Patents by Inventor Stephen H. Lydecker

Stephen H. Lydecker 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: 11432167
    Abstract: A network has wireless enabled nodes of more than one hardware type. A computing device obtains a software update for one of the node types and sends an announcement of availability through the network. The announcement includes a node type identifier. A node that recognizes the identifier as matching its own hardware type collects the software update through a series of one or more requested packet transfers from the controller. Each packet carrying part of the update also includes the node type identifier. A node of a different type that has received the packets may serve as a source of missing packets to other nodes. Alternatively, nodes needing missing packets can fetch them from the computing device. When the software update is completely received by a node of the identified type, that node reboots and executes the updated software. Any node of another type discards the packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, Sajin George, Emanuel Paul Malandrakis, Sharanappa Avati, Mitri J. Abou-Rizk
  • Publication number: 20210227404
    Abstract: A network has wireless enabled nodes of more than one hardware type. A computing device obtains a software update for one of the node types and sends an announcement of availability through the network. The announcement includes a node type identifier. A node that recognizes the identifier as matching its own hardware type collects the software update through a series of one or more requested packet transfers from the controller. Each packet carrying part of the update also includes the node type identifier. A node of a different type that has received the packets may serve as a source of missing packets to other nodes. Alternatively, nodes needing missing packets can fetch them from the computing device. When the software update is completely received by a node of the identified type, that node reboots and executes the updated software. Any node of another type discards the packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen H. LYDECKER, Sajin GEORGE, Emanuel Paul MALANDRAKIS, Sharanappa AVATI, Mitri J. ABOU-RIZK
  • Patent number: 10779383
    Abstract: An example method includes propagating a message including an instruction, from a gateway to a plurality of ancillary nodal devices (devices) in a flood network. Each of the plurality of devices is within an equal number of transmissive steps of the gateway through the flood network such that the message is propagated with approximately equivalent delay to each of the plurality of devices and substantially simultaneously received by all of the devices. The method also includes substantially simultaneously transmitting the message from each respective one of the devices to end nodal devices (end nodes) of a group of end nodes in the flood network in communication with the respective one of the devices. The method further includes, upon receipt of the message from the devices, substantially simultaneously executing the instruction, by each of the group of the end nodes of the flood network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, Sajin George, Yenpao Lu, Mitri J. Abou-Rizk
  • Patent number: 10721700
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an example of a system and a method for command execution synchronization in a nodal network. In one example, the method includes starting at a first time, propagating a message including an instruction and timestamp, in a nodal network including a plurality of wireless communication nodes (nodes). The timestamp identifies a second time later than the first time by an amount of time equal to or greater than a period of delay expected for propagation of the message through the nodal network to all of the nodes. The method also includes running a software (soft) clock in each of the nodes, the soft clocks being synchronized to within a timing error tolerance value of the soft clocks in other of the nodes and executing, by each respective one of the nodes, the instruction when the soft clock of the respective nodes reaches the second time identified by the timestamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, Sajin George, Yenpao Lu, Mitri J. Abou-Rizk
  • Publication number: 20200187322
    Abstract: An example method includes propagating a message including an instruction, from a gateway to a plurality of ancillary nodal devices (devices) in a flood network. Each of the plurality of devices is within an equal number of transmissive steps of the gateway through the flood network such that the message is propagated with approximately equivalent delay to each of the plurality of devices and substantially simultaneously received by all of the devices. The method also includes substantially simultaneously transmitting the message from each respective one of the devices to end nodal devices (end nodes) of a group of end nodes in the flood network in communication with the respective one of the devices. The method further includes, upon receipt of the message from the devices, substantially simultaneously executing the instruction, by each of the group of the end nodes of the flood network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen H. LYDECKER, Sajin GEORGE, Yenpao LU, Mitri J. ABOU-RIZK
  • Publication number: 20200084860
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an example of a system and a method for command execution synchronization in a nodal network. In one example, the method includes starting at a first time, propagating a message including an instruction and timestamp, in a nodal network including a plurality of wireless communication nodes (nodes). The timestamp identifies a second time later than the first time by an amount of time equal to or greater than a period of delay expected for propagation of the message through the nodal network to all of the nodes. The method also includes running a software (soft) clock in each of the nodes, the soft clocks being synchronized to within a timing error tolerance value of the soft clocks in other of the nodes and executing, by each respective one of the nodes, the instruction when the soft clock of the respective nodes reaches the second time identified by the timestamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, Sajin George, Yenpao Lu, Mitri J. Abou-Rizk
  • Patent number: 10485080
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an example of a system and a method for command execution synchronization in a flood network. In one example, the method includes propagating a message including an instruction, from a gateway to a plurality of ancillary nodal devices (devices) in a flood network. Each of the plurality of devices is within an equal number of transmissive steps of the gateway through the flood network such that the message is propagated with approximately equivalent delay to each of the plurality of devices and substantially simultaneously received by all of the devices. The method also includes substantially simultaneously transmitting the message from each respective one of the devices to end nodal devices (end nodes) of a group of end nodes in the flood network in communication with the respective one of the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, Sajin George, Yenpao Lu, Mitri J. Abou-Rizk
  • Patent number: 10285235
    Abstract: A dimmable lighting system may replace a bi-level lighting system without having to modify or supplement the existing wiring between a bi-level control unit and one or more light fixtures. The dimmable lighting system may include a dimming controller that may be configured to replace a bi-level control unit in situ (i.e., e.g., in a wall-mounted dual-gang switch box). The dimmable lighting system may also include a dimming driver that may be coupled to the dimming controller via the existing wiring of the bi-level lighting system. The dimming controller may output to the dimming driver a 0-10 volt DC dimming signal referenced to an AC utility voltage. In response, a dimmable lighting device coupled to the dimming driver may output light over a wide range of dimming light levels. Methods of replacing a bi-level lighting system with a dimmable lighting system are also provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Fassbender, Stephen H. Lydecker, Glen A. Kruse, Ryan A. Zaveruha, David M. Behnke
  • Patent number: 10130548
    Abstract: A lighting device obtains data related to objects and boundaries in an area in the vicinity of the lighting device, and a user wearable device provides a display (e.g. an augmented reality display based on the data related to the objects and the area boundaries) for a user/wearer. The lighting device includes a mapping sensor that collects data related to the objects and boundaries in the area. The user wearable device includes a camera or other optical sensor and wireless communication capability. The user wearable device is provided with mapping data that is presented on a display of the user wearable device. The communications and display capabilities allow the user wearable device to obtain room mapping information related to area in the vicinity of the lighting device in order to provide navigational assistance to a visually impaired person in the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr., Januk Aggarwal
  • Publication number: 20180271740
    Abstract: A lighting device obtains data related to objects and boundaries in an area in the vicinity of the lighting device, and a user wearable device provides a display (e.g. an augmented reality display based on the data related to the objects and the area boundaries) for a user/wearer. The lighting device includes a mapping sensor that collects data related to the objects and boundaries in the area. The user wearable device includes a camera or other optical sensor and wireless communication capability. The user wearable device is provided with mapping data that is presented on a display of the user wearable device. The communications and display capabilities allow the user wearable device to obtain room mapping information related to area in the vicinity of the lighting device in order to provide navigational assistance to a visually impaired person in the area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen H. LYDECKER, David P. RAMER, Jack C. RAINS, Jr., Januk AGGARWAL
  • Patent number: 10016334
    Abstract: A lighting device obtains data related to objects and boundaries in an area in the vicinity of the lighting device, and a user wearable device provides a display (e.g. an augmented reality display based on the data related to the objects and the area boundaries) for a user/wearer. The lighting device includes a mapping sensor that collects data related to the objects and boundaries in the area. The user wearable device includes a camera or other optical sensor and wireless communication capability. The user wearable device is provided with mapping data that is presented on a display of the user wearable device. The communications and display capabilities allow the user wearable device to obtain room mapping information related to area in the vicinity of the lighting device in order to provide navigational assistance to a visually impaired person in the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, David P. Ramer, Jack C. Rains, Jr., Januk Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 9964630
    Abstract: In a positioning system, a mobile device can detect a transmission from one of a number of lighting devices to obtain an identification (ID) label or code of each lighting device. The mobile device uses the detected ID code for a lookup in a self-stored or remotely stored table that associates lighting device location information with ID codes, to obtain an estimate of mobile device position. To mitigate against hacking by a third party detecting the ID codes and observing locations to compile its own lookup table, the disclosed examples dynamically alter the assignments of particular ID codes to the lighting devices, while minimizing potential disruption of position determination service for mobile devices due to the changes to ID code assignments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, Konstantin Klitenik, Daniel Ryan, Emanuel Paul Malandrakis, Mitri J. Abou-Rizk
  • Publication number: 20180011167
    Abstract: In a positioning system, a mobile device can detect a transmission from one of a number of lighting devices to obtain an identification (ID) label or code of each lighting device. The mobile device uses the detected ID code for a lookup in a self-stored or remotely stored table that associates lighting device location information with ID codes, to obtain an estimate of mobile device position. To mitigate against hacking by a third party detecting the ID codes and observing locations to compile its own lookup table, the disclosed examples dynamically alter the assignments of particular ID codes to the lighting devices, while minimizing potential disruption of position determination service for mobile devices due to the changes to ID code assignments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, Konstantin Klitenik, Daniel Ryan, Emanuel Paul Malandrakis, Mitri J. Abou-Rizk
  • Patent number: 9784817
