Patents by Inventor James A. Benjamin

James A. Benjamin 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).

  • Publication number: 20220176317
    Abstract: Various reverse osmosis (RO) filter systems are disclosed herein. The RO filter systems can include one or more RO filters connected to and in fluid communication with an end cap filter component and/or a fluid turbine component. Some RO filter systems can further include a filter component connected to and in fluid communication with the one or more RO filters and/or a fluid turbine component. Additional RO filter systems can further include a pre-filter component connected to the filter component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventor: James Benjamin Hanks
  • Publication number: 20220147733
    Abstract: The contents of totes and the amount a tote container is filled are monitored. A central database stores product dimensions and tote dimensions as well as a percentage of which a tote is to be filled. Image scanners that obtain three-dimensional images are used to determine if the actual dimensions of the tote, the product, and the fill amount are consistent with the expected or optimal values of these characteristics. When there is a discrepancy between measured and expected values, then one or more actions can be taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Paul E. Durkee, Brian C. Roth
  • Publication number: 20220100740
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically creating and managing electronic data tables are disclosed. The method includes receiving a metric request descriptor from a client device, the metric request descriptor including at least information for creating a metric query and an identifier of an electronic data table; automatically generating a custom metric query based on the information for creating the metric query and one or more predefined metric templates; creating the electronic data table based on the identifier of the electronic data table received in the metric request descriptor; applying the custom metric query to a data store storing a plurality of event records; extracting metric data from the data store based on the custom metric query; and storing the metric data in the electronic data table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Yash Sharma, Austin Byrne, Perrin Alexander Stephenson, Itzchak Feldman Perka, James Benjamin McCullough, Anushka Mudholkar, Tarunveer Singh, Hideyoshi Cheong, Stephen David Lee
  • Publication number: 20220063042
    Abstract: An automated container cutting system for cutting a container includes a cutting platform and a cutting tool held by the cutting platform. The cutting tool is configured to cut the container. The automated container cutting system includes a force feedback sensor operatively connected to the cutting tool such that the force feedback sensor is configured to measure resistive force exerted on the cutting tool. The automated container cutting system includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to the force feedback sensor. The processor is configured to receive resistive force data from the force feedback sensor. The resistive force data represents resistive force exerted on the cutting tool as the cutting tool pierces a wall of the container. The at least one processor is configured to determine whether the cutting tool has penetrated through the wall of the container using the received resistive force data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Paul Durkee
  • Publication number: 20220058571
    Abstract: A solution for automated food selection includes: an order processing component operable to receive an order identifying an item; a selection component comprising: a first hyperspectral sensor operable to sense a reflection from the item and produce a sensor output based at least on the reflection; and a picking mechanism; a control component operable to: based at least on identification of the item, select a hyperspectral profile from a set of hyperspectral profiles; compare the sensor output with the selected hyperspectral profile; and based at least on the comparison, determine whether to select the item for fulfillment of the order, wherein the picking mechanism is operable to divert the item to a selection output based at least on a determination to select the item for fulfillment of the order; and a transport component operable to transport the item to an order storage zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Brian C. Roth
  • Publication number: 20220034525
    Abstract: The system of the present disclosure reduces the temperature of any air conditioning condenser/radiator, either through retrofit or by original manufacturing. The system is connected to a water supply for pre-cooling ambient air drawn into the air conditioning unit by providing a misting spray of water that evaporates rapidly to cool the air conditioning condenser. The system has a water supply connection connected to the water supply, a water treatment assembly for treating aspects of the water supplied, and a water delivery assembly that receives clean water from the water treatment assembly and delivers the misting spray proximate the air conditioning unit. The system may be controlled by using a wireless technology such as a Z-wave or other type of wireless controller and one or more sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventor: James Benjamin Hanks
  • Publication number: 20210353309
    Abstract: A syndesmotic reconstruction guide assembly is disclosed. The syndesmotic reconstruction guide assembly includes a medial arm, a medial foot, and a lateral arm. The medial foot is rotatably connected to the medial arm with at least one degree of freedom. The lateral arm is slidably connected to the medial arm at an end opposite the medial foot. The lateral arm includes a lateral foot. The medial foot and the lateral foot are adapted to clamp bones of a syndesmotic joint therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: James Benjamin Jackson, III, Michael Chad Hollis, Daniel Ryan Sayger
  • Publication number: 20210329384
    Abstract: An energy harvesting circuit is disclosed and comprises one or more electrical loads that consume direct current (DC) power, a rectifier, and a hybrid acoustic absorber. The rectifier comprises one or more active switching elements that are driven by a gate drive voltage. The hybrid acoustic absorber comprises a diaphragm and a voice coil. The diaphragm is constructed at least in part of a piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material is configured to generate a diaphragm voltage in response to sound waves deforming the diaphragm. The diaphragm voltage is at least equal to the gate drive voltage to drive the one or more active switching elements of the rectifier. The voice coil is attached to the diaphragm and configured to generate a voice coil voltage that is less than the gate drive voltage of the one or more active switching elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Steven F Griffin, Daryn D. Kono, Timothy John Paulitz, James Benjamin Turner
  • Publication number: 20210267934
    Abstract: An oral dispersible film composition comprising at least one active ingredient and a film forming agent, as well as a method of manufacture of same. The oral dispersible film composition can be free of gum resin, and can be utilized to administer various active ingredients, including cannabinoids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: JAMES BENJAMIN MACPHAIL, RINA CARLINI, JAMES LEWIS, EMILY QUINN KAPTEYN
  • Publication number: 20210191366
