Patents by Inventor Arthur A. Jacobson
Arthur A. Jacobson 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: 20240089141Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an automation control device, such as a host or hub, is provided with functionality so that it becomes a multi-role automation control device. One such multi-role automation control device produces an on screen display which enables a user to select predetermined lighting scenes or television channels, and to control other devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Robert P. Madonna, Arthur A. Jacobson, David W. Tatzel, Victor Rendina, Timothy R. Locascio
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Patent number: 11863343Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an automation control device, such as a host or hub, is provided with functionality so that it becomes a multi-role automation control device. The multi-role automation control device is capable of controlling an expanded variety of “smart” or other devices. The multi-role automation control device may be implemented using a variety of underlying devices including a host, hub, soundbar, “smart” thermostat, “smart” amplifier, audio speaker, or other device.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Savant Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert P. Madonna, Arthur A. Jacobson, David W. Tatzel, Victor Rendina, Timothy R. Locascio
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Patent number: 11099534Abstract: In one embodiment, a configuration application executing on a tablet computer or smartphone presents a configuration user interface on a touch screen for configuring a home automation system of a structure. A plurality of components of the home automation system that have wireless capabilities are detected. The configuration application receives an indication of a zone of the structure within which each component is located, the indication provided by the user dragging a representation of each component to a location provided in the configuration user interface. Based on the indication of the zone of the structure in which each component is located and the type of each component, automatically generate one or more user interface screens for accessing and controlling the components in each zone, where the automatically generated user interface screens are displayable during use of the home automation system.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Savant Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert P. Madonna, Michael C. Silva, Nicholas J. Cipollo, David W. Tatzel, David McKinley, Duarte M. Avelar, Arthur A. Jacobson
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Patent number: 10962996Abstract: In one embodiment, graphical programming is used to configure a system of audio, video, lighting, HVAC and/or security components. Representations of components from a component library are displayed. Each representation of a component corresponds to a physical component that is available for inclusion in the system and associated with a corresponding component profile for that physical component that includes information regarding the component's capabilities. A selected plurality of representations of components from the component library are placed in a configuration workspace of the graphical user interface, to indicate their inclusion in the system. One or more realized services that the system is capable of providing are determined based on the selected plurality of components; and indications of the one or more realized services that the system is capable of providing are displayed to the user.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Savant Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Silva, Robert P. Madonna, Kevin C. Kicklighter, Bryan S. Bonczek, David M. Benvenuti, Arthur A. Jacobson, Nicholas Cippolo, Gerald W. Shields
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Publication number: 20200267013Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an automation control device, such as a host or hub, is provided with enhanced functionality so that it becomes a multi-role automation control device. The multi-role automation control device is capable of controlling an expanded variety of “smart” or other devices whose native control protocol is not generally compatible. The multi-role automation control device may be implemented using a variety of underlying devices including a host, hub, soundbar, “smart” thermostat, “smart” amplifier, audio speaker, or other device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Robert P. Madonna, Arthur A. Jacobson, David W. Tatzel, Victor Rendina, Timothy R. Locascio
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Patent number: 10447492Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided managing a plurality of home automation systems in different residential structures. The plurality of home automation systems are bound to a cloud-based residential management system (RMS). The RMS periodically receives status and diagnostics information from home automation systems, and displays, on a web-enabled device, a plurality of RMS user interface (UI) screens. The RMS UI screens provide an all systems view which lists each the plurality of home automation systems, a system details view which shows a summary of status information for a selected one of the plurality of home automation systems, and an equipment level view which shows status information for individual devices of the selected home automation system. At least some of the individual devices are non-network available devices that lack a direct connection to an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Savant Systems, LLCInventors: Arthur A. Jacobson, Michael C. Silva, David W. Tatzel, Nathan A. Trapp
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Publication number: 20190235539Abstract: In one embodiment, graphical programming is used to configure a system of audio, video, lighting, HVAC and/or security components. Representations of components from a component library are displayed. Each representation of a component corresponds to a physical component that is available for inclusion in the system and associated with a corresponding component profile for that physical component that includes information regarding the component's capabilities. A selected plurality of representations of components from the component library are placed in a configuration workspace of the graphical user interface, to indicate their inclusion in the system. One or more realized services that the system is capable of providing are determined based on the selected plurality of components; and indications of the one or more realized services that the system is capable of providing are displayed to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Michael C. Silva, Robert P. Madonna, Kevin C. Kicklighter, Bryan S. Bonczek, David M. Benvenuti, Arthur A. Jacobson, Nicholas Cippolo, Gerald W. Shields
