Patents by Inventor Richard A. Leinen
Richard A. Leinen 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: 20160128166Abstract: A system and method provide fail-safe operation of a lighting system. A lighting level detector is used to obtain a baseline lighting level for a low-intensity light. If the detector measures less than the baseline level when an occupancy sensor determines the space is unoccupied, a high-intensity light is energized and an indication is provided to a user that the low-intensity light has failed. A method provides daylighting operation of a lighting system. An occupancy sensor can have Wi-Fi functionality to enable remote configuration of the sensor. A line voltage occupancy sensor can include an interface with low voltage devices. An occupancy sensor can include an integral interface to enable an external control system to override the sensor's normal logic under emergency conditions. An occupancy sensor can include an active temperature compensation feature. An occupancy sensor can also incorporate an automatically adjustable coverage area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2016Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventor: Richard A. Leinen
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Publication number: 20160126733Abstract: An occupancy sensor is disclosed including a passive infrared (PIR) sensing element, a temperature sensing element, and a processor. The processor receives temperature signals from the temperature sensing element and configures the occupancy sensor into a selected operating mode based the received temperature signal. The operating mode may be associated with a predetermined sensing threshold of the PIR sensing element. The processor controls an associated load based on the selected operating mode and the received occupancy signals. The occupancy sensor can alternatively include an occupancy sensing element and a photodetector. Based on the amount of light detected by the photodetector over time, the occupancy sensor can calculate a rough estimate of time of day, and can automatically adjust one or more sensing and/or operational characteristics based on that time of day determination. A photosensor may implement daylight harvesting based on different light levels associated with different times of day.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Robert L. Hick, Richard A. Leinen
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Patent number: 9295142Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of LED lighting fixtures includes a Power over Ethernet (PoE) LED driver coupleable to a PoE switch via a first power and communication link. The PoE LED driver includes a microcontroller for receiving first power and control signals from the PoE switch and for controlling a first LED driver chip to operate an LED lighting fixture in response thereto. An LED slave controller is connected to the PoE LED driver via a second power and communication link. The LED slave controller includes a second LED driver chip for receiving second power and control signals from the microcontroller to operate an LED lighting fixture in response. The first power and control signals are different from the second power and control signals. The first power and communication link is a CAT5/CAT6 cable. The second power and communication link is a CAT5/CAT6 or other cable type.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, Robert L. Hick, Gregory Galluccio
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Publication number: 20150264777Abstract: A system and method provide fail-safe operation of a lighting system. A lighting level detector is used to obtain a baseline lighting level for a low-intensity light. If the detector measures less than the baseline level when an occupancy sensor determines the space is unoccupied, a high-intensity light is energized and an indication is provided to a user that the low-intensity light has failed. A method provides daylighting operation of a lighting system. An occupancy sensor can have Wi-Fi functionality to enable remote configuration of the sensor. A line voltage occupancy sensor can include an interface with low voltage devices. An occupancy sensor can include an integral interface to enable an external control system to override the sensor's normal logic under emergency conditions. An occupancy sensor can include an active temperature compensation feature. An occupancy sensor can also incorporate an automatically adjustable coverage area.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Richard A. Leinen
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Patent number: 9095013Abstract: A system and method provide fail-safe operation of a lighting system. A lighting level detector is used to obtain a baseline lighting level for a low-intensity light. If the detector measures less than the baseline level when an occupancy sensor determines the space is unoccupied, a high-intensity light is energized and an indication is provided to a user that the low-intensity light has failed. A method provides daylighting operation of a lighting system. An occupancy sensor can have Wi-Fi functionality to enable remote configuration of the sensor. A line voltage occupancy sensor can include an interface with low voltage devices. An occupancy sensor can include an integral interface to enable an external control system to override the sensor's normal logic under emergency conditions. An occupancy sensor can include an active temperature compensation feature. An occupancy sensor can also incorporate an automatically adjustable coverage area.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, Jaiganesh Balasubramanian, Justin Morton, Subramanian Muthu
