Patents Assigned to Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
  • Patent number: 11768589
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating digital flash cards that include links to content from one or more digital content sources, referred to herein as a flash card mode. The mode allows a user to create a digital flash card by selecting a portion of a digital content source and performing a create command. The created flash card includes at least two virtual sides and a first side of the flash card identifies the location of the selected portion of digital content. The location may be identified, for example, by a canonical fragment identifier (CFI). Text can then be entered for a second side of the flash card. Flash cards can be shared with other users, and because the flash cards only identify locations of content within digital content sources, the mode is well-suited to handle sources including digital rights management (DRM) protection, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: BARNES & NOBLE COLLEGE BOOKSELLERS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wilson, Dale J. Brewer
  • Patent number: 11320931
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a swipe-based confirmation mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The user can engage the confirmation mode by performing a command (e.g., delete or power down command), which causes the device to display a confirmation swipe gesture prompt. The confirmation prompt may be included within a confirmation graphic or a confirmation pop-up window. By performing the confirmation swipe gesture on the touch sensitive surface, the user may confirm the command. By not properly performing the confirmation gesture, closing a confirmation pop-up window, tapping an area of the screen not associated with the confirmation prompt, or otherwise not performing the confirmation swipe gesture, the device may cause the function to be cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Amir Mesguich Havilio
  • Patent number: 11204687
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a thumbnail scrubber mode in electronic devices, such as a touch screen device. In an embodiment, a thumbnail scrubber may be displayed to the user in response to a distinguishable touch screen gesture, or in response to a toolbar command. A toolbar may be displayed on the device including a scrubber bar, and the thumbnail scrubber mode may be invoked when a user interacts with the scrubber bar. The thumbnail scrubber displays multiple thumbnail images of pages of digital content and allows the user to preview and scroll through the digital content while continuing to display the current page in the main viewer of the device. After scrubbing through the digital content pages, the user may select one of the thumbnail images in the scrubber in order to access that page of the digital content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald B. Cueto
  • Patent number: 11126346
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a digital flash card function in electronic devices. In an embodiment, a digital flash card includes a word or phrase along with the definition of the word or phrase pulled automatically from a glossary or dictionary. The digital flash card may be created through an options menu after selecting a word or phrase, automatically whenever a word or phrase is highlighted by the user, or whenever a word or phrase is looked up. Once the flash cards have been created, they may be organized into various folders or stacks, and in some cases the flash cards may automatically be organized based on the source of the selected word or phrase. Once one or more flash cards have been created, the user may view flash cards, flip them over to view the opposite side, and scroll through the flash cards using various touch screen gestures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Amir Mesguich Havilio
  • Patent number: 11120203
    Abstract: Features and techniques are disclosed for interacting with paginated digital content, including a multi-purpose tool and an annotation mode. The multi-purpose tool, which may be represented by a graphic (e.g., a movable interactive graphic), can provide access to multiple modes (e.g., copy, define, note, and/or highlight modes) that a user can invoke. The mode invoked determines the functions performed by the tool when interacting with the paginated digital content. The annotation mode, which may be invoked using the multi-purpose tool or independently thereof, can allow a user to create and edit annotations, such as highlights and notes (e.g., sticky notes, margin notes, and/or highlight notes), for paginated digital content. Editing the annotations may include selecting a desired color for the annotation, for example. The annotation mode may also allow a user to intuitively merge and delete annotations previously added to paginated digital content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: BARNES & NOBLE COLLEGE BOOKSELLERS, LLC
    Inventors: Kourtny M. Hicks, Amir Mesguich Havilio, Gerald B. Cueto
  • Publication number: 20210240336
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating digital flash cards that include links to content from one or more digital content sources, referred to herein as a flash card mode. The mode allows a user to create a digital flash card by selecting a portion of a digital content source and performing a create command. The created flash card includes at least two virtual sides and a first side of the flash card identifies the location of the selected portion of digital content. The location may be identified, for example, by a canonical fragment identifier (CFI). Text can then be entered for a second side of the flash card. Flash cards can be shared with other users, and because the flash cards only identify locations of content within digital content sources, the mode is well-suited to handle sources including digital rights management (DRM) protection, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wilson, Dale J. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20210232255
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a swipe-based confirmation mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The user can engage the confirmation mode by performing a command (e.g., delete or power down command), which causes the device to display a confirmation swipe gesture prompt. The confirmation prompt may be included within a confirmation graphic or a confirmation pop-up window. By performing the confirmation swipe gesture on the touch sensitive surface, the user may confirm the command. By not properly performing the confirmation gesture, closing a confirmation pop-up window, tapping an area of the screen not associated with the confirmation prompt, or otherwise not performing the confirmation swipe gesture, the device may cause the function to be cancelled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Amir Mesguich Havilio
