Patents by Inventor John Cavacuiti

John Cavacuiti 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: 11729592
    Abstract: A technique for commissioning of light sources may include receiving data indicating planned geographic positions of the light sources and data representing commissioning information of the light sources, receiving data indicating an actual geographic position of an angle of arrival receiver relative to the planned geographic positions of the light sources, receiving, at the angle of arrival receiver, beacon signals carrying respective light source identifiers that uniquely identify respective light sources, calculating actual geographic positions of the light sources based on a) the actual geographic position of the angle of arrival receiver relative to the planned geographic positions of the light sources and b) respective angles of arrival of the beacon signals, comparing the planned geographic positions to the actual geographic positions to correlate the commissioning information to the light source identifiers, and transmitting the correlated light source identifiers and commissioning information to the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: John Cavacuiti, Masaaki Ikehara
  • Publication number: 20210303746
    Abstract: A technique for commissioning of light sources may include receiving data indicating planned geographic positions of the light sources and data representing commissioning information of the light sources, receiving data indicating an actual geographic position of an angle of arrival receiver relative to the planned geographic positions of the light sources, receiving, at the angle of arrival receiver, beacon signals carrying respective light source identifiers that uniquely identify respective light sources, calculating actual geographic positions of the light sources based on a) the actual geographic position of the angle of arrival receiver relative to the planned geographic positions of the light sources and b) respective angles of arrival of the beacon signals, comparing the planned geographic positions to the actual geographic positions to correlate the commissioning information to the light source identifiers, and transmitting the correlated light source identifiers and commissioning information to the
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: John CAVACUITI, Masaaki IKEHARA
  • Publication number: 20210259071
    Abstract: A technique for uniquely identifying a light fixture for use in a positioning system may include providing a first set of LED and a second set of LED in the light fixture, and controlling the first set of LED differently from the second set of LED such that a camera having the light fixture within its field of view captures images in which the first set of LED appears to emit light and the second set of LED appears to emit no light to form a detectable pattern uniquely associated with the light fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: John CAVACUITI, Masaaki IKEHARA, Travis BERRY, Wei XIONG, Hideki AOYAMA
  • Patent number: 10880977
    Abstract: A technique for commissioning of a light source includes transmitting outgoing beacon signals, each outgoing beacon signal including a stored light source identifier that uniquely identifies the light source; receiving incoming beacon signals including an incoming beacon signal carrying an incoming light source identifier that corresponds to the stored light source identifier; receiving subsequent incoming beacon signal carrying the incoming light source identifier; and changing commissioning information in response to receiving the subsequent incoming beacon signal carrying the incoming light source identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: John Cavacuiti, Masaaki Ikehara
  • Patent number: 10798797
    Abstract: A sensor assembly may be mounted in a ceiling used with an associated light fixture. The sensor assembly may include a body including a sensor end and a blade end opposite the sensor end. A sensor may be disposed on the body nearer the sensor end than the blade end. A cutting blade may be disposed on the body nearer the blade end than the sensor end. The cutting blade may be configured to cut an opening in the ceiling. At least one retainer protrusion may be disposed on the body between the sensor and the cutting blade. The at least one retainer protrusion may be configured to retain the sensor assembly in the opening of the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Douglas Lighting Controls
    Inventors: Rob Mahaffey, John Cavacuiti, Wilson Tse, Glen Tracey, Jon Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10789843
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle parking area includes occupancy sensing devices, which may be associated with light fixtures. During a device commissioning mode, each device emits position signals and identifies signal characteristics of position signals received from proximate devices thereto. A central controller collects the position signals from the devices and generates a data set comprising identified locations for each device relative to predetermined baseline locations, based on the received position signals and the identified signal characteristics. The controller further maps the identified locations for each of the devices to specified locations in the parking area comprising the predetermined baseline locations. During a normal operating mode, the controller may generate signals directing drivers in the parking area to unoccupied parking spaces, and/or regulate a lighting state for light fixtures in the parking area based at least partly on detected occupancy states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Berry, John Cavacuiti, Rob Mahaffey
  • Publication number: 20200279482
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle parking area includes occupancy sensing devices, which may be associated with light fixtures. During a device commissioning mode, each device emits position signals and identifies signal characteristics of position signals received from proximate devices thereto. A central controller collects the position signals from the devices and generates a data set comprising identified locations for each device relative to predetermined baseline locations, based on the received position signals and the identified signal characteristics. The controller further maps the identified locations for each of the devices to specified locations in the parking area comprising the predetermined baseline locations. During a normal operating mode, the controller may generate signals directing drivers in the parking area to unoccupied parking spaces, and/or regulate a lighting state for light fixtures in the parking area based at least partly on detected occupancy states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Travis L. Berry, John Cavacuiti, Rob Mahaffey
  • Patent number: 10591323
    Abstract: A sealed sensor apparatus for a light fixture includes a housing. The housing has a base portion configured to house circuitry of the sensor apparatus. The housing include an integral cylindrical extension projecting from the base portion. The cylindrical extension has an interior surface defining an interior cavity. The cylindrical extension has an exterior surface radially spaced from the interior surface. A gasket may be received about the exterior surface of the cylindrical extension. A lens may be sealingly mounted to the cylindrical extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Cavacuiti, Rob Mahaffey, Wilson Tse
  • Patent number: 10524328
    Abstract: An apparatus, and lighting systems and methods are provided for controlling and reporting power usage of an LED driver having an LED load driven by the LED driver. The apparatus is coupled to at least an auxiliary port of the LED driver for monitoring a dimming control voltage associated with the LED driver. The apparatus is configured to estimate the power usage of the LED driver and the LED load based on programmed relationships between the monitored dimming control voltage and a selected dimming profile associated with the LED driver. The dimming profile may either be a selected generic dimming profile for adequate reporting of the power usage or a selected specific dimming profile for increased accuracy of the power usage estimation. The apparatus is further configured to transmit the estimated power usage to an external device for dashboarding and energy savings purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Douglas Lighting Controls
    Inventors: Rob Mahaffey, John Cavacuiti, Travis L. Berry
  • Patent number: 10485079
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for configuring a device of a lighting control system. The method begins by providing a configuration interface by a centralized controller of the lighting control system. Device configuration information is received via the configuration interface. A communication network of the lighting control system is then placed into a programming mode. A programming request received at the device is detected, and configuration data representing at least a portion of the received device configuration information is transmitted from the centralized controller to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Douglas Lighting Controls
    Inventors: John Cavacuiti, Arif Hossain, Russell Kramer, Tony Lee, Rob Mahaffey
  • Patent number: 10480966
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adaptable sensor assembly to be mounted to a light fixture in a fixture opening of the light fixture. A mount extends from the sensor housing. A break point is defined in the mount. First and second mount portions are located on either side of the break point. Each of the first and second mount portions are able to connect to the light fixture at the fixture opening. The first mount portion may connect to the light fixture if the light fixture has a large gasket lip, and the second portion may connect to the light fixture if the light fixture has a short gasket lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Mahaffey, John Cavacuiti, Glen Tracey, Wilson Tse
  • Patent number: 10045451
    Abstract: A lighting control system may include a main lighting controller having an opening therein and a main coupler for connecting to an expansion pack. An expansion pack of the lighting control system may have a connector having an opening therein and an expansion coupler for connecting to the main lighting controller. Junction boxes may be configured to connect to the main lighting controller and expansion pack based on a predetermined distance associated with openings of the main lighting controller and expansion pack. Installation of a combined main lighting controller and expansion pack at a plurality of junction boxes may be coordinated. A method may include combining a main lighting controller and an expansion pack, connecting two or more junction boxes to one another to form an array, and connecting the two or more junction boxes to the main lighting controller and expansion pack in accordance with a predetermined spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies
    Inventors: Rob Mahaffey, John Cavacuiti, John Hung, Audey Korpus, Tony Lee, Tan Ly, Kaveh Malakuti
  • Patent number: 9756703
    Abstract: An area lighting control system is provided for a light fixture and occupancy sensors. In a pairing mode, the occupancy sensors transmit messages with respective unique addresses to the light fixture, which identifies an associated sensor network. Upon lapsing of the pairing mode, an operating mode follows during which the sensors transmit output signals representative of occupancy in the area, and the light fixture regulates respective light sources based on an occupancy state determined according to output signals received from the associated network. The output signals are transmitted according to pseudo-random time intervals in order to reduce wireless transmission collisions, and only upon determining no occupancy in the defined area. When signals are received from all sensors in the network during a predetermined time period, the light fixture dims the light sources, whereas otherwise the light fixture operates the light sources at full lighting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Berry, John Cavacuiti
  • Patent number: 9723695
