Patents by Inventor Tom O'Neil

Tom O'Neil 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: 10782938
    Abstract: An I2C and Manchester multiple serial interface LED driver programmer has a programmer that changes the operation parameters in the EEPROM of the LED driver via a computer graphic user interface. The LED driver operation is thus programmed according to the parameters stored in the EEPROM. The multiple interfaces are selectable as USB-to-I2C, RS232-to-I2C, USB-to-TxD/RxD, RS232-to-TxD/RxD and 3rd via a pass through USB-to-USB port for expanded LED programming interface such as Near Field Communication. The I2C and Manchester multiple serial interface LED driver has multiple output interface with USB-to-I2C, RS232-to-I2C, USB-to-TxD/RxD, RS232-to-TxD/RxD and third pass through USB-to-USB port for Near Field Communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: EPtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 10299354
    Abstract: A wireless operated LED lighting controller has both analog and phase control outputs which operate a dimming luminaire, and sensors for lighting and motion which operate autonomously as needed. In addition it is locally operated by a handheld infra-red controller. At least one sensor can be chosen from the group of: a light detector, a motion detector, an acoustic detector, a temperature sensor, and a microwave detector. The sensor is electrically connected to the phase control output. A light output of the controller is affected by signals detected by the at least one sensor. The lighting controller has the phase control output enabled for either a leading edge dimming or a trailing edge dimming, and has a mode for completely turning off the dimming luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: EuControls, Corp
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Publication number: 20190138281
    Abstract: An I2C and Manchester multiple serial interface LED driver programmer has a programmer that changes the operation parameters in the EEPROM of the LED driver via a computer graphic user interface. The LED driver operation is thus programmed according to the parameters stored in the EEPROM. The multiple interfaces are selectable as USB-to-I2C, RS232-to-I2C, USB-to-TxD/RxD, RS232-to-TxD/RxD and 3rd via a pass through USB-to-USB port for expanded LED programming interface such as Near Field Communication. The I2C and Manchester multiple serial interface LED driver has multiple output interface with USB-to-I2C, RS232-to-I2C, USB-to-TxD/RxD, RS232-to-TxD/RxD and third pass through USB-to-USB port for Near Field Communication interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Publication number: 20180063929
    Abstract: A wireless operated LED lighting controller has both analog and phase control outputs which operate a dimming luminaire, and sensors for lighting and motion which operate autonomously as needed. In addition it is locally operated by a handheld infra-red controller. At least one sensor can be chosen from the group of: a light detector, a motion detector, an acoustic detector, a temperature sensor, and a microwave detector. The sensor is electrically connected to the phase control output. A light output of the controller is affected by signals detected by the at least one sensor. The lighting controller has the phase control output enabled for either a leading edge dimming or a trailing edge dimming, and has a mode for completely turning off the dimming luminaire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9763300
    Abstract: An LED driver includes a first stage. The first stage converts AC power from an AC power source into a DC power source. The driver also includes a second stage that receives the DC power from the first stage. The driver has a buck converter with a constant current output. The buck converter is managed by a buck converter control chip. The buck converter control chip is controlled by a microprocessor with an associated EEPROM. The EEPROM stores settings for the LED driver can be changed either with a wired GUI port or wirelessly through a Zigbee interface. The microprocessor can select a value of a DC output current according to a value of the analog dimming input signal which has been translated using a predetermined programmable relationship between the input signal and the output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: EPTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9730301
    Abstract: A wireless lighting control module for LED lighting includes a Zigbee wireless receiver receiving an input wireless control signal, an analog control output which conforms to the 0-10V format, and a microcontroller which is connected to the wireless receiver and receives the input wireless control signal from the wireless receiver. The microcontroller regulates the analog control output. The analog control output has a predetermined cutoff level. A lighting power output is controlled by the microcontroller and cut off by opening a relay when the analog control output is below the predetermined cutoff level. The predetermined cutoff level of the analog control output is 0.5V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: EPTRONICS, INC
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9699849
    Abstract: A phase control dimming LED driver is able to achieve complete stabilization of both TRIAC and trailing edge dimmers by using a large inductor to limit the inrush normally associated with the switching on of the TRIAC during each half cycle. Such a large inductor is not normally used because when a trailing edge dimmer is applied, a damaging voltage surge known as “ring up” can be generated when the trailing edge dimmer switch turns off. In this invention the inductor is placed after the input rectifier bridge and equipped with a diode and resistor which allow the energy in the inductor at the moment when a trailing edge dimmer switches off to be harmlessly dissipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: EPTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9674932
    Abstract: A dual sensor lighting controller has an AC input rectifier that includes an EMI filter, and an isolated AC-to-DC converter for 12 VDC and 5 VDC supplies, and a mechanical relay to control output AC Line voltage for the lighting device. The lighting controller also includes a motion PIR sensor, an internal photo sensor, an external photo sensor and an infrared receiver configured to receive signals from a remote control. The remote control is a handheld battery operated infrared remote control. Two wires provide 0-10 VDC dimming and a microcontroller preferably includes proprietary firmware controls. The microcontroller is connected to and reads PIR, internal or external photo sensors signals. The microcontroller has a clock that counts internal timing to control an output of the lighting device by a mechanical relay together with 0-10 VDC dimming control to save Electrical energy by activating or deactivating the output AC Line voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Publication number: 20170135186
    Abstract: A Zigbee Lighting Control Module is described which can be connected to the input of an analog dimming LED driver so that a Zigbee controlled analog signal can be applied to the dimming input of the LED driver. Particular features of the module are the capability to apply a chosen nonlinear transform between the digital Zigbee input signal and the 0-10V analog output signal, and the use of a relay to cut off power to the driver being controlled when the analog output signal goes below a chosen level. The module can provide 100 mA output currents allowing large numbers of LED drivers to be controlled at once.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9615433
    Abstract: A light with an occupancy sensor has a light fixture with a lamp and a power supply. The light fixture has a plurality of sidewalls defining a light fixture housing. An internal photo main sensor is mounted on a first sidewall of the light fixture. The internal main photo sensor is connected to a light controller and configured to send light sensor data to the light controller. An external bypass photo sensor is optionally mounted on a second sidewall of the light fixture. The external bypass photo sensor is configured to connect to the light controller and bypass the internal main photo sensor when the external bypass photo sensor is installed. The light controller is electrically connected to the external bypass photo sensor at least three contacts of the light sensor namely a first contact, a second contact and a third contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: EUControls Corporation
    Inventor: Tom O'Neil
  • Publication number: 20170086272
    Abstract: An LED driver includes a first stage. The first stage converts AC power from an AC power source into a DC power source. The driver also includes a second stage that receives the DC power from the first stage. The driver has a buck converter with a constant current output. The buck converter is managed by a buck converter control chip. The buck converter control chip is controlled by a microprocessor with an associated EEPROM. The EEPROM stores settings for the LED driver can be changed either with a wired GUI port or wirelessly through a Zigbee interface. The microprocessor can select a value of a DC output current according to a value of the analog dimming input signal which has been translated using a predetermined programmable relationship between the input signal and the output current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9603208
    Abstract: An LED driver has a primary side regulation with at least one input connected to the AC power line, and at least two outputs. At least one output is for driving LEDs and at least one output is for providing auxiliary power for associated circuits. The driver is constructed using the flyback principle, having at least one flyback transformer which has at least one primary winding connected to a flyback switching transistor. At least one principal output winding is connected to the LED load, and at least one feedback winding is connected to a control chip. At least one auxiliary winding drives the auxiliary power output. The auxiliary winding has a coupling coefficient to said feedback winding which is greater than the coupling coefficient between the principal output winding and the feedback winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EPTronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9585232
    Abstract: A lighting controller comprising a single circuit sensor switch on a first circuit. At least one infrared PIR sensor is configured to cover 360 degrees. The at least one infrared PIR sensor is electrically connected to control the single circuit sensor switch. An acoustic sensor is electrically connected to control the single circuit sensor switch. A photo sensor is electrically connected to control the single circuit sensor switch. The photo sensor has an infrared remote controller and receiver for controlling the single circuit sensor switch. A second circuit sensor switch is on a second circuit that is connected to the first sensor. The second circuit sensor switch is configured to be connected to the single circuit sensor switch, the photo sensor, the acoustic sensor, and the at least one infrared PIR sensor so that the second circuit sensor switch further improves lighting efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang, Ji Wenshu
  • Publication number: 20170034880
    Abstract: An LED driver comprising a first stage, wherein the first stage converts AC power from an AC power source into a DC power source. A second stage receiving the DC power source from the first stage and further comprising: a second stage step-down buck converter with a constant current output that receives power from the DC power source; and a second stage intelligent step-down LED driver chip that runs a step down buck converter that produces the constant current output to the external LED load. A companion microcontroller controls a second stage intelligent step down LED driver chip. The companion microcontroller provides programmable features for a user, wherein the programmable features provide user programmable variables to reprogram the LED Driver to alter default variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: EPtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Publication number: 20170019969
    Abstract: A light engine driven directly from the AC power line has multiple series connected arrays of LEDs each with an associated current limiting transistor. The current from each current limiting transistor goes through a corresponding current sensing resistor and all these resistors are connected in series. The voltage across each current limiting transistor is applied across the next LED array so that as the voltage increases during the power line cycle, the next array becomes activated by the increasing voltage across the previous current limiting transistor. When this happens the previous current limiting transistor is turned off. This continues until all the arrays are activated at the peak of the line, at which point the array current is controlled by the last current limiting transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Publication number: 20170019964
    Abstract: An LED driver has a primary side regulation with at least one input connected to the AC power line, and at least two outputs. At least one output is for driving LEDs and at least one output is for providing auxiliary power for associated circuits. The driver is constructed using the flyback principle, having at least one flyback transformer which has at least one primary winding connected to a flyback switching transistor. At least one principal output winding is connected to the LED load, and at least one feedback winding is connected to a control chip. At least one auxiliary winding drives the auxiliary power output. The auxiliary winding has a coupling coefficient to said feedback winding which is greater than the coupling coefficient between the principal output winding and the feedback winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9544965
    Abstract: A sensor lighting control system comprises a voltage input received from an AC source so as to be an AC voltage input. A voltage output for connection to lamps. A microcontroller controlling the voltage output and powered by the voltage input. A wireless mesh network transceiver connected to the microcontroller, where the wireless mesh network transceiver is configured to communicate with a wireless mesh network that can receive a global remote control and Internet, and the wireless mesh network transceiver is connected to a mesh network coordinator. Passive infrared motion sensors are connected to the microcontroller, where the passive infrared motion sensors include at least three passive infrared motion sensors. An acoustic sensor for detecting environmental acoustics is connected to the microcontroller, where a triggering level of the acoustic sensor is programmable via the mesh network controller to trigger the microcontroller to activate or deactivate the voltage output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: 9544951
    Abstract: An LED driver comprising a first stage, wherein the first stage converts AC power from an AC power source into a DC power source. A second stage receiving the DC power source from the first stage and further comprising: a second stage step-down buck converter with a constant current output that receives power from the DC power source; and a second stage intelligent step-down LED driver chip that runs a step down buck converter that produces the constant current output to the external LED load. A companion microcontroller controls a second stage intelligent step down LED driver chip. The companion microcontroller provides programmable features for a user, wherein the programmable features provide user programmable variables to reprogram the LED Driver to alter default variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Publication number: 20160381745
    Abstract: A phase control dimming LED driver is able to achieve complete stabilization of both TRIAC and trailing edge dimmers by using a large inductor to limit the inrush normally associated with the switching on of the TRIAC during each half cycle. Such a large inductor is not normally used because when a trailing edge dimmer is applied, a damaging voltage surge known as “ring up” can be generated when the trailing edge dimmer switch turns off. In this invention the inductor is placed after the input rectifier bridge and equipped with a diode and resistor which allow the energy in the inductor at the moment when a trailing edge dimmer switches off to be harmlessly dissipated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Tom O'Neil, Lee Chiang
  • Patent number: D774936
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: EUCONTROLS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tom O'Neil