Patents by Inventor Daniel L. Twaddell

Daniel L. Twaddell 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).

  • Publication number: 20210068238
    Abstract: A control device configured to control an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may provide feedback regarding the amount of power being delivered to the electrical load. The control device may include a visual indicator that is illuminated by a plurality of light sources. The control device may comprise a control circuit configured to determine the amount of power being delivered to the electrical load and control the light sources to illuminate a portion of the visual indicator to indicate the amount of power being delivered. Different sections of the illuminated portion of the visual indicator may be illuminated to different intensity levels and the intensity levels may be adjusted between different operational states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10939534
    Abstract: A load control device may be configured to control multiple characteristics of one or more electrical loads such as the intensity and color of a lighting load. The load control device may include concentric rotating portions for adjusting the multiple characteristics. A control circuit of the load control device may be configured to generate control data for controlling one or more of the characteristics of the electrical loads in response to rotations of the concentric rotating portions. The control circuit may be further configured to provide feedback regarding the control being applied on one or more visual indicators. The load control device may be a wall-mounted dimmer device or a battery-powered remote control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Thomas M. Shearer, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20210050164
    Abstract: A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an external electrical load may provide simple feedback regarding the operation of the control device. For example, the control device may comprise a base portion configured to be mounted to an electrical wallbox or over a mechanical switch, and a control unit connected to the base portion. The control unit may comprise a rotation portion rotatable with respect to the base portion, an actuation portion, and a light source. The control unit may be configured to control the light source to illuminate at least an illuminated portion of the actuation portion in response to actuations of the rotation portion and the actuation portion. In addition, the control unit may provide a limit indication on the illuminated portion by blinking the illuminated portion when the electrical load has reached a limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Knauss, Michael W. Pessina, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20210045204
    Abstract: A control device may have a plurality of buttons that may be backlit to multiple levels, such as first, second, and third adjacent buttons positioned in order, and first, second, and third LEDs positioned to illuminate a respective button. The control device may be configured to illuminate the first LED to a first LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to a first surface illumination intensity; illuminate the third LED to a second LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to a second surface illumination intensity; and illuminate the second LED to a third LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to the second surface illumination intensity. The third LED illumination intensity may be less than the second LED illumination intensity, which may be less than the first LED illumination intensity, and the second surface illumination intensity may be less than the first surface illumination intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell, Jason C. Killo
  • Patent number: 10910176
    Abstract: A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an external electrical load may provide simple feedback regarding the operation of the control device. For example, the control device may comprise a base portion configured to be mounted to an electrical wallbox or over a mechanical switch, and a control unit connected to the base portion. The control unit may comprise a rotation portion rotatable with respect to the base portion, an actuation portion, and a light source. The control unit may be configured to control the light source to illuminate at least an illuminated portion of the actuation portion in response to actuations of the rotation portion and the actuation portion. In addition, the control unit may provide a limit indication on the illuminated portion by blinking the illuminated portion when the electrical load has reached a limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Knauss, Michael W. Pessina, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20200382120
    Abstract: A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an electrical load external to the control device may comprise an actuation member having a front surface defining a capacitive touch surface configured to detect a touch actuation along at least a portion of the front surface. The control device includes a main printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a control circuit, a tactile switch, a controllably conductive device, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive or non-conductive to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The control device also includes a capacitive touch PCB that comprises a touch sensitive circuit comprising one or more receiving capacitive touch pads located on the capacitive touch PCB and arranged in a linear array adjacent to the capacitive touch surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Quinn Brogan, Graham L. Christensen, Chris Dimberg, Jonathan H. Ference, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Dinesh Sundara Moorthy, Matthew W. Nuhfer, Michael W. Pessina, James P. Steiner, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10849211
    Abstract: A first wireless control device may be associated with a second wireless control device in response to the movement of the first wireless control device in relation to the second wireless control device. The second control device may determine whether the signal strength of the wireless signals received from the first wireless control device has changed, and may associate the first wireless control device with the second wireless control device if the signal strength of the received wireless signals has changed. The second control device may be disassociated with the first control device by moving the first wireless control device in relation to the second wireless control device. The second control device may disassociate the first control device when the signal strength of subsequent wireless signals received from the first wireless control device has changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Killo, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20200281056
    Abstract: A control device may have a plurality of buttons that may be backlit to multiple levels, such as first, second, and third adjacent buttons positioned in order, and first, second, and third LEDs positioned to illuminate a respective button. The control device may be configured to illuminate the first LED to a first LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to a first surface illumination intensity; illuminate the third LED to a second LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to a second surface illumination intensity; and illuminate the second LED to a third LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to the second surface illumination intensity. The third LED illumination intensity may be less than the second LED illumination intensity, which may be less than the first LED illumination intensity, and the second surface illumination intensity may be less than the first surface illumination intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell, Jason C. Killo
  • Publication number: 20200279477
    Abstract: A remote control device is provided that is configured for use in a load control system that includes one or more electrical loads. The remote control device includes a mounting structure and a control unit, and the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of different orientations. The control unit includes a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit. The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit. The control unit is also configured to translate a user input from the user interface into control data to control an electrical load of the load control system based on the orientation of the control unit and/or provide a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20200260563
    Abstract: A control device may be configured to control an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads and provide various feedback associated with the control device and/or the electrical loads. The control device may be a wall-mounted device or a battery-powered remote control device. The feedback may indicate the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The feedback may also indicate a low battery condition. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20200258377
    Abstract: A control device may be configured to control one or more electrical loads in a load control system. The control device may be a wall-mounted device such as dimmer switch, a remote control device, or a retrofit remote control device. The control device may include a gesture-based user interface for applying advanced control over the one or more electrical loads. The types of control may include absolute and relative control, intensity and color control, preset, zone, or operational mode selection, etc. Feedback may be provided on the control device regarding a status of the one or more electrical loads or the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20200221561
    Abstract: A first wireless control device may be associated with a second wireless control device in response to the movement of the first wireless control device in relation to the second wireless control device. The second control device may determine whether the signal strength of the wireless signals received from the first wireless control device has changed, and may associate the first wireless control device with the second wireless control device if the signal strength of the received wireless signals has changed. The second control device may be disassociated with the first control device by moving the first wireless control device in relation to the second wireless control device. The second control device may disassociate the first control device when the signal strength of subsequent wireless signals received from the first wireless control device has changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Killo, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10685560
    Abstract: A remote control device is provided that is configured for use in a load control system that includes one or more electrical loads. The remote control device includes a mounting structure and a control unit, and the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of different orientations. The control unit includes a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit. The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit. The control unit is also configured to translate a user input from the user interface into control data to control an electrical load of the load control system based on the orientation of the control unit and/or provide a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10681791
    Abstract: A control device may be configured to control an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads and provide various feedback associated with the control device and/or the electrical loads. The control device may be a wall-mounted device or a battery-powered remote control device. The feedback may indicate the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The feedback may also indicate a low battery condition. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10672261
    Abstract: A control device is configured to control one or more electrical loads in a load control system. The control device is a wall-mounted device such as dimmer switch, a remote control device, or a retrofit remote control device. The control device includes a gesture-based user interface for applying advanced control over the one or more electrical loads. The types of control includes absolute and relative control, intensity and color control, preset, zone, or operational mode selection, etc. Feedback is provided on the control device regarding a status of the one or more electrical loads or the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10595374
    Abstract: A control device may have a plurality of buttons that may be backlit to multiple levels, such as first, second, and third adjacent buttons positioned in order, and first, second, and third LEDs positioned to illuminate a respective button. The control device may be configured to illuminate the first LED to a first LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to a first surface illumination intensity; illuminate the third LED to a second LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to a second surface illumination intensity; and illuminate the second LED to a third LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to the second surface illumination intensity. The third LED illumination intensity may be less than the second LED illumination intensity, which may be less than the first LED illumination intensity, and the second surface illumination intensity may be less than the first surface illumination intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell, Jason C. Killo
  • Publication number: 20200083003
    Abstract: A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an external electrical load may provide simple feedback regarding the operation of the control device. For example, the control device may comprise a base portion configured to be mounted to an electrical wallbox or over a mechanical switch, and a control unit connected to the base portion. The control unit may comprise a rotation portion rotatable with respect to the base portion, an actuation portion, and a light source. The control unit may be configured to control the light source to illuminate at least an illuminated portion of the actuation portion in response to actuations of the rotation portion and the actuation portion. In addition, the control unit may provide a limit indication on the illuminated portion by blinking the illuminated portion when the electrical load has reached a limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Knauss, Michael W. Pessina, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20200084866
    Abstract: A battery-powered control device may be configured to control an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads and provide various feedback associated with the control device and/or the electrical loads. The feedback may indicate a low battery condition and/or the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback. The control device may operate in different modes including a normal mode and a low battery mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: D892065
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: D907609
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian Michael Courtney, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Jason C. Killo, Glenn Stone Laverty, IV, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell