Patents by Inventor HOUMAN FOROOD

HOUMAN FOROOD 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: 11848795
    Abstract: An IoT-based system and method are described having an IoT hub including an accelerometer. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) service, a plurality of IoT devices, each IoT device comprising a first secure communication module, and an IoT hub in communication with the plurality of IoT devices. The IoT hub comprising: a microcontroller unit to execute application-specific program code, a second secure communication module to establish a first secure communication channel with the IoT service and a plurality of second secure communication channels with the plurality of IoT devices, and a sensor to detect physical movements of the IoT hub and to change an operating mode of the IoT hub from a first operating mode to a second operating mode based on the physical movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Britt, Shin Matsumura, Houman Forood
  • Publication number: 20230013658
    Abstract: An IoT-based system and method are described having an IoT hub including an accelerometer. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) service, a plurality of IoT devices, each IoT device comprising a first secure communication module, and an IoT hub in communication with the plurality of IoT devices. The IoT hub comprising: a microcontroller unit to execute application-specific program code, a second secure communication module to establish a first secure communication channel with the IoT service and a plurality of second secure communication channels with the plurality of IoT devices, and a sensor to detect physical movements of the IoT hub and to change an operating mode of the IoT hub from a first operating mode to a second operating mode based on the physical movements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Joe BRITT, Shin MATSUMURA, Houman FOROOD
  • Patent number: 11405230
    Abstract: An IoT-based system and method are described having an IoT hub including an accelerometer. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) service, a plurality of IoT devices, each IoT device comprising a first secure communication module, and an IoT hub in communication with the plurality of IoT devices. The IoT hub comprising: a microcontroller unit to execute application-specific program code, a second secure communication module to establish a first secure communication channel with the IoT service and a plurality of second secure communication channels with the plurality of IoT devices, and a sensor to detect physical movements of the IoT hub and to change an operating mode of the IoT hub from a first operating mode to a second operating mode based on the physical movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Britt, Shin Matsumura, Houman Forood
  • Patent number: 11221731
    Abstract: A system and method are described for sharing IoT devices. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises an Internet of Things (IoT) service in communication with a plurality of IoT devices over a network; a device sharing module to receive an indication from a first user of one or more IoT devices associated with an account of the first user to be shared with a second user; the device sharing module to responsively associate the one or more IoT devices with an account of the second user and to subsequently allow the second user to access the one or more IoT devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Britt, Houman Forood, Justin Lee, Eduardo Del Rio, Kerry Quinn
  • Patent number: 10841874
    Abstract: An embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub for integration with an appliance and associated systems and methods. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: an embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprising a wide area network (WAN) interface to couple the embedded IoT hub to an IoT service over a network, and a local wireless communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to one or more IoT devices; an IoT hub slot interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a first plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads within an IoT hub slot of an appliance when the embedded IoT hub is inserted into the IoT hub slot; and a modular antenna interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a second plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads on a modular antenna to be coupled to the embedded IoT hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar Zakaria, Joe Britt, Houman Forood
  • Patent number: 10816944
    Abstract: A platform, apparatus and method for disabling IoT-enabled home devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Britt, Shin Matsumura, Houman Forood, Scott Zimmerman, Phillip Myles, Sean Zawicki, Daisuke Kutami
  • Patent number: 10454152
    Abstract: An embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub for integration with modular antennae and associated systems and methods. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus includes: an embedded IoT hub comprising a wide area network (WAN) interface to couple the embedded IoT hub to an IoT service over a network and a local wireless communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to one or more IoT devices; an IoT hub slot interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a first plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads within an IoT hub slot of an appliance when the embedded IoT hub is inserted into the IoT hub slot; and a modular antenna interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a second plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads on the interface component of the modular antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar Zakaria, Joe Britt, Houman Forood
  • Publication number: 20190215180
    Abstract: An IoT-based system and method are described having an IoT hub including an accelerometer. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) service, a plurality of IoT devices, each IoT device comprising a first secure communication module, and an IoT hub in communication with the plurality of IoT devices. The IoT hub comprising: a microcontroller unit to execute application-specific program code, a second secure communication module to establish a first secure communication channel with the IoT service and a plurality of second secure communication channels with the plurality of IoT devices, and a sensor to detect physical movements of the IoT hub and to change an operating mode of the IoT hub from a first operating mode to a second operating mode based on the physical movements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Joe BRITT, Shin MATSUMURA, Houman FOROOD
  • Patent number: 10291595
    Abstract: A platform, apparatus and method for Internet of Things Implementations. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprising a network interface to couple the IoT hub to an IoT service over a wide area network (WAN), and programming logic to program an identification device with one or more encryption keys usable to establish encrypted communication with an IoT device; and at least one IoT device interfacing with the identification device following programming of the identification device by the IoT hub; wherein once the identification device is programmed and interfaced with the IoT device, the IoT device uses the one or more keys to establish a secure communication channel with the IoT hub and/or the IoT service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Britt, Shin Matsumura, Houman Forood, Scott Zimmerman, Phillip Myles, Sean Zawicki, Daisuke Kutami, Shannon Holland
