Patents by Inventor Thomas S. Nishihira

Thomas S. Nishihira 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: 6472853
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating a DC power supply, adaptable for use with a motion sensor switch, by limiting the leakage to ground current of the power supply to comply with U.L. Standards while also enabling the DC power supply to provide a stable DC output voltage which is essentially unaffected by changes in magnitude of the AC supply voltage or changes in ambient temperature. The method and apparatus employs first and second transistors, in which the base and collector of the first transistor and the base and collector of the second transistor are coupled to receive a voltage based on the AC supply voltage, and the emitter of both the first and second transistors are coupled to drive an output circuit of the DC power supply. The emitter of the second transistor is also coupled via a first resistor to the base of the first transistor, and the collector of the second transistor is also coupled via a second resistor to the base of the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas S. Nishihira, David A. Blau, John R. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 6466826
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a motion sensor switch which is adapted to control a lighting circuit in an area monitored by the motion sensor switch. The apparatus and method employs a setting adjustment device, such as a potentiometer, having a setting range which sets the duration of a delay period during which the motion sensor switch delays deactivating the lighting circuit after sensing that the monitored area has become vacant. The setting adjustment device further includes a first setting position, a second setting position, or both. The apparatus and method further employs a bypass controller, such as a comparator circuit or software-implemented comparator, which, when the setting adjustment device is set to the first or second bypass setting position, controls the motion sensor switch to maintain the lighting circuit activated or deactivated, regardless of whether the motion sensor senses motion in the monitored area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas S. Nishihira, David A. Blau
  • Publication number: 20020000794
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating a DC power supply, adaptable for use with a motion sensor switch, by limiting the leakage to ground current of the power supply to comply with U.L. Standards while also enabling the DC power supply to provide a stable DC output voltage which is essentially unaffected by changes in magnitude of the AC supply voltage or changes in ambient temperature. The method and apparatus employs first and second transistors, in which the base and collector of the first transistor and the base and collector of the second transistor are coupled to receive a voltage based on the AC supply voltage, and the emitter of both the first and second transistors are coupled to drive an output circuit of the DC power supply. The emitter of the second transistor is also coupled via a first resistor to the base of the first transistor, and the collector of the second transistor is also coupled via a second resistor to the base of the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas S. Nishihira, David A. Blau, John R. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 6307354
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating a DC power supply, adaptable for use with a motion sensor switch, by limiting the leakage to ground current of the power supply to comply with U.L. Standards while also enabling the DC power supply to provide a stable DC output voltage which is essentially unaffected by changes in magnitude of the AC supply voltage or changes in ambient temperature. The method and apparatus employs first and second transistors, in which the base and collector of the first transistor and the base and collector of the second transistor are coupled to receive a voltage based on the AC supply voltage, and the emitter of both the first and second transistors are coupled to drive an output circuit of the DC power supply. The emitter of the second transistor is also coupled via a first resistor to the base of the first transistor, and the collector of the second transistor is also coupled via a second resistor to the base of the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas S. Nishihira, David A. Blau, John R. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 6166640
    Abstract: A bicolor indicator is provided for a lighting control system which controllably switches one or more lkighting fixtures on or off in accordance with detected motion, ambient light level and a selected time out period. The indicator indicates when the lighting control system is operating in a bypass on or off mode (i.e., overriding controlled switching based on motion detection and ambient light level) or in an automatic time out mode. The indicator also indicates occurrences of motion detection and whether or not the ambient light level is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas S. Nishihira, David A. Blau