Patents by Inventor Ralf Groene

Ralf Groene 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).

  • Publication number: 20190332197
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to user input. One example provides a method comprising receiving user inputs from a user input device, monitoring a touch-sensitive display device for detection of a presence of the user input device via the touch-sensitive display device, when the user input device is detected by the touch-sensitive display device, utilizing a first user input mode in which a first user interface is displayed on the touch-sensitive display device at a location based upon a location of the input device on the touch-sensitive display device, and when the user input device is not detected by the touch-sensitive display device, utilizing a second user input mode in which a second user interface is displayed at a location on the touch-sensitive display device not based upon a location of the input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Young Kim, James Alec Ishihara, Scott Schenone, Ralf Groene, Filipp Demenschonok, Michael Baum
  • Patent number: 10386940
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to user input. One example provides a method comprising receiving user inputs from a user input device, monitoring a touch-sensitive display device for detection of a presence of the user input device via the touch-sensitive display device, when the user input device is detected by the touch-sensitive display device, utilizing a first user input mode in which a first user interface is displayed on the touch-sensitive display device at a location based upon a location of the input device on the touch-sensitive display device, and when the user input device is not detected by the touch-sensitive display device, utilizing a second user input mode in which a second user interface is displayed at a location on the touch-sensitive display device not based upon a location of the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Young Kim, James Alec Ishihara, Scott Schenone, Ralf Groene, Filipp Demenschonok, Michael Baum
  • Publication number: 20190121513
    Abstract: A canvas (e.g., a digital page or sheet of paper) on which a user can input data is displayed on a display device of a computing device in response to the canvas being invoked. The canvas can be invoked in different manners, such as by the user activating a switch or button at an “eraser” end of a stylus that mimics a pen/pencil configuration. The user can input any digital data such as notes, drawings, and so forth on the canvas that he or she desires. In response to the canvas being dismissed (e.g., by the user again activating a switch or button at an “eraser” end of a stylus that mimics a pen/pencil configuration), display of the canvas ceases. The digital data input by the user is saved or otherwise processed by the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sarah Graham Williams, Catherine N. Boulanger, Yann Florian Daniel Riche, Hua Wang, John G.A. Weiss, Anthony Christian Reed, Ralf Groene, Steven Nabil Bathiche, Vincent L. Ball
  • Patent number: 10168894
    Abstract: A canvas (e.g., a digital page or sheet of paper) on which a user can input data is displayed on a display device of a computing device in response to the canvas being invoked. The canvas can be invoked in different manners, such as by the user activating a switch or button at an “eraser” end of a stylus that mimics a pen/pencil configuration. The user can input any digital data such as notes, drawings, and so forth on the canvas that he or she desires. In response to the canvas being dismissed (e.g., by the user again activating a switch or button at an “eraser” end of a stylus that mimics a pen/pencil configuration), display of the canvas ceases. The digital data input by the user is saved or otherwise processed by the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Sarah Graham Williams, Catherine N. Boulanger, Yann Florian Daniel Riche, Hua Wang, John G. A. Weiss, Anthony Christian Reed, Ralf Groene, Steven Nabil Bathiche, Vincent L. Ball
  • Patent number: 10120420
    Abstract: This document describes a lockable display and techniques enabling use of a lockable display. The techniques can enable computing devices to lock and unlock a display using little or no power and with a seamless design. The techniques and apparatuses can also enable integration between a lockable display and various computing devices, including to create a nearly seamless physical and functional design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nabil Bathiche, Panos C. Panay, Ralf Groene, Joseph B. Gault, Andrew William Hill
  • Patent number: 10031556
