Patents by Inventor Michael Siminovitch
Michael Siminovitch 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: 20160192459Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a household appliance (such as a refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster, oven, dishwasher, clothes washer and clothes dryer) that includes exterior and/or interior light sources that can adjust their spectral illumination based on an ambient light level. The household appliance may include a door that an individual may open to access the contents within the household appliance's interior. The household appliance also comprises a light sensor that is configured to detect the ambient light level outside the household appliance. The household appliance further comprises one or more internal light sources that are located within the household appliance's interior. The internal light sources are configured to emit a low-intensity light when the door is open and when the light sensor detects an ambient light level that falls below a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Michael Siminovitch, Konstantinos Papamichael, Keith Graeber
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Patent number: 8876335Abstract: A modular lighting system for lighting a work area is disclosed. The system includes a power supply with power outlets for powering LED fixtures. The power supply preferably operates at or below a fixed power output level, such as to illuminate the work area using less than 0.2 Watts per square foot of energy. The lighting system also includes an occupancy sensor and/or a light level sensor for controlling lighting levels in the work area in response to detection of a person, ambient light levels and/or a combination thereof. The lighting system can also include computer unit with a micro-processor and a memory unit for running software or firmware the executes lighting programs, stores light usage histories and/or provides system reports to a remote computer by a wireless means and/or over a computer network.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignees: Finelite Inc, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Walter Blue Clark, Douglas Joseph Scott Bourne, Erik R. Page, Michael Siminovitch, Kevin Gauna, Konstantinos Papamichael
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Publication number: 20140232267Abstract: A modular lighting system for lighting a work area is disclosed. The system includes a power supply with power outlets for powering LED fixtures. The power supply preferably operates at or below a fixed power output level, such as to illuminate the work area using less than 0.2 Watts per square foot of energy. The lighting system also includes an occupancy sensor and/or a light level sensor for controlling lighting levels in the work area in response to detection of a person, ambient light levels and/or a combination thereof. The lighting system can also include computer unit with a micro-processor and a memory unit for running software or firmware the executes lighting programs, stores light usage histories and/or provides system reports to a remote computer by a wireless means and/or over a computer network.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicants: Finelite INC., University of California, David, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Walter Blue Clark, Douglas Joseph Scott Bourne, Erik R. Page, Michael Siminovitch, Kevin Gauna, Konstantinos Papamichael
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Patent number: 8373547Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage for one or more devices that share a common power signal. During operation, the system receives a request to change power usage. In response to the request, the system inserts a phase-cut notch into the common power signal. A device that is located downstream from the inserted phase-cut notch detects this notch in the common power signal, and in response triggers a power-state change. For instance, the device may trigger a reduced-power state when it detects a phase-cut notch.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2007Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignees: Nev Electronics LLC, The Regents of the University of California, Benya Lighting DesignInventors: James R. Benya, Joel W. Snook, Erik R. Page, Michael Siminovitch, Konstantinos Papamichael, Margaret Aumann
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Publication number: 20120146518Abstract: A light management system is disclosed. The light management system includes networked control modules and computer devices that utilize object detection and geographical location information to predict a direction and/or determine speed of an object along a pathway. Based on the predicted direction and/or determined speed of the object along the pathway, the control modules turn on lighting in advance of the arrival of the object along the pathway. The light management system preferably also provides light usages data or operation data to the one or more remote computer devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventors: Mark Keating, Keith Graeber, Michael Siminovitch, Kosta Papamichael
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Patent number: 8016457Abstract: A modular lighting system for lighting a work area is disclosed. The system includes a power supply with power outlets for powering LED fixtures. The power supply preferably operates at or below a fixed power output level, such as to illuminate the work area using less than 0.2 Watts per square foot of energy. The lighting system also includes an occupancy sensor and/or a light level sensor for controlling lighting levels in the work area in response to detection of a person, ambient light levels and/or a combination thereof. The lighting system can also include computer unit with a micro-processor and a memory unit for running software or firmware the executes lighting programs, stores light usage histories and/or provides system reports to a remote computer by a wireless means and/or over a computer network.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2007Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Finelite IncInventors: Walter Blue Clark, Douglas Joseph Scott Bourne, Erik R. Page, Michael Siminovitch, Kevin Gauna
