Patents by Inventor Mark A. Norton
Mark A. Norton 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: 11873980Abstract: A photocontrol, such as for an outdoor intelligent lighting fixture, may detect levels of ambient light at multiple sections of the photocontrol. The ambient light may be detected via multiple photosensors located at the photocontrol sections. In addition, the ambient light may be detected via multiple color filters (or sections of a color filter) located at the photocontrol sections. The photocontrol may determine an ambient light differential, such as an instant differential between light received at the multiple photocontrol sections at a particular time, or a temporal differential between light received at the multiple photocontrol sections across multiple times. Based on the ambient light differential, the photocontrol may identify triggering photosensor or triggering section that substantially align with a geographical orientation. The photocontrol may identify a lighting output profile. An output level of a lighting element may be modified based on the lighting output profile.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLCInventors: Richard Lee Westrick, Jr., Mark Norton
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Publication number: 20230090358Abstract: A photocontrol, such as for an outdoor intelligent lighting fixture, may detect levels of ambient light at multiple sections of the photocontrol. The ambient light may be detected via multiple photosensors located at the photocontrol sections. In addition, the ambient light may be detected via multiple color filters (or sections of a color filter) located at the photocontrol sections. The photocontrol may determine an ambient light differential, such as an instant differential between light received at the multiple photocontrol sections at a particular time, or a temporal differential between light received at the multiple photocontrol sections across multiple times. Based on the ambient light differential, the photocontrol may identify triggering photosensor or triggering section that substantially align with a geographical orientation. The photocontrol may identify a lighting output profile. An output level of a lighting element may be modified based on the lighting output profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2021Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Richard Lee Westrick, JR., Mark Norton
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Patent number: 11317499Abstract: A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLCInventors: Mark Norton, Dalibor Zulim, Ryan Zaveruha, Frank Pelliccio, Richard Lee Westrick, Jr.
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Patent number: 11155377Abstract: The present invention provides a method of assembling a filter element (8) with a cup-shaped capsule body (2) using a combined weld-head (70) and former (80), comprising the steps of positioning the filter element (8) at or near a mouth of the cup-shaped capsule body (2), moving the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) so as to contact and drive the filter element (8) into the cup-shaped capsule body (2), wherein, the filter element (8) is deformed by a sprung-loaded former (80) of the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) to form a cup-shaped filter element (56), and using a weld-head (70) of the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) to bond the cup-shaped filter element (56) to the cup-shaped capsule body (2). The present invention further provides a method of making a beverage capsule and a beverage capsule produced using this method.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLCInventors: Nicholas Hansen, Mark Norton
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Patent number: 10925433Abstract: A beverage preparation machine configured to dispense a beverage through an outlet nozzle assembly, the machine comprising: an outlet nozzle assembly having provided therethrough a first outlet and a second outlet; and one or more conduits arranged to deliver selectably fluid to the first outlet or the second outlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.Inventors: Nicholas Hansen, Mark Norton
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Patent number: 10791613Abstract: In response to determining that the line power source for a subset or all member devices of a lighting control group is interrupted, an emergency luminaire enters an emergency mode (EM) active state by controlling a light source, via a driver circuit, to continuously emit emergency illumination lighting. Upon entering the EM active state, the emergency luminaire transmits, via a wireless lighting control network, an EM active message to a lighting control group repeatedly at a predetermined time interval. Emergency luminaire receives, via the wireless lighting control network, an EM exit message from another member device indicating to exit the EM active state. In response to receiving the EM exit message from the other member device, the emergency luminaire exits the EM active state by controlling the light source, via the driver circuit, to discontinue emitting the emergency illumination lighting.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLCInventors: Timothy Mark Norton, Scott Ingraham, Gomez Sam Selvaraj
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Patent number: 10757769Abstract: A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLCInventors: Shoumin Liu, Dalibor Zulim, Mark Norton, Richard Lee Westrick, Jr., Ryan Zaveruha, Justin Bierschbach, Frank Pelliccio, Tiberiu Almasi
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Patent number: 10652972Abstract: In response to determining that the line power source for a subset or all member devices of a lighting control group is interrupted, an emergency luminaire enters an emergency mode (EM) active state by controlling a light source, via a driver circuit, to continuously emit emergency illumination lighting. Upon entering the EM active state, the emergency luminaire transmits, via a wireless lighting control network, an EM active message to a lighting control group repeatedly at a predetermined time interval. Emergency luminaire receives, via the wireless lighting control network, an EM exit message from another member device indicating to exit the EM active state. In response to receiving the EM exit message from the other member device, the emergency luminaire exits the EM active state by controlling the light source, via the driver circuit, to discontinue emitting the emergency illumination lighting.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLCInventors: Timothy Mark Norton, Scott Ingraham, Gomez Sam Selvaraj
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Publication number: 20200128650Abstract: A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Mark Norton, Dalibor Zulim, Ryan Zaveruha, Frank Pelliccio, Richard Lee Westrick, JR.
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Publication number: 20190365592Abstract: A mobility assistance device includes a frame having a base frame, a handle frame, and a support frame extending from the base frame to the handle frame. The mobility assistance device also includes a series of wheels coupled to the base frame, at least one electric motor coupled to at least one wheel of the series of wheels, at least one power supply coupled to the at least one electric motor, at least one electronics module coupled to the frame including a memory device and a processor coupled to the memory device, and at least one hand control coupled to the handle frame. Operation of the hand control is configured to control operation of the at least one electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: John Mark Norton, Gregory Thagard
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Patent number: 10405404Abstract: A lighting control system includes a plurality of lighting system elements that are connected together over at least one lighting control network. The lighting system elements include a network controller, a luminaire, or a lighting control device. Some of the lighting system elements are designated as client lighting devices. At least one of the lighting system elements is designated as a lighting control data synchronization master. The lighting control system allows for changes in lighting control setting data, without sacrificing performance and maintaining stability with network failures, by generation and utilization of lighting control data keys. For example, data synchronization replicates or transfers lighting control setting data when a state change in a lighting control setting is detected based on a comparison of a current lighting control data key with an original lighting control data key.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLCInventors: Christopher Trickler, Mark Norton, Richard L. Westrick, Jr.
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Patent number: 10123403Abstract: A method includes retrieving a current lighting state of at least one luminaire. The lighting state includes light intensity of the at least one luminaire. The method also includes retrieving a sensor state of at least one sensor and determining a next selectable lighting state available for the at least one luminaire and an illumination adjustment for a user interface element of a lighting control device configured to control the luminaire. The determining of the next selectable lighting state available includes comparing the current lighting state and the sensor state to a set of intelligent backlighting rules, and based on the comparison, determining an indicator state corresponding to the illumination adjustment to the user interface element of the lighting control device. The illumination adjustment produces visible output to the user via the user interface element as a visible cue to guide the user to select the next lighting state.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLCInventors: Christopher Trickler, Richard Westrick, Jr., Mark Norton
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Publication number: 20180313896Abstract: A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Shoumin Liu, Dalibor Zulim, Mark Norton, Richard Lee Westrick, JR., Ryan Zaveruha, Justin Bierschbach, Frank Pelliccio, Tiberiu Almasi
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Patent number: 10111275Abstract: A lighting control system of networks and devices designed to allow scheduled events to continue to operate in the case of partial or full network operation and failure. The lighting control system can rely on any network controller to act as a schedule master that evaluates a schedule of time-based lighting control events. When failure of the acting schedule master occurs or network communication therewith, the lighting control system changes the scheduling master to a different network controller based on a fail over protocol. The failover protocol includes detecting when an acting schedule master controller stops working by, for example, failing to receive a keep-alive message at a different network controller within a predetermined amount of time. Upon detecting failure of the schedule master controller, a network controller with a different controller identifier takes over as the schedule master in accordance with a controller identifier evaluation or protocol.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLCInventors: Mark Norton, Christopher Trickler, Dean Naib, Richard L. Westrick, Jr.