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Patent number: 10261529Abstract: In one embodiment, graphical programming is used to configure a system of audio, video, lighting, HVAC and/or security components. Representations of audio, video, lighting, heating, HVAC and/or security components are displayed in a graphical user interface. Each representation corresponds to a physical component that is available for inclusion in the system. A zone map that represents one or more zones is displayed in the graphical user interface. A selected representation of an audio, video, lighting, heating, HVAC or security component is dragged and dropping to a selected zone of the zone map to indicate installation of a selected physical component in the corresponding room. One or more realized services that the system is capable of providing are determined based at least in part on the selected zone of the zone map. Thereafter, an output is provided based on the one or more realized services.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Savant Systems, LLCInventors: Michael C. Silva, Robert P. Madonna, Kevin C. Kicklighter, Bryan S. Bonczek, David M. Benvenuti, Arthur A. Jacobson, Nicholas Cipollo, Gerald W. Shields
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Patent number: 10209693Abstract: An architecture that provides ubiquitous access to a home automation system utilizes both a home database and a configuration database maintained by remote cloud services. In one example embodiment, a system configuration of the home automation system is generated and maintained in a home database accessible on an in-home LAN. The home database is synchronized with a configuration database of cloud services over the Internet. User input is received in a home automation control UI indicating a change to one or more services or scenes provided by hardware elements of the home automation system. When there is connectivity between a device providing the home automation control UI and the in-home LAN, the system configuration in the home database is utilized to effect the indicated change. When there is no connectivity between the device providing the home automation control UI and the in-home LAN, the system configuration in the configuration database of cloud services is utilized to effect the indicated change.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Savant Systems, LLCInventors: Bharat Welingkar, Arthur A. Jacobson, Matt N. Gloier
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Publication number: 20180335761Abstract: An architecture that provides ubiquitous access to a home automation system utilizes both a home database and a configuration database maintained by remote cloud services. In one example embodiment, a system configuration of the home automation system is generated and maintained in a home database accessible on an in-home LAN. The home database is synchronized with a configuration database of cloud services over the Internet. User input is received in a home automation control UI indicating a change to one or more services or scenes provided by hardware elements of the home automation system. When there is connectivity between a device providing the home automation control UI and the in-home LAN, the system configuration in the home database is utilized to effect the indicated change. When there is no connectivity between the device providing the home automation control UI and the in-home LAN, the system configuration in the configuration database of cloud services is utilized to effect the indicated change.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: Bharat Welingkar, Arthur A. Jacobson, Matt N. Gloier
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Patent number: 10042339Abstract: An architecture for a home automation system is provided that utilizes a home database stored in an in-home host controller that is synchronized with a configuration database maintained by remote cloud services. In one example embodiment, the home database of the host controller is synchronized over the Internet with the configuration database of cloud services. When there is connectivity between a mobile app used to configure and/or control the home automation system and the host controller via an in-home LAN, data interactions related to the home automation system are performed between the mobile app and the home database over the in-home LAN. When there is not this connectivity, data interactions related to the home automation system are performed between the mobile app and the configuration database over the Internet. If the host controller is reset or replaced, the home database may be restored by synchronization with the configuration database of cloud services.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Savant Systems, LLCInventors: Bharat Welingkar, Arthur A. Jacobson, Matt N. Gloier
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Patent number: 9876652Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for automatically generating a custom user interface (UI) of a control device usable to control a home automation system. A configuration database is maintained, for example, on a host controller, of the home automation system. The configuration database stores logical representations that describe a configuration. The configuration database is transferred (e.g., downloaded) to a control device. The control device accesses the configuration database for one or more of the logical representations, and translates returned information related to the one or more of the logical representations to UI element, using predefined mappings. The controll device then displays the UI elements as a custom UI.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Savant Systems, LLCInventors: David W. Tatzel, Arthur A. Jacobson, Nicholas J. Cipollo, Jose J. Ronquillo Rodriguez
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Patent number: 9806900Abstract: In various embodiments, techniques are provided for utilizing a WPAN (e.g., BLE) and an in-home LAN (e.g., Wi-Fi network) together to provision and/or configure hardware elements of a home automation system. In one embodiment, a first WPAN-discoverable hardware element (e.g., a host controller) of the home automation system advertises its presence on a WPAN. The first WPAN-discoverable hardware element receives user-provided network credentials from a mobile app, which are used to configure the first WPAN-discoverable hardware element on the in-home LAN, and which are stored in a storage device of the first WPAN-discoverable hardware element. To provision a second WPAN-discoverable hardware element (e.g., a device) of the home automation system on the in-home LAN, the first WPAN-discoverable hardware element transfers the network credentials back to the mobile app via the in-home LAN, and causes the mobile app to forward the network credentials via the WPAN to the second hardware element.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Savant Systems, LLCInventors: Arthur A. Jacobson, David W. Tatzel, Michael C. Silva, Adam J. Moore, Jaireh Tecarro, Gregory T. Shirai
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Publication number: 20170097619Abstract: An architecture for a home automation system is provided that utilizes a home database stored in an in-home host controller that is synchronized with a configuration database maintained by remote cloud services. In one example embodiment, the home database of the host controller is synchronized over the Internet with the configuration database of cloud services. When there is connectivity between a mobile app used to configure and/or control the home automation system and the host controller via an in-home LAN, data interactions related to the home automation system are performed between the mobile app and the home database over the in-home LAN. When there is not this connectivity, data interactions related to the home automation system are performed between the mobile app and the configuration database over the Internet. If the host controller is reset or replaced, the home database may be restored by synchronization with the configuration database of cloud services.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2015Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Bharat Welingkar, Arthur A. Jacobson, Matt N. Gloier
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Publication number: 20170099157Abstract: In various embodiments, techniques are provided for utilizing a WPAN (e.g., BLE) and an in-home LAN (e.g., Wi-Fi network) together to provision and/or configure hardware elements of a home automation system. In one embodiment, a first WPAN-discoverable hardware element (e.g., a host controller) of the home automation system advertises its presence on a WPAN. The first WPAN-discoverable hardware element receives user-provided network credentials from a mobile app, which are used to configure the first WPAN-discoverable hardware element on the in-home LAN, and which are stored in a storage device of the first WPAN-discoverable hardware element. To provision a second WPAN-discoverable hardware element (e.g., a device) of the home automation system on the in-home LAN, the first WPAN-discoverable hardware element transfers the network credentials back to the mobile app via the in-home LAN, and causes the mobile app to forward the network credentials via the WPAN to the second hardware element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2015Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Arthur A. Jacobson, David W. Tatzel, Michael C. Silva, Adam J. Moore, Jaireh Tecarro, Gregory T. Shirai
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Patent number: 9541910Abstract: In one embodiment, a menu is semi-transparently overlaid upon a portion of a video being shown on a television coupled to a programmable multimedia controller. The menu has a plurality of selectable options and a selection cursor disposed on one of the plurality of selectable options. Input is received from a user on the remote control unit indicating a direction. In response to the input indicating the direction, the selection cursor is moved in a corresponding direction within the semi-transparently overlaid menu to bring the selection cursor to be disposed on a designated selectable option to permit selection of the designated selectable option. In response to selection of the designated selectable option, the programmable multimedia controller issues one or more control commands to a lighting system, a heating ventilation and air/conditioning (HVAC) system, and/or to an automatic shade system, to control operation of lighting, HVAC or window shades.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Savant Systems, LLCInventors: Robert P. Madonna, Michael E. Noonan, Michael C. Silva, Peter H. Corsini, Arthur A. Jacobson
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Patent number: 9513615Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided to configure a home multimedia system. Software executing on a controller or other device access component profiles describing attributes of components, one or more zone configurations that indicate components that are present in one or more zones, and one or more connection configurations that indicates how components that are present in the one or more zones are interconnected. The software applies a set of predefined service rules to the data structures to generate workflows for possible services, wherein each service rule defines one or more components and one or more interactions required for providing a corresponding service, and each workflow indicates how one or more of the components that are present in the one or more zones interact to provide a service. Executable forms of the workflows are generated, and executed to provide services to a user.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Savant Systems, LLCInventors: Robert P. Madonna, Kevin C. Kicklighter, Michael C. Silva, Bryan S. Bonczek, Arthur A. Jacobson
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Patent number: 9442474Abstract: In one embodiment, location aware operation is provided using Bluetooth positioning. A Bluetooth-enabled handheld device is operated within a structure. Received Bluetooth signal strengths are measured for a plurality of Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver units dispersed within the structure, where respective ones of the plurality of Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver units are located on separate floors, in separate rooms, or in different portions of a same room. Based on the received Bluetooth signal strengths, a single Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver unit is selected. A location of the selected Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver unit is assigned to the Bluetooth-enabled handheld device. A first electronic device is controlled based on the assigned location. In response to movement by a user of the Bluetooth-enabled handheld device within the structure, a location of a different Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver unit is reassigned to the Bluetooth-enabled handheld device.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Savant Systems, LLCInventors: Robert P. Madonna, Michael E. Noonan, Michael C. Silva, Peter H. Corsini, Arthur A. Jacobson
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Patent number: 9407948Abstract: In one embodiment, a programmable multimedia controller controls electronic devices, including display devices. A remote control communicates with the programmable multimedia controller. An on screen display is displayed on a selected one of the display devices. The on screen display enables the selected one of the display devices to function as a virtual telephone that is user-operable to initiate outgoing telephone calls and to answer incoming telephone calls. When an outgoing telephone call or incoming telephone call is in progress, the on screen display shows text or graphics related to the outgoing telephone call or the incoming telephone call. The on screen display is overlaid on another video signal which is already being displayed on the selected one of the display devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Savant Systems, LLCInventors: Michael C. Silva, Robert P. Madonna, Arthur A. Jacobson
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Publication number: 20160216703Abstract: In one embodiment, a configuration application executing on a tablet computer or smartphone presents a configuration user interface on a touch screen for configuring a home automation system of a structure. A plurality of components of the home automation system that have wireless capabilities are detected. The configuration application receives an indication of a zone of the structure within which each component is located, the indication provided by the user dragging a representation of each component to a location provided in the configuration user interface. Based on the indication of the zone of the structure in which each component is located and the type of each component, automatically generate one or more user interface screens for accessing and controlling the components in each zone, where the automatically generated user interface screens are displayable during use of the home automation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Robert P. Madonna, Michael C. Silva, Nicholas J. Cipollo, David W. Tatzel, David McKinley, Duarte M. Avelar, Arthur A. Jacobson