Daniel R Warren

US Patent:

8511576, Aug 20, 2013

Filed:

Jun 22, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/531474

Inventors:

Daniel Adam Warren - San Francisco CA, US
Hugo Fiennes - Palo Alto CA, US
Jonathan Alan Dutra - Saratoga CA, US
David Bell - Los Altos Hills CA, US
Anthony Michael Fadell - Portola Valley CA, US
Matthew Lee Rogers - Los Gatos CA, US
Ian C. Smith - Palo Alto CA, US
Joseph E. Palmer - San Jose CA, US
Grant M. Erickson - Sunnyvale CA, US
Andrea Mucignat - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Nest Labs, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G05D 23/275
G05D 23/00
H02J 1/10
H02J 3/32
G05B 21/00

US Classification:

236 1C, 236 94, 307 44, 307 48, 700276, 700277

Abstract:

A thermostat includes a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) wire connectors for receiving a plurality of HVAC control wires corresponding to an HVAC system. The thermostat also includes a thermostat processing and control circuit configured to at least partially control the operation of the HVAC system and a powering circuit coupled to the HVAC wire connectors and configured to provide an electrical load power to the thermostat processing and control circuit. The powering circuit has a power extraction circuit configured to extract electrical power from one or more of the plurality of received HVAC control wires up to a first level of electrical power, a rechargeable battery, and a power control circuit. The power control circuit is configured to provide the electrical load power using power from the power extraction circuit and the rechargeable battery.

US Patent:

8511577, Aug 20, 2013

Filed:

Aug 31, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/601574

Inventors:

Daniel Adam Warren - San Francisco CA, US
Ian C. Smith - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

Nest Labs, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G05D 23/00

US Classification:

236 1C, 236 91 D, 236 91 G, 236 91 R, 236 94, 700276, 307 43

Abstract:

A thermostat includes a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) wire connectors including a connection to at least one call relay wire. The thermostat may also include a powering circuit, including a rechargeable battery, which is configured to provide electrical power to the thermostat by power stealing from a selected call relay wire. The power stealing may include an active power stealing mode, in which power is taken from the same selected call relay wire that is used to call for an HVAC function, and an inactive power stealing mode in which, in which no active call is being made. The powering circuit may be configured to substantially suspend (or at least reduce the level of) power stealing for at least a first time period following each transition of the thermostat from between operating states.

US Patent:

8627127, Jan 7, 2014

Filed:

Jun 22, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/530901

Inventors:

Andrea Mucignat - San Francisco CA, US
Oliver Steele - Amherst MA, US
Senthil Supramaniam - Sunnyvale CA, US
Osborne Hardison - Palo Alto CA, US
Richard J. Schultz - Mountain View CA, US
Daniel A. Warren - San Francisco CA, US
Hugo Fiennes - Palo Alto CA, US
Jonathan A. Dutra - Saratoga CA, US
David Bell - Los Altos Hill CA, US
Anthony M. Fadell - Portola Valley CA, US
Matthew L. Rodgers - Los Gatos CA, US
Ian C. Smith - Palo Alto CA, US
Grant M. Erickson - Sunnyvale CA, US
Edwin H. Satterthwaite - Palo Alto CA, US
Joseph E. Palmer - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Nest Labs, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G06F 1/26
G06F 1/32

US Classification:

713320, 713323, 713324

Abstract:

Provided according to one or more embodiments herein are methods, systems and related architectures for facilitating network communications between a wireless network-connected thermostat and a cloud-based management server in a manner that promotes reduced power usage and extended service life of a rechargeable battery of the thermostat, while at the same time accomplishing timely data transfer between the thermostat and the cloud-based management server for suitable and time-appropriate control of an HVAC system. The thermostat further comprises powering circuitry configured to: extract electrical power from one or more HVAC control wires in a manner that does not require a “common” wire; supply electrical power for thermostat operation; recharge the rechargeable battery (if needed) using any surplus extracted power; and discharge the rechargeable battery to assist in supplying electrical power for thermostat operation during intervals in which the extracted power alone is insufficient for thermostat operation.

US Patent:

20120126019, May 24, 2012

Filed:

Feb 24, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/034678

Inventors:

Daniel Adam WARREN - San Francisco CA, US
Hugo FIENNES - Palo Alto CA, US
Jonathon Alan DUTRA - Saratoga CA, US
David BELL - Los Altos Hills CA, US
Anthony Michael FADELL - Portola Valley CA, US
Matthew Lee ROGERS - Los Gatos CA, US

Assignee:

NEST LABS, INC. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G05D 23/00

US Classification:

236 51

Abstract:

A thermostat and related methods are described for controlling one or more functions, such as heating and cooling in an HVAC. According to some embodiments the thermostat includes a rechargeable battery; charging circuitry adapted and arranged to recharge the battery; and control circuitry adapted and arranged to control the one or more HVAC functions using power from the rechargeable battery. According to some embodiments, the thermostat also includes power harvesting circuitry adapted and arranged to harvest power from the HVAC system in cases where no common wire is available to the thermostat, and to supply power to the charging circuit for recharging the battery.

US Patent:

20120126020, May 24, 2012

Filed:

Feb 24, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/034666

Inventors:

John Benjamin FILSON - Mountain View CA, US
Daniel Adam WARREN - San Francisco CA, US
Anthony Michael FADELL - Portola Valley CA, US
Sheng-Nan YU - New Taipei City, TW

Assignee:

NEST LABS, INC. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G05D 23/19
H01R 4/28
B23P 11/00

US Classification:

236 1 C, 29428, 439775

Abstract:

A thermostat and related methods is provided for controlling an HVAC system. The thermostat includes wiring terminals adapted and configured to make an electrical connection with an HVAC system wires such as common, heating and cooling control and return wires. The making of the connection with a common wire actuates switching open a loop of an electrical circuit used for power harvesting. According to some embodiments, the wiring terminal includes actuation of a moveable part of the terminal so as to accommodate the common wire that in turn actuates the switching open the power harvesting loop. More than one other loop can be switched. According to some embodiments, the wiring terminal can be used to automatically connect and/or disconnect Rc and Rh circuits when one or both Rc and Rh wires are present. According to some embodiments, the wiring terminal can be used for electronically sensing the presence of the HVAC system wire.

US Patent:

20120126021, May 24, 2012

Filed:

Feb 24, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/034674

Inventors:

Daniel Adam WARREN - San Francisco CA, US
Hugo FIENNES - Palo Alto CA, US
Jonathon Alan DUTRA - Saratoga CA, US
David BELL - Los Altos Hills CA, US
Anthony Michael FADELL - Portola Valley CA, US
Matthew Lee ROGERS - Los Gatos CA, US

Assignee:

NEST LABS, INC. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G05D 23/19
F24F 11/00

US Classification:

236 1 C, 165201

Abstract:

A thermostat and related methods is provided for controlling an HVAC system having one or two separate transformers for supplying power to the HVAC system. The thermostat includes isolation circuitry housed within the thermostat to safely connect to the HVAC control wires and power wire(s) whether the HVAC system has one or two separate transformers without the use of removable jumpers or manual rewiring. The thermostat can include a processor that sends DC signals for turning on and turning off each of the HVAC functions, and an isolator adapted to electrically isolate the processor from the control wires and power wire(s). The isolator can include a transformer, such as a low cost Ethernet transformer. The circuitry can include one or more field effect transistors adapted and arranged so as to open or close an electrical connections between the control and power wires, thereby turning on or off the associated HVAC function. According to some embodiments, the Rc and Rh terminals are permanently connected using a fuse.

US Patent:

20120179300, Jul 12, 2012

Filed:

Oct 6, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/267877

Inventors:

Daniel Adam WARREN - San Francisco CA, US
Grant M. ERICKSON - Sunnyvale CA, US
Andrea MUCIGNAT - San Francisco CA, US
Joseph Adam RUFF - San Jose CA, US
Joseph E. PALMER - San Jose CA, US
Shigefumi HONJO - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

NEST LABS, INC. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G05B 15/00

US Classification:

700278

Abstract:

In a multi-sensing, wirelessly communicating learning thermostat that uses power-harvesting to charge an internal battery, methods are disclosed for ensuring that the battery does not become depleted or damaged while at the same time ensuring selected levels of thermostat functionality. Battery charge status is monitored to determine whether the present rate of power usage needs to be stemmed. If the present rate of power usage needs to be stemmed, then a progression of performance levels and/or functionalities are scaled back according to a predetermined progressive power conservation algorithm. In a less preferred embodiment, there is a simple progressive shutdown of functionalities turned off in sequence until the desired amount of discharge stemming is reached. Battery charge preservation measures are also described for cases when an interruption of external supply power used to recharge the battery is detected.

US Patent:

20120199660, Aug 9, 2012

Filed:

Oct 6, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/267871

Inventors:

Daniel Adam WARREN - San Francisco CA, US
Ian C. SMITH - Palo Alto CA, US
Joseph E. PALMER - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

NEST LABS, INC. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G05D 23/19

US Classification:

236 1 C, 165200

Abstract:

An electronic thermostat and associated methods are disclosed for power stealing from an HVAC triggering circuit. The methods include making voltage measurements while controlling the amount of current drawn by the power stealing circuitry so as to determine a relationship that can be used to select how much current to draw during power stealing. Through the use of the described methods, the likelihood of inadvertent switching of the HVAC function (on or off) can be significantly reduced.