Patents by Inventor Eric Paul Witt

Eric Paul Witt 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: 20240069605
    Abstract: A computing device includes a first display-supporting frame rotatably coupled to a second display-supporting frame along a hinge axis via a hinge assembly comprising a central spine extending parallel to the hinge axis. A flexible display is supported by the first display-supporting frame and the second display-supporting frame. A spine cover plate extends over the central spine and is moveably coupled to the hinge assembly for translation relative to the central spine as the first display-supporting frame is rotated relative to the second display-supporting frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tung Yuen LAU, Blair Madison KENT, Amit KAISTHA, Eric Paul WITT
  • Publication number: 20230393624
    Abstract: A foldable computing device comprises a first portion, a second portion, a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first portion to the second portion, and a flexible display. The flexible display extends at least partially across the first portion and at least partially across the second portion, and spans the hinge assembly between the first portion and the second portion. The hinge assembly includes a hinge core, a first linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion and forming a portion of a backing support for the flexible display, and a first hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion. The hinge assembly further includes a second linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion and forming another portion of the backing support for the flexible display, and a second hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Devin Samuel Jacob CAPLOW-MUNRO, Daniel Clark PARK, Eric Paul WITT, Karsten AAGAARD, Denys V. YAREMENKO, Brett Andrew TOMKY, Errol Mark TAZBAZ, Tung Yuen LAU
  • Publication number: 20230393633
    Abstract: A foldable computing device comprises a first portion, a second portion, a hinge assembly rotatably coupling the first portion to the second portion, and a flexible display. The hinge assembly includes a hinge core, a timing element, a first linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion, a first hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the first portion, a second linkage component rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion, and a second hinge guide rotatably coupling the hinge core to the second portion. The first linkage component defines one or more helical surfaces that interface with the timing element, and the second linkage component defines one or more helical surfaces that interface with the timing element. The timing element coordinates rotation of the first linkage component with rotation of the second linkage component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Devin Samuel Jacob CAPLOW-MUNRO, Daniel Clark PARK, Eric Paul WITT, Karsten AAGAARD, Denys V YAREMENKO, Brett Andrew TOMKY, Errol Mark TAZBAZ, Tung Yuen LAU
  • Patent number: 11572975
    Abstract: A device for supporting an electronic display includes a base, a display mount having a first position and a second position relative to the base, and a connection mechanism positioned between the base and the display mount. The connection mechanism is configured to rotate and translate the display mount from the first position to the second position according to a torque curve. The torque curve includes a discovery stage adjacent the first position, an initiation stage rotationally after the discovery stage, and an approach stage rotationally after the initiation stage. The connection mechanism applies a force toward the first position in the discovery stage. The connection mechanism having an initiation force applied toward the first position that is greater than the force in the discovery stage. The approach stage having an approach force applied toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kae-Ling Jacquline Gurr, Jonne Aapi Harju, Eric Paul Witt, Timothy Guyton Escolin, Ryan Eugene Whitaker, Young Soo Kim, James David Wahl, Daniel Clark Park, Bruce James Sandmeyer, Scott Ashley Rutschman, William Loren Emery
  • Patent number: 11168413
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing fabric that passes colonnaded light is described herein. The method includes weaving a first yarn and a second yarn to create a woven fabric and weaving a light emitting yarn through the woven fabric, wherein the light emitting yarn creates a plurality of loops of light emitting yarn on at least one side of the woven fabric. The method also includes finishing the woven fabric to create columns of light emitting yarn throughout the fabric by removing the plurality of loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Paul Witt, Kelly M. Bogan, Alexander Norman Bennett, Rachael Sara Bell
  • Patent number: 10968673
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karsten Aagaard, Eric Paul Witt, Brian David Bitz, Joseph Benjamin Gault, John Stephen Campbell
  • Publication number: 20210088174
    Abstract: A device for supporting an electronic display includes a base, a display mount having a first position and a second position relative to the base, and a connection mechanism positioned between the base and the display mount. The connection mechanism is configured to rotate and translate the display mount from the first position to the second position according to a torque curve. The torque curve includes a discovery stage adjacent the first position, an initiation stage rotationally after the discovery stage, and an approach stage rotationally after the initiation stage. The connection mechanism applies a force toward the first position in the discovery stage. The connection mechanism having an initiation force applied toward the first position that is greater than the force in the discovery stage. The approach stage having an approach force applied toward the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Kae-Ling Jacquline GURR, Jonne Aapi HARJU, Eric Paul WITT, Timothy Guyton ESCOLIN, Ryan Eugene WHITAKER, Young Soo KIM, James David WAHL, Daniel Clark PARK, Bruce James SANDMEYER, Scott Ashley RUTSCHMAN, William Loren EMERY
