Patents by Inventor Galen Edgar Knode
Galen Edgar Knode 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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Patent number: 11960264Abstract: A load control system may control an electrical load in a space of a building based on one or more parameters regarding the physical condition of an occupant. The parameters may be gathered by one or more sensing devices. The sensing devices may be included in a mobile device. A system controller may receive the parameters and may automatically control the electrical loads in response to the parameters. The system controller may control the electrical load to attempt to adjust the physical condition of the occupant in response to the sensed parameters. The system controller may control the electrical load to provide an alert, an alarm, and/or a warning in response to the sensed parameters.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Jason C. Killo, Galen Edgar Knode, Sanjeev Kumar, Brent Protzman, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Greg Edward Sloan
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Publication number: 20240049375Abstract: A visible light sensor (VLS) may be configured to sense environmental characteristics using images of a space. The VLS may be controlled in one or more modes, including a daylight glare sensor mode, a daylighting sensor mode, a color sensor mode, and/or an occupancy/vacancy sensor mode. In the daylight glare sensor mode, the VLS may be configured to decrease or eliminate glares. In the daylighting sensor mode and/or color sensor mode, the VLS may be configured to provide a preferred amount of light and color temperature, respectively, within the space. In the occupancy/vacancy sensor mode, the VLS may be configured to detect an occupancy/vacancy condition within the space and adjust one or more control devices according to the occupation or vacancy of the space. The visible light sensor may be configured to protect the privacy of users within the space via software, a removable module, and/or a special sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Craig Alan Casey, Galen Edgar Knode, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, James P. Steiner
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Publication number: 20240049377Abstract: A control device may be configured to be installed in a three-way screw-in socket that includes multi-position switches. The control device may be configured to control one or more lighting loads in response to the respective positions of the multi-position switches of the three-way screw-in socket. The lighting loads may include a lighting load that is integral with the control device, a lighting load that is installed in a threaded receptacle of the control device, and/or one or more lighting loads controlled by respective devices that are associated with the control device. The control device may include a wireless communication circuit that is configured to transmit messages in response to operation of the multi-position switches into respective positions. The control device may be configured to control the lighting loads in response to messages received at the wireless communication circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Jeffrey Karc, Galen Edgar Knode
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Publication number: 20240040338Abstract: A load control system may include control-target devices for controlling an amount of power provided to an electrical load. The control-target devices may be capable of controlling the amount of power provided to the electrical load based on control instructions. The control-target devices and/or the control-instructions may be determined based on a gesture performed by a user. The user may wear a wearable control device capable of measuring movements performed by the user and transmit digital messages that may be used to control an electrical load. The wearable control device may identify gestures performed by the user for controlling a control-target device and/or provide control instructions to the control-target device based on the identified gestures. A gesture may be associated with a scene that includes a configuration of one or more control devices in a load control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Erica L. Clymer, Galen Edgar Knode, Sanjeev Kumar, John Nill, Daniel L. Twaddell, Michael J. Zizza
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Publication number: 20230397317Abstract: A state change device may be electrically connected to a switched receptacle, or to both the switched and unswitched receptacles, of an outlet. The state change device may generate a change of state signal when power is applied to, or removed from, the switched receptacle. The state change device may wirelessly communicate the signal. The state change device may include a load control circuit that may be configured to control the amount of power delivered to an electrical load that is electrically connected to the state change device. The state change device may receive commands directed to the load control circuit. The state change device may be deployed in a load control system and may operate as a control entity, such that the state change device may issue commands to one or more load control devices, responsive to the application or removal of power at the switched receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Jeffrey Karc, Ankit Bhutani, Galen Edgar Knode, Jamie Steffie
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Patent number: 11832365Abstract: A visible light sensor (VLS) may be configured to sense environmental characteristics using images of a space. The VLS may be controlled in one or more modes, including a daylight glare sensor mode, a daylighting sensor mode, a color sensor mode, and/or an occupancy/vacancy sensor mode. In the daylight glare sensor mode, the VLS may be configured to decrease or eliminate glares. In the daylighting sensor mode and/or color sensor mode, the VLS may be configured to provide a preferred amount of light and color temperature, respectively, within the space. In the occupancy/vacancy sensor mode, the VLS may be configured to detect an occupancy/vacancy condition within the space and adjust one or more control devices according to the occupation or vacancy of the space. The visible light sensor may be configured to protect the privacy of users within the space via software, a removable module, and/or a special sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Craig Alan Casey, Galen Edgar Knode, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, James P. Steiner
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Patent number: 11825581Abstract: A control device may be configured to be installed in a three-way screw-in socket that includes multi-position switches. The control device may be configured to control one or more lighting loads in response to the respective positions of the multi-position switches of the three-way screw-in socket. The lighting loads may include a lighting load that is integral with the control device, a lighting load that is installed in a threaded receptacle of the control device, and/or one or more lighting loads controlled by respective devices that are associated with the control device. The control device may include a wireless communication circuit that is configured to transmit messages in response to operation of the multi-position switches into respective positions. The control device may be configured to control the lighting loads in response to messages received at the wireless communication circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Jeffrey Karc, Galen Edgar Knode
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Patent number: 11818627Abstract: A load control system may include control-target devices for controlling an amount of power provided to an electrical load. The control-target devices may be capable of controlling the amount of power provided to the electrical load based on control instructions. The control-target devices and/or the control-instructions may be determined based on a gesture performed by a user. The user may wear a wearable control device capable of measuring movements performed by the user and transmit digital messages that may be used to control an electrical load. The wearable control device may identify gestures performed by the user for controlling a control-target device and/or provide control instructions to the control-target device based on the identified gestures. A gesture may be associated with a scene that includes a configuration of one or more control devices in a load control system.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2021Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Erica L. Clymer, Galen Edgar Knode, Sanjeev Kumar, John Nill, Daniel L. Twaddell, Michael J. Zizza
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Publication number: 20230337347Abstract: A control module is able to be installed with electrical devices, such as, for example electrical loads (e.g., lighting loads) and/or load regulation devices. The control module may determine whether an LED driver for an LED light source is responsive to one or more of a plurality of control techniques. The control module may be able to automatically determine an appropriate control technique to use to control the connected LED driver and/or LED light source. The control module may sequentially attempt to control the LED driver and/or LED light source using each of the plurality of control techniques and determine if the LED driver and/or LED light source is responsive to the present control technique. The plurality of control techniques may include one or more analog control techniques and one or more digital control techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Galen Edgar Knode, Steven J. Kober, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Richard M. Walsh, III
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Patent number: 11778492Abstract: Devices of a control system may communicate with each other via a network. The control devices may be configured to form the network by joining the network and each attempt to attach to another device on the network. Attachment may be performed using one or more link quality thresholds. For example, the control device may measure background values and the link quality threshold may represent an Nth percentile value of the recorded background values measured at the control device. During a router optimization mode, the control devices may measure and store a communication quality metrics that may be used to assign the role of router devices and/or the role of leader device to control devices on the network.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Galen Edgar Knode
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Publication number: 20230308311Abstract: A load control system may include control devices for controlling power provided to an electrical load. The control devices may include a control-source device and a control-target device. The control-target device may control the power provided to the electrical load based on digital messages received from the control-source device. The control devices may include a load control discovery device capable of sending discovery messages configured to discover control devices within a location. The discovered control devices may be organized by signal strength and may be provided to a network device to enable association of the discovered control devices within a location. The discovery messages may be transmitted within an established discovery range. The discovery range may be adjusted to discover different control devices. Different control devices may be identified as the load control discovery device for discovering different control devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Kyle Thomas Barco, Bryan Robert Barnes, Erica L. Clymer, Brian Michael Courtney, Jordan H. Crafts, William Bryce Fricke, Galen Edgar Knode, Sanjeev Kumar, Jonathan T. Lenz, Stephen M. Ludwig, JR., Sandeep Mudabail Raghuram, Richard M. Walsh, III
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Patent number: 11729887Abstract: A control module is able to be installed with electrical devices, such as, for example electrical loads (e.g., lighting loads) and/or load regulation devices. The control module may determine whether an LED driver for an LED light source is responsive to one or more of a plurality of control techniques. The control module may be able to automatically determine an appropriate control technique to use to control the connected LED driver and/or LED light source. The control module may sequentially attempt to control the LED driver and/or LED light source using each of the plurality of control techniques and determine if the LED driver and/or LED light source is responsive to the present control technique. The plurality of control techniques may include one or more analog control techniques and one or more digital control techniques.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Galen Edgar Knode, Steven J. Kober, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Richard M. Walsh, III
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Patent number: 11722377Abstract: A control device may be configured to form a network at a unique coordinated startup time. The control device may identify a role assigned to the control device in a previously-formed network that the control device was attached to. The control device may determine a unique coordinated startup time for the control device based on the role assigned to the control device in the previously-formed network. The control device may initiate a network formation procedure at the unique coordinated startup time for the device. For example, the network formation procedure may cause the control device to attach to another control device in the network. The network formation procedure is configured to enable the control device to assume the role assigned to the control device in the previously-formed network in the new network.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Jeffrey S. Hayes, Galen Edgar Knode, Ankit Bhutani, Richard S. Camden, Jordan H. Crafts, Jason A. King, Prasad Pramod Kulkarni
