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).

  • Patent number: 7872423
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load comprises a rotary actuator, such as a rotary knob or a rotary wheel. The load control device increases and decreases the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response to rotations of the rotary knob in first and second directions, respectively. The load control device accelerates the rate of change of the amount of power delivered to the load in response to the angular velocity of the rotary actuator. The load control device generates a ratcheting sound when the rotary actuator is rotated in the first direction at a high-end intensity of the load control device. The load control device is operable to control the electrical load in response to both actuations of the rotary actuator and digital messages received via a communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Galen Edgar Knode, Clive Elton Lopez, Joel S. Spira, Maureen E. Flowers
  • Publication number: 20100207759
    Abstract: A wireless sensor for a load control system is adapted to be releasably mounted to a surface, such as a drop ceiling panel, to allow the optimum location of the sensor to be determined. A releasable mounting means of the sensor comprises two posts extending perpendicularly from a rear surface of the sensor. Each post has a small diameter and is rigid enough to pierce the panel without creating a large aesthetically-displeasing hole. The sensor may be permanently affixed to the panel by bending the posts at a rear surface of the panel without the use of a tool, such that the panel is captured between the mounting plate and the deformed posts. The sensor further comprises multiple test buttons provided on an outwardly-facing surface of the sensor for separately testing the communications of the load control system and the operation of the sensor. Alternatively, the releasable mounting means may comprise one or more magnets for magnetically coupling the sensor to a grid structure of the ceiling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Greg Edward Sloan, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Jon M. Keagy, Jason C. Killo, Joel S. Spira
  • Publication number: 20100141158
    Abstract: A hybrid light source comprises a discrete-spectrum lamp (for example, a fluorescent lamp) and a continuous-spectrum lamp (for example, a halogen lamp). A control circuit individually controls the amount of power delivered to the discrete-spectrum lamp and the continuous-spectrum lamp in response to a phase-controlled voltage generated by a connected dimmer switch, such that a total light output of the hybrid light source ranges throughout a dimming range. The discrete-spectrum lamp is turned off and the continuous-spectrum lamp produces all of the total light intensity of the hybrid light source when the total light intensity is below a transition intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Keith Joseph Corrigan, Aaron Dobbins, Mehmet Ozbek, Mark S. Taipale, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D616770
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil Vithal Bhate, Erica L. Clymer, Jason C. Killo, Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D616771
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil Vithal Bhate, Erica L. Clymer, Jason C. Killo, Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D616835
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. Felegy, Jr., Gregory M. Snyder, Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D616838
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard David Samuels, Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D619105
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. Felegy, Jr., David William Petrillo, Gregory M. Snyder, Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D619971
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. Felegy, Jr., David William Petrillo, Gregory M. Snyder, Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D624881
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D624882
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D625273
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. Felegy, Jr., Gregory M. Snyder, Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D625274
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. Felegy, Jr., Gregory M. Snyder, David William Petrillo, Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D626092
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Erica L. Clymer, Edward M. Felegy, Jr., Gregory M. Snyder, David William Petrillo, Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D628103
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Peter Schmalz, Matthew Robert Blakeley, Jason C. Killo, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D630594
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard David Samuels, Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D630595
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard David Samuels, Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D631849
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Elliot G. Jacoby, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D631852
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Erica L. Clymer, Elliot G. Jacoby, David William Petrillo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D631856
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira