Patents by Inventor Ryan S. Bedell

Ryan S. Bedell 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: 11943854
    Abstract: A load control device adapted to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load for controlling the power delivered to the load includes a controller, an actuator for turning the electrical load on and off, an occupancy detection circuit, and an ambient light detector. The load control device automatically turns on the electrical load in response to the presence of an occupant only if the detected ambient light is below a predetermined ambient light level threshold. After first detecting the presence of an occupant, the load control device monitors actuations of the actuator to determine whether a user has changed the state of the load. The load control device automatically adjusts the predetermined ambient light level threshold in response to the user actuations that change the state of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ryan S. Bedell, James P. Steiner
  • Publication number: 20240040685
    Abstract: A load control device is configured to generate a control signal having a desired magnitude for controlling a load regulation device adapted to control the power delivered to an electrical load. The load control device may comprise a control terminal arranged to provide the control signal to the load regulation device, a communication circuit for generating the control signal, and a control circuit configured to generate an output signal that is provided to the communication circuit. The communication circuit may be characterized by non-linear operation. The control circuit may adjust the magnitude of the output signal in response to the difference between the magnitude of the control signal and the desired magnitude to adjust the magnitude of the control signal towards the desired magnitude. The control circuit may also be configured to determine if an incompatible load regulation device is coupled to the load control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Daniel G. Cooper, Ryan S. Bedell
  • Patent number: 11849518
    Abstract: A load control device is configured to generate a control signal having a desired magnitude for controlling a load regulation device adapted to control the power delivered to an electrical load. The load control device may comprise a control terminal arranged to provide the control signal to the load regulation device, a communication circuit for generating the control signal, and a control circuit configured to generate an output signal that is provided to the communication circuit. The communication circuit may be characterized by non-linear operation. The control circuit may adjust the magnitude of the output signal in response to the difference between the magnitude of the control signal and the desired magnitude to adjust the magnitude of the control signal towards the desired magnitude. The control circuit may also be configured to determine if an incompatible load regulation device is coupled to the load control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Daniel G. Cooper, Ryan S. Bedell
  • Publication number: 20230354488
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to conduct enough current through a thyristor of a connected dimmer switch to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor. The load control device comprises a controllable-load circuit operable to conduct a controllable-load current through the thyristor of the dimmer switch. The load control device disables the controllable-load circuit when the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a reverse phase-control waveform. When the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a forward phase-control waveform, the load control device is operable to decrease the magnitude of the controllable-load current so as to conduct only enough current as is required in order to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Salvestrini, Ryan S. Bedell, Matthew V. Harte
  • Patent number: 11743983
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to conduct enough current through a thyristor of a connected dimmer switch to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor. The load control device comprises a controllable-load circuit operable to conduct a controllable-load current through the thyristor of the dimmer switch. The load control device disables the controllable-load circuit when the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a reverse phase-control waveform. When the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a forward phase-control waveform, the load control device is operable to decrease the magnitude of the controllable-load current so as to conduct only enough current as is required in order to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Salvestrini, Ryan S. Bedell, Matthew V. Harte
  • Publication number: 20220345866
    Abstract: A load control device is able to receive radio-frequency (RF) signals from a Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as a smart phone, via a wireless local area network. The load control device comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series between an AC power source and an electrical load, a controller for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive and non-conductive, and a Wi-Fi module operable to receive the RF signals from the wireless network. The controller controls the controllably conductive device to adjust the power delivered to the load in response to the wireless signals received from the wireless network. The load control device may further comprise an optical module operable to receive an optical signal, such that the controller may obtain an IP address from the received optical signal and control the power delivered to the load in response to a wireless signal that includes the IP address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Theodore F. Economy, John C. Browne, JR., William Bryce Fricke, Galen Edgar Knode, Ryan S. Bedell, Christopher J. Salvestrini
  • Publication number: 20220338324
    Abstract: A load control device is configured to generate a control signal having a desired magnitude for controlling a load regulation device adapted to control the power delivered to an electrical load. The load control device may comprise a control terminal arranged to provide the control signal to the load regulation device, a communication circuit for generating the control signal, and a control circuit configured to generate an output signal that is provided to the communication circuit. The communication circuit may be characterized by non-linear operation. The control circuit may adjust the magnitude of the output signal in response to the difference between the magnitude of the control signal and the desired magnitude to adjust the magnitude of the control signal towards the desired magnitude. The control circuit may also be configured to determine if an incompatible load regulation device is coupled to the load control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Daniel G. Cooper, Ryan S. Bedell
  • Patent number: 11388570
    Abstract: A load control device is able to receive radio-frequency (RF) signals from a Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as a smart phone, via a wireless local area network. The load control device comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series between an AC power source and an electrical load, a controller for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive and non-conductive, and a Wi-Fi module operable to receive the RF signals from the wireless network. The controller controls the controllably conductive device to adjust the power delivered to the load in response to the wireless signals received from the wireless network. The load control device may further comprise an optical module operable to receive an optical signal, such that the controller may obtain an IP address from the received optical signal and control the power delivered to the load in response to a wireless signal that includes the IP address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Theodore F. Economy, John C. Browne, Jr., William Bryce Fricke, Galen Edgar Knode, Ryan S. Bedell, Christopher J. Salvestrini
  • Patent number: 11382200
    Abstract: A load control device is configured to generate a control signal having a desired magnitude for controlling a load regulation device adapted to control the power delivered to an electrical load. The load control device may comprise a control terminal arranged to provide the control signal to the load regulation device, a communication circuit for generating the control signal, and a control circuit configured to generate an output signal that is provided to the communication circuit. The communication circuit may be characterized by non-linear operation. The control circuit may adjust the magnitude of the output signal in response to the difference between the magnitude of the control signal and the desired magnitude to adjust the magnitude of the control signal towards the desired magnitude. The control circuit may also be configured to determine if an incompatible load regulation device is coupled to the load control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Daniel G. Cooper, Ryan S. Bedell
  • Publication number: 20210345085
    Abstract: A load control system may be commissioned using beacon messages. The load control system may include control devices that each include a beacon transmitting circuit configured to transmit a beacon message that comprises an identifier associated with the control device. A network device, such as a mobile device, may discover a control device based on the beacon message received from the control device. In response to discovery of the control device, the control device may be added to a temporary group of control devices for being collectively configured and/or controlled. Control devices may be discovered based on the signal strength at which the beacon messages are received. A mobile device may adjust a discovery threshold for discovering a target number of control devices in the load control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Maxwell Anselm, Ryan S. Bedell
  • Publication number: 20210267038
    Abstract: A load control device adapted to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load for controlling the power delivered to the load includes a controller, an actuator for turning the electrical load on and off, an occupancy detection circuit, and an ambient light detector. The load control device automatically turns on the electrical load in response to the presence of an occupant only if the detected ambient light is below a predetermined ambient light level threshold. After first detecting the presence of an occupant, the load control device monitors actuations of the actuator to determine whether a user has changed the state of the load. The load control device automatically adjusts the predetermined ambient light level threshold in response to the user actuations that change the state of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ryan S. Bedell, James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 11006501
    Abstract: A load control device adapted to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load for controlling the power delivered to the load includes a controller, an actuator for turning the electrical load on and off, an occupancy detection circuit, and an ambient light detector. The load control device automatically turns on the electrical load in response to the presence of an occupant only if the detected ambient light is below a predetermined ambient light level threshold. After first detecting the presence of an occupant, the load control device monitors actuations of the actuator to determine whether a user has changed the state of the load. The load control device automatically adjusts the predetermined ambient light level threshold in response to the user actuations that change the state of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ryan S. Bedell, James P. Steiner
  • Publication number: 20210075335
    Abstract: A load control device is configured to generate a control signal having a desired magnitude for controlling a load regulation device adapted to control the power delivered to an electrical load. The load control device may comprise a control terminal arranged to provide the control signal to the load regulation device, a communication circuit for generating the control signal, and a control circuit configured to generate an output signal that is provided to the communication circuit. The communication circuit may be characterized by non-linear operation. The control circuit may adjust the magnitude of the output signal in response to the difference between the magnitude of the control signal and the desired magnitude to adjust the magnitude of the control signal towards the desired magnitude. The control circuit may also be configured to determine if an incompatible load regulation device is coupled to the load control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Daniel G. Cooper, Ryan S. Bedell
  • Publication number: 20200404761
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to conduct enough current through a thyristor of a connected dimmer switch to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor. The load control device comprises a controllable-load circuit operable to conduct a controllable-load current through the thyristor of the dimmer switch. The load control device disables the controllable-load circuit when the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a reverse phase-control waveform. When the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a forward phase-control waveform, the load control device is operable to decrease the magnitude of the controllable-load current so as to conduct only enough current as is required in order to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Salvestrini, Ryan S. Bedell, Matthew V. Harte
  • Publication number: 20200404767
    Abstract: A load control device is able to receive radio-frequency (RF) signals from a Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as a smart phone, via a wireless local area network. The load control device comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series between an AC power source and an electrical load, a controller for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive and non-conductive, and a Wi-Fi module operable to receive the RF signals from the wireless network. The controller controls the controllably conductive device to adjust the power delivered to the load in response to the wireless signals received from the wireless network. The load control device may further comprise an optical module operable to receive an optical signal, such that the controller may obtain an IP address from the received optical signal and control the power delivered to the load in response to a wireless signal that includes the IP address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Theodore F. Economy, John C. Browne, Jr., William Bryce Fricke, Galen Edgar Knode, Ryan S. Bedell, Christopher J. Salvestrini
  • Patent number: 10826407
    Abstract: A load control device is configured to generate a control signal having a desired magnitude for controlling a load regulation device adapted to control the power delivered to an electrical load. The load control device may comprise a control terminal arranged to provide the control signal to the load regulation device, a communication circuit for generating the control signal, and a control circuit configured to generate an output signal that is provided to the communication circuit. The communication circuit may be characterized by non-linear operation. The control circuit may adjust the magnitude of the output signal in response to the difference between the magnitude of the control signal and the desired magnitude to adjust the magnitude of the control signal towards the desired magnitude. The control circuit may also be configured to determine if an incompatible load regulation device is coupled to the load control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Daniel G. Cooper, Ryan S. Bedell
  • Patent number: 10779381
    Abstract: A load control device is able to receive radio-frequency (RF) signals from a Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as a smart phone, via a wireless local area network. The load control device comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series between an AC power source and an electrical load, a controller for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive and non-conductive, and a Wi-Fi module operable to receive the RF signals from the wireless network. The controller controls the controllably conductive device to adjust the power delivered to the load in response to the wireless signals received from the wireless network. The load control device may further comprise an optical module operable to receive an optical signal, such that the controller may obtain an IP address from the received optical signal and control the power delivered to the load in response to a wireless signal that includes the IP address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Theodore F. Economy, John C. Browne, Jr., William Bryce Fricke, Galen Edgar Knode, Ryan S. Bedell, Christopher J. Salvestrini
  • Publication number: 20200253023
    Abstract: A load control device adapted to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load for controlling the power delivered to the load includes a controller, an actuator for turning the electrical load on and off, an occupancy detection circuit, and an ambient light detector. The load control device automatically turns on the electrical load in response to the presence of an occupant only if the detected ambient light is below a predetermined ambient light level threshold. After first detecting the presence of an occupant, the load control device monitors actuations of the actuator to determine whether a user has changed the state of the load. The load control device automatically adjusts the predetermined ambient light level threshold in response to the user actuations that change the state of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ryan S. Bedell, James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 10674583
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is operable to conduct enough current through a thyristor of a connected dimmer switch to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor. The load control device comprises a controllable-load circuit operable to conduct a controllable-load current through the thyristor of the dimmer switch. The load control device disables the controllable-load circuit when the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a reverse phase-control waveform. When the phase-control voltage received from the dimmer switch is a forward phase-control waveform, the load control device is operable to decrease the magnitude of the controllable-load current so as to conduct only enough current as is required in order to exceed rated latching and holding currents of the thyristor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Christopher James Salvestrini, Ryan S. Bedell, Matthew V. Harte
  • Patent number: 10555401
    Abstract: A load control device adapted to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load for controlling the power delivered to the load includes a controller, an actuator for turning the electrical load on and off, an occupancy detection circuit, and an ambient light detector. The load control device automatically turns on the electrical load in response to the presence of an occupant only if the detected ambient light is below a predetermined ambient light level threshold. After first detecting the presence of an occupant, the load control device monitors actuations of the actuator to determine whether a user has changed the state of the load. The load control device automatically adjusts the predetermined ambient light level threshold in response to the user actuations that change the state of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ryan S. Bedell, James P. Steiner