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).

  • Hinge for Component Attachment
    Publication number: 20150378392
    Abstract: A hinge for component attachment is described. In at least some implementations, a kickstand is rotatably attached to a mobile computing device. The kickstand can be rotated to various positions to provide support for different orientations of the computing device. In at least some implementations, hinges are employed to attach a kickstand to a mobile computing device. One example hinge utilizes preset hinge stops that enable the kickstand to be placed at different preset positions. Another example hinge exerts pressure on an edge of the kickstand, providing stability and vibration dampening to the kickstand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Kabir Siddiqui, Ralf Groene, Karsten Aagaard, Anthony Christian Reed, Stephan Alexander Cummings, Darryl I. Jensen, Joseph B. Gault
  • Flexible hinge and removable attachment
    Patent number: 9176900
    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: November 3, 2015
    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
  • ARTICULATED SCREEN COVER FOR ACCOMMODATING OBJECTS
    Publication number: 20150309544
    Abstract: A cover for a mobile computing device is described. The cover comprises 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan Andrew McCracken, Hua Wang, Karsten Aagaard, David Otto Whitt, III, Robert James Bingham, JR., Ralf Groene
  • Flexible hinge protrusion attachment
    Patent number: 9158384
    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: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    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
  • Lockable Display
    Publication number: 20150268699
    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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Nabil Bathiche, Panos C. Panay, Ralf Groene, Joseph B. Gault, Andrew William Hill
  • Flexible Hinge Spine
    Publication number: 20150261262
    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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    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
  • Device kickstand
    Patent number: 9134808
    Abstract: A device kickstand is described. In at least some implementations, a kickstand is rotatably attached to a mobile computing device. The kickstand can be rotated to various positions to provide support for different orientations of the computing device. In at least some implementations, hinges are employed to attach a kickstand to a mobile computing device. One example hinge utilizes preset hinge stops that enable the kickstand to be placed at different preset positions. Another example hinge exerts pressure on an edge of the kickstand, providing stability and vibration dampening to the kickstand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kabir Siddiqui, Ralf Groene, Karsten Aagaard, Anthony Christian Reed, Stephan Alexander Cummings, Darryl I. Jensen, Joseph B. Gault
  • Device kickstand
    Patent number: 9116550
    Abstract: A device kickstand is described. In at least some implementations, a kickstand is rotatably attached to a mobile computing device. The kickstand can be rotated to various positions to provide support for different orientations of the computing device. In at least some implementations, hinges are employed to attach a kickstand to a mobile computing device. One example hinge utilizes preset hinge stops that enable the kickstand to be placed at different preset positions. Another example hinge exerts pressure on an edge of the kickstand, providing stability and vibration dampening to the kickstand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kabir Siddiqui, Ralf Groene, Karsten Aagaard, Anthony Christian Reed, Stephan Alexander Cummings, Darryl I. Jensen, Joseph B. Gault
  • Computing Device Canvas Invocation And Dismissal
    Publication number: 20150227253
    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: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    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
  • Mobile Computing Device Dock
    Publication number: 20150220113
    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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Kelong Zhao, Min Li Tee, Xian Ming Huang, Flen Ju, Wei Zheng, Jian Zhong Wang, Mingjie Wang, Ralf Groene
  • Flexible hinge spine
    Patent number: 9075566
    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: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technoogy 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
  • Flexible hinge and removable attachment
    Patent number: 8947864
    Abstract: Fabric outer layer techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes, an input portion having one or more keys configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device as inputs, a connection portion that is configured to be removable attachable to the computing device and including at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with the computing device to communicate the generated signals, a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly and communicatively connect the connection portion to the input portion, and first and second outer fabric layers that are configured to act as an outer surface of the one or more keys of the input portion and the flexible hinge and are physically secured to the connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    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
  • Input device for an electronic tablet
    Patent number: D720748
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ralf Groene, Hua Wang, Anthony Reed, James Alec Ishihara
  • Connector
    Patent number: D723565
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Kujawski, Jan Raken, Ralf Groene
  • Connector
    Patent number: D725040
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Katherine Bailey, Anthony Reed, Jan Raken, Ralf Groene
  • Connector with illuminated region
    Patent number: D725041
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Katherine Bailey, Anthony Reed, Jan Raken, Ralf Groene
  • Input device for an electronic tablet
    Patent number: D732044
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Longo, Christopher Kujawski, Ralf Groene, Jan Raken, Young Soo Kim, James Iming Tsai
  • Input device for an electronic tablet
    Patent number: D733153
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Longo, Christopher Kujawski, Ralf Groene, Jan Raken, Young Soo Kim, James Iming Tsai
  • Docking station
    Patent number: D742383
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Zheng, Ralf Groene, Jan Raken, Young Soo Kim
  • Docking station
    Patent number: D742886
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Zheng, Ralf Groene, Jan Raken, Young Soo Kim