Patents by Inventor Michael J. Potts
Michael J. Potts 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: 11080162Abstract: The present disclosure provides generally for a system and method for visualizing and measuring software assets. According to the present disclosure, the system interacts through an API to discover and populate all software applications within an organization in an interface that provides the user real-time information regarding the software applications. The system may provide real-time insights within an organization at all levels, with real-time feedback and metrics on what software there is, how software is being used, and software management options.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2018Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: HNL Partners, LLCInventors: Jeremy J. Vaughan, Tracy F. Potts, Michael J. Potts
-
Patent number: 11026302Abstract: A system for controlling lighting includes a control module coupled to a driver, a light source coupled to the driver, a first sensor configured to cooperate with the control module to detect occupancy and control the power delivered to the light source according to a signal provided by the first sensor, and a second sensor configured to cooperate with the control module to detect ambient light and control the power delivered according to a signal provided by the second sensor. A GUI executing on a controller device wirelessly coupled to the control module communicates with the control module to configure the operation thereof, executes on a touch-sensitive display configured to facilitate user interaction with the controller, and creates one or more control groups. The GUI is also operable to control the driver to control the state of the light source.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: ORION ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Daniel J. Czaja, Jr., Michael J. Potts, Ryan M. Franzen, Eric A. Smasal
-
Publication number: 20200323055Abstract: A system for controlling lighting includes a control module coupled to a driver, a light source coupled to the driver, a first sensor configured to cooperate with the control module to detect occupancy and control the power delivered to the light source according to a signal provided by the first sensor, and a second sensor configured to cooperate with the control module to detect ambient light and control the power delivered according to a signal provided by the second sensor. A GUI executing on a controller device wirelessly coupled to the control module communicates with the control module to configure the operation thereof, executes on a touch-sensitive display configured to facilitate user interaction with the controller, and creates one or more control groups. The GUI is also operable to control the driver to control the state of the light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Daniel J. Czaja, JR., Michael J. Potts, Ryan M. Franzen, Eric A. Smasal
-
Patent number: 10694594Abstract: A system for controlling lighting includes a control module coupled to a driver, a light source coupled to the driver, a first sensor configured to cooperate with the control module to detect occupancy and control the power delivered to the light source according to a signal provided by the first sensor, and a second sensor configured to cooperate with the control module to detect ambient light and control the power delivered according to a signal provided by the second sensor. A GUI executing on a controller device wirelessly coupled to the control module communicates with the control module to configure the operation thereof, executes on a touch-sensitive display configured to facilitate user interaction with the controller, and creates one or more control groups. The GUI is also operable to control the driver to control the state of the light source.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: ORION ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Daniel J. Czaja, Jr., Michael J. Potts, Ryan M. Franzen, Eric A. Smasal
-
Patent number: 10334704Abstract: A method of reducing electricity usage during peak demand periods includes the steps of establishing predetermined load reduction criteria representative of a desire by a power provider to reduce loading on an electricity supply grid, and coordinating with a facility having lighting equipment to permit the power provider to turn-off one or more of the lighting equipment by sending instructions to a master controller at the facility in response to the predetermined load reduction criteria, and establishing a list of lighting equipment to be turned-off in response to the instructions, and configuring the master controller to send an override control signal to the lighting equipment to implement the instructions, and configuring the lighting equipment to send a response signal to the master controller providing a status of the lighting equipment.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2015Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: ORION ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Potts, Neal R. Verfuerth, Jun Wang
-
Publication number: 20190045610Abstract: A system for controlling lighting includes a control module coupled to a driver, a light source coupled to the driver, a first sensor configured to cooperate with the control module to detect occupancy and control the power delivered to the light source according to a signal provided by the first sensor, and a second sensor configured to cooperate with the control module to detect ambient light and control the power delivered according to a signal provided by the second sensor. A GUI executing on a controller device wirelessly coupled to the control module communicates with the control module to configure the operation thereof, executes on a touch-sensitive display configured to facilitate user interaction with the controller, and creates one or more control groups. The GUI is also operable to control the driver to control the state of the light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Daniel J. Czaja, JR., Michael J. Potts, Ryan M. Franzen, Eric A. Smasal
-
Publication number: 20180307580Abstract: The present disclosure provides generally for a system and method for visualizing and measuring software assets. According to the present disclosure, the system interacts through an API to discover and populate all software applications within an organization in an interface that provides the user real-time information regarding the software applications. The system may provide real-time insights within an organization at all levels, with real-time feedback and metrics on what software there is, how software is being used, and software management options.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Michael J. Potts, Tracy F. Potts, Jeremy J. Vaughan
-
Patent number: 10098213Abstract: A lighting fixture system for lamps includes one or more lamps and one or more ballasts configured to provide controlled power to the one or more lamps. The lighting fixture further includes a controller wired to the lighting fixture. The controller includes one or more relays configured to turn power provided to the one or more ballasts on and off such that the one or more lamps turn on and off with the switching of the one or more relays. The controller further includes a logic circuit configured to control the switching of the one or more relays, wherein the logic circuit is configured to log usage information for the lighting fixture in memory. The controller yet further includes communications electronics configured to output the logged usage information.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: ORION ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Daniel J. Czaja, Jr., Michael J. Potts, Ryan M. Franzen, Eric A. Smasal
-
Publication number: 20170071050Abstract: A controller for controlling lighting in a facility provided by a plurality of lighting fixtures configured for wireless communications, the controller includes a data communication interface and a control module. The data communications interface communicates with at least one of the plurality of lighting fixtures. The control module is configured to provide a control signal to the data communications interface for communicating to the at least one of the plurality of lighting fixtures and for at least one of turning on and turning off the plurality of lighting fixtures according to an algorithm that generates the control signal based on a time of day and an occupancy within the facility. The control module is also configured to determine the occupancy within the facility based on a sensed condition relating to motion within the facility and a level of heat within the facility.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Potts, Neal R. Verfuerth, Jun Wang, Anthony J. Bartol
-
Patent number: 9521726Abstract: A lighting system for displacing energy is provided. The lighting system includes a light sensor to measure an amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture to a building environment. The lighting system further includes processing electronics to receive information from the light sensor and to use the received information to determine when the amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture is sufficient to allow one or more electric lighting fixtures to be turned off or dimmed, the processing electronics causing the one or more electric lighting fixtures to turn off or dim in response to the determination. The processing electronics are further configured to calculate the energy saved from turning off or dimming the one or more lighting fixtures. The lighting system further includes a communications interface configured to transmit the results of the calculation of energy saved from the processing electronics to a second party.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Michael J. Potts
-
Patent number: 9504133Abstract: A controller for controlling a plurality of lighting devices configured for wireless communications in a facility includes a data communications interface communicating with at least one of the devices. The controller further includes a control module configured to provide a control signal to the data communications interface for communicating to a transceiver associated with the device and for turning off the device according to an algorithm wherein the control signal is provided based on a time of day and/or a sensed condition relating to use of the facility. The transceiver reports device data to the control module to quantify a reduction in power obtained by controlling the devices according to the algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Michael J. Potts, Jun Wang, Anthony J. Bartol
-
Publication number: 20160174344Abstract: A method of reducing electricity usage during peak demand periods includes the steps of establishing predetermined load reduction criteria representative of a desire by a power provider to reduce loading on an electricity supply grid, and coordinating with a facility having lighting equipment to permit the power provider to turn-off one or more of the lighting equipment by sending instructions to a master controller at the facility in response to the predetermined load reduction criteria, and establishing a list of lighting equipment to be turned-off in response to the instructions, and configuring the master controller to send an override control signal to the lighting equipment to implement the instructions, and configuring the lighting equipment to send a response signal to the master controller providing a status of the lighting equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2015Publication date: June 16, 2016Applicant: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Potts, Neal R. Verfuerth, Jun Wang
-
Patent number: 9351381Abstract: A controller for controlling a plurality of lighting devices configured for wireless communications in a facility includes a data communications interface communicating with at least one of the devices. The controller further includes a control module configured to provide a control signal to the data communications interface for communicating to a transceiver associated with the device and for turning off the device according to an algorithm wherein the control signal is provided based on a time of day and/or a sensed condition relating to use of the facility. The transceiver reports device data to the control module to quantify a reduction in power obtained by controlling the devices according to the algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Michael J. Potts, Jun Wang, Anthony J. Bartol
-
Patent number: 9215780Abstract: A method of reducing electricity usage during peak demand periods includes the steps of establishing predetermined load reduction criteria representative of a desire by a power provider to reduce loading on an electricity supply grid, and coordinating with a facility having lighting equipment to permit the power provider to turn-off one or more of the lighting equipment by sending instructions to a master controller at the facility in response to the predetermined load reduction criteria, and establishing a list of lighting equipment to be turned-off in response to the instructions, and configuring the master controller to send an override control signal to the lighting equipment to implement the instructions, and configuring the lighting equipment to send a response signal to the master controller providing a status of the lighting equipment.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Michael J. Potts, Jun Wang
-
Publication number: 20150061507Abstract: A lighting system for displacing energy is provided. The lighting system includes a light sensor to measure an amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture to a building environment. The lighting system further includes processing electronics to receive information from the light sensor and to use the received information to determine when the amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture is sufficient to allow one or more electric lighting fixtures to be turned off or dimmed, the processing electronics causing the one or more electric lighting fixtures to turn off or dim in response to the determination. The processing electronics are further configured to calculate the energy saved from turning off or dimming the one or more lighting fixtures. The lighting system further includes a communications interface configured to transmit the results of the calculation of energy saved from the processing electronics to a second party.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: ORION ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Michael J. Potts
-
Publication number: 20150008830Abstract: A lighting fixture system for lamps includes one or more lamps and one or more ballasts configured to provide controlled power to the one or more lamps. The lighting fixture further includes a controller wired to the lighting fixture. The controller includes one or more relays configured to turn power provided to the one or more ballasts on and off such that the one or more lamps turn on and off with the switching of the one or more relays. The controller further includes a logic circuit configured to control the switching of the one or more relays, wherein the logic circuit is configured to log usage information for the lighting fixture in memory. The controller yet further includes communications electronics configured to output the logged usage information.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Daniel J. Czaja, JR., Michael J. Potts, Ryan M. Franzen, Eric A. Smasal
-
Patent number: 8884203Abstract: A lighting system for displacing energy is provided. The lighting system includes a light sensor to measure an amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture to a building environment. The lighting system further includes processing electronics to receive information from the light sensor and to use the received information to determine when the amount of light provided from the natural lighting fixture is sufficient to allow one or more electric lighting fixtures to be turned off or dimmed, the processing electronics causing the one or more electric lighting fixtures to turn off or dim in response to the determination. The processing electronics are further configured to calculate the energy saved from turning off or dimming the one or more lighting fixtures. The lighting system further includes a communications interface configured to transmit the results of the calculation of energy saved from the processing electronics to a second party.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Michael J. Potts
-
Patent number: 8779340Abstract: A lighting fixture system for fluorescent lamps includes one or more fluorescent lamps and one or more ballasts configured to provide controlled power to the one or more fluorescent lamps. The lighting fixture further includes a controller wired to the fluorescent lighting fixture. The controller includes one or more relays configured to turn power provided to the one or more ballasts on and off such that the one or more fluorescent lamps turn on and off with the switching of the one or more relays. The controller further includes a logic circuit configured to control the switching of the one or more relays, wherein the logic circuit is configured to log usage information for the fluorescent lighting fixture in memory. The controller yet further includes communications electronics configured to output the logged usage information.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2013Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Daniel J. Czaja, Jr., Michael J. Potts, Ryan M. Franzen, Eric A. Smasal
-
Publication number: 20140195405Abstract: A method includes obtaining, at a metering device, power usage information associated with operation of a second technology; calculating, at a processor and based on the power usage information obtained from the metering device, a power base load capacity relief of an electrical system to a utility provider resulting from change from a first technology to the second technology; receiving, at the processor, a technology cost including fixed and variable costs to install and maintain the second technology; calculating, at the processor, a return needed for repayment of the technology cost; determining, by the processor, a new utility rate by apportioning the return needed for repayment of the technology cost as a function of the power base load capacity relief and calculating; and providing a utility invoice to the utility consumer for a power reduction over time at the new utility rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Michael J. Potts
-
Publication number: 20140180491Abstract: A method of reducing electricity usage during peak demand periods includes the steps of establishing predetermined load reduction criteria representative of a desire by a power provider to reduce loading on an electricity supply grid, and coordinating with a facility having lighting equipment to permit the power provider to turn-off one or more of the lighting equipment by sending instructions to a master controller at the facility in response to the predetermined load reduction criteria, and establishing a list of lighting equipment to be turned-off in response to the instructions, and configuring the master controller to send an override control signal to the lighting equipment to implement the instructions, and configuring the lighting equipment to send a response signal to the master controller providing a status of the lighting equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Michael J. Potts, Jun Wang