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).

  • Publication number: 20080276154
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Robert Hick, Edward J. Carr, Richard A. Leinen, Paul S. Maddox
  • Publication number: 20070229297
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for converting a low voltage occupancy sensor to a powered stand-alone unit. The invention uses a low voltage occupancy sensor mounted in an upper portion of a housing with its associated low voltage wiring terminating in a terminal block. An attachable corresponding lower housing is provided with a power pack adapted to connect with the low voltage terminal block wherein once combined the upper and lower housing portions combine to form an integral powered stand-alone sensor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Leonard, Richard Leinen, John Engel
  • Publication number: 20060278808
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling an automatic calibration sequence for a light control system having a daylight harvesting scheme is disclosed herein. An ambient light sensor connects to a detection circuit for detecting the amount of ambient light within a given zone. A microprocessor connects between the detection circuit and a dimming circuit for providing control to initiate dimming and to start the auto-calibration sequence. Responsive to the amount of ambient light detected, the dimming circuit controls the power supplied to a plurality of electrical loads. A storage unit connects to the microprocessor for storing minimum light levels assessed during the auto-calibration sequence wherein the ambient light levels are monitored for a predetermined amount of time to determine the lowest level of ambient light generated for the purpose of setting and storing a target voltage level associated with such.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Hick, Richard Leinen
  • Publication number: 20060279226
    Abstract: A light control system having a multi-button low voltage adaptable switch compatible with a two input switch control system where each input can have any one of three values yielding a number of states thus mimicking the functionality of a two button light control switch system. Features such as dimming and daylight harvesting are also disclosed herein. For implementation of a daylight harvesting feature, an ambient light sensor is connected to a detection circuit for sensing and detection of the ambient light level. A number of user-controlled actuators are connected to a decoder that translates a command into a command compatible with the two-input switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Hick, Richard Leinen
  • Publication number: 20060279225
    Abstract: A multi-zone daylight harvesting method and apparatus having a closed loop system utilizing a single light sensor is disclosed herein. This light control system includes an ambient light sensor connected to a detection circuit for detecting the amount of ambient light within a given zone and converting the light signal to an digital one. A control device couples to receive a predetermined rate of change for each respective zone from a storage unit along with the converted digital signal. The control device connects each zone of a plurality of electrical loads to control the power supplied to the electrical load at the predetermined corresponding rate of change and responsive to the amount of ambient light detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Hick, Richard Leinen