Patents by Inventor David P. Ramer

David P. Ramer 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: 20150043425
    Abstract: A lighting system utilizes intelligent system elements, such as lighting devices, user interfaces for lighting control or the like and possibly sensors. The system also has a data communication network. Some number of the intelligent lighting system elements, including at least two of the lighting devices, also support wireless communication with other non-lighting-system devices at the premises. Each such element has a communication interface system configured to provide a relatively short range, low power wireless data communication link for use by other non-lighting-system devices at the premises in proximity to the respective intelligent system element. Also, in such an element, the processor is configured to control communications via the communication interface system so as to provide access to the data network and through the data network to the wide area network outside the premises for non-lighting related communications of the other non-lighting-system devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Januk AGGARWAL, Jason ROGERS, Jack C. RAINS, JR., David P. RAMER
  • Patent number: 8928232
    Abstract: Networked intelligent lighting devices and other elements connected to the network of a lighting system are readily adaptable to desirable networking arrangements as well as logical functional groups, for example by each storing communication provisioning data and/or configuration data for logically associating system elements into one or more groupings or sub-networks. The exemplary systems and system elements may also enable such enhanced network arrangement via autonomous discovery and device commissioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Januk Aggarwal, Jason Rogers, David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140375222
    Abstract: At least one controllable source of visible light is configured to illuminate a space to be utilized by one or more occupants. A controller causes the source(s) to emit light in a manner that varies at least one characteristic of visible light emitted into the space over a period of time at least in part in accordance with a chaotic function. Responsive to user input, sensed activity, and/or acquired information, the source(s) are controlled by the controller in accordance with a lighting control function which may be modified based on learning by a device or system including the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, JR., Januk Aggarwal, David P. Ramer
  • Patent number: 8907809
    Abstract: Exemplary security lighting routines are tailored to disrupt visual perception and/or acuity so as to significantly reduce the ability of a person or persons, who has breached security, to function within a secured space. A routine triggered in response to a security breach includes a flash at a relatively high intensity, some number of times brighter than normal illumination for the space. Some exemplary routines include a warning light and/or a pre-flash light emission such as dim lighting or a flicker, to effectively prepare the person in the space for maximum effectiveness of the flash. Exemplary routines may also include a post-flash sequence of multiple color light emissions, such as alternating emissions in sequence of pulses of different colors of light using emission and/or off time parameters that vary in an irregular manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, Jr., David P. Ramer, Gregg E. Irvin
  • Publication number: 20140354187
    Abstract: An exemplary lighting system utilizes intelligent system elements, such as lighting devices, user interfaces for lighting control or the like and possibly sensors, and utilizes network communication amongst such intelligent system elements. Some processing functions performed within the system are implemented on a distributed processing basis, by two or more of the intelligent elements of the lighting system. Distributed processing, for example, may enable use of available processor and/or memory resources of a number of intelligent system elements to process a particular job. Another distributed processing approach might entail programming to configure two or more of the intelligent system elements to implement multiple instances of a server functionality with respect to client functionalities implemented on intelligent system elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Januk AGGARWAL, Jason ROGERS, David P. RAMER, Jack C. RAINS, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140358285
    Abstract: An example of a building automation system utilizes intelligent system elements, some of which are lighting devices having light sources, and some of which are utility building control and automation elements. Some utility building control and automation elements include a controllable mechanism for use in control of some aspect of the building other than lighting. Another intelligent system element may include either a user interface component and be configured as a building controller, or include a detector and be configured as a sensor. Each intelligent system element includes a network communication interface, processor, memory and programming to configure the intelligent system element as a lighting device, utility building control and automation element, controller or sensor. At least one of the intelligent lighting devices is configured as a building control and automation system server. Several examples, however, implement the overall control using distributed processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Januk AGGARWAL, Jason ROGERS, Jack C. RAINS, JR., David P. RAMER
  • Publication number: 20140354161
    Abstract: Networked intelligent lighting devices and other elements connected to the network of a lighting system are readily adaptable to desirable networking arrangements as well as logical functional groups, for example by each storing communication provisioning data and/or configuration data for logically associating system elements into one or more groupings or sub-networks. The exemplary systems and system elements may also enable such enhanced network arrangement via autonomous discovery and device commissioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Januk AGGARWAL, Jason ROGERS, David P. RAMER, Jack C. RAINS, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140354160
    Abstract: An example of a lighting system includes intelligent lighting devices, each of which includes a light source, a communication interface and a processor coupled to control the light source. In such a system, at least one of the lighting devices includes a user input sensor to detect user activity related to user inputs without requiring physical contact of the user; and at least one of the lighting devices includes an output component to provide information output to the user. One or more of the processors in the intelligent lighting devices are further configured to process user inputs detected by the user input sensor, control lighting and control output to a user via the output component so as to implement an interactive user interface for the system, for example, to facilitate user control of lighting operations of the system and/or to act as a user interface portal for other services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Januk AGGARWAL, Jason ROGERS, Jack C. RAINS, JR., David P. RAMER
  • Publication number: 20140300271
    Abstract: A lamp includes a single string of light emitting diodes (LEDs), driven in common, configured to cause the lamp to emit a visible light output via a bulb. The lamp also includes a lighting industry standard lamp base, which has connectors arranged in a standard three-way lamp configuration, for providing electricity from a three-way lamp socket. Circuitry connected to receive electricity from the connectors of the lamp base as standard three-way control setting inputs drives the string of LEDs. The circuitry is configured to detect the standard three-way control setting inputs and to adjust the common drive to the string of LEDs to selectively produce a different visible light outputs of the lamp via the bulb responsive to the three-way control setting inputs. The lamp may also include nanophosphors pumped by emissions of the LEDs, so that the lamp produces a white light output of particularly desirable characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140292226
    Abstract: At least one controllable source of visible light is configured to illuminate a space to be utilized by one or more occupants. A controller causes the source(s) to emit light in a manner that varies at least one characteristic of visible light emitted into the space over a period of time at least in part in accordance with a chaotic function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140291702
    Abstract: An optical/electrical transducer device has housing, formed of a thermally conductive section and an optically transmissive member. The section and member are connected together to form a seal for a vapor tight chamber. Pressure within the chamber configures a working fluid to absorb heat during operation of the device, to vaporize at a relatively hot location as it absorbs heat, to transfer heat to and condense at a relatively cold location, and to return as a liquid to the relatively hot location. The transducer device also includes a wicking structure mounted within the chamber to facilitate flow of condensed liquid of the working fluid from the cold location to the hot location. At least a portion of the wicking structure comprises semiconductor nanowires, configured as part of an optical/electrical transducer within the chamber for emitting light through and/or driven by light received via the transmissive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: David P. RAMER, Jack C. RAINS, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140252961
    Abstract: Exemplary lighting devices have sensors, intelligence in the form of programmed processors and communication capabilities. Such a device is configured to monitor one or more conditions external to a lighting device not directly related to operational performance of the respective lighting device. One or more such devices can work in a networked system, to support a variety of applications separate and in addition to the lighting related functions of the devices(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, JR.
