Patents by Inventor Blake Stevens

Blake Stevens 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).

  • Patent number: 9156055
    Abstract: In various aspects and embodiments, the present disclosure relates to the manner in which precursor materials are provided to processing equipment and, more specifically, to the manner in which precursor materials of organic polymers are delivered to systems for forming and, in some embodiments, depositing the organic polymers. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to precursor supplies, which comprise vehicles, such as binders, supports and cartridges, for delivering a precursor material to a material processing system, such as a deposition system or other processing equipment. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to material processing systems with which the precursor supplies are configured to be used. Methods for preparing precursor supplies, using precursor supplies, providing process control, and recycling precursor supplies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson, Liulei Cao
  • Patent number: 9157880
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a port for connecting the electronic device to other electronic devices and a moisture detector configured to detect an electrically conductive liquid in the first port. The moisture detector is configured to maintain a voltage on a first electrical contact of the port and to detect a short circuit between the first electrical contact and a second electrical contact of the port. The moisture detector determines that the electronic device has been exposed to an electrically conductive liquid if the monitor module detects the short circuit. The moisture detector may also put the electronic device into safe mode if it is exposed to an electrically conductive liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Patent number: 9146207
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for sensing moisture within an electronic device are disclosed. A device may include a housing and a display defining an exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device. Further, the device may include an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and a control element within the electronic device. The device may also include a moisture sensor such as an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, or both. The moisture sensor, which may be part of the IC, together with the control element may sense moisture within the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcellus Harper, Jason Maynard, Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20150231664
    Abstract: Systems for organizing substrates in deposition chambers of material deposition apparatuses are disclosed. Such a system may be configured to organize a large number of substrates (e.g., electronic device subassemblies, such as circuit boards with semiconductor devices and other components secured thereto; partially assembled electronic devices; fully assembled electronic devices; etc.) in a manner that will enable concurrent deposition of material onto all of the substrates of the plurality. The system may be configured to optimize an efficiency with which the substrates are packed into the deposition chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander Crowley, Tyler Child, Blake Stevens, Jason Maynard, Steven Bonney, Christopher Shirley
  • Patent number: 9071046
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the moisture to which an electronic device is exposed may alter or vary operation of the electronic device. Operation of the electronic device may be altered or varied to provide a notification that the electronic device has been exposed to moisture. When an electronic device is exposed to moisture, an operational mode of the electronic device may be changed. A change in the operational mode of the electronic device may include termination of the supply of power to one or more components, which may protect those components. Programs or apps that provide a user of the electronic device with information regarding exposure of the electronic device to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a moisture response threshold are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20150146396
    Abstract: A moisture-resistant electronic device includes at least one electronic component at least partially covered by a moisture-resistant coating. The moisture-resistant coating may be located within an interior of the electronic device. The moisture-resistant coating may cover only portions of a boundary of an internal space within the electronic device. A moisture-resistant coating may include one or more discernible boundaries, or seams, which may be located at or adjacent to locations where two or more components of the electronic device interface with each other. Assembly methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Max Sorenson, Blake Stevens, Alan Rae, Marc Chason
  • Publication number: 20150072452
    Abstract: One or more masks may be used to control the application of protective (e.g., moisture-resistant, etc.) coatings to one or more portions of various components of an electronic device during assembly of the electronic device. A method for applying a protective coating to an electronic device includes assembling two or more components of the electronic device with one another. A mask may then be applied to the resulting electronic assembly. The mask may shield selected portions of the electronic assembly, while other portions of the electronic assembly, i.e., those to which a protective coating is to be applied, may remain exposed through the mask. With the mask in place, application of a protective coating to portions of the electronic assembly exposed through the mask may commence. After application of the protective coating, the mask may be removed from the electronic assembly. Embodiments of masked electronic assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson, Sidney Edward Martin, III
  • Publication number: 20140313039
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a port for connecting the electronic device to other electronic devices and a moisture detector configured to detect an electrically conductive liquid in the first port. The moisture detector is configured to maintain a voltage on a first electrical contact of the port and to detect a short circuit between the first electrical contact and a second electrical contact of the port. The moisture detector determines that the electronic device has been exposed to an electrically conductive liquid if the monitor module detects the short circuit. The moisture detector may also put the electronic device into safe mode if it is exposed to an electrically conductive liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20140268526
    Abstract: Protective coatings, including moisture-resistant coatings, that include two or more different types of moisture-resistant materials are disclosed, as are moisture-sensitive substrates that include such protective coatings. Moisture-sensitive substrates that include different types of moisture-resistant coatings on different elements are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HzO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Yang Yun
  • Publication number: 20140260571
    Abstract: A progressive, or graded, passive moisture detector is configured to provide an indication of the amount of moisture to which a moisture-sensitive substrate has been exposed, a duration of time that a moisture-sensitive substrate has been exposed to moisture or the effectiveness of one or more protective coatings at preventing moisture-sensitive components from being exposed to moisture. A progressive passive moisture detector includes a plurality of different passive moisture detectors with different properties. The passive moisture detectors may be arranged in a manner (e.g., a sequence, etc.) that correlates to information the progressive passive moisture detector is intended to provide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HzO, Inc.