  • Patent number: 11029826
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating digital flash cards that include links to content from one or more digital content sources, referred to herein as a flash card mode. The mode allows a user to create a digital flash card by selecting a portion of a digital content source and performing a create command. The created flash card includes at least two virtual sides and a first side of the flash card identifies the location of the selected portion of digital content. The location may be identified, for example, by a canonical fragment identifier (CFI). Text can then be entered for a second side of the flash card. Flash cards can be shared with other users, and because the flash cards only identify locations of content within digital content sources, the mode is well-suited to handle sources including digital rights management (DRM) protection, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wilson, Dale J. Brewer
  • Patent number: 10976856
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a swipe-based confirmation mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The user can engage the confirmation mode by performing a command (e.g., delete or power down command), which causes the device to display a confirmation swipe gesture prompt. The confirmation prompt may be included within a confirmation graphic or a confirmation pop-up window. By performing the confirmation swipe gesture on the touch sensitive surface, the user may confirm the command. By not properly performing the confirmation gesture, closing a confirmation pop-up window, tapping an area of the screen not associated with the confirmation prompt, or otherwise not performing the confirmation swipe gesture, the device may cause the function to be cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Amir Mesguich Havilio
  • Patent number: 10915698
    Abstract: Features and techniques are disclosed for interacting with paginated digital content, including a multi-purpose tool and an annotation mode. The multi-purpose tool, which may be represented by a graphic (e.g., a movable interactive graphic), can provide access to multiple modes (e.g., copy, define, note, and/or highlight modes) that a user can invoke. The mode invoked determines the functions performed by the tool when interacting with the paginated digital content. The annotation mode, which may be invoked using the multi-purpose tool or independently thereof, can allow a user to create and edit annotations, such as highlights and notes (e.g., sticky notes, margin notes, and/or highlight notes), for paginated digital content. Editing the annotations may include selecting a desired color for the annotation, for example. The annotation mode may also allow a user to intuitively merge and delete annotations previously added to paginated digital content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventors: Kourtny M. Hicks, Amir Mesguich Havilio, Gerald B. Cueto
  • Publication number: 20200241715
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a thumbnail scrubber mode in electronic devices, such as a touch screen device. In an embodiment, a thumbnail scrubber may be displayed to the user in response to a distinguishable touch screen gesture, or in response to a toolbar command. A toolbar may be displayed on the device including a scrubber bar, and the thumbnail scrubber mode may be invoked when a user interacts with the scrubber bar. The thumbnail scrubber displays multiple thumbnail images of pages of digital content and allows the user to preview and scroll through the digital content while continuing to display the current page in the main viewer of the device. After scrubbing through the digital content pages, the user may select one of the thumbnail images in the scrubber in order to access that page of the digital content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald B. Cueto
  • Patent number: 10719914
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for digital content zooming. In one example case, the hypotenuse of the digital content (or a combination of both height and width values of the content) is initially set to provide the 100% zoom level and is subsequently used to resize or zoom that content. In particular, an arbitrary constant that is independent of the content itself is used to define the initial or 100% zoom level at which the content is initially displayed. The arbitrary constant may be, for example, a hypotenuse size in pixels, or a specific combination of height and width in pixels. In one specific example, the arbitrary constant can be selected based on, for instance, an average of current physical screen and/or virtual viewing window resolutions' hypotenuse sizes, in pixels. In any case, the arbitrary constant can be used to set the initial size of the content, and to compute zoom steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Amir Mesguich Havilio
  • Patent number: 10620796
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a thumbnail scrubber mode in electronic devices, such as a touch screen device. In an embodiment, a thumbnail scrubber may be displayed to the user in response to a distinguishable touch screen gesture, or in response to a toolbar command. A toolbar may be displayed on the device including a scrubber bar, and the thumbnail scrubber mode may be invoked when a user interacts with the scrubber bar. The thumbnail scrubber displays multiple thumbnail images of pages of digital content and allows the user to preview and scroll through the digital content while continuing to display the current page in the main viewer of the device. After scrubbing through the digital content pages, the user may select one of the thumbnail images in the scrubber in order to access that page of the digital content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald B. Cueto
  • Publication number: 20200110513
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a swipe-based confirmation mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The user can engage the confirmation mode by performing a command (e.g., delete or power down command), which causes the device to display a confirmation swipe gesture prompt. The confirmation prompt may be included within a confirmation graphic or a confirmation pop-up window. By performing the confirmation swipe gesture on the touch sensitive surface, the user may confirm the command. By not properly performing the confirmation gesture, closing a confirmation pop-up window, tapping an area of the screen not associated with the confirmation prompt, or otherwise not performing the confirmation swipe gesture, the device may cause the function to be cancelled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Amir Mesguich Havilio
  • Publication number: 20200081600
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a digital flash card function in electronic devices. In an embodiment, a digital flash card includes a word or phrase along with the definition of the word or phrase pulled automatically from a glossary or dictionary. The digital flash card may be created through an options menu after selecting a word or phrase, automatically whenever a word or phrase is highlighted by the user, or whenever a word or phrase is looked up. Once the flash cards have been created, they may be organized into various folders or stacks, and in some cases the flash cards may automatically be organized based on the source of the selected word or phrase. Once one or more flash cards have been created, the user may view flash cards, flip them over to view the opposite side, and scroll through the flash cards using various touch screen gestures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Amir Mesguich Havilio
  • Patent number: 10534528
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a digital flash card function in electronic devices. In an embodiment, a digital flash card includes a word or phrase along with the definition of the word or phrase pulled automatically from a glossary or dictionary. The digital flash card may be created through an options menu after selecting a word or phrase, automatically whenever a word or phrase is highlighted by the user, or whenever a word or phrase is looked up. Once the flash cards have been created, they may be organized into various folders or stacks, and in some cases the flash cards may automatically be organized based on the source of the selected word or phrase. Once one or more flash cards have been created, the user may view flash cards, flip them over to view the opposite side, and scroll through the flash cards using various touch screen gestures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Amir Mesguich Havilio
  • Patent number: 10503346
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a swipe-based delete confirmation mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The user can engage the delete confirmation mode by performing a delete command, which causes the device to display a delete confirmation swipe gesture prompt. The delete confirmation prompt may be included within a delete confirmation graphic or a delete confirmation pop-up window. By performing the delete confirmation swipe gesture on the touch sensitive surface, the user may confirm the delete command. By not properly performing the delete confirmation gesture, closing a delete confirmation pop-up window, tapping an area of the screen not associated with the delete confirmation prompt, or otherwise not performing the delete confirmation swipe gesture, the device may cause the delete function to be abandoned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Amir Mesguich Havilio
  • Publication number: 20190311026
    Abstract: Features and techniques are disclosed for interacting with paginated digital content, including a multi-purpose tool and an annotation mode. The multi-purpose tool, which may be represented by a graphic (e.g., a movable interactive graphic), can provide access to multiple modes (e.g., copy, define, note, and/or highlight modes) that a user can invoke. The mode invoked determines the functions performed by the tool when interacting with the paginated digital content. The annotation mode, which may be invoked using the multi-purpose tool or independently thereof, can allow a user to create and edit annotations, such as highlights and notes (e.g., sticky notes, margin notes, and/or highlight notes), for paginated digital content. Editing the annotations may include selecting a desired color for the annotation, for example. The annotation mode may also allow a user to intuitively merge and delete annotations previously added to paginated digital content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventors: Kourtny M. Hicks, Amir Mesguich Havilio, Gerald B. Cueto
  • Publication number: 20190251659
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for digital content zooming. In one example case, the hypotenuse of the digital content (or a combination of both height and width values of the content) is initially set to provide the 100% zoom level and is subsequently used to resize or zoom that content. In particular, an arbitrary constant that is independent of the content itself is used to define the initial or 100% zoom level at which the content is initially displayed. The arbitrary constant may be, for example, a hypotenuse size in pixels, or a specific combination of height and width in pixels. In one specific example, the arbitrary constant can be selected based on, for instance, an average of current physical screen and/or virtual viewing window resolutions' hypotenuse sizes, in pixels. In any case, the arbitrary constant can be used to set the initial size of the content, and to compute zoom steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventor: Amir Mesguich Havilio
  • Patent number: 10331777
    Abstract: Features and techniques are disclosed for interacting with paginated digital content, including a multi-purpose tool and an annotation mode. The multi-purpose tool, which may be represented by a graphic (e.g., a movable interactive graphic), can provide access to multiple modes (e.g., copy, define, note, and/or highlight modes) that a user can invoke. The mode invoked determines the functions performed by the tool when interacting with the paginated digital content. The annotation mode, which may be invoked using the multi-purpose tool or independently thereof, can allow a user to create and edit annotations, such as highlights and notes (e.g., sticky notes, margin notes, and/or highlight notes), for paginated digital content. Editing the annotations may include selecting a desired color for the annotation, for example. The annotation mode may also allow a user to intuitively merge and delete annotations previously added to paginated digital content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC
    Inventors: Kourtny M. Hicks, Amir Mesguich Havilio, Gerald B. Cueto