    Abstract: A lighting control system is provided with a communication method utilizing downstream current modulation. A primary controller is electrically coupled to a plurality of lighting devices via a mains power transmission network. Each of the respective lighting devices includes an occupancy sensor and is configured to provide full illumination when occupancy is detected in the associated area. The controller identifies occupancy by an increase in current on the mains lines, directs the other devices to fully illuminate, and activates a timer. Prior to lapsing of the timer, any of the devices may indicate continued occupancy by adjusting an operating current to a respective light source according to a predetermined pattern. Upon identifying the pattern, the controller generates control signals directing each of the other devices to remain fully illuminated, and resets the timer. The predetermined pattern may for example include amplitude modulation, threshold numbers of cycles, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis L. Berry, John Cavacuiti, Rob Mahaffey, Wei Xiong
  • Patent number: 9681520
    Abstract: A lighting control system for a light fixture has an ambient light sensor mounted therein. A switching circuit provides power for driving lighting sources. A controller receives signals from the light sensor and regulates switching frequencies based on desired lighting output level and the ambient light condition. An ambient lighting channel extends from the ambient light sensor to an aperture between outer and inner surfaces of the housing. The ambient lighting channel may include a fiber optic light pipe which extends from the aperture to surround the light sensor. The fiber optic light pipe may extend through the aperture from the ambient light sensor to an ambient light source external to the light fixture. The light sensor may mount on a shared PCB with respect to the lighting sources, such as an LED array, and transmit ambient lighting information to the controller via a feedback loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Travis L. Berry, John Cavacuiti, Rob Mahaffey
  • Patent number: 9420670
    Abstract: A power line communication system communicates dimming levels to a lighting circuit over AC power lines. A power line controller generates control signals which are inserted on the AC power signal to the lighting circuit. A first series resonant circuit is coupled across the AC lines to bypass high frequency components from the control signals. A power line receiver receives the AC power signal and extracts the control signal to generate dimming level signals corresponding with the desired dimming level. To extract the control signal out of the AC power signal, the power line receiver has a resonant circuit connected in parallel with the AC power line and tuned to transmit the ballast control signal and to filter out the AC power signal. A dimming level sensing circuit then senses the signal pattern on the control signal and generates a dimming level signal corresponding to the desired dimming level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Xiong, Travis L. Berry, John Cavacuiti, Rob Mahaffey
  • Publication number: 20130225127
    Abstract: A system and method for securing a portable consumer device is disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention may be directed to a security system comprising a first wireless apparatus for use with a mobile communication device and a second wireless apparatus configured to removably and electrically couple to the mobile communication device. The second wireless apparatus comprising a second processor, a mobile communication device interface element, and a second computer readable medium coupled to the second processor and comprising code executable by the second processor to implement a method comprising determining whether the second wireless apparatus is within a particular distance from the first wireless apparatus, and locking the mobile communication device from use if the second wireless apparatus is not within the particular distance from the first wireless apparatus. Some embodiments may lock the mobile communication device from use if a tamper switch has been triggered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: ACCO Brands Corporation
    Inventors: John Cavacuiti, Kelly Fenning, Gerald Gutierrez
  • Publication number: 20120118031
    Abstract: A security apparatus is disclosed. The security apparatus comprises an attachment device comprising an outer portion, and a locking head configured to secure to the outer portion. The locking head can have a securing element and a locking component, associated with a housing. The locking head may be in a secured configuration upon a single motion or movement of the locking head, and may electrically couple to the attachment device through an electrical connector. The security apparatus can provide both security and power or other electrical signals for the portable article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: John Hung, Robert Mahaffey, John Cavacuiti, Colin R. Adamson
  • Publication number: 20100134414
    Abstract: An input apparatus is disclosed. The input apparatus provides a control signal to a host system. It includes a housing that includes an upper portion and a lower portion. A ball is coupled to the upper portion of the housing and can reside within a ring. A first sensor assembly is configured to sense the position of the ball, and a second sensor assembly is configured to sense the position of the input apparatus relative to a work surface. The input apparatus also includes a mode switch, where the mode switch is operatively coupled to the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly. The mode switch includes a first mode where the first sensor assembly provides the control signal to the host system and a second mode where the second sensor assembly provides the control signal to the host system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: John Cavacuiti
  • Patent number: 7479879
    Abstract: A security device for preventing removal and theft of valuable devices includes an alarm that is coupled to a cable. At a distal end of the cable, a locking device is provided. The locking device is coupled to a valuable device. The other end of the cable is coupled to the alarm. The alarm includes a power source. A lock plate is placed over the power source. The cable is routed through the alarm and through the lock plate prior to coupling the locking device to the portable electronic device. With the cable through the alarm and the lock plate, the lock plate cannot be removed and thus, the power source is inaccessible. A wire loop runs through the cable and is coupled to the alarm such that if the cable is cut, the circuit is broken and the alarm sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Acco Brands USA LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Merrem, John Cavacuiti