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).
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Publication number: 20190174598Abstract: A control device may comprise a plurality of buttons, a plurality of light sources located behind the respective buttons and configured to illuminate the buttons, a light detector circuit configured to measure an ambient light level around the control device, and/or a control circuit configured to control the light sources to adjust surface illumination intensities of the respective buttons in response to the measured ambient light level. Each button may comprise indicia indicating a function of the button. The control circuit set the first button as active and the second button as inactive in response to an actuation of the first button. The control circuit may, based on the measured ambient light level, control the light sources to illuminate the first button to an active surface illumination intensity, and to illuminate the second button to an inactive surface illumination intensity that is less than the active surface illumination intensity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2019Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Twaddell, Matthew Philip McDonald, Jason C. Killo, Jonathan Robert Quayle
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Publication number: 20190150244Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell, Jason C. Killo
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Publication number: 20190104601Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2018Publication date: April 4, 2019Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Jason C. Killo, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20190073898Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Phillip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 10212777Abstract: A control device may comprise a plurality of buttons, a plurality of light sources located behind the respective buttons and configured to illuminate the buttons, a light detector circuit configured to measure an ambient light level around the control device, and/or a control circuit configured to control the light sources to adjust surface illumination intensities of the respective buttons in response to the measured ambient light level. Each button may comprise indicia indicating a function of the button. The control circuit set the first button as active and the second button as inactive in response to an actuation of the first button. The control circuit may, based on the measured ambient light level, control the light sources to illuminate the first button to an active surface illumination intensity, and to illuminate the second button to an inactive surface illumination intensity that is less than the active surface illumination intensity.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Daniel L. Twaddell, Matthew Philip McDonald, Jason C. Killo, Jonathan Robert Quayle
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Patent number: 10206260Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell, Jason C. Killo
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Publication number: 20190019403Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20190005809Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Applicant: Lutron Electroncis Co., Inc.Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 10149369Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Jason C. Killo, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 10134268Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 10109181Abstract: A control device such as a wall-mounted device, a remote control device, or a retrofit remote control device is configured to control one or more electrical loads in a load control system. The control device includes a gesture-based user interface for applying advanced control over the one or more electrical loads. The types of control include 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: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 10102742Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 10098074Abstract: A load control system may include control devices capable of being associated with each other at one or more locations for performing load control. Control devices may include control-source devices and/or control-target devices. A location beacon may be discovered and a unique identifier in the location beacon may be associated with a unique identifier of one or more control devices. Upon subsequent discovery of the location beacon, the associated load control devices may be controlled. The beacons may be communicated via radio frequency signals, visible light communication, and/or audio signals. The visible light communication may be used to communicate other types of information to devices in the load control system. The visible light communication may be used to identify link addresses for communicating with load control devices, load control instructions, load control configuration instructions, network communication information, and/or the like.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONIC CO., INC.Inventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Kyle Thomas Barco, Bryan Robert Barnes, John H. Bull, Richard S. Camden, Jordan H. Crafts, David J. Dolan, Jason Groller, Sanjeev Kumar, Jonathan T. Lenz, Miguel Aguado Pelaez, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20180235050Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell, Jason C. Killo
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Patent number: 9980335Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell, Jason C. Killo
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Publication number: 20180124894Abstract: A control device may comprise a plurality of buttons, a plurality of light sources located behind the respective buttons and configured to illuminate the buttons, a light detector circuit configured to measure an ambient light level around the control device, and/or a control circuit configured to control the light sources to adjust surface illumination intensities of the respective buttons in response to the measured ambient light level. Each button may comprise indicia indicating a function of the button. The control circuit set the first button as active and the second button as inactive in response to an actuation of the first button. The control circuit may, based on the measured ambient light level, control the light sources to illuminate the first button to an active surface illumination intensity, and to illuminate the second button to an inactive surface illumination intensity that is less than the active surface illumination intensity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Twaddell, Matthew Philip McDonald, Jason C. Killo, Jonathan Robert Quayle
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Patent number: 9860952Abstract: A control device may comprise a plurality of buttons, a plurality of light sources located behind the respective buttons and configured to illuminate the buttons, a light detector circuit configured to measure an ambient light level around the control device, and/or a control circuit configured to control the light sources to adjust surface illumination intensities of the respective buttons in response to the measured ambient light level. Each button may comprise indicia indicating a function of the button. The control circuit set the first button as active and the second button as inactive in response to an actuation of the first button. The control circuit may, based on the measured ambient light level, control the light sources to illuminate the first button to an active surface illumination intensity, and to illuminate the second button to an inactive surface illumination intensity that is less than the active surface illumination intensity.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Twaddell, Matthew Philip McDonald, Jason C. Killo, Jonathan Robert Quayle
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Publication number: 20170354021Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Thomas M. Shearer, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: D816641Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Brian Michael Courtney, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Jason C. Killo, Glenn Stone Laverty, IV, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: D844590Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Brian Michael Courtney, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Jason C. Killo, Glenn Stone Laverty, IV, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell