Patents by Inventor Ian C. SMITH

Ian C. SMITH 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).

  • Publication number: 20150323212
    Abstract: A thermostat includes a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) wire connectors including a connection to at least one call relay wire. The thermostat may also include a powering circuit, including a rechargeable battery, which is configured to provide electrical power to the thermostat by power stealing from a selected call relay wire. The power stealing may comprise an active power stealing mode, in which power is taken from the same selected call relay wire that is used to call for an HVAC function, and an inactive power stealing mode in which, in which no active call is being made. The powering circuit may be configured to substantially suspend (or at least reduce the level of) power stealing for at least a first time period following each transition of the thermostat from between operating states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, JR., Ian C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150268674
    Abstract: Methods and systems facilitate network communications between a wireless network-connected thermostat and a cloud-based management server in a manner that promotes reduced power usage and extended service life of a energy-storage device of the thermostat, while at the same time accomplishing timely data transfer between the thermostat and the cloud-based management server for suitable and time-appropriate control of an HVAC system. The thermostat further comprises powering circuitry configured to: extract electrical power from one or more HVAC control wires in a manner that does not require a “common” wire; supply electrical power for thermostat operation; recharge the energy-storage device (if needed) using any surplus extracted power; and discharge the energy-storage device to assist in supplying electrical power for thermostat operation during intervals in which the extracted power alone is insufficient for thermostat operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Andrea Mucignat, Oliver Steele, Senthilvasan Supramaniam, Osborne Hardison, Richard J. Shultz, Daniel A. Warren, Hugo Fiennes, Jonathan A. Dutra, David Bell, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, Ian C. Smith, Grant M. Erickson, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Joseph E. Palmer
  • Patent number: 9086703
    Abstract: A thermostat includes a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) wire connectors including a connection to at least one call relay wire. The thermostat may also include a powering circuit, including a rechargeable battery, which is configured to provide electrical power to the thermostat by power stealing from a selected call relay wire. The power stealing may comprise an active power stealing mode, in which power is taken from the same selected call relay wire that is used to call for an HVAC function, and an inactive power stealing mode in which, in which no active call is being made. The powering circuit may be configured to substantially suspend (or at least reduce the level of) power stealing for at least a first time period following each transition of the thermostat from between operating states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr., Ian C. Smith
  • Patent number: 9046898
    Abstract: Provided according to one or more embodiments herein are methods, systems and related architectures for facilitating network communications between a wireless network-connected thermostat and a cloud-based management server in a manner that promotes reduced power usage and extended service life of a rechargeable battery of the thermostat, while at the same time accomplishing timely data transfer between the thermostat and the cloud-based management server for suitable and time-appropriate control of an HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Mucignat, Oliver Steele, Senthil Supramaniam, Osborne Hardison, Richard J. Shultz, Daniel A. Warren, Hugo Fiennes, Jonathan A. Dutra, David Bell, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rodgers, Ian C. Smith, Grant M. Erickson, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Joseph E. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20150022026
    Abstract: Hazard detection systems according to embodiments described herein are operative to provide failsafe safety detection features and user interface features using circuit topology and power budgeting methods that minimize power consumption. The safety detection features can monitor environmental conditions (e.g., smoke, heat, humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, radon, and other noxious gasses) in the vicinity of the hazard detection system associated and alarm occupants when an environmental condition exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ian C. Smith, Daniel Adam Warren, Scott Mullins, Brian Jonathan Conner
  • Publication number: 20150022368
    Abstract: Hazard detection systems according to embodiments described herein are operative to provide failsafe safety detection features and user interface features using circuit topology and power budgeting methods that minimize power consumption. The safety detection features can monitor environmental conditions (e.g., smoke, heat, humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, radon, and other noxious gasses) in the vicinity of the hazard detection system associated and alarm occupants when an environmental condition exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ian C. Smith, Daniel Adam Warren, Scott Mullins, Brian Jonathan Conner
  • Publication number: 20150022349
    Abstract: Hazard detection systems according to embodiments described herein are operative to provide failsafe safety detection features and user interface features using circuit topology and power budgeting methods that minimize power consumption. The safety detection features can monitor environmental conditions (e.g., smoke, heat, humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, radon, and other noxious gasses) in the vicinity of the hazard detection system associated and alarm occupants when an environmental condition exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ian C. Smith, Daniel Adam Warren, Scott Mullins, Brian Jonathan Conner
  • Publication number: 20150021997
    Abstract: Hazard detection systems according to embodiments described herein are operative to provide failsafe safety detection features and user interface features using circuit topology and power budgeting methods that minimize power consumption. The safety detection features can monitor environmental conditions (e.g., smoke, heat, humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, radon, and other noxious gasses) in the vicinity of the hazard detection system associated and alarm occupants when an environmental condition exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ian C. Smith, Daniel Adam Warren, Scott Mullins, Brian Jonathan Conner
  • Publication number: 20150021993
    Abstract: Hazard detection systems according to embodiments described herein are operative to provide failsafe safety detection features and user interface features using circuit topology and power budgeting methods that minimize power consumption. The safety detection features can monitor environmental conditions (e.g., smoke, heat, humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, radon, and other noxious gasses) in the vicinity of the hazard detection system associated and alarm occupants when an environmental condition exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ian C. Smith, Daniel Adam Warren, Scott Mullins, Brian Jonathan Conner
  • Publication number: 20150022346
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interfacing a hazard detection device with a control panel system via a dongle are provided. The dongle may be configured to alternate between drawing first and second amounts of power from the control panel system in response to the hazard detection device alternating between operating in a normal mode when no hazard is detected and an alarm mode when a hazard is detected. The hazard detection device may operate independently of any characteristics of the control panel system. For example, the hazard detection device may operate without drawing any power from the control panel system. Therefore, the dongle may allow for various types of hazard detection devices to interface with a common two-line power control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Scott Mullins, Brian Jonathan Conner, Ian C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140358295
    Abstract: A thermostat includes a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) wire connectors for receiving a plurality of HVAC control wires corresponding to an HVAC system. The thermostat also includes a thermostat processing and control circuit configured to at least partially control the operation of the HVAC system and a powering circuit coupled to the HVAC wire connectors and configured to provide an electrical load power to the thermostat processing and control circuit. The powering circuit has a power extraction circuit configured to extract electrical power from one or more of the plurality of received HVAC control wires up to a first level of electrical power, a rechargeable battery, and a power control circuit. The power control circuit is configured to provide the electrical load power using power from the power extraction circuit and the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: DANIEL ADAM WARREN, HUGO FIENNES, JONATHAN ALAN DUTRA, DAVID BELL, ANTHONY MICHAEL FADELL, MATTHEW LEE ROGERS, IAN C. SMITH, EDWIN H. SATTERTHWAITE, JR., JOSEPH E. PALMER, GRANT M. ERICKSON, ANDREA MUCIGNAT
  • Publication number: 20140346240
    Abstract: A thermostat includes a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) wire connectors including a connection to at least one call relay wire. The thermostat may also include a powering circuit, including a rechargeable battery, which is configured to provide electrical power to the thermostat by power stealing from a selected call relay wire. The power stealing may comprise an active power stealing mode, in which power is taken from the same selected call relay wire that is used to call for an HVAC function, and an inactive power stealing mode in which, in which no active call is being made. The powering circuit may be configured to substantially suspend (or at least reduce the level of) power stealing for at least a first time period following each transition of the thermostat from between operating states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.
    Inventors: DANIEL ADAM WARREN, EDWIN H. SATTERTHWAITE, JR., IAN C. SMITH
  • Patent number: 8788103
    Abstract: A thermostat includes a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) wire connectors for receiving a plurality of HVAC control wires corresponding to an HVAC system. The thermostat also includes a thermostat processing and control circuit configured to at least partially control the operation of the HVAC system and a powering circuit coupled to the HVAC wire connectors and configured to provide an electrical load power to the thermostat processing and control circuit. The powering circuit has a power extraction circuit configured to extract electrical power from one or more of the plurality of received HVAC control wires up to a first level of electrical power, a rechargeable battery, and a power control circuit. The power control circuit is configured to provide the electrical load power using power from the power extraction circuit and the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Hugo Fiennes, Jonathan Alan Dutra, David Bell, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Ian C. Smith, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr., Joseph E. Palmer, Grant M. Erickson, Andrea Mucignat
  • Patent number: 8770491
    Abstract: A thermostat includes a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) wire connectors including a connection to at least one call relay wire. The thermostat may also include a powering circuit, including a rechargeable battery, which is configured to provide electrical power to the thermostat by power stealing from a selected call relay wire. The power stealing may comprise an active power stealing mode, in which power is taken from the same selected call relay wire that is used to call for an HVAC function, and an inactive power stealing mode in which, in which no active call is being made. The powering circuit may be configured to substantially suspend (or at least reduce the level of) power stealing for at least a first time period following each transition of the thermostat from between operating states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nest Labs Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr., Ian C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140175181
    Abstract: A method of automated sensing of an electrical anomaly associated with a thermostat may include switching a switching circuit within the thermostat to an on state. The switching circuit may be configured to activate an HVAC function when switched to the on state. The method may also include monitoring one or more electrical properties associated with the switching circuit. The method may additionally include determining if an electrical anomaly is associated with the switching circuit based at least in part on the monitored one or more electrical properties. The method may further include switching the switching circuit to an off state if an electrical anomaly is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Brian J. Conner, Ian C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8659302
    Abstract: Voltage is detected on both sides of a protection fuse within a thermostat, such that a determination can be made as to the status of the fuse. When a blown fuse is detected, the user can be notified via (1) an error message on the thermostat display, and/or (2) a message on another device such as a mobile device and/or web-client device. According to some embodiments the thermostat manufacturer is notified via network connection. According to some embodiments drain voltage is measured on MOSFETs used in the thermostat for switching on and off HVAC functions. If an over-current is detected on a FET switch, it immediately turned off and a fault indictor is sent to the microcontroller. The FET switch remains “off” until it is re-enabled under control of the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Brian J. Conner, Ian C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8627127
    Abstract: Provided according to one or more embodiments herein are methods, systems and related architectures for facilitating network communications between a wireless network-connected thermostat and a cloud-based management server in a manner that promotes reduced power usage and extended service life of a rechargeable battery of the thermostat, while at the same time accomplishing timely data transfer between the thermostat and the cloud-based management server for suitable and time-appropriate control of an HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Mucignat, Oliver Steele, Senthil Supramaniam, Osborne Hardison, Richard J. Schultz, Daniel A. Warren, Hugo Fiennes, Jonathan A. Dutra, David Bell, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rodgers, Ian C. Smith, Grant M. Erickson, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Joseph E. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20130328809
    Abstract: A screen protector is provided with tactile aids for vision-impaired users. The screen protector can be placed on the display screen of a computing device to enhance the out-of-box experience for vision-impaired users and/or guide the user during subsequent use of the device. For example, the screen protector can be configured to be tactilely-informative about how to activate accessibility features of the device and/or how to proceed with initial set-up and configuration of the device. The screen protector may include, for example, braille instructions for activating the accessibility mode and/or a raised or embossed tactile aid that identifies the location of a UI control feature that can be engaged to initiate the accessibility mode or other desired function. Once the user has engaged the accessibility mode, the user may receive verbal instructions and cues going forward so as to allow the user to successfully use the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Ian C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130332827
    Abstract: A simplified UI mode is provided for computing devices, where complex user interface elements are replaced with simpler ones. In one embodiment, content, functions, and/or other selectable items on the home screen or panel(s) of the device are assembled into a one-dimensional list. In some cases, the simplified UI mode can be configured to receive a parsing gesture (e.g., downward drag gesture or a three-finger tap) that causes an item of the list to be aurally presented to the user, and a selection gesture (e.g., release of the drag gesture or a two-finger tap) to select the last aurally presented item. The simplified UI mode may be used in conjunction with a screen protector configured with tactile aid(s) configured to facilitate use of the device by a vision-impaired user. In one case, one of the tactile aids of the screen protector indicates how to activate the simplified user interface mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Ian C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130313331
    Abstract: A thermostat includes a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) wire connectors including a connection to at least one call relay wire. The thermostat may also include a powering circuit, including a rechargeable battery, which is configured to provide electrical power to the thermostat by power stealing from a selected call relay wire. The power stealing may comprise an active power stealing mode, in which power is taken from the same selected call relay wire that is used to call for an HVAC function, and an inactive power stealing mode in which, in which no active call is being made. The powering circuit may be configured to substantially suspend (or at least reduce the level of) power stealing for at least a first time period following each transition of the thermostat from between operating states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.
    Inventors: DANIEL ADAM WARREN, EDWIN H. SATTERTHWAITE, Jr., IAN C. SMITH