Patents by Inventor Scott M. Mail
Scott M. Mail 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: 9952106Abstract: Input device configurations are described. In implementations, an input device includes a sensor substrate having a capacitive sensor to detect proximity of an object that contacts the input device. The input device also includes a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate, where the flexible contact layer is implemented to flex and contact the sensor substrate responsive to pressure applied by the object to initiate an input to a computing device. The flexible contact layer can include a force concentrator pad that is designed to cause pressure to be channeled through the force concentrator pad to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Timothy C. Shaw, Flavio P. Ribeiro, Glennis E. Covington, Christian C. Gadke, Xuezhong Wu, Bradley R. Martin, Francie Judith Zant, Scott M. Mail, James C. Marshall
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Patent number: 9753604Abstract: A computing device and method for managing inputs from a plurality of user input device actuators are provided. The computing device may include code stored in memory for implementing, via a processor, an actuator input module configured to receive a first actuator input from a first user input device actuator, and a second actuator input from a second user input device actuator. The computing device may further execute code to implement a window selection module configured to select a first selected window to which the first actuator input is sent according to predetermined selection rules, to select a second selected window to which the second actuator input is sent according to the predetermined selection rules, and to send the first actuator input to the first selected window and to send the second actuator input to the second selected window.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Scott M. Mail, Dan Odell, Tejas Mistry, Vadim Dmitriev, Nino Aldrin Lasco Sarmiento, Pavan Davuluri
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Publication number: 20170023418Abstract: Input device configurations are described. In implementations, an input device includes a sensor substrate having a capacitive sensor to detect proximity of an object that contacts the input device. The input device also includes a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate, where the flexible contact layer is implemented to flex and contact the sensor substrate responsive to pressure applied by the object to initiate an input to a computing device. The flexible contact layer can include a force concentrator pad that is designed to cause pressure to be channeled through the force concentrator pad to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Timothy C. Shaw, Flavio P. Ribeiro, Glennis E. Covington, Christian C. Gadke, Xuezhong Wu, Bradley R. Martin, Francie Judith Zant, Scott M. Mail, James C. Marshall
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Patent number: 9459160Abstract: Input device configurations are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a sensor substrate having one or more conductors and a flexible contact layer spaced apart from the sensor substrate. The flexible contact layer is configured to flex to contact the sensor substrate to initiate an input of a computing device. The flexible contact layer includes a force concentrator pad that is configured to cause pressure to be channeled through the force concentrator pad to cause the flexible contact layer to contact the sensor substrate to initiate the input.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Timothy C. Shaw, Flavio P. Ribeiro, Glennis E. Covington, Christian C. Gadke, Xuezhong Wu, Bradley R. Martin, Francie Judith Zant, Scott M. Mail, James C. Marshall
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Patent number: 8418076Abstract: A computing device and method for managing inputs from a plurality of user input device actuators are provided. The computing device may include code stored in memory for implementing, via a processor, an actuator input module configured to receive a first actuator input from a first user input device actuator, and a second actuator input from a second user input device actuator. The computing device may further execute code to implement a window selection module configured to select a first selected window to which the first actuator input is sent according to predetermined selection rules, to select a second selected window to which the second actuator input is sent according to the predetermined selection rules, and to send the first actuator input to the first selected window and to send the second actuator input to the second selected window.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2008Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Scott M. Mail, Dan Odell, Tejas Mistry, Vadim Dmitriev, Nino Aldrin Lasco Sarmiento, Pavan Davuluri
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Patent number: 8411037Abstract: A keyboard key has a key portion that forms a cantilevered beam pivotable about an axis. A switch is disposed relative to the cantilevered beam, such that rotation of the cantilever beam about the axis causes depression of the switch. The switch is offset from an applied force-receiving portion of the key portion. A touch sensitive key also includes a touch sensor detecting contact with the key portion of the key. The invention can be extended such that the key portion is formed of transparent or semi-transparent material. The invention can also be extended to include touch sensitive areas on any portion of an upper case of the computer keyboard.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Glen C. Larsen, Daniel G. O'Neil, Scott M. Mail, David M. Lane
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Patent number: 8201213Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling access of application programs to an adaptive input device are described herein. One exemplary computing system includes an application programming interface executable on a computing device for controlling said access to an adaptive input device having a plurality of display regions. The application programming interface is configured to receive a display request from one of the application programs to display formatted output on the composite display and is further configured to apply at least a display sharing policy based on application-specific policy settings received from the application program for defining an application-specific area including at least one of the display regions. Further, the application programming interface is configured to generate formatted output based on the application-specific policy settings, and to send the formatted output to the application-specific area for display.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Robert D. Young, Daniel M. Sangster, Marc DesCamp, Scott M. Mail, Vincent Ball, Dennis Meinhardt
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Publication number: 20100275218Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling access of application programs to an adaptive input device are described herein. One exemplary computing system includes an application programming interface executable on a computing device for controlling said access to an adaptive input device having a plurality of display regions. The application programming interface is configured to receive a display request from one of the application programs to display formatted output on the composite display and is further configured to apply at least a display sharing policy based on application-specific policy settings received from the application program for defining an application-specific area including at least one of the display regions. Further, the application programming interface is configured to generate formatted output based on the application-specific policy settings, and to send the formatted output to the application-specific area for display.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2009Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Robert D. Young, Daniel M. Sangster, Marc DesCamp, Scott M. Mail, Vincent Ball, Dennis Meinhardt
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Publication number: 20100265183Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and method to implement a state change for an adaptive device are provided. In one example, a method is disclosed that includes receiving a system state input indicating a change in a system state of a computing device, changing adaptive device data in response to the system state input to form changed adaptive device data, the adaptive device data and the changed adaptive device data each including one or more of image data and adaptive device mapping data, and adjusting an adaptive device display state using the changed adaptive device data, wherein adjusting the adaptive device display state includes one or more of displaying the image data on the keyboard display and adjusting an adaptive device mapping state according to the adaptive device mapping data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Scott M. Mail, Hakon Strande, Daniel M. Sangster, Vincent Ball, Yuan-Chou Chung
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Publication number: 20090288039Abstract: A computing device and method for managing inputs from a plurality of user input device actuators are provided. The computing device may include code stored in memory for implementing, via a processor, an actuator input module configured to receive a first actuator input from a first user input device actuator, and a second actuator input from a second user input device actuator. The computing device may further execute code to implement a window selection module configured to select a first selected window to which the first actuator input is sent according to predetermined selection rules, to select a second selected window to which the second actuator input is sent according to the predetermined selection rules, and to send the first actuator input to the first selected window and to send the second actuator input to the second selected window.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2008Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Scott M. Mail, Dan Odell, Tejas Mistry, Vadim Dmitriev, Nino Aldrin Sarmiento, Pavan Davuluri
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Publication number: 20080309522Abstract: A keyboard key has a key portion that forms a cantilevered beam pivotable about an axis. A switch is disposed relative to the cantilevered beam, such that rotation of the cantilever beam about the axis causes depression of the switch. The switch is offset from an applied force-receiving portion of the key portion. A touch sensitive key also includes a touch sensor detecting contact with the key portion of the key. The invention can be extended such that the key portion is formed of transparent or semi-transparent material. The invention can also be extended to include touch sensitive areas on any portion of an upper case of the computer keyboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Glen C. Larsen, Daniel G. O'Neil, Scott M. Mail, David M. Lane