Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Byd Company Limited

Kelong Zhao

David Michael Lane

Ping Yang

Xianming Huang

Pengfei Lei

Peter Wesley Bristol

Summer L Schneider

Ralf Groene

Simon Cameron Dearsley

Wei Zheng

Jared I Drinkwater

Zexin Wu

Mingjie Wang

Luke Michael Murphy

William Rodgers Wylde

Xuezhong Wu

Stephen Chi Hung Chiu

Xian Ming Huang

Flen Ju

Curtis Douglas Aumiller

Zhiwei Zhang

Minggang Ma

Chunlai Zhang

Benson Zhai

Jian Zhong Wang

Haiji Sun

Min Li Tee

Examples are disclosed that relate to an input device foldable between a flat orientation in which both ends of a module comprising a sensor are within the input device and a curved orientation in which one end of the module protrudes. A head portion comprises a recess containing the module. A foldable tail portion is coupled to the head portion. A slidable frame comprises an anchor portion affixed to the foldable tail portion and a connecting portion configured to slide relative to the tail portion. A linkage is affixed to the slidable frame and configured to engage and move the module relative to the head portion upon sliding of the slidable frame.

Foldable input device

A switch, keyboard and associated methods are provided. In one implementation, the switch includes a housing having a protruding portion configured to be received in an aperture formed on a substrate, a plunger operable to move with respect to the housing, a first contact member located in the housing, and a second contact member extending from the protruding portion of the housing. The second contact member is operable to, based at least in part on the plunger being moved in a first direction, deform to a predefined extent to electrically contact the first contact member. The switch provides a low profile appearance but not compromising the smooth and quickly responsive striking motion for a mechanical switch, such that a clean design can be provided while the input experience and durability are maintained. A keyboard is also provided.

Switch and keyboard

Described are examples of an input device having a wheel with a plurality of teeth, where at least the plurality of teeth are composed of a ferrous or magnetic material. A magnet is disposed to provide a first magnetic field that attracts the ferrous or magnetic material of the plurality of teeth to provide a detent action when moving the wheel from a first position to a second position. A magnet sheet is disposed to provide a second magnetic field that causes the magnet sheet to deform based on magnetic attraction to the ferrous or magnetic material of the plurality of teeth when moving the wheel from the first position to the second position. A strain sensor coupled to the magnet sheet can detect a strain caused by deformation of the magnet sheet, and provide an electronic signal indicating the strain.

Input device using magnetic field for input detection

A mobile computing device dock is described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a support structure and first and second connection portions disposed on opposing sides of the support. Each of the first and second connection portions includes a respective connection device configured to form a communicative coupling to a mobile computing device. The first and second connection portions are configured such that movement of one of the first or second connection portions causes corresponding movement of the other one of the first or second connection portions to engage to or disengage from the mobile computing device.

Mobile computing device dock

Magnetic detents for input controls are described herein. In one or more implementations, a rotary input control (e.g., a scroll wheel or dial) includes a rotor assembly configured to employ a magnetic detent mechanism. The rotary input control may be integrated with an input device such as a computer mouse, keyboard, or, stylus. The rotor assembly includes a rotor that rotates around an axis of rotation and includes multiple magnetic elements disposed around the rotor, such as teeth of a gear, spokes, metallic regions, and so forth. At least one permanent magnet is arranged radially outward from the axis of rotation and configured to apply a magnetic field to the magnetic elements. This creates a magnetic detent effect when the rotor is rotated due to changes in rotational resistance produced as the magnetic elements rotate through the magnetic field.

Magnetic detent for input controls

A slidable battery door assembly is described. In implementations, the slidable battery door assembly (hereinafter 'door assembly') includes a door that is slidable to control access to a battery compartment for a device. Also included is a battery contact inside the battery compartment that is coupled to the door. When the door is closed, the battery contact holds a battery in place and serves as a portion of an electrical circuit that includes the battery. The door may be slidably opened such that the battery contact releases the battery, allowing the battery to be removed from the battery compartment. Thus, the door assembly enables easy installation and removal of a battery. Further, the door assembly can be positioned to hold a battery securely in place and provide an electrically conductive connection between the battery and an electrical circuit.

Slidable battery door assembly

A peripheral positioner includes a plurality of links that are rotatably coupled to one another. The peripheral positioner can be used to position a peripheral device on various surfaces and/or objects.

Flexible peripheral device positioner

The present invention involves a type of flat, motor-driven vibrator that does not increase the outer physical dimensions of the vibrator while increasing the amount of vibration by changing the mass and balance of the eccentric rotor. The base structure of the eccentric rotor is made of high-density alloy. Two or more coils are installed over the protuberances of the alloy oscillator and a circuit board is installed into the other end of the oscillator. A self-lubricating and wear-resistant, low-density plastic material is injected into the gap between the coils, the oscillator, and the circuit board to mold them together. A cylindrical bore in the middle of the molded plastic is used as a rotor bearing.

Flat type motorized vibrators with high vibration output

Growing community of inventors

Shenzhen, China

Kelong Zhao