Patents by Inventor Max E McFarland

Max E McFarland 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: 9734465
    Abstract: A distributed workflow-enabled system includes: a workflow-enabled provider and a workflow-enabled client communicatively coupled by a network. The workflow-enabled provider and the workflow-enabled client include a workflow unit. The workflow unit allows the workflow-enabled provider and the workflow-enabled client to communicate, distribute processes and present a user interfaces by providing a communication manager, a process control module and a user interface module. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for communication, a method for processing by a process control module, a method for creating and presenting the user interface and a method for retrieving processes executable by the process control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Daja Phillips, Max E. McFarland, Andrea Mariotti, Haixia Yu, Michael G. E. Griffin, Bradley J. Rhodes, Sergey Chemishkian, Edward L Schwartz, Patty Case, Stephen R. Savitzky
  • Patent number: 9122444
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for provisioning, via a projector, client software for accessing the projector from a network. The projector includes a light emitting unit that projects visible light representing image information onto a screen, a network interface, and a control unit. The control unit provides client software to network devices that enables the network devices to interact with the projector, receives input via the network interface from the client software operating on multiple network devices, processes the input from the client software to generate image information for the light emitting unit, and provides the generated image information to the light emitting unit for projection onto the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Roland Findlay, Ronald Marc Conescu, Haixia Yu, Max E. McFarland, Michael Griffin, Jay Dautcher, Yuko Ihara
  • Patent number: 8995002
    Abstract: A system for printing independent of location and using a universal print module comprises a computing device having a print anywhere sending module and a printer having a print anywhere receiving module coupled by a network. The print anywhere sending module is adapted to interface with the computing device to generate a print file. The print anywhere sending module broadcasts the availability of a print file or job and transmits that print job to a responding print anywhere receiving module. The print anywhere receiving module interfaces with the printer to provide the print file and to print the file. The present invention also includes a variety of methods including a method for printing, a method for printing using a universal print module, and a method for printing using the print key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Max E. McFarland, Andrea Mariotti, Daja Phillips, Susan Dybbs
  • Patent number: 8838760
    Abstract: A workflow-enabled provider includes a service provider and a workflow manager interface unit. The workflow manager interface unit couples the service provider to a workflow manager to provide the automatic discovering, distributed processing and dynamic user interface generating functionality. An advertisement monitor listens for broadcasts from the workflow manager regarding new clients. A request module and a response module handle the transfer of data and control signals between the workflow manager and the service provider. A process control module performs a plurality of processing functions including aggregating requests from clients, selecting requests it can service, presenting user interfaces, processing input via the service provider and controlling the service provider. The user interface module is coupled to the process control module and dynamically generates user interfaces for display by the service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Max E. McFarland, Daja Phillips, Andrea Mariotti, Haixia Yu, Michael G. E. Griffin, Bradley Rhodes, Sergey Chemishkian, Edward Schwartz, Patty Case, Stephen R. Savitzky, Gregory J. Wolff
  • Patent number: 8732570
    Abstract: A system and method for paper-based, automated completion of forms allows a user charged with filling out multiple forms containing some common information to write each unique piece of information one time, and the system generates a set of completed forms with the required information on each form with no change to the use or structure of the current forms. The control module is operable on a processor to determine a mapping between common fields on multiple forms or multiple pages of the same form, copy information written in a field on one form to equivalent fields on other forms, and produce a set of completed forms. The system is computationally simple and independent of language because these operations can be performed without having to understand, translate or convert the writing. Furthermore, there is no loss of security or privacy beyond the use of paper forms because these operations can be performed without access to a centralized database and without connectivity to other systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael J. Gormish, Michael G. E. Griffin, Max E. McFarland
  • Patent number: 8713144
    Abstract: A workflow-enabled client comprises a client and a workflow manager interface unit. The workflow manager interface unit couples the client to a workflow manager to provide the automatic discovering, distributed processing and dynamic user interface generating functionality of the present invention. A communication manager of the workflow-enabled client has a registration unit that registers, and unregisters, the client with the workflow manager such as by providing a name, a data and other commands. A polling module uses a received location from the workflow manager to retrieve data. The process control module performs a plurality of processing functions such a processing polled data, storing it or providing it to other clients. The process control module can also initiate other clients. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for registering a client, a method for polling data, and a method for initiating other clients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Rhodes, Sergey Chemishkian, Edward Schwartz, Daja Phillips, Max E. McFarland, Andrea Mariotti, Haixia Yu, Michael G. E. Griffin, Stephen R. Savitzky, Gregory J. Wolff, Patty Case
