Patents by Inventor Craig Benjamin

Craig 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: 20240098449
    Abstract: A wireless proximity detection system employs short-range wireless communication to detect the proximity of a user device within a strictly defined wireless zone and as a result trigger a desired action. The proximity detection system may utilize one or more leaky feeders to define the wireless zone and the associated received signal strength(s) detected by the user's wireless device. Alternatively, a compact planar antenna structure coupled with a highly shielded radio transceiver is used to allow a similar precise low-power radio beam to be emitted defining a small location to enable identification of a wireless device such as a smartphone in a given area in front of the device. The planar antenna structure allows a compact and low-cost fabrication method and the use of common printed circuit fabrication methods provide an integrated solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Simpello LLC
    Inventors: William Benjamin Robertson, Roger Mabillard, Jean-Samuel Chenard, Xavier Bernard, Craig A. Stoller
  • Publication number: 20230366579
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes an air conditioner unit operable in at least one of an occupancy mode or a vacancy mode, a plurality of occupancy indication devices, and a controller in operative communication with the air conditioner unit and the plurality of occupancy indication devices. The controller is configured to operate the air conditioner unit in the occupancy mode, initiate an occupancy countdown timer, identify a first trigger event associated with at least one of the plurality of occupancy indication devices, adjust the occupancy countdown timer based at least in part on the first trigger event, determine that the occupancy countdown timer has expired, and operate the air conditioner unit in the vacancy mode in response to determining that the occupancy countdown timer has expired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Craig Benjamin Williams, Subramani Swaminadhan
  • Publication number: 20230368318
    Abstract: A system for detecting events of a geographical area includes a plurality of sensors positioned within a plurality of properties, a memory device for storing a profile of at least one utility equipment, the profile including operating parameters for the at least one utility equipment, and a server communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The server is configured to (i) receive, from the plurality of sensors, sensor data associated with the at least one utility, (ii) detect an event associated with the at least one utility by comparing the received sensor data to the profile, (iii) determine a performance of the at least one utility equipment based upon the detected event, and (iv) transmit, to a remote computing device, support data associated with the performance of the at least one utility equipment, the support data addressing at least a performance failure of the at least one utility equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Craig Benjamin Cope, Emily Kate Schneider, Kara Lynn Heuer, Burton J Floyd, Kevin Joseph Alcozar
  • Patent number: 11816600
    Abstract: A building analysis (“BA”) system for detecting events of a building includes a plurality of sensors positioned within a building, a memory device including an optimal profile of an infrastructure, and a building analysis (“BA”) server communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The infrastructure is at least one of (i) a fixture associated with the building and (ii) at least one person located within the building. The BA system includes one or more processors in communication with the memory that are programmed to: (i) receive sensor data related to the infrastructure, (ii) compare the sensor data to the optimal profile to detect an event, (iii) determine a recommended action based upon the detected event, (iv) execute the recommended action to mitigate at least one of damage caused by the detected event to the building and injury caused by the detected event to the at least one person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Craig Benjamin Cope, Emily Kate Schneider, Kara Lynn Heuer, Burton J Floyd, Kevin Joseph Alcozar
  • Patent number: 11692729
    Abstract: A single-package air conditioner unit, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, and a controller. The cabinet may define an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. The outdoor heat exchanger may be disposed in the outdoor portion. The indoor heat exchanger may be disposed in the indoor portion. The compressor may be in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant therebetween. The controller may be in operative communication with the compressor. The controller may be configured to initiate a conditioning operation. The conditioning operation may include receiving a demand response signal corresponding to electric power access, determining occupancy of an indoor environment, and initiating a responsive conditioning cycle in response to receiving the demand response signal, the responsive conditioning cycle being based on the determined occupancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Duane Longenecker, Craig Benjamin Williams
  • Patent number: 11692720
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, a bulkhead, and a sterilization light assembly. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may further define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the outdoor portion and include an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the indoor portion and include an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The bulkhead may be disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger along a transverse direction to define the indoor portion and the outdoor portion. The bulkhead may further define a vent aperture therethrough. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion downstream from the vent aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky
  • Patent number: 11595360
    Abstract: A method for hosted payload operations comprises transmitting, by a hosted payload (HoP) operation center (HOC), encrypted hosted commands to a host spacecraft operations center (SOC). The method further comprises transmitting, by the host SOC, encrypted host commands and the encrypted hosted commands to a vehicle. Also, the method comprises reconfiguring a host payload according to unencrypted host commands, and reconfiguring a hosted payload according to unencrypted hosted commands. Additionally, the method comprises transmitting host payload data to a host receiving antenna. Also, the method comprises transmitting hosted payload data to a hosted receiving antenna and/or the host receiving antenna. Additionally, the method comprises transmitting, by a host telemetry transmitter, encrypted host telemetry to the host SOC; and transmitting, by a hosted telemetry transmitter, encrypted hosted telemetry to the host SOC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Yi-Feng James Chen, Haig F. Krikorian, Robert J. Winig, Jonathan Fish, Craig Benjamin
  • Patent number: 11585547
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, and a sterilization light assembly. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the outdoor portion and comprising an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the indoor portion and comprising an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The compressor may be in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion and directed at the indoor heat exchanger to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky, Venkateswarlu Vivaram
  • Patent number: 11578884
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, and a sterilization light assembly. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may further define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the housing to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto. The sterilization light assembly may include a support board, an ultraviolet C (UVC) light source, and a lens casing. The UVC light source may be mounted to the support board and configured to emit radiation between 200 to 280 nanometers. The lens casing may be disposed over the support board and seal the UVC light source to prevent moisture from contacting the UVC light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky
  • Publication number: 20230028978
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, a sterilization light assembly, and a controller. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may further define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion. The controller may be in operable communication with the indoor fan and the sterilization light assembly. The controller may be configured to initiate a sterilizing operation. The sterilizing operation may include directing activation of the indoor fan to motivate air through the indoor portion, detecting activation of the indoor fan to motivate air through the indoor portion, and directing activation of the sterilization light assembly to transmit an ultraviolet light emission within the indoor portion based on detected activation of the indoor fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Craig Benjamin Williams, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20230024439
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, a sterilization light assembly, and a controller. The controller may be configured to initiate a sterilizing operation. The sterilizing operation may include receiving a first command signal and directing activation of the sterilization light assembly at a first active intensity level for transmission of ultraviolet light emissions within the indoor portion in response to receiving the first command signal. The sterilizing operation may further include receiving a second command signal following the first command signal and directing activation of the sterilization light assembly at a second active intensity level for transmission of ultraviolet light emissions within the indoor portion in response to receiving the second command signal. The second active intensity level may be different from the first active intensity level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventor: Craig Benjamin Williams
  • Publication number: 20220364747
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, and a sterilization light assembly. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may further define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the housing to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto. The sterilization light assembly may include a support board, an ultraviolet C (UVC) light source, and a lens casing. The UVC light source may be mounted to the support board and configured to emit radiation between 200 to 280 nanometers. The lens casing may be disposed over the support board and seal the UVC light source to prevent moisture from contacting the UVC light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky
  • Publication number: 20220349590
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, a bulkhead, and a sterilization light assembly. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may further define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the outdoor portion and include an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the indoor portion and include an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The bulkhead may be disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger along a transverse direction to define the indoor portion and the outdoor portion. The bulkhead may further define a vent aperture therethrough. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion downstream from the vent aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky
  • Publication number: 20220349597
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, and a sterilization light assembly. The housing may define an indoor portion and outdoor portion. The housing may further define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the outdoor portion and include an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the indoor portion and include an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The compressor may be in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion below the indoor fan and directed forward to transmit an ultraviolet light emission within the indoor portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky
  • Publication number: 20220333802
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, and a sterilization light assembly. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the outdoor portion and comprising an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the indoor portion and comprising an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The compressor may be in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion and directed upstream at the indoor fan to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky, Venkateswarlu Vivaram
  • Publication number: 20220333801
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, and a sterilization light assembly. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the outdoor portion and comprising an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the indoor portion and comprising an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The compressor may be in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion and directed at the indoor heat exchanger to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky, Venkateswarlu Vivaram
  • Publication number: 20220333792
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, and a sterilization light assembly. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the outdoor portion and comprising an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the indoor portion and comprising an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The compressor may be in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion and directed forward at the indoor fan to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky, Venkateswarlu Vivaram
  • Patent number: 11281201
    Abstract: An air conditioner, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, an internal temperature sensor, and a controller. The controller may be configured to initiate a conditioning operation. The conditioning operation may include detecting a learning condition at the air conditioner, identifying a first operating mode, and initiating a learning event at the first operating mode. The conditioning operation may further include measuring performance during the learning event, recording a baseline variable based on the measured performance during the learning event, and measuring performance at the first operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Benjamin Williams
  • Publication number: 20220003448
    Abstract: A single-package air conditioner unit, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, and a controller. The cabinet may define an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. The outdoor heat exchanger may be disposed in the outdoor portion. The indoor heat exchanger may be disposed in the indoor portion. The compressor may be in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant therebetween. The controller may be in operative communication with the compressor. The controller may be configured to initiate a conditioning operation. The conditioning operation may include receiving a demand response signal corresponding to electric power access, determining occupancy of an indoor environment, and initiating a responsive conditioning cycle in response to receiving the demand response signal, the responsive conditioning cycle being based on the determined occupancy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua Duane Longenecker, Craig Benjamin Williams
  • Publication number: 20220003447
    Abstract: An air conditioning system including a plurality of air conditioner units that work together in an optimized manner to meet conditioning requirements for a contiguous space. Specifically, a controller is in operative communication with a communication module of each of the plurality of air conditioner units and is configured for obtaining conditioning requirements for the contiguous space, determining individual unit commands for meeting those requirements, and communicating the unit commands to each respective air conditioner unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Craig Benjamin Williams, Robert Jules Lafleur, Rebecca A. Heintz, David Nathanael Langner