Patents by Inventor David Sloo

David Sloo 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: 9626858
    Abstract: A particular smart hazard detector may itself function as a guide during a process of installation of the same at an installation location. Additionally, the installation location of the particular smart hazard detector may play a central role in how various settings of the smart hazard detector are defined and adjusted over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David Sloo, Nick Webb, Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers
  • Patent number: 9612032
    Abstract: A user-friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes a circular body having a large central display surrounded by a ring that can be rotated an pressed inward by a user so as to receive user input in a simple elegant fashion. Different colors can be displayed to the user to indicate currently active HVAC functions, and different shades of colors can be displayed to a user to indicate an estimated amount of time and/or energy for reaching a target temperature. The thermostat is wall mountable and is made up of a head unit removeably mounted to a backplate. A locking mechanism can be provided so as to increase security against unauthorized removal of the head unit. The backplate can be adapted to be mounted on a wall so as to be level, for example by including a bubble level on the backplate. One or more vents are preferably located on the sides of the body, such as in a gap beneath the translatably mounted ring, and/or in a gap between the head unit and the backplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Matas, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, John Benjamin Filson, Brian Huppi, Fred Bould
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20170092115
    Abstract: Various arrangements for guiding installation of a monitoring device are presented. The monitoring device may receive, during installation of the monitoring device at a particular location at a structure, an input command to instantiate operation. The monitoring device, in response to receiving the input command to instantiate operation, may implement a test sequence to determine the particular location of the monitoring device prevents the monitoring device from operating within specification. The monitoring device may, based on the test sequence, output a notification that the particular location of the monitoring device prevents the monitoring device from operating within specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David Sloo, Nick Webb, Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers
  • Patent number: 9600645
    Abstract: This patent specification relates to apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for providing home security/smart home objectives. More particularly, this patent specification relates to a plurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices, that communicate with each other and/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide any of a variety of useful home security/smart home objectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Yoky Matsuoka, David Sloo, Shigefumi Honjo, Scott A. McGaraghan, Michael Plitkins, Maxime Veron, Isabel Guenette
  • Patent number: 9596708
    Abstract: include using an application on a mobile device to establish first wireless communications with a first smart-home device that was previously paired with the user account. The method may also include transmitting, to the first smart-home device and using the first wireless protocol, a transmission that instructs the first smart-home device to establish second wireless communications with a second smart-home device, where the second wireless communications use a second wireless protocol. The method may additionally include transmitting network credentials to the first smart-home device using the first wireless protocol, where the credentials are then sent from the first smart-home device to the second smart-home device using the second wireless protocol, such that the second smart-home device can pair with the user account using the first wireless protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Logue, Grant Erickson, Roger Tinkoff, David Sloo, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, Jeffrey A. Boyd, James B. Simister
  • Patent number: 9595070
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for managing demand-response programs and events. The systems disclosed include an energy management system in operation with an intelligent, network-connected thermostat located at a structure. The thermostat acquires various information about the residence, such as a thermal retention characteristic of the residence, a capacity of an HVAC associated with the residence to cool or heat the residence, a likelihood of the residence being occupied, a forecasted weather, a real-time weather, and a real-time occupancy. Such information is used to manage the energy consumption of the structure during a demand-response event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Roger, David Sloo, Scott A. McGaraghan, Sam Kortz
  • Publication number: 20170060369
    Abstract: A deivce may include a user interface configured to display at least a first graphical display and a second graphical display, a first proximity sensor having a first responsive range, and a second proximity sensor having a second responsive range. A processing system may be programmed to control the user interface by receiving an indication of a user presence within the second responsive range from the second proximity sensor while not receiving an indication of a user presence within the first responsive range from the first proximity sensor and causing the user interface to display the second graphical display. The processing system may also be programmed to receive an indication of a user presence within the first responsive range from the first proximity sensor and an indication of the user presence within the second responsive range from the second proximity sensor and cause the user interface to transition from the second graphical display to the first graphical display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Goyal, John Stefanski, David Saltzman, Mark Stefanski, David Sloo, Isabel Thornton
  • Patent number: 9575496
    Abstract: Arrangements for configuring a thermostat for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are presented. A thermostat may receive information indicative of the HVAC system comprising an air conditioner and information indicative of the HVAC system comprising a multi-stage heat pump. The thermostat may modify configuration information of the thermostat based on the information indicative of the air conditioner and the information indicative of the multi-stage heat pump. The thermostat may then control the HVAC system in accordance with the modified configuration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, David Sloo, Mark D. Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20170045864
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 9552718
    Abstract: A hazard detector may include a light sensor that senses a brightness level in an ambient environment. The hazard detector can have a processing system that receives an indication of the brightness level in the ambient environment from the light sensor. The processing system may then determine whether illumination in the ambient environment has been dimmed. Responsive to the dimming, the processing system may access information representative of a status of one or more components of the hazard detector. An illumination state may then be selected from a plurality of illumination states based on the accessed information representative of the status of the one or more components of the hazard detector. A light may then be illuminated based on the selected illumination state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Maxime Veron, Sophie Le Guen, Yoky Matsuoka, Jeffrey A. Boyd
