Patents by Inventor Ashley N. Saulsbury

Ashley N. Saulsbury 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: 20230315152
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to a battery and a functional module on a detachable module. One example provides a wearable device comprising a frame configured to support the wearable device on a user, internal charge storage located within the frame, a module interface located on the frame, and an electrical connector located within the module interface to electrically connect to a detachable module positioned in the module interface such that that detachable module is replaceable while being worn without powering down the wearable device by operating the wearable device using the internal charge storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jouya JADIDIAN, Ashley N SAULSBURY, Ruben CABALLERO
  • Publication number: 20230247341
    Abstract: Ear buds are provided that communicate wirelessly with an electronic device. To determine the current status of the ear buds and thereby take suitable action in controlling the operation of the electronic device and ear buds, the ear buds may be provided with sensor circuitry. The sensor circuitry may include proximity sensors. The ear buds may each have a housing with a main body portion that is configured to be inserted into the ear of the user and an elongated stem portion that extends from the main body portion. The proximity sensors may include sensors on the main body and sensors on the stem. The proximity sensors may be light-based sensors that emit light that passes through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Ashley N. Saulsbury, Travis J. McQueen
  • Patent number: 11711643
    Abstract: Ear buds are provided that communicate wirelessly with an electronic device. To determine the current status of the ear buds and thereby take suitable action in controlling the operation of the electronic device and ear buds, the ear buds may be provided with sensor circuitry. The sensor circuitry may include proximity sensors. The ear buds may each have a housing with a main body portion that is configured to be inserted into the ear of the user and an elongated stem portion that extends from the main body portion. The proximity sensors may include sensors on the main body and sensors on the stem. The proximity sensors may be light-based sensors that emit light that passes through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashley N. Saulsbury, Travis J. McQueen
  • Publication number: 20230139334
    Abstract: An extended reality headset has light-based communication transceivers coupled to the extended reality headset. The relative position of a remote transceiver with respect to the current position and orientation of the extended reality headset is determined. A line-of-sight is calculated from the light-based communication transceivers to the remote transceiver. The light-based communication transceivers emit a light-based communications beam in accordance with the calculated line-of-sight. The light-based communications beam is adjusted in response to changes to the relative position of the remote transceiver with respect to the current position and orientation of the extended reality headset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Jouya JADIDIAN, Ashley N. SAULSBURY, Mohit NARANG, Ruben CABALLERO
  • Publication number: 20220382054
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed relating to tunable attenuation of incident light using a switchable grating. One example provides an optical attenuator comprising a switchable grating configured to diffract light within a wavelength band at a diffraction angle. The optical attenuator further comprises an electrode pair configured to apply a voltage across the switchable grating to tune a proportion of incident light diffracted at the diffraction angle, and an optical dump to receive the proportion of incident light diffracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard Charles Kress, Ashley N. Saulsbury
  • Publication number: 20220232333
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for performing a role swapping operation between a pair of non-tethered wireless ear buds after detecting a triggering event. Further, state information can be coordinated between devices, including in connection with performing a role swap between buds in a pair of wireless, untethered ear buds, where one wireless ear bud is in a primary role and is responsible for a connection with a companion device, and another wireless ear bud in the pair is in a secondary role.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Sriram HARIHARAN, Ganesha Adkasthala GANAPATHI BATTA, Tad J. DREIER, Christopher S. WIEBE, Ashley N. SAULSBURY, Duy N. PHAN, David J. SHAW, Robert D. WATSON, Augustin PRATS
  • Patent number: 11297453
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for performing a role swapping operation between a pair of non-tethered wireless ear buds after detecting a triggering event. Further, state information can be coordinated between devices, including in connection with performing a role swap between buds in a pair of wireless, untethered ear buds, where one wireless ear bud is in a primary role and is responsible for a connection with a companion device, and another wireless ear bud in the pair is in a secondary role.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventors: Sriram Hariharan, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Tad J. Dreier, Christopher S. Wiebe, Ashley N. Saulsbury, Duy N. Phan, David J. Shaw, Robert D. Watson, Augustin Prats
  • Publication number: 20210281941
    Abstract: Ear buds are provided that communicate wirelessly with an electronic device. To determine the current status of the ear buds and thereby take suitable action in controlling the operation of the electronic device and ear buds, the ear buds may be provided with sensor circuitry. The sensor circuitry may include proximity sensors. The ear buds may each have a housing with a main body portion that is configured to be inserted into the ear of the user and an elongated stem portion that extends from the main body portion. The proximity sensors may include sensors on the main body and sensors on the stem. The proximity sensors may be light-based sensors that emit light that passes through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Ashley N. Saulsbury, Travis J. McQueen
  • Patent number: 11109136
    Abstract: Ear buds are provided that communicate wirelessly with an electronic device. To determine the current status of the ear buds and thereby take suitable action in controlling the operation of the electronic device and ear buds, the ear buds may be provided with sensor circuitry. The sensor circuitry may include proximity sensors. The ear buds may each have a housing with a main body portion that is configured to be inserted into the ear of the user and an elongated stem portion that extends from the main body portion. The proximity sensors may include sensors on the main body and sensors on the stem. The proximity sensors may be light-based sensors that emit light that passes through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashley N. Saulsbury, Travis J. McQueen
  • Publication number: 20200404439
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for performing a role swapping operation between a pair of non-tethered wireless ear buds after detecting a triggering event. Further, state information can be coordinated between devices, including in connection with performing a role swap between buds in a pair of wireless, untethered ear buds, where one wireless ear bud is in a primary role and is responsible for a connection with a companion device, and another wireless ear bud in the pair is in a secondary role.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Sriram HARIHARAN, Ganesha Adkasthala GANAPATHI BATTA, Tad J. DREIER, Christopher S. WIEBE, Ashley N. SAULSBURY, Duy N. PHAN, David J. SHAW, Robert D. WATSON, Augustin PRATS
  • Patent number: 10771908
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for performing a role swapping operation between a pair of non-tethered wireless ear buds after detecting a triggering event. Further, state information can be coordinated between devices, including in connection with performing a role swap between buds in a pair of wireless, untethered ear buds, where one wireless ear bud is in a primary role and is responsible for a connection with a companion device, and another wireless ear bud in the pair is in a secondary role.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sriram Hariharan, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Tad J. Dreier, Christopher S. Wiebe, Ashley N. Saulsbury, Duy N. Phan, David J. Shaw, Robert D. Watson, Augustin Prats
  • Publication number: 20190058937
    Abstract: Ear buds are provided that communicate wirelessly with an electronic device. To determine the current status of the ear buds and thereby take suitable action in controlling the operation of the electronic device and ear buds, the ear buds may be provided with sensor circuitry. The sensor circuitry may include proximity sensors. The ear buds may each have a housing with a main body portion that is configured to be inserted into the ear of the user and an elongated stem portion that extends from the main body portion. The proximity sensors may include sensors on the main body and sensors on the stem. The proximity sensors may be light-based sensors that emit light that passes through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Ashley N. Saulsbury, Travis J. McQueen
  • Publication number: 20190052984
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for performing a role swapping operation between a pair of non-tethered wireless ear buds after detecting a triggering event. Further, state information can be coordinated between devices, including in connection with performing a role swap between buds in a pair of wireless, untethered ear buds, where one wireless ear bud is in a primary role and is responsible for a connection with a companion device, and another wireless ear bud in the pair is in a secondary role.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Sriram HARIHARAN, Ganesha Adkasthala GANAPATHI BATTA, Tad J. DREIER, Christopher S. WIEBE, Ashley N. SAULSBURY, Duy N. PHAN, David J. SHAW, Robert D. WATSON, Augustin PRATS
  • Patent number: 10142750
