Patents by Inventor Nicholas Unger Webb

Nicholas Unger Webb 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: 10546469
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method determines one or more sources of carbon monoxide (CO) in a smart-home environment that includes a plurality of smart devices that have at least measurement and communication capabilities. The method includes measuring a level of CO in the smart-home environment to generate a CO measurement, and providing the CO measurement and one or more current characteristics of the smart-home environment, from one or more of the smart devices to an analyzing device. The method further includes evaluating, by the analyzing device and with the CO measurement and the current characteristics of the smart-home environment, a set of CO correlation scenarios that attribute generation of CO to a corresponding one of a set of specific sources, and selecting one or more of the specific sources as the most likely source of the CO, by aggregating results of the correlation scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Peterson, David Sloo, Yoky Matsuoka, Nicholas Unger Webb
  • Patent number: 10540864
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: David Sloo, Nicholas Unger Webb, Evan Jarman Fisher, Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Fadell, Matthew Rogers
  • Patent number: 10403127
    Abstract: Hazardous or dangerous conditions may be monitored. A mode may be set to a state indicative of the condition being present. It may then be determined that the hazardous or dangerous condition has eased. An indication of the hazardous or dangerous condition easing may be output in response to the determination. Such an indication may be output as synthesized speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: David Sloo, Nicholas Unger Webb, Matthew Lee Rogers, Anthony Michael Fadell, Jeffery Theodore Lee, Sophie Le Guen, Andrew W. Goldenson
  • Patent number: 10380878
    Abstract: Systems and methods for self-administering a sound test to verify operation of a speaker and/or alarm within a hazard detection system are described herein. The sound test can verify that the audible sources such as the alarm and speaker operate at the requisite loudness and frequencies. In addition, the sound test can be self-administered in that it does not require the presence of a person to initiate or verify that the audible sources are functioning properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Lawrence Frederick Heyl, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr., Steven Clark, Andrew W. Goldenson, Dietrich Ho, Nicholas Unger Webb, Julia Deluliis, Tyler Moore, Ben Manuto
  • Patent number: 10325467
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing spoken messages that reflect event status of one or more hazard detection systems within a smart-home environment are described herein. The messages can inform occupants in concise manner that does not overload cognitive recognition of those occupants. For example, the messages may be prioritized to limit the amount of information that is spoken and intelligently condense information in as concise a manner as possible. This may be accomplished by using one or more speaking paradigms to compile audible messages to be played back through a speaker of the hazard detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Nina F. Shih, Lauren Von Dehsen, David Sloo, Tyler Moore, Nicholas Unger Webb
  • Publication number: 20190019038
    Abstract: Hazardous or dangerous conditions may be monitored. A mode may be set to a state indicative of the condition being present. It may then be determined that the hazardous or dangerous condition has eased. An indication of the hazardous or dangerous condition easing may be output in response to the determination. Such an indication may be output as synthesized speech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: David Sloo, Nicholas Unger Webb, Matthew Lee Rogers, Anthony Michael Fadell, Jeffery Theodore Lee, Sophie Le Guen, Andrew W. Goldenson
  • Patent number: 10152866
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for hazard detection are described. A hazard detection device may include a printed circuit board. The hazard detection device may further include a chassis that provides a housing for components of the hazard detection device; a smoke chamber that is mid-mounted; a carbon monoxide sensor that is mounted with the circuit board; and a speaker assembly that partially encircles the mid-mounted smoke chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Kraz, Adam Mittleman, Nicholas Unger Webb, Andrew W. Goldenson, Ian Charles Smith, Daniel Adam Warren, Mikko Sannala
  • Patent number: 10121364
    Abstract: Hazardous or dangerous conditions may be monitored. A mode may be set to a state indicative of the condition being present. It may then be determined that the hazardous or dangerous condition has eased. An indication of the hazardous or dangerous condition easing may be output in response to the determination. Such an indication may be output as synthesized speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: David Sloo, Nicholas Unger Webb, Matthew Lee Rogers, Anthony Michael Fadell, Jeffery Theodore Lee, Sophie Le Guen, Andrew W. Goldenson
  • Patent number: 10078959
    Abstract: Systems and methods for self-administering test to verify operation of various components within a hazard detection system are described herein. Users may be able interact with their mobile devices to control and monitor the results of test being administered by the hazard detection system. The mobile device may receive status updates from a central server that receives data from one or more hazard detection systems within a structure. The status information may be displayed on the user's device to inform the user of potential issues that any of his or her hazard detection systems may have.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Shiney Joseph Rossi, Nina F. Shih, Chikezie Ejiasi, Nicholas Unger Webb, Lauren Von Dehsen, Julia Deluliis
  • Patent number: 10026297
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and systems for enabling remote alarm hushing with acoustic presence verification. Acoustic presence verification is used to assure that a device attempting to remotely deactivate an alarm is located within a certain distance of an alarming device before allowing the alarm to be hushed. Acoustic presence can be established through emission and monitoring of ultrasonic acoustic signals. The ultrasonic acoustic signals may be transmitted at a frequency that exceeds human hearing such as, for example, between 18 KHz and 22 kHz. Such ultrasonic signals have a relatively short range and are unable to penetrate walls and floors, thus providing an effective tool for ensuring that the device attempting to remotely hush an alarming device is within a line-of-sight of the alarming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Gints Valdis Klimanis, Nicholas Unger Webb
  • Publication number: 20180197404
    Abstract: Systems and methods for self-administering a sound test to verify operation of a speaker and/or alarm within a hazard detection system are described herein. The sound test can verify that the audible sources such as the alarm and speaker operate at the requisite loudness and frequencies. In addition, the sound test can be self-administered in that it does not require the presence of a person to initiate or verify that the audible sources are functioning properly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Lawrence Frederick Heyl, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, JR., Steven Clark, Andrew W. Goldenson, Dietrich Ho, Nicholas Unger Webb, Julia DeIuliis, Tyler Moore, Ben Manuto
  • Publication number: 20180158315
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: David Sloo, Nicholas Unger Webb, Evan Jarman Fisher, Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Fadell, Matthew Rogers
  • Patent number: 9953510
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using state machines to manage alarming states and pre-alarming states of a hazard detection system are described herein. The state machines can include one or more sensor state machines that can control the alarming states and one or more system state machines that can control the pre-alarming states. Each state machine can transition among any one of its states based on raw sensor data values, filtered sensor data values, and transition conditions. Filters may be used to transform raw sensor values into filtered values that can be used by one or more state machines. Such filters may improve accuracy of data interpretation by filtering out readings that may distort data interpretation or cause false positives. For example, smoke sensor readings may be filtered by a smoke alarm filter to mitigate presence of steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Charles Peterson, Yoky Matsuoka, Nicholas Unger Webb
  • Patent number: 9953516
    Abstract: Systems and methods for self-administering a sound test to verify operation of a speaker and/or alarm within a hazard detection system are described herein. The sound test can verify that the audible sources such as the alarm and speaker operate at the requisite loudness and frequencies. In addition, the sound test can be self-administered in that it does not require the presence of a person to initiate or verify that the audible sources are functioning properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Lawrence Frederick Heyl, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr., Steven Clark, Dietrich Ho, Nicholas Unger Webb, Tyler Moore
  • Patent number: 9905122
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: David Sloo, Nicholas Unger Webb, Evan Jarman Fisher, Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Fadell, Matthew Rogers
  • Patent number: 9898922
    Abstract: Systems and methods for self-administering a sound test to verify operation of a speaker and/or alarm within a hazard detection system are described herein. The sound test can verify that the audible sources such as the alarm and speaker operate at the requisite loudness and frequencies. In addition, the sound test can be self-administered in that it does not require the presence of a person to initiate or verify that the audible sources are functioning properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Lawrence Frederick Heyl, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr., Steven Clark, Andrew W. Goldenson, Dietrich Ho, Nicholas Unger Webb, Julia Deluliis, Tyler Moore, Ben Manuto
  • Patent number: 9892621
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using state machines to manage alarming states and pre-alarming states of a hazard detection system are described herein. The state machines can include one or more sensor state machines that can control the alarming states and one or more system state machines that can control the pre-alarming states. Each state machine can transition among any one of its states based on raw sensor data values, filtered sensor data values, and transition conditions. Filters may be used to transform raw sensor values into filtered values that can be used by one or more state machines. Such filters may improve accuracy of data interpretation by filtering out readings that may distort data interpretation or cause false positives. For example, smoke sensor readings may be filtered by a smoke alarm filter to mitigate presence of steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Charles Peterson, Yoky Matsuoka, Nicholas Unger Webb
  • Patent number: 9886843
    Abstract: Systems and methods for self-administering a sound test to verify operation of a speaker and/or alarm within a hazard detection system are described herein. The sound test can verify that the audible sources such as the alarm and speaker operate at the requisite loudness and frequencies. In addition, the sound test can be self-administered in that it does not require the presence of a person to initiate or verify that the audible sources are functioning properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Lawrence Frederick Heyl, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr., Steven Clark, Andrew W. Goldenson, Dietrich Ho, Nicholas Unger Webb, Julia Deluliis, Tyler Moore, Ben Manuto
  • Patent number: D843431
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Rochus Emmanuel Jacob, Oliver Mueller, Nicholas Unger Webb, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Jason Goulden, Kevin Edward Booth, Tyler Scott Wilson, Mark Kraz, Jeffrey Hui-Kwun Law, William Dong
  • Patent number: D959536
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Rochus Emmanuel Jacob, Oliver Mueller, Nicholas Unger Webb, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Jason Goulden, Kevin Edward Booth, Tyler Scott Wilson, Mark Kraz, Jeffrey Hui-Kwun Law, William Dong