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Publication number: 20230232261Abstract: Devices of a control system may communicate with each other via a network. The control devices may be configured to form the network by joining the network and each attempt to attach to another device on the network. Attachment may be performed using one or more link quality thresholds. For example, the control device may measure background values and the link quality threshold may represent an Nth percentile value of the recorded background values measured at the control device. During a router optimization mode, the control devices may measure and store a communication quality metrics that may be used to assign the role of router devices and/or the role of leader device to control devices on the network.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Galen Edgar Knode
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Patent number: 11700147Abstract: A load control system may include control devices for controlling power provided to an electrical load. The control devices may include a control-source device and a control-target device. The control-target device may control the power provided to the electrical load based on digital messages received from the control-source device. The control devices may include a load control discovery device capable of sending discovery messages configured to discover control devices within a location. The discovered control devices may be organized by signal strength and may be provided to a network device to enable association of the discovered control devices within a location. The discovery messages may be transmitted within an established discovery range. The discovery range may be adjusted to discover different control devices. Different control devices may be identified as the load control discovery device for discovering different control devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Kyle Thomas Barco, Bryan Robert Barnes, Erica L. Clymer, Brian Michael Courtney, Jordan H. Crafts, William Bryce Fricke, Galen Edgar Knode, Sanjeev Kumar, Jonathan T. Lenz, Stephen M. Ludwig, Jr., Sandeep Mudabail Raghuram, Richard M. Walsh, III
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Publication number: 20230198851Abstract: A control device may be configured to form a network at a unique coordinated startup time. The control device may identify a role assigned to the control device in a previously-formed network that the control device was attached to. The control device may determine a unique coordinated startup time for the control device based on the role assigned to the control device in the previously-formed network. The control device may initiate a network formation procedure at the unique coordinated startup time for the device. For example, the network formation procedure may cause the control device to attach to another control device in the network. The network formation procedure is configured to enable the control device to assume the role assigned to the control device in the previously-formed network in the new network.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Ankit Bhutani, Richard S. Camden, Jordan H. Crafts, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Jason A. King, Galen Edgar Knode, Prasad Pramod Kulkarni
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Patent number: 11683235Abstract: A control device may be configured to delay an attachment procedure while attachment messages are being transmitted over the network. The control device may be configured to initiate an attachment procedure with a router device on a network at the end a back-off period of time. The attachment procedure may include transmitting attachment messages (e.g., parent request messages) that enable the control device to transmit and receive messages over the network through the router device. During the back-off period of time, the control device may determine an attachment message is received from another control device on the network. And, if an attachment message (e.g., a parent request messages and/or a link request message) is received from another control device, the control device may increase the back-off period of time (e.g., delaying when the control device initiates its attachment procedure).Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Jeffrey S. Hayes, Galen Edgar Knode, Ankit Bhutani, Vidur Garg
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Publication number: 20230189410Abstract: Devices of a load control system may communicate with each other via a network. The load control system may include different control devices, such as load control devices, input devices, or other devices capable of communicating with each other to perform load control. These control devices may be capable of providing feedback to a user that indicates different network information that may be used for network diagnostics and/or configuration. For example, a lighting control device may be capable of providing feedback via a corresponding lighting load that indicates network information that may be used in network diagnostics and/or configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Ankit Bhutani, Richard S. Camden, Craig Alan Casey, Jordan H. Crafts, Vidur Garg, Galen Edgar Knode, Prasad P. Kulkarni, John F. Yamrick
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Publication number: 20230119182Abstract: A control device may be configured to delay an attachment procedure while attachment messages are being transmitted over the network. The control device may be configured to initiate an attachment procedure with a router device on a network at the end a back-off period of time. The attachment procedure may include transmitting attachment messages (e.g., parent request messages) that enable the control device to transmit and receive messages over the network through the router device. During the back-off period of time, the control device may determine an attachment message is received from another control device on the network. And, if an attachment message (e.g., a parent request messages and/or a link request message) is received from another control device, the control device may increase the back-off period of time (e.g., delaying when the control device initiates its attachment procedure).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Ankit Bhutani, Vidur Garg, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Galen Edgar Knode
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Patent number: 11617243Abstract: Devices of a load control system may communicate with each other via a network. The load control system may include different control devices, such as load control devices, input devices, or other devices capable of communicating with each other to perform load control. These control devices may be capable of providing feedback to a user that indicates different network information that may be used for network diagnostics and/or configuration. For example, a lighting control device may be capable of providing feedback via a corresponding lighting load that indicates network information that may be used in network diagnostics and/or configuration.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Ankit Bhutani, Richard S. Camden, Jordan H. Crafts, Vidur Garg, Galen Edgar Knode, Prasad P. Kulkarni, Craig Alan Casey, John F. Yamrick