    Abstract: First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Paul E. Durkee
  • Publication number: 20210097709
    Abstract: Examples provide a system and method for autonomously placing items into non-rigid containers. An image analysis component analyzes image data generated by one or more cameras associated with picked items ready for bagging and/or a non-rigid container, such as, but not limited to, a bag. The image analysis component generates dynamic placement data identifying how much space is available inside the bag, bag tension, and/or contents of the bag. A dynamic placement component generates a per-item assigned placement for a selected item ready for bagging based on a per-bag placement sequence and the dynamic placement data. Instructions, including the per-item assigned placement designating a location within the interior of the non-rigid container to the selected item and an orientation for the selected item after bagging, is sent to at least one robotic device. The robotic device places the selected item into the non-rigid container in accordance with the instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Brian C. Roth
  • Patent number: 10955826
    Abstract: First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Paul E. Durkee
  • Publication number: 20210081887
    Abstract: Examples provide an item storage cart for verifying correct item placement into containers on the item storage cart. A cart manager component outputs planogram data identifying a location of a selected item. Weight data generated by one or more weight sensors associated with the set of item storage containers is analyzed to verify whether a correct item is placed in a given storage container on the cart and/or verify a selected item is placed into a correct storage container. The cart manager component determines if an unselected item is removed from a storage container and/or if an unselected item is added to a storage container. A notification is output if an incorrect item is added to a cart, an incorrect item is removed from the cart, an item is added to the wrong container or removed from the wrong container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Paul Durkee, Ragen Turner, James Benjamin Edwards, Nicole Morales, Stuart Clark
  • Publication number: 20210055729
    Abstract: Autonomous carriers or totes that include vacuum units are provided. As the totes move or are moved through a warehouse carrying products, they collect debris. The debris can be analyzed at the tote, and actions can be performed based upon the analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Brian C. Roth, Paul E. Durkee, James Benjamin Edwards
  • Publication number: 20210046162
    Abstract: Treatments and methods of treatment using intermittent exposure to human parathyroid hormone to stimulate new bone formation via osteoblasts to provide non-surgical/non-operative, anabolic remedies for beneficial effects on bone density, bone microarchitecture, and bone geometry in both cancellous and cortical bones to more rapidly heal and prevent further bone stress injuries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: James Benjamin Jackson, III, Kathryn M. Diemer
  • Publication number: 20200400152
    Abstract: There is provided a fan assembly comprising a motor-driven impeller arranged to generate an airflow, an air outlet arranged to emit the airflow, a plurality of sensors arranged to measure a value for each of a plurality of air quality characteristics, a display and a processor. The processor is configured to receive measured values for each of the plurality of air quality characteristics, identify one of a corresponding set of intervals within which the measured value falls and select an air quality index value associated with the identified interval. The processor is then configured to identify the highest of the selected air quality index values as a current overall air quality index value and to cause the display to display a time series plot of the current air quality index value and a number of preceding air quality index values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: David John SHORTER, Liam Craig BARCLAY, Mark Douglas WHITING, Victoria Isabelle PALMER, Jonathan Edward CLEAR, Edward Michael WAUGH, Daniel James BEAVIS, Thomas SIDEROPOULOS, James Benjamin BROOKS
  • Publication number: 20200400335
    Abstract: There is provided a fan assembly comprising a motor-driven impeller arranged to generate an airflow, an air outlet arranged to emit the airflow, at least one filter assembly that is arranged to purify the airflow, a plurality of sensors arranged to measure a value for each of a plurality of air quality characteristic, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive measured values for each of the plurality of air quality characteristics, identify one of a corresponding set of intervals within which the measured value falls, select an air quality index value associated with the identified interval, and generate a corresponding speed value using the selected air quality index value. The processor is then configured to set a speed of the motor-driven impeller in dependence upon the highest of the speed values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: David John SHORTER, Liam Craig BARCLAY, Mark Douglas WHITING, Victoria Isabelle PALMER, Jonathan Edward CLEAR, Edward Michael WAUGH, Daniel James BEAVIS, Thomas SIDEROPOULOS, James Benjamin BROOKS
  • Patent number: 10853764
    Abstract: Examples provide an item storage cart for verifying correct item placement into containers on the item storage cart. A cart manager component outputs planogram data identifying a location of a selected item. Weight data generated by one or more weight sensors associated with the set of item storage containers is analyzed to verify whether a correct item is placed in a given storage container on the cart and/or verify a selected item is placed into a correct storage container. The cart manager component determines if an unselected item is removed from a storage container and/or if an unselected item is added to a storage container. A notification is output if an incorrect item is added to a cart, an incorrect item is removed from the cart, an item is added to the wrong container or removed from the wrong container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Durkee, Ragen Turner, James Benjamin Edwards, Nicole Morales, Stuart Clark
  • Publication number: 20200346351
    Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for picking up and transferring a variety of different types of merchandise, such as at shopping facilities. In one form, the system includes: a shopping facility with a merchandise order assembly area; an automated retrieval for transporting merchandise to the merchandise order assembly area; an image sensor; at least one robotic device including a plurality of end effectors for picking up merchandise; and a merchandise database identifying surface areas suitable for engagement with end effectors. The system also includes a control circuit that identifies a merchandise item being transported, receives images of the merchandise item and determines its orientation, chooses a surface area of the merchandise item for engagement, selects an end effector to be used to engage the merchandise item, and instructs movement and transfer of the merchandise item by the robotic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Paul E. Durkee
  • Publication number: 20200341453
    Abstract: First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: James Benjamin Edwards, Paul E. Durkee