Patents by Inventor Vincent Ball

Vincent Ball 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: 10119316
    Abstract: A vehicle sliding door brake assembly configured for attachment to a sliding door mechanism of a vehicle may include a brake member connectable to the sliding door mechanism and configured to rotate about a pivot point, the brake member comprising one or more brake portions for selectively engaging a track of the vehicle so as to provide a braking force. The brake portions may be configured to form an inertial counterweight that urges the brake member to move from a neutral position in which the brake portions are not engaged with the track to an engaged position in which one or more of the brake portions are engaged with the track when a sliding door of the vehicle is subjected to an acceleration exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Westgarth, Stuart Gordon, Gerard Vincent Ball, Stephen Edward Braybrook
  • Publication number: 20170130504
    Abstract: A vehicle sliding door brake assembly configured for attachment to a sliding door mechanism of a vehicle may include a brake member connectable to the sliding door mechanism and configured to rotate about a pivot point, the brake member comprising one or more brake portions for selectively engaging a track of the vehicle so as to provide a braking force. The brake portions may be configured to form an inertial counterweight that urges the brake member to move from a neutral position in which the brake portions are not engaged with the track to an engaged position in which one or more of the brake portions are engaged with the track when a sliding door of the vehicle is subjected to an acceleration exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian WESTGARTH, Stuart GORDON, Gerard Vincent BALL, Stephen Edward BRAYBROOK
  • Patent number: 9367230
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for utilizing input data received from an indirect interaction device (e.g., mouse, touchpad, etc.) as if the data was received from a direct interaction device (e.g., touchscreen). Interaction models are described for handling input data received from an indirect interaction device. For example, the interaction models may provide for the presentation of two or more targets (e.g., cursors) on a display when two or more contacts (e.g., fingers) are detected by indirect interaction device. Moreover, based upon a number of contacts detected and/or a pressured applied by respective contacts, the presented target(s) may be respectively transitioned between a hover visualization and an engage visualization. Targets in an engage visualization may manipulate a size of an object presented in a user interface, pan the object, drag the object, rotate the object, and/or otherwise engage the object, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sarah G. Williams, Scott Honji, Masahiko Kaneko, Jan-Kristian Markiewicz, Vincent Ball, Amish Patel, Paul R. Millsap
  • Patent number: 8933896
    Abstract: In an indirect interaction input device, z-information can be considered in defining a user interaction model for the device. Any measurement of displacement in a z-direction can be used, if such information is available from the input device. The pressure data can be used to define states of interaction, with transitions between these states determined by various thresholds. The device can provide raw or normalized data, and can provide state information or data defining its thresholds that specify state transitions. This information can be provided as an attribute of a contact point provided by the device. Data can be normalized across various similar devices. Applications can use the raw pressure data from the device for their own purposes, or rely on the device itself or host operating system software to interpret the pressure data according to thresholds and states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Honji, Masahiko Kaneko, Sarah Williams, Vincent Ball, Paul Millsap, Jan-Kristian Markiewicz
  • Patent number: 8928499
    Abstract: An input device is disclosed that includes keys on a first surface and a second surface of the input device. At least some of the keys are operably coupled to a matrix including a switch for each key therein. When one of the keys is pressed, the corresponding switch is activated to provide a signal indicative thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Rensberger, Gene Robert Obie, Mike Franks, Vincent Ball, Steven W. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8614675
    Abstract: Automatic mode determination for an input device is disclosed. Depending on conditions of the input device, the input device can transition from a first mode to a transition mode and/or a second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Rensberger, Gene Robert Obie, Mike Franks, Vincent Ball
  • Publication number: 20130113716
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for utilizing input data received from an indirect interaction device (e.g., mouse, touchpad, etc.) as if the data was received from a direct interaction device (e.g., touchscreen). Interaction models are described for handling input data received from an indirect interaction device. For example, the interaction models may provide for the presentation of two or more targets (e.g., cursors) on a display when two or more contacts (e.g., fingers) are detected by indirect interaction device. Moreover, based upon a number of contacts detected and/or a pressured applied by respective contacts, the presented target(s) may be respectively transitioned between a hover visualization and an engage visualization. Targets in an engage visualization may manipulate a size of an object presented in a user interface, pan the object, drag the object, rotate the object, and/or otherwise engage the object, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah G. Williams, Scott Honji, Masahiko Kaneko, Jan-Kristian Markiewicz, Vincent Ball, Amish Patel, Paul R. Millsap
  • Publication number: 20130100045
    Abstract: In an indirect interaction input device, z-information can be considered in defining a user interaction model for the device. Any measurement of displacement in a z-direction can be used, if such information is available from the input device. The pressure data can be used to define states of interaction, with transitions between these states determined by various thresholds. The device can provide raw or normalized data, and can provide state information or data defining its thresholds that specify state transitions. This information can be provided as an attribute of a contact point provided by the device. Data can be normalized across various similar devices. Applications can use the raw pressure data from the device for their own purposes, or rely on the device itself or host operating system software to interpret the pressure data according to thresholds and states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Honji, Masahiko Kaneko, Sarah Williams, Vincent Ball, Paul Millsap, Jan-Kristian Markiewicz
  • Patent number: 8201213
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Young, Daniel M. Sangster, Marc DesCamp, Scott M. Mail, Vincent Ball, Dennis Meinhardt
  • Publication number: 20100275218
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert D. Young, Daniel M. Sangster, Marc DesCamp, Scott M. Mail, Vincent Ball, Dennis Meinhardt
  • Publication number: 20100265182
    Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods to implement a context-based state change for an adaptive input device are provided. For example, a method is disclosed that may include receiving a state input indicating a change in a system state, changing adaptive input device data in response to the state input, the adaptive input device data including one or more of image data or adaptive input device mapping data, and adjusting an adaptive input device display state using the adaptive input device data. Adjusting the adaptive input device display state may include one or more of displaying the image data on an adaptive input device display or adjusting an adaptive input device mapping state according to the adaptive input device mapping data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Ball, Hakon Strande, Robert D. Young
  • Publication number: 20100265183
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott M. Mail, Hakon Strande, Daniel M. Sangster, Vincent Ball, Yuan-Chou Chung
  • Publication number: 20100259482
    Abstract: Keyboard gesturing on an input device of a computing system is herein provided. One exemplary computing system includes a host computing device and an input device including one or more keys. The host computing device includes a gesture-recognition engine that is configured to recognize a gesture from touch input reported from a touch-detection engine. The touch-detection engine is configured to detect a touch input directed at a key of the input device. The host computing device further includes an input engine that is configured to interpret a key-activation message based on the gesture recognized by the gesture-recognition engine, where the key-activation message is generated by a key-activation engine of the input device in response to activation of the key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vincent Ball
  • Patent number: 7631124
    Abstract: A method for carrying out application-specific mapping of input device elements (for example, human input device buttons). The method includes, from an application matching program, determining, for an application program, whether a control element event (for example, a mouse button click event) needs to carry out an action that is specific to the application program, or to perform its default action. The application matching program is configured to execute independently of the application program. A computing system that is capable of carrying out the above method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Alice Lockhart, Vincent Ball, Kevin Smith
  • Patent number: D594018
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Ball, Mark J. McNulty, Joshua Baber
  • Patent number: D594019
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Ball, Mark J. McNulty, Joshua Baber
  • Patent number: D594020
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Ball, Mark J. McNulty, Joshua Baber
  • Patent number: D594021
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Ball, Mark J. McNulty, Joshua Baber
  • Patent number: D594025
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Ball, Mark J. McNutty, Joshua Baber
  • Patent number: D594026
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Ball, Mark J. McNulty, Joshua Baber