Patents by Inventor John G. Pierce

John G. Pierce 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: 5793356
    Abstract: A digital joystick operates in a digital mode or an analog emulation mode. In the digital mode, the joystick generates digital data indicating the position of a control stick and the status of buttons and transmits the digital data to the computer. The joystick may be coupled to the computer through a game port or a conventional interface port. Computer software operating within the computer can receive digital data directly from the joystick if it is operating in the digital mode. When in the analog emulation modes the joystick emulates resistances related to the position of the control stick. The emulated resistance data emulates the value of corresponding resistances in a conventional joystick. The resistance values may be derived from a programmable resistor, a programmable impedance, or a programmable current source. Multiplexers may also be used to couple the appropriate resistance value to the conventional game port input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mark K. Svancarek, Manolito E. Adan, Michael W. Van Flandern, John G. Pierce, Hajime Suzuki, Richard B. Kash
  • Patent number: 5559943
    Abstract: A method and computer system present a user with a target icon on a computer screen and instruct the user to place a cursor thereon and twice actuate a mouse switch. The method measures the positions of the cursor on the screen during, and the time between, the two actuations by the user, and uses these measurements to customize, for the given user, the dual actuation speed and cursor movement area used to determine a double-click input command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Clark R. Cyr, Jon B. Kimmich, Timothy T. Brewer, Jeffrey S. Hanson, Miles Richardson, Kenneth R. Robertson, Cheryl Jenkins, Brenda L. Diaz, John G. Pierce, Gregory Lee