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Patent number: 7781713Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for calibrating a lighting control system. The lighting control system is a daylight-harvesting system that controls the output of the lighting system based on available daylight and/or other light sources to reduce energy usage while providing lighting for an area. The lighting system includes multi-level lighting capabilities for one or more light sources. First, the system measures the light levels for the area when the lighting system: is turned on at a high energy-level; is turned on at an intermediate energy-level; and is turned off. The system determines from these measured light levels the light output of the lighting system in the different states. Then, during operation, the system measures a present light level for the area. The system then adjusts the light output of the lighting system for the area based on a lighting control parameter (e.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Konstantinos Papamichael, Keith Graeber, Erik Page, Michael Siminovitch
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Patent number: 7683301Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for preventing incorrect lighting changes in a daylight-harvesting system, which controls the output of a lighting system based on the presence of daylight and/or other light sources to reduce energy usage. During operation, the system measures a first light level using a first sensor. Next, the system measures a second light level for a different field-of-view using a second sensor. When the system detects through the first sensor a change in the first light level, the system determines from the second sensor whether the second light level has also changed. If the first sensor and the second sensor both detect a change (in the same direction) in the measured light levels, the system adjusts the light output of the lighting system to maintain target light levels for the area.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Konstantinos Papamichael, Keith Graeber, Erik Page, Michael Siminovitch
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Patent number: 7592583Abstract: A photosensor with customizable angular-response characteristics is presented. This photosensor includes a light-modifier located between the photosensor and a target area to be monitored by the photosensor, wherein the light-modifier provides a customizable angular response for light received at the photosensor from the target area.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Erik Page, Keith Graeber, Konstantinos Papamichael, Michael Siminovitch
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Publication number: 20080185507Abstract: A photosensor with customizable angular-response characteristics is presented. This photosensor includes a light-modifier located between the photosensor and a target area to be monitored by the photosensor, wherein the light-modifier provides a customizable angular response for light received at the photosensor from the target area.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Erik Page, Keith Graeber, Konstantinos Papamichael, Michael Siminovitch
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Publication number: 20080005044Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage for one or more devices that share a common power signal. During operation, the system receives a request to change power usage. In response to the request, the system inserts a phase-cut notch into the common power signal. A device that is located downstream from the inserted phase-cut notch detects this notch in the common power signal, and in response triggers a power-state change. For instance, the device may trigger a reduced-power state when it detects a phase-cut notch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2007Publication date: January 3, 2008Inventors: James Benya, Joel Snook, Erik Page, Michael Siminovitch, Konstantinos Papamichael, Don Aumann, Margaret Aumann
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Publication number: 20070290621Abstract: A modular lighting system for lighting a work area is disclosed. The system includes a power supply with power outlets for powering LED fixtures. The power supply preferably operates at or below a fixed power output level, such as to illuminate the work area using less than 0.2 Watts per square foot of energy. The lighting system also includes an occupancy sensor and/or a light level sensor for controlling lighting levels in the work area in response to detection of a person, ambient light levels and/or a combination thereof. The lighting system can also include computer unit with a micro-processor and a memory unit for running software or firmware the executes lighting programs, stores light usage histories and/or provides system reports to a remote computer by a wireless means and/or over a computer network.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: Walter Clark, Douglas Joseph Bourne, Erik Page, Michael Siminovitch, Kevin Gauna
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Publication number: 20070279895Abstract: A modular lighting system for lighting a work area is disclosed. The system includes a power supply with power outlets for powering LED fixtures. The power supply preferably operates at or below a fixed power output level, such as to illuminate the work area using less than 0.2 Watts per square foot of energy. The lighting system also includes an occupancy sensor and/or a light level sensor for controlling lighting levels in the work area in response to detection of a person, ambient light levels and/or a combination thereof. The lighting system can also include computer unit with a micro-processor and a memory unit for running software or firmware the executes lighting programs, stores light usage histories and/or provides system reports to a remote computer by a wireless means and/or over a computer network.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: Walter Clark, Douglas Bourne, Erik Page, Michael Siminovitch, Kevin Gauna
