Patents by Inventor Joseph Adam RUFF
Joseph Adam 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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Patent number: 10481780Abstract: A smart-home device includes a user interface including an electronic display having a first display mode and a second display mode, the first display mode generally requiring more power than said second display mode. The device also includes a processing system in operative communication with one or more environmental sensors for determining at least one environmental condition. The device additionally includes at least one sensor configured to detect a physical closeness of a user to the at least one sensor. The processing system may be configured to cause the electronic display to be in the first display mode when a closeness threshold has been exceeded, where the processing system is further configured to automatically adjust the closeness threshold based at least in part on a historical plurality of physical closeness events as detected by the at least one sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Joseph Adam Ruff, Jonathan P. Solnit, Edwin H. Satterthwaite
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Patent number: 10241484Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that continuously, periodically, or intermittently calculate and display the time remaining until a control task is projected to be completed by the intelligent controller. In general, the intelligent controller employs multiple different models for the time behavior of one or more parameters or characteristics within a region or volume affected by one or more devices, systems, or other entities controlled by the intelligent controller. The intelligent controller collects data, over time, from which the models are constructed and uses the models to predict the time remaining until one or more characteristics or parameters of the region or volume reaches one or more specified values as a result of intelligent controller control of one or more devices, systems, or other entities.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Rangoli Sharan, Mark D. Stefanski, Joseph Adam Ruff
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Patent number: 10151501Abstract: A thermostat includes a control unit, a plurality of connection ports, and a user interface operatively coupled to the control unit an having an electronic display. The control unit may be configured and programmed to operate the wire insertion sensing circuits to identify a set of the plurality of connection ports into which corresponding ones of the plurality of HVAC wires have been inserted; cause the electronic display to display a photograph of the plurality of connection ports as they actually appear to a user; and cause the electronic display to visually highlight the set of the plurality of connection ports into which the corresponding ones of the plurality of HVAC wires have been inserted.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Yoky Matsuoka, Matthew Lee Rogers, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Rangoli Sharan, Joseph Adam Ruff
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Patent number: 9910577Abstract: A thermostat may include a memory and a processing system. The processing system may operate by determining a set of wake-up conditions for the processor to enter into a second operating state from a first operating state, the set of wake-up conditions including at least one threshold value associated with at least one environmental and/or time-of-day condition; causing the set of wake-up conditions to be stored in a memory; operating in a first mode in which the processor is in the first operating state during a time interval subsequent to causing the set of wake-up conditions to be stored in the memory; determining, while the processor is in the first operating state, whether at least one of the set of wake-up conditions has been met; and then operating in a second mode in which the processor is in the second operating state.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Mark D. Stefanski, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Andrea Mucignat, Joseph Adam Ruff, Hugo Fiennes
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Publication number: 20170248337Abstract: A thermostat includes a control unit, a plurality of connection ports, and a user interface operatively coupled to the control unit an having an electronic display. The control unit may be configured and programmed to operate the wire insertion sensing circuits to identify a set of the plurality of connection ports into which corresponding ones of the plurality of HVAC wires have been inserted; cause the electronic display to display a photograph of the plurality of connection ports as they actually appear to a user; and cause the electronic display to visually highlight the set of the plurality of connection ports into which the corresponding ones of the plurality of HVAC wires have been inserted.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Yoky Matsuoka, Matthew Lee Rogers, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Rangoli Sharan, Joseph Adam Ruff
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Patent number: 9746198Abstract: 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: March 3, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Joseph Adam Ruff, Mark Malhotra
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Patent number: 9702579Abstract: In a multi-sensing, wirelessly communicating learning thermostat that uses power-harvesting to charge an internal power source, methods are disclosed for ensuring that the battery does not become depleted or damaged while at the same time ensuring selected levels of thermostat functionality. Charge status is monitored to determine whether the present rate of power usage needs to be stemmed. If the present rate of power usage needs to be stemmed, then a progression of performance levels and/or functionalities can be scaled back according to a predetermined progressive power conservation algorithm. In one embodiment, a wake-on-proximity function that activates a user interface based on readings from the proximity sensor may be altered while still allowing a HVAC control circuitry to operate as normal.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Grant M. Erickson, Andrea Mucignat, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Joseph Adam Ruff, Joseph E. Palmer, Shigefumi Honjo
