitor traffic, with or without active illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff
  • Patent number: 9478111
    Abstract: An illumination system and methods to control a light source are provided. An illumination system includes a light source, a two-dimensional non-Passive Infrared (non-PIR) imager, and a controller. The light source provides at least two levels of illumination. The non-PIR imager images an area and to produce image data representative of images across at least part of a visible portion of an electromagnetic spectrum. The controller is communicatively coupled to receive the image data from the non-PIR imager and process the received image data to detect at least one ambient environmental characteristic of the area in the part of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, where the ambient environmental characteristic is indicative of a presence or imminent presence of a body in the area. The controller is also coupled to control operation of the light source based on, at least in part, detection of the ambient characteristic of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff
  • Publication number: 20160037605
    Abstract: An illumination system verifies whether one or more aspects of an output signal provided by a photosensitive transducer fall within a threshold of an expected value for the aspect. The aspect may include a sunrise time, a sunset time, a dawn time, a dusk time, a solar noon time, a solar midnight time, or similar. Upon verification the illumination system uses a microcontroller to adjust one or more output parameters of a solid-state light source responsive to the output signal provided by the photosensitive transducer. Where verification is not possible, the illumination system uses the microcontroller to adjust one or more output parameters of the solid-state light source responsive to a schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf
  • Patent number: 9204523
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a remotely adjustable lighting system. The lighting system includes a luminaire including one or more solid-state light systems and a non-line-of-sight wireless transceiver. The output intensity of the solid-state light systems is adjustable. The non-line-of-sight transceiver in the luminaire can receive one or more non-line-of-sight wireless signals transmitted by a transceiver in a general purpose handheld computing device. Instructions and data including configuration and output intensity adjustments may be communicated between the general purpose handheld computing device and the luminaire via one or more non-line-of-sight wireless signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff
  • Patent number: 9131552
    Abstract: An illumination system verifies whether one or more aspects of an output signal provided by a photosensitive transducer fall within a threshold of an expected value for the aspect. The aspect may include a sunrise time, a sunset time, a dawn time, a dusk time, a solar noon time, a solar midnight time, or similar. Upon verification the illumination system uses a microcontroller to adjust one or more output parameters of a solid-state light source responsive to the output signal provided by the photosensitive transducer. Where verification is not possible, the illumination system uses the microcontroller to adjust one or more output parameters of the solid-state light source responsive to a schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf
  • Publication number: 20150077019
    Abstract: An illumination system verifies controls the operation of a luminaire without the use of any photometric data. The illumination system uses data indicative of a current time, date or latitude to determine one or more aspects of a solar event. Such aspects can include a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event. Responsive to the determination of a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event, a control subsystem can adjust the luminous output of a light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf
  • Publication number: 20150015716
    Abstract: An illumination system and methods to control a light source are provided. An illumination system includes a light source, a two-dimensional non-Passive Infrared (non-PIR) imager, and a controller. The light source provides at least two levels of illumination. The non-PIR imager images an area and to produce image data representative of images across at least part of a visible portion of an electromagnetic spectrum. The controller is communicatively coupled to receive the image data from the non-PIR imager and process the received image data to detect at least one ambient environmental characteristic of the area in the part of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, where the ambient environmental characteristic is indicative of a presence or imminent presence of a body in the area. The controller is also coupled to control operation of the light source based on, at least in part, detection of the ambient characteristic of the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff
  • Patent number: 8922124
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a remotely adjustable lighting system with security features. The lighting system includes a lamp (e.g., luminaire) which carries solid-state light sources and a sensor. The solid-state light sources emit visible light at an adjustable output intensity. The sensor is responsive to line-of-sight wireless signals, and the lamp increases and decreases the output intensity of the light sources in response to output signals of the sensor. The lamp provides security features by selectively accepting and rejecting instructions carried by the line-of-sight wireless signals to vary the output intensity of the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff
  • Patent number: 8896215
    Abstract: An illumination system verifies controls the operation of a luminaire without the use of any photometric data. The illumination system uses data indicative of a current time, date or latitude to determine one or more aspects of a solar event. Such aspects can include a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event. Responsive to the determination of a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event, a control subsystem can adjust the luminous output of a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf
  • Patent number: 8872964
    Abstract: An illumination system and methods to control a light source are provided. An illumination system includes a light source, a two-dimensional non-Passive Infrared (non-PIR) imager, and a controller. The light source provides at least two levels of illumination. The non-PIR imager images an area and to produce image data representative of images across at least part of a visible portion of an electromagnetic spectrum. The controller is communicatively coupled to receive the image data from the non-PIR imager and process the received image data to detect at least one ambient environmental characteristic of the area in the part of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, where the ambient environmental characteristic is indicative of a presence or imminent presence of a body in the area. The controller is also coupled to control operation of the light source based on, at least in part, detection of the ambient characteristic of the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff
  • Publication number: 20140062341
    Abstract: An illumination system verifies controls the operation of a luminaire without the use of any photometric data. The illumination system uses data indicative of a current time, date or latitude to determine one or more aspects of a solar event. Such aspects can include a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event. Responsive to the determination of a scheduled, predicted or expected time of occurrence of the scheduled solar event, a control subsystem can adjust the luminous output of a light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf
  • Publication number: 20140028198
    Abstract: An illumination system verifies whether one or more aspects of an output signal provided by a photosensitive transducer fall within a threshold of an expected value for the aspect. The aspect may include a sunrise time, a sunset time, a dawn time, a dusk time, a solar noon time, a solar midnight time, or similar. Upon verification the illumination system uses a microcontroller to adjust one or more output parameters of a solid-state light source responsive to the output signal provided by the photosensitive transducer. Where verification is not possible, the illumination system uses the microcontroller to adjust one or more output parameters of the solid-state light source responsive to a schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf
  • Publication number: 20130293112
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a remotely adjustable lighting system. The lighting system includes a luminaire including one or more solid-state light systems and a non-line-of-sight wireless transceiver. The output intensity of the solid-state light systems is adjustable. The non-line-of-sight transceiver in the luminaire can receive one or more non-line-of-sight wireless signals transmitted by a transceiver in a general purpose handheld computing device. Instructions and data including configuration and output intensity adjustments may be communicated between the general purpose handheld computing device and the luminaire via one or more non-line-of-sight wireless signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff
  • Publication number: 20130229518
    Abstract: An illumination system and methods to control a light source are provided. An illumination system includes a light source, a two-dimensional non-Passive Infrared (non-PIR) imager, and a controller. The light source may provide at least two levels of illumination. The non-PIR imager images an area and to produce image data representative of images across at least part of a visible portion of an electromagnetic spectrum. The controller is communicatively coupled to receive the image data from the non-PIR imager and process the received image data to detect at least one object in the area of a defined type of object. The controller is also coupled to control operation of the light source based on, at least in part, detection of the ambient characteristic of the environment. Alternatively, one or more components of a system may be used to monitor traffic, with or without active illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff
  • Publication number: 20100295946
    Abstract: An illumination system and methods to control a light source are provided. An illumination system includes a light source, a two-dimensional non-Passive Infrared (non-PIR) imager, and a controller. The light source provides at least two levels of illumination. The non-PIR imager images an area and to produce image data representative of images across at least part of a visible portion of an electromagnetic spectrum. The controller is communicatively coupled to receive the image data from the non-PIR imager and process the received image data to detect at least one ambient environmental characteristic of the area in the part of the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, where the ambient environmental characteristic is indicative of a presence or imminent presence of a body in the area. The controller is also coupled to control operation of the light source based on, at least in part, detection of the ambient characteristic of the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff