Patents by Inventor Venkatesh Chitta

Venkatesh Chitta 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: 20240120829
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load may have a closed-loop gate drive circuit for controlling a semiconductor switch of a controllably conductive device. The controllably conductive device may be coupled in series between the source and the load. The gate drive circuit may generate a target signal in response to a control circuit. The gate drive circuit may shape the target signal over a period of time and may increase the target signal to a predetermined level after the period of time. The gate drive circuit may receive a feedback signal that indicates a magnitude of a load current conducted through the semiconductor switch. The gate drive circuit may generate a gate control signal in response to the target signal and the feedback signal, and render the semiconductor switch conductive and non-conductive in response to the gate control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Bollinger, Venkatesh Chitta, Firozbabu Cholashari, Jonathan Waldron
  • Patent number: 11894764
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load may have a closed-loop gate drive circuit for controlling a semiconductor switch of a controllably conductive device. The controllably conductive device may be coupled in series between the source and the load. The gate drive circuit may generate a target signal in response to a control circuit. The gate drive circuit may shape the target signal over a period of time and may increase the target signal to a predetermined level after the period of time. The gate drive circuit may receive a feedback signal that indicates a magnitude of a load current conducted through the semiconductor switch. The gate drive circuit may generate a gate control signal in response to the target signal and the feedback signal, and render the semiconductor switch conductive and non-conductive in response to the gate control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Bollinger, Venkatesh Chitta, Firozbabu Cholashari, Jonathan Waldron
  • Publication number: 20230319962
    Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum-rated current to a minimum-rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum-rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst-mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum-rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum-rated current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230239978
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a cumulative light emitted by a lighting fixture having a plurality of LED light sources may comprise a plurality of LED drivers adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the LED light sources and configured to control an intensity of the respective LED light source, and a controller configured to transmit a single digital message for controlling the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture. Each of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to adjust the intensity of the respective LED light source to a preset intensity in response to the single digital message transmitted by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Arya Abraham
  • Patent number: 11711875
    Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum-rated current to a minimum-rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum-rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst-mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum-rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum-rated current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230125864
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load may have a closed-loop gate drive circuit for controlling a semiconductor switch of a controllably conductive device. The controllably conductive device may be coupled in series between the source and the load. The gate drive circuit may generate a target signal in response to a control circuit. The gate drive circuit may shape the target signal over a period of time and may increase the target signal to a predetermined level after the period of time. The gate drive circuit may receive a feedback signal that indicates a magnitude of a load current conducted through the semiconductor switch. The gate drive circuit may generate a gate control signal in response to the target signal and the feedback signal, and render the semiconductor switch conductive and non-conductive in response to the gate control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Bollinger, Venkatesh Chitta, Firozbabu Cholashari, Jonathan Waldron
  • Patent number: 11622427
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a cumulative light emitted by a lighting fixture having a plurality of LED light sources may comprise a plurality of LED drivers adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the LED light sources and configured to control an intensity of the respective LED light source, and a controller configured to transmit a single digital message for controlling the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture. Each of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to adjust the intensity of the respective LED light source to a preset intensity in response to the single digital message transmitted by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Arya Abraham
  • Publication number: 20230072726
    Abstract: Methods and systems may be used for controlling the color temperature of one or more light sources (e.g., discrete-spectrum light sources) based on fixture capability information. Fixture capability information may be obtained using a configuration tool. The fixture capability information may be determined by the configuration tool, and the fixture capability information determined by the configuration tool may be stored and/or processed. The fixture may have a memory for storing the fixture capability information. The fixture capability information may also be stored in a remote network device. A system controller may obtain the fixture capability information from the fixture or the remote control device. The system controller may generate control instructions based on the fixture capability information and send the control instructions to the fixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Craig Alan Casey, Venkatesh Chitta, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, Mark S. Taipale
  • Patent number: 11569733
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load may have a closed-loop gate drive circuit for controlling a semiconductor switch of a controllably conductive device. The controllably conductive device may be coupled in series between the source and the load. The gate drive circuit may generate a target signal in response to a control circuit. The gate drive circuit may shape the target signal over a period of time and may increase the target signal to a predetermined level after the period of time. The gate drive circuit may receive a feedback signal that indicates a magnitude of a load current conducted through the semiconductor switch. The gate drive circuit may generate a gate control signal in response to the target signal and the feedback signal, and render the semiconductor switch conductive and non-conductive in response to the gate control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Bollinger, Venkatesh Chitta, Firozbabu Cholashari, Jonathan Waldron
  • Patent number: 11503682
    Abstract: Methods and systems may be used for controlling the color temperature of one or more light sources (e.g., discrete-spectrum light sources) based on fixture capability information. Fixture capability information may be obtained using a configuration tool. The fixture capability information may be determined by the configuration tool, and the fixture capability information determined by the configuration tool may be stored and/or processed. The fixture may have a memory for storing the fixture capability information. The fixture capability information may also be stored in a remote network device. A system controller may obtain the fixture capability information from the fixture or the remote control device. The system controller may generate control instructions based on the fixture capability information and send the control instructions to the fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Craig Alan Casey, Venkatesh Chitta, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, Mark S. Taipale
  • Publication number: 20220256669
    Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum-rated current to a minimum-rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum-rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst-mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum-rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum-rated current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220210883
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a cumulative light emitted by a lighting fixture having a plurality of LED light sources may comprise a plurality of LED drivers adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the LED light sources and configured to control an intensity of the respective LED light source, and a controller configured to transmit a single digital message for controlling the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture. Each of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to adjust the intensity of the respective LED light source to a preset intensity in response to the single digital message transmitted by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Arya Abraham
  • Patent number: 11317491
    Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum-rated current to a minimum-rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum-rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst-mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum-rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum-rated current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11284485
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a cumulative light emitted by a lighting fixture having a plurality of LED light sources may comprise a plurality of LED drivers adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the LED light sources and configured to control an intensity of the respective LED light source, and a controller configured to transmit a single digital message for controlling the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture. Each of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to adjust the intensity of the respective LED light source to a preset intensity in response to the single digital message transmitted by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Arya Abraham
  • Publication number: 20210219399
    Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum-rated current to a minimum-rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum-rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst-mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum-rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum-rated current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
  • Patent number: 10966299
    Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum rated current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210045208
    Abstract: Methods and systems may be used for controlling the color temperature of one or more light sources (e.g., discrete-spectrum light sources) based on fixture capability information. Fixture capability information may be obtained using a configuration tool. The fixture capability information may be determined by the configuration tool, and the fixture capability information determined by the configuration tool may be stored and/or processed. The fixture may have a memory for storing the fixture capability information. The fixture capability information may also be stored in a remote network device. A system controller may obtain the fixture capability information from the fixture or the remote control device. The system controller may generate control instructions based on the fixture capability information and send the control instructions to the fixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Craig Alan Casey, Venkatesh Chitta, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, Mark S. Taipale
  • Publication number: 20210022222
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a cumulative light emitted by a lighting fixture having a plurality of LED light sources may comprise a plurality of LED drivers adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the LED light sources and configured to control an intensity of the respective LED light source, and a controller configured to transmit a single digital message for controlling the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture. Each of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to adjust the intensity of the respective LED light source to a preset intensity in response to the single digital message transmitted by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Arya Abraham
  • Publication number: 20200366188
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load may have a closed-loop gate drive circuit for controlling a semiconductor switch of a controllably conductive device. The controllably conductive device may be coupled in series between the source and the load. The gate drive circuit may generate a target signal in response to a control circuit. The gate drive circuit may shape the target signal over a period of time and may increase the target signal to a predetermined level after the period of time. The gate drive circuit may receive a feedback signal that indicates a magnitude of a load current conducted through the semiconductor switch. The gate drive circuit may generate a gate control signal in response to the target signal and the feedback signal, and render the semiconductor switch conductive and non-conductive in response to the gate control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Bollinger, Venkatesh Chitta, Firozbabu Cholashari, Jonathan Waldron
  • Patent number: 10827578
    Abstract: Methods and systems may be used for controlling the color temperature of one or more light sources (e.g., discrete-spectrum light sources) based on fixture capability information. Fixture capability information may be obtained using a configuration tool. The fixture capability information may be determined by the configuration tool, and the fixture capability information determined by the configuration tool may be stored and/or processed. The fixture may have a memory for storing the fixture capability information. The fixture capability information may also be stored in a remote network device. A system controller may obtain the fixture capability information from the fixture or the remote control device. The system controller may generate control instructions based on the fixture capability information and send the control instructions to the fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Craig Alan Casey, Venkatesh Chitta, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, Mark S. Taipale