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Publication number: 20140375218Abstract: A system and method provide fail-safe operation of a lighting system. A lighting level detector is used to obtain a baseline lighting level for a low-intensity light. If the detector measures less than the baseline level when an occupancy sensor determines the space is unoccupied, a high-intensity light is energized and an indication is provided to a user that the low-intensity light has failed. A method provides daylighting operation of a lighting system. An occupancy sensor can have Wi-Fi functionality to enable remote configuration of the sensor. A line voltage occupancy sensor can include an interface with low voltage devices. An occupancy sensor can include an integral interface to enable an external control system to override the sensor's normal logic under emergency conditions. An occupancy sensor can include an active temperature compensation feature. An occupancy sensor can also incorporate an automatically adjustable coverage area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, Jaiganesh Balasubramanian, Justin Morton, Subramanian Muthu
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Patent number: 8878644Abstract: A digital lighting control network protocol with forward and backward frames, each of the frames including an error check code. A no-acknowledgment (NAK) signal is sent from a receiving node to a transmitting node responsive to the error check code. An interface circuit of the receiving node may include an energy storage section to store at least some energy from the network while receiving digital signals, and an output section to transmit digital signals to the network using the stored energy. The interface circuit may also include a high voltage buffer circuit. The transmitting node may send forward frames to receiving nodes based on device type.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Hick, Edward J. Carr, Richard A. Leinen, Paul S. Maddox
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Publication number: 20140239817Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing fail-safe operation of a lighting system. A lighting level detector is used to obtain a baseline lighting level for a low-intensity light. If the detector measures less than the baseline level when an occupancy sensor determines the space is unoccupied, a high-intensity light is energized and an indication is provided to a user that the low-intensity light has failed. A method is also disclosed for daylighting operation of a lighting system. An occupancy sensor can have Wi-Fi functionality to enable remote configuration of the sensor. A line voltage occupancy sensor can include an interface with low voltage devices. An occupancy sensor can include an integral interface to enable an external control system to override the sensor's normal logic under emergency conditions. An occupancy sensor can include an active temperature compensation feature. An occupancy sensor can also incorporate an automatically adjustable coverage area.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, Jaiganesh Balasubramanian, Justin Morton, Subramanian Muthu, Robert Hick, John Elzie, Brian Carberry, David Buerer
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Patent number: 8755944Abstract: A module including a case; an electrical switching device configured to control power to a load; and a controller coupled to the electrical switching device. The electrical switching device and the controller are substantially encapsulated by the case. Functionality of the module can be exposed through a communication interface in the case.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Randall B. Elliott, Richard A. Leinen, Robert L. Hick, Kevin Parsons, Subramanian Muthu
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Publication number: 20140039713Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing fail-safe operation of an occupancy sensor so that a load associated with the sensor will be energized in the event that the sensor malfunctions. Short voltage pulses are applied to a signal line by an occupancy sensor. A load control device recognizes the pulses as an indication that the sensor is in a healthy condition. If the load control device does not recognize the voltage pulses, it assumes the sensor is faulty and energizes the load (light) associated with the monitored space. The voltage pulses are different from the normal signals sent by the sensor to the load control device that indicate an “occupied” condition of the space. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Robert L. Hick, Richard A. Leinen
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Publication number: 20140001336Abstract: An assembly includes a solar cell to convert light into electric power, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter to convert electric power from the solar cell to RF energy and transmit the RF energy, and a mounting interface to mount the assembly to a window or transparent surface, wherein the solar cell is oriented to receive the light through the window or transparent surface. The transmitted RF energy may be adequate to power one or more RF self-powered devices and/or may include light level information. The light level information may include a measure of the light entering through the window and/or available light in a space of the building. The light level information may be implemented as an ON/OFF signal or a measure of the light level.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Richard A. Leinen
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Publication number: 20130342687Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for adjusting a field of view of an image sensor to correspond to an outer dimension of a monitored space. The image sensor may be part of an occupancy sensor configured to sense movement within the space and to adjust lighting in the area accordingly. The occupancy sensor includes an image sensor coupled to a processor, an input device for adjusting the field of view in a plurality of dimensions. By knowing the height at which the sensor will be mounted above the space, a user can employ the input device to adjust the field of view of the sensor so that when the sensor is mounted the field of view corresponds to at least one outer dimension of the monitored space. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventor: Richard Leinen
