Patents by Inventor Eric Benson

Eric Benson 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: 20230056717
    Abstract: A flexible fluid containment covering is provided which is configured for temporary engagement over a leak in a pipe carrying fluid. A flexible body of the covering is positionable upon a leaking pipe to channel leaking fluid downward through an exit from a gap formed between a first half portion and second half portion of the body. Channels may be positioned on the contact side of the body to direct fluid downward. When placed upon a leaking pipe, the covering prevents fluid from spraying upward and outward and allows for container collection of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Benson, Trevor Terra
  • Publication number: 20230029661
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating glaucoma in a patient's eye (25) are provided. A treatment laser beam is directed at the trabecular meshwork of the patient's eye to initiate reactions that promote improved drainage of aqueous humour fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Benson, David Haarhoff
  • Patent number: 11147624
    Abstract: The invention resides in a pattern laser comprising a plurality of laser devices each emitting a treatment laser beam into an optical fibre of an optical fibre bundle. An optical coupling module is associated with each laser device and each optical fibre for coupling a treatment laser beam into the associated optical fibre. A controller controls the operation of the laser devices by selectively turning on or off one or more of the laser devices so as to form a laser treatment pattern at an end of the fibre bundle away from the laser devices. A delivery system images the output from the fibre bundle to a treatment zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: ELLEX MEDICAL PTY LTD
    Inventors: Wei Xia, Eric Benson, Yong Min Ooi, Victor Previn, Timothy Dixon
  • Patent number: 11003208
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a laptop computer or other device may have a housing. A display may be coupled to the housing. The display may have a pixel array configured to display an image. Backlight illumination for the pixel array may be provide by a backlight unit. The backlight unit may have a light guide layer. A light source may provide light to an edge of the light guide layer. The light guide layer may scatter the light outwardly to serve as the backlight illumination for the pixel array. The backlight unit may have optical films interposed between the light guide layer and the pixel array. The optical films may include flexible polymer layers such as diffuser layers and prism films. The optical films may each have a bent alignment portion that bends back on itself while wrapping around an edge of the light guide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Bryan W. Posner, Dinesh C. Mathew, Mengyang Liang, Eric Benson, Victor Yin, Jun Qi
  • Publication number: 20200192422
    Abstract: An electronic device such as a laptop computer or other device may have a housing. A display may be coupled to the housing. The display may have a pixel array configured to display an image. Backlight illumination for the pixel array may be provide by a backlight unit. The backlight unit may have a light guide layer. A light source may provide light to an edge of the light guide layer. The light guide layer may scatter the light outwardly to serve as the backlight illumination for the pixel array. The backlight unit may have optical films interposed between the light guide layer and the pixel array. The optical films may include flexible polymer layers such as diffuser layers and prism films. The optical films may each have a bent alignment portion that bends back on itself while wrapping around an edge of the light guide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Keith J. Hendren, Adam T. Garelli, Bryan W. Posner, Dinesh C. Mathew, Mengyang Liang, Eric Benson, Victor Yin, Jun Qi
  • Publication number: 20180368915
    Abstract: The invention resides in a pattern laser comprising a plurality of laser devices each emitting a treatment laser beam into an optical fibre of an optical fibre bundle. An optical coupling module is associated with each laser device and each optical fibre for coupling a treatment laser beam into the associated optical fibre. A controller controls the operation of the laser devices by selectively turning on or off one or more of the laser devices so as to form a laser treatment pattern at an end of the fibre bundle away from the laser devices. A delivery system images the output from the fibre bundle to a treatment zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: Ellex Medical Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Wei Xia, Eric Benson, Yong Min Ooi, Victor Previn, Timothy Dixon
  • Patent number: 9128880
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to manage software updates of networked data collection devices are disclosed. Example disclosed methods involve in response to receiving a software update, determining if the data collection device is to receive the software update and, if the data collection device is to receive the software update, setting, in memory, a state indicator for the data collection device to an update state. Disclosed methods also include in response to receiving a configuration request from the data collection device when the corresponding state indicator is set to the update state, sending an update command to the data collection device, the update command to include a bill of materials corresponding to the software update and a time for the software update to take effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Benson, David Lill, James Jespersen
  • Publication number: 20150067670
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to manage software updates of networked data collection devices are disclosed. Example disclosed methods involve in response to receiving a software update, determining if the data collection device is to receive the software update and, if the data collection device is to receive the software update, setting, in memory, a state indicator for the data collection device to an update state. Disclosed methods also include in response to receiving a configuration request from the data collection device when the corresponding state indicator is set to the update state, sending an update command to the data collection device, the update command to include a bill of materials corresponding to the software update and a time for the software update to take effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Eric Benson, David Lill, James Jespersen
  • Patent number: 8970393
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining possible theft scenarios at utility meters are described. In some examples, the system receives information that indicates possible tampering of utility meter by a customer of a utility. In some examples, the system uses the information to determine a theft scenario. The system may then use the determined theft scenario as evidence against the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: ITRON, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Benson, Chris Bernardi, Michael Schleich
  • Publication number: 20140085576
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided with backlight structures that provide backlight illumination for a display. The backlight structures include a light source such as an array of light-emitting diodes that launches light into an edge of a light guide plate. The light guide plate distributes the light laterally across display layers in the display. One or more optical films such as brightness enhancement films and diffuser layers are interposed between the display layers and the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes light guide plate alignment features that mate with corresponding optical film alignment features in the optical films. The light guide plate alignment features may be protrusions that extend into openings such as notches or holes in the optical films. The light guide plate may have a protruding portion that extends around a periphery of the light guide plate and surrounds a perimeter of the optical films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Benson, Adam T. Garelli, Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin
  • Patent number: 8227723
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a module and process for automatically attaching a junction box to a composite solar cell structure during the fabrication of a completed solar cell device. The electrical connection module further provides a thermode assembly including heating elements for forming a soldered connection between the junction box and the composite solar cell structure and a temperature sensing device in thermal communication with the heating elements for detecting a temperature profile during the connection process. The heating elements and temperature sensing device are linked to a controller configured to monitor and compare the energy input into the heating elements with the temperature near the tip of the heating elements throughout the connection process. The controller is further configured to compare the actual energy versus temperature profile to an expected profile throughout the connection process and verify whether a quality bond is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Benson, Danny Cam Lu, Jeffrey S. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8201082
    Abstract: A system and methods for dynamically generating electronic documents, such as web pages or XML documents, provides increased program parallelism and reduced document generation times. In one embodiment, two separate threads are used: a first thread that processes a document template, and a second thread that handles requests for data. Also disclosed are methods for selectively combining particular data requests for transmission on a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Amazon.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Nordstrom, Eric Benson
  • Publication number: 20110285840
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated electrical connection module for automatically attaching a junction box to a composite solar cell structure. The electrical connection module includes a thermode assembly having heating elements for forming a soldered connection between the junction box and the composite solar cell structure and a temperature sensing device in thermal communication with the heating elements for detecting a temperature profile during the connection process. The heating elements and temperature sensing device are linked to a controller configured to monitor and compare the energy input into the heating elements with the temperature near the tip of the heating elements throughout the connection process. The electrical connection module further provides a vision system configured to capture images of the soldered connection between the junction box and the composite solar cell structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Benson, Danny Cam Lu, Jeffrey S. Sullivan, Matthias Wendt, Paul-Emmanuel Eyme
  • Publication number: 20110272061
    Abstract: A method for vacuum filling a junction box and a junction box attachment module are provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, a junction box attachment module includes a dispense nozzle, an enclosure and a vacuum source. The enclosure is disposed around and extended from the dispense nozzle, wherein the enclosure has a sealing portion located at its open end. The vacuum source is connected to the enclosure, wherein the vacuum source is configured to establish a vacuum within the enclosure enclosing an open region of a junction box attached to a solar cell device, thereby facilitating injecting a potting material into the open region of the junction box via the dispense nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Benson, Danny Cam Toan Lu, Jeffrey S. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20110089145
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an automated solar cell electrical connection module that is positioned within an automated solar cell fabrication line and is configured to ensure a robust and reliable bond is formed during the electrical connection process. The electrical connection module generally provides a module and process for automatically attaching a junction box to a composite solar cell structure during the fabrication of a completed solar cell device. The electrical connection module further provides a thermode assembly including heating elements for forming a soldered connection between the junction box and the composite solar cell structure and a temperature sensing device in thermal communication with the heating elements for detecting a temperature profile during the connection process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Benson, Danny Cam Lu, Jeffrey S. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20080040239
    Abstract: A computer-implemented service analyzes purchase histories and/or other types of behavioral data of users on an aggregated basis to detect and quantify associations between particular items represented in an electronic catalog. The detected associations are stored in a mapping structure that maps items to related items, and is used to recommend items to users of the electronic catalog.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Jennifer Jacobi, Eric Benson, Gregory Linden
  • Publication number: 20080033821
    Abstract: A computer-implemented service analyzes purchase histories and/or other types of behavioral data of users on an aggregated basis to detect and quantify associations between particular items represented in an electronic catalog. The detected associations are stored in a mapping structure that maps items to related items, and is used to recommend items to users of the electronic catalog.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Jennifer Jacobi, Eric Benson, Gregory Linden
  • Publication number: 20080033746
    Abstract: A computer-implemented service analyzes purchase histories and/or other types of behavioral data of users on an aggregated basis to detect and quantify associations between particular items represented in an electronic catalog. The detected associations are stored in a mapping structure that maps items to related items, and is used to recommend items to users of the electronic catalog.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Jennifer Jacobi, Eric Benson, Gregory Linden
  • Publication number: 20070247789
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining possible theft scenarios at utility meters are described. In some examples, the system receives information that indicates possible tampering of utility meter by a customer of a utility. In some examples, the system uses the information to determine a theft scenario. The system may then use the determined theft scenario as evidence against the customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Benson, Chris Bernardi, Michael Schleich
  • Publication number: 20070184081
    Abstract: A method of depopulating livestock is provided. The method comprises restricting the livestock in a defined space, and depositing foam into the defined space, forming a foam blanket covering the livestock. The livestock can be avians, such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys. A device for making medium expansion foam comprising a high expansion foam generator having a fan, and a shroud shielding the fan from ambient air intake. The shroud limits the amount of ambient air incorporated into the foam during operation. The device can include an alternative gas input positioned to direct an alternative gas to the fan. The alternative gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Benson, Robert Alphin, George Malone