Michael K Sinclair

US Patent:

6351051, Feb 26, 2002

Filed:

Apr 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/545556

Inventors:

Michael J. Sinclair - Kirkland WA
Jeremy A. Levitan - Cambridge MA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H02K 2112

US Classification:

310166, 310 40 MM, 335220, 29596

Abstract:

Moving a panel on a microelectromechanical system by generating a magnetic force that acts on the panel is disclosed. The panel is formed on, or coupled to, a substrate so as to be able to move between first and second positions. The panel includes an electrically conductive region, such as a metallic ring or sheet, or a doped polysilicon layer. An electrical coil is also located on the substrate and coupled to a power source that can generate time-varying current. When a time-varying current is conducted through the coil, a magnetic flux is generated in the coil that induces an electromotive force (emf) in the panel that, in turn, generates a magnetic flux having a direction that is opposite the magnetic flux in the coil. The opposing magnetic fluxes create a repulsive magnetic force that urges the panel to move away from the coil. A flat spring is provided to hold the panel in a desired position and provide a drag force on the panel as it moves.

US Patent:

6396477, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Sep 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/152443

Inventors:

Kenneth P. Hinckley - Kirkland WA
Todd E. Holmdahl - Bothell WA
Timothy T. Brewer - Seattle WA
Steven T. Kaneko - Seattle WA
Michael J. Sinclair - Kirkland WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corp. - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 508

US Classification:

345163, 345173

Abstract:

In a method of the present invention, a device message is generated indicating that a touch sensor on an input device has been touched without indicating what location on the touch sensor has been touched. The device message is routed to an application and instructions within the application are executed based on the device message.

US Patent:

6422011, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Oct 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/703201

Inventors:

Michael J. Sinclair - Kirkland WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

F01B 2910

US Classification:

60528, 60527

Abstract:

An out-of-plane thermal buckle-beam microelectrical mechanical actuator is formed on a planar substrate of semiconductor material (e. g. , silicon). The actuator includes first and second anchors secured to the substrate and multiple elongated thermal buckle beams that are secured between the anchors. The buckle beams are formed of semiconductor material, such as polysilicon. In one implementation, the buckling beams are coupled together by a pivot frame that includes a frame base secured to each buckle beam and at least one pivot arm that is coupled to the frame base at one end and includes a free end that pivots out-of-plane when the actuator is activated. A current source directs electrical current through the thermal buckle beams via the anchors to impart thermal expansion of the buckle beams and hence a buckling motion of them out of the plane (i. e. , away from) the substrate. Some implementations may include an out-of-plane buckle bias that predisposes the buckle beams to move away from the substrate when activated.

US Patent:

6456275, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Sep 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/152434

Inventors:

Kenneth P. Hinckley - Kirkland WA
Todd E. Holmdahl - Bothell WA
Timothy T. Brewer - Seattle WA
Steven T. Kaneko - Seattle WA
Michael J. Sinclair - Kirkland WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 500

US Classification:

345156, 345161, 345163, 345168

Abstract:

An input device for a computer system includes an exterior surface and a touch sensor located on the exterior surface. The touch sensor is adapted to generate an electrical signal when a user touches the touch sensor. The electrical signal contains touch information that is the same each time the user touches the touch sensor regardless of where the users touch occurs on the touch sensor. The input device also includes an input generator capable of generating input information sent to the computer system. The input information includes at least a depressible keys state, a depressible buttons state, sound information, or movement information.

US Patent:

6501107, Dec 31, 2002

Filed:

Dec 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/452886

Inventors:

Michael J. Sinclair - Kirkland WA
Jeremy A. Levitan - Cambridge MA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond OR

International Classification:

H01L 2710

US Classification:

257209, 257208, 257210, 257211, 257529

Abstract:

A fuse array having a plurality of fusible links that can be addressed by two electrodes is disclosed. The fuse array includes two conductive strips having the plurality of fusible links located therebetween and electrically coupled to the conductive strips. The fusible links have different electrical resistance and each fusible link includes a fuse portion. A voltage potential applied across the conductive strips induces current flow through the fusible links in accordance with Ohms law and ohmic heating occurs at the fuse portion in proportion to the square of the current. The voltage is increased to cause sufficient ohmic heating to occur in the most conductive fusible link (the fusible link having the lowest electrical resistance) so that the fuse portion in that fusible link fuses. Because the fusible links are connected in parallel to the conductive strips, an equivalent resistance of the plurality of fusible links increases and the current flow diminishes so that no further fuse portions are fused at the selected voltage level. Thereafter, the voltage level may be increased to fuse the most conductive fusible link remaining that is not fused.

US Patent:

6545701, Apr 8, 2003

Filed:

Aug 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/133725

Inventors:

Michael J. Sinclair - Kirkland WA
Lance E. Simmons - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

Georgia Tech Research Corporation - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04N 700

US Classification:

348 36, 348169

Abstract:

A digital panoramic camera system for producing digital panoramic images includes a camera body forming a linear optic path and which is rotatably mounted to a motor. An infrared cutoff filter is also provided along the optic path for filtering light which is then provided to a charge coupled device. The charge coupled device generates analog signals corresponding to color information transmitted by the light to an analog interface which tunes the analog signals. A series of pulses is provided to the motor and to an analog to digital converter, thereby synchronizing rotation of the camera body with the conversion of analog signals to digital signals within the converter. A digital interface unit is also provided which receives digital signals from the converter and provides converted digital signals to a computer for processing the signals into a digital panoramic image.

US Patent:

6559830, May 6, 2003

Filed:

Apr 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/543723

Inventors:

Kenneth P. Hinckley - Kirkland WA
Todd E. Holmdahl - Bothell WA
Timothy T. Brewer - Seattle WA
Steven T. Kaneko - Seattle WA
Michael J. Sinclair - Kirkland WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 508

US Classification:

345157, 345156, 345856

Abstract:

In a method of the present invention, a device message is generated indicating that a touch sensor on an input device has been touched without indicating what location on the touch sensor has been touched. The device message is routed to an application and instructions within the application are executed based on the device message.

US Patent:

6675578, Jan 13, 2004

Filed:

May 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/575436

Inventors:

Michael J. Sinclair - Kirkland WA

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

F01B 2910

US Classification:

60528, 60527, 310307

Abstract:

An in-plane thermal buckle-beam microelectrical mechanical actuator is formed on a planar substrate of semiconductor material, for example. The actuator includes first and second anchors secured to the substrate and a floating center beam positioned between the first and second anchors and movable relative to the substrate. Symmetric first and second sets of elongated thermal half-beams are secured between opposite sides of the floating center beam and the respective first and second anchors. The half-beams are formed of semiconductor material, such as polysilicon. A current source directs electrical current through the thermal half beams via the anchors to impart thermal expansion of the thermal half-beams and hence linear motion of the floating center beam generally parallel to the substrate. In one implementation, the half-beams are configured at a bias angle to give the floating beam an affinity for in-plane motion. An actuator of the present invention with such bias angles can give the actuator an overall chevron configuration.