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).
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Patent number: 10558266Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Longo, Scott D. Bowers, Yazan Aldehayyat
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Patent number: 10551878Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise
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Patent number: 10474199Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise
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Publication number: 20190004603Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2017Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Thomas J. LONGO, Scott D. BOWERS, Yazan ALDEHAYYAT
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Publication number: 20170075391Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise
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Publication number: 20170054834Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise
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Patent number: 9497300Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise
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Publication number: 20150281413Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise