Patents by Inventor BRIAN A. BLACK

BRIAN A. BLACK 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: 20240120706
    Abstract: A method of designing a continuous-wave laser source having a target output wavelength and an input laser with a wavelength different from the target output wavelength includes the steps of receiving the target output wavelength, and subordinate properties of the laser source; determining a candidate wavelength of the input laser and materials of the substrate, lower cladding, photonic device layer (PDL), and upper cladding; producing an optimal design of a photonic crystal resonator (PhCR) enabling optical parametric oscillation (OPO); and producing an optimal design of the input and output PhCR waveguide couplers. The OPO is phase-matched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Scott Brian Papp, Jennifer Anne Black
  • Publication number: 20240113274
    Abstract: A one-step and dry process for forming a high first cycle efficiency anode is provided. The process may include dry mixing an active component having an active anode material, a binder and a conductive material with a prelithiation agent to form a dry anode material mixture. The prelithiating agent may be a printable lithium composition and may include a lithium metal powder, a polymer binder compatible with the lithium metal powder, and a rheology modifier compatible with the lithium metal powder. The prelithiation agent may also be a solvent-free stabilized lithium metal powder. The dry anode material mixture is applied to a substrate as a non self-supporting layer to form the electrode which may be used in a wide variety of batteries including lithium ion batteries, lithium ion capacitors and solid-state batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Jian Xia, Kenneth Brian Fitch, Marina Yakovleva, Rebecca N. Black
  • Patent number: 11668041
    Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brian A. Black, Thomas A. Latack, Matthew D. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20210372024
    Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRIAN A. BLACK, THOMAS A. LATACK, MATTHEW D. RHODES
  • Patent number: 11111621
    Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brian A. Black, Thomas A. Latack, Matthew D. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 10271708
    Abstract: A household appliance having a treating chamber in which is received an article for treatment, a treating chemistry dispenser configured to receive a unit dose container for the treating chemistry, and a controller for executing at least one cycle of operation and a method of operating the household appliance to physically alter a unit dose container in conjunction with a cycle of operation and sensing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brian A. Black, Thomas A. Latack, Matthew D. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20180135226
    Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRIAN A. BLACK, THOMAS A. LATACK, MATTHEW D. RHODES
  • Patent number: 9970148
    Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brian A. Black, Thomas A. Latack, Matthew D. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20160338565
    Abstract: A household appliance having a treating chamber in which is received an article for treatment, a treating chemistry dispenser configured to receive a unit dose container for the treating chemistry, and a controller for executing at least one cycle of operation and a method of operating the household appliance to physically alter a unit dose container in conjunction with a cycle of operation and sensing same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRIAN A. BLACK, THOMAS A. LATACK, MATTHEW D. RHODES
  • Publication number: 20160302818
    Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a rigidizing member. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide includes a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section includes a first member and a second member. The second member is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The rigidizing member is configured to selectively engage at least a portion of the articulation section to thereby selectively provide rigidity to the articulation section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: William B. Weisenburgh, II, Barry C. Worrell, Jeffrey D. Messerly, Kristen L. Pirozzi, II, Craig N. Faller, John B. Schulte, Kristen Denzinger, Joseph Hollo, Jason Sullivan, Brian Black, Frederick L. Estera, David A. Monroe, Stephen Leuck, Tylor C. Muhlenkamp, Gregory A. Trees
  • Publication number: 20160283346
    Abstract: The techniques and supporting systems described herein provide a comprehensive and customizable approach to identifying the use of best practices during the design and development of software applications, as well as recommending additional enhancements or courses of action that may be implemented to further improve the application. Target software application code is received specific application security best practices applicable to the target software application are identified. Locations in the code where the various best practices ought to be implemented are then identified, and a determination is made whether the relevant best practices are implemented for each location. Finally, positive feedback is provided to the developers for what appears to be their correct implementation of best practices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Kriegsman, Brian Black
  • Patent number: 9416482
    Abstract: A household appliance having a treating chamber in which is received an article for treatment, a treating chemistry dispenser configured to receive a unit dose container for the treating chemistry, and a controller for executing at least one cycle of operation and a method of operating the household appliance to physically alter a unit dose container in conjunction with a at least one cycle of operation and sensing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brian A. Black, Thomas A. Latack, Matthew D. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 9286063
    Abstract: The techniques and supporting systems described herein provide a comprehensive and customizable approach to identifying the use of best practices during the design and development of software applications, as well as recommending additional enhancements or courses of action that may be implemented to further improve the application. Target software application code is received specific application security best practices applicable to the target software application are identified. Locations in the code where the various best practices ought to be implemented are then identified, and a determination is made whether the relevant best practices are implemented for each location. Finally, positive feedback is provided to the developers for what appears to be their correct implementation of best practices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Veracode, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kriegsman, Brian Black
  • Patent number: 9271627
    Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation, includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an optically sensible element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the optically sensible element, and a sensor to sense the physical alteration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brian A. Black, Thomas A. Latack, Matthew D. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 9139951
    Abstract: A method of operating a household appliance to vary the thermal output of the electric heater by selectively coupling heating elements between power supply mains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan R. Bellinger, Brian A. Black
  • Patent number: 8842971
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to play audio and video content at non-native rates are described. An example method includes playing a video portion of audiovisual content at a non-native rate, playing an audio portion of the audiovisual content at the non-native rate to correspond with the video portion, wherein a presentation of the audiovisual content at the non-native rate and a presentation of the audiovisual content at a native rate are substantially indistinguishable to an audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Romulo Pontual, David P. Green, Tyson L. Wintibaugh, Brian Black, Roger Lambert, Ajmair S. Heer
  • Patent number: 8812981
    Abstract: A method of conditionally displaying an icon to indicate a status within a user interface as part of a media presentation system is described. An example method includes updating a status of content within the media presentation system, displaying at least one icon within a guide menu containing one or more menu sections with each menu section containing a plurality of menu layers, and displaying the icon within a first menu layer to indicate the status of content within menu layers associated with the first menu layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommi J. Iten, Eric J. Bennett, Tyson L. Wintibaugh, David P. Green, Brian Black
  • Publication number: 20140060594
    Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation, includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an optically sensible element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the optically sensible element, and a sensor to sense the physical alteration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRIAN A. BLACK, THOMAS A. LATACK, MATTHEW D. RHODES
  • Publication number: 20140060581
    Abstract: A household appliance having a treating chamber in which is received an article for treatment, a treating chemistry dispenser configured to receive a unit dose container for the treating chemistry, and a controller for executing at least one cycle of operation and a method of operating the household appliance to physically alter a unit dose container in conjunction with a at least one cycle of operation and sensing same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRIAN A. BLACK, THOMAS A. LATACK, MATTHEW D. RHODES
  • Publication number: 20140060595
    Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRIAN A. BLACK, THOMAS A. LATACK, MATTHEW D. RHODES