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).
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Publication number: 20150323212Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, JR., Ian C. Smith
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Publication number: 20150268674Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 9086703Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 2, 2014Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr., Ian C. Smith
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Patent number: 9046898Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 8, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20150022026Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Ian C. Smith, Daniel Adam Warren, Scott Mullins, Brian Jonathan Conner
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Publication number: 20150022368Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Ian C. Smith, Daniel Adam Warren, Scott Mullins, Brian Jonathan Conner
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Publication number: 20150022349Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Ian C. Smith, Daniel Adam Warren, Scott Mullins, Brian Jonathan Conner
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Publication number: 20150021997Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Ian C. Smith, Daniel Adam Warren, Scott Mullins, Brian Jonathan Conner
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Publication number: 20150021993Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Ian C. Smith, Daniel Adam Warren, Scott Mullins, Brian Jonathan Conner
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Publication number: 20150022346Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Scott Mullins, Brian Jonathan Conner, Ian C. Smith
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Publication number: 20140358295Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20140346240Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.Inventors: DANIEL ADAM WARREN, EDWIN H. SATTERTHWAITE, JR., IAN C. SMITH
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Patent number: 8788103Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 8, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 8770491Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Nest Labs Inc.Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr., Ian C. Smith
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Publication number: 20140175181Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Brian J. Conner, Ian C. Smith
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Patent number: 8659302Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Nest Labs, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Brian J. Conner, Ian C. Smith
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Patent number: 8627127Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20130328809Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventor: Ian C. Smith
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Publication number: 20130332827Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventor: Ian C. Smith
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Publication number: 20130313331Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.Inventors: DANIEL ADAM WARREN, EDWIN H. SATTERTHWAITE, Jr., IAN C. SMITH