Patents by Inventor Michael Jack Sinclair
Michael Jack Sinclair 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: 11822712Abstract: The present concepts relate to devices that can employ graspable controllers that can be employed in various scenarios, such as virtual reality scenarios and augmented reality scenarios. One example device can include multiple expansion assemblies having independently adjustable girths. The multiple expansion assemblies can be stacked adjacent to one another along an axis. A controller can be configured to expand or contract the girths of the expansion assemblies to collectively approximate girths of an object.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mar Gonzalez Franco, Michael Jack Sinclair, Eyal Ofek, Eric Jordan Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20230115959Abstract: The present concepts relate to devices that can employ graspable controllers that can be employed in various scenarios, such as virtual reality scenarios and augmented reality scenarios. One example device can include multiple expansion assemblies having independently adjustable girths. The multiple expansion assemblies can be stacked adjacent to one another along an axis. A controller can be configured to expand or contract the girths of the expansion assemblies to collectively approximate girths of an object.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mar GONZALEZ FRANCO, Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Eyal OFEK, Eric Jordan GONZALEZ
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Patent number: 11556168Abstract: The present concepts relate to devices that can employ graspable controllers that can be employed in various scenarios, such as virtual reality scenarios and augmented reality scenarios. One example device can include multiple expansion assemblies having independently adjustable girths. The multiple expansion assemblies can be stacked adjacent to one another along an axis. A controller can be configured to expand or contract the girths of the expansion assemblies to collectively approximate girths of an object.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mar Gonzalez Franco, Michael Jack Sinclair, Eyal Ofek, Eric Jordan Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20220409996Abstract: The present concepts relate to devices that can approximate virtual objects when touched by a user. One example device can include a location assembly configured to sense a location of the device on a surface and configured to move the robotic device on the surface and a shape assembly secured to the location assembly and configured to adjust a height and a pitch of an upper surface of the robotic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2021Publication date: December 29, 2022Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mar GONZALEZ FRANCO, Eyal OFEK, Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Ryo SUZUKI
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Publication number: 20220221928Abstract: The present concepts relate to devices that can employ graspable controllers that can be employed in various scenarios, such as virtual reality scenarios and augmented reality scenarios. One example device can include multiple expansion assemblies having independently adjustable girths. The multiple expansion assemblies can be stacked adjacent to one another along an axis. A controller can be configured to expand or contract the girths of the expansion assemblies to collectively approximate girths of an object.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mar GONZALEZ FRANCO, Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Eyal OFEK, Eric Jordan GONZALEZ
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Publication number: 20220100278Abstract: The present concepts relate to haptic controllers. In one example the haptic controller can include first and second capstans rotationally secured to a base and an energy storage mechanism connected between the first and second capstans. The example haptic controller can also include a user engagement assembly secured to the first capstan and a controller configured to control rotational forces imparted on the user engagement assembly by controlling rotational friction experienced by the first and second capstans.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Mar GONZALEZ FRANCO, Christian HOLZ, Eyal OFEK
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Patent number: 11226685Abstract: The present concepts relate to haptic controllers. In one example the haptic controller can include first and second capstans rotationally secured to a base and an energy storage mechanism connected between the first and second capstans. The example haptic controller can also include a user engagement assembly secured to the first capstan and a controller configured to control rotational forces imparted on the user engagement assembly by controlling rotational friction experienced by the first and second capstans.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael Jack Sinclair, Mar Gonzalez Franco, Christian Holz, Eyal Ofek
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Patent number: 11086398Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to haptic rendering. One disclosed example provides a haptic rendering device including a patterned layer that exhibits auxetic behavior, and a plurality of actuators configured to move the patterned layer, each actuator being individually controllable to cooperatively change a curvature of the patterned layer in two dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mar Gonzalez Franco, Eyal Ofek, Michael Jack Sinclair, Anthony James Steed
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Patent number: 11003247Abstract: The present concepts relate to devices that can employ deployable controllers. In one example the device can include a base assembly configured to ground the device to a non-hand body part of a user. The example can also include an engagement assembly configured to receive tactile input from a hand of the user or to deliver tactile output to the hand of the user. The device can further include a deployment assembly extending from the base assembly to the engagement assembly and configured to deploy the engagement assembly from a storage orientation proximate to the base assembly to a deployed orientation proximate to the hand of the user.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2020Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael Jack Sinclair, Robert Kovacs, Eyal Ofek, Mar Gonzalez Franco
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Patent number: 10922684Abstract: Optimizations are provided for completing a transaction event using authentication information. In particular, a presence of a transaction processing device is initially detected. Then, transaction information is received from the transaction processing device. The transaction information corresponds to a current transaction event. After receiving the information, a communication link is established with an on-body device. This device includes authentication information that is necessary to complete the current transaction event. The authentication information is then received from the on-body device. This information has a time-limited use availability. Finally, the received authentication information is used to complete the current transaction event.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Yuqun Chen, Gideon A. Yuval, Michael Jack Sinclair
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Publication number: 20200393904Abstract: The present concepts relate to haptic controllers. In one example the haptic controller can include first and second capstans rotationally secured to a base and an energy storage mechanism connected between the first and second capstans. The example haptic controller can also include a user engagement assembly secured to the first capstan and a controller configured to control rotational forces imparted on the user engagement assembly by controlling rotational friction experienced by the first and second capstans.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2019Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Mar GONZALEZ FRANCO, Christian HOLZ, Eyal OFEK