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for performing a role swapping operation between a pair of non-tethered wireless ear buds after detecting a triggering event. Further, state information can be coordinated between devices, including in connection with performing a role swap between buds in a pair of wireless, untethered ear buds, where one wireless ear bud is in a primary role and is responsible for a connection with a companion device, and another wireless ear bud in the pair is in a secondary role.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sriram Hariharan, Ganesha Adkasthala Ganapathi Batta, Tad J. Dreier, Christopher S. Wiebe, Ashley N. Saulsbury, Duy N. Phan, David J. Shaw, Robert D. Watson, Augustin Prats
  • Patent number: 10117012
    Abstract: Ear buds are provided that communicate wirelessly with an electronic device. To determine the current status of the ear buds and thereby take suitable action in controlling the operation of the electronic device and ear buds, the ear buds may be provided with sensor circuitry. The sensor circuitry may include proximity sensors. The ear buds may each have a housing with a main body portion that is configured to be inserted into the ear of the user and an elongated stem portion that extends from the main body portion. The proximity sensors may include sensors on the main body and sensors on the stem. The proximity sensors may be light-based sensors that emit light that passes through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashley N. Saulsbury, Travis J. McQueen
  • Patent number: 10054927
    Abstract: A manufacturing process for providing an assembly formed of a first piece and a best fitted second piece is described. The manufacturing process is carried out by performing at least the following operations: receiving the first piece characterized in accordance with at least a first attribute, selecting the best fitted second piece from a buffer, the selecting based in part upon a best matching value of a second attribute in relation to the first attribute, replacing the selected best fitted second piece with another second piece such that the number of second pieces in the buffer remains about the same, and forming the assembly the first part and the second part to form the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashley N. Saulsbury, Nicholas I. Reid
  • Publication number: 20170311105
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for performing a role swapping operation between a pair of non-tethered wireless ear buds after detecting a triggering event. Further, state information can be coordinated between devices, including in connection with performing a role swap between buds in a pair of wireless, untethered ear buds, where one wireless ear bud is in a primary role and is responsible for a connection with a companion device, and another wireless ear bud in the pair is in a secondary role.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Sriram HARIHARAN, Ganesha Adkasthala GANAPATHI BATTA, Tad J. DREIER, Christopher S. WIEBE, Ashley N. SAULSBURY, Duy N. PHAN, David J. SHAW, Robert D. WATSON, Augustin PRATS
  • Publication number: 20170094389
    Abstract: Ear buds are provided that communicate wirelessly with an electronic device. To determine the current status of the ear buds and thereby take suitable action in controlling the operation of the electronic device and ear buds, the ear buds may be provided with sensor circuitry. The sensor circuitry may include proximity sensors. The ear buds may each have a housing with a main body portion that is configured to be inserted into the ear of the user and an elongated stem portion that extends from the main body portion. The proximity sensors may include sensors on the main body and sensors on the stem. The proximity sensors may be light-based sensors that emit light that passes through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Ashley N. Saulsbury, Travis J. McQueen
  • Publication number: 20150331410
    Abstract: A manufacturing process for providing an assembly formed of a first piece and a best fitted second piece is described. The manufacturing process is carried out by performing at least the following operations: receiving the first piece characterized in accordance with at least a first attribute, selecting the best fitted second piece from a buffer, the selecting based in part upon a best matching value of a second attribute in relation to the first attribute, replacing the selected best fitted second piece with another second piece such that the number of second pieces in the buffer remains about the same, and forming the assembly the first part and the second part to form the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Ashley N. Saulsbury, Nicholas I. Reid
  • Patent number: 9134724
    Abstract: A manufacturing process for providing an assembly formed of a first piece and a best fitted second piece is described. The manufacturing process is carried out by performing at least the following operations: receiving the first piece characterized in accordance with at least a first attribute, selecting the best fitted second piece from a buffer, the selecting based in part upon a best matching value of a second attribute in relation to the first attribute replacing the selected best fitted second piece with another second piece such that the number of second pieces in the buffer remains about the same, and forming the assembly the first part and the second part to form the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ashley N. Saulsbury, Nicholas I. Reid