Patents by Inventor John B. Filson

John B. Filson 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: 10943444
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for smart home devices are presented. Such smart home devices may include one or more environmental sensors that are configured to detect the presence of one or more environmental conditions. Such smart home devices may include a light comprising a plurality of lighting elements. Such a light may be configured to illuminate using a plurality of colors and, possibly, a plurality of animation patterns. Such smart home devices may include a processing system configured to cause the light to illuminate using the plurality of colors and the plurality of animation patterns in response to a plurality of states of the smart home device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Boyd, James B. Simister, Adam D. Mittleman, John B. Filson, Fred Bould, David Sloo, Jesse W. Boettcher, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20200051406
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for smart home devices are presented. Such smart home devices may include one or more environmental sensors that are configured to detect the presence of one or more environmental conditions. Such smart home devices may include a light comprising a plurality of lighting elements. Such a light may be configured to illuminate using a plurality of colors and, possibly, a plurality of animation patterns. Such smart home devices may include a processing system configured to cause the light to illuminate using the plurality of colors and the plurality of animation patterns in response to a plurality of states of the smart home device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Boyd, James B. Simister, Adam D. Mittleman, John B. Filson, Fred Bould, David Sloo, Jesse W. Boettcher, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10438460
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for smart home devices are presented. Such smart home devices may include one or more environmental sensors that are configured to detect the presence of one or more environmental conditions. Such smart home devices may include a light comprising a plurality of lighting elements. Such a light may be configured to illuminate using a plurality of colors and, possibly, a plurality of animation patterns. Such smart home devices may include a processing system configured to cause the light to illuminate using the plurality of colors and the plurality of animation patterns in response to a plurality of states of the smart home device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Boyd, James B. Simister, Adam D. Mittleman, John B. Filson, Fred Bould, David Sloo, Jesse W. Boettcher, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10433032
    Abstract: Systems and methods for forecasting events can be provided. A measurement database can store sensor measurements, each having been provided by a non-portable electronic device with a primary purpose unrelated to collecting measurements from a type of sensor that collected the measurement. A measurement set identifier can select a set of measurements. The electronic devices associated with the set of measurements can be in close geographical proximity relative to their geographical proximity to other devices. An inter-device correlator can access the set and collectively analyze the measurements. An event detector can determine whether an event occurred. An event forecaster can forecast a future event property. An alert engine can identify one or more entities to be alerted of the future event property, generate at least one alert identifying the future event property, and transmit the at least one alert to the identified one or more entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: John B. Filson, Eric B. Daniels, Adam Mittleman, Sierra L. Nelmes, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10132517
    Abstract: A smart-home device may include a plurality of temperature sensors, and a processing system that may be configured to operate a first operating state characterized by relatively low power consumption and a corresponding relatively low associated heat generation, and a second operating state characterized by relatively high power consumption and a corresponding relatively high associated heat generation. During time intervals in which the processing system is operating in the first operating state, the processing system may process the temperature sensor measurements according to a first ambient temperature determination algorithm to compute the determined ambient temperature. During time intervals in which the processing system is operating in the second operating state, the processing system may process the temperature sensor measurements according to a second ambient temperature determination algorithm to compute the determined ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yash Modi, Yoki Matsuoka, John B. Filson
  • Publication number: 20180301022
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for smart home devices are presented. Such smart home devices may include one or more environmental sensors that are configured to detect the presence of one or more environmental conditions. Such smart home devices may include a light comprising a plurality of lighting elements. Such a light may be configured to illuminate using a plurality of colors and, possibly, a plurality of animation patterns. Such smart home devices may include a processing system configured to cause the light to illuminate using the plurality of colors and the plurality of animation patterns in response to a plurality of states of the smart home device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Boyd, James B. Simister, Adam D. Mittleman, John B. Filson, Fred Bould, David Sloo, Jesse W. Boettcher, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10054964
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide thermostat controls having improved tactile feedback. According to one embodiment, a thermostat includes a bottom member, a switch, a top member, and a motion guiding member or assembly that operationally couples the top member with the bottom member so that the top member is inwardly pressable by a user relative to the bottom member to allow the thermostat to receive input from the user by contacting the switch with a component of the top member or the bottom member. The motion guiding member or assembly contacts the top member near its outer periphery to control the inward motion of the top member relative to the bottom member to provide the improved tactile feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: John B. Filson, Eric B. Daniels, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers
  • Patent number: 10032343
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for smart home devices are presented. Such smart home devices may include one or more environmental sensors that are configured to detect the presence of one or more environmental conditions. Such smart home devices may include a light comprising a plurality of lighting elements. Such a light may be configured to illuminate using a plurality of colors and, possibly, a plurality of animation patterns. Such smart home devices may include a processing system configured to cause the light to illuminate using the plurality of colors and the plurality of animation patterns in response to a plurality of states of the smart home device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Boyd, James B. Simister, Adam D. Mittleman, John B. Filson, Fred Bould, David Sloo, Jesse W. Boettcher, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9920946
    Abstract: A system including a thermostat user interface for a network-connected thermostat is described. The system includes a thermostat including a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-section and a circular rotatable ring, which is user rotatable for adjusting a setting of the thermostat. The system further includes a client application that is operable on a touch-screen device separate from the thermostat, that displays a graphical representation of a circular dial, that detects a user-input motion proximate the graphical representation, that determines a user-selected setpoint temperature value based on the user-input motion, that displays a numerical representation of the user-selected setpoint temperature value, and that wirelessly transmits to the thermostat data representative of the user-selected setpoint temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Alastair R. Gourlay, Timo Bruck, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Shigefumi Honjo, John B. Filson, Michael J. Matas, Fred Bould, Brian Huppi
  • Patent number: 9857961
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Google inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Shigefumi Honjo, John B. Filson, Michael J. Matas, Fred Bould, Brian Huppi
  • Patent number: 9810590
    Abstract: Provided according to one or more embodiments is a thermostat having a housing, the housing including a forward-facing surface, the thermostat comprising a passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor disposed inside the housing for sensing occupancy in the vicinity of the thermostat. The PIR motion sensor has a radiation receiving surface and is able to detect the lateral movement of an occupant in front of the forward-facing surface of the housing. The thermostat further comprises a grille member having one or more openings and included along the forward-facing surface of the housing, the grille member being placed over the radiation receiving surface of the PIR motion sensor. The grille member is configured and dimensioned to visually conceal and protect the PIR motion sensor disposed inside the housing, the visual concealment promoting a visually pleasing quality of the thermostat, while at the same time permitting the PIR motion sensor to effectively detect the lateral movement of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Huppi, John B. Filson, Fred Bould, David Sloo, Matthew L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9720585
    Abstract: A thermostat user interface for a network-connected thermostat is described. The thermostat includes a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-section and a sidewall extending between first and second ends, the second end being user-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted; a circular rotatable ring being user rotatable for adjusting a setting of the thermostat; and a circular cover including a clear circular center portion surrounded by a painted outer portion. The clear circular center portion permits a corresponding circular portion of a non-circular dot-matrix color display element to be visible through the circular cover and the painted outer portion masks a remaining portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element so as to create a circular graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Shigefumi Honjo, John B. Filson, Michael J. Matas, Fred Bould, Brian Huppi
  • Patent number: 9714772
    Abstract: A thermostat may include a housing, a user interface, temperature sensors providing temperature sensor measurements, and a processing system configured to control an HVAC system based on a comparison of a determined ambient temperature and a setpoint temperature. The thermostat may (i) determine time intervals in which direct sunlight is incident on the thermostat; (ii) during time intervals in which direct sunlight is not incident on the thermostat, process the temperature sensor measurements according to a first ambient temperature determination algorithm to compute the determined ambient temperature; and (iii) during time intervals in which it is determined that direct sunlight is incident on the thermostat, process the temperature sensor measurements according to a second ambient temperature determination algorithm to compute the determined ambient temperature that compensates for a heating of the thermostat caused by the direct sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yash Modi, Yoky Matsuoka, John B. Filson
  • Publication number: 20170168511
    Abstract: A thermostat may include a housing, a user interface, temperature sensors providing temperature sensor measurements, and a processing system configured to control an HVAC system based on a comparison of a determined ambient temperature and a setpoint temperature. The thermostat may (i) determine time intervals in which direct sunlight is incident on the thermostat; (ii) during time intervals in which direct sunlight is not incident on the thermostat, process the temperature sensor measurements according to a first ambient temperature determination algorithm to compute the determined ambient temperature; and (iii) during time intervals in which it is determined that direct sunlight is incident on the thermostat, process the temperature sensor measurements according to a second ambient temperature determination algorithm to compute the determined ambient temperature that compensates for a heating of the thermostat caused by the direct sunlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.
    Inventors: YASH MODI, YOKY MATSUOKA, JOHN B. FILSON
  • Publication number: 20170162007
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for smart home devices are presented. Such smart home devices may include one or more environmental sensors that are configured to detect the presence of one or more environmental conditions. Such smart home devices may include a light comprising a plurality of lighting elements. Such a light may be configured to illuminate using a plurality of colors and, possibly, a plurality of animation patterns. Such smart home devices may include a processing system configured to cause the light to illuminate using the plurality of colors and the plurality of animation patterns in response to a plurality of states of the smart home device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Boyd, James B. Simister, Adam D. Mittleman, John B. Filson, Fred Bould, David Sloo, Jesse W. Boettcher, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9613525
    Abstract: Various methods and systems for hazard detectors are presented. Such hazard detectors may include one or more hazard sensors that are configured to detect the presence of one or more types of hazards. Such hazard detectors may include a circular or a ring-shaped light comprising a plurality of lighting elements. Such a ring-shaped light may be configured to illuminate using a plurality of colors and, possibly, a plurality of animation patterns. Such hazard detectors may include a processing system configured to cause the ring-shaped light to illuminate using the plurality of colors and the plurality of animation patterns in response to a plurality of states corresponding to the battery module and the plurality of hazard sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Boyd, James B. Simister, Adam D. Mittleman, John B. Filson, Fred Bould, David Sloo, Jesse W. Boettcher, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9535589
    Abstract: An electronic thermostat is described that includes a head unit, a rotatable ring, a backplate, an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a printed circuit board, and a daughter circuit. The daughter circuit is coupled to the printed circuit board, and senses motion of the rotatable ring and includes a first temperature sensor. A second temperature sensor separated from the first temperature sensor, are both used to calculate ambient temperature. The first temperature sensor is positioned at least partially within a cavity formed between a front surface of the head unit and the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, John B. Filson, Eric Daniels, Michael J. Matas, Fred Bould, Brian Huppi
  • Patent number: 9520252
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a mounting plate for coupling a hazard detector with a wall or ceiling of a structure is provided. The mounting plate includes a plate that is positionable against the wall or ceiling to removably couple the hazard detector to the wall or ceiling. The mounting plate also includes a centrally located opening, a first set of apertures arranged around the centrally located opening, and a second set of apertures arranged around the centrally located opening. The first set of apertures are dimensioned and arranged according to a first attachment standard that defines a first distance range relative to an axis of the centrally located aperture and the second set of apertures are dimensioned and arranged according to a second attachment standard that defines a second distance range relative to the axis of the centrally located aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Adam D. Mittleman, John B. Filson, Fred Bould
  • Publication number: 20160265800
    Abstract: A smart-home device may include a plurality of temperature sensors, and a processing system that may be configured to operate a first operating state characterized by relatively low power consumption and a corresponding relatively low associated heat generation, and a second operating state characterized by relatively high power consumption and a corresponding relatively high associated heat generation. During time intervals in which the processing system is operating in the first operating state, the processing system may process the temperature sensor measurements according to a first ambient temperature determination algorithm to compute the determined ambient temperature. During time intervals in which the processing system is operating in the second operating state, the processing system may process the temperature sensor measurements according to a second ambient temperature determination algorithm to compute the determined ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yash Modi, Yoki Matsuoka, John B. Filson
  • Publication number: 20160170626
    Abstract: A thermostat user interface for a network-connected thermostat is described. The thermostat includes a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-section and a sidewall extending between first and second ends, the second end being user-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted; a circular rotatable ring being user rotatable for adjusting a setting of the thermostat; and a circular cover including a clear circular center portion surrounded by a painted outer portion. The clear circular center portion permits a corresponding circular portion of a non-circular dot-matrix color display element to be visible through the circular cover and the painted outer portion masks a remaining portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element so as to create a circular graphical user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Shigefumi Honjo, John B. Filson, Michael J. Matas, Fred Bould, Brian Huppi