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Patent number: 9684317Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system and related systems, methods, and computer program products for facilitating user-friendly installation of the thermostat are described. For one embodiment, automated installation verification is performed by the thermostat by automatically sensing which wires have been inserted, selecting a candidate HVAC operating function (e.g., heating or cooling) that is consistent with a subset of HVAC signal types indicated by the inserted wires, applying control signals to the HVAC system to invoke that HVAC operating function, and processing a time sequence of acquired temperature readings to determine whether that HVAC operating function was successfully carried out. For one embodiment, the initial automated testing of the heating and cooling functions are only carried out at times for which such heating or cooling function would normally be invoked during normal operation of the thermostat. Automated determination of a heat pump call convention is also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Yoky Matsuoka, Matthew Lee Rogers, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Rangoli Sharan, Joseph Adam Ruff
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Publication number: 20160377308Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that continuously, periodically, or intermittently calculate and display the time remaining until a control task is projected to be completed by the intelligent controller. In general, the intelligent controller employs multiple different models for the time behavior of one or more parameters or characteristics within a region or volume affected by one or more devices, systems, or other entities controlled by the intelligent controller. The intelligent controller collects data, over time, from which the models are constructed and uses the models to predict the time remaining until one or more characteristics or parameters of the region or volume reaches one or more specified values as a result of intelligent controller control of one or more devices, systems, or other entities.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Rangoli Sharan, Mark D. Stefanski, Joseph Adam Ruff
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Patent number: 9448568Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that continuously, periodically, or intermittently calculate and display the time remaining until a control task is projected to be completed by the intelligent controller. In general, the intelligent controller employs multiple different models for the time behavior of one or more parameters or characteristics within a region or volume affected by one or more devices, systems, or other entities controlled by the intelligent controller. The intelligent controller collects data, over time, from which the models are constructed and uses the models to predict the time remaining until one or more characteristics or parameters of the region or volume reaches one or more specified values as a result of intelligent controller control of one or more devices, systems, or other entities.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Rangoli Sharan, Mark D. Stefanski, Joseph Adam Ruff
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Publication number: 20160162008Abstract: A smart-home device includes a user interface including an electronic display having a first display mode and a second display mode, the first display mode generally requiring more power than said second display mode. The device also includes a processing system in operative communication with one or more environmental sensors for determining at least one environmental condition. The device additionally includes at least one sensor configured to detect a physical closeness of a user to the at least one sensor. The processing system may be configured to cause the electronic display to be in the first display mode when a closeness threshold has been exceeded, where the processing system is further configured to automatically adjust the closeness threshold based at least in part on a historical plurality of physical closeness events as detected by the at least one sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Joseph Adam Ruff, Jonathan P. Solnit, Edwin H. Satterthwaite
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Patent number: 9261289Abstract: A smart-home device includes a user interface including an electronic display having a first display mode and a second display mode, the first display mode generally requiring more power than said second display mode. The device also includes a processing system in operative communication with one or more environmental sensors for determining at least one environmental condition. The device additionally includes at least one sensor configured to detect a physical closeness of a user to the at least one sensor. The processing system may be configured to cause the electronic display to be in the first display mode when a closeness threshold has been exceeded, where the processing system is further configured to automatically adjust the closeness threshold based at least in part on a historical plurality of physical closeness events as detected by the at least one sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Joseph Adam Ruff, Jonathan Solnit, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150241078Abstract: 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: March 3, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: GOOGLE, INC.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Joseph Adam Ruff, Mark Malhotra
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Publication number: 20150233596Abstract: In a multi-sensing, wirelessly communicating learning thermostat that uses power-harvesting to charge an internal power source, methods are disclosed for ensuring that the battery does not become depleted or damaged while at the same time ensuring selected levels of thermostat functionality. Charge status is monitored to determine whether the present rate of power usage needs to be stemmed. If the present rate of power usage needs to be stemmed, then a progression of performance levels and/or functionalities can be scaled back according to a predetermined progressive power conservation algorithm. In one embodiment, a wake-on-proximity function that activates a user interface based on readings from the proximity sensor may be altered while still allowing a HVAC control circuitry to operate as normal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Grant M. Erickson, Andrea Mucignat, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Joseph Adam Ruff, Joseph E. Palmer, Shigefumi Honjo
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Publication number: 20150153060Abstract: A thermostat may include a memory and a processing system. The processing system may operate by determining a set of wake-up conditions for the processor to enter into a second operating state from a first operating state, the set of wake-up conditions including at least one threshold value associated with at least one environmental and/or time-of-day condition; causing the set of wake-up conditions to be stored in a memory; operating in a first mode in which the processor is in the first operating state during a time interval subsequent to causing the set of wake-up conditions to be stored in the memory; determining, while the processor is in the first operating state, whether at least one of the set of wake-up conditions has been met; and then operating in a second mode in which the processor is in the second operating state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2015Publication date: June 4, 2015Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Stefanski, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Andrea Mucignat, Joseph Adam Ruff, Hugo Fiennes
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Patent number: 9026254Abstract: In a multi-sensing, wirelessly communicating learning thermostat that uses power-harvesting to charge an internal battery, methods are disclosed for ensuring that the battery does not become depleted or damaged while at the same time ensuring selected levels of thermostat functionality. Battery charge status is monitored to determine whether the present rate of power usage needs to be stemmed. If the present rate of power usage needs to be stemmed, then a progression of performance levels and/or functionalities are scaled back according to a predetermined progressive power conservation algorithm. In a less preferred embodiment, there is a simple progressive shutdown of functionalities turned off in sequence until the desired amount of discharge stemming is reached. Battery charge preservation measures are also described for cases when an interruption of external supply power used to recharge the battery is detected.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Grant M. Erickson, Andrea Mucignat, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Jr., Joseph Adam Ruff, Joseph E. Palmer, Shigefumi Honjo
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Patent number: 9002526Abstract: 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 19, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Joseph Adam Ruff, Mark Malhotra
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Patent number: 8942853Abstract: A thermostat may include a memory and a processing system. The processing system may operate by determining a set of wake-up conditions for the processor to enter into a second operating state from a first operating state, the set of wake-up conditions including at least one threshold value associated with at least one environmental condition; causing the set of wake-up conditions to be stored in the memory; operating in a first mode in which the processor is in the first operating state during a time interval subsequent to causing the set of wake-up conditions to be stored in the memory; determining, while the processor is in the first operating state, whether at least one of the set of wake-up conditions has been met; and then operating in a second mode in which the processor is in the second operating state.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Stefanski, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Edwin H. Satterthwaite, Andrea Mucignat, Joseph Adam Ruff, Hugo Fiennes
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Publication number: 20140364966Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that continuously, periodically, or intermittently calculate and display the time remaining until a control task is projected to be completed by the intelligent controller. In general, the intelligent controller employs multiple different models for the time behavior of one or more parameters or characteristics within a region or volume affected by one or more devices, systems, or other entities controlled by the intelligent controller. The intelligent controller collects data, over time, from which the models are constructed and uses the models to predict the time remaining until one or more characteristics or parameters of the region or volume reaches one or more specified values as a result of intelligent controller control of one or more devices, systems, or other entities.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Rangoli Sharan, Mark D. Stefanski, Joseph Adam Ruff
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Publication number: 20140236360Abstract: 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 19, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Nest Labs, Inc.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Joseph Adam Ruff, Mark Malhotra