Patents by Inventor Philip McDonald

Philip McDonald 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: 20170354012
    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: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Thomas M. Shearer, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20170354011
    Abstract: A 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 control device may be a wall-mounted device or a battery-powered remote control device. The feedback may indicate the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The feedback may also indicate a low battery condition. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Thomas M. Shearer, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20170354023
    Abstract: A remote control device may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of a light switch and to control a load control device. The remote control device may include a mounting assembly and a control unit that is removably attachable to the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly may include a release tab that is configured to be operated from a locking position in which the control unit is secured to the mounting assembly, to a release position in which the control unit may be detached from the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly may include a clamp that is configured to engage with the toggle actuator of a mechanical switch to which the remote control device is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew Philip McDonald, William Taylor Shivell
  • Publication number: 20170347420
    Abstract: A control device may have a plurality of buttons that may be backlit to multiple levels, such as first, second, and third adjacent buttons positioned in order, and first, second, and third LEDs positioned to illuminate a respective button. The control device may be configured to illuminate the first LED to a first LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to a first surface illumination intensity; illuminate the third LED to a second LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to a second surface illumination intensity; and illuminate the second LED to a third LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to the second surface illumination intensity. The third LED illumination intensity may be less than the second LED illumination intensity, which may be less than the first LED illumination intensity, and the second surface illumination intensity may be less than the first surface illumination intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell, Jason C. Killo
  • Publication number: 20170280533
    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: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20170278383
    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 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20170280534
    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: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Publication number: 20170278647
    Abstract: A mounting frame may be configured as a self-adjusting mounting frame that biases itself against a surface of structure. The mounting frame may be a component, for example, of a remote control device or a faceplate assembly. The mounting frame may be configured to bias a rear surface of the mounting frame against the surface of a structure. The mounting frame may include biasing members. Each biasing member may include an attachment portion and a pair of resilient spring arms that suspend the attachment portion relative to a perimeter wall of the mounting frame such that the attachment portion is spaced further from the rear surface of the mounting frame than locations where the spring arms extend from the mounting frame. The rear surface of the mounting frame may be defined by the perimeter wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Publication number: 20170278652
    Abstract: Remote control devices may control electrical loads and/or load control devices of a load control system without accessing electrical wiring. The remote control device may be mounted over a mechanical switch that is installed in a multi-gang wallbox adjacent to a second electrical device, such as another mechanical switch or an electrical receptacle. The second electrical device may be recessed with respect to the remote control device and may be brought forward towards a front surface of the adapter by loosening a first set of screws that attach a yoke of the second electrical device to the multi-gang wallbox, and tightening a second set of screws that attach the adapter to the yoke of the second electrical device. The remote control device may comprise one or more configurable attachment members for attaching the adapter to the yoke of the mechanical switch and/or to the yoke of the second electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: 9763302
    Abstract: A control device may have a plurality of buttons that may be backlit to multiple levels, such as first, second, and third adjacent buttons positioned in order, and first, second, and third LEDs positioned to illuminate a respective button. The control device may be configured to illuminate the first LED to a first LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to a first surface illumination intensity; illuminate the third LED to a second LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to a second surface illumination intensity; and illuminate the second LED to a third LED illumination intensity to illuminate the respective button to the second surface illumination intensity. The third LED illumination intensity may be less than the second LED illumination intensity, which may be less than the first LED illumination intensity, and the second surface illumination intensity may be less than the first surface illumination intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell, Jason C. Killo
  • Publication number: 20170238395
    Abstract: A wall-mounted keypad may include a light detector circuit located inside the keypad that is configured to measure an ambient light level in a space. The light detector circuit may receive ambient light through an aperture that is hidden from view by the keypad. The keypad may include a reflector for directing ambient light onto the light detector circuit. The keypad may include an enclosure that houses the light detector circuit. The enclosure may define a recess that exposes at least a portion of the light detector circuit. The enclosure may include a reflector that may focus ambient light received through the aperture onto the light detector circuit. The keypad may include a control circuit that may be configured to illuminate the indicia of respective buttons of the control device in response to actuations of the one or more buttons, in accordance with the measured ambient light level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William Taylor Shivell, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: 9717130
    Abstract: A wall-mounted keypad may include a light detector circuit located inside the keypad that is configured to measure an ambient light level in a space. The light detector circuit may receive ambient light through an aperture that is hidden from view by the keypad. The keypad may include a reflector for directing ambient light onto the light detector circuit. The keypad may include an enclosure that houses the light detector circuit. The enclosure may define a recess that exposes at least a portion of the light detector circuit. The enclosure may include a reflector that may focus ambient light received through the aperture onto the light detector circuit. The keypad may include a control circuit that may be configured to illuminate the indicia of respective buttons of the control device in response to actuations of the one or more buttons, in accordance with the measured ambient light level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: William Taylor Shivell, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Publication number: 20170125875
    Abstract: A wireless control device, such as a system controller for a load control system, may comprise a light-transmissive cover for an antenna that may be illuminated to provide feedback to a user of the load control system. The light-transmissive cover may receive light energy from a light-generating circuit to provide a visible display of the light energy. The wireless control device may be mounted to, for example, a ceiling, and the light-transmissive cover may extend from the wireless control device (e.g., down from the ceiling). The light-transmissive cover may be viewed by a user at large viewing angles and at a distance away from the wireless control device, which may simplify and improve reliability of commissioning of the load control system as well as speed up troubleshooting of the load control system after commissioning is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Michael Courtney, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Publication number: 20170102493
    Abstract: A control device may include a removable faceplate, a planar printed circuit board (PCB), a structure located between the faceplate and the PCB, one or more LEDs (e.g., side firing LEDs) mounted to the PCB, and a light-guiding component. The structure may include an antenna configured to transmit or receive radio frequency signals. The faceplate may be configured to be mounted to the control device, and may include a light-conductive body and an opaque material provided on a front surface of the faceplate. At least one indicia may be engraved in the opaque material. The light-guiding component may include a planar portion and a curved portion. The planar portion may be located between the faceplate and the structure. The curved portion may extend between the LEDs on the printed circuit board and the planar portion to transmit light generated by the LEDs to the faceplate to illuminate the indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William Taylor Shivell, Matthew Philip McDonald, Alexander Wade Gage, Alan Simchayoff, Dmitriy Vinokurov
  • Patent number: D780128
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bollinger, Jr., Angelo Caruso, Brian Michael Courtney, Elliot G. Jacoby, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: D780129
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bollinger, Jr., Angelo Caruso, Brian Michael Courtney, Elliot G. Jacoby, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: D787453
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Hakkarainen, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: D787454
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Hakkarainen, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: D788050
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Hakkarainen, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: D797062
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Hakkarainen, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald