Patents by Inventor Jeffrey S. Hayes
Jeffrey S. Hayes 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: 20240029551Abstract: Provided herein are examples of a remote control device that provides a retrofit solution for an existing switched control system. The remote control device may comprise a control circuit, a rotatable portion, a magnetic ring coupled to the rotatable portion, and first and second Hall-effect sensor circuits configured to generate respective first and second sensor control signals in response to magnetic fields generated by the magnetic elements. The control circuit may operate in a normal mode when the rotatable portion is being rotated, and in a reduced-power mode when the rotatable portion is not being rotated. The control circuit may disable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in the reduced-power mode. The control circuit may detect movement of the rotatable portion in response to the first sensor control signal in the reduced-power mode and enable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in response to detecting movement of the rotatable portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Stephen M. Ludwig, Jr., Robert C. Newman, Jr., Jaykrishna A. Shukla
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Publication number: 20230388217Abstract: A load control system may include a network of devices configured to communicate with one another. The load control system may include control devices configured to operate as a leader device or another router device on the network. The control device may process advertisement messages from other router devices in the network. The control device may receive advertisement messages from non-leader router devices and compare the device identifier and the sequence number in the advertisement messages with the device identifier and the sequence number in previously-received advertisement messages from the non-leader router devices. The control device may process each advertisement message received with a different sequence identifier or a different device identifier than previously received advertisement messages from the non-leader router devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Jeffrey S. Hayes
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Patent number: 11816979Abstract: Provided herein are examples of a remote control device that provides a retrofit solution for an existing switched control system. The remote control device may comprise a control circuit, a rotatable portion, a magnetic ring coupled to the rotatable portion, and first and second Hall-effect sensor circuits configured to generate respective first and second sensor control signals in response to magnetic fields generated by the magnetic elements. The control circuit may operate in a normal mode when the rotatable portion is being rotated, and in a reduced-power mode when the rotatable portion is not being rotated. The control circuit may disable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in the reduced-power mode. The control circuit may detect movement of the rotatable portion in response to the first sensor control signal in the reduced-power mode and enable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in response to detecting movement of the rotatable portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Stephen M. Ludwig, Jr., Robert C. Newman, Jr., Jaykrishna A. Shukla
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Publication number: 20230354494Abstract: A load control system for controlling a plurality of lighting loads located in a space may be configured to track the location of one or more tracked devices. The load control system may comprise a system controller, lighting control devices, e.g., for controlling a plurality of lighting loads, and tracked devices. The tracked devices may each transmit beacon messages. The lighting control devices may receive the beacon message. The lighting control devices may measure a communication quality metric of each of the beacon messages, and process the measured communication quality metrics received over a period of time to determine a processed communication quality metric for the tracked device. The lighting control devices may transmit tracking data to the system controller. The system controller may determine a location of the tracked device. For example, the system controller may determine the location of the tracked device via trilateration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Richard S. Camden, Vidur Garg, Jeffrey S. Hayes
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Publication number: 20230319962Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum-rated current to a minimum-rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum-rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst-mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum-rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum-rated current.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
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Patent number: 11770324Abstract: A load control system may include a network of devices configured to communicate with one another. The load control system may include control devices configured to operate as a leader device or another router device on the network. The control device may process advertisement messages from other router devices in the network. The control device may receive advertisement messages from non-leader router devices and compare the device identifier and the sequence number in the advertisement messages with the device identifier and the sequence number in previously-received advertisement messages from the non-leader router devices. The control device may process each advertisement message received with a different sequence identifier or a different device identifier than previously received advertisement messages from the non-leader router devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Jeffrey S. Hayes
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Patent number: 11751312Abstract: A load control system for controlling a plurality of lighting loads located in a space may be configured to track the location of one or more tracked devices. The load control system may comprise a system controller, lighting control devices, e.g., for controlling a plurality of lighting loads, and tracked devices. The tracked devices may each transmit beacon messages. The lighting control devices may receive the beacon message. The lighting control devices may measure a communication quality metric of each of the beacon messages, and process the measured communication quality metrics received over a period of time to determine a processed communication quality metric for the tracked device. The lighting control devices may transmit tracking data to the system controller. The system controller may determine a location of the tracked device. For example, the system controller may determine the location of the tracked device via trilateration.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Richard S. Camden, Vidur Garg, Jeffrey S. Hayes
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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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Patent number: 11711875Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum-rated current to a minimum-rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum-rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst-mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum-rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum-rated current.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
