Patents by Inventor Mark D. Stefanski
Mark D. Stefanski 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: 20230400211Abstract: A control system includes an energy management system in operation with intelligent, network-connected thermostats located in structures. The thermostats are operable to control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Control during a demand response (DR) event period may be performed based on an optimal setpoint schedule of the HVAC system. Candidate setpoint schedules may be simulated to identify an optimal schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Mark D. Stefanski
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Patent number: 11739968Abstract: A control system includes an energy management system in operation with intelligent, network-connected thermostats located in structures. The thermostats are operable to control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Control during a demand response (DR) event period may be performed based on an optimal control trajectory of the HVAC system, where the control trajectory is optimal in that it minimizes a cost function.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Mark D. Stefanski
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Patent number: 11359831Abstract: A method includes a system that operates according to a control schedule; detects events that indicate occupancy; stores a record of the events that indicate occupancy in one or more memory devices; and enters an auto-away state. A determination to enter the auto-away state may be based at least in part on a length of a time interval during which no events that indicate occupancy were detected and the stored record of the events that indicate occupancy. The system may also detect a pattern of instances where the auto-away state is entered over a plurality of days and adjusts the control schedule based at least in part on the pattern of instances where the auto-away state is entered.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Evan J. Fisher, Mark Malhotra, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan, Frank E. Astier
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Publication number: 20200318844Abstract: A method includes a system that operates according to a control schedule; detects events that indicate occupancy; stores a record of the events that indicate occupancy in one or more memory devices; and enters an auto-away state. A determination to enter the auto-away state may be based at least in part on a length of a time interval during which no events that indicate occupancy were detected and the stored record of the events that indicate occupancy. The system may also detect a pattern of instances where the auto-away state is entered over a plurality of days and adjusts the control schedule based at least in part on the pattern of instances where the auto-away state is entered.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Evan J. Fisher, Mark Malhotra, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan, Frank E. Astier
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Publication number: 20200300491Abstract: A control system includes an energy management system in operation with intelligent, network-connected thermostats located in structures. The thermostats are operable to control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Control during a demand response (DR) event period may be performed based on an optimal control trajectory of the HVAC system, where the control trajectory is optimal in that it minimizes a cost function.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Mark D. Stefanski
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Patent number: 10775814Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that use sensor output and electronically stored information to determine whether or not one or more types of entities are present within an area, volume, or environment monitored by the intelligent controllers. The intelligent controllers select operational modes and/or modify control schedules with respect to the presence and absence of the one or more entities. The intelligent controllers selectively carry out scheduled control operations during periods of time when one or more types of entities are determined not to be in a controlled environment.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Evan J. Fisher, Mark Malhotra, Mark D. Stefanski
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Patent number: 10718539Abstract: A control system includes an energy management system in operation with intelligent, network-connected thermostats located in structures. The thermostats are operable to control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Control during a demand response (DR) event period may be performed based on an optimal control trajectory of the HVAC system, where the control trajectory is optimal in that it minimizes a cost function.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Mark D. Stefanski
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Patent number: 10690369Abstract: A method includes operating a controller according to a control schedule; detecting events that indicate occupancy; storing a record of the events that indicate occupancy in one or more memory devices; and causing the controller to enter an auto-away state. A determination that the controller should enter the auto-away state may be based at least in part on a length of a time interval during which no events that indicate occupancy were detected; and the stored record of the events that indicate occupancy. The method also includes detecting a pattern of instances where the controller enters the auto-away state over a plurality of days; and adjusting the control schedule based at least in part on the pattern of instances where the controller enters the auto-away state.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Evan J. Fisher, Mark Malhotra, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan, Frank E. Astier
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Patent number: 10684038Abstract: A method of using a server to update stored control schedules for environmental controllers includes communicating with an environmental controller that controls, during a monitoring period, an environmental system in an enclosure according to a stored control schedule; receiving a first immediate-control input provided through the environmental controller during the monitoring period; receiving a first control-schedule change provided through the environmental controller during the monitoring period; receiving a second immediate-control input provided through a user device during the monitoring period; receiving a second control-schedule change provided through the user device during the monitoring period; processing at least the first immediate-control input, the first control-schedule change, the second immediate-control input, and the second control-schedule change together to generate an updated control schedule; and causing the environmental controller to control the environmental system according to thType: GrantFiled: July 3, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
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Patent number: 10241484Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that continuously, periodically, or intermittently calculate and display the time remaining until a control task is projected to be completed by the intelligent controller. In general, the intelligent controller employs multiple different models for the time behavior of one or more parameters or characteristics within a region or volume affected by one or more devices, systems, or other entities controlled by the intelligent controller. The intelligent controller collects data, over time, from which the models are constructed and uses the models to predict the time remaining until one or more characteristics or parameters of the region or volume reaches one or more specified values as a result of intelligent controller control of one or more devices, systems, or other entities.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Rangoli Sharan, Mark D. Stefanski, Joseph Adam Ruff
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Patent number: 10175668Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficiently controlling energy-consuming systems, such as heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For example, an electronic device used to control an HVAC system may encourage a user to select energy-efficient temperature setpoints. Based on the selected temperature setpoints, the electronic device may generate or modify a schedule of temperature setpoints to control the HVAC system.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: GOOGLE LLCInventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Yoky Matsuoka, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Michael James Matas, Matthew Lee Rogers, Evan J. Fisher, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, IV, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
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Publication number: 20190003736Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that initially aggressively learn, and then continue, in a steady-state mode, to monitor, learn, and modify one or more control schedules that specify a desired operational behavior of a device, machine, system, or organization controlled by the intelligent controller. An intelligent controller generally acquires one or more initial control schedules through schedule-creation and schedule-modification interfaces or by accessing a default control schedule stored locally or remotely in a memory or mass-storage device. The intelligent controller then proceeds to learn, over time, a desired operational behavior for the device, machine, system, or organization controlled by the intelligent controller based on immediate-control inputs, schedule-modification inputs, and previous and current control schedules, encoding the desired operational behavior in one or more control schedules and/or sub-schedules.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
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Publication number: 20180299163Abstract: A method includes operating a controller according to a control schedule; detecting events that indicate occupancy; storing a record of the events that indicate occupancy in one or more memory devices; and causing the controller to enter an auto-away state. A determination that the controller should enter the auto-away state may be based at least in part on a length of a time interval during which no events that indicate occupancy were detected; and the stored record of the events that indicate occupancy. The method also includes detecting a pattern of instances where the controller enters the auto-away state over a plurality of days; and adjusting the control schedule based at least in part on the pattern of instances where the controller enters the auto-away state.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Evan J. Fisher, Mark Malhotra, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan, Frank E. Astier
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Patent number: 10078319Abstract: HVAC schedules may be programmed for a thermostat using a combination of pre-existing schedules or templates and automated schedule learning. For example, a pre-existing schedule may be initiated on the thermostat and the automated schedule learning may be used to update the pre-existing schedule based on users' interactions with the thermostat. The preexisting HVAC schedules may be stored on a device or received from a social networking service or another online service that includes shared HVAC schedules.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
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Patent number: 10012405Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that initially aggressively learn, and then continue, in a steady-state mode, to monitor, learn, and modify one or more control schedules that specify a desired operational behavior of a device, machine, system, or organization controlled by the intelligent controller. An intelligent controller generally acquires one or more initial control schedules through schedule-creation and schedule-modification interfaces or by accessing a default control schedule stored locally or remotely in a memory or mass-storage device. The intelligent controller then proceeds to learn, over time, a desired operational behavior for the device, machine, system, or organization controlled by the intelligent controller based on immediate-control inputs, schedule-modification inputs, and previous and current control schedules, encoding the desired operational behavior in one or more control schedules and/or sub-schedules.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
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Patent number: 9995499Abstract: Various arrangements for installing or configuring an electronic device are presented. The device may determine which wire connectors of a set of one or more wire connectors have a wire attached. A user inquiry may be output based on the electronic device identifying the wire connector with which the wire has been connected. The electronic device may be operated based on the response to the user inquiry and the electronic device identifying the wire connector with which the wire has been connected.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2017Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, David Sloo, Mark D. Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
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Publication number: 20180088605Abstract: A control system includes an energy management system in operation with intelligent, network-connected thermostats located in structures. The thermostats are operable to control HVAC systems. Control during a DR event period may be performed based on an optimal control trajectory of the HVAC system, where the control trajectory is optimal in that it minimizes a cost function.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Mark D. Stefanski
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Patent number: 9910577Abstract: A thermostat may include a memory and a processing system. The processing system may operate by determining a set of wake-up conditions for the processor to enter into a second operating state from a first operating state, the set of wake-up conditions including at least one threshold value associated with at least one environmental and/or time-of-day condition; causing the set of wake-up conditions to be stored in a memory; operating in a first mode in which the processor is in the first operating state during a time interval subsequent to causing the set of wake-up conditions to be stored in the memory; determining, while the processor is in the first operating state, whether at least one of the set of wake-up conditions has been met; and then operating in a second mode in which the processor is in the second operating state.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Mark D. Stefanski, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Andrea Mucignat, Joseph Adam Ruff, Hugo Fiennes
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Patent number: 9810442Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for carrying out a demand response (DR) event via an intelligent, network-connected thermostat associated with a structure. The systems disclosed include an energy management system in operation with an intelligent, network-connected thermostat located at a structure. The thermostat is operable to control an HVAC system. Control during a DR event period may be performed based on an optimal control trajectory of the HVAC system, where the control trajectory is optimal in that it minimizes a cost function comprising a combination of a first factor representative of a total energy consumption during the DR event period, a second factor representative of a metric of occupant discomfort, and a third factor representative of deviations of a rate of energy consumption over the DR event period.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Mark D. Stefanski
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Publication number: 20170138629Abstract: Various arrangements for installing or configuring an electronic device are presented. The device may determine which wire connectors of a set of one or more wire connectors have a wire attached. A user inquiry may be output based on the electronic device identifying the wire connector with which the wire has been connected. The electronic device may be operated based on the response to the user inquiry and the electronic device identifying the wire connector with which the wire has been connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, David Sloo, Mark D. Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka