Patents by Inventor William P. Alberth, Jr.
William P. Alberth, Jr. 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: 10458669Abstract: A thermostat for controlling HVAC equipment via one or more control wires includes a user interface, a wiring terminal, and a processing circuit. The user interface is configured to display output to a user. The wiring terminal includes one or more connection points. The processing circuit is configured to determine one or more wiring instructions for wiring the thermostat with the HVAC equipment and cause the user interface to display the one or more instructions. The instructions instruct the user to connect the control wires to the connection points.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Joseph R. Ribbich, Nicholas S. Van Derven, William P. Alberth, Jr., Alan S. Schwegler, Corey A. Poquette, Michael J. Ajax
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Publication number: 20190327441Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods and systems for collecting media associated with a mobile device. In one aspect, a method is performed at a computing system. The method comprises receiving and storing, without user interaction, video and audio data captured during a predefined time period by a plurality of distributed video devices configured to monitor one or more vicinities, and mobile device presence information from which presence of mobile devices in vicinity of the video devices can be determined throughout the predefined time period. The method further comprises receiving from a requestor a request to identify from the captured video and audio data a first subset associated with a first person. The request includes first information of a mobile device associated with the first person. In response to the request, the first subset based on the mobile device presence information is identified and transmitted to the requestor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventor: William P. Alberth, JR.
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Publication number: 20190246062Abstract: A media collection system (102) uses media collection devices (107) to record media in the vicinity of a mobile device (104). A method (300) for collecting media associated with a user of a mobile device (104) includes the mobile device detecting (304) a broadcast signal from a communication node of the media collection system (102) at a radio interface of the mobile device. Then the mobile device requests (308) a media collection service of the media collection system. In response, the mobile device receives (314) an access identifier from the media collection system. The access identifier can be used to access media collected by the media collection system. The mobile device can then cease a self-collection activity while in the vicinity of the media collection system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2014Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventor: William P. Alberth, JR.
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Patent number: 10334898Abstract: Clothing for shielding a person from radio frequency energy relating to an electronic device includes a garment adapted to be worn by the person that includes at least one pocket having an inner panel and an outer panel. The pocket is sized to bold the electronic device. The inner panel of the pocket includes an electrically conductive shield material.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Inventors: William P. Alberth, Jr., John Cipolla
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Publication number: 20190145648Abstract: A thermostat for a building includes a halo light emitting diode (LED) system including one or more LEDs configured to emit light and a halo diffuser structured around at least a portion of an outer edge of the thermostat. The halo diffuser is configured to diffuse the emitted light of the one or more LEDs around at least the portion of the outer edge of the thermostat. The thermostat includes a processing circuit configured to receive one or more data streams, determine whether the one or more data streams indicate a building emergency condition, and operate the one or more LEDs of the halo LED system to indicate the building emergency condition to a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Sudhi Sinha, Joseph R Ribbich, Michael L Ribbich, Charles J. Gaidish, John P. Cipolla, Damon B. Smith, John R. Taylor,, Jr., John M. Reiszl, William P. Alberth,, Jr.
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Patent number: 10282155Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a processor and a detection mechanism operable to detect one or more characteristics relating to how a user handles the electronic device. The processor is operably coupled to the detection mechanism and operable in accordance with stored operating instructions to: determine, based on the detected characteristics, which limb of the user possesses the portable electronic device; and control at least one function of the portable electronic device taking into account which limb of the user possesses the electronic device (e.g., which limb of the user is holding or secured to the electronic device). According to one embodiment, the processor may further determine a reference position for the portable electronic device (e.g., a position of the device at rest) and compare one or more of the detected characteristics to the reference position to determine which limb of the user possesses the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLCInventors: William P Alberth, Jr., Rachid Mohsen Alameh, Timothy A. Dickinson, Robert A. Zurek
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Patent number: 10187471Abstract: A thermostat in a building includes a user interface, a communications interface, and a processing circuit. The user interface is configured to present information to a user. The communications interface is configured to receive emergency information and building event information from a network. The processing circuit is configured to generate one or more emergency directions based on the emergency information and one or more building event directions based on the building event information. The processing circuit is configured to select a highest priority direction based on the emergency directions and the building event directions and cause the user interface to display the highest priority direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: William P. Alberth, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180330586Abstract: A first thermostat of a building includes a communications interface configured to communicate with at least one of a second thermostat or a network server, a user interface configured to display information to a user and receive input from the user, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to generate building navigation direction data for user navigation through the building, cause the user interface to display a first building navigation direction based on the generated building navigation direction data, and cause, via the communications interface, the second thermostat to display a second building navigation direction on a second display of the second thermostat based on the generated building navigation direction data.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: William P. Alberth, JR., Karl F. Reichenberger, Sudhi Sinha, Joseph R. Ribbich, Michael L. Ribbich, Charles J. Gaidish, John P. Cipolla
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Publication number: 20180299162Abstract: A multi-function thermostat for a building space includes a user interface capable of visually representing an event schedule. The thermostat is configured to receive a request to modify an event schedule associated with the multi-function thermostat. The thermostat is configured to receive a puncturing event with a time interval that conflicts with a time interval associated with an existing event. The thermostat is configured to store information associated with the puncturing event in a memory. The thermostat is configured to modify the time interval associated with the existing event. The thermostat is configured to add the puncturing event in the event schedule. The thermostat is configured to add an adjustment event in the event schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: William P. Alberth, JR.
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Publication number: 20180283716Abstract: A thermostat for controlling HVAC equipment via one or more control wires includes a user interface, a wiring terminal, and a processing circuit. The user interface is configured to display output to a user. The wiring terminal includes one or more connection points. The processing circuit is configured to determine one or more wiring instructions for wiring the thermostat with the HVAC equipment and cause the user interface to display the one or more instructions. The instructions instruct the user to connect the control wires to the connection points.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Joseph R. Ribbich, Nicholas S. Van Derven, William P. Alberth, JR., Alan S. Schwegler, Corey A. Poquette, Michael J. Ajax
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Patent number: 10020956Abstract: A thermostat in a building includes an occupancy sensor configured to collect occupancy data. The thermostat includes a communications interface configured to communicate with one or more display devices for the building and a user interface configured to display information to a user and receive input from the user. The thermostat includes a processing circuit configured to identify the user based on the occupancy data and generate building navigation directions based on the identity of the user and cause the user interface to display at least a portion of the building navigation directions. The processing circuit is configured to cause the communications interface to send at least a portion of the building navigation directions to at least one of the display devices in the building.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: William P. Alberth, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180163984Abstract: A thermostat for a building space includes a communication interface and a processing circuit. The communications interface is configured to communicate with one or more user devices and a master device. The processing circuit is configured to determine a master temperature setpoint based on input received from the master device via the communications interface and determine a non-master temperature setpoint based on input received from the one or more user devices via the communications interface. The processing circuit is configured to select one of the master temperature setpoint and the non-master temperature setpoint based on an operating mode of the thermostat. Based on the selected temperature setpoint, the processing circuit is configured to generate and provide control signals for building equipment. The control signals cause the building equipment to control an ambient temperature of the building space to the selected setpoint.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2016Publication date: June 14, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: William P. Alberth, JR.
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Patent number: 9971453Abstract: A thermostat for a building space includes a touch screen user interface, a selector, a single-touch controller, and a multi-touch controller. The touch screen user interface is configured to present display data to a user and receive touch-based input from the user. The selector is configured to select an operating mode for the touch screen user interface based on one or more environmental conditions of the building space. The single-touch controller is configured to operate the touch screen user interface in a single-touch operating mode when the single-touch operating mode is selected by the selector. The multi-touch controller is configured to operate the touch screen user interface in a multi-touch operating mode when the multi-touch operating mode is selected by the selector.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: William P. Alberth, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180124178Abstract: A thermostat in a building includes a user interface, a communications interface, and a processing circuit. The user interface is configured to present information to a user. The communications interface is configured to receive emergency information and building event information from a network. The processing circuit is configured to generate one or more emergency directions based on the emergency information and one or more building event directions based on the building event information. The processing circuit is configured to select a highest priority direction based on the emergency directions and the building event directions and cause the user interface to display the highest priority direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: William P. Alberth, JR.
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Publication number: 20180123821Abstract: A thermostat in a building includes an occupancy sensor configured to collect occupancy data. The thermostat includes a communications interface configured to communicate with one or more display devices for the building and a user interface configured to display information to a user and receive input from the user. The thermostat includes a processing circuit configured to identify the user based on the occupancy data and generate building navigation directions based on the identity of the user and cause the user interface to display at least a portion of the building navigation directions. The processing circuit is configured to cause the communications interface to send at least a portion of the building navigation directions to at least one of the display devices in the building.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: William P. Alberth, JR.
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Publication number: 20180107336Abstract: A thermostat for a building space includes a touch screen user interface, a selector, a single-touch controller, and a multi-touch controller. The touch screen user interface is configured to present display data to a user and receive touch-based input from the user. The selector is configured to select an operating mode for the touch screen user interface based on one or more environmental conditions of the building space. The single-touch controller is configured to operate the touch screen user interface in a single-touch operating mode when the single-touch operating mode is selected by the selector. The multi-touch controller is configured to operate the touch screen user interface in a multi-touch operating mode when the multi-touch operating mode is selected by the selector.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2016Publication date: April 19, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: William P. Alberth, JR.
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Patent number: 9930125Abstract: A communication device performs a method for coordinating communications between a plurality of communication devices of a user. The method includes detecting an active communication session on a primary communication device having user engagement, and determining a set of secondary communication devices in proximity to the user. The method further includes detecting an interruption event, at the primary communication device, during the active communication session. Additionally, the method includes determining that a first secondary communication device, in the set of secondary communication devices, has capability to process the interruption event, and transferring the interruption event to the first secondary communication device.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLCInventors: William P. Alberth, Jr., Kevin L. Baum, Dean E. Thorson
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Patent number: 9813262Abstract: A method, performed in a communication device having multiple transmitters, for selectively transmitting data using spatial diversity, includes determining a type of data to be transmitted, determining whether the type of data meets a data type criteria, which comprises determining whether the data includes priority data, and transmitting the data using spatial diversity when the type of data meets the data type criteria.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2012Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Armin W. Klomsdorf, William P. Alberth, Jr.
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Patent number: 9621207Abstract: A communication device performs a method for detecting presence of a jamming signal. The method includes retrieving a scan list comprising multiple radio channels within a first frequency range of operation of the communication device. The method further includes scanning at least a subset of the channels on the scan list to determine, for each scanned channel, whether energy that exceeds an energy threshold is detected on the scanned channel. Moreover, the method includes determining a first quantitative measure based on a first plurality scanned channels having energy that exceeds the energy threshold, and comparing the first quantitative measure to at least a first jamming signal detection threshold. Additionally, the method includes indicating, on the communication device, presence of a jamming signal when the first quantitative measure satisfies the at least a first jamming signal detection threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLCInventors: William E. Welnick, William P. Alberth, Jr., Daniel J. Declerck
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Publication number: 20170074539Abstract: A thermostat for a building space. The thermostat includes a communications interface and a processing circuit. The communications interface is configured to engage in bidirectional communications with heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and to receive an indication of a current heating or cooling load from the HVAC equipment. The processing circuit is configured to determine an occupancy of the building space based on the indication of the current heating or cooling load received from the HVAC equipment. The processing circuit is further configured to operate the HVAC equipment based on the determined occupancy of the building space.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Jedidiah O. Bentz, Brian D. Rigg, Theresa N. Gillette, Tom R. Tasker, Tyler McCune, John W. Uerkvitz, Shaun B. Atchison, Daniel S. Middleton, Aneek Muhammad Noor, William P. Alberth, JR., Joseph R. Ribbich