    Abstract: User experience adaptation techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a connection portion configured to be removably physically and communicatively with a computing device, a housing physically connected to the connection portion and providing an outer surface having one or more characteristics that are viewable by a user, and memory disposed within the housing and configured to communicate data to the computing device via the connection portion, the data usable by the computing device to dynamically adapt a user interface displayable by a display device of the computing device to mimic the one or more physical characteristics of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Panos C. Panay, Sharon Drasnin, Michael D. McCormack, John E. Inman, Steve Seixeiro, Anthony Christian Reed, Ralf Groene, Jeffrey Jay Johnson
  • Patent number: 10013030
    Abstract: Flexible hinge spine techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device and may implement functionality such as a support layer and minimum bend radius. The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that are configured to be removed from respective cavities of the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. Other techniques include use of a laminate structure to form a connection portion of the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: David Otto Whitt, III, Eric Joseph Wahl, David C. Vandervoort, Todd David Pleake, Rob Huala, Summer L. Schneider, Robyn Rebecca Reed McLaughlin, Matthew David Mickelson, Joel Lawrence Pelley, Timothy Caryle Shaw, Ralf Groene, Hua Wang, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Karsten Aagaard
  • Patent number: 9946312
    Abstract: A cover for a mobile computing device includes two or more hinges so constructed that the hinges are substantially rigid when in-plane and flexible when out-of-plane. The cover includes segments made of a rigid material disposed between the hinges. The cover, when swiveled to the back side of the computing device, forms a contour around an object such as a stylus to secure the object to the back side of the computing device when the object is present. The cover becomes substantially flat and parallel to the back side of the computing device when the object is absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ivan Andrew McCracken, Hua Wang, Karsten Aagaard, David Otto Whitt, III, Robert James Bingham, Jr., Ralf Groene
  • Patent number: 9904327
    Abstract: Flexible hinge and removable attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device and may implement functionality such as a support layer and minimum bend radius. The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that are configured to be removed from respective cavities of the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. Other techniques include use of a laminate structure to form a connection portion of the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: David Otto Whitt, III, Eric Joseph Wahl, David C. Vandervoort, Todd David Pleake, Rob Huala, Summer L. Schneider, Robyn Rebecca Reed McLaughlin, Matthew David Mickelson, Joel Lawrence Pelley, Timothy C. Shaw, Ralf Groene, Hua Wang, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Karsten Aagaard
  • Patent number: 9864407
    Abstract: A mobile computing device dock is described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a support structure and first and second connection portions disposed on opposing sides of the support. Each of the first and second connection portions includes a respective connection device configured to form a communicative coupling to a mobile computing device. The first and second connection portions are configured such that movement of one of the first or second connection portions causes corresponding movement of the other one of the first or second connection portions to engage to or disengage from the mobile computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Kelong Zhao, Min Li Tee, Xian Ming Huang, Flen Ju, Wei Zheng, Jian Zhong Wang, Mingjie Wang, Ralf Groene
  • Patent number: D820251
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Jan Raken, Ralf Groene, Panos Costa Panay, Karsten Aagaard, Casey Cook Zelig
  • Patent number: D820829
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Jan Raken, Ralf Groene, Panos Costa Panay, Karsten Aagaard, Casey Cook Zelig
  • Patent number: D820844
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Jones, Hong Yu Chen, Wei Zheng, Ralf Groene
  • Patent number: D820845
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Jones, Hong Yu Chen, Wei Zheng, Ralf Groene
  • Patent number: D821387
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Jan Raken, Ralf Groene, Panos Costa Panay, Karsten Aagaard, Casey Cook Zelig
  • Patent number: D821399
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Jones, Hong Yu Chen, Wei Zheng, Ralf Groene
  • Patent number: D822025
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Young Soo Kim, Mike F. Deily, James Iming Tsai, Ralf Groene, Hua Wang, Anthony Reed, James Alec Ishihara
  • Patent number: D822026
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Jones, Hong Yu Chen, Wei Zheng, Ralf Groene
  • Patent number: D827633
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Jan Raken, Ralf Groene, Panos Costa Panay
  • Patent number: D833429
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ralf Groene, Dan O'Neil, Kaitlyn Schoeck, Hua Wang, Kate Bailey, Karsten Aagaard, Eric Witt