Patents by Inventor Joseph A. Ruff

Joseph A. Ruff 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: 20230353940
    Abstract: An audio system may include a communication interface configured to obtain first audio data and second audio data from an audio data source. The audio system may also include memory configured to store the first audio data and the second audio data. The audio system may also include a sensor configured to detect a condition of an environment and to produce a sensor output signal that represents the detected condition of the environment. The audio system may also include one or more processors that may be configured to cause performance of operations. The operations may include generating an audio signal including the first audio data and adjusting the audio signal to include the second audio data based on the sensor output signal. The audio system may also include a speaker that may be configured to provide an audio experience based on the audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: SPATIALX INC.
    Inventors: Michael M. PLITKINS, Terrin Dale EAGER, Joseph A. RUFF, Steve HALES, Mark DEGGELLER, Mihnae Calin PACURARIU
  • Patent number: 10545517
    Abstract: In controlling the HVAC system, a need to determine an expected indoor temperature profile for a particular schedule of setpoint temperatures may arise. To make such a determination, a thermodynamic model of the structure is used. The thermodynamic model is generated by fitting weighting factors of a set of basis functions to a variety of historical data including time information, temperature information, and HVAC actuation state information. The set of basis functions characterize an indoor temperature trajectory of the structure in response to a change in HVAC actuation state, and include an inertial carryover component that characterizes a carryover of a rate of indoor temperature change that was occurring immediately prior to the change in actuation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Joseph A. Ruff
  • Patent number: 10416627
    Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that continuously, periodically, or intermittently monitor progress towards one or more control goals under one or more constraints in order to achieve control that satisfies potentially conflicting goals. An intelligent controller may alter aspects of control, dynamically, while the control is being carried out, in order to ensure that goals are obtained and a balance is achieved between potentially conflicting goals. The intelligent controller uses various types of information to determine an initial control strategy as well as to dynamically adjust the control strategy as the control is being carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Joseph A. Ruff, Mark Malhotra
  • Patent number: 10291986
    Abstract: An audio system may include a communication interface configured to obtain first audio data and second audio data from an audio data source. The audio system may also include memory configured to store the first audio data and the second audio data. The audio system may also include a sensor configured to detect a condition of an environment and to produce a sensor output signal that represents the detected condition of the environment. The audio system may also include one or more processors that may be configured to cause performance of operations. The operations may include generating an audio signal including the first audio data and adjusting the audio signal to include the second audio data based on the sensor output signal. The audio system may also include a speaker that may be configured to provide an audio experience based on the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: SPATIAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael M. Plitkins, Terrin Dale Eager, Joseph A Ruff, Steve Hales, Mark S. Deggeller, Mihnea Calin Pacurariu
  • Publication number: 20180181149
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for generating and implementing thermodynamic models of a structure. Thermostats disclosed herein are operable to control an HVAC system. In controlling the HVAC system, a need to determine an expected indoor temperature profile for a particular schedule of setpoint temperatures may arise. To make such a determination, a thermodynamic model of the structure may be used. The thermodynamic model may be generated by fitting weighting factors of a set of basis functions to a variety of historical data including time information, temperature information, and HVAC actuation state information. The set of basis functions characterize an indoor temperature trajectory of the structure in response to a change in HVAC actuation state, and include an inertial carryover component that characterizes a carryover of a rate of indoor temperature change that was occurring immediately prior to the change in actuation state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Joseph A. Ruff
  • Patent number: 9910449
    Abstract: Thermostats disclosed herein are operable to control an HVAC system. In controlling the HVAC system, a need to determine an expected indoor temperature profile for a particular schedule of setpoint temperatures may arise. To make such a determination, a thermodynamic model of the structure is used. The thermodynamic model may be generated by fitting weighting factors of a set of basis functions to a variety of historical data including time information, temperature information, and HVAC actuation state information. The set of basis functions characterize an indoor temperature trajectory of the structure in response to a change in HVAC actuation state, and include an inertial carryover component that characterizes a carryover of a rate of indoor temperature change that was occurring immediately prior to the change in actuation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Joseph A. Ruff
  • Publication number: 20170343229
    Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that continuously, periodically, or intermittently monitor progress towards one or more control goals under one or more constraints in order to achieve control that satisfies potentially conflicting goals. An intelligent controller may alter aspects of control, dynamically, while the control is being carried out, in order to ensure that goals are obtained and a balance is achieved between potentially conflicting goals. The intelligent controller uses various types of information to determine an initial control strategy as well as to dynamically adjust the control strategy as the control is being carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Joseph A. Ruff, Mark Malhotra
  • Publication number: 20140312128
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for generating and implementing thermodynamic models of a structure. Thermostats disclosed herein are operable to control an HVAC system. In controlling the HVAC system, a need to determine an expected indoor temperature profile for a particular schedule of setpoint temperatures may arise. To make such a determination, a thermodynamic model of the structure may be used. The thermodynamic model may be generated by fitting weighting factors of a set of basis functions to a variety of historical data including time information, temperature information, and HVAC actuation state information. The set of basis functions characterize an indoor temperature trajectory of the structure in response to a change in HVAC actuation state, and include an inertial carryover component that characterizes a carryover of a rate of indoor temperature change that was occurring immediately prior to the change in actuation state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: YOKY MATSUOKA, MARK MALHOTRA, ALLEN J. MINICH, JOSEPH A. RUFF
  • Patent number: 8515762
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for selecting and utilizing multiple recognizers to process an utterance based on a markup language document. The markup language document and an utterance are received in a computing device. One or more recognizers are selected from among the multiple recognizers for returning a results set for the utterance based on markup language in the markup language document. The results set is received from the one or more selected recognizers in a format determined by a processing method specified in the markup language document. An event is then executed on the computing device in response to receiving the results set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew K. Krumel, Pierre-Alexandre F. Masse, Joseph A. Ruff
  • Publication number: 20100185447
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for selecting and utilizing multiple recognizers to process an utterance based on a markup language document. The markup language document and an utterance are received in a computing device. One or more recognizers are selected from among the multiple recognizers for returning a results set for the utterance based on markup language in the markup language document. The results set is received from the one or more selected recognizers in a format determined by a processing method specified in the markup language document. An event is then executed on the computing device in response to receiving the results set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew K. Krumel, Pierre-Alexandre F. Masse, Joseph A. Ruff
  • Patent number: 6664981
    Abstract: The program code for control objects in a graphical user interface is organized in a multi-level hierarchial structure. At one level of the structure, each different type of control defines a class of objects. The definition of a class includes most, if not all, of the functionality associated with the objects of that class. In addition, the class definition includes the overall structure of the object, such as the relative positions of different elements which make up the object. The actual appearance of these elements is defined by user selectable software that resides at a lower level of the hierarchy. Using this approach, only one instance of the program code which defines the functionality and overall structure of each object is required, resulting in smaller the overall memory requirements of the program code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Dylan B. Ashe, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Joseph A. Ruff, Daniel Clifford
  • Publication number: 20020093523
    Abstract: The program code for control objects in a graphical user interface is organized in a multi-level hierarchial structure. At one level of the structure, each different type of control defines a class of objects. The definition of a class includes most, if not all, of the functionality associated with the objects of that class. In addition, the class definition includes the overall structure of the object, such as the relative positions of different elements which make up the object. The actual appearance of these elements is defined by user selectable software that resides at a lower level of the hierarchy. Using this approach, only one instance of the program code which defines the functionality and overall structure of each object is required, resulting in smaller the overall memory requirements of the program code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Dylan B. Ashe, Robert G. Johnston, Joseph A. Ruff, Daniel Clifford
  • Patent number: 6307574
    Abstract: The program code for control objects in a graphical user interface is organized in a multi-level hierarchial structure. At one level of the structure, each different type of control defines a class of objects. The definition of a class includes most, if not all, of the functionality associated with the objects of that class. In addition, the class definition includes the overall structure of the object, such as the relative positions of different elements which make up the object. The actual appearance of these elements is defined by user selectable software that resides at a lower level of the hierarchy. Using this approach, only one instance of the program code which defines the functionality and overall structure of each object is required, resulting in smaller the overall memory requirements of the program code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Dylan B. Ashe, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Joseph A. Ruff, Daniel Clifford
  • Patent number: D687044
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Ruff