  • Publication number: 20130201209
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for provisioning, via a projector, client software for accessing the projector from a network. The projector includes a light emitting unit that projects visible light representing image information onto a screen, a network interface, and a control unit. The control unit provides client software to network devices that enables the network devices to interact with the projector, receives input via the network interface from the client software operating on multiple network devices, processes the input from the client software to generate image information for the light emitting unit, and provides the generated image information to the light emitting unit for projection onto the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Roland Findlay, Ronald Marc Conescu, Haixia Yu, Max E. McFarland, Michael Griffin, Jay Dautcher, Yuko Ihara
  • Patent number: 8229905
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a Token and using it to operate and modify a case file in a document management system are described. An exemplary embodiment of a Token includes a representation of a case file. A Token may include a representation of a document associated with the case file, where the representation may include a brief description or visual summary of the document with an associated link to an electronic version of the document. In another exemplary embodiment, the Token may be used to facilitate retrieval and viewing of an electronic version of a document using its associated link. In another exemplary embodiment, the Token may be used to update the case file based on user input on the Token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Max E. McFarland, Robert Alexander, Michael G. E. Griffin, Jonathan J. Hull
  • Patent number: 8171117
    Abstract: A workflow manager handles the communication between a workflow-enabled provider and a workflow-enabled client. The workflow manager maintains a directory of clients, translates a transaction from a provider into multiple transactions suitable for the client, and handles security. In one embodiment, the workflow manager connects with the workflow-enabled client by registration and with the workflow-enabled provider by advertising and activation. Subsequent communications between the workflow manager and the workflow-enabled provider and the workflow-enabled client are with a request/response protocol. The workflow manager also comprises data storage for storing data for transmission to the workflow-enabled client or the workflow-enabled provider, and workflow storage for storing information related to registered clients. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for a method for registering a client and a method for activating a provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Rhodes, Sergey Chemishkian, Edward Schwartz, Max E. McFarland, Daja Phillips, Andrea Mariotti, Haixia Yu, Michael G. E. Griffin, Stephen R. Savitzky, Gregory J. Wolff, Patty Case
  • Patent number: 8154769
    Abstract: An evolutionary document system comprises: a multi-function printer, a recognition module, an evolutionary document processing module, a list of document identifiers and corresponding actions, and an evolutionary document creation module. The MFP includes software and control routines for processing and creating evolutionary documents. The recognition module is operable on the MFP and allows the MFP to determine an evolutionary document identification number from an image scanned by the MFP. The evolutionary document processing module is capable of matching an evolutionary document identification number to one or more steps or action stored in the list of document identifiers and corresponding actions. Once the actions have been identified, the evolutionary document processing module executes the actions. The present invention also includes an evolutionary document creation module for creating an evolutionary document including an identification code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Max E. McFarland, Michael G. E. Griffin, Jonathan J. Hull, Kurt Piersol
  • Publication number: 20100238486
    Abstract: A system for printing independent of location and using a universal print module comprises a computing device having a print anywhere sending module and a printer having a print anywhere receiving module coupled by a network. The print anywhere sending module is adapted to interface with the computing device to generate a print file. The print anywhere sending module broadcasts the availability of a print file or job and transmits that print job to a responding print anywhere receiving module. The print anywhere receiving module interfaces with the printer to provide the print file and to print the file. The present invention also includes a variety of methods including a method for printing, a method for printing using a universal print module, and a method for printing using the print key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Max E. McFarland, Andrea Mariotti, Daja Phillips, Susan Dybbs
  • Publication number: 20090077165
    Abstract: A workflow manager handles the communication between a workflow-enabled provider and a workflow-enabled client. The workflow manager maintains a directory of clients, translates a transaction from a provider into multiple transactions suitable for the client, and handles security. In one embodiment, the workflow manager connects with the workflow-enabled client by registration and with the workflow-enabled provider by advertising and activation. Subsequent communications between the workflow manager and the workflow-enabled provider and the workflow-enabled client are with a request/response protocol. The workflow manager also comprises data storage for storing data for transmission to the workflow-enabled client or the workflow-enabled provider, and workflow storage for storing information related to registered clients. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for a method for registering a client and a method for activating a provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Bradley J. Rhodes, Sergey Chemishkian, Edward Schwartz, Max E. McFarland, Daja Phillips, Andrea Mariotti, Haixia Yu, Michael G.E. Griffin, Stephen R. Savitzky, Gregory J. Wolff, Patty Case
  • Publication number: 20090077216
    Abstract: A workflow-enabled client comprises a client and a workflow manager interface unit. The workflow manager interface unit couples the client to a workflow manager to provide the automatic discovering, distributed processing and dynamic user interface generating functionality of the present invention. A communication manager of the workflow-enabled client has a registration unit that registers, and unregisters, the client with the workflow manager such as by providing a name, a data and other commands. A polling module uses a received location from the workflow manager to retrieve data. The process control module performs a plurality of processing functions such a processing polled data, storing it or providing it to other clients. The process control module can also initiate other clients. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for registering a client, a method for polling data, and a method for initiating other clients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Bradley J. Rhodes, Sergey Chemishkian, Edward Schwartz, Daja Phillips, Max E. McFarland, Andrea Mariotti, Haixia Yu, Michael G.E. Griffin, Stephen R. Savitzky, Gregory J. Wolff, Patty Case
  • Publication number: 20090077217
    Abstract: A workflow-enabled provider includes a service provider and a workflow manager interface unit. The workflow manager interface unit couples the service provider to a workflow manager to provide the automatic discovering, distributed processing and dynamic user interface generating functionality. An advertisement monitor listens for broadcasts from the workflow manager regarding new clients. A request module and a response module handle the transfer of data and control signals between the workflow manager and the service provider. A process control module performs a plurality of processing functions including aggregating requests from clients, selecting requests it can service, presenting user interfaces, processing input via the service provider and controlling the service provider. The user interface module is coupled to the process control module and dynamically generates user interfaces for display by the service provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Max E. McFarland, Daja Phillips, Andrea Mariotti, Haixia Yu, Michael G.E. Griffin, Bradley Rhodes, Sergey Chemishkian, Edward L. Schwartz, Patty Case, Stephen R. Savitzky, Gregory J. Wolff
  • Publication number: 20090077164
    Abstract: A distributed workflow-enabled system includes: a workflow-enabled provider and a workflow-enabled client communicatively coupled by a network. The workflow-enabled provider and the workflow-enabled client include a workflow unit. The workflow unit allows the workflow-enabled provider and the workflow-enabled client to communicate, distribute processes and present a user interfaces by providing a communication manager, a process control module and a user interface module. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for communication, a method for processing by a process control module, a method for creating and presenting the user interface and a method for retrieving processes executable by the process control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Daja Phillips, Max E. McFarland, Andrea Mariotti, Haixia Yu, Michael G.E. Griffin, Bradley J. Rhodes, Sergey Chemishkian, Edward L. Schwartz, Patty Case, Stephen R. Savitzky
  • Patent number: RE41113
    Abstract: Systems and methods for returning windows to an original location are described. When springing already open windows to a new location on a display space, it is desired to return that window to its original location for certain situations. A list is provided when the springing operation is initialized which captures information used to return the sprung window. According to exemplary embodiments, the relocation of various windows is tracked to ensure that each window is returned to an original location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Max E McFarland
  • Patent number: RE48494
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for provisioning, via a projector, client software for accessing the projector from a network. The projector includes a light emitting unit that projects visible light representing image information onto a screen, a network interface, and a control unit. The control unit provides client software to network devices that enables the network devices to interact with the projector, receives input via the network interface from the client software operating on multiple network devices, processes the input from the client software to generate image information for the light emitting unit, and provides the generated image information to the light emitting unit for projection onto the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Roland Findlay, Ronald Marc Conescu, Haixia Yu, Max E. McFarland, Michael G. E. Griffin, Jay Dautcher, Yuko Ihara