Patents by Inventor Brian Geoffrey Winder

Brian Geoffrey Winder 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).

  • Out-of-plane configuration-adjusting mechanism, system, and method
    Patent number: 8210065
    Abstract: Configuration-adjusting mechanisms include linkages interconnecting first and second layers of a sheet material. The linkages have hinges positioned and oriented to cause motion of at least a portion of the linkages out of a plane of the first and second layers when the mechanisms are actuated. An apparatus, system, and method include one or more of the mechanisms for changing a contour of a surface provided by a cover overlying the mechanisms. An array of mechanisms or mechanisms corresponding to an array of positions on the surface may be selectively actuated to change the contour or texture of the surface. The array of mechanisms for changing the contour can provide user interface buttons selectively actuated by the mechanisms, which cause the buttons to emerge from the surface. A reconfigurable contour may be provided by selectable sets of the buttons associated with respective functions of a control panel, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Larry L. Howell, Brian Geoffrey Winder, Erik Kent Bassett, Allen Boyd Mackay, Spencer P. Magleby
  • OUT-OF-PLANE CONFIGURATION-ADJUSTING MECHANISM, SYSTEM, AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20090013813
    Abstract: Configuration-adjusting mechanisms include linkages interconnecting first and second layers of a sheet material. The linkages have hinges positioned and oriented to cause motion of at least a portion of the linkages out of a plane of the first and second layers when the mechanisms are actuated. An apparatus, system, and method include one or more of the mechanisms for changing a contour of a surface provided by a cover overlying the mechanisms. An array of mechanisms or mechanisms corresponding to an array of positions on the surface may be selectively actuated to change the contour or texture of the surface. The array of mechanisms for changing the contour can provide user interface buttons selectively actuated by the mechanisms, which cause the buttons to emerge from the surface. A reconfigurable contour may be provided by selectable sets of the buttons associated with respective functions of a control panel, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Larry L. Howell, Brian Geoffrey Winder, Erik Kent Bassett, Allen Boyd Mackay, Spencer P. Magleby