Patents by Inventor Steve Gerber

Steve Gerber 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: 11422520
    Abstract: A building automation system that is comprised of a plurality of network connected electrical modules contained in standard receptacle gang boxes for outlets and switches is described. The system includes an AC to DC power supply, a bidirectional solid state dimmer switch, a microprocessor, and, interconnected sensors that are powered and controlled by microprocessors within the electrical modules. The electrical modules include a user interface for programming and control. The system provides enhanced safety and security, power metering, power control, and home diagnostics. The apparatus replaces existing outlet receptacles and switches with a familiar flush but elegantly updated and seamlessly integrated faceplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Bradley Larson, Harry Rodriguez, Christopher Casey, Thar Casey, Steve Gerber
  • Publication number: 20210173364
    Abstract: A building automation system that is comprised of a plurality of network connected electrical modules contained in standard receptacle gang boxes for outlets and switches is described. The system includes an AC to DC power supply, a bidirectional solid state dimmer switch, a microprocessor, and, interconnected sensors that are powered and controlled by microprocessors within the electrical modules. The electrical modules include a user interface for programming and control. The system provides enhanced safety and security, power metering, power control, and home diagnostics. The apparatus replaces existing outlet receptacles and switches with a familiar flush but elegantly updated and seamlessly integrated faceplate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: mark telefus, Bradley Larson, Harry Rodriguez, Christopher Casey, Thar Casey, Steve Gerber
  • Patent number: 10931473
    Abstract: A building automation system that is comprised of a plurality of network connected electrical modules contained in standard receptacle gang boxes for outlets and switches is described. The system includes an AC to DC power supply, a bidirectional solid stale dimmer switch, a microprocessor, and, interconnected sensors that are powered and controlled by microprocessors within the electrical modules. The electrical modules include a user interface for programming and control. The system provides enhanced safety and security, power metering, power control, and home diagnostics. The apparatus replaces existing outlet receptacles and switches with a familiar flush but elegantly updated and seamlessly integrated faceplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventors: mark telefus, Bradley Larson, Harry Rodriguez, Christopher Casey, Thar Casey, Steve Gerber
  • Publication number: 20200044883
    Abstract: A building automation system that is comprised of a plurality of network connected electrical modules contained in standard receptacle gang boxes for outlets and switches is described. The system includes an AC to DC power supply, a bidirectional solid stale dimmer switch, a microprocessor, and, interconnected sensors that are powered and controlled by microprocessors within the electrical modules. The electrical modules include a user interface for programming and control. The system provides enhanced safety and security, power metering, power control, and home diagnostics. The apparatus replaces existing outlet receptacles and switches with a familiar flush but elegantly updated and seamlessly integrated faceplate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: mark telefus, Bradley Larson, Harry Rodriguez, Christopher Casey, Thar Casey, Steve Gerber
  • Patent number: 9651421
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate is substantially transparent and includes a contact surface and an interface surface. The interface surface includes a plurality of electrical contacts. The device further includes a semiconductor die, which includes a plurality of connections, a first photo detector and a second photo detector. Each of the plurality of connections includes a connection bump formed thereon to couple to the plurality of electrical contacts of the interface surface of the substrate. The plurality of connections positioned relative to the first and second photo detectors to alter a directional response of at least one photo detector of the plurality of photo detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Miroslav Svajda, Steve Gerber, Wayne T. Holcombe
  • Patent number: 8358285
    Abstract: A touch panel scan system is disclosed for detecting a change in mutual capacitance on the surface of a touch panel. A first touch detect device is provided having a transmitter for transmitting a transmit signal to a select one of a plurality of first lines on a first edge of a touch panel to facilitate a single line scan operation. A second touch detect device is interfaced with a select one or ones of second lines on a second edge of the touch panel having a receiver for receiving therefrom and processing thereof transmit signals coupled thereto from the select one or ones of the first lines to detect changes in a mutual capacitance associated with the select one or ones of the second lines and the first line. At least one of the first or second touch detect devices functions as a master and the other functions as a slave, with the master coupled to the slave and generating a SYNC signal to initiate a single scan operation of a select one of the first lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Kafai Leung, Bradley Martin, Steve Gerber
  • Patent number: 8288672
    Abstract: In one form, a keypad includes a substrate and a flexible membrane disposed above a top surface of the substrate. The substrate has the top surface, a first conductor below the top surface, an insulator layer separating the first conductor from the top surface, and a second conductor disposed in proximity to the first conductor and to the top surface and coupled to a voltage terminal. The flexible membrane is disposed above the top surface of the substrate and has a third conductor forming a key. The third conductor is movable relative to the top surface. In another form, a keypad system includes such a keypad and a capacitive sensing circuit coupled to the first conductor for sensing a change in capacitance between the first conductor and the voltage terminal when the third conductor moves relative to the top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Gerber
  • Publication number: 20110273190
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC) configured to sense capacitance, and two or more capacitive elements coupled to the IC. The capacitive elements each have a first section, and one capacitive element has a second section. The first sections of the capacitive elements have the same or substantially the same lengths, shapes, and/or capacitance values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Steve Gerber
  • Publication number: 20110273189
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC) configured to sense capacitance, and two or more capacitive elements coupled to the IC. The capacitive elements each have a first section, and one capacitive element has a second section. The first sections of the capacitive elements have the same or substantially the same lengths, shapes, and/or capacitance values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Steve Gerber
  • Publication number: 20110266128
    Abstract: In one form, a keypad includes a substrate and a flexible membrane disposed above a top surface of the substrate. The substrate has the top surface, a first conductor below the top surface, an insulator layer separating the first conductor from the top surface, and a second conductor disposed in proximity to the first conductor and to the top surface and coupled to a voltage terminal. The flexible membrane is disposed above the top surface of the substrate and has a third conductor forming a key. The third conductor is movable relative to the top surface. In another form, a keypad system includes such a keypad and a capacitive sensing circuit coupled to the first conductor for sensing a change in capacitance between the first conductor and the voltage terminal when the third conductor moves relative to the top surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventor: Steve Gerber
  • Publication number: 20110248961
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate is substantially transparent and includes a contact surface and an interface surface. The interface surface includes a plurality of electrical contacts. The device further includes a semiconductor die, which includes a plurality of connections, a first photo detector and a second photo detector. Each of the plurality of connections includes a connection bump formed thereon to couple to the plurality of electrical contacts of the interface surface of the substrate. The plurality of connections positioned relative to the first and second photo detectors to alter a directional response of at least one photo detector of the plurality of photo detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Miroslav Svajda, Steve Gerber, Wayne T. Holcombe
  • Publication number: 20100283760
    Abstract: A touch panel scan system is disclosed for detecting a change in mutual capacitance on the surface of a touch panel. A first touch detect device is provided having a transmitter for transmitting a transmit signal to a select one of a plurality of first lines on a first edge of a touch panel to facilitate a single line scan operation. A second touch detect device is interfaced with a select one or ones of second lines on a second edge of the touch panel having a receiver for receiving therefrom and processing thereof transmit signals coupled thereto from the select one or ones of the first lines to detect changes in a mutual capacitance associated with the select one or ones of the second lines and the first line. At least one of the first or second touch detect devices functions as a master and the other functions as a slave, with the master coupled to the slave and generating a SYNC signal to initiate a single scan operation of a select one of the first lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.
    Inventors: Kafai Leung, Bradley Martin, Steve Gerber