Patents by Inventor Matthew V. Harte
Matthew V. Harte 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: 20240114605Abstract: A two-wire load control device (such as, a dimmer switch) for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load (such as, a high-efficiency lighting load) includes a thyristor coupled between the source and the load, a gate coupling circuit coupled between a first main load terminal and the gate of the thyristor, and a control circuit coupled to a control input of the gate coupling circuit. The control circuit generates a drive voltage for causing the gate coupling circuit to conduct a gate current to thus render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle of the AC power source, and to allow the gate coupling circuit to conduct the gate current at any time from the firing time through approximately the remainder of the half cycle, where the gate coupling circuit conducts approximately no net average current to render and maintain the thyristor conductive.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Chris J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
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Publication number: 20240047157Abstract: A remote control device my comprise a control unit and a mounting structure (e.g., a smart mounting structure) to which the control unit is configured to be mounted. The control unit may be configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes. The control unit may transmit a first message for controlling a first electrical load when the control unit is operating in a first operating mode and a second message for controlling a second electrical load when the control unit is operating in a second operating mode. When the control unit is mounted to the mounting unit, the mounting unit may transmit a third message to the first control circuit of the control unit in response to receiving a user input received via an input circuit of the control unit. The control unit may change between the plurality of operating modes in response to receiving the third message.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew P. McDonald, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20240047150Abstract: A remote control device is provided that is configured for use in a load control system that includes one or more electrical loads. The remote control device includes a mounting structure and a control unit, and the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of different orientations. The control unit includes a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit. The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit. The control unit is also configured to translate a user input from the user interface into control data to control an electrical load of the load control system based on the orientation of the control unit and/or provide a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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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: 20240021381Abstract: A control device may be configured to control one or more electrical loads in a load control system. The control device may be a wall-mounted device such as dimmer switch, a remote control device, or a retrofit remote control device. The control device may include a gesture-based user interface for applying advanced control over the one or more electrical loads. The types of control may include absolute and relative control, intensity and color control, preset, zone, or operational mode selection, etc. Feedback may be provided on the control device regarding a status of the one or more electrical loads or the control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11870334Abstract: A load control device for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load includes a thyristor, a gate coupling circuit for conducting a gate current through a gate of the thyristor, and a control circuit for controlling the gate coupling circuit to conduct the gate current through a first current path to render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle. The gate coupling circuit is able to conduct the gate current through the first current path again after the firing time, but the gate current is not able to be conducted through the gate from a transition time before the end of the half-cycle until approximately the end of the half-cycle. The load current is able to be conducted through a second current path to the electrical load after the transition time until approximately the end of the half-cycle.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2023Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C Newman, Jr., Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
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Publication number: 20230409282Abstract: A scalable, distributed load control system for home automation based on a network of microphones may include control devices (e.g., load control devices) that may include microphones for monitoring the system and communicating audio data to a cloud server for processing. The control devices of the load control system may receive a single voice command and may be configured to choose one of the load control devices to transmit the voice command to the cloud server. The load control devices may be configured to receive a voice command, control a connected load according to the voice command if the voice command is a validated command, and transmit the voice command to a voice service in the cloud if the voice command is not a validated command. The voice service to which the load control devices transmit audio data to may be selectable.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey Karc, Galen E. Knode, John B. Nill, Jaykrishna A. Shukla
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Publication number: 20230389148Abstract: A battery-powered control device may be configured to control an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads and provide various feedback associated with the control device and/or the electrical loads. The feedback may indicate a low battery condition and/or the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback. The control device may operate in different modes including a normal mode and a low battery mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11830696Abstract: A remote control device is provided that is configured for use in a load control system that includes one or more electrical loads. The remote control device includes a mounting structure and a control unit, and the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of different orientations. The control unit includes a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit. The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit. The control unit is also configured to translate a user input from the user interface into control data to control an electrical load of the load control system based on the orientation of the control unit and/or provide a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2023Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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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: 20230354488Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to conduct enough current through a thyristor of a connected dimmer switch to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor. The load control device comprises a controllable-load circuit operable to conduct a controllable-load current through the thyristor of the dimmer switch. The load control device disables the controllable-load circuit when the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a reverse phase-control waveform. When the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a forward phase-control waveform, the load control device is operable to decrease the magnitude of the controllable-load current so as to conduct only enough current as is required in order to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Christopher J. Salvestrini, Ryan S. Bedell, Matthew V. Harte