    Inventor: Blake Stevens
  • Publication number: 20140190000
    Abstract: An approach to refurbishing or remanufacturing an electronic device may involve exposing electrical components that are situated within an interior of the electronic device. The approach may also involve replacing one or more defective electronic components of the electronic device with one or more replacement components and applying a protective coating to at least a portion of the interior of the electronic device. The protective coating may cover the circuit board and the electronic components it carries. The protective coating may also cover at least some of the electrical connections of the electronic device. The protective coating may also be applied to the replacement component prior to reassembly. The resulting refurbished or remanufactured electronic device may thus be provided with moisture resistance to help protect the electronic device from damage caused by exposure to moisture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: HzO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson, Scott B. Gordon
  • Publication number: 20140191588
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for reducing or selectively terminating the power supplied to or the voltage present at the ports of electronic devices are disclosed. Methods, apparatuses and systems for reducing or terminating the power supplied to and, thus, the voltage across electrical contacts of one or more ports of a portable electronic device when the port is not in use may be effected in a variety of ways and may prevent corrosion or other moisture-induced damage to each port, and to the electronic device of which the port is a part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: HzO, Inc.
    Inventor: Blake Stevens
  • Publication number: 20140191874
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a port for connecting the electronic device to other electronic devices and a moisture detector configured to detect an electrically conductive liquid in the first port. The moisture detector is configured to maintain a voltage on a first electrical contact of the port and to detect a short circuit between the first electrical contact and a second electrical contact of the port. The moisture detector determines that the electronic device has been exposed to an electrically conductive liquid if the monitor module detects the short circuit. The moisture detector may also put the electronic device into safe mode if it is exposed to an electrically conductive liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: HzO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Patent number: 8773271
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a port for connecting the electronic device to other electronic devices and a moisture detector configured to detect an electrically conductive liquid in the first port. The moisture detector is configured to maintain a voltage on a first electrical contact of the port and to detect a short circuit between the first electrical contact and a second electrical contact of the port. The moisture detector determines that the electronic device has been exposed to an electrically conductive liquid if the monitor module detects the short circuit. The moisture detector may also put the electronic device into safe mode if it is exposed to an electrically conductive liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: HzO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20140160680
    Abstract: An electronic device that has components is provided with a housing that defines an exterior and an interior of the electronic device. The housing includes a vapor port that prevents ingress of liquid through the vapor port from the exterior of the electronic device to the interior of the electronic device. The vapor port also permits egress of vapor through the vapor port from the interior of the electronic device to the exterior of the electronic device. The vapor port may include a breathable, but water-resistant or waterproof barrier to prevent water from entering through barrier while enabling water vapor to exit through the barrier and, thus, the vapor port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: HzO, Inc.
    Inventor: Blake Stevens
  • Publication number: 20140160650
    Abstract: Methods for applying protective coatings to electronic devices that have already been assembled, and are in a consumer-ready or aftermarket form, are disclosed. In such a method, an electronic device may be at least partially disassembled to expose at least a portion of an interior of the electronic device. A protective coating is applied to some or all of the exposed surfaces of the electronic devices, including one or more internal surfaces, features or components of the electronic device. Thereafter, the electronic device may be reassembled. During and after reassembly, the protective coating resides internally within the electronic device. Systems for applying protective coatings to interior components of previously assembled electronic devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: HzO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson, Paul S. Clayson, Scott B. Gordon
  • Publication number: 20130335898
    Abstract: Methods for applying protective coatings to electronic devices that have already been assembled, and are in a consumer-ready or aftermarket form, are disclosed. In such a method, an electronic device may be at least partially disassembled to expose at least a portion of an interior of the electronic device. A protective coating is applied to some or all of the exposed surfaces of the electronic devices, including one or more internal surfaces, features or components of the electronic device. Thereafter, the electronic device may be reassembled. During and after reassembly, the protective coating resides internally within the electronic device. Systems for applying protective coatings to interior components of previously assembled electronic devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson, Paul S. Clayson, Scott B. Gordon
  • Publication number: 20130286567
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a protective coating to a high volume of separate electronic device assemblies includes a treatment element that is configured to prepare the high volume of electronic devices before protective coatings are applied to the electronic devices. The apparatus also includes a coating element configured to apply protective coatings to the high volume of separate electronic device assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Max Sorenson, Blake Stevens, Alan Rae, Marc Kenneth Chason, Dana Cox, James Kent Naylor
  • Publication number: 20130182360
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the moisture to which an electronic device is exposed may alter or vary operation of the electronic device. Operation of the electronic device may be altered or varied to provide a notification that the electronic device has been exposed to moisture. When an electronic device is exposed to moisture, an operational mode of the electronic device may be changed. A change in the operational mode of the electronic device may include termination of the supply of power to one or more components, which may protect those components. Programs or apps that provide a user of the electronic device with information regarding exposure of the electronic device to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a moisture response threshold are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: HZO, INC.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20130176691
    Abstract: One or more masks may be used to control the application of protective (e.g., moisture-resistant, etc.) coatings to one or more portions of various components of an electronic device during assembly of the electronic device. A method for applying a protective coating to an electronic device includes assembling two or more components of the electronic device with one another. A mask may then be applied to the resulting electronic assembly. The mask may shield selected portions of the electronic assembly, while other portions of the electronic assembly, i.e., those to which a protective coating is to be applied, may remain exposed through the mask. With the mask in place, application of a protective coating to portions of the electronic assembly exposed through the mask may commence. After application of the protective coating, the mask may be removed from the electronic assembly. Embodiments of masked electronic assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: HzO, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson, Sidney Edward Martin, III