Patents by Inventor Timothy E. Willis

Timothy E. Willis 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: 11842041
    Abstract: A system including an electronic processor, a transceiver communicatively coupled to the electronic processor, a display communicatively coupled to the electronic processor and a non-transient memory medium communicatively coupled to the electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to generate a graphical representation based on at least one configuration file, the graphical representation including a button, present the graphical representation on the display, receive, via the display, a user input indicative of selecting the button, and transmit, via the transceiver, a lighting system control command based selection of the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: HLI SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Theodore E. Weber, Timothy E. Willis, Christopher Lane Bailey
  • Publication number: 20230229295
    Abstract: A system including an electronic processor, a transceiver communicatively coupled to the electronic processor, a display communicatively coupled to the electronic processor and a non-transient memory medium communicatively coupled to the electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to generate a graphical representation based on at least one configuration file, the graphical representation including a button, present the graphical representation on the display, receive, via the display, a user input indicative of selecting the button, and transmit, via the transceiver, a lighting system control command based selection of the button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Theodore E. Weber, Timothy E. Willis, Christopher Lane Bailey
  • Patent number: 11494066
    Abstract: A system including an electronic processor, a transceiver communicatively coupled to the electronic processor, a touch screen display communicatively coupled to the electronic processor and a non-transient memory medium communicatively coupled to the electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to generate a graphical representation based on at least one configuration file, the graphical representation including a button, present the graphical representation on the touch screen display, receive, via the touch screen display, a user input indicative of selecting the button, and transmit, via the transceiver, a lighting system control command based selection of the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Hubbell Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore E. Weber, Timothy E. Willis, Christopher Lane Bailey
  • Patent number: 10473389
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance including both a user interface and door position sensor. The same devices and sensors are for both functions. The user interface is mounted on a door or mullion in such a way that all or nearly all of the input devices on the user interface are activated simultaneously or nearly simultaneously when a door is closed so that the user interface can distinguish this action from user inputs in which only one or two input devices are activated at a time. Likewise, when all input devices are inactivated nearly simultaneously, the user interface may know that a door has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy E. Willis
  • Publication number: 20190342968
    Abstract: A system including an electronic processor, a transceiver communicatively coupled to the electronic processor, a touch screen display communicatively coupled to the electronic processor and a non-transient memory medium communicatively coupled to the electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to generate a graphical representation based on at least one configuration file, the graphical representation including a button, present the graphical representation on the touch screen display, receive, via the touch screen display, a user input indicative of selecting the button, and transmit, via the transceiver, a lighting system control command based selection of the button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Theodore E. Weber, Timothy E. Willis, Christopher Lane Bailey
  • Patent number: 9896321
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerated compartment and a door to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense content into a receiver vessel. The dispenser includes a control unit, an actuation system controlled by the control unit, and a dispensing outlet through which the content flows from the dispenser and into the receiver vessel. The dispenser further includes a trough located below the dispensing outlet for collecting overflow content from at least one of the receiver vessel and the dispensing outlet. The dispenser further includes a sensor coupled to the trough and in electrical communication with the control unit. The sensor is configured to detect overflow content contained within the trough. A method for controlling the dispensing of content from a dispenser is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy E. Willis
  • Publication number: 20160355388
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerated compartment and a door to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense content into a receiver vessel. The dispenser includes a control unit, an actuation system controlled by the control unit, and a dispensing outlet through which the content flows from the dispenser and into the receiver vessel. The dispenser further includes a trough located below the dispensing outlet for collecting overflow content from at least one of the receiver vessel and the dispensing outlet. The dispenser further includes a sensor coupled to the trough and in electrical communication with the control unit. The sensor is configured to detect overflow content contained within the trough. A method for controlling the dispensing of content from a dispenser is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventor: Timothy E. Willis
  • Patent number: 9469517
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerated compartment and a door to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense content into a receiver vessel. The dispenser includes a control unit, an actuation system controlled by the control unit, and a dispensing outlet through which the content flows from the dispenser and into the receiver vessel. The dispenser further includes a trough located below the dispensing outlet for collecting overflow content from at least one of the receiver vessel and the dispensing outlet. The dispenser further includes a sensor coupled to the trough and in electrical communication with the control unit. The sensor is configured to detect overflow content contained within the trough. A method for controlling the dispensing of content from a dispenser is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Timothy E. Willis
  • Publication number: 20150247668
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance including both a user interface and door position sensor. The same devices and sensors are for both functions. The user interface is mounted on a door or mullion in such a way that all or nearly all of the input devices on the user interface are activated simultaneously or nearly simultaneously when a door is closed so that the user interface can distinguish this action from user inputs in which only one or two input devices are activated at a time. Likewise, when all input devices are inactivated nearly simultaneously, the user interface may know that a door has been opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy E. Willis
  • Publication number: 20140224375
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerated compartment and a door to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense content into a receiver vessel. The dispenser includes a control unit, an actuation system controlled by the control unit, and a dispensing outlet through which the content flows from the dispenser and into the receiver vessel. The dispenser further includes a trough located below the dispensing outlet for collecting overflow content from at least one of the receiver vessel and the dispensing outlet. The dispenser further includes a sensor coupled to the trough and in electrical communication with the control unit. The sensor is configured to detect overflow content contained within the trough. A method for controlling the dispensing of content from a dispenser is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy E. Willis
  • Patent number: D953344
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Hubbell Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore E. Weber, Timothy E. Willis, Christopher Lane Bailey