Patents by Inventor Joseph Benjamin Gault
Joseph Benjamin Gault 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).
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Publication number: 20230354569Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic device housing includes obtaining a monolithic body of RF transparent material and plating a surface of the monolithic body with a nanograin coating to increase the structural rigidity of the monolithic body. A portion of the nanograin coating is thereafter removed to create an RF window.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Zhicong YAO, Han LI, Scott Douglas BOWERS, Massood NIKKHAH, Joseph Benjamin GAULT
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Patent number: 11744058Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic device housing includes obtaining a monolithic body of RF transparent material and plating a surface of the monolithic body with a nanograin coating to increase the structural rigidity of the monolithic body. A portion of the nanograin coating is thereafter removed to create an RF window.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Zhicong Yao, Han Li, Scott Douglas Bowers, Massood Nikkhah, Joseph Benjamin Gault
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Publication number: 20230193659Abstract: An improved method and system for providing a magnetic closure system for an electronic device (100) may include a first portion (130), a second portion (150), a connecting element (145) pivotally connecting the first portion to the second portion and configured to enable the electronic device to fold between a closed position and an open position, and a magnetic element (160, 165) for providing a closure force to bias the electronic device in the closed position. The magnetic element may include a first magnet pair and a second magnet pair, each of the first magnet pair and second magnet pair including a first magnet housed within the first portion and a second magnet housed within the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Aseem SINGLA, Joseph Benjamin GAULT
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Publication number: 20230129909Abstract: A computing device includes a four-body hinge. Abase member is connected to abase and an upper member is connected to a display. A first linkage and a second linkage are connected to the base member and the upper member. As the display moves relative to the base, the four-body hinge resists rotation of the display, thereby stabilizing the display during use by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2020Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Christina Ashley YEE, Brian David BITZ, Joseph Benjamin GAULT
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Publication number: 20230123520Abstract: An electronic device hinge includes a first body, a second body, and a link. The link is rotatable relative to the first body around a first pivot point and rotatable relative to the second body around a second pivot point. The first pivot point has a first rotational resistance and the second pivot point has a second rotational resistance that is different from the first rotational resistance. The hinge further includes a third body that is selectively positionable relative to the first body in a first configuration. The third body limits a first rotational range of motion around the first pivot point when positioned in the first configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2020Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Christina Ashley YEE, Joseph Benjamin GAULT, Brian David BITZ
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Patent number: 11630489Abstract: A computing device comprises a base that comprises a base surface configured to support the computing device on a supporting surface, and a front wall adjoining and extending away from the base surface. The computing device also includes a chassis adjoining the base, the chassis comprising a planar user interactive surface comprising one or more user input components. The chassis also comprises an overhanging brim that extends beyond at least the front wall of the base and comprises at least one magnet configured to removably retain a stylus underneath the overhanging brim.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Nathan Michael Thome, Robyn Rebecca Reed McLaughlin, Kaitlyn Marley Schoeck, Aseem Singla, Joseph Benjamin Gault
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Publication number: 20230084038Abstract: An electronic device includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. A torque-optional hinge connects the third portion to the second portion, and a support hinge connects the third portion to the first portion. The torque-optional hinge has a hinge axis and a means for selectively generating a torque around the hinge axis. The means for selectively generating the torque has a high-torque state and a low-torque state. The high-torque state provides a greater rotational resistance around the hinge axis than the low-torque state. The support hinge rotatably connects the first portion and the third portion and provides a torque around a support axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2020Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Christina Ashley YEE, Brian David BITZ, Beau SQUIRE, Ryan BEHN, Michael Gordon OLDANI, Anthony E. HILLYERD, Joseph Benjamin GAULT
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Publication number: 20230067384Abstract: A computing device comprises a base that comprises a base surface configured to support the computing device on a supporting surface, and a front wall adjoining and extending away from the base surface. The computing device also includes a chassis adjoining the base, the chassis comprising a planar user interactive surface comprising one or more user input components. The chassis also comprises an overhanging brim that extends beyond at least the front wall of the base and comprises at least one magnet configured to removably retain a stylus underneath the overhanging brim.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Nathan Michael THOME, Robyn Rebecca Reed MCLAUGHLIN, Kaitlyn Marley SCHOECK, Aseem SINGLA, Joseph Benjamin GAULT
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Publication number: 20230034612Abstract: A hinge system has a first body and a second body rotatably connected to one another around a first pivot point. The second body has a top surface and bottom surface positioned opposite one another in a vertical direction of the second body. A translation mechanism is connected to the second body and the first pivot point to displace the first pivot point in the vertical direction relative to the second body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2020Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Anthony E. HILLYERD, Christina Ashley YEE, Aseem SINGLA, Robyn Rebecca Reed MCLAUGHLIN, Kaitlyn Marley SCHOECK, Hua WANG, Daniel DHONDT, Brian David BITZ, Joseph Benjamin GAULT
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Patent number: 11486535Abstract: The present description relates to devices that include portions that are moveable relative to one another. One example device includes a leaf spring positioned to receive forces between a first portion and a second portion. The leaf spring can extend from a first end to a second end and can define a perimeter where the first end and the second end are contained within the perimeter and the first end and the second end are not secured to either the first portion or the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Craig Crandall Schoof, Brian David Bitz, Joseph Benjamin Gault, Scott Douglas Bowers
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Publication number: 20210404598Abstract: The present description relates to devices that include portions that are moveable relative to one another. One example device includes a leaf spring positioned to receive forces between a first portion and a second portion. The leaf spring can extend from a first end to a second end and can define a perimeter where the first end and the second end are contained within the perimeter and the first end and the second end are not secured to either the first portion or the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2020Publication date: December 30, 2021Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Craig Crandall Schoof, Brian David Bitz, Joseph Benjamin Gault, Scott Douglas Bowers