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Patent number: 11804339Abstract: A control device may be configured to control one or more electrical loads in a load control system. The control device may be a wall-mounted device such as dimmer switch, a remote control device, or a retrofit remote control device. The control device may include a gesture-based user interface for applying advanced control over the one or more electrical loads. The types of control may include absolute and relative control, intensity and color control, preset, zone, or operational mode selection, etc. Feedback may be provided on the control device regarding a status of the one or more electrical loads or the control device.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11797268Abstract: A scalable, distributed load control system for home automation based on a network of microphones may include control devices (e.g., load control devices) that may include microphones for monitoring the system and communicating audio data to a cloud server for processing. The control devices of the load control system may receive a single voice command and may be configured to choose one of the load control devices to transmit the voice command to the cloud server. The load control devices may be configured to receive a voice command, control a connected load according to the voice command if the voice command is a validated command, and transmit the voice command to a voice service in the cloud if the voice command is not a validated command. The voice service to which the load control devices transmit audio data to may be selectable.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey Karc, Galen E. Knode, John B. Nill, Jaykrishna A. Shukla
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Patent number: 11765800Abstract: A battery-powered control device may be configured to control an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads and provide various feedback associated with the control device and/or the electrical loads. The feedback may indicate a low battery condition and/or the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback. The control device may operate in different modes including a normal mode and a low battery mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11743983Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to conduct enough current through a thyristor of a connected dimmer switch to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor. The load control device comprises a controllable-load circuit operable to conduct a controllable-load current through the thyristor of the dimmer switch. The load control device disables the controllable-load circuit when the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a reverse phase-control waveform. When the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a forward phase-control waveform, the load control device is operable to decrease the magnitude of the controllable-load current so as to conduct only enough current as is required in order to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Christopher J. Salvestrini, Ryan S. Bedell, Matthew V. Harte
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Publication number: 20230238194Abstract: A remote control device is provided that is configured for use in a load control system that includes one or more electrical loads. The remote control device includes a mounting structure and a control unit, and the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of different orientations. The control unit includes a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit. The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit. The control unit is also configured to translate a user input from the user interface into control data to control an electrical load of the load control system based on the orientation of the control unit and/or provide a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20230232510Abstract: A two-wire load control device (such as, a dimmer switch) for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load (such as, a high-efficiency lighting load) includes a thyristor coupled between the source and the load, a gate coupling circuit coupled between a first main load terminal and the gate of the thyristor, and a control circuit coupled to a control input of the gate coupling circuit. The control circuit generates a drive voltage for causing the gate coupling circuit to conduct a gate current to thus render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle of the AC power source, and to allow the gate coupling circuit to conduct the gate current at any time from the firing time through approximately the remainder of the half cycle, where the gate coupling circuit conducts approximately no net average current to render and maintain the thyristor conductive.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Chris J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
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Publication number: 20230223833Abstract: A load control device for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load includes a thyristor, a gate coupling circuit for conducting a gate current through a gate of the thyristor, and a control circuit for controlling the gate coupling circuit to conduct the gate current through a first current path to render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a half cycle. The gate coupling circuit is able to conduct the gate current through the first current path again after the firing time, but the gate current is not able to be conducted through the gate from a transition time before the end of the half-cycle until approximately the end of the half-cycle. The load current is able to be conducted through a second current path to the electrical load after the transition time until approximately the end of the half-cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Robert C Newman, Jr., Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
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Publication number: 20230209673Abstract: A lighting device may include a light source, a plurality of drive circuits, and a control circuit. The light source may include a plurality of emitter circuits that are configured to emit light. The light source may include a first emitter circuit that is configured to emit light at a first color (e.g., color temperature), a second emitter circuit is configured to emit light at a second color (e.g., color temperature), and a third emitter circuit is configured to emit light at a third color (e.g., color temperature). The first, second, and third colors (e.g., color temperatures) may be on a color curve, such as a color temperature curve like the black body locus. The control circuit may be configured to control the amount of power delivered to no more than two emitter circuits to emit light when controlling the light emitted by the light source to the target intensity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Matthew V. Harte, Sharath R. Naik, Alexander S. Petersen, Ryan M. Spicer, Mark S. Taipale
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Patent number: 11646166Abstract: A remote control device is provided that is configured for use in a load control system that includes one or more electrical loads. The remote control device includes a mounting structure and a control unit, and the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of different orientations. The control unit includes a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit. The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit. The control unit is also configured to translate a user input from the user interface into control data to control an electrical load of the load control system based on the orientation of the control unit and/or provide a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2022Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell