Patents by Inventor Steven A. HALES

Steven A. HALES 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: 10684038
    Abstract: A method of using a server to update stored control schedules for environmental controllers includes communicating with an environmental controller that controls, during a monitoring period, an environmental system in an enclosure according to a stored control schedule; receiving a first immediate-control input provided through the environmental controller during the monitoring period; receiving a first control-schedule change provided through the environmental controller during the monitoring period; receiving a second immediate-control input provided through a user device during the monitoring period; receiving a second control-schedule change provided through the user device during the monitoring period; processing at least the first immediate-control input, the first control-schedule change, the second immediate-control input, and the second control-schedule change together to generate an updated control schedule; and causing the environmental controller to control the environmental system according to th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
  • Patent number: 10337754
    Abstract: The current application is directed to an intelligent control system that includes intelligent thermostats and remote servers that spread call-home events over time to avoid large peak computational and communications loads on intelligent-control-system servers. The spreading of call-home vents over time is effected by use of call-home splay values pseudorandomly generated for intelligent thermostats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Steven A. Hales
  • Patent number: 10175668
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    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
  • Publication number: 20190003736
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
  • Patent number: 10078319
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
  • Patent number: 10012405
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
  • Patent number: 9952573
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for generating and/or displaying a graphical user interface used to control an energy-consuming system, such as a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system. Such an electronic device may include, for example, a processor that generates the graphical user interface and an electronic display that displays the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may include a menu formed from discrete display elements that, owing to the way in which the discrete display elements are shifted into and out of view on the screen, appear to be spatially related to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: David Sloo, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Michael Plitkins, Michael James Matas, Steven A. Hales, IV
  • Publication number: 20180023833
    Abstract: The current application is directed to an intelligent control system that includes intelligent thermostats and remote servers that spread call-home events over time to avoid large peak computational and communications loads on intelligent-control-system servers. The spreading of call-home vents over time is effected by use of call-home splay values pseudorandomly generated for intelligent thermostats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Steven A. Hales
  • Publication number: 20170045864
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    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
  • Patent number: 9459018
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20160139582
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
  • Patent number: 9256230
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Anthony M. Fadell, Matthey L. Rogers, David Sloo, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
  • Publication number: 20150354846
    Abstract: Provided according to one or more embodiments is a method of processing rotational inputs to a control device having a an electronic display and user interface, such as a programmable thermostat. Methods and systems include displaying on the electronic display associated with the control device at least a portion of an initial display element selected from a sequence of display elements. In response to seeing such information, the user applies a rotational input applied to a rotational input device, such as a rotatable ring around the electronic display. A variable scroll assist engine receives this information and determines an angular movement as provided by the user through the rotational input device. In order to reduce the rotational input required by the user, the variable assist scroll engine applies one or more heuristics to variably assist with a scrolling movement of a sequence of display elements on the electronic display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Steven A. Hales, Michael Plitkins, David Sloo
  • Publication number: 20150308705
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for generating and/or displaying a graphical user interface used to control an energy-consuming system, such as a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system. Such an electronic device may include, for example, a processor that generates the graphical user interface and an electronic display that displays the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may include a menu formed from discrete display elements that, owing to the way in which the discrete display elements are shifted into and out of view on the screen, appear to be spatially related to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: David Sloo, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Michael Plitkins, Michael James Matas, Steven A. Hales, IV
  • Publication number: 20150241079
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
  • Patent number: 9075419
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for generating and/or displaying a graphical user interface used to control an energy-consuming system, such as a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system. Such an electronic device may include, for example, a processor that generates the graphical user interface and an electronic display that displays the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may include a menu formed from discrete display elements that, owing to the way in which the discrete display elements are shifted into and out of view on the screen, appear to be spatially related to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: David Sloo, Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, Michael Plitkins, Michael James Matas, Steven A. Hales, IV
  • Publication number: 20150153057
    Abstract: The current application is directed to an intelligent control system that includes intelligent thermostats and remote servers that spread call-home events over time to avoid large peak computational and communications loads on intelligent-control-system servers. The spreading of call-home vents over time is effected by use of call-home splay values pseudorandomly generated for intelligent thermostats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Steven A. Hales, IV
  • Patent number: 9020646
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Eric A. Lee, Steven A. Hales, Mark D. Stefanski, Rangoli Sharan
  • Patent number: 8972065
    Abstract: The current application is directed to an intelligent control system that includes intelligent thermostats and remote servers that spread call-home events over time to avoid large peak computational and communications loads on intelligent-control-system servers. The spreading of call-home vents over time is effected by use of call-home splay values pseudorandomly generated for intelligent thermostats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Steven A. Hales, IV
  • Publication number: 20140316581
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: NEST LABS, 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