Patents by Inventor Gregory S. Altonen
Gregory S. Altonen 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: 20240072711Abstract: A wall-mountable load control device may include an illuminated rotary knob for providing a nightlight feature. The load control device may be configured to control an intensity of a lighting load. The load control device may include a yoke adapted to be mounted to an electrical wall box, an enclosure attached to the yoke, a faceplate attached to the yoke and having an opening, a mounting member attached to the yoke, and/or a potentiometer located within the enclosure and having a shaft extending through an opening in the yoke and the opening of the faceplate. The load control device may include a collar attached to the boss of the mounting member and surrounding the shaft of the potentiometer. The mounting member may be configured to conduct light from at least one light source housed within the enclosure to illuminate the faceplate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Nikhil V. Bhate, Chris Dimberg, Matthew P. McDonald, Rebecca Michalski
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Patent number: 11855565Abstract: A wall-mountable load control device may include an illuminated rotary knob for providing a nightlight feature. The load control device may be configured to control an intensity of a lighting load. The load control device may include a yoke adapted to be mounted to an electrical wall box, an enclosure attached to the yoke, a faceplate attached to the yoke and having an opening, a mounting member attached to the yoke, and/or a potentiometer located within the enclosure and having a shaft extending through an opening in the yoke and the opening of the faceplate. The load control device may include a collar attached to the boss of the mounting member and surrounding the shaft of the potentiometer. The mounting member may be configured to conduct light from at least one light source housed within the enclosure to illuminate the faceplate.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Nikhil V. Bhate, Chris Dimberg, Matthew P. McDonald, Rebecca Michalski
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Publication number: 20230274894Abstract: A remote control for a wireless load control system, the remote control comprising: a housing having a front surface and an outer periphery defined by a length and a width; an actuator provided at the front surface of the housing; a wireless transmitter contained within the housing; and a controller contained within the housing and coupled to the wireless transmitter for causing transmission of a wireless signal in response to an actuation of the actuator, the wireless transmitter and the controller adapted to be powered by a battery contained within the housing; wherein the length and the width of the housing are slightly smaller than a length and a width of a standard opening of a faceplate, respectively, such that the outer periphery of the housing is adapted to be received within the standard opening of the faceplate when the housing and the faceplate are mounted to a vertical surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Edward M. Felegy, JR., Elliot G. Jacoby, JR., Gregory M. Snyder
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Publication number: 20230207237Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Knauss, Michael W. Pessina, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11670464Abstract: A remote control for a wireless load control system, the remote control comprising: a housing having a front surface and an outer periphery defined by a length and a width; an actuator provided at the front surface of the housing; a wireless transmitter contained within the housing; and a controller contained within the housing and coupled to the wireless transmitter for causing transmission of a wireless signal in response to an actuation of the actuator, the wireless transmitter and the controller adapted to be powered by a battery contained within the housing; wherein the length and the width of the housing are slightly smaller than a length and a width of a standard opening of a faceplate, respectively, such that the outer periphery of the housing is adapted to be received within the standard opening of the faceplate when the housing and the faceplate are mounted to a vertical surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Edward M. Felegy, Jr., Elliot G. Jacoby, Jr., Gregory M. Snyder
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Patent number: 11652340Abstract: As described herein, a wall box installation tool may include a template body, one or more hollow pegs, a guide ring, and/or one or more template cards. The template cards may be configured to be installed on a front surface of the template body. A template card may define a plurality of holes therethrough. The guide ring may be configured to be installed within a pre-drilled hole in a wall. Each template card may be associated with a respective electrical device configuration. A subset of bores extending through the hollow pegs may be accessible via the template card when the template card is installed on the front surface of the template body. The wall box installation tool may include one or more fasteners that are configured to install a template card onto the front surface of the template body.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Adam Andersen, Xavier Boudin, Michel Hanns, Eric Johnathan Mace
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Patent number: 11621133Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Knauss, Michael W. Pessina, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20230036482Abstract: A control device for controlling an electrical load may include a slider knob, a plurality of light sources, a diffuser, and a control circuit. The slider knob may be configured to move in a vertical direction along an elongated slot located in a bezel of the control device. The diffuser may be located along the elongated slot and be configured to be illuminated by the plurality of light sources to indicate the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The control circuit may be configured to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response movement of the slider knob along the elongated slot, and to illuminate at least a portion of the diffuser to indicate the amount of power delivered to the electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Edward J. Blair, Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jaime L. Ingram, Jason C. Killo, Matthew K. Olsen, Adam Rosenberg, William Taylor Shivell, Matthew J. Swatsky, Daniel L. Twaddell, Aaron J. Wilz, Noah Zinn
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Publication number: 20230031870Abstract: A wall-mountable load control device may include an illuminated rotary knob for providing a nightlight feature. The load control device may be configured to control an intensity of a lighting load. The load control device may include a yoke adapted to be mounted to an electrical wall box, an enclosure attached to the yoke, a faceplate attached to the yoke and having an opening, a mounting member attached to the yoke, and/or a potentiometer located within the enclosure and having a shaft extending through an opening in the yoke and the opening of the faceplate. The load control device may include a collar attached to the boss of the mounting member and surrounding the shaft of the potentiometer. The mounting member may be configured to conduct light from at least one light source housed within the enclosure to illuminate the faceplate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Nikhil V. Bhate, Chris Dimberg, Matthew P. McDonald, Rebecca Michalski
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Patent number: 11515827Abstract: A wall-mountable load control device may include an illuminated rotary knob for providing a nightlight feature. The load control device may be configured to control an intensity of a lighting load. The load control device may include a yoke adapted to be mounted to an electrical wall box, an enclosure attached to the yoke, a faceplate attached to the yoke and having an opening, a mounting member attached to the yoke, and/or a potentiometer located within the enclosure and having a shaft extending through an opening in the yoke and the opening of the faceplate. The load control device may include a collar attached to the boss of the mounting member and surrounding the shaft of the potentiometer. The mounting member may be configured to conduct light from at least one light source housed within the enclosure to illuminate the faceplate.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company, LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Matthew P. McDonald, Nikhil V. Bhate, Rebecca Michalski
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Publication number: 20220369438Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating via a communications network with a load control system of a respective user environment, receiving information on the load control system via the communications network, displaying graphical user interfaces based on the received information, and controlling and configuring the load control system via graphical user interfaces by communicating via the communications network messages the load control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhythm Agarwal, Brad M. Kreschollek, Bryan R. Barnes, Christopher M. Green, Rhodes B. Baker, Jennifer Wong, Gregory S. Altonen, Karelys Alfonzo
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Patent number: 11438980Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating via a communications network with a load control system of a respective user environment, receiving information on the load control system via the communications network, displaying graphical user interfaces based on the received information, and controlling and configuring the load control system via graphical user interfaces by communicating via the communications network messages the load control system.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhythm Agarwal, Brad M. Kreschollek, Bryan R. Barnes, Christopher M. Green, Rhodes B. Baker, Jennifer Wong, Gregory S. Altonen, Karelys Alfonzo
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Patent number: 11387671Abstract: A load control system for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to a plurality of electrical load includes a plurality of energy controllers. Each energy controller is operable to control at least one of the electrical loads. The load control system also includes a first broadcast controller that has a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna is arranged in a first position and the second antenna is arranged in a second position that is orthogonal to the first position. The broadcast controller is operable to transmit a first wireless signal via the first antenna and a second wireless signal via the second antenna. Each of the energy controllers is operable to receive at least one of the first and second wireless signals, and to control the respective load in response to the received wireless signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald F. Mosebrook, Timothy S. Majewski, Gregory S. Altonen, Benjamin F. Bard
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Publication number: 20220158430Abstract: As described herein, a wall box installation tool may include a template body, one or more hollow pegs, a guide ring, and/or one or more template cards. The template cards may be configured to be installed on a front surface of the template body. A template card may define a plurality of holes therethrough. The guide ring may be configured to be installed within a pre-drilled hole in a wall. Each template card may be associated with a respective electrical device configuration. A subset of bores extending through the hollow pegs may be accessible via the template card when the template card is installed on the front surface of the template body. The wall box installation tool may include one or more fasteners that are configured to install a template card onto the front surface of the template body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Adam Andersen, Xavier Boudin, Michel Hanns, Eric Johnathan Mace
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Publication number: 20220157541Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Knauss, Michael W. Pessina, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11293223Abstract: A load control system for a building having a lighting load, a window, and a heating and cooling system comprises a lighting control device, a daylight control device, and a temperature control device operable to be controlled so as to decrease a total power consumption of the load control system in an energy-savings mode. The energy-savings mode can be manually overridden in response to actuation of the actuator of an input control device, such that the load control system enters a manual mode for manually adjusting the loads controlled by the lighting control device, the daylight control device, and the temperature control device. The load control system is operable to automatically return to the energy-savings mode at a time after the load control system entered the manual mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, William B. Fricke, Elliot G. Jacoby, Michael W. Pessina, Walter S. Zaharchuk, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20220076901Abstract: A remote control for a wireless load control system, the remote control comprising: a housing having a front surface and an outer periphery defined by a length and a width; an actuator provided at the front surface of the housing; a wireless transmitter contained within the housing; and a controller contained within the housing and coupled to the wireless transmitter for causing transmission of a wireless signal in response to an actuation of the actuator, the wireless transmitter and the controller adapted to be powered by a battery contained within the housing; wherein the length and the width of the housing are slightly smaller than a length and a width of a standard opening of a faceplate, respectively, such that the outer periphery of the housing is adapted to be received within the standard opening of the faceplate when the housing and the faceplate are mounted to a vertical surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Edward M. Felegy, JR., Elliot G. Jacoby, JR., Gregory M. Snyder
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Patent number: D965539Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2021Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Jason C. Killo, Brad M. Kreschollek, Nayda Aponte, Noel Mayo
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Patent number: D971859Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2022Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Jason C. Killo, Brad M. Kreschollek, Madia L. Rivera
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Patent number: D1001085Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Jason C. Killo, Brad M. Kreschollek, Nayda Aponte, Noel Mayo