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Patent number: 10070585Abstract: An air system (50) for an agricultural harvester (10) includes an air flow splitter component (52) configured to be coupled to the agricultural harvester (10). The air flow splitter component (52) has an inlet (56) configured to receive air and a plurality of air outlets (58) configured to distribute the air. The air system also includes a plurality of air flow paths (60). Each air flow path of the plurality of air flow paths extends from a respective one of the plurality of air outlets and is configured to extend to a corresponding drum (12) of the agricultural harvester. Additionally, each air flow path includes a discharge outlet (80) that is configured to be disposed between a bottom surface (81) of the corresponding drum (12) and a bottom disc (85) of a doffer (42) of the corresponding drum (12) while the air system (50) is coupled to the agricultural harvester.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Michael John Minnich, Robert D. Crandall, Timothy Alan Meeks, Arlan Davis, Jeffrey Mark Norton
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Publication number: 20180242426Abstract: A method includes retrieving a current lighting state of at least one luminaire. The lighting state includes light intensity of the at least one luminaire. The method also includes retrieving a sensor state of at least one sensor and determining a next selectable lighting state available for the at least one luminaire and an illumination adjustment for a user interface element of a lighting control device configured to control the luminaire. The determining of the next selectable lighting state available includes comparing the current lighting state and the sensor state to a set of intelligent backlighting rules, and based on the comparison, determining an indicator state corresponding to the illumination adjustment to the user interface element of the lighting control device. The illumination adjustment produces visible output to the user via the user interface element as a visible cue to guide the user to select the next lighting state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Christopher TRICKLER, Richard WESTRICK, JR., Mark NORTON
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Publication number: 20180201399Abstract: The present invention provides a method of assembling a filter element (8) with a cup-shaped capsule body (2) using a combined weld-head (70) and former (80), comprising the steps of positioning the filter element (8) at or near a mouth of the cup-shaped capsule body (2), moving the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) so as to contact and drive the filter element (8) into the cup-shaped capsule body (2), wherein, the filter element (8) is deformed by a sprung-loaded former (80) of the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) to form a cup-shaped filter element (56), and using a weld-head (70) of the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) to bond the cup-shaped filter element (56) to the cup-shaped capsule body (2). The present invention further provides a method of making a beverage capsule and a beverage capsule produced using this method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Nicholas Hansen, Mark Norton
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Patent number: 10022011Abstract: A beverage preparation machine of the type which uses pre-packaged containers of beverage ingredients includes a cartridge recognition device for determining the type of beverage to be prepared from a cartridge inserted into the machine and a variable geometry valve located downstream of a cartridge when inserted in the machine. The valve enables preparation of beverages at a range of pressures by having at least an open position and at least one restricted flow position, and a controller for selecting an initial valve position and controlling the subsequent operation of the valve according to the determination of the type of beverage to be prepared by the cartridge recognition device.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.Inventors: Mark Norton, Andrew Halliday
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Publication number: 20180146816Abstract: A beverage preparation machine configured to dispense a beverage through an outlet nozzle assembly, the machine comprising: an outlet nozzle assembly having provided therethrough a first outlet and a second outlet; and one or more conduits arranged to deliver selectably fluid to the first outlet or the second outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2018Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Nicholas Hansen, Mark Norton
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Patent number: 9963256Abstract: The present invention provides a method of assembling a filter element (8) with a cup-shaped capsule body (2) using a combined weld-head (70) and former (80), comprising the steps of positioning the filter element (8) at or near a mouth of the cup-shaped capsule body (2), moving the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) so as to contact and drive the filter element (8) into the cup-shaped capsule body (2), wherein, the filter element (8) is deformed by a sprung-loaded former (80) of the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) to form a cup-shaped filter element (56), and using a weld-head (70) of the combined weld-head (70) and former (80) to bond the cup-shaped filter element (56) to the cup-shaped capsule body (2). The present invention further provides a method of making a beverage capsule and a beverage capsule produced using this method.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Kraft Foods R&D, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Hansen, Mark Norton