Patents by Inventor Eric J. Zbinden

Eric J. Zbinden 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: 20200153163
    Abstract: A cage assembly includes a cage including a top wall and a bottom wall and an electrical receptacle positioned between the top wall and the bottom wall such that the electrical receptacle floats within the cage in opposite directions between the top wall and the bottom wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Keith R. GUETIG, Thomas A. HALL, III, Andrew R. COLLINGWOOD, John L. NIGHTINGALE, Eric J. ZBINDEN
  • Publication number: 20200081206
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a heat dissipation module with a first end and a second end opposed to the first end and two receptacle connectors located at the second end. The first and second ends define a transceiver-mating direction such that, when a transceiver is inserted into the first end of the heat dissipation module in the transceiver-mating direction, the transceiver mates with one of the two receptacle connectors, and in the heat dissipation module, air flows parallel to the transceiver-mating direction between the first and second ends and flows between the two receptacle connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Eric J. ZBINDEN, Thomas A. HALL, III
  • Patent number: 10534145
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a heat dissipation module with a first end and a second end opposed to the first end and two receptacle connectors located at the second end. The first and second ends define a transceiver-mating direction such that, when a transceiver is inserted into the first end of the heat dissipation module in the transceiver-mating direction, the transceiver mates with one of the two receptacle connectors, and in the heat dissipation module, air flows parallel to the transceiver-mating direction between the first and second ends and flows between the two receptacle connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Zbinden, Thomas A. Hall, III
  • Publication number: 20200003976
    Abstract: An interconnect system includes a first circuit board, first and second connectors connected to the first circuit board, and a transceiver including an optical engine and arranged to receive and transmit electrical and optical signals through a cable, to convert optical signals received from the cable into electrical signals, and to convert electrical signals received from the first connector into optical signals to be transmitted through the cable. The transceiver is arranged to mate with the first and second connectors so that at least some converted electrical signals are transmitted to the first connector and so that at least some electrical signals received from the cable are transmitted to the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Eric J. ZBINDEN, Randall E. MUSSER, Jean-Marc A. VERDIELL, John A. MONGOLD, Brian R. VICICH, Keith R. GUETIG
  • Patent number: 10436992
    Abstract: An interconnect system includes a first circuit board, first and second connectors connected to the first circuit board, and a transceiver including an optical engine and arranged to receive and transmit electrical and optical signals through a cable, to convert optical signals received from the cable into electrical signals, and to convert electrical signals received from the first connector into optical signals to be transmitted through the cable. The transceiver is arranged to mate with the first and second connectors so that at least some converted electrical signals are transmitted to the first connector and so that at least some electrical signals received from the cable are transmitted to the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Zbinden, Randall E. Musser, Jean-Marc A. Verdiell, John A. Mongold, Brian R. Vicich, Keith R. Guetig
  • Publication number: 20190018208
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a heat dissipation module with a first end and a second end opposed to the first end and two receptacle connectors located at the second end. The first and second ends define a transceiver-mating direction such that, when a transceiver is inserted into the first end of the heat dissipation module in the transceiver-mating direction, the transceiver mates with one of the two receptacle connectors, and in the heat dissipation module, air flows parallel to the transceiver-mating direction between the first and second ends and flows between the two receptacle connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Eric J. ZBINDEN, Thomas A. HALL, III
  • Patent number: 10164708
    Abstract: A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua R. Cornelius, Eric J. Zbinden, William J. Kozlovsky, David A. Langsam
  • Patent number: 10116386
    Abstract: A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua R. Cornelius, Eric J. Zbinden, William J. Kozlovsky, David A. Langsam
  • Patent number: 10114182
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a heat dissipation module with a first end and a second end opposed to the first end and two receptacle connectors located at the second end. The first and second ends define a transceiver-mating direction such that, when a transceiver is inserted into the first end of the heat dissipation module in the transceiver-mating direction, the transceiver mates with one of the two receptacle connectors, and in the heat dissipation module, air flows parallel to the transceiver-mating direction between the first and second ends and flows between the two receptacle connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Zbinden, Thomas A. Hall, III
  • Patent number: 10001609
    Abstract: A system includes a substrate including a first row of first receptacles, a cradle including an opening and a spring member, connectors located within the opening, and cables connected to the connectors. The cradle is configured to connect each of the connectors simultaneously or nearly simultaneously to a corresponding first receptacle, and the spring member pushes on the connectors with a force greater than an insertion force of the first receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Zbinden, John A. Mongold
  • Patent number: 9915797
    Abstract: An interconnect system includes a first circuit board, first and second connectors connected to the first circuit board, and a transceiver including an optical engine and arranged to receive and transmit electrical and optical signals through a cable, to convert optical signals received from the cable into electrical signals, and to convert electrical signals received from the first connector into optical signals to be transmitted through the cable. The transceiver is arranged to mate with the first and second connectors so that at least some converted electrical signals are transmitted to the first connector and so that at least some electrical signals received from the cable are transmitted to the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Zbinden, Randall E. Musser, Jean-Marc A. Verdiell, John A. Mongold, Brian R. Vicich, Keith R. Guetig
  • Patent number: 9915796
    Abstract: An interconnect system includes a first circuit board, first and second connectors connected to the first circuit board, and a transceiver including an optical engine and arranged to receive and transmit electrical and optical signals through a cable, to convert optical signals received from the cable into electrical signals, and to convert electrical signals received from the first connector into optical signals to be transmitted through the cable. The transceiver is arranged to mate with the first and second connectors so that at least some converted electrical signals are transmitted to the first connector and so that at least some electrical signals received from the cable are transmitted to the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Zbinden, Randall E. Musser, Jean-Marc A. Verdiell, John A. Mongold, Brian R. Vicich, Keith R. Guetig
  • Publication number: 20180041272
    Abstract: A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Joshua R. CORNELIUS, Eric J. ZBINDEN, William J. KOZLOVSKY, David A. LANGSAM
  • Patent number: 9835811
    Abstract: An interconnect system includes a first circuit board, first and second connectors connected to the first circuit board, and a transceiver including an optical engine and arranged to receive and transmit electrical and optical signals through a cable, to convert optical signals received from the cable into electrical signals, and to convert electrical signals received from the first connector into optical signals to be transmitted through the cable. The transceiver is arranged to mate with the first and second connectors so that at least some converted electrical signals are transmitted to the first connector and so that at least some electrical signals received from the cable are transmitted to the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Eric J. Zbinden, Randall E. Musser, Jean-Marc A. Verdiell, John A. Mongold, Brian R. Vicich, Keith R. Guetig
  • Patent number: 9819413
    Abstract: A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua R. Cornelius, Eric J. Zbinden, William J. Kozlovsky, David A. Langsam
  • Publication number: 20170261710
    Abstract: A system includes a substrate including a first row of first receptacles, a cradle including an opening and a spring member, connectors located within the opening, and cables connected to the connectors. The cradle is configured to connect each of the connectors simultaneously or nearly simultaneously to a corresponding first receptacle, and the spring member pushes on the connectors with a force greater than an insertion force of the first receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Eric J. ZBINDEN, John A. MONGOLD
  • Publication number: 20170219788
    Abstract: An interconnect system includes a first circuit board, first and second connectors connected to the first circuit board, and a transceiver including an optical engine and arranged to receive and transmit electrical and optical signals through a cable, to convert optical signals received from the cable into electrical signals, and to convert electrical signals received from the first connector into optical signals to be transmitted through the cable. The transceiver is arranged to mate with the first and second connectors so that at least some converted electrical signals are transmitted to the first connector and so that at least some electrical signals received from the cable are transmitted to the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Eric J. ZBINDEN, Randall E. MUSSER, Jean-Marc A. VERDIELL, John A. MONGOLD, Brian R. VICICH, Keith R. GUETIG
  • Publication number: 20170160491
    Abstract: An optical connection includes a first lens with a first strength, a second lens with a second strength weaker than the first strength, a gap between the first lens and the second lenses, and optical fibers that are connected to the first and second lenses and that provide or receive light from the first and second lenses. No intermediate image is formed, and a beam of light in the gap region is either diverging or converging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventor: Eric J. ZBINDEN
  • Publication number: 20170163339
    Abstract: A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua R. CORNELIUS, Eric J. ZBINDEN, William J. KOZLOVSKY, David A. LANGSAM
  • Publication number: 20170077643
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a heat dissipation module with a first end and a second end opposed to the first end and two receptacle connectors located at the second end. The first and second ends define a transceiver-mating direction such that, when a transceiver is inserted into the first end of the heat dissipation module in the transceiver-mating direction, the transceiver mates with one of the two receptacle connectors, and in the heat dissipation module, air flows parallel to the transceiver-mating direction between the first and second ends and flows between the two receptacle connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Eric J. ZBINDEN, Thomas A. HALL, III