Patents by Inventor Benjamin David

Benjamin David 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: 20110279916
    Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus comprises a camera lens element supported on a support structure by a plurality of flexures. An SMA wire at an acute angle to the movement axis and a biassing element are connected between the support structure and the movable element. A component of the force applied by the SMA wire perpendicular to the movement axis compresses the flexures causing them to apply a force to the movable element having a component along the movement axis in the same direction as the SMA wire. An end-stop limits the movement of the movable element, and the moment applied by the end-stop to the movable element about the centre of stiffness is equal to the moment applied by the SMA wire about the centre of stiffness at the point when the movable element loses contact with the end-stop on contraction of the SMA wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Benjamin David Brown, Richard Topliss
  • Patent number: 8055641
    Abstract: There is provided a method and system to communicate information. The system receives a first query that contains at least one constraint and retrieves a first plurality of data items from a database based on the first query. Next the system generating a first distribution based on the first plurality of data items, the first distribution utilizing a first plurality of domains used to identify data items. Next the system generates a second distribution based on a plurality of requests to view a second plurality of data items. Next the system generates a third distribution based on the first distribution and the second distribution. Finally the system generates interface information, to be communicated to a user, based on the third distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Seema Shah, Adam Nash, Raghav Gupta, Aditya Arora, Benjamin David Foster, Srikanth Subramaniam, Suhail Ansari, Xavier Stonestreet, Vijay Raman, Jean-Michel Leon
  • Patent number: 8046321
    Abstract: A method and system to analyze rules is described. The system receives a query and applies a first plurality of rules to the query to identify a second plurality of rules that respectively identify at least one matching keyword in the query. Next, the system counts the first plurality of rules to identify a total quantity of rules applied to the query and further counts the second plurality of rules to identify a second quantity of rules that respectively identify at least one matching keyword in the query. Finally, the system determines a percentage of coverage for the query based on the total quantity of rules and the second quantity of rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Loftus, Venkat Sundaranatha, Louis Marcel Gino Monier, Jean-Michel Leon, Aditya Arora, Benjamin David Foster, Seema Shah
  • Publication number: 20110231108
    Abstract: Techniques for analyzing one or more protein structures. In one aspect of the invention, the technique comprises the following steps. A normalized second-order hydrophobic moment is determined for a protein structure. The normalized second-order hydrophobic moment is then used for analysis of the protein structure. A scoring function in accordance with the normalized second-order hydrophobic moment for the protein structure may be determined. A score for the protein structure may then be generated using the scoring function. The scoring function may represent an integral of the normalized second-order hydrophobic moment. The scores may be generated for a plurality of protein structures. The scores generated for the plurality of protein structures may then be compared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Prasanna Athma, Ajay K. Royyuru, Benjamin David Silverman, Ruhong Zhou
  • Patent number: 8024126
    Abstract: Techniques for analyzing protein structures, such as a tertiary protein structure, are provided. A centroid of the residue centroids is calculated. The centroid of the residue centroids is used as a spatial origin of a global linear hydrophobic moment. The correlation between residue centroid magnitude and residue solvent accessibility is enhanced. The global linear hydrophobic moment is defined, wherein each of the residue centroids contributes a magnitude and direction to the global linear hydrophobic moment. A method for comparing at least two tertiary protein structures is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin David Silverman
  • Publication number: 20110221217
    Abstract: A device for assisting manual grasping of articles, the device having: a) a common base; b) at least three arm elements articulating from the common base; c) each arm having a flexing zone with the common base; and d) each arm having a surface against which applied digital pressure will cause each of the three to flex towards a central grasping zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: John Patrick Grosse, Benjamin David Prescott
  • Publication number: 20110209688
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating an internal combustion engine. With reference to FIGS. (1), (2) and (5), fluid is supplied to charge air using an injector (116, 3116a, 3116b) which in each operation delivers a set amount of fluid. The amount of fluid supplied to the charge air in each engine cycle is controlled by how many times the injector (116, 3116a, 3116b) operates in each cycle. A desired fluid demand is calculated as a number of operations of the injector per cycle, calculated to at least one decimal place. The desired fluid demand is always rounded down or always rounded up to a near integer to provide an output fluid demand for the injector as a number of operations of the injector for the next operating cycle in varying operating conditions of the engine. The rounding difference is aggregated and when the aggregate passes an integer then the fluid demand is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: SCION-SPRAYS LIMITED
    Inventors: Timothy Guy Drake, Benjamin David Smither
  • Patent number: 8010297
    Abstract: Techniques for analyzing one or more protein structures. In one aspect of the invention, the technique comprises the following steps. A normalized second-order hydrophobic moment is determined for a protein structure. The normalized second-order hydrophobic moment is then used for analysis of the protein structure. A scoring function in accordance with the normalized second-order hydrophobic moment for the protein structure may be determined. A score for the protein structure may then be generated using the scoring function. The scoring function may represent an integral of the normalized second-order hydrophobic moment. The scores may be generated for a plurality of protein structures. The scores generated for the plurality of protein structures may then be compared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Prasanna Athma, Ajay K. Royyuru, Benjamin David Silverman, Ruhong Zhou
  • Patent number: 8010332
    Abstract: Techniques for protein structure analysis are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for characterizing a multi-domain protein structure comprises the following steps. For at least one domain, a hydrophobic dipole, e.g., defined as a first-order hydrophobic moment of the domain, is calculated. A score representing the orientation of the hydrophobic dipole of the at least one domain relative to a hydrophobic dipole of one or more other domains of the multi-domain protein structure is then calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Prasanna Athma, Ajay Royyuru, Benjamin David Silverman, Ruhong Zhou
  • Publication number: 20110179786
    Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a movable element suspended on a support structure by a plurality of flexures which are non-uniformly configured to apply forces having differing components perpendicular to the movement axis generating a net moment around the centre of mass of the movable element in an opposite sense from the moment generated by the actuation force. A shape memory alloy wire is coupled between the support structure and an intermediate body engaging the movable element through a pivotal contact to avoid lateral force transfer. Also coupled between the support structure and the intermediate body is a resilient biassing flexure plastically deformed in a partial region thereof. The shape memory alloy wire is crimped by a crimping member fixed to the support structure holding the shape memory alloy wire against a curved surface from which the shape alloy memory wire extends to the movable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Richard Topliss, Andrew Benjamin David Brown
  • Publication number: 20110175604
    Abstract: A stabilized field sensor apparatus collects field data, in particular magnetic field data, with reduced motion noise. The apparatus includes a tear drop shaped housing, a tow frame in the housing, a plurality of vibration isolating dampers spaced around the frame, a base assembly mounted to the dampers, a support pedestal having a bottom end fixed to the base assembly and an upper free end, a single spherical air bearing connected to the upper free end of the pedestal, an instrument platform with a lower hollow funnel having an upper inside apex supported on the air bearing for a one point support, principal and secondary gyro stabilizers for maintaining pivotal and rotational stability, and at least one field sensor mounted to the instrument platform for collecting the field data while being stabilized against motion noise including vibration, pivoting and rotation from the base assembly, from the tow frame and from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: VALE S.A.
    Inventors: Benjamin David POLZER, Gordon Fox West, Peter Whyte Walker, Peter Anthony Hurley, Robert Leslie Scott Hogg
  • Publication number: 20110170055
    Abstract: A contact lens is provided with an indicator that is visible when placed in contact with a solution, but substantially transparent when removed from that solution. The indicator may be of the type to designate whether the contact lens is to be worn on the right or left eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Benjamin David Enerson
  • Patent number: 7976135
    Abstract: A device for projecting liquid as jets or droplets from multiple nozzles, the device comprising: a plurality of transducers oriented substantially parallel to one another and each having an inner face and an outer face opposite said inner face, the transducers being arranged in a substantially planar array; a plurality of nozzles to project liquid therefrom; liquid supply means for supplying a liquid to the nozzles; each nozzle is associated with an adjacent respective transducer which is excitable to cause movement of the adjacent associated nozzle in a direction substantially aligned with the nozzle axis, to project liquid therefrom; the liquid supply means supplies liquid to an inner end of said nozzle; means for selectively exciting transducers as required, thereby to project liquid as jets or droplets from the respective outer face by movement of the liquid through the nozzle in response to the movement of the nozzle; wherein one or more pressure absorbing regions are disposed at a predetermined dista
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Technology Partnership Plc
    Inventors: Andrew Benjamin David Brown, Paul Mark Galluzzo
  • Patent number: 7947799
