Patents by Inventor Andrew W. Hill

Andrew W. Hill 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).

  • Patent number: 10908017
    Abstract: In accordance with one implementation, a method for multiple source light output smoothing includes measuring a light distribution generated by multiple light sources arranged within an electronic device and determining at least one brightness adjustment based on the measured light distribution that is sufficient to locally reduce light output within a discrete region of a surface of the electronic device to satisfy predefined luminosity criteria. The method further includes applying an optical filter between the multiple light sources and the surface, the optical filter configured to reduce light output within the discrete region according to the determined at least one brightness adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Lane, Andrew W. Hill
  • Publication number: 20190101440
    Abstract: In accordance with one implementation, a method for multiple source light output smoothing includes measuring a light distribution generated by multiple light sources arranged within an electronic device and determining at least one brightness adjustment based on the measured light distribution that is sufficient to locally reduce light output within a discrete region of a surface of the electronic device to satisfy predefined luminosity criteria. The method further includes applying an optical filter between the multiple light sources and the surface, the optical filter configured to reduce light output within the discrete region according to the determined at least one brightness adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: David M. LANE, Andrew W. HILL
  • Patent number: 10162395
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices. One example can include a sandwich structured composite housing. The example can also include a set of electronic components positioned over the sandwich structured composite housing. The set of electronic components can have a profile against the sandwich structured composite housing. The sandwich structured composite housing can have a corresponding negative profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt A. Jenkins, Edward Burress, Jaya Narain, Robert J. Bergeson, Andrew W. Hill, Taylor Stellman
  • Patent number: 10014629
    Abstract: The described technology includes a connecting apparatus for a computing device including a connector protrusion attached to an input component and a receptor formed in a receiving component of the computing device and configured to attach to the connector protrusion. The connector protrusion includes a center section having a plurality of electrical connectors configured within a plastic overmold and configured to be communicatively coupled to the computing device to communicate the generated signals and two end sections having mechanical support components configured to be physically coupled to the computing device wherein each of the two end sections are contiguous to the center section. The receptor includes a locking mechanism configured to releasably attach to the connector protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Bowers, Joseph B. Gault, Ivan McCracken, Andrew W. Hill
  • Patent number: 9846438
    Abstract: In embodiments of electronic compensated pivot control, a computing device includes a device housing that is integrated with a display device, and the device housing tilts for multiple display positions. Pivotable components pivot in coordination to position the display device in a display position, and sensors detect positioning inputs that are received to re-position the display device. Actuators are implemented for electronic actuation to drive the pivotable components to position the display device, and clutches are implemented to limit movement of the pivotable components. A pivot controller is implemented to receive input data corresponding to a user input to change a position of the display device, control the actuators based on the input data to assist with positioning the display device, receive an indication that the user input has stopped, and control the one or more clutches to hold the position of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard K. Rihn, Avi R. Geiger, Andrew W. Hill, Joseph B. Gault, Stephen C. Klein
  • Patent number: 9639125
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are computing devices, and methods of manufacturing computing devices, that have a cooling fan and integrated thermal transfer unit. A centrifugal fan unit includes a rotatable hub, a plurality of blades disposed on the rotatable hub, and a motor coupled to the rotatable hub. The motor causes the rotatable hub to rotate about an axis such that airflow proceeds outward from the centrifugal fan unit along trajectories that are perpendicular to the axis. One or more thermal transfer units have first portions that are coupled to the one or more heat sources and second portions that collectively at least partially surround the centrifugal fan unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew D. Delano, Taylor Stellman, Andrew W. Hill
  • Publication number: 20170097665
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices. One example can include a sandwich structured composite housing. The example can also include a set of electronic components positioned over the sandwich structured composite housing. The set of electronic components can have a profile against the sandwich structured composite housing. The sandwich structured composite housing can have a corresponding negative profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt A. JENKINS, Edward BURRESS, Jaya NARAIN, Robert J. BERGESON, Andrew W. HILL, Taylor STELLMAN
  • Patent number: 9575523
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices. One example can include a sandwich structured composite housing. The example can also include a set of electronic components positioned over the sandwich structured composite housing. The set of electronic components can have a profile against the sandwich structured composite housing. The sandwich structured composite housing can have a corresponding negative profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt A. Jenkins, Edward Burress, Jaya Narain, Robert J. Bergeson, Andrew W. Hill, Taylor Stellman
  • Publication number: 20160216748
    Abstract: The description relates to devices, such as computing devices. One example can include a sandwich structured composite housing. The example can also include a set of electronic components positioned over the sandwich structured composite housing. The set of electronic components can have a profile against the sandwich structured composite housing. The sandwich structured composite housing can have a corresponding negative profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt A. JENKINS, Edward BURRESS, Jaya NARAIN, Robert J. BERGESON, Andrew W. HILL, Taylor STELLMAN
  • Publication number: 20150241929
    Abstract: Peripheral device storage techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a computing device includes a housing and a power connection port that is configured to form a physical coupling to a peripheral device sufficient to retain the peripheral device against the housing and form an electrical coupling configured to receive power at the computing device from a power adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Jan Raken, Andrew W. Hill, Robert J. Bingham, JR., Peter Kyriacou, Robyn Rebecca Reed McLaughlin
  • Publication number: 20150192929
    Abstract: In embodiments of electronic compensated pivot control, a computing device includes a device housing that is integrated with a display device, and the device housing tilts for multiple display positions. Pivotable components pivot in coordination to position the display device in a display position, and sensors detect positioning inputs that are received to re-position the display device. Actuators are implemented for electronic actuation to drive the pivotable components to position the display device, and clutches are implemented to limit movement of the pivotable components. A pivot controller is implemented to receive input data corresponding to a user input to change a position of the display device, control the actuators based on the input data to assist with positioning the display device, receive an indication that the user input has stopped, and control the one or more clutches to hold the position of the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Bernard K. Rihn, Avi R. Geiger, Andrew W. Hill, Joseph B. Gault, Stephen C. Klein
  • Patent number: 9073123
    Abstract: Housing vent techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a molding process is used to form a housing of a computing device that includes a plurality of ribs disposed within an internal surface of the housing. A cutting operation is performed to an outer surface of the housing that is opposite to the internal surface to remove material of the housing between the plurality of ribs to form one or more vents that are configured to permit air to pass between an interior and exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John Stephen Campbell, Andrew W. Hill, Shane Aaron Sykes, Jan Raken
  • Patent number: 9063693
    Abstract: Peripheral device storage techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a computing device includes a housing and a power connection port that is configured to form a physical coupling to a peripheral device sufficient to retain the peripheral device against the housing and form an electrical coupling configured to receive power at the computing device from a power adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Raken, Andrew W. Hill, Robert J. Bingham, Jr., Peter Kyriacou, Robyn Rebecca Reed McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 9035742
    Abstract: In embodiments of electronic compensated pivot control, a computing device includes a device housing that is integrated with a display device, and the device housing tilts for multiple display positions. Pivotable components pivot in coordination to position the device housing in a display position, and sensors detect positioning inputs that are received to re-position the device housing of the computing device. Actuators are implemented for electronic actuation to limit movement of the pivotable components, and alternatively, to drive the pivotable components to re-position the device housing. A pivot controller is implemented to control the actuators based on sensor data to position the device housing in a display position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard K. Rihn, Avi R. Geiger, Andrew W. Hill, Joseph B. Gault, Stephen C. Klein
  • Publication number: 20150116928
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are computing devices, and methods of manufacturing computing devices, that have a cooling fan and integrated thermal transfer unit. A centrifugal fan unit includes a rotatable hub, a plurality of blades disposed on the rotatable hub, and a motor coupled to the rotatable hub. The motor causes the rotatable hub to rotate about an axis such that airflow proceeds outward from the centrifugal fan unit along trajectories that are perpendicular to the axis. One or more thermal transfer units have first portions that are coupled to the one or more heat sources and second portions that collectively at least partially surround the centrifugal fan unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew D. Delano, Taylor Stellman, Andrew W. Hill
  • Patent number: 9020615
    Abstract: In embodiments of a stability control system, a computing device includes a device housing that is integrated with a display device, and the device housing tilts for multiple display positions. Pivotable components are mechanically-linked and pivot in coordination to position the device housing in a display position, and sensors detect positioning inputs that are received to re-position the device housing. Clutch mechanisms are implemented to limit and/or resist movement of the pivotable components based on the positioning inputs. A stability controller can be implemented to control the clutch mechanisms based on sensor data from the sensors to position the device housing in a display position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard K. Rihn, Avi R. Geiger, Andrew W. Hill, Joseph B. Gault, Stephen C. Klein
  • Patent number: 8754872
    Abstract: In embodiments of capacitive touch controls lockout, a computing device includes a touch-screen display for user interaction, and includes one or more capacitive touch controls for user selection as a device input to initiate a device action. The computing device also includes a lockout service that is implemented to disable one or more of the capacitive touch controls based on user interaction with the touch-screen display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Avi R. Geiger, Andrew W. Hill, John David Schultz, Peter Kyriacou, Jan Raken, Duane Martin Evans
  • Publication number: 20130335903
    Abstract: Peripheral device storage techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a computing device includes a housing and a power connection port that is configured to form a physical coupling to a peripheral device sufficient to retain the peripheral device against the housing and form an electrical coupling configured to receive power at the computing device from a power adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Jan Raken, Andrew W. Hill, Robert J. Bingham, JR., Peter Kyriacou, Robyn Rebecca Reed McLaughlin
  • Publication number: 20130335902
    Abstract: Housing vent techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a molding process is used to form a housing of a computing device that includes a plurality of ribs disposed within an internal surface of the housing. A cutting operation is performed to an outer surface of the housing that is opposite to the internal surface to remove material of the housing between the plurality of ribs to form one or more vents that are configured to permit air to pass between an interior and exterior of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: John Stephen Campbell, Andrew W. Hill, Shane Aaron Sykes, Jan Raken
  • Publication number: 20130141209
    Abstract: In embodiments of electronic compensated pivot control, a computing device includes a device housing that is integrated with a display device, and the device housing tilts for multiple display positions. Pivotable components pivot in coordination to position the device housing in a display position, and sensors detect positioning inputs that are received to re-position the device housing of the computing device. Actuators are implemented for electronic actuation to limit movement of the pivotable components, and alternatively, to drive the pivotable components to re-position the device housing. A pivot controller is implemented to control the actuators based on sensor data to position the device housing in a display position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bernard K. Rihn, Avi R. Geiger, Andrew W. Hill, Joseph B. Gault, Stephen C. Klein