Patents by Inventor Greg Saul
Greg Saul 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).
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Patent number: 10955977Abstract: An extender object for use with a multi-modal sensing surface comprises at least two antenna coils. A first antenna coil in the object is electrically connected to a second antenna coil in the object and the two antenna coils may be spatially separated. At least one of the first and second antenna coils comprises a plurality of radial elements extending in and/or out from the coil.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Greg Saul, Nicolas Villar, Daniel Cletheroe, Christian Holz, Haiyan Zhang
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Patent number: 10649572Abstract: A multi-modal sensing surface comprises two overlaid arrays: a capacitive sensing electrode array and an array of RF antennas. A first sensing module is coupled to the capacitive sensing electrode array and is configured to detect both an increase and a decrease of capacitance between electrodes in the array. A second sensing module is coupled to the array of RF antennas and is configured to selectively tune and detune one or more of the RF antennas in the array of RF antennas.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2015Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Nicolas Villar, Haiyan Zhang, Greg Saul, Daniel Cletheroe
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Patent number: 10649920Abstract: A data store for a modular assembly system is described. The data store comprises a number of records, each record relating to a physical module in the modular assembly system and comprising a module ID, an owner ID for the module and one or more properties fields. The properties field(s) define any property of the module and different records may define different properties. At least one of the fields in each data record (e.g. the module ID or owner ID) is verified by an authentication service. A user assembles two or more modules into a coherent physical whole object to act as a user input device to an interactive software experience. The data store communicates with the interactive software experience and causes a change in behavior of the interactive software experience in response to a check of the data records for each of the modules in the object.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Nicolas Villar, Haiyan Zhang, James William Scott, Greg Saul, Alexandra Keeley Bunting, Lee Jason Schuneman, Philip Robert Harrison
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Patent number: 10639544Abstract: An interactive computer game is described which works in conjunction with a number of physical modules that a user can connect together in different ways to form a coherent physical whole object. The game receives data from the object via a wireless link, the data identifying at least which modules form part of the object and updates game play based on the data received. At some point within the game play, the game presents an objective or goal to the user which the user can only achieve by interacting with the physical object formed from the modules. In an embodiment, this interaction comprises re-arranging the modules or swapping modules to form an object with a different visual appearance, moving all or part of the object and/or interacting with a sensor on a module in the object. The game may receive further data from the object during the user interaction.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: James William Scott, Haiyan Zhang, Nicolas Villar, Greg Saul, Alexandra Keeley Bunting, Lee Jason Schuneman, Philip Robert Harrison, Jonathan Steven Robinson, Sabina Lopez-Moreno, Simone Rita Thomas, Patrizio Spadoni, Alex Hall, Tariq Adaci, Levi Naess, Sebastien Vandenberghe, Alma Coyolxauhqui Salinas Lopez, Simon Jay Carter
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Patent number: 10448732Abstract: A proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly having a cross bar that connects to the leg structure of a desk. The assembly includes a bottom channel that pivotably attaches to the cross bar, and a foot stimulating member that attaches to the bottom channel, so that it can pivot in relation to the crossbar. Mounting flanges are located at the longitudinal ends of the cross bar. A pivot assembly, generating the pivotable attachment between the bottom channel and the cross bar, includes two threaded fasteners and a bushing, secured by lock nuts; the bushing connecting the first threaded fastener to the second threaded fastener, such that the second threaded fastener can pivot in relation to the first threaded fastener. In another embodiment, the proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly has at least one slider track capable of being attached to a desk and a foot stimulating member that slidably connects to the slider track.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: School Specialty, Inc.Inventors: Tom Asmuth, Greg Saul
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Patent number: 10445437Abstract: A system for generating custom modular objects is described. The custom modules form part of a modular construction set from which an object can be created by a user. The object acts as a user input device for an interactive software experience. To generate a custom (i.e. non-standard) module, a virtual 3D shape is received by a module generation service. The service converts this shape into a derived 3D shape for the module, for example, ensuring that the module is shaped such that it is compatible with other modules from the modular construction set to which it will be connected for form an object and/or by adding an aperture for receiving a connector and/or electronics core. Once generated, the derived 3D shape is sent to the user in physical form or virtual form and a virtual representation of the module is provided to the interactive software experience.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Haiyan Zhang, James William Scott, Nicolas Villar, Greg Saul, Alexandra Keeley Bunting, Lee Jason Schuneman, Philip Robert Harrison, Thomas James Mejias Stott
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Publication number: 20190239637Abstract: A proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly having a cross bar that connects to the leg structure of a desk. The assembly includes a bottom channel that pivotably attaches to the cross bar, and a foot stimulating member that attaches to the bottom channel, so that it can pivot in relation to the crossbar. Mounting flanges are located at the longitudinal ends of the cross bar. A pivot assembly, generating the pivotable attachment between the bottom channel and the cross bar, includes two threaded fasteners and a bushing, secured by lock nuts; the bushing connecting the first threaded fastener to the second threaded fastener, such that the second threaded fastener can pivot in relation to the first threaded fastener. In another embodiment, the proprioceptive foot stimulator assembly has at least one slider track capable of being attached to a desk and a foot stimulating member that slidably connects to the slider track.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2018Publication date: August 8, 2019Applicant: School Specialty, Inc.Inventors: Tom Asmuth, Greg Saul