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new class of organic/inorganic hybrid materials having [ER]n rings interconnected by E? atoms. In an embodiment a class of materials called high organic group content periodic mesoporous organosilicas (HO-PMO's) with [SiR]3 rings interconnected by O atoms is described. The measured dielectric, mechanical and thermal properties of the materials suggest that an increased organic content achieved by the [SiR]3 rings of a high organic group content periodic mesoporous organosilica leads to superior materials properties potentially useful for a wide range of applications including microelectronics, separation, catalysis, sensing, optics or electronic printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventors: Kai Manfred Martin Landskron, Benjamin David Hatton, Geoffrey Alan Ozin, Doug Dragan Perovic
  • Publication number: 20110119246
    Abstract: There is provided methods and systems to identify a preferred domain of a plurality of domains corresponding to a query. First, the system receives the query. Second, the system accesses demand information corresponding to the query, the demand information including navigation information associated with the query. Third, the system accesses supply information corresponding to the query, the supply information including a count of data items in each of the plurality of domains that match the query. Fourth, the system identifies the preferred domain based on the demand information and the supply information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Loftus, Venkat Sundaranatha, Louis Marcel Gino Monier, Jean-Michel Leon, Aditya Arora, Benjamin David Foster, Seema Shah
  • Publication number: 20110106085
    Abstract: An occipital plating system includes a plating assembly with a plate body defining a profile adapted for positioning on the occiput. The plate body includes a central portion that extends bi-laterally across the central axis of the spinal column to opposite lateral portions of the plate. At least one coupling member extends from each of the lateral portions of the plate body to receive a connecting element extending from the spinal column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: William Barry Null, Marc Thomas Paul, Benjamin David Cowan, Jayant Jangra
  • Publication number: 20110106785
    Abstract: There is provided methods and systems to enable navigation of data items based on aspect-value pairs extracted from the data items. First, the system receives the query. Second, the system identifies the plurality of data items found by the query. Third, the system identifies an aspect of at least one of the plurality of data items. Fourth, the system identifies a value of a plurality of values corresponding to the aspect. Fifth, the system a request to navigate to a set of data items within the plurality of data items, the request comprising the aspect and a requested value of the plurality of values. Each one of the set of data items has the aspect and the value. Sixth, the system presents, in a user interface, information about each one of the set of data items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Loftus, Venkat Sundaranatha, Louis Marcel Gino Monler, Jean-Michel Leon, Aditya Arora, Benjamin David Foster, Seema Shah
  • Publication number: 20110082872
    Abstract: There is provided methods and systems to transform unstructured information into structured information. First, the system accesses a rule specifying a condition for assigning data to the data item, the condition based on the content of the data item, the assigned data to provide structure to the data item. Second, based on a detecting that the condition has been met, the system applies the rule to assign the assigned data to the data item. Third, the system stores, in a database, the data item and the assigned data as the data item structured information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Loftus, Venkat Sundaranatha, Louis Marcel Gino Monier, Jean-Michel Leon, Aditya Arora, Benjamin David Foster, Seema Shah
  • Publication number: 20110048238
    Abstract: An air filter system (10) has a filter housing (11), an air filter media (12), and an electrical circuit (13) electrically coupled to the media. The filter media consists of a pleated air filter material (23) with front pleat apexes (25) and rear pleat apexes (26) which are coated with an electrically conductive material to form front vertical strips (27) and rear strips (28). The electrical circuit includes a positive front electrical contact (30) and a rear electrical contact (31). The front electrical contact has a rear surface (30?) in electrical contact with an elongated front electrical contact bar (33), oriented horizontally across and in electrical contact with the filter front strips of conductive ink. Similarly, the rear electrical contact has a front surface (31?) in electrical contact with an elongated rear electrical contact bar (34), oriented horizontally across and in electrical contact with the rear strips of conductive ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen M. Gatchell, Benjamin David Freeman
  • Publication number: 20110055040
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method to facilitate generating listing recommendations to a user of a network-based commerce system. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a term associated with a user interaction in a network-based commerce system. The method further includes generating a recommendation query including the identified term. In addition, the method includes running the recommendation query against a plurality of listings hosted by the network-based commerce system to identify a recommendation. Moreover, the method includes presenting the recommendation to a user of the network-based commerce system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: EBAY INC.
    Inventors: BENJAMIN DAVID FOSTER, LEONARD ROBERT SPEISER, LORI KATHLEEN STEWART, ANDREW LEIGH SANDLER, CHARLES ZORAN KALKO, STERLING RYAN QUICK, ANNE CHANG RAIMONDI