Patents by Inventor Michael R. Groesch

Michael R. Groesch 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: 8213666
    Abstract: A set of headphones is configured with an integrated accessory receiving space and a device connector that interface with a variety of different interchangeable accessories. The accessories can range from a personal media player that can render audio, such as MP3 (Moving Pictures Expert Group, MPEG-1, audio layer 3) content, to rechargeable battery packs, storage devices, and modules that can support wireless communication between the headphones and other devices such as media centers, game consoles, and personal computers (“PCs”). A user can pick an accessory and snap it into the receiving space of the headphones. When so installed, the accessory becomes physically and functionally embedded so that its functionality becomes seamlessly integrated with operation of the headphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Michael R. Groesch
  • Patent number: 7904628
    Abstract: A smart docking system is provided by a portable electronic device that is adapted to dock with a media player shuttle. When docked, the media player shuttle adds the capability for rendering media content that is stored on the shuttle to the native functionality that is supported by the portable electronic device. The native functionality may vary, and may include that provided by a digital camera or handheld game device, for example. The media player shuttle includes storage for media content such as audio and video and a digital media processing system, but does not include a display screen or user controls. Instead, the display screen and user controls are provided by the portable electronic device when the shuttle is docked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Michael R. Groesch
  • Publication number: 20090327561
    Abstract: A smart docking system is provided by a portable electronic device that is adapted to dock with a media player shuttle. When docked, the media player shuttle adds the capability for rendering media content that is stored on the shuttle to the native functionality that is supported by the portable electronic device. The native functionality may vary, and may include that provided by a digital camera or handheld game device, for example. The media player shuttle includes storage for media content such as audio and video and a digital media processing system, but does not include a display screen or user controls. Instead, the display screen and user controls are provided by the portable electronic device when the shuttle is docked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael R. Groesch
  • Publication number: 20090323975
    Abstract: A set of headphones is configured with an integrated accessory receiving space and a device connector that interface with a variety of different interchangeable accessories. The accessories can range from a personal media player that can render audio, such as MP3 (Moving Pictures Expert Group, MPEG-1, audio layer 3) content, to rechargeable battery packs, storage devices, and modules that can support wireless communication between the headphones and other devices such as media centers, game consoles, and personal computers (“PCs”). A user can pick an accessory and snap it into the receiving space of the headphones. When so installed, the accessory becomes physically and functionally embedded so that its functionality becomes seamlessly integrated with operation of the headphones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael R. Groesch
  • Patent number: 5430473
    Abstract: A two-way video telephone station includes a television screen for displaying an image transmitted by a distant party to a telephone conversation, a video camera for electronically photographing a human subject and periodically transmitting his picture to the distant party, and position-indicating apparatus for keeping the subject within the camera's field of view. The position-indicating apparatus includes a pair of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)--one on each side of the camera. The LEDs are visible to the subject when he is out, or almost out, of the camera's field of view. Because the LEDs can only be seen when the subject needs to take corrective action, they act as passive restraints that are completely unnoticed when the subject is properly positioned. Red LEDs are used to indicate that movement should stop if the subject wishes to be centered in the picture transmitted to the distant party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Robert L. Beecher, II, Michael R. Groesch, Daniel M. Iaria, Ellen A. Keen
  • Patent number: D424000
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bin An, Michael R. Groesch, Jonathan A. Hayes