Patents by Inventor Timothy Mann
Timothy Mann 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).
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Patent number: 10212794Abstract: A load control system may include one or more wireless control devices that may be associated via a programming device. An identifier for a first wireless control device may be determined in response to an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. An association between the first wireless control device and a second wireless control device may be defined at the programming device. The identifier for the first wireless control device may be transmitted to the second wireless control device, which may cause the first wireless control device to enter a sleep mode. The first wireless control device may enter the sleep mode after an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. The identifier may be determined in response to the actuation of the button on the first wireless control device and/or prior to the first wireless control device entering the sleep mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventor: Timothy Mann
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Publication number: 20180376572Abstract: A load control system may include one or more wireless control devices that may be associated via a programming device. An identifier for a first wireless control device may be determined in response to an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. An association between the first wireless control device and a second wireless control device may be defined at the programming device. The identifier for the first wireless control device may be transmitted to the second wireless control device, which may cause the first wireless control device to enter a sleep mode. The first wireless control device may enter the sleep mode after an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. The identifier may be determined in response to the actuation of the button on the first wireless control device and/or prior to the first wireless control device entering the sleep mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventor: Timothy Mann
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Patent number: 10070504Abstract: A load control system may include one or more wireless control devices that may be associated via a programming device. An identifier for a first wireless control device may be determined in response to an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. An association between the first wireless control device and a second wireless control device may be defined at the programming device. The identifier for the first wireless control device may be transmitted to the second wireless control device, which may cause the first wireless control device to enter a sleep mode. The first wireless control device may enter the sleep mode after an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. The identifier may be determined in response to the actuation of the button on the first wireless control device and/or prior to the first wireless control device entering the sleep mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventor: Timothy Mann
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Publication number: 20180120885Abstract: A wireless load control system for controlling one or more electrical loads comprises a wireless control device (e.g., a gateway device) able to obtain a present time from a server via a network (e.g., the Internet), control the electrical loads according to a timeclock schedule, and disable the timeclock schedule if the present time is not able to be obtained from the server via the network. The wireless control device may also be able to obtain the present time from a digital message received from an external device (e.g., a smart phone or a tablet device) via the network. The wireless control device may be configured to receive a control signal indicating a power outage (e.g., from a battery backup device), and to operate in a low-power mode in response to receiving the control signal indicating the power outage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, David J. Dolan, Timothy Mann, Christopher M. Riedl
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Publication number: 20180116040Abstract: A load control system may include control devices for controlling electrical loads. The control devices may include load control devices, such as a lighting device for controlling an amount of power provided to a lighting load, and controller devices, such as a remote control device configured to transmit digital messages for controlling the lighting load via the load control device. The remote control device may communicate with the lighting devices via a hub device. The remote control device may detect a user interface event, such as a button press or a rotation of the remote control device. The remote control device or the hub device may determine whether to transmit digital messages as unicast messages or multicast messages based on the type of user interface event detected. The remote control device, or other master device, may synchronize and/or toggle an on/off state of lighting devices in the load control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2017Publication date: April 26, 2018Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Timothy Mann, Robert C. Newman, JR., Thomas Lee Olson, Jaykrishna A. Shukla
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Publication number: 20180018580Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for using a machine learning model that has been trained through reinforcement learning to select a content item. One of the methods includes receiving first data characterizing a first context in which a first content item may be presented to a first user in a presentation environment; and providing the first data as input to a long-term engagement machine learning model, the model having been trained through reinforcement learning to: receive a plurality of inputs, and process each of the plurality of inputs to generate a respective engagement score for each input that represents a predicted, time-adjusted total number of selections by the respective user of future content items presented to the respective user in the presentation environment if the respective content item is presented in the respective context.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2016Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Benjamin Kenneth Coppin, Mustafa Suleyman, Thomas Chadwick Walters, Timothy Mann, Chia-Yueh Carlton Chu, Martin Szummer, Luis Carlos Cobo Rus, Jean-Francois Crespo
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Publication number: 20180014386Abstract: A load control system may include control devices for controlling power provided to an electrical load. The control devices may include an input device and a load control device. The load control system may include a hub device. The hub device may include a communication circuit and a control circuit. The communication circuit may be configured to receive a digital message from the control device. The control circuit may be configured to determine, based on content of the digital message, whether the control device has experienced a power removal event. The hub device may send, via the communication circuit, a power removal event indication to the control device of whether the control device has experienced the power removal event.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Ankit Bhutani, Timothy Mann, David T. Saveri, III
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Patent number: 9851735Abstract: A wireless load control system for controlling one or more electrical loads comprises a wireless control device (e.g., a gateway device) able to obtain a present time from a server via a network (e.g., the Internet), control the electrical loads according to a timeclock schedule, and disable the timeclock schedule if the present time is not able to be obtained from the server via the network. The wireless control device may also be able to obtain the present time from a digital message received from an external device (e.g., a smart phone or a tablet device) via the network. The wireless control device may be configured to receive a control signal indicating a power outage (e.g., from a battery backup device), and to operate in a low-power mode in response to receiving the control signal indicating the power outage.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, David J. Dolan, Timothy Mann, Christopher M. Riedl
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Publication number: 20170046949Abstract: A remote control device having capacitive touch controls may be configured to enter a sleep state (or mode). For example, the remote control device may be configured to enter the sleep state upon expiration of an interval of time since a most recent button press. The remote control may be configured to awaken from the sleep state when one or more portions of a housing of the remote control are deflected, for example, when a user grasps the remote control to actuate one or more of the capacitive touch controls. For example, the remote control device may include a switch. The switch may include a carbon structure that may be configured to contact an open circuit pad on a circuit board to close the corresponding circuit when the housing is deflected and awaken the remote control device from the sleep state.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Timothy Mann, Matthew Philip McDonald, Lawrence R. Carmen, JR., Robert D. Stevens, JR.
