Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Longo

Thomas J. Longo 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: 10558266
    Abstract: Aspects described herein generally relate to a haptic feedback mechanism including a shape memory alloy (SMA) material coupled to a mass and a surface, where contraction of the SMA material causes the mass to move from a first position to a second position causing one of compression or decompression of a spring element coupled to the mass, and where loosening of the SMA material causes the mass the move from the second position toward the first position by the other one of compression or decompression of the spring element. The haptic feedback mechanism also includes a heat source configured to selectively apply heat to, and remove heat from, the SMA material to achieve a modulation of contracting and loosening of the SMA material to cause a vibration of the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Longo, Scott D. Bowers, Yazan Aldehayyat
  • Patent number: 10551878
    Abstract: Input device attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a device includes a portion (e.g., an input portion or cover) is configured to be positioned over a display device of a computing device to cover the display device. The device also includes a spine (e.g., a mid-spine) that is physically attached to the portion in a manner that supports rotational movement of the portion in relation to the display device. The physical attachment of the spine is configured to be removable using a magnetic coupling between the spine and a surface of the computing device that includes the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise
  • Patent number: 10474199
    Abstract: Input device attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a device includes a portion (e.g., an input portion or cover) is configured to be positioned over a display device of a computing device to cover the display device. The device also includes a spine (e.g., a mid-spine) that is physically attached to the portion in a manner that supports rotational movement of the portion in relation to the display device. The physical attachment of the spine is configured to be removable using a magnetic coupling between the spine and a surface of the computing device that includes the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise
  • Publication number: 20190004603
    Abstract: Aspects described herein generally relate to a haptic feedback mechanism including a shape memory alloy (SMA) material coupled to a mass and a surface, where contraction of the SMA material causes the mass to move from a first position to a second position causing one of compression or decompression of a spring element coupled to the mass, and where loosening of the SMA material causes the mass the move from the second position toward the first position by the other one of compression or decompression of the spring element. The haptic feedback mechanism also includes a heat source configured to selectively apply heat to, and remove heat from, the SMA material to achieve a modulation of contracting and loosening of the SMA material to cause a vibration of the mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas J. LONGO, Scott D. BOWERS, Yazan ALDEHAYYAT
  • Publication number: 20170075391
    Abstract: Input device attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a device includes a portion (e.g., an input portion or cover) is configured to be positioned over a display device of a computing device to cover the display device. The device also includes a spine (e.g., a mid-spine) that is physically attached to the portion in a manner that supports rotational movement of the portion in relation to the display device. The physical attachment of the spine is configured to be removable using a magnetic coupling between the spine and a surface of the computing device that includes the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise
  • Publication number: 20170054834
    Abstract: Input device attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a device includes a portion (e.g., an input portion or cover) is configured to be positioned over a display device of a computing device to cover the display device. The device also includes a spine (e.g., a mid-spine) that is physically attached to the portion in a manner that supports rotational movement of the portion in relation to the display device. The physical attachment of the spine is configured to be removable using a magnetic coupling between the spine and a surface of the computing device that includes the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise
  • Patent number: 9497300
    Abstract: Input device attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes an input portion configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device and a mid-spine that is physically attached to the input portion and configured to form a removable physical coupling to be secured to a first side of the computing device that includes a display device. The input device also includes a connection portion that is physically attached the mid-spine and is configured to form a removable physical coupling to be secured to a second side of the computing device that is different than the first side and form a communicative coupling to the computing device to communicate the generated signals from the input portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise
  • Publication number: 20150281413
    Abstract: Input device attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes an input portion configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device and a mid-spine that is physically attached to the input portion and configured to form a removable physical coupling to be secured to a first side of the computing device that includes a display device. The input device also includes a connection portion that is physically attached the mid-spine and is configured to form a removable physical coupling to be secured to a second side of the computing device that is different than the first side and form a communicative coupling to the computing device to communicate the generated signals from the input portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise