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).

  • Publication number: 20160173963
    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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: John B. Filson, Eric B. Daniels, Adam Mittleman, Sierra L. Nelmes, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 9360229
    Abstract: A thermostat may include one or more temperature sensors, and a processing system configured to be in operative communication with an HVAC system. The processing system 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yash Modi, Yoky Matsuoka, John B. Filson
  • Patent number: 9291359
    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: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    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: 9286781
    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: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Filson, Eric B. Daniels, Adam Mittleman, Sierra L. Nelmes, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20160069583
    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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 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
  • Publication number: 20160018127
    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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    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: 9194598
    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: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    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: 9175871
    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: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    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: 9175868
    Abstract: A user-friendly, network-connected learning thermostat is described. The thermostat is made up of (1) a wall-mountable backplate that includes a low-power consuming microcontroller used for activities such as polling sensors and switching on and off the HVAC functions, and (2) separable head unit that includes a higher-power consuming microprocessor, color LCD backlit display, user input devices, and wireless communications modules. The thermostat also includes a rechargeable battery and power-stealing circuitry adapted to harvest power from HVAC triggering circuits. By maintaining the microprocessor in a “sleep” state often compared to the lower-power microcontroller, high-power consuming activities, such as learning computations, wireless network communications and interfacing with a user, can be temporarily performed by the microprocessor even though the activities use energy at a greater rate than is available from the power stealing circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    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: 9160541
    Abstract: A method, system, and connector interface for authenticating an accessory. the method includes performing a first authentication operation on the accessory by the media player, where an authentication certificate is validated; and performing a second authentication operation on the accessory by the media player, where an authentication signature is validated. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands utilized in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to control access to the media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson, David Tupman, Gregory T. Lydon
  • Publication number: 20150213703
    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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: John B. Filson, Eric B. Daniels, Adam Mittleman, Sierra L. Nelmes, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20150124853
    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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Huppi, John B. Filson, Fred Bould, David Sloo, Matthew L. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20150096170
    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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam D. Mittleman, John B. Filson, Fred Bould
  • Publication number: 20150097666
    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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    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: 8998102
    Abstract: A sleek, low-profile wall-mountable thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described. The thermostat includes a ring-shaped controller that rotates about a central axis, and an optical sensor directed away from the central axis and toward a radially inward-facing surface of the ring-shaped controller so as to accurately detect optical signals indicating controller's rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    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: 8961005
    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: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Huppi, John B. Filson, Fred Bould, David Sloo, Matthew L. Rogers
  • Patent number: D722072
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David Sloo, James B. Simister, Fred Bould, Anthony M. Fadell, John B. Filson, Eric B. Daniels
  • Patent number: D724462
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Bould, Pengtao Yu, Adam D. Mittleman, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew Rogers, Shigefumi Honjo, David Sloo, John B. Filson
  • Patent number: D730754
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Goolge Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Bould, Pengtao Yu, Adam D. Mittleman, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew Rogers, Shigefumi Honjo, David Sloo, John B. Filson
  • Patent number: D730755
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Bould, Pengtao Yu, Adam D. Mittleman, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew Rogers, Shigefumi Honjo, David Sloo, John B. Filson