  • Patent number: 9552002
    Abstract: A user-friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes a body having a central electronic display surrounded by a ring that can be rotated and pressed inwardly to provide user input in a simple and elegant fashion. The thermostat can be used to graphically display a two-dimensional setpoint plot area that includes a number of setpoint symbols each being positioned according to the time of day and temperature associated with the setpoint. The user can initiate the “birth” of a new setpoint, which includes presenting an animated sequence in which a new setpoint symbol is moved to a position on the plot area associated with the time of day and temperature for the new setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David Sloo, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Michael Plitkins
  • Patent number: 9541300
    Abstract: A thermostat may include a processing system, a plurality of HVAC connectors configured to receive a corresponding plurality of HVAC control wires, and a connection sensing circuit coupled to the plurality of HVAC connectors and configured to provide an indication to the processing system of whether a wire is inserted for each of the plurality of HVAC connectors. The processing system may be configured to receive an indication from the connection sensing circuit when an HVAC connector in the plurality of HVAC connectors has a wire inserted therein, the HVAC connector being associated with a plurality of possible HVAC functions. The processing system may also be configured to display the plurality of possible HVAC functions on a user interface, to receive input selecting one of the possible HVAC functions for the HVAC connector, and to operate the selected HVAC function through the HVAC connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Stefanski, David Sloo, Yoky Matsuoka
  • 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: 9534805
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling fan-only cooling. A first phase of a first cooling cycle may be initiated in an enclosure using an air conditioning system having a compressor and a fan that passes air over an evaporator coil. The first phase may include activation of the compressor and activation of the fan. A relative humidity may be measured within the enclosure during the first phase of the first cooling cycle. Subsequent to the first phase and in response to the relative humidity being determined to be below a threshold relative humidity, a second phase of the first cooling cycle may be initiated during which the fan is activated but the compressor is not activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark D. Stefanski, David Sloo
  • Publication number: 20160377307
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by a thermostat are provided. Input can be received from a user via a thermostat, the input being indicative of an adjustment of an HVAC-related setting. On a real-time basis, the HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted can be compared against a feedback criterion designed to indicate a circumstance under which feedback is to be presented to the user. The circumstance can be indicative of an achievement of a HVAC-related setting of a predetermined responsibility level with respect to an energy usage of the HVAC system. Upon a real-time determination that the feedback criterion is satisfied, visual feedback can be caused to be presented to the user in real-time. The real-time feedback can include a visual icon having a visual appeal corresponding to a desirability of the satisfaction of the feedback criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Yoky Matsuoka, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Michael James Matas, Matthew Lee Rogers, Evan J. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20160371969
    Abstract: System for displaying hazard events and adjusting hazard detector settings on a mobile device can include: a user interface executed on the mobile device, a hazard detector, and a computer server system communicatively coupled to the mobile device and hazard detector. The user interface can receive an adjusted value for a setting of the hazard detector and transmit the adjusted value to the computer server system. The computer server system may: determine that the adjusted value corresponds to the hazard detector, receive a check-in event from the hazard detector, and transmit the adjusted value to the hazard detector in response to receiving the check-in event. The hazard detector may then apply the adjusted value to the setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Shiney Rossi, Timo Bruck, David Sloo, Jesse W. Boettcher, Jeffrey A. Boyd, James B. Simister
  • Publication number: 20160370027
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for interactively and graphically displaying performance information to a user of an HVAC system controlled by a self-programming network-connected thermostat. The information is made on a remote display device such as a smartphone, tablet computer or other computer, and includes a graphical daily summary each of several days. In response to a user selection of a day, detailed performance information is graphically displayed that can include an indication of HVAC activity on a timeline, the number of hours of HVAC activity, as well as one or more symbols on a timeline indicating setpoint changes, and when a setpoint was changed due to non-occupancy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Timo A. Bruck, Evan J. Fisher, James B. Simister, Yoky Matsuoka, David Sloo, Clemens M. Knieper, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Michael Plitkins
  • Patent number: 9524635
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein relate to controlling a household via one or more household policies. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, at a processor, a household policy for a household, the household policy related to attaining an end goal; determining, via interpretation of the household policy by the processor, an end goal state of the household policy; incrementally modifying a control trigger threshold of a conditionally controlled smart device over time until the end goal state is reached; wherein the control trigger threshold indicates when the conditionally controlled smart device should be controlled to implement a particular function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Yoky Matsuoka, David Sloo, Maxime Veron
  • Patent number: 9520054
    Abstract: System for displaying hazard events and adjusting hazard detector settings on a mobile device includes a user interface executed on the mobile device, a hazard detector, and a computer server system communicatively coupled to the mobile device and hazard detector. The hazard detector generates hazard events indicating detection of smoke or carbon monoxide. The hazard events are transmitted to the computer server system and then to the mobile device. User interface displays the hazard events in an event group. User interface receives an adjusted value for a setting of the hazard detector and transmits the adjusted value to the computer server system. The computer server system determines that the adjusted value corresponds to the hazard detector, receives a check-in event from the hazard detector, and transmits the adjusted value to the hazard detector in response to receiving the check-in event. The hazard detector applies the adjusted value to the setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Shiney Rossi, Timo A. Bruck, David Sloo, Jesse W. Boettcher, Jeffrey A. Boyd, James B. Simister