  • Patent number: 10178530
    Abstract: A system and method are described for performing asset and user tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Houman Forood, Joe Britt, Omar Zakaria, Justin Lee, Gilbert Gallardo
  • Patent number: 10169626
    Abstract: A system and method are described for Internet of Things (IoT) shelf tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Britt, Shin Matsumura, Houman Forood
  • Publication number: 20180338280
    Abstract: An embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub for integration with an appliance and associated systems and methods. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: an embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprising a wide area network (WAN) interface to couple the embedded IoT hub to an IoT service over a network, and a local wireless communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to one or more IoT devices; an IoT hub slot interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a first plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads within an IoT hub slot of an appliance when the embedded IoT hub is inserted into the IoT hub slot; and a modular antenna interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a second plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads on a modular antenna to be coupled to the embedded IoT hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Omar Zakaria, Joe Britt, Houman Forood
  • Patent number: 10111070
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for an IoT interface slot for an IoT hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar Zakaria, Joe Britt, Houman Forood
  • Patent number: 10008086
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for an IoT security system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Britt, Shin Matsumura, Houman Forood, Omar Zakaria
  • Publication number: 20180152420
    Abstract: A platform, apparatus and method for Internet of Things Implementations. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprising a network interface to couple the IoT hub to an IoT service over a wide area network (WAN), and programming logic to program an identification device with one or more encryption keys usable to establish encrypted communication with an IoT device; and at least one IoT device interfacing with the identification device following programming of the identification device by the IoT hub; wherein once the identification device is programmed and interfaced with the IoT device, the IoT device uses the one or more keys to establish a secure communication channel with the IoT hub and/or the IoT service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Joe Britt, Shin Matsumura, Houman Forood, Scott Zimmerman, Phillip Myles, Sean Zawicki, Daisuke Kutami, Shannon Holland
  • Patent number: 9974015
    Abstract: An embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub for integration with an appliance and associated systems and methods. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: an embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprising a wide area network (WAN) interface to couple the embedded IoT hub to an IoT service over a network, and a local wireless communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to one or more IoT devices; an IoT hub slot interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a first plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads within an IoT hub slot of an appliance when the embedded IoT hub is inserted into the IoT hub slot; and a modular antenna interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a second plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads on a modular antenna to be coupled to the embedded IoT hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar Zakaria, Joe Britt, Houman Forood
  • Publication number: 20180108973
    Abstract: An embedded Internet of Things (IoT) hub for integration with modular antennae and associated systems and methods. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus includes: an embedded IoT hub comprising a wide area network (WAN) interface to couple the embedded IoT hub to an IoT service over a network and a local wireless communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to one or more IoT devices; an IoT hub slot interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a first plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads within an IoT hub slot of an appliance when the embedded IoT hub is inserted into the IoT hub slot; and a modular antenna interface coupled to the embedded IoT hub and comprising a second plurality of pins or pads to interface with corresponding pins or pads on the interface component of the modular antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Omar Zakaria, Joe Britt, Houman Forood
  • Publication number: 20180053391
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for an IoT security system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: JOE BRITT, SHIN MATSUMURA, HOUMAN FOROOD, OMAR ZAKARIA
  • Patent number: 9894473
    Abstract: A platform, apparatus and method are described for pairing devices. For example, one embodiment of a system for pairing devices comprises: a first data processing device having a machine-readable optical label associated therewith and including a first wireless communication interface; a second data processing device having a second wireless communication interface and an optical reader for reading identification data from the optical label associated with the first data processing device, the second wireless communication interface including pairing logic to use the identification data to pair with the first data processing device by establishing a secure communication channel between the first and second wireless communication interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: AFERO, INC.
    Inventors: Joe Britt, Shin Matsumura, Houman Forood, Scott Zimmerman, Phillip Myles, Sean Zawicki, Daisuke Kutami, Shannon Holland, Justin Lee
  • Patent number: 9860681
    Abstract: A platform, apparatus and method for Internet of Things Implementations for selecting a cellular carrier. For example, one embodiment of a system comprises: an Internet of Things (IoT) hub comprising a network interface to couple the IoT hub to an IoT service through a cellular (cell) carrier, the IoT hub further comprising a local communication interface to communicatively couple the IoT hub to a plurality of IoT devices over local communication channels; cell carrier selection logic on the IoT hub to implement a set of rules to select between two or more cell carriers through which to connect the IoT hub to the IoT service, the rules being based, at least in part, on a cost associated with connecting to each of the two or more cell carriers and connectivity data associated with cell connections between the IoT hub and each of the two or more cell carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Britt, Shin Matsumura, Houman Forood