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Patent number: 11061442Abstract: Conventional laptop computers may utilize a door-hinge style or in a bezel-behind-base style hinge to connect a display with a keyboard of the laptop computer. Typically, these hinges present a discontinuous visual impression to the user. Presenting a more continuous visual impression of the hinge to the user suggests a higher overall quality of the computing device to the user and is thus desirable to the user. The disclosed virtual pivot hinge pivots about a pivot axis running between the display and the keyboard. The hardware of the hinge is located away from the pivot axis, which creates a virtual pivoting action about the axis that maintains a consistent front gap distance (or no front gap) between the display and the keyboard. The resulting visual impression to the user is that the display is floating above keyboard at the same or similar distance regardless of the display angle.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Joseph Benjamin Gault, Brian D. Bitz
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Patent number: 11054862Abstract: A computing device is described. The computing device includes a first portion with a protrusion and a second portion separably connected to the first portion. The second portion has a receptacle. An undocking assist mechanism is configured to separate the first portion from the second portion when the protrusion is at least partially inserted into the receptacle. An actuator is configured to actuate the undocking assist mechanism. Methods of use are also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Anthony E. Hillyerd, Scott Douglas Bowers, Justin Carl Lind, John Stephen Campbell, Joseph Benjamin Gault
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Publication number: 20210161038Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic device housing includes obtaining a monolithic body of RF transparent material and plating a surface of the monolithic body with a nanograin coating to increase the structural rigidity of the monolithic body. A portion of the nanograin coating is thereafter removed to create an RF window.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2020Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Zhicong YAO, Han LI, Scott Douglas BOWERS, Massood NIKKHAH, Joseph Benjamin GAULT
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Patent number: 10968673Abstract: A low-pressure hinge includes a plurality of segments with at least one upper frictional element and at least one lower frictional element where the at least one upper frictional element and the at least one lower frictional element are positioned on opposing sides of a segment of the plurality of segments. The hinge further includes a compression element that compresses the at least one upper frictional element and at least one lower frictional element against the segment with a compression force having a pressure less than 5,000 pounds per square inch.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Karsten Aagaard, Eric Paul Witt, Brian David Bitz, Joseph Benjamin Gault, John Stephen Campbell
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Patent number: 10942547Abstract: A lock for actively locking an electronic device includes an engagement member that is movable by an actuator. The actuator moves the engagement member to the locked position with a first amount of power from the power source and from the locked position to an unlocked position with a second amount of power from the power source. The engagement member will passively remain in the unlocked position or the locked position.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Joseph Benjamin Gault, Scott Douglas Bowers, Anthony E. Hillyerd, Yazan Aldehayyat, Duane Martin Evans
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Patent number: 10921863Abstract: Conventional laptop computers may utilize a door-hinge style or in a bezel-behind-base style hinge to connect a display with a keyboard of the laptop computer. Typically, these hinges present a discontinuous visual impression to the user. Presenting a more continuous visual impression of the hinge to the user suggests a higher overall quality of the computing device to the user and is thus desirable to the user. The disclosed virtual pivot hinge pivots about a pivot axis running between the display and the keyboard. The hardware of the hinge is located away from the pivot axis, which creates a virtual pivoting action about the axis that maintains a consistent front gap distance (or no front gap) between the display and the keyboard. The resulting visual impression to the user is that the display is floating above keyboard at the same or similar distance regardless of the display angle.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Joseph Benjamin Gault, Brian D. Bitz
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Patent number: 10802550Abstract: Conventional laptop computers may utilize a door-hinge style or in a bezel-behind-base style hinge to connect a display with a keyboard of the laptop computer. Typically, these hinges present a discontinuous visual impression to the user. Presenting a more continuous visual impression of the hinge to the user suggests a higher overall quality of the computing device to the user and is thus desirable to the user. The disclosed virtual pivot hinge pivots about a pivot axis running between the display and the keyboard. The hardware of the hinge is located away from the pivot axis, which creates a virtual pivoting action about the axis that maintains a consistent front gap distance (or no front gap) between the display and the keyboard. The resulting visual impression to the user is that the display is floating above keyboard at the same or similar distance regardless of the display angle.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Joseph Benjamin Gault, Brian D. Bitz
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Patent number: 10794093Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for locking a computing device includes an actuator, a locking protrusion connected to a first portion of the computing device, a locking receptacle connected to a second portion of the computing device, a shape memory material (SMM) wire, and a force conditioner. The SMM wire has a first state and a second state and is movable between states by the actuator. The first state and the second state have first and second lengths, respectively. Moving from the first state to the second state applies a contraction force along a longitudinal direction of the SMM wire. The force conditioner is configured to apply a return force to the SMM wire that opposes the contraction face. The return force returns the SMM wire toward the first state while moving a maximum available force of the SMM wire to the second state of the SMM wire.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Joseph Benjamin Gault, Scott Douglas Bowers
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Publication number: 20200133350Abstract: Conventional laptop computers may utilize a door-hinge style or in a bezel-behind-base style hinge to connect a display with a keyboard of the laptop computer. Typically, these hinges present a discontinuous visual impression to the user. Presenting a more continuous visual impression of the hinge to the user suggests a higher overall quality of the computing device to the user and is thus desirable to the user. The disclosed virtual pivot hinge pivots about a pivot axis running between the display and the keyboard. The hardware of the hinge is located away from the pivot axis, which creates a virtual pivoting action about the axis that maintains a consistent front gap distance (or no front gap) between the display and the keyboard. The resulting visual impression to the user is that the display is floating above keyboard at the same or similar distance regardless of the display angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Joseph Benjamin GAULT, Brian D. BITZ