    Abstract: In a visual light communication (VLC) or other light based positioning system, a mobile device can detect modulated light emitted by one or more localized artificial lighting devices to obtain an identification (ID) label or code of each lighting device, e.g. that is visible in an image captured by the mobile device camera. The mobile device uses the detected ID code for a lookup in a self-stored or remotely stored table that associates light-source-location information with ID codes, to obtain an estimate of mobile device position. To mitigate against hacking by a third party detecting the ID codes and observing locations to compile its own lookup table, the disclosed examples dynamically alter the assignments of particular ID codes to the lighting devices, while minimizing potential disruption of position determination service for mobile devices due to the changes to ID code assignments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, Konstantin Klitenik, Daniel Ryan, Emanuel Paul Malandrakis, Mitri J. Abou-Rizk
  • Patent number: 9750104
    Abstract: A dimmable lighting system may replace a bi-level lighting system without having to modify or supplement the existing wiring between a bi-level control unit and one or more light fixtures. The dimmable lighting system may include a dimming controller that may be configured to replace a bi-level control unit in situ (i.e., e.g., in a wall-mounted dual-gang switch box). The dimmable lighting system may also include a dimming driver that may be coupled to the dimming controller via the existing wiring of the bi-level lighting system. The dimming controller may output to the dimming driver a 0-10 volt DC dimming signal referenced to an AC utility voltage. In response, a dimmable lighting device coupled to the dimming driver may output light over a wide range of dimming light levels. Methods of replacing a bi-level lighting system with a dimmable lighting system are also provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Fassbender, Stephen H. Lydecker, Glen A. Kruse, Ryan A. Zaveruha, David M. Behnke
  • Publication number: 20170216977
    Abstract: A dimmable lighting system may replace a bi-level lighting system without having to modify or supplement the existing wiring between a bi-level control unit and one or more light fixtures. The dimmable lighting system may include a dimming controller that may be configured to replace a bi-level control unit in situ (i.e., e.g., in a wall-mounted dual-gang switch box). The dimmable lighting system may also include a dimming driver that may be coupled to the dimming controller via the existing wiring of the bi-level lighting system. The dimming controller may output to the dimming driver a 0-10 volt DC dimming signal referenced to an AC utility voltage. In response, a dimmable lighting device coupled to the dimming driver may output light over a wide range of dimming light levels. Methods of replacing a bi-level lighting system with a dimmable lighting system are also provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: William J. Fassbender, Stephen H. Lydecker, Glen A. Kruse, Ryan A. Zaveruha, David M. Behnke
  • Patent number: 9661714
    Abstract: A dimmable lighting system may replace a bi-level lighting system without having to modify or supplement the existing wiring between a bi-level control unit and one or more light fixtures. The dimmable lighting system may include a dimming controller that may be configured to replace a bi-level control unit in situ (i.e., e.g., in a wall-mounted dual-gang switch box). The dimmable lighting system may also include a dimming driver that may be coupled to the dimming controller via the existing wiring of the bi-level lighting system. The dimming controller may output to the dimming driver a 0-10 volt DC dimming signal referenced to an AC utility voltage. In response, a dimmable lighting device coupled to the dimming driver may output light over a wide range of dimming light levels. Methods of replacing a bi-level lighting system with a dimmable lighting system are also provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Fassbender, Stephen H. Lydecker, Glen A. Kruse, Ryan A. Zaveruha, David M. Behnke
  • Publication number: 20170139033
    Abstract: In a visual light communication (VLC) or other light based positioning system, a mobile device can detect modulated light emitted by one or more localized artificial lighting devices to obtain an identification (ID) label or code of each lighting device, e.g. that is visible in an image captured by the mobile device camera. The mobile device uses the detected ID code for a lookup in a self-stored or remotely stored table that associates light-source-location information with ID codes, to obtain an estimate of mobile device position. To mitigate against hacking by a third party detecting the ID codes and observing locations to compile its own lookup table, the disclosed examples dynamically alter the assignments of particular ID codes to the lighting devices, while minimizing potential disruption of position determination service for mobile devices due to the changes to ID code assignments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, Konstantin Klitenik, Daniel Ryan, Emanuel Paul Malandrakis, Mitri J. Abou-Rizk
  • Patent number: 9600983
    Abstract: In a visual light communication (VLC) or other light based positioning system, a mobile device can detect modulated light emitted by one or more localized artificial lighting devices to obtain an identification (ID) label or code of each lighting device, e.g. that is visible in an image captured by the mobile device camera. The mobile device uses the detected ID code for a lookup in a self-stored or remotely stored table that associates light-source-location information with ID codes, to obtain an estimate of mobile device position. To mitigate against hacking by a third party detecting the ID codes and observing locations to compile its own lookup table, the disclosed examples dynamically alter the assignments of particular ID codes to the lighting devices, while minimizing potential disruption of position determination service for mobile devices due to the changes to ID code assignments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ABL IP HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lydecker, Konstantin Klitenik, Daniel Ryan, Emanuel Paul Malandrakis, Mitri J. Abou-Rizk
  • Publication number: 20170035645
    Abstract: A lighting device obtains data related to objects and boundaries in an area in the vicinity of the lighting device, and a user wearable device provides a display (e.g. an augmented reality display based on the data related to the objects and the area boundaries) for a user/wearer. The lighting device includes a mapping sensor that collects data related to the objects and boundaries in the area. The user wearable device includes a camera or other optical sensor and wireless communication capability. The user wearable device is provided with mapping data that is presented on a display of the user wearable device. The communications and display capabilities allow the user wearable device to obtain room mapping information related to area in the vicinity of the lighting device in order to provide navigational assistance to a visually impaired person in the area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen H. LYDECKER, David P. RAMER, Jack C. RAINS, JR., Januk AGGARWAL