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).
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Publication number: 20230353940Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2019Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicant: SPATIALX INC.Inventors: Michael M. PLITKINS, Terrin Dale EAGER, Joseph A. RUFF, Steve HALES, Mark DEGGELLER, Mihnae Calin PACURARIU
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Patent number: 10545517Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 22, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Joseph A. Ruff
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Patent number: 10416627Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Joseph A. Ruff, Mark Malhotra
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Patent number: 10384338Abstract: A robotic vehicle is provided with an extendable arm and a mandible structure. The mandible structure includes a pair of mandibles with toothed portions that cooperatively engage such that the mandibles may be opened and closed by applying a force to only one of the pair of mandibles. The mandible structure hangs freely from the extendable arm and is balanced so that the mandible structure naturally maintains a substantially vertical orientation. In the closed position, the mandible structure defines an interior cavity suitable for securely grasping a ring.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOLInventors: Sean Michael Greene, Benjamin Gerard Gravel, Aaron Joseph Ruff, Sean Michael McDonald, Brian Alexander Nelson, Austin Laboy Schick, Colin Daniel Russell
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Patent number: 10291986Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: SPATIAL, INC.Inventors: Michael M. Plitkins, Terrin Dale Eager, Joseph A Ruff, Steve Hales, Mark S. Deggeller, Mihnea Calin Pacurariu
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Publication number: 20180181149Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Joseph A. Ruff
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Patent number: 9910449Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Joseph A. Ruff
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Patent number: 9857238Abstract: Techniques for determining and using a thermodynamic model that characterizes a thermodynamic response of an enclosure conditioned by an HVAC system are disclosed. To determine a thermodynamic model, temperature information when the HVAC system operates in a first state may first be received. A response interval may then be determined where the response interval indicates an estimated time between when the HVAC system begins operating in the first state and when the temperature within the enclosure begins to change in a direction associated with the first state. Weighting factors corresponding to basis functions may then be determined, where the weighted basis functions characterize the temperature trajectory of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Kara Malhotra, Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen Minich, Joseph Ruff
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Publication number: 20170343229Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Joseph A. Ruff, Mark Malhotra
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Publication number: 20170097193Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, a radiator system, its components, as well as methods of mounting and/or installing thereof. Provided components include radiating fins arranged around a water pipe to form a core assembly. The radiating fins may include a collar and/or reflare and are spaced in the core assembly to permit airflow through the system. The core assembly may be mounted by support elements on hangers from a back plate which is wall mountable. The support elements may create space for airflow between the core assembly and a front casing and/or the back panel. Provided systems, components and methods are useful in commercial and residential baseboard radiators.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Jeremy James Stanley, Kenneth William James Hale, Peter John Burke, Phillip James Cross, Dean Brand, Michael Joseph Ruff, Parker Wheat, Kenneth A. Fagan
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Patent number: 9211922Abstract: A robotic vehicle is provided with improved traction and mobility via a specially designed wheel apparatus including a relatively rigid wheel structure formed from two circular, coaxial sprocketed wheel plates separated by a central hub. The sprockets on the wheel plates are circumferentially aligned with one another, with axially facing sprocket pairs being received in areas defined between circumferentially adjacent pairs of tread links in a series of tread links, equal in number to the number of sprocket pairs, arranged in a circular array around the periphery of the wheel structure. The sprocket pairs are sized and configured in a manner such that substantial relative axial and circumferential movement between the wheel structure and the tread link array are blocked, with the axially facing sprockets in each sprocket pair being axially and resiliently deflected toward one another by surface portions of their associated tread link area.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Cardinal Gibbons High SchoolInventors: Ariana Jacqueline Keeling, Kirby Shane Cook, Timothy Paul Kowalczyk, Aaron Joseph Ruff, Sean Michael McDonald, Sean Michael Greene, Marc Celestini, Brian Alexander Nelson
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Publication number: 20150300892Abstract: Techniques for determining and using a thermodynamic model that characterizes a thermodynamic response of an enclosure conditioned by an HVAC system are disclosed. To determine a thermodynamic model, temperature information when the HVAC system operates in a first state may first be received. A response interval may then be determined where the response interval indicates an estimated time between when the HVAC system begins operating in the first state and when the temperature within the enclosure begins to change in a direction associated with the first state. Weighting factors corresponding to basis functions may then be determined, where the weighted basis functions characterize the temperature trajectory of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2014Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.Inventors: Kara Malhotra, Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen Minich, Joseph Ruff
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Publication number: 20150273687Abstract: A robotic vehicle is provided with an extendable arm and a mandible structure. The mandible structure includes a pair of mandibles with toothed portions that cooperatively engage such that the mandibles may be opened and closed by applying a force to only one of the pair of mandibles. The mandible structure hangs freely from the extendable arm and is balanced so that the mandible structure naturally maintains a substantially vertical orientation. In the closed position, the mandible structure defines an interior cavity suitable for securely grasping a ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOLInventors: Sean Michael Greene, Benjamin Gerard Gravel, Aaron Joseph Ruff, Sean Michael McDonald, Brian Alexander Nelson, Austin Laboy Schick, Colin Daniel Russell
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Publication number: 20140312128Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2013Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Nest Labs, Inc.Inventors: YOKY MATSUOKA, MARK MALHOTRA, ALLEN J. MINICH, JOSEPH A. RUFF
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Publication number: 20140049098Abstract: A robotic vehicle is provided with improved traction and mobility via a specially designed wheel apparatus including a relatively rigid wheel structure formed from two circular, coaxial sprocketed wheel plates separated by a central hub. The sprockets on the wheel plates are circumferentially aligned with one another, with axially facing sprocket pairs being received in areas defined between circumferentially adjacent pairs of tread links in a series of tread links, equal in number to the number of sprocket pairs, arranged in a circular array around the periphery of the wheel structure. The sprocket pairs are sized and configured in a manner such that substantial relative axial and circumferential movement between the wheel structure and the tread link array are blocked, with the axially facing sprockets in each sprocket pair being axially and resiliently deflected toward one another by surface portions of their associated tread link area.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: Cardinal Gibbons High SchoolInventors: Ariana Jacqueline Keeling, Kirby Shane Cook, Timothy Paul Kowalczyk, Aaron Joseph Ruff, Sean Michael McDonald, Sean Michael Greene, Marc Celestini, Brian Alexander Nelson
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Patent number: 8554376Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Nest Labs, IncInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Joseph Ruff, Mark Malhotra
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Patent number: 8531480Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with increased flexibility and control over the appearance and behavior of objects on a user interface are described. Sets of objects can be grouped into themes to provide a user with a distinct overall impression of the interface. These themes can be switched dynamically by switching pointers to drawing procedures or switching data being supplied to these procedures. To buffer applications from the switchable nature of graphical user interfaces according to the present invention, colors and patterns used to implement the interface objects are abstracted from the interface by, for example, pattern look-up tables.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert G. Johnston, Jr., Robert Ulrich
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Patent number: 8515762Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Andrew K. Krumel, Pierre-Alexandre F. Masse, Joseph A. Ruff
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Patent number: 8504621Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating a decision-making process are disclosed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, in response to receiving a request to facilitate a decision making process, the decision-making agent participates in a communications thread where users are attempting to reach a decision regarding a business to frequent and/or an activity to partake. Since group activities are oftentimes scheduled via common communication threads, the decision-making agent can intervene in such communication threads, when requested, and assist the participating users in making a decision or making informed suggestions toward reaching an agreement.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Joseph Ruff, Robert P. Starling, Michael D. Trinkala, Karen M. Cross, Brandon W. Porter, Gary Clayton
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Patent number: D687044Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Nest Labs, Inc.Inventor: Joseph A. Ruff