Patents by Inventor Timothy Paul Spens

Timothy Paul Spens 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).

  • Publication number: 20230238950
    Abstract: An electronic device for controlling switching timing is described. The electronic device includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure a load voltage to produce a load voltage measurement. The electronic device also includes a processor coupled to the load voltage measuring circuitry. The processor is configured to determine whether a load voltage spike is indicated by the load voltage measurement. The processor is configured to control switching timing based on whether a load voltage spike is indicated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Don Bruhn, Timothy Paul Spens
  • Patent number: 11641195
    Abstract: An electronic device for controlling switching timing is described. The electronic device includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure a load voltage to produce a load voltage measurement. The electronic device also includes a processor coupled to the load voltage measuring circuitry. The processor is configured to determine whether a load voltage spike is indicated by the load voltage measurement. The processor is configured to control switching timing based on whether a load voltage spike is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Don Bruhn, Jr., Timothy Paul Spens
  • Patent number: 10845397
    Abstract: An electronic device for detecting a load type is described. The electronic device includes zero-cross circuitry configured to detect a line voltage zero cross and includes switching circuitry configured to perform switching based on the line voltage zero cross to supply a load voltage. The electronic device further includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure the load voltage. The electronic device additionally includes a processor configured to determine a load type based on the load voltage measurement and configured to control the switching circuitry to drive the load based on the load type. An electronic device for detecting load coupling is also described. The electronic device includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure load voltage without activating the load voltage. The electronic device also includes a processor configured to determine whether a load is coupled based on the load voltage measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: WirePath Home Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Don Bruhn, Jr., Timothy Paul Spens
  • Patent number: 10845425
    Abstract: An electronic device for detecting switching circuitry failure is described. The electronic device includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure a load voltage to produce a load voltage measurement. The electronic device also includes a processor coupled to the load voltage measuring circuitry. The processor is configured to detect switching circuitry failure based on the load voltage measurement. The processor is configured to control the switching circuitry based on whether switching circuitry failure is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: WirePath Home Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Don Bruhn, Jr., Timothy Paul Spens, Jon A. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20180217205
    Abstract: An electronic device for detecting switching circuitry failure is described. The electronic device includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure a load voltage to produce a load voltage measurement. The electronic device also includes a processor coupled to the load voltage measuring circuitry. The processor is configured to detect switching circuitry failure based on the load voltage measurement. The processor is configured to control the switching circuitry based on whether switching circuitry failure is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Don Bruhn, JR., Timothy Paul Spens, Jon A. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20180217658
    Abstract: An electronic device for controlling switching timing is described. The electronic device includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure a load voltage to produce a load voltage measurement. The electronic device also includes a processor coupled to the load voltage measuring circuitry. The processor is configured to determine whether a load voltage spike is indicated by the load voltage measurement. The processor is configured to control switching timing based on whether a load voltage spike is indicated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Don Bruhn, JR., Timothy Paul Spens
  • Publication number: 20180219481
    Abstract: An electronic device for detecting a load type is described. The electronic device includes zero-cross circuitry configured to detect a line voltage zero cross and includes switching circuitry configured to perform switching based on the line voltage zero cross to supply a load voltage. The electronic device further includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure the load voltage. The electronic device additionally includes a processor configured to determine a load type based on the load voltage measurement and configured to control the switching circuitry to drive the load based on the load type. An electronic device for detecting load coupling is also described. The electronic device includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure load voltage without activating the load voltage. The electronic device also includes a processor configured to determine whether a load is coupled based on the load voltage measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Don Bruhn, JR., Timothy Paul Spens
  • Patent number: 9686165
    Abstract: A method for indicating communication link quality by an electronic device is described. The method includes tracking local link quality information corresponding to a local receive link between the electronic device and a neighboring device. The method also includes receiving a request to indicate a link quality. The method further includes indicating the link quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Eugene Nagel, Timothy Paul Spens
  • Publication number: 20140321294
    Abstract: A method for indicating communication link quality by an electronic device is described. The method includes tracking local link quality information corresponding to a local receive link between the electronic device and a neighboring device. The method also includes receiving a request to indicate a link quality. The method further includes indicating the link quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Eugene Nagel, Timothy Paul Spens