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Publication number: 20070189000Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for preventing incorrect lighting changes in a daylight-harvesting system, which controls the output of a lighting system based on the presence of daylight and/or other light sources to reduce energy usage. During operation, the system measures a first light level using a first sensor. Next, the system measures a second light level for a different field-of-view using a second sensor. When the system detects through the first sensor a change in the first light level, the system determines from the second sensor whether the second light level has also changed. If the first sensor and the second sensor both detect a change (in the same direction) in the measured light levels, the system adjusts the light output of the lighting system to maintain target light levels for the area.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2007Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Konstantinos Papamichael, Keith Graeber, Erik Page, Michael Siminovitch
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Publication number: 20070185675Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for calibrating a lighting control system. The lighting control system is a daylight-harvesting system that controls the output of the lighting system based on available daylight and/or other light sources to reduce energy usage while providing lighting for an area. The lighting system includes multi-level lighting capabilities for one or more light sources. First, the system measures the light levels for the area when the lighting system: is turned on at a high energy-level; is turned on at an intermediate energy-level; and is turned off. The system determines from these measured light levels the light output of the lighting system in the different states. Then, during operation, the system measures a present light level for the area. The system then adjusts the light output of the lighting system for the area based on a lighting control parameter (e.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Inventors: Konstantinos Papamichael, Keith Graeber, Erik Page, Michael Siminovitch
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Publication number: 20060232984Abstract: Air flow management of a compact fluorescent lamp fixture is provided to cool the lamps. Lamp chamber ventilation is passive and/or active through the use of vents in the lamp chamber and/or the use of a fan to induce air flow. Ballast housing ventilation is also provided to manage temperatures inside ballast housings associated with lamp chambers of compact fluorescent lamp fixtures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2006Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: Kory Schuknecht, Dan Meadows, William Schrader, Michael Gross, Michael Siminovitch, Erik Page
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Publication number: 20050259416Abstract: A dual lighting system including an LED illuminator, a lamp positioned in proximity to the LED illuminator. It also includes a motion sensor for detecting motion around the lighting system, a manual switch, and a control system which is coupled to the manual switch, the motion sensor, the lamp, and the LED illuminator. When the manual switch is activated, the control system is configured to turn on the lamp. If the motion sensor no longer detects motion around the dual lighting system, the control system is configured to turn off the lamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2005Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventors: Kevin Gauna, Erik Page, Michael Siminovitch
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Publication number: 20050012376Abstract: An ergonomic arm support system maintains a neutral position for the forearm. A mechanical support structure attached to a chair or other mounting structure supports the arms of a sitting or standing person. The system includes moving elements and tensioning elements to provide a dynamic balancing force against the forearms. The support structure is not fixed or locked in a rigid position, but is an active dynamic system that is maintained in equipoise by the continuous operation of the opposing forces. The support structure includes an armrest connected to a flexible linkage or articulated or pivoting assembly, which includes a tensioning element such as a spring. The pivoting assembly moves up and down, with the tensioning element providing the upward force that balances the downward force of the arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2003Publication date: January 20, 2005Inventors: Michael Siminovitch, Jeffrey Chung, Steven Dellinges, Robin Lafever
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Patent number: 5717277Abstract: A novel design for a compact fluorescent lamp, including a lamp geometry which will increase light output and efficacy of the lamp in a base down operating position by providing horizontal and vertical insulating septums positioned in the ballast compartment of the lamp to provide a cooler coldspot. Selective convective venting provides additional cooling of the ballast compartment.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1993Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: The Regents, University of CaliforniaInventor: Michael Siminovitch
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Patent number: 5651609Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluorescent lamp housing assembly capable of providing convection cooling to the lamp and the ballast. The lens of the present invention includes two distinct portions, a central portion and an apertured portion. The housing assembly further includes apertures so that air mass is able to freely move up through the assembly and out ventilation apertures.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1994Date of Patent: July 29, 1997Inventors: Bruce A. Pelton, Michael Siminovitch