Patents by Inventor Joel S. Spira
Joel S. Spira 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: 10609792Abstract: A controller comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and a load control device. The controller also comprises a control circuit coupled to the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive each half-cycle of the AC power source to generate a phase-control voltage. The control circuit is operable to render the controllably conductive device conductive for a portion of each half-cycle of the AC power source. The control circuit is operable to transmit a digital message to the load control device for controlling the power delivered to the load by encoding digital information in timing edges of the phase-control voltage, where the phase-control voltage having at least one timing edge in each half-cycle of the AC power source when the control circuit is transmitting the digital message to the load control device.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Mark S. Taipale, James P. Steiner, Walter S. Zaharchuk, Michael W. Pessina, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20200083708Abstract: A controllable electrical outlet may be used to control one or more standard electrical outlets. The controllable electrical outlet may include a first connection configured to be electrically coupled to a hot connection, a second connection configured to be electrically coupled to a standard electrical outlet, and a third connection configured to be electrically coupled to a neutral connection. The controllable electrical outlet may also include a load control circuit, a communication circuit, and a control circuit. The load control circuit may be electrically coupled in series between the first and second screw terminals to control power delivered to the standard electrical outlet, and the control circuit may be coupled to the load control circuit and the communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control power delivered to the standard electrical outlet in response to a wireless signal received via the communication circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Daniel C. Raneri, Joseph C. Guellnitz, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20200076191Abstract: 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 independent units responsive to a broadcast controller. Each independent unit includes at least one commander and at least one energy controller for controlling at least one of the electrical loads in response to a control signal received from the commander. The independent units are configured and operate independent of each other. The broadcast controller transmits wireless signals to the energy controllers of the independent units. The energy controllers do not respond to control signals received from the commanders of other independent units, but the energy controllers of both independent units respond to the wireless signals transmitted by broadcast controller. The energy controller may operate in different operating modes in response to the wireless signals transmitted by the broadcast controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Walter S. Zaharchuk, Timothy S. Majewski, Christopher Buck, Daniel Vander Valk, John H. Bull, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: 10447036Abstract: 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 independent units responsive to a broadcast controller. Each independent unit includes at least one commander and at least one energy controller for controlling at least one of the electrical loads in response to a control signal received from the commander. The independent units are configured and operate independent of each other. The broadcast controller transmits wireless signals to the energy controllers of the independent units. The energy controllers do not respond to control signals received from the commanders of other independent units, but the energy controllers of both independent units respond to the wireless signals transmitted by broadcast controller. The energy controller may operate in different operating modes in response to the wireless signals transmitted by the broadcast controller.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Walter S. Zaharchuk, Timothy S. Majewski, Christopher Buck, Daniel Vander Valk, John H. Bull, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: 10355482Abstract: A controllable electrical outlet may be used to control one or more standard electrical outlets. The controllable electrical outlet may include a first connection configured to be electrically coupled to a hot connection, a second connection configured to be electrically coupled to a standard electrical outlet, and a third connection configured to be electrically coupled to a neutral connection. The controllable electrical outlet may also include a load control circuit, a communication circuit, and a control circuit. The load control circuit may be electrically coupled in series between the first and second screw terminals to control power delivered to the standard electrical outlet, and the control circuit may be coupled to the load control circuit and the communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control power delivered to the standard electrical outlet in response to a wireless signal received via the communication circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2018Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Daniel C. Raneri, Joseph C. Guellnitz, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20190182937Abstract: A controller comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and a load control device. The controller also comprises a control circuit coupled to the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive each half-cycle of the AC power source to generate a phase-control voltage. The control circuit is operable to render the controllably conductive device conductive for a portion of each half-cycle of the AC power source. The control circuit is operable to transmit a digital message to the load control device for controlling the power delivered to the load by encoding digital information in timing edges of the phase-control voltage, where the phase-control voltage having at least one timing edge in each half-cycle of the AC power source when the control circuit is transmitting the digital message to the load control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Taipale, James P. Steiner, Walter S. Zaharchuk, Michael W. Pessina, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: 10231317Abstract: A controller comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and a load control device. The controller also comprises a control circuit coupled to the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive each half-cycle of the AC power source to generate a phase-control voltage. The control circuit is operable to render the controllably conductive device conductive for a portion of each half-cycle of the AC power source. The control circuit is operable to transmit a digital message to the load control device for controlling the power delivered to the load by encoding digital information in timing edges of the phase-control voltage, where the phase-control voltage having at least one timing edge in each half-cycle of the AC power source when the control circuit is transmitting the digital message to the load control device.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Mark S. Taipale, James P. Steiner, Walter S. Zaharchuk, Michael W. Pessina, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20190075636Abstract: A wall-mountable remote control device may be installed in place of an existing light switch and may be configured to transmit wireless signals to an electrical load device, such as a screw-in light-emitting diode (LED) lamp, to provide control of the electrical load device. The remote control device may comprise an air-gap switch adapted to be electrically coupled in series between a power source and the controllable light source, but may not comprise a bidirectional semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to the electrical load device using a phase-control dimming technique. The remote control device may have a low-profile enclosure that is smaller than an enclosure of a standard dimmer switch, and thus may be easier to install in an electrical wallbox. The remote control device may comprise two parts including an air-gap switch device and a wireless communication device mounted to the air-gap switch device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventor: Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: 10123400Abstract: A wall-mountable remote control device may be installed in place of an existing light switch and may be configured to transmit wireless signals to an electrical load device, such as a screw-in light-emitting diode (LED) lamp, to provide control of the electrical load device. The remote control device may comprise an air-gap switch adapted to be electrically coupled in series between a power source and the controllable light source, but may not comprise a bidirectional semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to the electrical load device using a phase-control dimming technique. The remote control device may have a low-profile enclosure that is smaller than an enclosure of a standard dimmer switch, and thus may be easier to install in an electrical wallbox. The remote control device may comprise two parts including an air-gap switch device and a wireless communication device mounted to the air-gap switch device.