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Publication number: 20130279553Abstract: A digital lighting control network protocol with forward and backward frames, each of the frames including an error check code. A no-acknowledgment (NAK) signal is sent from a receiving node to a transmitting node responsive to the error check code. An interface circuit of the receiving node may include an energy storage section to store at least some energy from the network while receiving digital signals, and an output section to transmit digital signals to the network using the stored energy. The interface circuit may also include a high voltage buffer circuit. The transmitting node may send forward frames to receiving nodes based on device type.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Robert L. Hick, Edward J. Carr, Richard A. Leinen, Paul S. Maddox
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Publication number: 20130218302Abstract: A device including a controller; and a communication interface coupled to the controller and configured to be coupled to a control system including a plurality of control system components where each control system component configured to include an associated configuration. The controller is configured to identify a configuration of the control system through the communication interface, and the configuration of the control system includes the configurations associated with the control system components.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, David E. Burgess, Scott Alexander Anderson
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Publication number: 20130211548Abstract: A control system including an input component configured to receive an input and generate control information in response to the input; a communication link coupled to the input component; and a plurality of control components, each of the control components coupled to the input component through the communication link and configured to receive the control information and to actuate an associated actuator in response to the control information.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, David E. Burgess, Scott Alexander Anderson, Kevin Parsons
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Publication number: 20130154504Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for dimming light emitting diode (LED) lamps. A control unit is coupled to a dimmer and LED lamp. The dimmer receives power from an AC source and determines a phase angle of the AC power. The dimmer provides DC power to the lamp based on the phase angle. The control unit sends a control signal to the dimmer during a first portion of each half sine-wave of the received AC power. The control signal causes the dimmer to modify at least one function of the lamp. A plurality of LED lamps may be associated with a single dimmer, and the dimmer may individually instruct the lamps to modify their operational characteristics. The dimmer may send an operational signal back to the control unit. The operational signal may represent end of life information for the associated LED lamp. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Robert L. Hick, Richard A. Leinen
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Patent number: 8461503Abstract: A system may include a light sensor, an actuator having a range of motion, and a circuit adapted to establish a light level setpoint in response to the light sensor and the actuator. The circuit may be adapted to perform a first function when the actuator is in a first region of the range of motion and a second function when the actuator is in a second region of the range of motion.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Richard A. Leinen
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Publication number: 20130132787Abstract: A digital lighting control network protocol with forward and backward frames, each of the frames including an error check code. A no-acknowledgment (NAK) signal is sent from a receiving node to a transmitting node responsive to the error check code. An interface circuit of the receiving node may include an energy storage section to store at least some energy from the network while receiving digital signals, and an output section to transmit digital signals to the network using the stored energy. The interface circuit may also include a high voltage buffer circuit. The transmitting node may send forward frames to receiving nodes based on device type.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2013Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Hick, Edward J. Carr, Richard A. Leinen, Paul S. Maddox
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Patent number: 8446102Abstract: A system may include a switch arranged to control a lighting load, a processor arranged to control the switch, and a failsafe circuit arranged to monitor the processor and actuate the switch if the processor fails. The failsafe circuit may have a time constant, and may be arranged to actuate the switch if the monitor signal does not include a pulse during a period of time equal to the time constant.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Richard A. Leinen
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Patent number: 8324761Abstract: A module including a case; an electrical switching device configured to control power to a load; and a controller coupled to the electrical switching device. The electrical switching device and the controller are substantially encapsulated by the case. Functionality of the module can be exposed through a communication interface in the case.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Randall B. Elliott, Richard A. Leinen, Robert L. Hick, Kevin Parsons, Subramanian Muthu