Abstract: The current application is directed to an intelligent-thermostat-controlled environmental-conditioning system in which computational tasks and subcomponents with associated intelligent-thermostat functionalities are distributed to one or more of concealed and visible portions of one or more intelligent thermostats and, in certain implementations, to one or more intermediate boxes. The intelligent thermostats are interconnected to intermediate boxes by wired and/or wireless interfaces and intelligent thermostats intercommunicate with one another by wireless communications. Wireless communications include communications through a local router and an ISP, 3G and 4G wireless communications through a mobile service provider. Components of the intelligent-thermostat-controlled thermostat-controlled environmental-conditioning system may also be connected by wireless communications to remote computing facilities.

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.

Abstract: Hazard detector for providing a pre-alarm of a developing hazardous condition can include a detection module that detects a hazard level of smoke or carbon monoxide, a light source that generates light, a speaker that generates an audible sound, a horn that generates an audible alarm that a higher volume than the speaker, and a processing module. The processing module can receive the detected hazard level and compare it with the pre-alarm threshold and the emergency threshold. The processing module can determine that the hazard level is greater than the pre-alarm threshold and less than the emergency threshold and cause an audible pre-alarm speech to be generated via the speaker that warns of the developing hazardous condition.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide user interface methods for interacting with and managing network-connected thermostats through a thermostat management system. The user interface method identifies a primary enclosure associated with a thermostat management account with the remaining enclosures deemed secondary enclosures. The user interface displays the primary enclosure using a primary enclosure selection appearing in a foreground area of the user interface as a house and adjacent to thermostat selections representing each of the network-connected thermostats installed in the primary enclosure. In a background area of the user interface, a primary weather visual incorporates images of various weather patterns reflecting both a weather pattern in the vicinity of the primary enclosure and an approximate time of day at the geographic location of the primary enclosure.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A computing system performs a method of determining cumulative exposure to a gas. The computing system receives data that correspond to local concentrations of a gas from a plurality of stationary gas sensors in a home. Respective stationary gas sensors are located at respective fixed locations in respective rooms in the home. The computing system also receives data that correspond to occupancy of the home, including occupancy by a first occupant. The computing system determines a cumulative exposure of the first occupant to the gas in the home, based at least in part on the received data that correspond to local concentrations of the gas and the received data that correspond to occupancy of the home. The computing system performs and/or sends instructions to perform one or more predefined operations in accordance with the determined cumulative exposure of the first occupant.

Abstract: A method performed at a computer system includes: receiving current location data for a user; receiving door lock activation data for a door of a dwelling of the user; receiving current occupancy data for the dwelling; determining a configuration of a controller for the dwelling, based at least in part on the received current location data for the user, the received door lock activation data for the door, and the received current occupancy data for the dwelling; if the door was locked from inside the dwelling and the user is present in the dwelling, setting or sending instructions to set a configuration of the controller to a first configuration; and, if the door was locked from outside the dwelling and the user is not present in the dwelling, setting or sending instructions to set the configuration of the controller to a second configuration, distinct from the first configuration.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein relate to implementing a household policy within a household environment. In one example, a method includes: receiving, at a processor, the household policy; interpreting the household policy to extract one or more conditional events associated with the household policy; monitoring, via at least one sensing smart device in the household environment, for satisfaction of the one or more conditional events; and when the one or more events is satisfied, implement one or more controls on at least one conditionally controlled smart device in the household environment, the at least one smart device affecting the household environment.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein relate to: suggesting, automatically implementing, or both suggesting and automatically implementing, one or more household policies to be implemented within a household environment. The household policies include one or more input criteria that is derivable from at least one smart device within the household environment, the one or more input criteria relating to a characteristic of the household environment, a characteristic of one or more occupants of the household, or both. The household policies also include one or more outputs to be provided based upon the one or more input criteria.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein relate to monitoring and reporting household activities. In one embodiment, a method includes: monitoring, via a smart device, one or more activities associated with: a household; analyzing, via the smart device, a processor, or both, at least one characteristic of the one or more activities to discern information about the household; and reporting, via the device, the discerned information.

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.

Abstract: Hazard detector for providing a pre-alarm of a developing hazardous condition includes a detection module that detects a hazard level of smoke or carbon monoxide, a storage module that stores a pre-alarm threshold and an emergency threshold, a light source that generates light in a first color, a second color, and a third color, a speaker that generates an audible sound, a horn that generates an audible alarm that a higher volume than the speaker, and a processing module. The processing module receives the detected hazard level and compares it with the pre-alarm threshold and the emergency threshold. The processing module determines that the hazard level is greater than the pre-alarm threshold and less than the emergency threshold and generates an audible pre-alarm speech via the speaker that warns of the developing hazardous condition. The processing module also activates the light source in the second color.

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.

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.

Abstract: Automatically marking locations of user interest in media content is disclosed. Data that describes user interaction with media content is analyzed to determine locations of potential interest. For each of the locations of potential interest, the data is analyzed to determine whether user interest satisfies a criterion for establishing a mark for the location. Marks are determined for those locations that satisfy the criterion. A mark includes a description for a given location and information that allows the given location to be automatically presented to a user upon selection of the description. In another aspect, extrinsic data that is separate from a piece of media content is analyzed to determine whether moments of high user interest might exist in the piece of media content. Then, the piece of media content is scanned to find locations in the media content that correspond to the moments.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for verifying that a device is using its Wi-Fi circuitry in compliance with the regulations governing the location in which the device is located. Embodiments discussed herein can verify the location using location verification tools that evaluate locally ascertainable factors that contribute to a probability determination of the device's location. Locally ascertainable factors include information that be gleaned from the surroundings of the device. The surroundings or environment in which the device resides may provide clues as to whether the device is located in a particular regulatory domain.

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.