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).

  • Publication number: 20210201660
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10977931
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10958186
    Abstract: A 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 (such as, a triac) coupled between the source and the load, a gate coupling circuit arranged to conduct current through a gate terminal of the thyristor, and a control circuit configured to control the gate coupling circuit. The control circuit may control the gate coupling circuit to conduct a pulse of current through the gate terminal to render the thyristor conductive at a firing time during a present half cycle of the AC power source, and allow the gate coupling circuit to conduct at least one other pulse of current after the firing time during the present half cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Chris J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
  • Patent number: 10958187
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert C Newman, Jr., Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
  • Publication number: 20210014954
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Stephen M. Ludwig, JR., Robert C. Newman, JR., Jaykrishna A. Shukla
  • Publication number: 20200404761
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Salvestrini, Ryan S. Bedell, Matthew V. Harte
  • Publication number: 20200382120
    Abstract: A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an electrical load external to the control device may comprise an actuation member having a front surface defining a capacitive touch surface configured to detect a touch actuation along at least a portion of the front surface. The control device includes a main printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a control circuit, a tactile switch, a controllably conductive device, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive or non-conductive to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The control device also includes a capacitive touch PCB that comprises a touch sensitive circuit comprising one or more receiving capacitive touch pads located on the capacitive touch PCB and arranged in a linear array adjacent to the capacitive touch surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Quinn Brogan, Graham L. Christensen, Chris Dimberg, Jonathan H. Ference, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Dinesh Sundara Moorthy, Matthew W. Nuhfer, Michael W. Pessina, James P. Steiner, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10856396
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Stephen M. Ludwig, Jr., Robert C. Newman, Jr., Jaykrishna A. Shukla
  • Publication number: 20200323068
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey Karc, Galen E. Knode, John B. Nill, Jaykrishna A. Shukla
  • Publication number: 20200279477
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20200258377
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10694608
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Matthew V. Harte, Jeffrey Karc, Galen E. Knode, John B. Nill, Jaykrishna A. Shukla
  • Patent number: 10685560
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10674583
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Christopher James Salvestrini, Ryan S. Bedell, Matthew V. Harte
  • Patent number: 10672261
    Abstract: A control device is configured to control one or more electrical loads in a load control system. The control device is a wall-mounted device such as dimmer switch, a remote control device, or a retrofit remote control device. The control device includes a gesture-based user interface for applying advanced control over the one or more electrical loads. The types of control includes absolute and relative control, intensity and color control, preset, zone, or operational mode selection, etc. Feedback is provided on the control device regarding a status of the one or more electrical loads or the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20200119656
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
  • Publication number: 20200084866
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20200067419
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Chris J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte
  • Publication number: 20200013279
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Krescholiek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10530268
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert C Newman, Jr., Daniel F. Carmen, Christopher J. Salvestrini, Matthew V. Harte