Patents by Inventor Anthony Fadell
Anthony Fadell 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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Publication number: 20230214466Abstract: This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventors: Anthony FADELL, Andrew HODGE, Stephan SCHELL, Ruben CABALLERO, Jesse Lee DOROGUSKER, Stephen ZADESKY, Emery SANFORD
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Patent number: 11468155Abstract: This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile).Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Anthony Fadell, Andrew Hodge, Stephan Schell, Ruben Caballero, Jesse Lee Dorogusker, Stephen Zadesky, Emery Sanford
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Patent number: 10678416Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system in an enclosure may include a passive infrared sensor, an active infrared sensor, and an electronic display having a first mode and a second mode. The thermostat may also include one or more processors programmed to change a setpoint temperature of the thermostat to an energy-saving temperature upon detection of a non-occupancy condition for the enclosure. The processor(s) may detect the non-occupancy condition based at least in part on readings received from the passive infrared sensor. The processor(s) may also be programmed to change the electronic display from the first mode to the second mode upon detection of a person approaching the thermostat. The processor(s) may detect a person approaching the thermostat based at least in part on readings received from the active infrared sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Anthony Fadell, Matthew Rogers, Edwin Satterthwaite, Ian Smith, Daniel Warren, Joseph Palmer, Shigefumi Honjo, Grant Erickson, Jonathan Dutra, Hugo Fiennes
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Patent number: 10616860Abstract: A system for wireless control of stored media presentations is provided. In some examples, a media player is operative to wirelessly communicate with an associated portable electronic device and control presentation of a stored media content file according to a control signal converted from an audio signal received by the associated portable electronic device. In another example, a portable electronic device is operative to generate and wirelessly transmit a signal to control presentation of a stored media content file by an associated media player according to audio data received via a microphone. In yet another example, a system for using a portable electronic device to control a media presentation device includes the portable electronic device that generates and wirelessly transmits a signal according to audio data received via a microphone and a media player that receives the signal and controls presentation of a stored media content file.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2019Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Apple, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Fadell, Andrew Bart Hodge, Stephen P. Zadesky, Aram Lindahl, Anthony Guetta
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Patent number: 10540864Abstract: Arrangements for controlling a climate control system are provided. A hazard detector of a group of smart devices may detect a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm condition at the hazard detector. The hazard detector may transmit, via a relatively low-power mesh communication network, an indication of the CO alarm condition to one or more other smart devices. A spokesman node of the relatively low-power wireless communication network may translate the indication of the CO alarm condition from a first wireless communication protocol to a second wireless communication protocol. The spokesman node may transmit the indication of the CO alarm condition to a system controller via a relatively high-power wireless communication network and the second wireless communication protocol. A system controller of the climate control system may transmit a signal to turn off at least part of the climate control system.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2018Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: David Sloo, Nicholas Unger Webb, Evan Jarman Fisher, Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Fadell, Matthew Rogers
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Publication number: 20190357169Abstract: An electronic device for providing tactile feedback is provided. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback using any suitable approach, including for example vibration, heat, electrical, visual, or any other type of feedback. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to detecting any particular status of the electronic device, receiving any particular input, or detecting any suitable communication received by the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to identifying the current network of the device, the status of a particular electronic device component, or any other electronic device status. As another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular type of communication, or in response to receiving a communication from a particular contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: Anthony Fadell, Andrew Bart Hodge, Stephen P. Zadesky, Aram Lindahl, Anthony Guetta
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Patent number: 10443877Abstract: Systems and methods are described for interactively, graphically displaying and reporting performance information to a user of an HVAC system controlled by a self-programming network-connected thermostat. The information is made on a remote display device such as a smartphone, tablet computer or other computer, and includes a graphical daily or monthly summary each of several days or months respectively. In response to a user selection of a day, detailed performance information is graphically displayed that can include an indication of HVAC activity on a timeline, the number of hours of HVAC activity, as well as one or more symbols on a timeline indicating setpoint changes, and when a setpoint was changed due to non-occupancy.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Timo Bruck, Evan Fisher, James B. Simister, Yoky Matsuoka, David Sloo, Clemens Knieper, Anthony Fadell, Matthew Rogers, Michael Plitkins, Mark Malhotra
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Patent number: 10420064Abstract: An electronic device for providing tactile feedback is provided. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback using any suitable approach, including for example vibration, heat, electrical, visual, or any other type of feedback. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to detecting any particular status of the electronic device, receiving any particular input, or detecting any suitable communication received by the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to identifying the current network of the device, the status of a particular electronic device component, or any other electronic device status. As another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular type of communication, or in response to receiving a communication from a particular contact.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Apple, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Fadell, Andrew Bart Hodge, Stephen P. Zadesky, Aram Lindahl, Anthony Guetta
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Publication number: 20190028998Abstract: An electronic device for providing tactile feedback is provided. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback using any suitable approach, including for example vibration, heat, electrical, visual, or any other type of feedback. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to detecting any particular status of the electronic device, receiving any particular input, or detecting any suitable communication received by the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to identifying the current network of the device, the status of a particular electronic device component, or any other electronic device status. As another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular type of communication, or in response to receiving a communication from a particular contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Anthony Fadell, Andrew Bart Hodge, Stephen P. Zadesky, Aram Lindahl, Anthony Guetta
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Patent number: 10123300Abstract: An electronic device for providing tactile feedback is provided. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback using any suitable approach, including for example vibration, heat, electrical, visual, or any other type of feedback. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to detecting any particular status of the electronic device, receiving any particular input, or detecting any suitable communication received by the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to identifying the current network of the device, the status of a particular electronic device component, or any other electronic device status. As another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular type of communication, or in response to receiving a communication from a particular contact.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Anthony Fadell, Andrew Bart Hodge, Stephen P. Zadesky, Aram Lindahl, Anthony Guetta
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Patent number: 10048852Abstract: An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat is described that includes a thermostat body, an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy and an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body. The passive infrared sensor may be positioned behind the infrared energy directing element such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element. The thermostat may also include a temperature sensor and a microprocessor programmed to detect occupancy based on measurements from the passive infrared sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Anthony Fadell, Matthew Rogers, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Shigefumi Honjo, John Filson, Michael Matas, Fred Bould, Brian Huppi
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Publication number: 20180195751Abstract: Systems and methods are described for interactively, graphically displaying and reporting performance information to a user of an HVAC system controlled by a self-programming network-connected thermostat. The information is made on a remote display device such as a smartphone, tablet computer or other computer, and includes a graphical daily or monthly summary each of several days or months respectively. In response to a user selection of a day, detailed performance information is graphically displayed that can include an indication of HVAC activity on a timeline, the number of hours of HVAC activity, as well as one or more symbols on a timeline indicating setpoint changes, and when a setpoint was changed due to non-occupancy.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2017Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Timo Bruck, Evan Fisher, James B. Simister, Yoky Matsuoka, David Sloo, Clemens Knieper, Anthony Fadell, Matthew Rogers, Michael Plitkins, Mark Malhotra
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Publication number: 20180158315Abstract: Arrangements for controlling a climate control system are provided. A hazard detector of a group of smart devices may detect a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm condition at the hazard detector. The hazard detector may transmit, via a relatively low-power mesh communication network, an indication of the CO alarm condition to one or more other smart devices. A spokesman node of the relatively low-power wireless communication network may translate the indication of the CO alarm condition from a first wireless communication protocol to a second wireless communication protocol. The spokesman node may transmit the indication of the CO alarm condition to a system controller via a relatively high-power wireless communication network and the second wireless communication protocol. A system controller of the climate control system may transmit a signal to turn off at least part of the climate control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: Google LLCInventors: David Sloo, Nicholas Unger Webb, Evan Jarman Fisher, Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Fadell, Matthew Rogers
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Publication number: 20180129404Abstract: An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat is described that includes a thermostat body, an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy and an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body. The passive infrared sensor may be positioned behind the infrared energy directing element such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element. The thermostat may also include a temperature sensor and a microprocessor programmed to detect occupancy based on measurements from the passive infrared sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Anthony Fadell, Matthew Rogers, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Shigefumi Honjo, John Filson, Michael Matas, Fred Bould, Brian Huppi
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Patent number: 9905122Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a climate control system of a smart-home environment that includes a plurality of smart devices are provided. One method includes detecting, with a hazard detector of the smart devices, a level of carbon monoxide (CO) at the hazard detector that exceeds a threshold CO level at a location of the hazard detector, determining, by one of the smart devices, that the climate control system includes a combustion based heat source, and in response to the detecting and the determination, transmitting, by a system controller of the climate control system, a first signal to turn off at least one aspect of the climate control system.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: David Sloo, Nicholas Unger Webb, Evan Jarman Fisher, Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Fadell, Matthew Rogers
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Patent number: 9851728Abstract: The current application is related to environmental-conditioning systems controlled by intelligent controllers and, in particular, to an intelligent-thermostat-controlled HVAC system that detects and ameliorates control coupling between intelligent thermostats. Control coupling can lead to inefficient HVAC operation. When control coupling is detected, a settings-adjustment directive is sent to at least one intelligent thermostat to adjust one or more intelligent-thermostat settings, including an HVAC-cycle-initiation delay parameter, swing parameter, and a parameter that indicates whether or not an intelligent thermostat should first obtain confirmation or permission before initiating an HVAC cycle.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2012Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Rangoli Sharan, Michael Anthony Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers
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Patent number: 9838979Abstract: A wireless network system can be provided with a one-way communication link for communicating a beacon signal between beacon circuitries of two electronic devices. According to information stored in the beacon signal, the device that receives the beacon signal can activate a primary communication circuitry to enable communication of primary communication data signals with a primary communication circuitry of the device that transmitted the beacon signal. The beacon circuitries of the two devices may require less power than the primary communication circuitries of the two devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2007Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jesse Lee Dorogusker, Anthony Fadell, Robert Edward Borchers
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Publication number: 20170344243Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system in an enclosure may include a passive infrared sensor, an active infrared sensor, and an electronic display having a first mode and a second mode. The thermostat may also include one or more processors programmed to change a setpoint temperature of the thermostat to an energy-saving temperature upon detection of a non-occupancy condition for the enclosure. The processor(s) may detect the non-occupancy condition based at least in part on readings received from the passive infrared sensor. The processor(s) may also be programmed to change the electronic display from the first mode to the second mode upon detection of a person approaching the thermostat. The processor(s) may detect a person approaching the thermostat based at least in part on readings received from the active infrared sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Anthony Fadell, Matthew Rogers, Edwin Satterthwaite, Ian Smith, Daniel Warren, Joseph Palmer, Shigefumi Honjo, Grant Erickson, Jonathan Dutra, Hugo Fiennes
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Patent number: 9830670Abstract: An electronic device operative to monitor and control processes and operations based on the power cost of those processes and operations are provided. The electronic device can identify processes or networked devices requiring power, determine the expected amount of power required for the process or networked device, and calculate the cost of the power requirement. For example, the electronic device can receive data or algorithms defining the manner in which a power supplier computes the cost of consumed power, and predict the expected cost of the particular power requirement. Based on the importance of the process or device, and the expected power cost, the electronic device can perform a process or provide power to a networked device, or alternatively delay or cancel a process to ensure that the power cost of the device remains within preset boundaries (e.g., the power cost of the device or of a home network of devices does not exceed a maximum cap).Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Anthony Fadell
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Publication number: 20170094636Abstract: An electronic device for providing tactile feedback is provided. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback using any suitable approach, including for example vibration, heat, electrical, visual, or any other type of feedback. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to detecting any particular status of the electronic device, receiving any particular input, or detecting any suitable communication received by the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to identifying the current network of the device, the status of a particular electronic device component, or any other electronic device status. As another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular type of communication, or in response to receiving a communication from a particular contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Anthony Fadell, Andrew Bart Hodge, Stephen P. Zadesky, Aram Lindahl, Anthony Guetta