Patents by Inventor Kurt A. Jenkins
Kurt A. Jenkins 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: 8216405Abstract: Embodiments related to making an optic comprising a cladding are disclosed. One example embodiment comprises forming a wedge-shaped light guide having opposing first and second faces and comprising a material having a first refractive index. The embodiment further comprises applying a cladding layer to the first face, and, applying an interface layer to the cladding layer. In this embodiment, the cladding layer has a second refractive index less than the first refractive index, and the interface layer has a third refractive index matched to the first refractive index.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Neil Emerton, Timothy Andrew Large, Kurt A. Jenkins, Adrian Travis
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Patent number: 8143598Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed herein related to the use of photoluminescent material to improve the presentation of images being displayed by a user interface device. For example, one embodiment provides a user interface device including a cuplet microstructure sheet that includes a plurality of cuplets. Each cuplet forms a light input opening and a light output opening. The light output opening has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the light input opening. The user interface device further includes a photoluminescent material that at least partially fills one or more cuplets of the plurality of cuplets. The user interface device further includes a light source configured to generate light that is directed to one or more selected cuplets of the plurality of cuplets.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: John R. Lewis, Kurt A. Jenkins
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Patent number: 8000108Abstract: A method having a socket for coupling signals between an electrical component and a circuit board or equivalent has a mechanism that, when activated, attaches the electrical component to the socket so that it is not possible to remove the electrical component without damaging it. The mechanism may include a clamshell lid with a one-time locking mechanism, a pin contact mechanism that, after initial locking, will detach the pins of the electrical component if further disturbed, or a moat around the base of the electrical component for disposing an epoxy fastener. The moat may include a heating element to cure the epoxy or other glue. The socket may include an electrical component that allows detection of tampering with the socket.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Shon Schmidt, Nicholas Temple, Kurt A. Jenkins, Thomas Patrick Lennon, David Michael Lane
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Patent number: 7982149Abstract: Mechanical architecture for providing maximum viewing area on key button tops of keys for a user input device. The viewing area is for the display of information on the key buttons, and also includes tactile feedback similar to standard laptop keyboards, all using low cost manufacturing methods such as injection molding. The architecture optimizes an aperture through the core of the key switch assembly in order to project an image through the aperture and onto the display area of the key button. The architecture relocates in at least one embodiment the tactile feedback mechanism (e.g., dome assembly) out from underneath the key button to the perimeter or side of the key switch assembly. The architecture finds particular application to input devices such as keyboards, game pods, data entry device, etc., that operate in combination with an optical surface (e.g., wedge lens).Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Glen C. Larsen, Michael R. Schweers, Steven N. Bathiche, Andrew Wilson, Jonathan Knight, David Zucker, Kurt A. Jenkins
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Publication number: 20100300608Abstract: Embodiments related to making an optic comprising a cladding are disclosed. One example embodiment comprises forming a wedge-shaped light guide having opposing first and second faces and comprising a material having a first refractive index. The embodiment further comprises applying a cladding layer to the first face, and, applying an interface layer to the cladding layer. In this embodiment, the cladding layer has a second refractive index less than the first refractive index, and the interface layer has a third refractive index matched to the first refractive index.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Neil Emerton, Timothy Andrew Large, Kurt A. Jenkins, Adrian Travis
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Publication number: 20100277890Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed herein related to the use of photoluminescent material to improve the presentation of images being displayed by a user interface device. For example, one embodiment provides a user interface device including a cuplet microstructure sheet that includes a plurality of cuplets. Each cuplet forms a light input opening and a light output opening. The light output opening has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the light input opening. The user interface device further includes a photoluminescent material that at least partially fills one or more cuplets of the plurality of cuplets. The user interface device further includes a light source configured to generate light that is directed to one or more selected cuplets of the plurality of cuplets.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: John R. Lewis, Kurt A. Jenkins
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Publication number: 20100078303Abstract: Mechanical architecture for providing maximum viewing area on key button tops of keys for a user input device. The viewing area is for the display of information on the key buttons, and also includes tactile feedback similar to standard laptop keyboards, all using low cost manufacturing methods such as injection molding. The architecture optimizes an aperture through the core of the key switch assembly in order to project an image through the aperture and onto the display area of the key button. The architecture relocates in at least one embodiment the tactile feedback mechanism (e.g., dome assembly) out from underneath the key button to the perimeter or side of the key switch assembly. The architecture finds particular application to input devices such as keyboards, game pods, data entry device, etc., that operate in combination with an optical surface (e.g., wedge lens).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Glen C. Larsen, Michael R. Schweers, Steven N. Bathiche, Andrew Wilson, Jonathan Knight, David Zucker, Kurt A. Jenkins
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Publication number: 20100038821Abstract: Embodiments related to the tactile enhancement of a computer input device are disclosed herein. In one disclosed embodiment, a method of making removable tactile-enhancing grips for a computer input device is disclosed. The method comprises heating a thermoplastic elastomeric sheet to a temperature at which the thermoplastic elastomeric sheet is capable of receiving and retaining an imprinted feature, pressing onto the thermoplastic elastomeric sheet a plate comprising a pattern, thereby embossing the pattern onto the thermoplastic elastomeric sheet, and cooling the thermoplastic elastomeric sheet to a temperature at which the pattern is retained in the thermoplastic elastomeric sheet. An adhesive layer is then formed on an opposite side of the thermoplastic elastomeric sheet as the pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Kurt A. Jenkins, Jeffrey J. Heinz
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Publication number: 20080310127Abstract: A socket for coupling signals between an electrical component and a circuit board or equivalent has a mechanism that, when activated, attaches the electrical component to the socket so that it is not possible to remove the electrical component without damaging it. The mechanism may include a clamshell lid with a one-time locking mechanism, a pin contact mechanism that, after initial locking, will detach the pins of the electrical component if further disturbed, or a moat around the base of the electrical component for disposing an epoxy fastener. The moat may include a heating element to cure the epoxy or other glue. The socket may include an electrical component that allows detection of tampering with the socket.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Shon Schmidt, Nicholas D. Temple, Kurt A. Jenkins, Thomas Patrick Lennon, David Michael Lane
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Patent number: 7310837Abstract: Disclosed is a seat for use around the bathtub area. Specifically, the seat is formed so that it can fit around a side wall of a bathtub. Because there are many standard sizes of bathtubs, some embodiments of the invention include an adjustment mechanism so that the seat can be adjusted to securely attach to the side wall of most sizes of bathtubs. Other embodiments of the invention provide for a seat that can be used within the bathtub itself. Further embodiments are implemented that can sit securely on a bathtub on which a door rail is also attached.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Ellie Situpon, Inc.Inventors: Elinor L. Reynolds, Elinor L. Reynolds, legal representative, Kurt A. Jenkins, Donald S. White, deceased
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Patent number: 6983789Abstract: A cooling system is provided with a heat exchanger that has a thermally conductive tube over-molded with a plurality of thermally conductive fins. To form the heat exchanger, a thermally conductive tube is provided. Insert molding, over molding or injection molding is utilized to incorporate thermally conductive fins with the thermally conductive tubes. The molding process may also simultaneously create any required features, such as mounting features and fittings for tubing to be connected to the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Kurt A. Jenkins, John G. Olendorf, Peter Davison
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Publication number: 20050183850Abstract: A cooling system is provided with a heat exchanger that has a thermally conductive tube over-molded with a plurality of thermally conductive fins. To form the heat exchanger, a thermally conductive tube is provided. Insert molding, over molding or injection molding is utilized to incorporate thermally conductive fins with the thermally conductive tubes. The molding process may also simultaneously create any required features, such as mounting features and fittings for tubing to be connected to the heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2005Publication date: August 25, 2005Applicant: Intel CorporationInventors: Kurt Jenkins, John Olendorf, Peter Davison
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Patent number: 6926070Abstract: A cooling system is provided with a heat exchanger that has a thermally conductive tube over-molded with a plurality of thermally conductive fins. To form the heat exchanger, a thermally conductive tube is provided. Insert molding, over molding or injection molding is utilized to incorporate thermally conductive fins with the thermally conductive tubes. The molding process may also simultaneously create any required features, such as mounting features and fittings for tubing to be connected to the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Kurt A. Jenkins, John G. Oldendorf, Peter Davison
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Publication number: 20050076431Abstract: Disclosed is a seat for use around the bathtub area. Specifically, the seat is formed so that it can fit around a side wall of a bathtub. Because there are many standard sizes of bathtubs, some embodiments of the invention include an adjustment mechanism so that the seat can be adjusted to securely attach to the side wall of most sizes of bathtubs. Other embodiments of the invention provide for a seat that can be used within the bathtub itself. Further embodiments are implemented that can sit securely on a bathtub on which a door rail is also attached.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2004Publication date: April 14, 2005Inventors: Elinor Reynolds, Donald White, Elinor Reynolds, Kurt Jenkins
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Publication number: 20030178176Abstract: A cooling system is provided with a heat exchanger that has a thermally conductive tube over-molded with a plurality of thermally conductive fins. To form the heat exchanger, a thermally conductive tube is provided. Insert molding, over molding or injection molding is utilized to incorporate thermally conductive fins with the thermally conductive tubes. The molding process may also simultaneously create any required features, such as mounting features and fittings for tubing to be connected to the heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Kurt A. Jenkins, John G. Olendorf, Peter Davison