Google Inc.

Nest Labs, Inc.

Evan Jarman Fisher

Yoky Matsuoka

Anthony Michael Fadell

David Hendler Sloo

Matthew Lee Rogers

Mark Rajan Malhotra

Michael Plitkins

Mark D Stefanski

Rangoli Sharan

Michael James Matas

Timo A Bruck

Eric Hc Liu

Chaitanya Gharpure

Victoria Fang

Peng Yang

Emily Hou

Frank Emmanuel Astier

James B Simister

Clemens M Knieper

Nicholas Unger Webb

Eric A Lee

Todd Hester

Steven A Hales, Iv

Matthew S Rogers

Jesse William Boettcher

Christopher Anthony Boross

Prashant Papiahgari Reddy

Samuel W Kortz

Igor Karp

Mark Andrew McBride

James P Lyons

Lev Stesin

Leon Tan

Piyush Khandelwal

Andrew Urman

Carles Pi-Sunyer

David Horton

Alexander Dubman

Gregory J Hu

Amanda Surya

Aubrey Thelen

Michael Soucie

Tim Enwall

The disclosure provides technology for enhancing the ability of a computing device to detect when a user has discontinued reading a text source. An example method includes receiving audio data comprising a spoken word associated with a text source, comparing the audio data with data of the text source, determining, based on the comparing, whether a segment of the audio data corresponds to a location of the text source, and responsive to determining that the segment of the audio data does not correspond to a location of the text source, transmitting a signal indicating that a user has discontinued reading the text source, the signal causing to cease the comparing of the audio data with the data of the text source.

Algorithmic determination of a story readers discontinuation of reading

The disclosure provides technology for enhancing the ability of a computing device to detect when a user has discontinued reading a text source. An example method includes receiving audio data comprising a spoken word associated with a text source, wherein the audio data comprises a first duration and a second duration; comparing the audio data with data of the text source, wherein the first duration of the audio data corresponds with the data of the text source; calculating, by a processing device, a correspondence measure between the second duration of the audio data and the data of the text source; and responsive to determining the correspondence measure satisfies a threshold, transmitting a signal to cease comparing audio data with the data of the text source.

The disclosure provides technology for enhancing the ability of a computing device to conserve computing resources while providing special effects that are aligned with a text source being read aloud. An example method includes identifying effects data for a text source, wherein the effects data correlates a physical effect with an audible action of a user; receiving audio data comprising a plurality of audible actions, wherein at least one of the plurality of audible actions comprises a spoken word of the text source; determining, by a processing device, that a triggering condition pertaining to the effects data and the text source is satisfied; loading content for the physical effect prior to an occurrence of the audible action, and providing the physical effect to modify an environment of the user.

Detection of story reader progress for pre-caching special effects

An example method for identifying a reading location in a text source as a user reads the text source aloud includes determining phoneme data of the text source, the text source comprising a sequence of words; receiving audio data comprising a spoken word associated with the text source; comparing, by a processing device, the phoneme data of the text source and phoneme data of the audio data; and identifying a location in the sequence of words based on the comparing phoneme data.

Reading progress estimation based on phonetic fuzzy matching and confidence interval

The disclosure provides technology for enabling a computing device to provide context sensitive special effects that supplement a text source as it is read aloud. An example method includes receiving, by a processing device, audio data comprising a spoken word of a user, analyzing contextual data associated with the user, determining a match between the audio data and data of a text source; and initiating a physical effect in response to the determining the match, wherein the physical effect corresponds to the text source and is based on the contextual data.

Dynamic adjustment of story time special effects based on contextual data

The disclosure provides technology for enhancing the ability of a computing device to conserve computing resources while providing special effects that are aligned with a text source being read aloud. An example method includes identifying effects data for a text source, wherein the effects data correlates a physical effect with an audible action of a user; receiving audio data comprising a plurality of audible actions, wherein at least one of the plurality of audible actions comprises a spoken word of the text source; determining, by a processing device, a triggering condition based on the effects data and the text source; responsive to satisfying the triggering condition, loading content for the physical effect, wherein the triggering condition is satisfied prior to the occurrence of the audible action; and providing the physical effect to modify an environment of the user.

A method includes a system that operates according to a control schedule; detects events that indicate occupancy; stores a record of the events that indicate occupancy in one or more memory devices; and enters an auto-away state. A determination to enter the auto-away state may be based at least in part on a length of a time interval during which no events that indicate occupancy were detected and the stored record of the events that indicate occupancy. The system may also detect a pattern of instances where the auto-away state is entered over a plurality of days and adjusts the control schedule based at least in part on the pattern of instances where the auto-away state is entered.

