He has been granted twelve US patents based on mathematical and graphical algorithms.
[1][2] Tsonis co-founded Pulse Microsystems in 1982, with Brian Goldberg.
They patented methods to take artwork, stored using scalable vector graphics, and translate those into instruction for knitting and embroidery machines, enabling artwork to be incorporated into fabrics at the best resolution possible for the fabric under construction.
[4] In 2004 Tsonis and Goldberg co-founded Viigo, a firm that developed app software.
[2][5] Each year the award recognizes one of the University's graduates who has played a significant role in the use of computers.