Patents by Inventor Derek Leslie Knee

Derek Leslie Knee 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: 11675222
    Abstract: Magneto-optical modulator-based systems and devices for transferring quantum information are described. Such systems can be used for many applications, including as part of quantum computers. An example system includes a quantum information system configured to provide a signal corresponding to at least one qubit. The system further includes a magneto-optical driver configured to receive the signal corresponding to the at least one qubit and process the signal to generate a current based on the signal corresponding to the at least one qubit. The system further includes a magneto-optical modulator configured to receive the current from the magneto-optical driver and provide a modulated light output by modulating a received light input based on the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Foteini Karinou, Winston Allen Saunders, Haidang Lin, Richard P. Rouse, Derek Leslie Knee, Charles Walter Boecker, Marijn Petrus Gerardus Rombouts
  • Patent number: 11668769
    Abstract: Superconducting output amplifiers having return to zero to non-return to zero converters are described. An example superconducting output amplifier (OA) includes a first superconducting OA stage having a first DC-SQUID and a second DC-SQUID arranged in parallel to the first DC-SQUID. The superconducting OA includes an input terminal for receiving a single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse train. The superconducting OA includes a first splitter configured to split a first set of SFQ pulses corresponding to the SFQ pulse train into a first return to zero (RZ) signal and a second RZ signal. The superconducting OA includes a first return to zero to non-return to zero (RZ-NRZ) converter configured to convert the first RZ signal into a first non-return to zero (NRZ) signal for driving the first DC-SQUID, and a second RZ-NRZ converter configured to convert the second RZ signal into a second NRZ signal for driving the second DC-SQUID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Leslie Knee, Randall M. Burnett
  • Patent number: 11552610
    Abstract: Superconducting output amplifiers (OAs) including compound direct current-superconducting quantum interference devices (DC-SQUIDs) having both inputs driven by an input signal having the same phase and related methods are described. An example superconducting OA includes: (1) a first compound DC-SQUID having a first DC-SQUID and a second DC-SQUID, and (2) a second compound DC-SQUID having a third DC-SQUID and a fourth DC-SQUID. The superconducting OA includes a first driver configured to receive a single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse train and amplify a first set of SFQ pulses associated with the SFQ pulse train to generate a first signal for driving the first DC-SQUID and the second DC-SQUID. The superconducting OA further includes a second driver configured to receive the SFQ pulse train and amplify a second set of SFQ pulses associated with the SFQ pulse train to generate a second signal for driving the third DC-SQUID and the fourth DC-SQUID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Leslie Knee, Jonathan D. Egan
  • Patent number: 11533032
    Abstract: Superconducting output amplifiers with interstage filters and related methods are described. An example superconducting output amplifier includes a first superconducting output amplifier stage and a second superconducting output amplifier stage. The superconducting output amplifier may further include a first terminal for receiving a first single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse train and coupling the SFQ pulse train to each of the first superconducting output amplifier stage and the second superconducting output amplifier stage. The superconducting output amplifier may further include an interstage filter comprising a damped Josephson junction (JJ) coupled between the first superconducting output amplifier stage and the second superconducting output amplifier stage, where the interstage filter is arranged to reduce distortion in an output voltage waveform generated by the superconducting output amplifier in response to at least the first SFQ pulse train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Leslie Knee, Jonathan D. Egan
  • Publication number: 20220360342
    Abstract: A circuit configured to transmit frequency multiplexed signals from a superconducting domain to a higher temperature domain. The circuit comprising a multiplexed signal output and a plurality of superconducting oscillator circuits each configured to output a different carrier frequency, each superconducting oscillator circuit comprising an oscillator output connected to the multiplexed signal output. Each superconducting oscillator circuit comprising a converter stage configured to convert an input of a superconducting logic signal to a Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) bit value, a splitter stage electrically connected to an output of the converter stage, the splitter stage configured to change between a first current state and a second current state based at least in part on the SFQ bit value, and an oscillator stage magnetically coupled to an output of the splitter stage and electrically coupled to the oscillator output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Leslie KNEE, John Murray HORNIBROOK, Ian Douglas CONWAY LAMB, Richard Prescott ROUSE, David John REILLY
  • Publication number: 20220326319
    Abstract: Superconducting output amplifiers having return to zero to non-return to zero converters are described. An example superconducting output amplifier (OA) includes a first superconducting OA stage having a first DC-SQUID and a second DC-SQUID arranged in parallel to the first DC-SQUID. The superconducting OA includes an input terminal for receiving a single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse train. The superconducting OA includes a first splitter configured to split a first set of SFQ pulses corresponding to the SFQ pulse train into a first return to zero (RZ) signal and a second RZ signal. The superconducting OA includes a first return to zero to non-return to zero (RZ- NRZ) converter configured to convert the first RZ signal into a first non-return to zero (NRZ) signal for driving the first DC-SQUID, and a second RZ-NRZ converter configured to convert the second RZ signal into a second NRZ signal for driving the second DC-SQUID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Derek Leslie KNEE, Randall M. BURNETT
  • Publication number: 20220321072
    Abstract: Superconducting output amplifiers (OAs) including compound direct current-superconducting quantum interference devices (DC-SQUIDS) having both inputs driven by an input signal having the same phase and related methods are described. An example superconducting OA includes: (1) a first compound DC-SQUID having a first DC-SQUID and a second DC-SQUID, and (2) a second compound DC-SQUID having a third DC-SQUID and a fourth DC-SQUID. The superconducting OA includes a first driver configured to receive a single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse train and amplify a first set of SFQ pulses associated with the SFQ pulse train to generate a first signal for driving the first DC-SQUID and the second DC-SQUID. The superconducting OA further includes a second driver configured to receive the SFQ pulse train and amplify a second set of SFQ pulses associated with the SFQ pulse train to generate a second signal for driving the third DC-SQUID and the fourth DC-SQUID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Derek Leslie KNEE, Jonathan D. EGAN
  • Publication number: 20220311401
    Abstract: Superconducting output amplifiers with interstage filters and related methods are described. An example superconducting output amplifier includes a first superconducting output amplifier stage and a second superconducting output amplifier stage. The superconducting output amplifier may further include a first terminal for receiving a first single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse train and coupling the SFQ pulse train to each of the first superconducting output amplifier stage and the second superconducting output amplifier stage. The superconducting output amplifier may further include an interstage filter comprising a damped Josephson junction (JJ) coupled between the first superconducting output amplifier stage and the second superconducting output amplifier stage, where the interstage filter is arranged to reduce distortion in an output voltage waveform generated by the superconducting output amplifier in response to at least the first SFQ pulse train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Derek Leslie KNEE, Jonathan D. EGAN
  • Publication number: 20220236593
    Abstract: Magneto-optical modulator-based systems and devices for transferring quantum information are described. Such systems can be used for many applications, including as part of quantum computers. An example system includes a quantum information system configured to provide a signal corresponding to at least one qubit. The system further includes a magneto-optical driver configured to receive the signal corresponding to the at least one qubit and process the signal to generate a current based on the signal corresponding to the at least one qubit. The system further includes a magneto-optical modulator configured to receive the current from the magneto-optical driver and provide a modulated light output by modulating a received light input based on the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Foteini KARINOU, Winston Allen SAUNDERS, Haidang LIN, Richard P. ROUSE, Derek Leslie KNEE, Charles Walter BOECKER, Marijn Petrus Gerardus ROMBOUTS
  • Patent number: 10254464
    Abstract: In embodiments of a transparent display backlight assembly, a backlight panel is operable as a transparent panel, and a light source generates light that the backlight panel directs from the light source to illuminate a display panel of a display device. Light refraction features refract and scatter the light, where the light refraction features are spaced for approximate transparency of the backlight panel and to illuminate the display panel. An active diffuser can be implemented as an additional transparent panel and operable for activation to diffuse the light from the backlight panel that illuminates the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David D. Bohn, Rod G. Fleck, Derek Leslie Knee
  • Patent number: 10082888
    Abstract: Stylus modes are described. In implementations, one or more sensors of a stylus are used to detect that contact with a user has ceased. A battery-conservation mode is entered by the stylus responsive to the use of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Derek Leslie Knee
  • Patent number: 9607537
    Abstract: In embodiments of display region refresh, a display panel has addressable display regions that display at different display refresh rates. Display data is buffered to update the addressable display regions, and subsequent display data is received to further update the addressable display regions. A display controller can determine display update deltas that indicate pending display updates based on a comparison of the display data to the subsequent display data. A first addressable display region can then be refreshed at display refresh rate based on a first display update delta that corresponds to the first addressable display region, and a second addressable display region can be refreshed at a different display refresh rate based on a second display update delta that corresponds to the second addressable display region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Rod G. Fleck, Derek Leslie Knee
  • Publication number: 20170068039
    Abstract: In embodiments of a transparent display backlight assembly, a backlight panel is operable as a transparent panel, and a light source generates light that the backlight panel directs from the light source to illuminate a display panel of a display device. Light refraction features refract and scatter the light, where the light refraction features are spaced for approximate transparency of the backlight panel and to illuminate the display panel. An active diffuser can be implemented as an additional transparent panel and operable for activation to diffuse the light from the backlight panel that illuminates the display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David D. Bohn, Rod G. Fleck, Derek Leslie Knee
  • Patent number: 9541697
    Abstract: In embodiments of a transparent display backlight assembly, a backlight panel is operable as a transparent panel, and a light source generates light that the backlight panel directs from the light source to illuminate a display panel of a display device. Light refraction features refract and scatter the light, where the light refraction features are spaced for approximate transparency of the backlight panel and to illuminate the display panel. An active diffuser can be implemented as an additional transparent panel and operable for activation to diffuse the light from the backlight panel that illuminates the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David D. Bohn, Rod G. Fleck, Derek Leslie Knee
  • Patent number: 9378444
    Abstract: In embodiments, an encoded micro pattern includes segments of encoded bits that can be optically-imaged by a digitizer. The position of each segment in the encoded micro pattern can be determined from the encoded bits in a segment. Each of the segments of the encoded micro pattern also includes a fiducial marker that indicates an orientation of a segment in the encoded pattern. The encoded bits of the encoded micro pattern can be integrated into a display surface of a display device, or integrated in a display screen that is positioned over the display surface of a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Leslie Knee, Randall T. Crane, David D. Bohn, Justin E. Forrester, David C. Rohn, Brian L. Hastings
  • Patent number: 9280938
    Abstract: In embodiments of mixed sequential color display, a light source sequentially generates different colors of light in a timed sequence. A display panel is implemented with multiple sub-pixel combinations, where each pixel of the display panel is a combination of sub-pixels that emit a color based on a color of the light that illuminates a sub-pixel combination. The emitted color from a sub-pixel combination is generated as a product of the color of the light and a combination of sub-pixel colors (to include clear and/or colored sub-pixels). The clear and/or different colored sub-pixels in a sub-pixel combination are a spatial aspect of the emitted color, and the sequentially generated different colors of light are a temporal aspect of the emitted color. The pixel combination and the light source together enhance the luminescence of the emitted color over the chrominescence of the emitted color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Rod G. Fleck, Derek Leslie Knee
  • Patent number: 9223418
    Abstract: In embodiments, a pen digitizer includes a light source that generates light. The pen digitizer also includes light guides, such as fiber optics, configured coaxial within the pen digitizer to transfer the light from the light source and focus the light around an imaging tip of the pen digitizer. A photo array optically-images reflected light from encoded bits in an encoded micro pattern, and a lens focuses the reflected light onto the photo array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David D. Bohn, Derek Leslie Knee
  • Publication number: 20140286047
    Abstract: In embodiments of a transparent display backlight assembly, a backlight panel is operable as a transparent panel, and a light source generates light that the backlight panel directs from the light source to illuminate a display panel of a display device. Light refraction features refract and scatter the light, where the light refraction features are spaced for approximate transparency of the backlight panel and to illuminate the display panel. An active diffuser can be implemented as an additional transparent panel and operable for activation to diffuse the light from the backlight panel that illuminates the display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: David D. Bohn, Rod G. Fleck, Derek Leslie Knee
  • Patent number: 8770813
    Abstract: In embodiments of a transparent display backlight assembly, a backlight panel is operable as a transparent panel, and a light source generates light that the backlight panel directs from the light source to illuminate a display panel of a display device. Light refraction features refract and scatter the light, where the light refraction features are spaced for approximate transparency of the backlight panel and to illuminate the display panel. An active diffuser can be implemented as an additional transparent panel and operable for activation to diffuse the light from the backlight panel that illuminates the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Bohn, Rod G. Fleck, Derek Leslie Knee
  • Patent number: 8704844
    Abstract: In embodiments of power saving field sequential color (FSC), an illumination source illuminates pixels of a displayable image by sequentially generating RGB (red, green, blue) components of a pixel in a timed sequence of field sequential color. The pixels of a displayable image may also include a white component derived from the RGB components. An illumination reduction algorithm is implemented to determine the highest RGB (or RGBW) components from any of the pixels of the displayable image. The highest RGB (or RGBW) components can be determined from any combination of the same or different pixels of the displayable image. The illumination reduction algorithm then divides each of the highest RGB (or RGBW) components by a maximum brightness value to generate respective RGB (or RGBW) component factors. A display controller then processes each pixel of the displayable image for display according to the RGB (or RGBW) component factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Rod G. Fleck, Derek Leslie Knee