Patents by Inventor Mark D. Stefanski
Mark D. Stefanski 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: 9575496Abstract: Arrangements for configuring a thermostat for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are presented. A thermostat may receive information indicative of the HVAC system comprising an air conditioner and information indicative of the HVAC system comprising a multi-stage heat pump. The thermostat may modify configuration information of the thermostat based on the information indicative of the air conditioner and the information indicative of the multi-stage heat pump. The thermostat may then control the HVAC system in accordance with the modified configuration information.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, David Sloo, Mark D. Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
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Publication number: 20170045864Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficiently controlling energy-consuming systems, such as heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For example, an electronic device used to control an HVAC system may encourage a user to select energy-efficient temperature setpoints. Based on the selected temperature setpoints, the electronic device may generate or modify a schedule of temperature setpoints to control the HVAC system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Yoky Matsuoka, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Michael James Matas, Matthew Lee Rogers, Evan J. Fisher, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, IV, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
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Patent number: 9541300Abstract: A thermostat may include a processing system, a plurality of HVAC connectors configured to receive a corresponding plurality of HVAC control wires, and a connection sensing circuit coupled to the plurality of HVAC connectors and configured to provide an indication to the processing system of whether a wire is inserted for each of the plurality of HVAC connectors. The processing system may be configured to receive an indication from the connection sensing circuit when an HVAC connector in the plurality of HVAC connectors has a wire inserted therein, the HVAC connector being associated with a plurality of possible HVAC functions. The processing system may also be configured to display the plurality of possible HVAC functions on a user interface, to receive input selecting one of the possible HVAC functions for the HVAC connector, and to operate the selected HVAC function through the HVAC connector.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Stefanski, David Sloo, Yoky Matsuoka
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Patent number: 9534805Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling fan-only cooling. A first phase of a first cooling cycle may be initiated in an enclosure using an air conditioning system having a compressor and a fan that passes air over an evaporator coil. The first phase may include activation of the compressor and activation of the fan. A relative humidity may be measured within the enclosure during the first phase of the first cooling cycle. Subsequent to the first phase and in response to the relative humidity being determined to be below a threshold relative humidity, a second phase of the first cooling cycle may be initiated during which the fan is activated but the compressor is not activated.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark D. Stefanski, David Sloo
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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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Publication number: 20160363943Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe thermostats that are configured to precondition an enclosure and methods for performing the same. According to one embodiment, a method of preconditioning an enclosure includes providing a thermostat and computing a set of preconditioning criteria information (PCI) with said thermostat. The computed PCI is typically representative of time and ambient temperature conditions for which preconditioning should be performed. The PCI may be stored in memory and used to compare against a current time and current ambient temperature condition of the enclosure to determine whether to enter the thermostat into a preconditioning state. If a determination is made that the PCI criteria are satisfied, the thermostat may be entered into the preconditioning state to heat or cool the enclosure. One or more of these processes may be performed while a processor of the thermostat is in a relatively high power mode or relatively low power mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
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Patent number: 9459018Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficiently controlling energy-consuming systems, such as heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For example, an electronic device used to control an HVAC system may encourage a user to select energy-efficient temperature setpoints. Based on the selected temperature setpoints, the electronic device may generate or modify a schedule of temperature setpoints to control the HVAC system.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Yoky Matsuoka, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, Michael James Matas, Matthew Lee Rogers, Evan J. Fisher, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, IV, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
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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: 20160139582Abstract: HVAC schedules may be programmed for a thermostat using a combination of pre-existing schedules or templates and automated schedule learning. For example, a pre-existing schedule may be initiated on the thermostat and the automated schedule learning may be used to update the pre-existing schedule based on users' interactions with the thermostat. The preexisting HVAC schedules may be stored on a device or received from a social networking service or another online service that includes shared HVAC schedules.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
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Patent number: 9256230Abstract: HVAC schedules may be programmed for a thermostat using a combination of pre-existing schedules or templates and automated schedule learning. For example, a pre-existing schedule may be initiated on the thermostat and the automated schedule learning may be used to update the pre-existing schedule based on users' interactions with the thermostat. The preexisting HVAC schedules may be stored on a device or received from a social networking service or another online service that includes shared HVAC schedules.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthey L. Rogers, David Sloo, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
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Patent number: 9189751Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that use sensor output and electronically stored information, including one or more of electronically stored rules, parameters, and instructions, to determine whether or not one or more types of entities are present within an area, volume, or environment monitored by the intelligent controllers. The intelligent controllers select operational modes and modify control schedules with respect to the presence and absence of the one or more entities. The intelligent controllers employ feedback information to continuously adjust the electronically stored parameters and rules in order to minimize the number of incorrect inferences with respect to the presence or absence of the one or more entities and in order to maximize the efficiency by which various types of systems controlled by the intelligent controllers carry out selected operational modes.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Evan J. Fisher, Mark Malhotra, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan, Frank E. Astier
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Publication number: 20150293541Abstract: Arrangements for configuring a thermostat for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are presented. A thermostat may receive information indicative of the HVAC system comprising an air conditioner and information indicative of the HVAC system comprising a multi-stage heat pump. The thermostat may modify configuration information of the thermostat based on the information indicative of the air conditioner and the information indicative of the multi-stage heat pump. The thermostat may then control the HVAC system in accordance with the modified configuration information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: ANTHONY MICHAEL FADELL, MATTHEW LEE ROGERS, DAVID SLOO, MARK D. STEFANSKI, YOKY MATSUOKA
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Publication number: 20150292765Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling fan-only cooling. A first phase of a first cooling cycle may be initiated in an enclosure using an air conditioning system having a compressor and a fan that passes air over an evaporator coil. The first phase may include activation of the compressor and activation of the fan. A relative humidity may be measured within the enclosure during the first phase of the first cooling cycle. Subsequent to the first phase and in response to the relative humidity being determined to be below a threshold relative humidity, a second phase of the first cooling cycle may be initiated during which the fan is activated but the compressor is not activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark D. Stefanski, David Sloo
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Publication number: 20150241079Abstract: The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that initially aggressively learn, and then continue, in a steady-state mode, to monitor, learn, and modify one or more control schedules that specify a desired operational behavior of a device, machine, system, or organization controlled by the intelligent controller. An intelligent controller generally acquires one or more initial control schedules through schedule-creation and schedule-modification interfaces or by accessing a default control schedule stored locally or remotely in a memory or mass-storage device. The intelligent controller then proceeds to learn, over time, a desired operational behavior for the device, machine, system, or organization controlled by the intelligent controller based on immediate-control inputs, schedule-modification inputs, and previous and current control schedules, encoding the desired operational behavior in one or more control schedules and/or sub-schedules.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
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Publication number: 20150219357Abstract: A thermostat may include a processing system, a plurality of HVAC connectors configured to receive a corresponding plurality of HVAC control wires, and a connection sensing circuit coupled to the plurality of HVAC connectors and configured to provide an indication to the processing system of whether a wire is inserted for each of the plurality of HVAC connectors. The processing system may be configured to receive an indication from the connection sensing circuit when an HVAC connector in the plurality of HVAC connectors has a wire inserted therein, the HVAC connector being associated with a plurality of possible HVAC functions. The processing system may also be configured to display the plurality of possible HVAC functions on a user interface, to receive input selecting one of the possible HVAC functions for the HVAC connector, and to operate the selected HVAC function through the HVAC connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Stefanski, David Sloo, Yoky Matsuoka
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Patent number: 9092039Abstract: A thermostat includes a housing, a user interface, and a processing system configured to control an HVAC system using setpoint temperature values. The thermostat may also include a plurality of HVAC connectors configured to receive corresponding HVAC control wires, and a connection sensing module configured to determine the identities of HVAC connectors into which corresponding wires have been inserted. The processing system is further configured to select and display one or more user inquiries using the user interface based on which connectors have wires inserted, thereby enhancing and streamlining the user installation procedure.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, David Sloo, Mark D. Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
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Patent number: 9091453Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling fan-only cooling duration following normal air conditioning operation. Following normal AC cooling, economical fan cooling is used. The duration of the fan cooling period is adjusted based on temperature measurements made during the previous cooling cycle that ended with fan cooling. An expected temperature drop to be provided by fan cooling as well as an expected time to achieve that drop is calculated based on prior measurements. The expected values are then used improve fan cooling for subsequent cooling cycles. In some cases, fan cooling is not initiated unless: (1) a time limit has an elapsed, such that sufficient condensation is allowed to form on the evaporator coil during the first phase, and (2) indoor relative humidity is below a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark D. Stefanski, David Sloo
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Publication number: 20150168002Abstract: The present disclosure relates to thermostatically controlling a HVAC system according to a temperature program that is at least partially responsive to observed or predicted changes in the type or degree of occupant activity. For example, a thermostat may process collected occupant activity data in conjunction a temperature program to identify a particular temperature setpoint that is associated with a statistically detectable change between a first and a second type or degree of occupant activity. During a time window that includes the identified temperature setpoint, if the thermostat detects the change between the first and the second type or degree of occupant activity in the occupant activity data, the thermostat may responsively implement the temperature associated with the identified temperature setpoint, regardless of whether the current time is prior to, the same as, or subsequent to the time associated with the identified temperature setpoint.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Michael Plitkins, Mark D. Stefanski, David Sloo, Yoky Matsuoka
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Publication number: 20150168003Abstract: A system includes a thermostat that controls a heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system of a structure in accordance with a signature-based temperature program. The thermostat includes one or more sensors configured to collect occupant activity data, a network interface configured to communicate with at least one online resource, a memory configured to store a signature-based temperature model, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a temperature to implement from an output of the signature-based temperature model, wherein a current value of the at least one model input and a current measure of occupant activity are provided as inputs to the signature-based temperature model. The processor is further configured to provide control signals to the HVAC system to implement the determined temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Mark D. Stefanski, Michael Plitkins, David Sloo, Yoky Matsuoka
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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