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Publication number: 20190232158Abstract: An interactive computer game is described which works in conjunction with a number of physical modules that a user can connect together in different ways to form a coherent physical whole object. The game receives data from the object via a wireless link, the data identifying at least which modules form part of the object and updates game play based on the data received. At some point within the game play, the game presents an objective or goal to the user which the user can only achieve by interacting with the physical object formed from the modules. In an embodiment, this interaction comprises re-arranging the modules or swapping modules to form an object with a different visual appearance, moving all or part of the object and/or interacting with a sensor on a module in the object. The game may receive further data from the object during the user interaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: James William Scott, Haiyan Zhang, Nicolas Villar, Greg Saul, Alexandra Keeley Bunting, Lee Jason Schuneman, Philip Robert Harrison, Jonathan Steven Robinson, Sabina Lopez-Moreno, Simone Rita Thomas, Patrizio Spadoni, Alex Hall, Tariq Adaci, Levi Naess, Sebastien Vandenberghe, Alma Coyolxauhqui Salinas Lopez, Simon Jay Carter
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Patent number: 10338753Abstract: A flexible multi-layer sensing surface comprises a first flexible layer and a second flexible layer. The first flexible layer is a sensing layer and the second sensing layer is another sensing layer or an output layer. The sensing surface also comprises a calibration module which is configured to use the first flexible sensing layer to detect the relative position of the first and second flexible layers and this detected relative position is then used to update one or more stored operating parameters.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Greg Saul, Daniel Cletheroe, Nicolas Villar, Haiyan Zhang, Oscar Salandin, Christian Holz, Andrew Fitzgibbon, Stephen Edward Hodges
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Patent number: 10188939Abstract: A modular assembly system is described which enables interaction with an interactive software experience such as a game. The system enables a coherent physical whole object to be assembled from a core module and one or more peripheral modules. The core module includes a battery, processor and a wireless module which is able to communicate with the interactive software experience which runs on a separate computing device such as a smartphone, tablet or games console. Each of the peripheral modules stores a module ID and these IDs are collected by the core module and communicated to the interactive software experience. The user experience within the interactive software experience changes dependent upon the set of modules which are connected to form the coherent physical whole object and may also be altered as a result of manipulation of the coherent physical whole object or individual modules.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Haiyan Zhang, Nicolas Villar, James William Scott, Greg Saul, Alexandra Keeley Bunting, Lee Jason Schuneman, Philip Robert Harrison, Struan Andrew Robertson, Jonathan Leslie Venables, Thomas James Mejias Stott, Sandeep Bhara, Navtej Sunner
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Patent number: 10159894Abstract: An interactive computer game is described which works in conjunction with a number of physical modules that a user can connect together in different ways to form a coherent physical whole object. The game receives data from the object via a wireless link, the data identifying at least which modules form part of the object and updates game play based on the data received. At some point within the game play, the game presents an objective or goal to the user which the user can only achieve by interacting with the physical object formed from the modules. In an embodiment, this interaction comprises re-arranging the modules or swapping modules to form an object with a different visual appearance, moving all or part of the object and/or interacting with a sensor on a module in the object. The game may receive further data from the object during the user interaction.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: James William Scott, Haiyan Zhang, Nicolas Villar, Greg Saul, Alexandra Keeley Bunting, Lee Jason Schuneman, Philip Robert Harrison, Jonathan Steven Robinson, Sabina Lopez-Moreno, Simone Rita Thomas, Patrizio Spadoni, Alex Hall, Tariq Adaci, Levi Naess, Sebastien Vandenberghe, Alma Coyolxauhqui Salinas Lopez, Simon Jay Carter
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Publication number: 20180365174Abstract: A data store for a modular assembly system is described. The data store comprises a number of records, each record relating to a physical module in the modular assembly system and comprising a module ID, an owner ID for the module and one or more properties fields. The properties field(s) define any property of the module and different records may define different properties. At least one of the fields in each data record (e.g. the module ID or owner ID) is verified by an authentication service. A user assembles two or more modules into a coherent physical whole object to act as a user input device to an interactive software experience. The data store communicates with the interactive software experience and causes a change in behavior of the interactive software experience in response to a check of the data records for each of the modules in the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Nicolas Villar, Haiyan Zhang, James William Scott, Greg Saul, Alexandra Keeley Bunting, Lee Jason Schuneman, Philip Robert Harrison
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Patent number: 10150043Abstract: Interactive smart beads are described. The beads are attached to a connecting element and form a fashion item such as a necklace or bracelet. The connecting element detects the presence of beads which are part of the fashion item and also beads which are part of nearby fashion items. The connecting element also autonomously generates interactions between two or more detected beads and transmits data about the interactions to a software experience so that a user can view a graphical representation of the interactions. In various examples each bead represents a character, environment, object, etc. and the software experience displays an animated story based on the characters, environments, objects, etc. represented by the beads involved in an interaction.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Haiyan Zhang, Nicolas Villar, James William Scott, Alexandra Keeley Bunting, Greg Saul, Lee Jason Schuneman, Philip Robert Harrison, Jonathan Leslie Venables, Simon Terence Prodger
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Patent number: 10133889Abstract: A reader device for short-range wireless tags comprises a sensing module coupled to one or more RF antennas. The sensing module is arranged to selectively activate and deactivate individual RF antennas and to read data from a plurality of objects comprising short-range wireless tags which are proximate to an active RF antenna. A scheduler module within the reader device is arranged to obtain device characteristics for the plurality of objects based at least in part on data read by the sensing module and then to generate a powering schedule for the plurality of objects based on the device characteristics. The generated powering schedule is then implemented by the sensing module.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Daniel Cletheroe, Nicolas Villar, Greg Saul, Haiyan Zhang, Christian Holz
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Patent number: 10089253Abstract: A data store for a modular assembly system is described. The data store comprises a number of records, each record relating to a physical module in the modular assembly system and comprising a module ID, an owner ID for the module and one or more properties fields. The properties field(s) define any property of the module and different records may define different properties. At least one of the fields in each data record (e.g. the module ID or owner ID) is verified by an authentication service. A user assembles two or more modules into a coherent physical whole object to act as a user input device to an interactive software experience. The data store communicates with the interactive software experience and causes a change in behavior of the interactive software experience in response to a check of the data records for each of the modules in the object.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Nicolas Villar, Haiyan Zhang, James William Scott, Greg Saul, Alexandra Keeley Bunting, Lee Jason Schuneman, Philip Robert Harrison
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Patent number: 9933891Abstract: A sensing surface device comprises a sensing module coupled to a sensing mat. The sensing module is configured to detect a first object at a first position on the sensing mat, detect an event associated with the first object and detect a movement at a second position on the sensing mat. The sensing module is further configured to generate an input to trigger an action in software based on both the detected event and the detected movement.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Greg Saul, Nicolas Villar, Daniel Cletheroe, Haiyan Zhang, Christian Holz
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Patent number: 9914066Abstract: A building block is described which has a plurality of faces each with an associated coupling element, such that a first coupling element is adjacent to a first face and a second coupling element is adjacent to a second face, etc. An RF switch in the block is arranged to selectively couple two of the coupling elements together under the control of a processor. The processor controls the RF switch in response to signals received from a transceiver module. A sensing and switching arrangement within the building block selectively connects the processor to one of the coupling elements based on a detected orientation of the block (e.g. so that power harvested from the transceiver module can be used to power the processor). The coupling elements are either all antennas or all electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Daniel Cletheroe, Greg Saul, Nicolas Villar, Oscar Salandin, Haiyan Zhang
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Publication number: 20170308624Abstract: A system for generating custom modular objects is described. The custom modules form part of a modular construction set from which an object can be created by a user. The object acts as a user input device for an interactive software experience. To generate a custom (i.e. non-standard) module, a virtual 3D shape is received by a module generation service. The service converts this shape into a derived 3D shape for the module, for example, ensuring that the module is shaped such that it is compatible with other modules from the modular construction set to which it will be connected for form an object and/or by adding an aperture for receiving a connector and/or electronics core. Once generated, the derived 3D shape is sent to the user in physical form or virtual form and a virtual representation of the module is provided to the interactive software experience.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Haiyan ZHANG, James William SCOTT, Nicolas VILLAR, Greg SAUL, Alexandra Keeley BUNTING, Lee Jason SCHUNEMAN, Philip Robert HARRISON, Thomas James MEJIAS STOTT
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Publication number: 20170252664Abstract: A building block is described which has a plurality of faces each with an associated coupling element, such that a first coupling element is adjacent to a first face and a second coupling element is adjacent to a second face, etc. An RF switch in the block is arranged to selectively couple two of the coupling elements together under the control of a processor. The processor controls the RF switch in response to signals received from a transceiver module. A sensing and switching arrangement within the building block selectively connects the processor to one of the coupling elements based on a detected orientation of the block (e.g. so that power harvested from the transceiver module can be used to power the processor). The coupling elements are either all antennas or all electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Daniel Cletheroe, Greg Saul, Nicolas Villar, Oscar Salandin, Haiyan Zhang
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Patent number: 9703896Abstract: A system for generating custom modular objects is described. The custom modules form part of a modular construction set from which an object can be created by a user. The object acts as a user input device for an interactive software experience. To generate a custom (i.e. non-standard) module, a virtual 3D shape is received by a module generation service. The service converts this shape into a derived 3D shape for the module, for example, ensuring that the module is shaped such that it is compatible with other modules from the modular construction set to which it will be connected for form an object and/or by adding an aperture for receiving a connector and/or electronics core. Once generated, the derived 3D shape is sent to the user in physical form or virtual form and a virtual representation of the module is provided to the interactive software experience.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Haiyan Zhang, James William Scott, Nicolas Villar, Greg Saul, Alexandra Keeley Bunting, Lee Jason Schuneman, Philip Robert Harrison, Thomas James Mejias Stott