Patents Assigned to Buffalo Inc.
  • Patent number: 8413242
    Abstract: After an initialization process (S10), the access controller of the external storage device performs authentication using a password (S20, S30). If authentication is successful, the successfully authenticated state is saved, and the host computer is notified that the HD storage portion is accessible (S40). Subsequently, it is decided whether SOF packets are being periodically sent from the host computer (S50), and if periodic sending has been interrupted (S50: NO), the connection to the host computer will be deemed lost, and the saved authenticated state will be deleted (S60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventors: Taichi Ejiri, Tsukasa Ito, Suguru Ishii
  • Patent number: 8405513
    Abstract: An electrical connection confirmation system includes a cartridge type HDD 200 and a storage device main body 100 into which the cartridge type HDD 200 is inserted. The cartridge type HDD 200 includes a HDD connector 230 configured to comply with SATA standard, and having pins 210a to 210j and 210l to 210o that are internally shorted. The storage device main body 100 includes a main body connector 130 configured to comply with SATA standard, and having pins 110a to 110j and 110l to 110o provided in positions respectively opposite to the pins 210a to 210j and 210l to 210o. The electrical connection of the cartridge type HDD 200 to the storage device main body 100 is detected based on voltage states or electric current states of the specified pins 110d, 110g, and 110m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kouyama, Yasunori Hashizume, Satoru Goto
  • Patent number: 8400938
    Abstract: An access point establishing a wireless LAN is constructed to have a monitor system ‘b’ for monitoring an available channel for communication, in addition to a communication system ‘a’. In the event of detection of radar/radio signals, the access point changes a communication channel used for wireless communication from a current active channel to the monitored channel. Each terminal belonging to the wireless LAN recognizes and follows this channel change by detection of a beacon broadcasted by the access point. In the case of non-detection of radar/radio signals for one minute at the monitored channel, the wireless communication is reestablished immediately at the monitored channel recognized as a CAC (channel availability check)-finished channel. This series of processing is also applicable to inter-access point communication, for example, communication in a WDS (wireless distribution system) mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventor: Nagahiro Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8380666
    Abstract: A file system management device is connectable to a storage device. The storage device includes a first file system entity created according to a first file system in which a second file system entity created according to a second file system is allowed to be mapped. A mapping information storing area is defined on a predetermined area of the first file system entity, and the mapping information storing area is reserved for storing mapping information indicating a correspondence of the mapping. The file system management device includes an accessing unit configured to access the second file system entity based on the mapping information through a process according to the first file system to the first file system entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventor: Taichi Ejiri
  • Publication number: 20130034046
    Abstract: An access point enables wireless communication in a restricted state where a connection object is limited to less than full functionality. The access point change, in response to the specific instruction being received, changes the restricted state to a non-restricted state where the connection object is not limited, when receiving a specific instruction from a user. The access point sends configuration information for specified security communication between a wireless terminal and the access point or a setup program executed to cause the wireless terminal to obtain the configuration information, to the wireless terminal, when receiving an access from the wireless terminal establishing connection with the access point, in the non-restricted state. The access point returns from the non-restricted state to the restricted state on the occurrence of a specified event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventors: Hideki ISHII, Goki Ichikawa, Yoshifumi Haba
  • Patent number: 8364730
    Abstract: In response to a write command with regard to an FAT1 area received from a host device, the data storage apparatus collectively records management information with regard to the FAT1 area simultaneously with duplicate management information of identical content as management information with regard to an FAT2 area at consecutive addresses. In response to a write command with regard to the FAT2 area received from the host device subsequent to the write command with regard to the FAT1 area, the data storage apparatus notifies the host device of completion of data writing without recording the management information with regard to the FAT2 area. This arrangement effectively enhances the data writing efficiency in the data storage apparatus having multiple records of identical management information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventor: Tadashi Arakawa
  • Patent number: 8363395
    Abstract: The release mechanism includes a guide body adapted to support a guide wall of the electronic device unit, and a locking mechanism adapted to lock the electronic device unit supported on the guide body. The locking mechanism includes an elastic piece projecting in cantilever fashion from an end of the guide body, an operating projection that projects from the elastic piece, and an engaging protrusion that protrudes from the elastic piece and that is adapted to intrude into a screw hole in the electronic device unit to thereby restrict sliding of the electronic device unit. The operating projection is formed with larger size than the engaging protrusion so that under conditions of induced flexure of the elastic piece the engaging protrusion disengages from the screw hole, and during sliding of the electronic device unit does not contact the guide wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Matsui
  • Publication number: 20130017777
    Abstract: Wireless network system including mobile and fixed wireless access points. The access points each include a connection unit for connecting to the partner access point and enabling communications between them. The mobile access point has a download-request accepting unit, and a download-request transmitting unit that transmits an accepted download request conditional upon both the access points being connected to each other via the mobile access point's connection unit. The fixed access point has a download-request receiving unit that receives download requests when transmitted from the mobile access point via the fixed access point's connection unit, and has a file acquisition unit that in response to a thus-received download request downloads the file via the fixed access point's communications network. A file transmitting unit in the fixed access point transmits the thus-downloaded file to the mobile access point via the fixed access point's connection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: BUFFALO INC.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Haba
  • Publication number: 20130016708
    Abstract: A wireless network system includes first and second network relay devices, with the first relay device having first wireless communication setup information pre-set thereto and including a first communication I/F part and a first wireless communication setup information transmission part for sending first wireless communication setup information to the second wireless relay device if the first and second relay devices are enabled to communicate with each other, and with the second relay device including: a second communication I/F part; a first wireless communication setup information reception part for receiving the first wireless communication setup information via the second communication I/F part; and a first wireless communication part for performing wireless communication with a client by using the received first wireless communication setup information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: BUFFALO INC.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Haba
  • Patent number: 8356118
    Abstract: A storage device is removably connectable to a host computer. The storage device includes: a storage unit on which one or more storage areas are allocatable to a plurality of users; and a control unit. The control unit is operable to, when the storage deice receives authentication success information indicating that authentication for one of the users is succeeded from the host computer or other external device, simulatively mount the storage area allocated to the authenticated user and unmount the storage area allocated to another user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventor: Hideaki Komoda
  • Patent number: 8355361
    Abstract: The Ethernet converter includes a LAN switch, an RF device and an antenna, a wired device monitoring module, and an RF device controller. The RF device and the antenna carry out communication with wireless network devices. The wired device monitoring module monitors the operation state of the wired network devices via the LAN switch. The RF device controller controls the operation of the RF device on the basis of the operating state of the wired network devices. If the result of monitoring is that the wired network devices are not operating, the RF device controller stops the operation of the RF device so that power consumption by the RF device is less than when the wired network devices are operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Tamura
  • Patent number: 8351149
    Abstract: When inserted in the slot 150 of the storage unit main body 100, the cartridge-type HDD 200a is situated with the slight clearance between the protrusion 164 of the slot 150 and the upper surface of the cartridge-type HDD 200a. In addition, the protrusion 166 of the slot 150 is loosely fitted in the recess 216 of the cartridge-type HDD 200a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kouyama, Satoru Goto, Takayuki Kakuta, Hiroaki Kawasaki, Takashi Ishidoshiro
  • Patent number: 8339520
    Abstract: The digital broadcast receiver 10 includes the first tuner 106 and the second tuner 107. The first tuner 106 receives a certain channel, whereas the second tuner 107 performs channel detection at a predetermined cycle. If the reception level of the certain channel currently received by the first tuner 106 becomes lower than a threshold, the digital broadcast receiver 10 switches the channel received by the first tuner 106 to a channel whose reception level is equal to or higher than the threshold among channels detected by the second tuner 107.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Maruyama, Yoshiyuki Takagi
  • Publication number: 20120320822
    Abstract: The wireless LAN device 10 includes a packet transmission controller 102 having the function of transmitting a DHCPDISCOVER packet from a LAN switch 130 to wired devices and the function of causing an RF device to transmit a Probe Request packet to other wireless LAN devices through an antenna 150; a first operation controller 104 that can set the wireless LAN device 10 in the operating mode where the wireless LAN device 10 can operate as an access point, when the wireless LAN device 10 receives DCHPOFFER packet; and a second operation controller 106 that can set the wireless LAN device 10 in the operating mode where the wireless LAN device 10 can operate as a client, when the wireless LAN device 10 receives a Probe Response packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: BUFFALO INC.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro TAMURA, Tetsuya INADA
  • Patent number: 8335828
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a storage device connected through an internal network with an external network. The storage device includes a storage medium for storing files and an access unit for carrying out data communication of an e-mail with an attached file for accessing the storage medium with a terminal that is coupled with the external network. The access unit accepts access to the storage medium from the terminal by carrying out the data communication of the e-mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Saito
  • Publication number: 20120307727
    Abstract: A portable network connection device that functions as a bridge in a first operation mode and as a router in a second operation mode. The portable network connection device configured to receive a notice packet indicating a presence of a router, and set an operation mode of the portable network connection device to the first operation mode or the second operation mode based on the whether a notice packet is received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BUFFALO INC.
    Inventor: Daisuke YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20120311184
    Abstract: A DHCP server assigning an IP address to a client. The DHCP server stores an exclusive address range corresponding to a range of IP addresses assignable to the client, assigns an IP address to the client with a lease period when a request for assignment of new IP address is received from the client, and sends a permission for extension to the client, irrespective of whether an assigned IP address is included in the exclusive address range, as long as the assigned IP address is included in the entire network address range, when a request for extension of the lease period with regard to the assigned IP address is received from the client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BUFFALO INC.
    Inventor: Daisuke YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20120309371
    Abstract: A network connection device that identifies a position of the network connection device and acquires position-related information related to the identified position; sets one operation mode among a plurality of operation modes respectively having different network connecting functions as an operation mode of the network connection device based on the acquired position-related information; and executes wireless data communication in the set operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BUFFALO INC.
    Inventor: Daisuke YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20120307659
    Abstract: A network system for forwarding a packet includes a portable network connection device that includes a first communication controller and is connectable with a client. A gateway device is included that has a second communication controller and performs routing. The portable network connection device and the gateway device are connected by a first network including a tunnel path. When the portable network connection device and the gateway device are connected by a second network that does not include the tunnel path, the second communication controller communicates with the first communication controller via the second network. When the portable network connection device and the gateway device are not connected by the second network, the second communication controller communicates with the first communication controller via the first network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BUFFALO, INC.
    Inventor: Daisuke YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20120296949
    Abstract: A file management apparatus that communicates with an online storage subject to use constraints. The file management apparatus including a processor that controls at least one of two access processes, one of the two access processes being an upload to the online storage, the other access process being a download from the online storage, and performs access inhibit control to inhibit the access processes to meet the use constraints based on at least one of a number of times access is made to the online storage per unit time and an amount of data communicated with the online storage per unit time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Buffalo Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru GOTO