Patents by Inventor Simon Tan

Simon Tan 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: 9311071
    Abstract: Systems and methods which forces or automatically upgrades a mobile application installed on a mobile device for security, stability or any other concerns via a server-side configuration file are disclosed. In one embodiment, a configuration file including a list of build identifiers that have been banned or flagged is placed on a server, which can be a server providing cloud-based collaboration or file sharing services, for access by associated mobile applications and/or devices. A mobile application installed on a mobile device can download the configuration file and determine whether a build identifier of the mobile application is listed on the configuration file. If so, the mobile application can shut down, prompt or force an upgrade, or restrict operation of the mobile application in other ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Box, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Tan, David Maynard, Rico Yao, Don Cung
  • Patent number: 9280613
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for methods, architectures and security mechanisms for a third-party application to access content in a cloud-based platform. In one embodiment, a method includes, receiving, at the third-party application, metadata that identifies the file. The method further includes transmitting the metadata to a server which is associated with the third-party application. The metadata enables the server to request the file from the cloud-based environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Box, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Benjamin Campbell Smith, Simon Tan, Rico Yao
  • Patent number: 9195519
    Abstract: Systems and methods for disabling the self-referential appearance of a mobile application in an Intent via a background thread are disclosed. On the Android platform, an application such as a mobile application for providing access to a cloud environment or cloud based service including cloud-based storage and/or collaborative services, can serve as both a source and a target for a given Intent. In one implementation, such a mobile application that can receive and send the same Intent, can include a background service that detects when the Intent is about to be issued, and unregisters the application to prevent the application from receiving the Intent. When a target application for handling the Intent is identified, the background service re-registers the application to receive the Intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Box, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Tan, David Maynard, Rico Yao, Don Cung
  • Patent number: 9117087
    Abstract: System and method for creating a secure channel for inter-application communication based on the messaging system called Intents in the Android OS are disclosed. In one embodiment, an application for accessing a cloud-based storage platform triggers the broadcast of a custom Intent to all applications on a mobile device to detect an authorized application that is capable of interacting with the application. Once an authorized application is chosen, the application opens a secure channel for communication with the authorized application and passes encrypted data stream to the to the secure channel for access by the authorized application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Box, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Tan, David Maynard, Rico Yao, Don Cung
  • Patent number: 9098472
    Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to providing more effective visual cues for distinguishing between files based upon file types. Given that users typically browse and select files based upon their file types, and further that various collections of files often share identical or similar naming conventions, the subject disclosure provides a useful mechanism to reduce the need for close inspection of file names in order to locate desired files. In particular, various file types can be assigned to a set of groups and each group can be associated with a particular color. Thus, visual representations (e.g., icons or tabs) of the various files can be presented with a color-coded element to serve as the visual cue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Simon Tan, Vishal Joshi
  • Publication number: 20150210450
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a container for holding a granular product or powdered material, such as infant formula. More specifically the disclosure is directed to a container including a closure having a collar and lid for resealably securing the open end of the container. The container may include a tub having at least one collar mating protrusion and a collar having an aperture designed to engage the at least one collar mating protrusion of the tub to secure the collar to the tub. The collar may further include a lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Grace Mercado, Patrick McCallister, Prasad Ventrapragada, Simon Tan, Sundaramurthy Dandapani
  • Publication number: 20150210444
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a container for holding a granular product or powdered material, such as infant formula. More specifically the disclosure is directed to a container including a closure having a collar and lid for resealably securing the open end of the container. The container may include a tub having a continuous groove located in the upper portion of the tub and a collar having a continuous tub mating surface extending about the entire perimeter of the collar for engaging the continuous groove of the tub, thereby securing the collar to the tub. The collar may also include a lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Grace Mercado, Patrick McCallister, Prasad Ventrapragada, Simon Tan, Sundaramurthy Dandapani
  • Patent number: 9027108
    Abstract: Systems and methods for secure file portability between mobile applications in a cloud-based environment or cloud-based collaboration and file sharing environment. In one embodiment, a server-based key generation service generates an encryption key that is unique to each file transfer transaction between mobile applications accessed via a mobile device. Data packages leaving a mobile application are then encrypted using the encryption key to provide secure file portability between mobile applications. In another embodiment, a background service triggered by a mobile application detects when a user is logged out of the mobile application and revalidates the user session with the mobile application to maintain portability of files between mobile applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Box, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Tan, David Scott Maynard, Rico Yao, Don Cung
  • Patent number: 8914900
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for methods, architectures and security mechanisms for a third-party application to access content in a cloud-based platform. In one embodiment, a method includes, providing a third-party application with direct access to content in a cloud-based environment. The third-party application is hosted by an entity different from that of the cloud-based environment. In some embodiments, the direct access to the content in the cloud-based environment is provided to the third-party application and accomplished without a need to access an application that is native to the cloud-based environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Box, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Benjamin Campbell Smith, Simon Tan, Rico Yao
  • Patent number: 8717641
    Abstract: A scanner includes a scan surface, a scan, a controller, and a positioning system. The scan surface is stationary and has a first width while the scan module has a second width substantially less than the first width. The controller is configured to automatically cause two scans of a media on the scan surface, without repositioning the media, and to automatically produce a composite image of the entire media from the two scans. The positioning system is in communication with the controller and includes an identification mechanism configured to identify an edge of a scanning area associated with the scan surface and to stop a position of the scan module at the identified edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Choon Hwee Yap, Lian Chye Simon Tan, Kuek Peow Lai
  • Patent number: 8699098
    Abstract: A scanner comprises a first gear assembly on a frame, a stationary scan surface having a first width, and a scan module having a length substantially less than the first width. The scan module includes a second gear assembly configured to move the scan module, in a first orientation generally perpendicular to the first width, in a first scanning path relative to a first width portion of the scan surface and in a second, non-duplicative scanning path relative to a second width portion of the scan surface. The second gear assembly is releasably engageable to the first gear assembly to selectively shift the scan module, in a second orientation generally perpendicular to the first orientation, between the respective first and second scanning paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Phey Hong Soh, Kuek Peow Lai, Shyh Chije Leong, Lian Chye Simon Tan, Choon Hwee Yap, Boo Siong Lim
  • Publication number: 20140082503
    Abstract: System and method of a manipulative handle for revealing detail information in an interactive mobile user interface are disclosed. In one embodiment, when an activity supported by a cloud-based (e.g., online cloud-based collaboration platform) is initiated, the status of the activity is tracked and displayed using an animated user interface element. On and/or near the animated user interface element are hidden grab points that can be engaged to expand the user interface element to reveal detail relating to the activity. If the user interface element is already in an expanded state, detecting activation of hidden grab points on and/or near the user interface element causes minimization of the user interface element, thereby concealing the detail revealed earlier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Box, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Tan, Nick Terry, Rico Yao, Don Cung
  • Publication number: 20140068632
    Abstract: Systems and methods for disabling the self-referential appearance of a mobile application in an Intent via a background thread are disclosed. On the Android platform, an application such as a mobile application for providing access to a cloud environment or cloud based service including cloud-based storage and/or collaborative services, can serve as both a source and a target for a given Intent. In one implementation, such a mobile application that can receive and send the same Intent, can include a background service that detects when the Intent is about to be issued, and unregisters the application to prevent the application from receiving the Intent. When a target application for handling the Intent is identified, the background service re-registers the application to receive the Intent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BOX, INC.
    Inventors: Simon Tan, David Maynard, Rico Yao, Don Cung
  • Publication number: 20140068588
    Abstract: Systems and methods which forces or automatically upgrades a mobile application installed on a mobile device for security, stability or any other concerns via a server-side configuration file are disclosed. In one embodiment, a configuration file including a list of build identifiers that have been banned or flagged is placed on a server, which can be a server providing cloud-based collaboration or file sharing services, for access by associated mobile applications and/or devices. A mobile application installed on a mobile device can download the configuration file and determine whether a build identifier of the mobile application is listed on the configuration file. If so, the mobile application can shut down, prompt or force an upgrade, or restrict operation of the mobile application in other ways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BOX, INC.
    Inventors: Simon Tan, David Maynard, Rico Yao, Don Cung
  • Publication number: 20140068779
    Abstract: System and method for creating a secure channel for inter-application communication based on the messaging system called Intents in the Android OS are disclosed. In one embodiment, an application for accessing a cloud-based storage platform triggers the broadcast of a custom Intent to all applications on a mobile device to detect an authorized application that is capable of interacting with the application. Once an authorized application is chosen, the application opens a secure channel for communication with the authorized application and passes encrypted data stream to the to the secure channel for access by the authorized application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BOX, INC.
    Inventors: Simon Tan, David Maynard, Rico Yao, Don Cung
  • Publication number: 20130332723
    Abstract: Systems and methods for secure file portability between mobile applications in a cloud-based environment or cloud-based collaboration and file sharing environment. In one embodiment, a server-based key generation service generates an encryption key that is unique to each file transfer transaction between mobile applications accessed via a mobile device. Data packages leaving a mobile application are then encrypted using the encryption key to provide secure file portability between mobile applications. In another embodiment, a background service triggered by a mobile application detects when a user is logged out of the mobile application and revalidates the user session with the mobile application to maintain portability of files between mobile applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: BOX, INC.
    Inventors: Simon Tan, David Maynard, Rico Yao, Don Cung
  • Publication number: 20130318593
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for methods, architectures and security mechanisms for a third-party application to access content in a cloud-based platform. In one embodiment, a method includes, providing a third-party application with direct access to content in a cloud-based environment. The third-party application is hosted by an entity different from that of the cloud-based environment. In some embodiments, the direct access to the content in the cloud-based environment is provided to the third-party application and accomplished without a need to access an application that is native to the cloud-based environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: BOX, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Benjamin Campbell Smith, Simon Tan, Rico Yao
  • Publication number: 20130318125
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for methods, architectures and security mechanisms for a third-party application to access content in a cloud-based platform. In one embodiment, a method includes, receiving, at the third-party application, metadata that identifies the file. The method further includes transmitting the metadata to a server which is associated with the third-party application. The metadata enables the server to request the file from the cloud-based environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: BOX, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Benjamin Campbell Smith, Simon Tan, Rico Yao
  • Publication number: 20130318586
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for using a third-party application to access or edit a file within a cloud-based environment within a cloud-based platform or environment. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to a request to access the content in the cloud-based environment, providing the third-party application with a login view to verify an identity of a user. The login view is generated from a server hosting the environment. The method further includes, upon the verification of the user's identity, providing the requested content to the third-party application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: BOX, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Benjamin Campbell Smith, Simon Tan, Rico Yao
  • Publication number: 20130297680
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for using a third-party application to access or edit a file within a cloud-based environment within a cloud-based platform or environment. In one embodiment, a method includes, in the cloud-based environment, responsive to detecting a request to access or edit a file using the third-party application, the file is provided for access or edit using the third-party application. The third-party application includes a user interface which is customized to enable storage of the accessed or edited file to the cloud-based environment. In some embodiments, the third-party application is allowed or restricted to store the accessed file back to the cloud-based environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: BOX, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Benjamin Campbell Smith, Simon Tan, Rico Yao