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Patent number: 9524633Abstract: A remote control device having capacitive touch controls may be configured to enter a sleep state (or mode). For example, the remote control device may be configured to enter the sleep state upon expiration of an interval of time since a most recent button press. The remote control may be configured to awaken from the sleep state when one or more portions of a housing of the remote control are deflected, for example, when a user grasps the remote control to actuate one or more of the capacitive touch controls. For example, the remote control device may include a switch. The switch may include a carbon structure that may be configured to contact an open circuit pad on a circuit board to close the corresponding circuit when the housing is deflected and awaken the remote control device from the sleep state.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Timothy Mann, Matthew Philip McDonald, Lawrence R. Carmen, Jr., Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
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Publication number: 20160353559Abstract: A load control system may include one or more wireless control devices that may be associated via a programming device. An identifier for a first wireless control device may be determined in response to an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. An association between the first wireless control device and a second wireless control device may be defined at the programming device. The identifier for the first wireless control device may be transmitted to the second wireless control device, which may cause the first wireless control device to enter a sleep mode. The first wireless control device may enter the sleep mode after an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. The identifier may be determined in response to the actuation of the button on the first wireless control device and/or prior to the first wireless control device entering the sleep mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventor: Timothy Mann
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Publication number: 20160056629Abstract: A load control system may control an electrical load in a space of a building occupied by an occupant. The load control system may include a controller configured to determine the location of the occupant, and a load control device configured to automatically control the electrical load in response to the location of the occupant. The load control system may also include a mobile device adapted to be located on or immediately adjacent the occupant and configured to transmit and receive wireless signals. The load control device may be configured to automatically control the electrical load when the mobile device is located in the space. The load control system may further comprise an occupancy sensor and the load control device may automatically control the electrical load when the occupancy sensor indicates that the space is occupied and the mobile device is located in the space.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Rhodes B. Baker, John H. Bull, William Bryce Fricke, Jason C. Killo, Galen Edgar Knode, Sanjeev Kumar, Sean R. Pearson, James Mathias Weber, Daniel L. Twaddell, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Timothy Mann, Sriram Gopalakrishnan, Jeffrey Karc, Greg Edward Sloan
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Publication number: 20150185752Abstract: A wireless load control system for controlling one or more electrical loads comprises a wireless control device (e.g., a gateway device) able to obtain a present time from a server via a network (e.g., the Internet), control the electrical loads according to a timeclock schedule, and disable the timeclock schedule if the present time is not able to be obtained from the server via the network. The wireless control device may also be able to obtain the present time from a digital message received from an external device (e.g., a smart phone or a tablet device) via the network. The wireless control device may be configured to receive a control signal indicating a power outage (e.g., from a battery backup device), and to operate in a low-power mode in response to receiving the control signal indicating the power outage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2014Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, David J. Dolan, Timothy Mann, Christopher M. Riedl
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Publication number: 20140268628Abstract: A remote control device having capacitive touch controls may be configured to enter a sleep state (or mode). For example, the remote control device may be configured to enter the sleep state upon expiration of an interval of time since a most recent button press. The remote control may be configured to awaken from the sleep state when one or more portions of a housing of the remote control are deflected, for example, when a user grasps the remote control to actuate one or more of the capacitive touch controls. For example, the remote control device may include a switch. The switch may include a carbon structure that may be configured to contact an open circuit pad on a circuit board to close the corresponding circuit when the housing is deflected and awaken the remote control device from the sleep state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Timothy Mann, Matthew Philip McDonald, Lawrence R. Carmen, JR., Robert D. Stevens, JR.