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventor: Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20180287385Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Gregory S. Altonen, William B. Fricke, Elliot G. Jacoby, Michael W. Pessina, Walter S. Zaharchuk, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20180198278Abstract: A controllable electrical outlet may be used to control one or more standard electrical outlets. The controllable electrical outlet may include a first connection configured to be electrically coupled to a hot connection, a second connection configured to be electrically coupled to a standard electrical outlet, and a third connection configured to be electrically coupled to a neutral connection. The controllable electrical outlet may also include a load control circuit, a communication circuit, and a control circuit. The load control circuit may be electrically coupled in series between the first and second screw terminals to control power delivered to the standard electrical outlet, and the control circuit may be coupled to the load control circuit and the communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control power delivered to the standard electrical outlet in response to a wireless signal received via the communication circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Daniel C. Raneri, Joseph C. Guellnitz, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: 9991710Abstract: 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: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Gregory Altonen, William Bryce Fricke, Elliot G. Jacoby, Michael W. Pessina, Walter S. Zaharchuk, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: 9912152Abstract: A controllable electrical outlet may be used to control one or more standard electrical outlets. The controllable electrical outlet may include a first connection configured to be electrically coupled to a hot connection, a second connection configured to be electrically coupled to a standard electrical outlet, and a third connection configured to be electrically coupled to a neutral connection. The controllable electrical outlet may also include a load control circuit, a communication circuit, and a control circuit. The load control circuit may be electrically coupled in series between the first and second screw terminals to control power delivered to the standard electrical outlet, and the control circuit may be coupled to the load control circuit and the communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control power delivered to the standard electrical outlet in response to a wireless signal received via the communication circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2017Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Daniel Curtis Raneri, Joseph C. Guellnitz, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: 9890587Abstract: A motorized roller tube for reeling and unreeling a flexible member between fully open and fully closed conditions operates with minimized sound level. A variable controller energizes a motor with a controllable RPM driving a gear reduction assembly. The motor has a speed versus torque characteristic which extends linearly from a high maximum RPM and low minimum torque, to a low minimum RPM and high maximum torque, and having a peak efficiency at a given RPM. The motor moves the flexible member between its fully open and fully closed positions at a motor speed less than the given peak efficiency RPM and less than 50% of its high maximum RPM, and at a motor efficiency which is less than 25% of the peak efficiency whereby the motor is intentionally operated in a high torque and low efficiency manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Thomas W. Brenner, Brandon J. Detmer, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20170256943Abstract: A controllable electrical outlet may be used to control one or more standard electrical outlets. The controllable electrical outlet may include a first connection configured to be electrically coupled to a hot connection, a second connection configured to be electrically coupled to a standard electrical outlet, and a third connection configured to be electrically coupled to a neutral connection. The controllable electrical outlet may also include a load control circuit, a communication circuit, and a control circuit. The load control circuit may be electrically coupled in series between the first and second screw terminals to control power delivered to the standard electrical outlet, and the control circuit may be coupled to the load control circuit and the communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control power delivered to the standard electrical outlet in response to a wireless signal received via the communication circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Daniel Curtis Raneri, Joseph C. Guellnitz, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20170251542Abstract: A wall-mountable remote control device may be installed in place of an existing light switch and may be configured to transmit wireless signals to an electrical load device, such as a screw-in light-emitting diode (LED) lamp, to provide control of the electrical load device. The remote control device may comprise an air-gap switch adapted to be electrically coupled in series between a power source and the controllable light source, but may not comprise a bidirectional semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to the electrical load device using a phase-control dimming technique. The remote control device may have a low-profile enclosure that is smaller than an enclosure of a standard dimmer switch, and thus may be easier to install in an electrical wallbox. The remote control device may comprise two parts including an air-gap switch device and a wireless communication device mounted to the air-gap switch device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventor: Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20170245353Abstract: A controller comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source and a load control device. The controller also comprises a control circuit coupled to the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive each half-cycle of the AC power source to generate a phase-control voltage. The control circuit is operable to render the controllably conductive device conductive for a portion of each half-cycle of the AC power source. The control circuit is operable to transmit a digital message to the load control device for controlling the power delivered to the load by encoding digital information in timing edges of the phase-control voltage, where the phase-control voltage having at least one timing edge in each half-cycle of the AC power source when the control circuit is transmitting the digital message to the load control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Taipale, James P. Steiner, Walter S. Zaharchuk, Michael W. Pessina, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: 9736911Abstract: A load control system comprises a load control device for controlling an electrical load receiving power from an AC power source, and a controller adapted to be coupled in series between the source and the load control device. The load control system may be installed without requiring any additional wires to be run, and is easily configured without the need for a computer or an advanced commissioning procedure. The load control device receives both power and communication over two wires, and the controller generates a phase-control voltage that has at least one timing edge in each half-cycle, and transmits digital messages by modulating a timing edge of the phase-control voltage relative to a reference edge. The controller may be operable to receive inputs from a plurality of different input devices, and the load control device may be operable to control a plurality of different loads.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2012Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO. INC.Inventors: Mark S. Taipale, James P. Steiner, Walter S. Zaharchuk, Michael W. Pessina, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: D818444Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Erica L. Clymer, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Elliot G. Jacoby, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: D820222Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Erica L. Clymer, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Elliot G. Jacoby, Joel S. Spira