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: 20200335287
    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: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: 10782188
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: William Taylor Shivell, Matthew Philip McDonald, Alexander Wade Gage, Alan Simchayoff, Dmitriy Vinokurov
  • Publication number: 20200296816
    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 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew Philip McDonald, William Taylor Shivell
  • Publication number: 20200281056
    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: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell, Jason C. Killo
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200260563
    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: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 10741339
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: 10721811
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew Philip McDonald, William Taylor Shivell
  • 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: 10681791
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • 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: 20200128656
    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: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew Philip McDonald, William Taylor Shivell
  • Publication number: 20200091579
    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: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian Michael Courtney, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: D879055
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Susan Hakkarainen, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Noel Mayo, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: D892065
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: D892750
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Noel Mayo, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: D892751
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: D893437
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Dimberg, Susan Hakkarainen, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Noel Mayo, Matthew Philip McDonald
  • Patent number: D899383
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris Lloyd Dimberg, Elliot G. Jacoby, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald