Patents by Inventor Robert L. Hicks
Robert L. Hicks 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).
-
Patent number: 10548204Abstract: An advanced lighting control system including systems for commissioning a network of lighting fixtures preferably includes a plurality of lighting fixtures, each having a sensor and control module. The sensor and control module includes occupancy and light sensing elements, and a first transceiver. The lighting fixtures can send wireless signals to a second transceiver located in a room controller and/or a network coordinator. The room controller being configured to interpret the occupancy and light sensing information and make decisions thereon, while the network coordinator can rank the lighting fixtures according to a determined signal strength. The network coordinator can command each of the lighting fixtures to illuminate, and based on an observation of the lighting fixture, a determination is made about whether the lighting fixture is located in a particular room. The network coordinator can also include a third transceiver for receiving wireless commands from a remote device.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, Robert L. Hick
-
Patent number: 10534336Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Robert L. Hick
-
Publication number: 20190132934Abstract: An advanced lighting control system including systems for commissioning a network of lighting fixtures preferably includes a plurality of lighting fixtures, each having a sensor and control module. The sensor and control module includes occupancy and light sensing elements, and a first transceiver. The lighting fixtures can send wireless signals to a second transceiver located in a room controller and/or a network coordinator. The room controller being configured to interpret the occupancy and light sensing information and make decisions thereon, while the network coordinator can rank the lighting fixtures according to a determined signal strength. The network coordinator can command each of the lighting fixtures to illuminate, and based on an observation of the lighting fixture, a determination is made about whether the lighting fixture is located in a particular room. The network coordinator can also include a third transceiver for receiving wireless commands from a remote device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, Robert L. Hick
-
Patent number: 10278264Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling operation of an LED lighting system, including a Power over Ethernet (PoE) LED driver couplable to a PoE switch via a power and communication link. The PoE LED driver includes a microcontroller for controlling an LED driver chip to operate an associated LED lighting fixture. A voltage and current measurement unit is coupled to the microcontroller to receive power from the power and communication link, and to provide signals to the microcontroller. The provided signals can be representative of an input electrical parameter of the power and communication link. The microcontroller is programmed to compare the signals representative of the input electrical parameter against a predetermined value, and command operation of the LED driver chip based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Robert L. Hick
-
Patent number: 10201063Abstract: An advanced lighting control system including systems for commissioning a network of lighting fixtures preferably includes a plurality of lighting fixtures, each having a sensor and control module. The sensor and control module includes occupancy and light sensing elements, and a first transceiver. The lighting fixtures can send wireless signals to a second transceiver located in a room controller and/or a network coordinator. The room controller being configured to interpret the occupancy and light sensing information and make decisions thereon, while the network coordinator can rank the lighting fixtures according to a determined signal strength. The network coordinator can command each of the lighting fixtures to illuminate, and based on an observation of the lighting fixture, a determination is made about whether the lighting fixture is located in a particular room. The network coordinator can also include a third transceiver for receiving wireless commands from a remote device.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, Robert L. Hick
-
Patent number: 10136493Abstract: A system monitors operational status of a lighting element. A lighting fixture processor instructs a lighting element to illuminate at a predetermined time, receives sensed light level information from the light sensing element, and transmits a message including information representing the sensed light level. A room controller can control some or all of these steps. A daylighting arrangement includes a room controller that instructs the lighting fixtures of a lighting group to illuminate their lighting elements at a predetermined time of day. Sensed light level information is obtained and transmitted to the room controller, which determines an initial daylighting target for the lighting fixture group based on an average of the sensed light level information. The room controller instructs the lighting fixtures to illuminate their respective lighting elements in accordance with the initial daylighting target.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventor: Robert L. Hick
-
Patent number: 10051715Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system that utilizes Power over Ethernet (PoE) to supply low voltage direct current (DC) power to a PoE enabled track lighting system. The system facilitates communications with individual track heads located in a PoE enabled low voltage track channel so that the operational characteristics of the individual track heads can be controlled (e.g., dim, brighten, change color), so that feedback on functional status of individual track heads can be obtained, and so that total system current can be regulated. The PoE track lighting system includes a PoE track interface (PTI) device that receives current and communication signals. The PTI device receives the digital communication signals, converts them to a second digital commination signal in a format more suitable for transmission along the communication conductors in the track channel, and transmits the second digital communication signal to the communication conductors of the track channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Hick, Kenneth Eidsvold, Thomas W. Leonard
-
Publication number: 20180220515Abstract: An advanced lighting control system including systems for commissioning a network of lighting fixtures preferably includes a plurality of lighting fixtures, each having a sensor and control module. The sensor and control module includes occupancy and light sensing elements, and a first transceiver. The lighting fixtures can send wireless signals to a second transceiver located in a room controller and/or a network coordinator. The room controller being configured to interpret the occupancy and light sensing information and make decisions thereon, while the network coordinator can rank the lighting fixtures according to a determined signal strength. The network coordinator can command each of the lighting fixtures to illuminate, and based on an observation of the lighting fixture, a determination is made about whether the lighting fixture is located in a particular room. The network coordinator can also include a third transceiver for receiving wireless commands from a remote device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, Robert L. Hick
-
Publication number: 20180136620Abstract: 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: December 27, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Robert L. Hick, Richard A. Leinen
-
