Patents by Inventor Horace C. Ho

Horace C. Ho 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).

  • Patent number: 11930570
    Abstract: An illumination device, system, and method are provided herein for emulating sunlight along a daytime or nighttime locus. Color temperature is determined using a first color temperature curve that includes data representative of a first color temperature as a function of a time of day. In response to a request to a change in brightness of one or more LED chains, a target color temperature output as a function of the current time of day is determined using a second color temperature curve based on the requested change in brightness. The second color temperature curve includes the target color temperature corresponding to the determined current time of day. The target color temperature output includes a lesser change in color temperature at solar noon than the change in color temperature at sunrise and sunset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Nav Sooch, Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank, Jason E. Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11871495
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a load control system which produces a show by adjusting one or more parameter values, such as color temperature, intensity, spectrum, volume, load state, and position of a window covering, as a function of a show time equal to a current time of day. The load control system is responsive to receiving commands to adjust the show time with respect to the current time of day. The load control system is configured to respond to the received commands by initiating a temporary system override in which the one or more parameter values may rewind or forward in time according to the defined show. The temporary override may exit and the defined show may resume at the current time of day after a predetermined amount of time has passed, at a reset time, or in response to a command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Julianne M. Trenary, Matthew R. Blakeley
  • 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: 20230349753
    Abstract: An illumination device comprises one or more emitter modules having improved thermal and electrical characteristics. According to one embodiment, each emitter module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured for producing illumination for the illumination device, one or more photodetectors configured for detecting the illumination produced by the plurality of LEDs, a substrate upon which the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors are mounted, wherein the substrate is configured to provide a relatively high thermal impedance in the lateral direction, and a relatively low thermal impedance in the vertical direction, and a primary optics structure coupled to the substrate for encapsulating the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors within the primary optics structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Lih Chang, Mickey Malone, Horace C. Ho
  • Patent number: 11740123
    Abstract: An illumination device comprises one or more emitter modules having improved thermal and electrical characteristics. According to one embodiment, each emitter module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured for producing illumination for the illumination device, one or more photodetectors configured for detecting the illumination produced by the plurality of LEDs, a substrate upon which the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors are mounted, wherein the substrate is configured to provide a relatively high thermal impedance in the lateral direction, and a relatively low thermal impedance in the vertical direction, and a primary optics structure coupled to the substrate for encapsulating the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors within the primary optics structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Lih Chang, Mickey Malone, Horace C. Ho
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230239985
    Abstract: An LED lamp and method are provided for autonomously changing the output brightness and color temperature of a plurality of LED strings to follow a first dimcurve in temporal synchronization with at least one other LED lamp. Synchronization is achieved based on a time of day determined using a clock signal. The output brightness and color temperature can transition from the first dimcurve to a second dimcurve over a predetermined number of scenes. The number of scenes is a function of a difference between the first dimcurve and the second dimcurve in at least one of the output brightness and the color temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Nav Sooch, Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank, Jason E. Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock
  • 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: 11641706
    Abstract: An LED lamp and method are provided for autonomously changing the output brightness and color temperature of a plurality of LED strings to follow a first dimcurve in temporal synchronization with at least one other LED lamp. Synchronization is achieved based on a time of day determined using a clock signal. The output brightness and color temperature can transition from the first dimcurve to a second dimcurve over a predetermined number of scenes. The number of scenes is a function of a difference between the first dimcurve and the second dimcurve in at least one of the output brightness and the color temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Nav Sooch, Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank, Jason E. Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock
  • Publication number: 20220342373
    Abstract: The computing device may be configured to automatically determine curated configuration settings for a scene that is configured to control one or more zones. Each of the zones may be assigned a respective zone purpose. Each zone may be assigned at least one load control device that is configured to control a corresponding electrical load. Each of the one or more zones may be assigned a control type, which may be based on a respective product type and/or load type of the load control devices/electrical loads within each zone. The computing device may be configured to display one or more graphical user interfaces that a user of the computing device may interact with to select a curated configuration option for configuring the scene. The computing device may be configured to automatically determine curated configuration setting for the scene based on the selected curated configuration option and/or the zone purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Grant Oesterling, Kenneth Priester
  • Publication number: 20220260232
    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: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Fangxu Dong, Horace C. Ho, David J. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20220167479
    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: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Jason E. Lewis, David J. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20220155142
    Abstract: An illumination device comprises one or more emitter modules having improved thermal and electrical characteristics. According to one embodiment, each emitter module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured for producing illumination for the illumination device, one or more photodetectors configured for detecting the illumination produced by the plurality of LEDs, a substrate upon which the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors are mounted, wherein the substrate is configured to provide a relatively high thermal impedance in the lateral direction, and a relatively low thermal impedance in the vertical direction, and a primary optics structure coupled to the substrate for encapsulating the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors within the primary optics structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Lih Chang, Mickey Malone, Horace C. Ho
  • Patent number: RE49246
    Abstract: An illumination device and method is provided herein for controlling an LED illumination device, so that a desired luminous flux and a desired chromaticity of the device can be maintained over time as the LEDs age. According to one embodiment, the method determines an expected wavelength value and an expected intensity value for each emission LED included within the illumination device at the drive current currently applied to the emission LED and the present emitter forward voltage. In addition, the method determines a photodetector responsivity for each emission LED at the expected wavelength value and the present photodetector forward voltage. The photodetector responsivity calculated for each emission LED is used as a reference for adjusting the lumen output of the emission LED to account for LED aging affects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Alcides Jose Dias, Jason E. Lewis, David J. Knapp, Horace C. Ho
  • Patent number: RE49421
    Abstract: An illumination device comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a method for controlling the illumination device while avoiding flicker in the LED output is provided herein. According to one embodiment, the method may include driving the plurality of LEDs substantially continuously with drive currents configured to produce illumination, periodically turning the plurality of LEDs off for short durations of time during a first period to take measurements or communicate optical data, and increasing the drive currents supplied to the plurality of LEDs by a small amount when the LEDs are on during the first period to compensate for lack of illumination when the LEDs are periodically turned off during the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: David J. Knapp, Horace C. Ho, Joseph A. Savage
  • Patent number: RE49454
    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: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: David J. Knapp, Horace C. Ho, Jason Lewis
  • Patent number: RE49479
    Abstract: An illumination device and method is provided herein for calibrating individual LEDs and photodetector(s) included within the illumination device, so as to obtain a desired luminous flux and a desired chromaticity of the device over time as the LEDs age. Specifically, a calibration method is provided herein for characterizing each emission LED and each photodetector separately. The wavelength and intensity of the illumination produced by each emission LED is accurately characterized over a plurality of different drive currents and ambient temperatures, and at least a subset of the wavelength and intensity measurement values are stored with a storage medium of the illumination device for each emission LED. The responsivity of the photodetector is accurately characterized over emitter wavelength and photodetector junction temperature, and results of said characterization are stored with the storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Alcides Jose Dias, Jason E. Lewis, David J. Knapp, Horace C. Ho
  • Patent number: RE49705
    Abstract: A method and illumination device are provided for interference-resistant compensation in light emitting diode (LED) illumination devices. In one embodiment, the method includes bringing to a level insufficient to produce illumination the respective drive current of all except one of multiple emission LED elements for the duration of a first measurement interval and a later-occurring second measurement interval. The first and second measurement intervals are within respective first and second series of measurement intervals interspersed with periods of illumination, and the first and second series of measurement intervals are separated by respective first and second offsets from a timing reference. An embodiment of an illumination device includes multiple emission LED elements, one or more photodetectors, and a lamp control circuit, where the lamp control circuit is adapted to perform steps of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank