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).

  • Patent number: 11822712
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mar Gonzalez Franco, Michael Jack Sinclair, Eyal Ofek, Eric Jordan Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20230115959
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mar GONZALEZ FRANCO, Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Eyal OFEK, Eric Jordan GONZALEZ
  • Patent number: 11556168
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mar Gonzalez Franco, Michael Jack Sinclair, Eyal Ofek, Eric Jordan Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20220409996
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mar GONZALEZ FRANCO, Eyal OFEK, Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Ryo SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20220221928
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mar GONZALEZ FRANCO, Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Eyal OFEK, Eric Jordan GONZALEZ
  • Publication number: 20220100278
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Mar GONZALEZ FRANCO, Christian HOLZ, Eyal OFEK
  • Patent number: 11226685
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jack Sinclair, Mar Gonzalez Franco, Christian Holz, Eyal Ofek
  • Patent number: 11086398
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mar Gonzalez Franco, Eyal Ofek, Michael Jack Sinclair, Anthony James Steed
  • Patent number: 11003247
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jack Sinclair, Robert Kovacs, Eyal Ofek, Mar Gonzalez Franco
  • Patent number: 10922684
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Yuqun Chen, Gideon A. Yuval, Michael Jack Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20200393904
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Mar GONZALEZ FRANCO, Christian HOLZ, Eyal OFEK
  • Publication number: 20200387223
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mar GONZALEZ FRANCO, Eyal OFEK, Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Anthony James STEED
  • Patent number: 10775891
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jack Sinclair, Eyal Ofek, Christian Holz
  • Patent number: 10617942
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Holz, Eyal Ofek, Michael Jack Sinclair, Hrvoje Benko, Inrak Choi, Eric Whitmire
  • Publication number: 20190302887
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Eyal OFEK, Christian HOLZ
  • Publication number: 20190201784
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Holz, Eyal Ofek, Michael Jack Sinclair, Hrvoje Benko, Inrak Choi, Eric Whitmire
  • Patent number: 9916003
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jack Sinclair, Eyal Ofek, Hrvoje Benko, Christian Holz
  • Publication number: 20180067543
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Jack SINCLAIR, Eyal OFEK, Hrvoje BENKO, Christian HOLZ
  • Publication number: 20180025351
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Yuqun Chen, Gideon A. Yuval, Michael Jack Sinclair
  • Patent number: 9805365
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yuqun Chen, Gideon A. Yuval, Michael Jack Sinclair