Publication number: 20180139823Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system that utilizes Power over Ethernet (PoE) to supply low voltage direct current (DC) power to a PoE enabled track lighting system. The system facilitates communications with individual track heads located in a PoE enabled low voltage track channel so that the operational characteristics of the individual track heads can be controlled (e.g., dim, brighten, change color), so that feedback on functional status of individual track heads can be obtained, and so that total system current can be regulated. The PoE track lighting system includes a PoE track interface (PTI) device that receives current and communication signals. The PTI device receives the digital communication signals, converts them to a second digital commination signal in a format more suitable for transmission along the communication conductors in the track channel, and transmits the second digital communication signal to the communication conductors of the track channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Robert L. Hick, Kenneth Eidsvold, Thomas W. Leonard
-
Patent number: 9961750Abstract: An advanced lighting control system including systems for commissioning a network of lighting fixtures preferably includes a plurality of lighting fixtures, each having a sensor and control module. The sensor and control module includes occupancy and light sensing elements, and a first transceiver. The lighting fixtures can send wireless signals to a second transceiver located in a room controller and/or a network coordinator. The room controller being configured to interpret the occupancy and light sensing information and make decisions thereon, while the network coordinator can rank the lighting fixtures according to a determined signal strength. The network coordinator can command each of the lighting fixtures to illuminate, and based on an observation of the lighting fixture, a determination is made about whether the lighting fixture is located in a particular room. The network coordinator can also include a third transceiver for receiving wireless commands from a remote device.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, Robert L. Hick
-
Publication number: 20180063928Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling operation of an LED lighting system, including a Power over Ethernet (PoE) LED driver couplable to a PoE switch via a power and communication link. The PoE LED driver includes a microcontroller for controlling an LED driver chip to operate an associated LED lighting fixture. A voltage and current measurement unit is coupled to the microcontroller to receive power from the power and communication link, and to provide signals to the microcontroller. The provided signals can be representative of an input electrical parameter of the power and communication link. The microcontroller is programmed to compare the signals representative of the input electrical parameter against a predetermined value, and command operation of the LED driver chip based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventor: Robert L. Hick
-
Publication number: 20180054083Abstract: A power and control module for a Power over Ethernet (PoE) light emitting diode (LED) lighting system includes an input channel for receiving PoE input power from a PoE switch, an output channel for providing PoE output power to a plurality of LED light fixtures and a power transfer unit coupled between the input and output channel for providing the PoE input power and/or a secondary input power to the output channel as the PoE output power. A secondary power input unit selectively provides secondary power to the power transfer unit. A processor is controls the power transfer unit to adjust an amount of PoE input power and secondary input power to obtain the PoE output power. Secondary input power can be an emergency power source during line power outages. Secondary input power could be a renewable energy power source used preferentially to the PoE input power when available.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventor: Robert L. Hick
-
Publication number: 20180035508Abstract: A system monitors operational status of a lighting element. A lighting fixture processor instructs a lighting element to illuminate at a predetermined time, receives sensed light level information from the light sensing element, and transmits a message including information representing the sensed light level. A room controller can control some or all of these steps. A daylighting arrangement includes a room controller that instructs the lighting fixtures of a lighting group to illuminate their lighting elements at a predetermined time of day. Sensed light level information is obtained and transmitted to the room controller, which determines an initial daylighting target for the lighting fixture group based on an average of the sensed light level information. The room controller instructs the lighting fixtures to illuminate their respective lighting elements in accordance with the initial daylighting target.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventor: Robert L. Hick
-
Patent number: 9880534Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Robert L. Hick, Richard A. Leinen
-
Publication number: 20170303361Abstract: A system monitors operational status of a lighting element. A lighting fixture processor instructs a lighting element to illuminate at a predetermined time, receives sensed light level information from the light sensing element, and transmits a wireless message including information representing the sensed light level. A room controller can control some or all of these steps. A daylighting arrangement includes a room controller that instructs the lighting fixtures of a lighting group to illuminate their lighting elements at a predetermined time of day. Sensed light level information is obtained and wirelessly transmitted to the room controller, which determines an initial daylighting target for the lighting fixture group based on an average of the sensed light level information. The room controller instructs the lighting fixtures to illuminate their respective lighting elements in accordance with the initial daylighting target.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventor: Robert L. Hick
-
Publication number: 20170245351Abstract: An advanced lighting control system including systems for commissioning a network of lighting fixtures preferably includes a plurality of lighting fixtures, each having a sensor and control module. The sensor and control module includes occupancy and light sensing elements, and a first transceiver. The lighting fixtures can send wireless signals to a second transceiver located in a room controller and/or a network coordinator. The room controller being configured to interpret the occupancy and light sensing information and make decisions thereon, while the network coordinator can rank the lighting fixtures according to a determined signal strength. The network coordinator can command each of the lighting fixtures to illuminate, and based on an observation of the lighting fixture, a determination is made about whether the lighting fixture is located in a particular room. The network coordinator can also include a third transceiver for receiving wireless commands from a remote device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, Robert L. Hick
-
Patent number: 9648697Abstract: A system monitors operational status of a lighting element. A lighting fixture processor instructs a lighting element to illuminate at a predetermined time, receives sensed light level information from the light sensing element, and transmits a wireless message including information representing the sensed light level. A room controller can control some or all of these steps. A daylighting arrangement includes a room controller that instructs the lighting fixtures of a lighting group to illuminate their lighting elements at a predetermined time of day. Sensed light level information is obtained and wirelessly transmitted to the room controller, which determines an initial daylighting target for the lighting fixture group based on an average of the sensed light level information. The room controller instructs the lighting fixtures to illuminate their respective lighting elements in accordance with the initial daylighting target.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventor: Robert L. Hick
-
Patent number: 9596727Abstract: 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: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing, Co., Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, Robert L. Hick, Gregory Galluccio
-
Publication number: 20160212828Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: Richard A. Leinen, Robert L. Hick, Gregory Galluccio