  • Patent number: 8803412
    Abstract: A lamp for general lighting applications utilizes solid state light emitters and provides light output that may approximate light emissions from of an incandescent lamp. An exemplary lamp includes a bulb and a pedestal extending into the bulb that supports the light emitters in orientations such that emissions from the emitters through the bulb approximate emissions from a filament of an incandescent lamp. An inner member around the emitters and the pedestal provides further light processing, e.g. diffusing and/or phosphor luminescence. The lamp conforms to form factors and/or uses lamp base connectors of common incandescent lamps and/or compact fluorescent lamps. For efficient substitution of components during manufacture of lamps to different specifications, at least some examples use modular couplings for the parts of the lamp to the heat sink or other housing, such as for couplings of the lamp base, the bulb and the inner light processing member (if provided).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Chad N. Sanders, J. Michael Phipps, Jack C. Rains, Jr., David P. Ramer
  • Publication number: 20140217272
    Abstract: A thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism incorporates an active optical element. Examples of active optical elements include various phosphor materials for emitting light, various electrically driven light emitters and various devices that generate electrical current or an electrical signal in response to light. The thermal conductivity and phase transition between evaporation and condensation, of the thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism, cools the active optical element during operation. At least a portion of the active optical element is exposed to a working fluid within a vapor tight chamber of the heat transfer mechanism. The heat transfer mechanism includes a member that is at least partially optically transmissive to allow passage of light to or from the active optical element and to seal the chamber of the heat transfer mechanism with respect to vapor contained within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: David P. RAMER, Jack C. RAINS, JR.
  • Patent number: 8779669
    Abstract: At least one controllable source of visible light is configured to illuminate a space to be utilized by one or more occupants. A controller causes the source(s) to emit light in a manner that varies at least one characteristic of visible light emitted into the space over a period of time at least in part in accordance with a chaotic function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8759843
    Abstract: An optical/electrical transducer device has housing, formed of a thermally conductive section and an optically transmissive member. The section and member are connected together to form a seal for a vapor tight chamber. Pressure within the chamber configures a working fluid to absorb heat during operation of the device, to vaporize at a relatively hot location as it absorbs heat, to transfer heat to and condense at a relatively cold location, and to return as a liquid to the relatively hot location. The transducer device also includes a wicking structure mounted within the chamber to facilitate flow of condensed liquid of the working fluid from the cold location to the hot location. At least a portion of the wicking structure comprises semiconductor nanowires, configured as part of an optical/electrical transducer within the chamber for emitting light through and/or driven by light received via the transmissive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8760051
    Abstract: A lamp includes a single string of light emitting diodes (LEDs), driven in common, configured to cause the lamp to emit a visible light output via a bulb. The lamp also includes a lighting industry standard lamp base, which has connectors arranged in a standard three-way lamp configuration, for providing electricity from a three-way lamp socket. Circuitry connected to receive electricity from the connectors of the lamp base as standard three-way control setting inputs drives the string of LEDs. The circuitry is configured to detect the standard three-way control setting inputs and to adjust the common drive to the string of LEDs to selectively produce a different visible light outputs of the lamp via the bulb responsive to the three-way control setting inputs. The lamp may also include nanophosphors pumped by emissions of the LEDs, so that the lamp produces a white light output of particularly desirable characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains
  • Patent number: 8755039
    Abstract: Exemplary lighting devices have sensors, intelligence in the form of programmed processors and communication capabilities. Such a device is configured to monitor one or more conditions external to a lighting device not directly related to operational performance of the respective lighting device. One or more such devices can work in a networked system, to support a variety of applications separate and in addition to the lighting related functions of the device(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8749131
    Abstract: A lamp uses a solid state source to pump one or more doped semiconductor nanophosphors to produce a light output of a desired characteristic. The nanophosphor(s) is dispersed in a material, examples of which include liquids and gases. Various nanophosphors are discussed. In the examples, the material with the doped semiconductor nanophosphor(s) dispersed therein appears at least substantially clear when the lamp is off. The exemplary lamp also includes circuitry for driving the solid state source and a housing that at least encloses the drive circuitry. The lamp has a lighting industry standard lamp base mechanically connected to the housing and electrically connected to provide electricity to the circuitry for driving the solid state source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Jack C. Rains, Jr., David P. Ramer
  • Patent number: 8736961
    Abstract: The present application generally relates to techniques and equipment for color correction of natural daylight. More particularly, the present application relates to color correction of daylight entering the interior of a structure to maintain a substantially constant color temperature over a period of time through deployment of an opto-luminescent material in a daylighting device. The color correction through deployment of an opto-luminescent material and/or color filter in a daylighting device preferably maintains high lumen intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, Jack C. Rains, Jr., David P. Ramer