Patents by Inventor David J. Knapp

David J. Knapp 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: 20260168647
    Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2026
    Publication date: June 18, 2026
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Fangxu Dong, Horace C. Ho, David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 12638564
    Abstract: A system and method for measurement and correction of aero-optical and aero-thermal effects to an EO/IR sensor's window/dome on a supersonic flight-vehicle. Range-gating of laser pulses measures and separates aerodynamic and atmospheric effects. Separate control algorithms and control loops at different update rates both simplifies the control algorithms and improves overall performance. The use of a MEMS MMA having tip/tilt/piston capabilities as the deformable mirror to provide wavefront correction enhances overall performance. The corrected laser pulses may also be used to actively illuminate a target to provide both active and passive detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Sean D. Keller, David J. Knapp, Jon E. Leigh
  • Patent number: 12571517
    Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2025
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Fangxu Dong, Horace C. Ho, David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 12518619
    Abstract: A system and method are provided herein for communicating with and controlling various devices using visible light communication (VLC). According to one embodiment, a method is provided for extending a communication range of a VLC system comprising a plurality of controlled devices and a remote-control device. Such a method may include, for example, transmitting a communication message from a remote-control device to a first controlled device located within range of the remote-control device, wherein the communication message is transmitted through free space using visible light, and extending the communication range of the VLC system to a second controlled device, which is located outside of the range of the remote-control device, by using the first controlled device to retransmit the communication message through free space using visible light to the second controlled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2026
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Knapp, Horace C. Ho
  • Publication number: 20250384765
    Abstract: A system and method are provided herein for communicating with and controlling various devices using visible light communication (VLC). According to one embodiment, a method is provided for extending a communication range of a VLC system comprising a plurality of controlled devices and a remote-control device. Such a method may include, for example, transmitting a communication message from a remote-control device to a first controlled device located within range of the remote-control device, wherein the communication message is transmitted through free space using visible light, and extending the communication range of the VLC system to a second controlled device, which is located outside of the range of the remote-control device, by using the first controlled device to retransmit the communication message through free space using visible light to the second controlled device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2025
    Publication date: December 18, 2025
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Knapp, Horace C. Ho
  • Publication number: 20250155103
    Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2025
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Fangxu Dong, Horace C. Ho, David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 12292184
    Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Fangxu Dong, Horace C. Ho, David J. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20240410548
    Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Fangxu Dong, Horace C. Ho, David J. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20240341019
    Abstract: An illumination device and method are provided herein for calibrating individual LEDs in the illumination device to obtain a desired luminous flux and a desired chromaticity of the device over changes in drive current, temperature, and over time as the LEDs age. The calibration method may include subjecting the illumination device to a first ambient temperature, successively applying at least three different drive currents to a first LED to produce illumination at three or more different levels of brightness, obtaining a plurality of optical measurements from the illumination produced by the first LED at each of the at least three different drive currents, obtaining a plurality of electrical measurements from the photodetector and storing results of the obtaining steps within the illumination device to calibrate the first LED at the first ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Jason E. Lewis, David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 12072091
    Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Fangxu Dong, Horace C. Ho, David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 12061334
    Abstract: An optical scanning system includes one or more Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) Micro-Mirror Arrays (MMAs) used to scan a field-of-view (FOV) over a field-of-regard (FOR). The MEMS MMA is configured such that optical radiation from each point in the FOV does not land on or originate from out-of-phase mirror segments and a diffraction limited resolution of the optical system is limited by the size of the entrance pupil and not by the size of individual mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: David J. Knapp, Gerald P. Uyeno, Sean D. Keller, Benn H. Gleason, Eric Rogala, Mark K. Lange, Garret A. Odom, Craig O. Shott, Zachary D. Barker
  • Patent number: 12052807
    Abstract: An illumination device and method are provided herein for calibrating individual LEDs in the illumination device to obtain a desired luminous flux and a desired chromaticity of the device over changes in drive current, temperature, and over time as the LEDs age. The calibration method may include subjecting the illumination device to a first ambient temperature, successively applying at least three different drive currents to a first LED to produce illumination at three or more different levels of brightness, obtaining a plurality of optical measurements from the illumination produced by the first LED at each of the at least three different drive currents, obtaining a plurality of electrical measurements from the photodetector and storing results of the obtaining steps within the illumination device to calibrate the first LED at the first ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Jason E. Lewis, David J. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20240161602
    Abstract: A system and method are provided herein for communicating with and controlling various devices using visible light communication (VLC). According to one embodiment, a method is provided for extending a communication range of a VLC system comprising a plurality of controlled devices and a remote-control device. Such a method may include, for example, transmitting a communication message from a remote-control device to a first controlled device located within range of the remote-control device, wherein the communication message is transmitted through free space using visible light, and extending the communication range of the VLC system to a second controlled device, which is located outside of the range of the remote-control device, by using the first controlled device to retransmit the communication message through free space using visible light to the second controlled device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Knapp, Horace C. Ho
  • Patent number: 11915581
    Abstract: A system and method are provided herein for communicating with and controlling various devices using visible light communication (VLC). According to one embodiment, a method is provided for extending a communication range of a VLC system comprising a plurality of controlled devices and a remote-control device. Such a method may include, for example, transmitting a communication message from a remote-control device to a first controlled device located within range of the remote-control device, wherein the communication message is transmitted through free space using visible light, and extending the communication range of the VLC system to a second controlled device, which is located outside of the range of the remote-control device, by using the first controlled device to retransmit the communication message through free space using visible light to the second controlled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Knapp, Horace C. Ho
  • Publication number: 20230422376
    Abstract: An illumination device and method are provided herein for calibrating individual LEDs in the illumination device to obtain a desired luminous flux and a desired chromaticity of the device over changes in drive current, temperature, and over time as the LEDs age. The calibration method may include subjecting the illumination device to a first ambient temperature, successively applying at least three different drive currents to a first LED to produce illumination at three or more different levels of brightness, obtaining a plurality of optical measurements from the illumination produced by the first LED at each of the at least three different drive currents, obtaining a plurality of electrical measurements from the photodetector and storing results of the obtaining steps within the illumination device to calibrate the first LED at the first ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Jason E. Lewis, David J. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20230250935
    Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Fangxu Dong, Horace C. Ho, David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 11723134
    Abstract: An illumination device and method are provided herein for calibrating individual LEDs in the illumination device to obtain a desired luminous flux and a desired chromaticity of the device over changes in drive current, temperature, and over time as the LEDs age. The calibration method may include subjecting the illumination device to a first ambient temperature, successively applying at least three different drive currents to a first LED to produce illumination at three or more different levels of brightness, obtaining a plurality of optical measurements from the illumination produced by the first LED at each of the at least three different drive currents, obtaining a plurality of electrical measurements from the photodetector and storing results of the obtaining steps within the illumination device to calibrate the first LED at the first ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Jason E. Lewis, David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 11662077
    Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Fangxu Dong, Horace C. Ho, David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 11618122
    Abstract: Examples are directed to an approach to specifying design guidelines for fabricating a free-form optical component, and methods of fabricating the free-form optical components. In one example, a family of optical prescriptions is created, and a fabricator may manufacture the free-form optical element to any selected prescription within the family. According to certain examples, the series of prescriptions in the family each describe a very similar optical surface providing the same or similar optical performance, and are layered relative to one another such that the thickness of the optical element at any point is slightly less for each subsequent surface defined by the next prescription in the series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Alejandro Maldonado, David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: RE50468
    Abstract: Intelligent illumination device are disclosed that use components in an LED light to perform one or more of a Wide variety of desirable lighting functions for very low cost. The LEDs that produce light can be periodically turned off momentarily, for example, for a duration that the human eye cannot perceive, in order for the light to receive commands optically. The optically transmitted commands can be sent to the light, for example, using a remove control device. The illumination device can use the LEDs that are currently off to receive the data and then configure the light accordingly, or to measure light. Such light can be ambient light for a photosensor function, or light from other LEDs in the illumination device to adjust the color mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: David J. Knapp