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Publication number: 20140144385Abstract: A furnace system for heating a poultry brooder house includes a firebox for burning biomass fuel, and a grate within the firebox for burning the biomass fuel thereon. A distributor assembly may positioned within the firebox and is located directly above the grate. The distributor assembly includes a distributor plate having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a distributor arm above the distributor plate that is movable relative to the distributor plate to cause biomass fuel supported on the plate to pass through the apertures and fall onto the grate. The furnace system may include a hopper assembly that defines a well for receiving a volume of biomass fuel for delivery to the grate or to the distributor plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: WAYNE/SCOTT FETZER COMPANYInventors: Jimmie C. Raley, Jeremy S. Lord, Timothy A. Mann, Gerald D. Stimson, Anthony B. Tranquill, Charles E. Wood, Donald W. Cox
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Publication number: 20140125463Abstract: A control device has a night light that allows the control device to be easily found when the control device is located in a dark space. The control device comprises a low-power night light circuit having an LED characterized by a normal current range. The night light circuit conducts an LED current through the LED in a first mode to illuminate the LED to a first level to provide a night light, where the LED current has a magnitude below the normal current range, such that the night light may be provided in a battery-powered remote control that has an acceptable battery lifetime. The night light circuit is configured to operate in a second mode to illuminate the LED to a second level greater than the first level to provide feedback. The LED current in the second mode has a magnitude within the normal current range of the LED.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Lawrence R. Carmen, JR., Juha Mikko Hakkarainen, Timothy Mann, Matthew Philip McDonald
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Publication number: 20140052783Abstract: One or more load control devices and/or user interfaces that are part of a first network operating via a first protocol may communicate and/or control one or more load control devices and/or user interfaces that are part of a second network operating via a second protocol. For example, a wireless bridge may be provided. The wireless bridge may include a gateway. The gateway may be used to bridge the two networks that communicate using the different protocols such that the devices of the different networks may communicate with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Inventors: Matthew J. Swatsky, John David Kruse, Timothy Mann, Jamie Steffie, I
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Patent number: 8640633Abstract: A furnace system for heating a poultry brooder house includes a firebox for burning biomass fuel, and a grate within the firebox for burning the biomass fuel thereon. A distributor assembly may positioned within the firebox and is located directly above the grate. The distributor assembly includes a distributor plate having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a distributor arm above the distributor plate that is movable relative to the distributor plate to cause biomass fuel supported on the plate to pass through the apertures and fall onto the grate. The furnace system may include a hopper assembly that defines a well for receiving a volume of biomass fuel for delivery to the grate or to the distributor plate.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Wayne/Scott Fetzer CompanyInventors: Jimmie C. Raley, Jeremy S. Lord, Timothy A. Mann, Gerald D. Stimson, Anthony B. Tranquill, Charles E. Wood, Donald W. Cox
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Publication number: 20120286940Abstract: A battery-powered remote control for radiating wireless signals to control a controlled device has a night light that glows whereby it is visible in a darkened room and the battery lasts at least about three years. It also includes a wireless transmitter, a controller, a battery and a control element. The control element generates a signal when activated to cause the controller to operate the wireless transmitter to transmit a wireless signal to control the controlled device. The night light comprises a light emitting diode and a light pipe having a textured front surface. A power supply circuit for the LED provides an LED current from the battery. The LED has a normal operating current range and the LED current is several orders of magnitude below the normal operating current range.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventors: Lawrence R. Carmen, JR., Timothy Mann, Matthew Philip McDonald, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20100058960Abstract: A furnace system for heating a poultry brooder house includes a firebox for burning biomass fuel, and a grate within the firebox for burning the biomass fuel thereon. A distributor assembly may positioned within the firebox and is located directly above the grate. The distributor assembly includes a distributor plate having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a distributor arm above the distributor plate that is movable relative to the distributor plate to cause biomass fuel supported on the plate to pass through the apertures and fall onto the grate. The furnace system may include a hopper assembly that defines a well for receiving a volume of biomass fuel for delivery to the grate or to the distributor plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: WAYNE/SCOTT FETZER COMPANYInventors: Jimmie C. Raley, Jeremy S. Lord, Timothy A. Mann, Gerald D. Stimson, Anthony B. Tranquill, Charles E. Wood, Donald W. Cox