Patents Examined by William Trapanese
  • Patent number: 9015623
    Abstract: In an output setup to a device apparatus, when the contents of a plurality of setting items are changed in a lump by using a compound setup consisting of a plurality of setting items, a mismatching of the set contents and a function of the device apparatus is avoided. For this purpose, according to the invention, when the compound setup can be used for a plurality of device apparatuses, the compound setup which is used for the designated device apparatus is selected, and in case of performing the output setup to the designated device apparatus by using the selected compound setup, whether the output can be performed by the contents of each setting item of the compound setup in the device apparatus or not is discriminated in accordance with the function of the device apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomonori Minagawa
  • Patent number: 8990720
    Abstract: A method of setting alert thresholds in the context of a real-time dashboard chart. An application program displays a graphical user interface (GUI) and dynamically updates a chart of real-time event data. The chart includes an event threshold bar displayed concurrently with the real-time event data. If the real-time event data has exceeded an event threshold value that corresponds to a position of the event threshold bar, the application program executes a pre-defined response function. If a click and drag input is received while a cursor is located over a graphically-textured handle located on an end of the event threshold bar, the application program moves the event threshold bar to a new location and updates a numerical threshold value that corresponds to the position of the event threshold bar. The numerical threshold value and a unique identification symbol are displayed in close proximity to the graphically-textured handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Kevin M. McBride, Matthew W. Novak
  • Patent number: 8984406
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for annotating video. A software application operating on a user computing device monitors a first display of video content transmitted over a network from a video server. The software application detects an action performed by a user of the user computing device on a first frame of the video content during display of the first frame. The action corresponds to the user identifying a portion of the displayed video frame upon which to overlay a visible marking on the first frame. The marking is associated with an object in the first frame. The software application iteratively derives a further position for the marking in a further frame of the video content, the further position associated with the location of the object in the further frame. The software application generates metadata associated with the user and transmits the metadata to a metadata sever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc!
    Inventors: Lluis Garcia Pueyo, Chris Kalaboukis
  • Patent number: 8972868
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for task decomposition of a task of a workflow. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include selecting, for decomposition, a task from a workflow including a plurality of tasks; indicating whether one or more portions of information associated with the decomposed task are restricted; and providing, to another user interface, the decomposed task including the one or more restricted portions. The received command is executed at the database. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Harald Schubert
  • Patent number: 8954875
    Abstract: A method for providing a floral arrangement including providing, by using at least one processor, a plurality of flower choices to a user, receiving, by using at least one processor, from the user at least two flower inputs from the plurality of flower choices, where each of the at least two flower inputs comprise a flower type, each flower type comprising at least one of: a line flower, a focal flower, or a filler flower, generating, by using at least one processor, a floral arrangement based on the flower types of the flower inputs, and providing, by using at least one processor, the floral arrangement to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Exciting Unlimited LLC
    Inventors: Moses E. Fingerer, Isaac C. Fingerer
  • Patent number: 8954849
    Abstract: A method for supporting communication among avatars representing users in a virtual world shared by a plurality of users' client terminals and a server connected with each other through a network. The method includes the steps of: accumulating statistical information, which includes (i) a combination of a component of a message transmitted by one or more avatars and avatar motion matching the component, and (ii) a degree of usage of the combination; generating a keyword group from the components of a message transmitted by the one or more avatars in response to the transmission of the message; searching through the statistical information; obtaining one or more avatar motion candidates; and presenting the candidates to the user of the avatar. A system for supporting communication among avatars and a communication support server device in a virtual world are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Doi, Kaori Fujiwara, Michiaki Tatsubori
  • Patent number: 8935633
    Abstract: A meeting controller provides controlled access to the use of an electronic device by sending a meeting request to at least one invitee, wherein the meeting request specifies access rights to use only at least one particular feature of multiple features of an electronic device accessible to the invitee during a scheduled time for the meeting. In response to the invitee accepting the meeting request, the electronic device is automatically configured to only provide access to the at least one particular feature allowed in the access rights specified in the accepted meeting request and during the scheduled time for the meeting, the invitee is only allowed use of the particular feature of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Bush, Didier Garcia, Joshua F. Nedelka, Mark Rutenburg
  • Patent number: 8930849
    Abstract: Exemplary enhanced media content tagging systems and methods are described herein. An exemplary method includes a media content tagging system recording a live transmission of media content in response to a user request that the media content be recorded, receiving, from a media content access device, tag data representative of a user-defined tag specifying a segment of the media content, optimizing the user-defined tag, and distributing the optimized user-defined tag to another media content access device for use by the another media content access device to identify and present the segment of the media content. In certain embodiments, the optimization of the user-defined tag may be based on an analysis of aggregated user-defined tags, an analysis of the media content, or a combination thereof. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Donald H. Relyea, Greg A. Johns, Shannon M. Lyons
  • Patent number: 8887071
    Abstract: Enables a collaborative information sharing system configured to enable distally located users to quickly, conveniently and simultaneously share information such as images of websites, applications or any other information with each other in real-time, for example to enable multiple distally located users to shop, teach, learn or otherwise view shared information and communicate in a secure and coordinated fashion that is not possible with existing co-browsing or screen sharing technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Eric Yang
  • Patent number: 8887100
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that accesses information using multiple hierarchies. During operation, the system receives a specifier for a first location in a first hierarchy and a specifier for a second location in a second hierarchy. Next, the system retrieves information, if such information exists, from an intersection between the first location in the first hierarchy and the second location in the second hierarchy. Finally, the system presents the retrieved information to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Cook, Michael J. Graves
  • Patent number: 8887066
    Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for calendaring are provided. Exemplary systems include a natural language receiving component configured to receive a natural language entry corresponding to a future status, a calendar generation engine configured to create a calendar entry based on the natural language entry, a social network database configured for accessing and querying by the calendar generation engine, a privacy component configured to receive a privacy setting indicating a person who is approved to view the calendar entry, and a display module configured to display the calendar entry on a calendar. Exemplary methods include receiving a natural language entry corresponding to a future status, creating a calendar entry, and displaying the calendar entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Deng, Scott Marlette, Marcel Laverdet, Mark Zuckerberg
  • Patent number: 8869070
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for allowing a user of a multifunctional device to search information without going through several menu/button manipulations. More specifically, a multifunctional device comprises a user screen area including a touch sensitive layer to receive user input in order to initiate a search over several local and/or remote databases. The user is allowed to input a free-style handwriting query on a screen of a device to look up information, such as contact information, available applications, wallpapers, ringtones, photos, call logs, etc. After conducting a search, the device presents the search results to the user in such a way that the user can start an intended operation by selecting a search result, such as making a call, starting an application, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Amanjot Singh
  • Patent number: 8843824
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and providing an user interface for providing temporal information to users. The user interface may comprise a center portion and a three-dimensional shape comprising an upper portion that lies about the center portion and a lower portion that lies below the center portion. The center portion may correspond to a first time period. The upper portion may correspond to a second time period in the future relative to the first time period. The lower portion may correspond to a third time period in the past relative to the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: 2nfro Technology Ventures LLC
    Inventor: James T. Daly, IV
  • Patent number: 8843838
    Abstract: Display of on-screen elements is coordinated, which includes generating a graphical wallpaper representation in a first process on a first visual layer on a display of a computing device, generating one or more graphical objects in a second process on a second visual layer of the display, wherein the second visual layer is positioned visually on top of the first visual layer, receiving user interactions with the one or more graphical objects and generating information that reflects the user interactions, and communicating the generated information to the first process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Dianne K. Hackborn, Michael A. Cleron, Romain P. Guy, Joseph M. Onorato
  • Patent number: 8832563
    Abstract: A control system, in one embodiment, includes a plurality of controllers. Each of the plurality of controllers is configured to provide process data to a human-machine interface (HMI) client when selected as a designated controller. A first controller of the plurality of controllers is a current designated controller and is configured to communicate with the HMI client. The control system also includes designated controller selection logic configured to detect an interruption in communication between the current designated controller and the HMI client, poll each of the plurality of controllers for a response, determine which of the plurality of controllers responds first, and select the controller that responds first as the next designated controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Suresh Vure, Mark R. Phelps, Rohan Saraswat, Raja Balasubramaniam
  • Patent number: 8806337
    Abstract: An avatar having one or more features is defined, wherein the one or more features correspond to one or more attributes of a user. One or more user inputs associated with the one or more attributes of the user are received. The one or more features of the avatar are modified based, at least in part, upon the one or more user inputs associated with the one or more attributes of the user. The avatar is displayed, wherein the displayed avatar reflects the modifications to the one or more modified features of the avatar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josef Scherpa, John Morgan Lance
  • Patent number: 8788977
    Abstract: The detection of relative motion or orientation between a user and a computing device can be used to control aspects of the device. For example, the computing device can include an imaging element and software for locating positions, shapes, separations, and/or other aspects of a user's facial features relative to the device, such that an orientation of the device relative to the user can be determined. A user then can provide input to the device by performing actions such as tilting the device, moving the user's head, making a facial expression, or otherwise altering an orientation of at least one aspect of the user with respect to the device. Such an approach can be used in addition to, or as an alternative to, conventional input devices such as keypads and touch screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Patent number: 8756518
    Abstract: Techniques for stack object order traversal and manipulation are described, including presenting an object preview panel having objects, each of the objects being associated with at least one stack object presented in a document panel, and performing an operation associated with at least one of the stack objects, the operation including accessing a stack object data file and a document file, where the operation is initiated in the object preview panel and performed in the document panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Rathnagiri Nagarajan, Yadvinder Bhatia
  • Patent number: 8745534
    Abstract: An information processing device includes a display panel for displaying display items belonging to a predetermined layer among display items divided into a plurality of layers, a manipulating body detection unit for detecting the number of manipulating bodies moving on a touch panel along with a movement direction and a movement amount of the manipulating body, and a display control unit for performing display control so that display items belonging to the predetermined layer are scroll-displayed on the basis of detection results of the movement direction and the movement amount if a movement of manipulating bodies whose number corresponds to the predetermined layer is detected, display items belonging to another layer are displayed if a movement of manipulating bodies whose number corresponds to the other layer is detected, and the display items belonging to the other layer are scroll-displayed on the basis of detection results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yousuke Kawana, Tetsuo Ikeda, Hiroshi Ueno, Ryu Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8601388
    Abstract: A method of efficiently adjusting a timeline in a time window. An application program displays a window that includes a graphical user interface (GUI), at least a portion of time-based data, a timeline, and a slider bar. If a click and drag occurs while a cursor is over the slider bar, the application moves the slider bar and changes a position of data displayed in the window by an amount corresponding to the movement. The application increases the timeline scale if the slider bar reaches an edge of the timeline. If a click and drag occurs while the cursor is over a handle on an edge of the slider bar, the application resizes the slider bar and adjusts the timeline scale to correspond to the slider bar scale. If additional time-based data is available and is not displayed, the application displays an indicator on a corresponding edge of the timeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daiv S. Barrios, Kevin M. McBride, Matthew W. Novak, Xi Xu