Patents by Inventor Rob Huala
Rob Huala 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: 11930616Abstract: A thermal component has a shield portion and a heat exchanger portion. The shield portion includes a plurality of cells adapted to inhibit radio radiation (RF) having a frequency within a target frequency range, while the heat exchanger portion includes a plurality of elongated channels, each one of the elongated channels being physically connected to and in fluid communication with at least one corresponding cell of the plurality of cells.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Rob Huala, Nanqiang Zhu, Donovan D. Van Sleet, Aaron Ray Paff, Andrew Douglas Delano, Patrick Stephen Johnson
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Publication number: 20210120698Abstract: A thermal component has a shield portion and a heat exchanger portion. The shield portion includes a plurality of cells adapted to inhibit radio radiation (RF) having a frequency within a target frequency range, while the heat exchanger portion includes a plurality of elongated channels, each one of the elongated channels being physically connected to and in fluid communication with at least one corresponding cell of the plurality of cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Rob HUALA, Nanqiang ZHU, Donovan D. VAN SLEET, Aaron Ray PAFF, Andrew Douglas DELANO, Patrick Stephen JOHNSON
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Patent number: 10013030Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 9904327Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20170177038Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 9678542Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2016Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20170147084Abstract: Input device adhesive techniques are described. A pressure sensitive key includes a sensor substrate having one or more conductors, a spacer layer, and a flexible contact layer. The spacer layer is disposed proximal to the sensor substrate and has at least one opening. The flexible contact layer is spaced apart from the sensor substrate by the spacer layer and configured to flex through the opening in response to an applied pressure to initiate an input. The flexible contact layer is secured to the spacer layer such that at first edge, the flexible contact layer is secured to the spacer layer at an approximate midpoint of the first edge and is not secured to the spacer along another portion of the first edge and at a second edge, the flexible contact layer is not secured to the spacer layer along an approximate midpoint of the second edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: David Otto Whitt, III, Timothy C. Shaw, Rob Huala, David C. Vandervoort, Matthew David Mickelson, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Joel Lawrence Pelley, Todd David Pleake, Hua Wang
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Patent number: 9618977Abstract: Input device adhesive techniques are described. A pressure sensitive key includes a sensor substrate having one or more conductors, a spacer layer, and a flexible contact layer. The spacer layer is disposed proximal to the sensor substrate and has at least one opening. The flexible contact layer is spaced apart from the sensor substrate by the spacer layer and configured to flex through the opening in response to an applied pressure to initiate an input. The flexible contact layer is secured to the spacer layer such that at first edge, the flexible contact layer is secured to the spacer layer at an approximate midpoint of the first edge and is not secured to the spacer along another portion of the first edge and at a second edge, the flexible contact layer is not secured to the spacer layer along an approximate midpoint of the second edge.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: David Otto Whitt, III, Timothy C. Shaw, Rob Huala, David C. Vandervoort, Matthew David Mickelson, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Joel Lawrence Pelley, Todd David Pleake, Hua Wang
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Publication number: 20160299537Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: 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 Carlyle Shaw, Ralf Groene, Hua Wang, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Karsten Aagaard
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Patent number: 9465412Abstract: Input device layer and nesting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a pressure sensitive key assembly including a substrate having a plurality of hardware elements secured to a surface. The input device also includes one or more layers disposed proximal to the surface, the one or more layers having respective openings configured to nest the one or more hardware elements therein.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Jim Tom Belesiu, Timothy C. Shaw, David Otto Whitt, III, Rob Huala, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Joel Lawrence Pelley
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Patent number: 9411751Abstract: Key formation techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a key assembly including a plurality of keys that are usable to initiate respective inputs for a computing device, a connection portion configured to be removably connected to the computing device physically and communicatively to communicate signals generated by the plurality of keys to the computing device, and an outer layer that is configured to cover the plurality of keys of the key assembly, the outer layer having a plurality of areas that are embossed thereon that indicate one or more borders of respective said keys.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: David Otto Whitt, III, Timothy C. Shaw, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Joel Lawrence Pelley, Matthew David Mickelson, James Alec Ishihara, Hua Wang, Karsten Aagaard, Ralf Groene, Rob Huala
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Publication number: 20160209884Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: 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 Carlyle Shaw, Ralf Groene, Hua Wang, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Karsten Aagaard
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Publication number: 20160124467Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2016Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 9268373Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 2015Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 9176900Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 9158384Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: 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
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Patent number: 9158383Abstract: Force concentrator techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a pressure sensitive key includes a sensor substrate having a plurality of conductors, a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate and configured to flex to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input; and a force concentrator layer disposed proximal to the flexible contact layer on a side opposite the sensor substrate. The force concentrator layer has a pad disposed thereon that is configured to cause pressure applied to the force concentrator layer to be channeled through the pad to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Timothy C. Shaw, Jim Tom Belesiu, Sharon Drasnin, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Paul Henry Dietz, Dennis J. Mathias, Rob Huala
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Publication number: 20150261262Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 9111703Abstract: Sensor stack venting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, one or more vent structures are formed within layers of a pressure sensitive sensor stack for a device. Vent structures including channels, holes, slots, and so forth are designed to provide pathways for gas released by feature elements to escape. The pathways may be arranged to convey outgases through the layers to designated escape points in a controlled manner that prevents deformities typically caused by trapped gases. The escape points in some layers enable at least some other layers to be edge-sealed. Pathways may then be formed to convey gas from the edge-sealed layer(s) to an edge vented layer(s) having one or more escape points, such that feature elements in the edge-sealed layer(s) remain protected from contaminants.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2012Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: David Otto Whitt, III, Timothy C. Shaw, David C. Vandervoort, Todd David Pleake, Rob Huala, Matthew David Mickelson, Joel Lawrence Pelley, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Richard Peter Spooner
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Patent number: 9075566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technoogy Licensing, LLCInventors: 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