  • Patent number: 10890288
    Abstract: A device for supporting an electronic display includes a base, a display mount having a first position and a second position relative to the base, and a connection mechanism positioned between the base and the display mount. The connection mechanism is configured to rotate and translate the display mount from the first position to the second position according to a torque curve. The torque curve includes a discovery stage adjacent the first position, an initiation stage rotationally after the discovery stage, and an approach stage rotationally after the initiation stage. The connection mechanism applies a force toward the first position in the discovery stage. The connection mechanism having an initiation force applied toward the first position that is greater than the force in the discovery stage. The approach stage having an approach force applied toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kae-Ling Jacquline Gurr, Jonne Aapi Harju, Eric Paul Witt, Timothy Guyton Escolin, Ryan Eugene Whitaker, Young Soo Kim, James David Wahl, Daniel Clark Park, Bruce James Sandmeyer, Scott Ashley Rutschman, William Loren Emery
  • Patent number: 10859200
    Abstract: A device for supporting an electronic display includes a base, a display mount having a first position and a second position relative to the base, and a connection mechanism positioned between the base and the display mount. The connection mechanism is configured to rotate and translate the display mount from the first position to the second position according to a torque curve. The torque curve includes a discovery stage adjacent the first position, an initiation stage rotationally after the discovery stage, and an approach stage rotationally after the initiation stage. The connection mechanism applies a force toward the first position in the discovery stage. The connection mechanism having an initiation force applied toward the first position that is greater than the force in the discovery stage. The approach stage having an approach force applied toward the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kae-Ling Jacquline Gurr, Jonne Aapi Harju, Eric Paul Witt, Timothy Guyton Escolin, Ryan Eugene Whitaker, Young Soo Kim, James David Wahl, Daniel Clark Park, Bruce James Sandmeyer, Scott Ashley Rutschman, William Loren Emery
  • Publication number: 20200157711
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing fabric that passes colonnaded light is described herein. The method includes weaving a first yarn and a second yarn to create a woven fabric and weaving a light emitting yarn through the woven fabric, wherein the light emitting yarn creates a plurality of loops of light emitting yarn on at least one side of the woven fabric. The method also includes finishing the woven fabric to create columns of light emitting yarn throughout the fabric by removing the plurality of loops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Paul WITT, Kelly M. BOGAN, Alexander Norman Bennett, Rachael Sara BELL
  • Patent number: 10627854
    Abstract: A device for supporting an electronic display includes a base, a display mount, and a connection mechanism positioned between the base and the display mount. The display mount is movably connected to the base and movable between a first position and a second position. The connection mechanism is configured to couple a rotation of the display mount relative to base to a translation of the display mount relative to the base such that the display mount experiences rotation and translation when the display mount is moved between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kae-Ling Jacquline Gurr, Jonne Aapi Harju, Eric Paul Witt, Timothy Guyton Escolin, Ryan Eugene Whitaker, Young Soo Kim, James David Wahl, Daniel Clark Park, Bruce James Sandmeyer, Scott Ashley Rutschman, William Loren Emery
  • Patent number: 10616528
    Abstract: A computing system includes a display and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors distributed at respective locations relative to the display to detect a presence of a structural feature of a camera device. The computing system further includes a computing device that receives an output from one or more sensors of the sensor system indicative of the presence of the structural feature of the camera device. The computing device determines a location of the camera device relative to the display based on the output received from the one or more sensors. The computing device presents a graphical user interface (GUI) window for the camera device via the display at a location that is based on the location of the camera device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Kae-Ling Jacquline Gurr, Eric Paul Witt, Ryan Eugene Whitaker, Scott Schenone
  • Patent number: 10571974
    Abstract: A computing device is described. The computing device may include a first portion and a second portion separably connected to the first portion. A locking mechanism may be configured to lock the first portion to the second portion. The locking mechanism may include a locking receptacle connected to the first portion and a locking protrusion connected to the second portion. The locking receptacle may include a rotating lock and may have an aperture through which the locking protrusion is insertable. The computing device may include an actuator mechanically coupled to the locking mechanism and configured to unlock the first portion from the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Gault, Scott Douglas Bowers, John Stephen Campbell, Anthony E. Hillyerd, Yazan Aldehayyat, Karsten Aagaard, Eric Paul Witt
  • Patent number: 10520127
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of enabling a mounting system to receive threaded and threadless posts. The mounting system may have a cavity (a.k.a. void) that is configured to receive such posts. An interior surface of the cavity may include threads to allow corresponding threads of a threaded post to be twisted (e.g., screwed) into the threads of the cavity. The threads of the cavity may be configured to allow a threadless post to pass through the cavity without being encumbered by the threads. The mounting system uses magnetism and a taper of the cavity to facilitate magnetically and frictionally engaging the threadless post in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Simon Cameron Dearsley, Karsten Aagaard, Eric Paul Witt, Randal Joseph Kinser
  • Patent number: 10503220
    Abstract: Fan assemblies included within a computing device are described herein. The computing device includes a housing, a heat generating component supported within the housing, and a fan assembly. The fan assembly is operable to move heat generated by the heat generating component out of the housing. The fan assembly is supported within the housing. The fan assembly includes a shaft and a plurality of discs positioned along and fixed to the shaft. The shaft and the plurality of discs are rotatable relative to the housing about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Douglas Delano, Eric Paul Witt, Karsten Aagaard, Jason Scott Watts
  • Publication number: 20190373214
    Abstract: A computing system includes a display and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors distributed at respective locations relative to the display to detect a presence of a structural feature of a camera device. The computing system further includes a computing device that receives an output from one or more sensors of the sensor system indicative of the presence of the structural feature of the camera device. The computing device determines a location of the camera device relative to the display based on the output received from the one or more sensors. The computing device presents a graphical user interface (GUI) window for the camera device via the display at a location that is based on the location of the camera device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kae-Ling Jacquline Gurr, Eric Paul Witt, Ryan Eugene Whitaker, Scott Schenone
  • Publication number: 20190316729
    Abstract: A device for supporting an electronic display includes a base, a display mount having a first position and a second position relative to the base, and a connection mechanism positioned between the base and the display mount. The connection mechanism is configured to rotate and translate the display mount from the first position to the second position according to a torque curve. The torque curve includes a discovery stage adjacent the first position, an initiation stage rotationally after the discovery stage, and an approach stage rotationally after the initiation stage. The connection mechanism applies a force toward the first position in the discovery stage. The connection mechanism having an initiation force applied toward the first position that is greater than the force in the discovery stage. The approach stage having an approach force applied toward the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Kae-Ling Jacquline GURR, Jonne Aapi HARJU, Eric Paul WITT, Timothy Guyton ESCOLIN, Ryan Eugene WHITAKER, Young Soo KIM, James David WAHL, Daniel Clark PARK, Bruce James SANDMEYER, Scott Ashley RUTSCHMAN, William Loren EMERY
  • Publication number: 20190317549
    Abstract: A device for supporting an electronic display includes a base, a display mount, and a connection mechanism positioned between the base and the display mount. The display mount is movably connected to the base and movable between a first position and a second position. The connection mechanism is configured to couple a rotation of the display mount relative to base to a translation of the display mount relative to the base such that the display mount experiences rotation and translation when the display mount is moved between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Kae-Ling Jacquline GURR, Jonne Aapi HARJU, Eric Paul WITT, Timothy Guyton ESCOLIN, Ryan Eugene WHITAKER, Young Soo KIM, James David WAHL, Daniel Clark PARK, Bruce James Sandmeyer, Scott Ashley Rutschman, William Loren Emery
  • Publication number: 20190292827
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Karsten Aagaard, Eric Paul Witt, Brian David Bitz, Joseph Benjamin Gault, John Stephen Campbell
  • Patent number: 10331175
    Abstract: A computing device is described. The computing device may include a first portion and a second portion separably connected to the first portion. A locking mechanism may be configured to lock the first portion to the second portion. The locking mechanism may include a locking receptacle connected to the first portion and a locking protrusion connected to the second portion. The locking receptacle may include a rotating lock and may have an aperture through which the locking protrusion is insertable. The computing device may include an actuator mechanically coupled to the locking mechanism and configured to unlock the first portion from the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Gault, Scott Douglas Bowers, John Stephen Campbell, Anthony E. Hillyerd, Yazan Aldehayyat, Karsten Aagaard, Eric Paul Witt