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Publication number: 20200387223Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to haptic rendering. One disclosed example provides a haptic rendering device including a patterned layer that exhibits auxetic behavior, and a plurality of actuators configured to move the patterned layer, each actuator being individually controllable to cooperatively change a curvature of the patterned layer in two dimensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mar GONZALEZ FRANCO, Eyal OFEK, Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Anthony James STEED
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Patent number: 10775891Abstract: A haptic device includes a drum configured to rotate about an axis, a cord wound around the drum, a user-actuatable lever operatively coupled to the drum and configured to receive a user-actuation force, a position sensor configured to determine a rotational position of the drum, and an actuator operatively coupled to the cord. The actuator may be configured to apply a tension to the cord that further applies friction to brake the drum to cause the user-actuatable lever to provide a user-perceived resistance that opposes the user-actuation force. The user-perceived resistance may vary as a function of the rotational position of the drum.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael Jack Sinclair, Eyal Ofek, Christian Holz
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Patent number: 10617942Abstract: A controller is provided that can provide haptic feedback to a user by controlling a separation of a stationary portion and a moveable portion, such as a moveable arm, which can include one or more mounts for one or more of a user's fingers. A sensor can be included on the stationary portion to sense whether the user's thumb is proximate a thumb rest. Different haptic interaction modes can be set depending on whether the user's thumb is not proximate the sensor, such as a touch mode, or is proximate the sensor, such as a grasping or trigger mode. When grasping and trigger modes are provided, they can be determined based on the nature of a virtual object grasped by a user. Additional haptic sensations can be provided, such as to a user's fingertip, such as by a vibratory component or a rotatable object of one or more haptic elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Christian Holz, Eyal Ofek, Michael Jack Sinclair, Hrvoje Benko, Inrak Choi, Eric Whitmire
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Publication number: 20190302887Abstract: A haptic device includes a drum configured to rotate about an axis, a cord wound around the drum, a user-actuatable lever operatively coupled to the drum and configured to receive a user-actuation force, a position sensor configured to determine a rotational position of the drum, and an actuator operatively coupled to the cord. The actuator may be configured to apply a tension to the cord that further applies friction to brake the drum to cause the user-actuatable lever to provide a user-perceived resistance that opposes the user-actuation force. The user-perceived resistance may vary as a function of the rotational position of the drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Eyal OFEK, Christian HOLZ
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Publication number: 20190201784Abstract: A controller is provided that can provide haptic feedback to a user by controlling a separation of a stationary portion and a moveable portion, such as a moveable arm, which can include one or more mounts for one or more of a user's fingers. A sensor can be included on the stationary portion to sense whether the user's thumb is proximate a thumb rest. Different haptic interaction modes can be set depending on whether the user's thumb is not proximate the sensor, such as a touch mode, or is proximate the sensor, such as a grasping or trigger mode. When grasping and trigger modes are provided, they can be determined based on the nature of a virtual object grasped by a user. Additional haptic sensations can be provided, such as to a user's fingertip, such as by a vibratory component or a rotatable object of one or more haptic elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: July 4, 2019Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Christian Holz, Eyal Ofek, Michael Jack Sinclair, Hrvoje Benko, Inrak Choi, Eric Whitmire
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Patent number: 9916003Abstract: A controller device for a virtual environment includes a handle and a contact device having a substantially planar surface. A position of the contact device relative to the handle is adjustable. An actuator module is arranged to adjust the position of the contact device relative to the handle. A control module in communication with the virtual environment selectively controls the actuator module to adjust the position of the contact device in response to data received from the virtual environment. The data includes an indication of an interaction between a user and an object represented within the virtual environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael Jack Sinclair, Eyal Ofek, Hrvoje Benko, Christian Holz
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Publication number: 20180067543Abstract: A controller device for a virtual environment includes a handle and a contact device having a substantially planar surface. A position of the contact device relative to the handle is adjustable. An actuator module is arranged to adjust the position of the contact device relative to the handle. A control module in communication with the virtual environment selectively controls the actuator module to adjust the position of the contact device in response to data received from the virtual environment. The data includes an indication of an interaction between a user and an object represented within the virtual environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Eyal OFEK, Hrvoje BENKO, Christian HOLZ
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Publication number: 20180025351Abstract: Optimizations are provided for completing a transaction event using authentication information. In particular, a presence of a transaction processing device is initially detected. Then, transaction information is received from the transaction processing device. The transaction information corresponds to a current transaction event. After receiving the information, a communication link is established with an on-body device. This device includes authentication information that is necessary to complete the current transaction event. The authentication information is then received from the on-body device. This information has a time-limited use availability. Finally, the received authentication information is used to complete the current transaction event.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Yuqun Chen, Gideon A. Yuval, Michael Jack Sinclair
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Patent number: 9805365Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that effectuates and establishes mobile device security. The system can include devices that detect point of sale mechanisms or secure token devices and based at least in part on the detection of secure token devices the system effectuates release of electronic funds persisted on a mobile device in order to satisfy a debt accrued at the point of sale mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Yuqun Chen, Gideon A. Yuval, Michael Jack Sinclair