Patents by Inventor Mark Stefanski

Mark 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).

  • Patent number: 11398145
    Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for monitoring a resident of a residence. A confidence assessment may be performed based on a plurality of smart home devices in the residence. The residence may be identified as eligible for monitoring of the resident based on the confidence assessment. A learning process may be performed to create an ordinary behavior model. Data that is received from the plurality of smart home devices may be monitored to identify data indicative of behavior considered unusual based on the ordinary behavior model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20210158097
    Abstract: A method for fill level determination, which can include receiving a set training set, training a neural network, selecting reference images, and/or determining a container fill level. A system for fill level determination, which can include a computing system, one or more containers, and/or one or more content sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Justin Armstrong, Shandy Brown, Mark Stefanski, Matthew Duncan
  • Publication number: 20210118278
    Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for monitoring a resident of a residence. A confidence assessment may be performed based on a plurality of smart home devices in the residence. The residence may be identified as eligible for monitoring of the resident based on the confidence assessment. A learning process may be performed to create an ordinary behavior model. Data that is received from the plurality of smart home devices may be monitored to identify data indicative of behavior considered unusual based on the ordinary behavior model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10909832
    Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for monitoring a resident of a residence. A confidence assessment may be performed based on a plurality of smart home devices in the residence. The residence may be identified as eligible for monitoring of the resident based on the confidence assessment. A learning process may be performed to create an ordinary behavior model. Data that is received from the plurality of smart home devices may be monitored to identify data indicative of behavior considered unusual based on the ordinary behavior model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10544946
    Abstract: This patent specification relates to methods and systems that can detect over cycling conditions that exist in an HVAC system. The over cycling condition can be caused by overheating of a forced air heating system or furnace of the HVAC system control. When the furnace overheats, a thermally actuated limit switch within the furnace may cut off power to a heat generation apparatus. The limit switch can reconnect the power to the heat generation apparatus after it has cooled down, at which point the thermostat control system may issue another heating call to continue heating the enclosure so that it reaches the desired temperature. If the overheat condition persist, then the thermally actuated switch will cut power, resulting in repeated power cycling. The detection system and methods can monitor these power loss events and use them as data points for determining whether an alert condition exists within the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Marie Pellat
  • Publication number: 20200020220
    Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for monitoring a resident of a residence. A confidence assessment may be performed based on a plurality of smart home devices in the residence. The residence may be identified as eligible for monitoring of the resident based on the confidence assessment. A learning process may be performed to create an ordinary behavior model. Data that is received from the plurality of smart home devices may be monitored to identify data indicative of behavior considered unusual based on the ordinary behavior model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10467879
    Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for monitoring a resident of a residence. A confidence assessment may be performed based on a plurality of smart home devices in the residence. The residence may be identified as eligible for monitoring of the resident based on the confidence assessment. A learning process may be performed to create an ordinary behavior model. Data that is received from the plurality of smart home devices may be monitored to identify data indicative of behavior considered unusual based on the ordinary behavior model. An alert may be created that identifies the behavior and identifies how the behavior contrasts with the ordinary behavior model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20190122522
    Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for monitoring a resident of a residence. A confidence assessment may be performed based on a plurality of smart home devices in the residence. The residence may be identified as eligible for monitoring of the resident based on the confidence assessment. A learning process may be performed to create an ordinary behavior model. Data that is received from the plurality of smart home devices may be monitored to identify data indicative of behavior considered unusual based on the ordinary behavior model. An alert may be created that identifies the behavior and identifies how the behavior contrasts with the ordinary behavior model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10209688
    Abstract: A thermostat may include a plurality of heat-generating components; a plurality of first temperature sensors, each of the plurality of first temperature sensors being disposed next to a corresponding one of the plurality of heat-generating components; a second temperature sensor that is disposed away from the plurality of heat-generating components; and a memory device storing a coefficient matrix. The thermostat may also include one or more processors that combine a plurality of inputs to calculate an ambient temperature for an enclosure in which the thermostat is installed, the plurality of inputs including readings from the plurality of first temperature sensors, readings from the second temperature sensor, and the coefficient matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: John Stefanski, Vivek Goyal, Orville Buenaventura, Alexander Schoenen, Mark Stefanski
  • Publication number: 20180231259
    Abstract: This patent specification relates to methods and systems that can detect over cycling conditions that exist in an HVAC system. The over cycling condition can be caused by overheating of a forced air heating system or furnace of the HVAC system control. When the furnace overheats, a thermally actuated limit switch within the furnace may cut off power to a heat generation apparatus. The limit switch can reconnect the power to the heat generation apparatus after it has cooled down, at which point the thermostat control system may issue another heating call to continue heating the enclosure so that it reaches the desired temperature. If the overheat condition persist, then the thermally actuated switch will cut power, resulting in repeated power cycling. The detection system and methods can monitor these power loss events and use them as data points for determining whether an alert condition exists within the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Marie Pellat
  • Patent number: 10030880
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Evan Jarman Fisher, Mark Rajan Malhotra, Mark Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan, Frank Astier
  • Patent number: 9915435
    Abstract: This patent specification relates to methods and systems that can detect over cycling conditions that exist in an HVAC system. The over cycling condition can be caused by overheating of a forced air heating system or furnace of the HVAC system control. When the furnace overheats, a thermally actuated limit switch within the furnace may cut off power to a heat generation apparatus. The limit switch can reconnect the power to the heat generation apparatus after it has cooled down, at which point the thermostat control system may issue another heating call to continue heating the enclosure so that it reaches the desired temperature. If the overheat condition persist, then the thermally actuated switch will cut power, resulting in repeated power cycling. The detection system and methods can monitor these power loss events and use them as data points for determining whether an alert condition exists within the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Marie Pellat
  • Patent number: 9909777
    Abstract: A smart-home device may include a user interface having a first operating mode and a second operating mode, and a four-channel thermopile. A processing system may be programmed to receive an indication of a user presence near the smart-home device from the thermopile, and determine a motion signature based on the responses from the thermopile. The processing system may also be programmed to process the determined motion signature to determine the presence of a condition warranting user interface entry into the first mode from the second mode, and cause the user interface to transition from the first mode to the second mode based on the determined motion signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Vivek Goyal, John Stefanski, Mark Stefanski
  • Publication number: 20170059197
    Abstract: A thermostat may include a user interface having a first operating mode and a second operating mode, and a first proximity sensor configured to detect a user presence within a first range, the first proximity sensor comprising a plurality of channels comprising a left channel and a right channel, the right channel producing a response when a user presence is detected to the right of the thermostat, and the left channel producing a response when a user presence is detected to the left of the thermostat. A processing system may be programmed to receive an indication of a user presence within the first range from the first proximity sensor, the indication of the user presence being associated with responses from a plurality of the channels of the first proximity detector, and determine a motion signature based on the responses from the plurality of the channels of the first proximity detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Vivek Goyal, John Stefanski, Mark Stefanski
  • Publication number: 20170060369
    Abstract: A deivce may include a user interface configured to display at least a first graphical display and a second graphical display, a first proximity sensor having a first responsive range, and a second proximity sensor having a second responsive range. A processing system may be programmed to control the user interface by receiving an indication of a user presence within the second responsive range from the second proximity sensor while not receiving an indication of a user presence within the first responsive range from the first proximity sensor and causing the user interface to display the second graphical display. The processing system may also be programmed to receive an indication of a user presence within the first responsive range from the first proximity sensor and an indication of the user presence within the second responsive range from the second proximity sensor and cause the user interface to transition from the second graphical display to the first graphical display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Goyal, John Stefanski, David Saltzman, Mark Stefanski, David Sloo, Isabel Thornton
  • Publication number: 20170059190
    Abstract: A thermostat may include a plurality of heat-generating components; a plurality of first temperature sensors, each of the plurality of first temperature sensors being disposed next to a corresponding one of the plurality of heat-generating components; a second temperature sensor that is disposed away from the plurality of heat-generating components; and a memory device storing a coefficient matrix. The thermostat may also include one or more processors that combine a plurality of inputs to calculate an ambient temperature for an enclosure in which the thermostat is installed, the plurality of inputs including readings from the plurality of first temperature sensors, readings from the second temperature sensor, and the coefficient matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: John Stefanski, Vivek Goyal, Orville Buenaventura, Alexander Schoenen, Mark Stefanski
  • Publication number: 20170051925
    Abstract: This patent specification relates to methods and systems that can detect over cycling conditions that exist in an HVAC system. The over cycling condition can be caused by overheating of a forced air heating system or furnace of the HVAC system control. When the furnace overheats, a thermally actuated limit switch within the furnace may cut off power to a heat generation apparatus. The limit switch can reconnect the power to the heat generation apparatus after it has cooled down, at which point the thermostat control system may issue another heating call to continue heating the enclosure so that it reaches the desired temperature. If the overheat condition persist, then the thermally actuated switch will cut power, resulting in repeated power cycling. The detection system and methods can monitor these power loss events and use them as data points for determining whether an alert condition exists within the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Marie Pellat
  • Patent number: 9470430
    Abstract: A method of preconditioning an enclosure includes providing a thermostat and computing a set of preconditioning criteria information (PCI) with the 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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 9353965
    Abstract: A thermostat may include a user interface configured to display at least a first graphical display and a second graphical display, a first proximity sensor having a first responsive range, and a second proximity sensor having a second responsive range. A processing system may be programmed to control the user interface by receiving an indication of a user presence within the second responsive range from the second proximity sensor while not receiving an indication of a user presence within the first responsive range from the first proximity sensor and causing the user interface to display the second graphical display. The processing system may also be programmed to receive an indication of a user presence within the first responsive range from the first proximity sensor and an indication of the user presence within the second responsive range from the second proximity sensor and cause the user interface to transition from the second graphical display to the first graphical display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Goyal, John Stefanski, David Saltzman, Mark Stefanski, David Sloo, Isabel Thornton
  • Publication number: 20160025367
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Evan Jarman Fisher, Mark Rajan Malhotra, Mark Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan, Frank Astier