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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: 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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Publication number: 20230118747Abstract: A load control system for controlling a plurality of lighting loads located in a space may be configured to track the location of one or more tracked devices. The load control system may comprise a system controller, lighting control devices, e.g., for controlling a plurality of lighting loads, and tracked devices. The tracked devices may each transmit beacon messages. The lighting control devices may receive the beacon message. The lighting control devices may measure a communication quality metric of each of the beacon messages, and process the measured communication quality metrics received over a period of time to determine a processed communication quality metric for the tracked device. The lighting control devices may transmit tracking data to the system controller. The system controller may determine a location of the tracked device. For example, the system controller may determine the location of the tracked device via trilateration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Richard S. Camden, Vidur Garg, Jeffrey S. Hayes
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Patent number: 11564300Abstract: A load control system for controlling a plurality of lighting loads located in a space may be configured to track the location of one or more tracked devices. The load control system may comprise a system controller, lighting control devices, e.g., for controlling a plurality of lighting loads, and tracked devices. The tracked devices may each transmit beacon messages. The lighting control devices may receive the beacon message. The lighting control devices may measure a communication quality metric of each of the beacon messages, and process the measured communication quality metrics received over a period of time to determine a processed communication quality metric for the tracked device. The lighting control devices may transmit tracking data to the system controller. The system controller may determine a location of the tracked device. For example, the system controller may determine the location of the tracked device via trilateration.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2022Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Richard S. Camden, Vidur Garg, Jeffrey S. Hayes
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Publication number: 20220256669Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum-rated current to a minimum-rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum-rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst-mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum-rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum-rated current.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
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Publication number: 20220230533Abstract: Provided herein are examples of a remote control device that provides a retrofit solution for an existing switched control system. The remote control device may comprise a control circuit, a rotatable portion, a magnetic ring coupled to the rotatable portion, and first and second Hall-effect sensor circuits configured to generate respective first and second sensor control signals in response to magnetic fields generated by the magnetic elements. The control circuit may operate in a normal mode when the rotatable portion is being rotated, and in a reduced-power mode when the rotatable portion is not being rotated. The control circuit may disable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in the reduced-power mode. The control circuit may detect movement of the rotatable portion in response to the first sensor control signal in the reduced-power mode and enable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in response to detecting movement of the rotatable portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Stephen M. Ludwig, JR., Robert C. Newman, JR., Jaykrishna A. Shukla
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Publication number: 20220183128Abstract: A load control system for controlling a plurality of lighting loads located in a space may be configured to track the location of one or more tracked devices. The load control system may comprise a system controller, lighting control devices, e.g., for controlling a plurality of lighting loads, and tracked devices. The tracked devices may each transmit beacon messages. The lighting control devices may receive the beacon message. The lighting control devices may measure a communication quality metric of each of the beacon messages, and process the measured communication quality metrics received over a period of time to determine a processed communication quality metric for the tracked device. The lighting control devices may transmit tracking data to the system controller. The system controller may determine a location of the tracked device. For example, the system controller may determine the location of the tracked device via trilateration.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2022Publication date: June 9, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Richard S. Camden, Vidur Garg, Jeffrey S. Hayes
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Patent number: 11335185Abstract: Provided herein are examples of a remote control device that provides a retrofit solution for an existing switched control system. The remote control device may comprise a control circuit, a rotatable portion, a magnetic ring coupled to the rotatable portion, and first and second Hall-effect sensor circuits configured to generate respective first and second sensor control signals in response to magnetic fields generated by the magnetic elements. The control circuit may operate in a normal mode when the rotatable portion is being rotated, and in a reduced-power mode when the rotatable portion is not being rotated. The control circuit may disable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in the reduced-power mode. The control circuit may detect movement of the rotatable portion in response to the first sensor control signal in the reduced-power mode and enable the second Hall-effect sensor circuit in response to detecting movement of the rotatable portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Stephen M. Ludwig, Jr., Robert C. Newman, Jr., Jaykrishna A. Shukla
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Patent number: 11317491Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum-rated current to a minimum-rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum-rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst-mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum-rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum-rated current.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2021Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
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Patent number: 11259389Abstract: A load control system for controlling a plurality of lighting loads located in a space may be configured to track the location of one or more tracked devices. The load control system may comprise a system controller, lighting control devices, e.g., for controlling a plurality of lighting loads, and tracked devices. The tracked devices may each transmit beacon messages. The lighting control devices may receive the beacon message. The lighting control devices may measure a communication quality metric of each of the beacon messages, and process the measured communication quality metrics received over a period of time to determine a processed communication quality metric for the tracked device. The lighting control devices may transmit tracking data to the system controller. The system controller may determine a location of the tracked device. For example, the system controller may determine the location of the tracked device via trilateration.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Richard S. Camden, Vidur Garg, Jeffrey S. Hayes