Automated presence detection and presence-related control within an intelligent controller

The current application is directed to intelligent controllers that use sensor output and electronically stored information 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/or modify control schedules with respect to the presence and absence of the one or more entities. The intelligent controllers selectively carry out scheduled control operations during periods of time when one or more types of entities are determined not to be in a controlled environment.

Selective carrying out of scheduled control operations by an intelligent controller

Apparatus, systems, methods, for optimizing a schedule of setpoint temperatures used in the control of an HVAC system are presented herein. A schedule of setpoint temperatures may be adjusted by small, incremental amounts so that the schedule migrates from the original schedule to a more energy-efficient schedule.

Automated adjustment of an HVAC schedule for resource conservation

A method includes operating a controller according to a control schedule; detecting events that indicate occupancy; storing a record of the events that indicate occupancy in one or more memory devices; and causing the controller to enter an auto-away state. A determination that the controller should enter the auto-away state may be based at least in part on a length of a time interval during which no events that indicate occupancy were detected; and the stored record of the events that indicate occupancy. The method also includes detecting a pattern of instances where the controller enters the auto-away state over a plurality of days; and adjusting the control schedule based at least in part on the pattern of instances where the controller enters the auto-away state.

Systems and Methods disclosed herein relate to providing a message to an application programming interface (API). The message includes a request for data from a data model, a submission of data to the data model, or both; and a host selection between: a representational state transfer (REST) host and a subscription-based application programming interface (API) host, wherein the REST host receives REST-based messages and the subscription-based API host receives messages in accordance with a standard of the subscription-based API host; wherein the request for data, the submission of data, or both are configured to create, delete, modify, or any combination thereof data related to a smart-device environment structure, a thermostat, a hazard detector, or any combination thereof stored in a data model accessible by the API.

Methods and apparatus for using smart environment devices via application program interfaces

Systems and methods are described for attributing a primary causative agent for HVAC system usage being above or below an average, the HVAC system being controlled by a self-programming network-connected thermostat. Systems and method are also described interactively and graphically displaying schedule information to a user of an HVAC system controlled by a network-connected thermostat. The displayed information can include indications of the manner in which one or more setpoints was created or last modified. Historical HVAC performance information can also be displayed that can include details of certain energy-effecting events such as setpoint changes, adaptive recovery, as well as automatic and manually set non-occupancy modes.

Attributing causation for energy usage and setpoint changes with a network-connected thermostat

Arrangements for controlling a climate control system are provided. A hazard detector of a group of smart devices may detect a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm condition at the hazard detector. The hazard detector may transmit, via a relatively low-power mesh communication network, an indication of the CO alarm condition to one or more other smart devices. A spokesman node of the relatively low-power wireless communication network may translate the indication of the CO alarm condition from a first wireless communication protocol to a second wireless communication protocol. The spokesman node may transmit the indication of the CO alarm condition to a system controller via a relatively high-power wireless communication network and the second wireless communication protocol. A system controller of the climate control system may transmit a signal to turn off at least part of the climate control system.

Smart-home control system providing HVAC system dependent responses to hazard detection events

Methods and devices for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by a thermostat are provided. Input can be received from a user via a thermostat, the input being indicative of an adjustment of an HVAC-related setting. On a real-time basis, the HVAC-related setting that is being adjusted can be compared against a feedback criterion designed to indicate a circumstance under which feedback is to be presented to the user. The circumstance can be indicative of an achievement of a HVAC-related setting of a predetermined responsibility level with respect to an energy usage of the HVAC system. Upon a real-time determination that the feedback criterion is satisfied, visual feedback can be caused to be presented to the user in real-time. The real-time feedback can include a visual icon having a visual appeal corresponding to a desirability of the satisfaction of the feedback criterion.

HVAC control system encouraging energy efficient user behaviors in plural interactive contexts

Systems and methods are described for interactively, graphically displaying and reporting performance information to a user of an HVAC system controlled by a self-programming network-connected thermostat. The information is made on a remote display device such as a smartphone, tablet computer or other computer, and includes a graphical daily or monthly summary each of several days or months respectively. In response to a user selection of a day, detailed performance information is graphically displayed that can include an indication of HVAC activity on a timeline, the number of hours of HVAC activity, as well as one or more symbols on a timeline indicating setpoint changes, and when a setpoint was changed due to non-occupancy.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Evan Jarman Fisher