Patents Assigned to RAKUTEN KOBO INC.
  • Patent number: 9733803
    Abstract: A computing device includes a housing and a display assembly having a screen and a set of touch sensors. The housing at least partially circumvents the screen so that the screen is viewable. A processor is provided within the housing to manage an e-book library associated with the computing device. Specifically, the e-book library includes at least a first e-book. The processor further associates the computing device with a reading group having a plurality of group members, and detects that a copy of the first e-book resides in an e-book library of a first group member of the plurality of group members. Upon detecting the copy of the first e-book, the processor then selectively initiates a shared reading mode for the first e-book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Rakuten Kobo, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ghosh, Benjamin Landau
  • Patent number: 9715706
    Abstract: A system and method for rendering a graphical user interface. The method includes accessing, within a mobile device, a data store corresponding to a social media multimedia container. The social media multimedia container comprises a plurality of objects and a first subset of the plurality of objects comprises a first social media application and second social media application and a second subset of the plurality of objects comprises a first social media widget. The social media multimedia container is operable to comprise one or more applications, widgets, pieces of content, and other multimedia containers. The method further includes displaying a first plurality of images each corresponding to the first social media application and the second social media application in a linear configuration and displaying a first image corresponding to the first social media widget. The first image is adjacent to a second image of the plurality of images corresponding to the first social media application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
    Inventors: James Wu, Robin Bennett, Daniel Hill
  • Patent number: 9704189
    Abstract: A system and method for a graphical user interface having recommendations. The method includes accessing, within a mobile device, a data store corresponding to a multimedia container. The multimedia container comprises a first object and a second object and the data store comprises metadata associated with the first object and the second object. The method further includes sending the metadata associated with the first object and the second object and receiving a data structure corresponding to a plurality of items. The data structure comprises a respective image and a respective location for each of the plurality of items. The plurality of items is related to the first object and the second object based on the metadata associated with the first object and the second object. The method further includes displaying, on the mobile device, each respective image for each of the plurality of items. Each respective image is operable to be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
    Inventors: James Wu, Robin Bennett, Jeffrey Ng Thow Hing, Jason Gamblen
  • Patent number: 9703760
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering an annotation graphic user interface (GUI) that encompasses external information related to a book term in a structured frame. An ebook includes pre-selected terms embedded with hyperlinks directing to an article contained by an external information source. Upon a user interaction with such a pre-selected term, raw information from the one or more articles is accessed and fed to a wireframe. The raw information is mapped to respective sections of the wireframe based on the field identifications attached to different segments of the raw information. As a result, an annotation GUI including the external information can be displayed in a consistent and orderly format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO INC.
    Inventors: Tony O'Donoghue, James Wu
  • Patent number: 9684405
    Abstract: A method and system for cyclic motion gesturing is provided. The method includes receiving at a motion sensor coupled with a processor a first motion associated with an e-reader, receiving a second motion associated with an e-reader at the motion sensor, the second motion being a counter motion of the first motion, wherein the first and second motions are associated with moving the e-reader form a first point in space to a second point in space and then back to the first point in space within a predetermined period of time, determining the first and second motions indicate a multi-motion command gesture corresponding to a first function performable on the e-Reader and automatically performing the first function on the e-reader in response to the multi-motion command gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Rakuten Kobo, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Landau
  • Patent number: 9671946
    Abstract: Content is displayed on a touchscreen display of a computing system such as an electronic book reader. The content is displayed according to a setting for a first attribute (e.g., level of brightness) and a setting for a second attribute (e.g., day mode or night mode). In response to sensing a motion proximate to the touchscreen, the setting for the first attribute is changed to a different value. In response to a value for the setting for the first attribute crossing a threshold value (e.g., while the motion is being performed), the setting for the second attribute is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
    Inventors: Sneha Patel, Anthony O'Donoghue
  • Patent number: 9661717
    Abstract: A computing device that includes a programmatically controlled front light. The front light cast light onto a display surface and/or other region of the computing device, for purpose of providing illumination and/or lighting effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
    Inventor: Damian Lewis
  • Patent number: 9626863
    Abstract: An intermediate device is operated to play back an acoustic configuration file for an end-user device. The acoustic configuration file can embed configuration parameters that are detectable by the end-user device. In particular, the end-user device can use the configuration parameters in conjunction with performing select operations, such as operations to configure the end-user device for communication with the network service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: RAKUTEN KOBO INC., RAKUTEN INC.
    Inventors: James Wu, Yasuyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9618995
    Abstract: Usage of a computing device is monitored when the computing device is in an active state. A content screen is stored corresponding to a digital content item that is in use when the computing device is in the active state. In response to the computing device being placed in an inactive state, the content screen is displayed on a display of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Sood, Damian Lewis
  • Patent number: 9619451
    Abstract: Examples described herein provide a system and method for enabling users to annotate e-books and to transfer annotated e-books.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Rakuten Kobo Inc.
    Inventors: Tai Toh, Pamela Hilborn
  • Patent number: 9558710
    Abstract: A method and system for transitioning operation between display screens of a computing device, with a user interface. The device further includes primary and secondary touch screen displays, an ambient lighting brightness sensor, a memory storing instructions and an e-book having content displayable according to a series of digitally constructed pages. The method comprises receiving, at a screen transition interface presented on one of the primary display screen and the secondary display screen, selections of an upper and a lower brightness threshold limits of ambient lighting, sensing a brightness level of ambient lighting, activating the secondary display screen for operation only if one of: (i) the ambient lighting brightness level exceeds the upper threshold limit and (ii) the ambient lighting brightness level is less than the lower threshold limit, and transitioning operation of the computing device to the secondary display screen by rendering the pages of e-book content thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO INC.
    Inventor: Juan Ernesto Salas Imana
  • Patent number: 9535569
    Abstract: A system and method for a home multimedia container. The method includes accessing, within mobile device, a portion of an operating system corresponding to the mobile device and accessing a datastore corresponding to a home multimedia container. In one embodiment, the home multimedia container comprises a first object and a second object. The first object may be a first portion of content and the second object may be an application. The datastore may comprise information about the first object and the second object. The method further includes determining a first image based on the information about the first object and determining a second image based on an application icon corresponding to the application. The method further includes displaying the first image and the second image. In one embodiment, selection of the first image is operable to launch a first application operable to render the first portion of content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
    Inventors: James Wu, Robin Bennett, Daniel Hill, Anya Galkina
  • Patent number: 9529432
    Abstract: A reader's position of progression on a current page of an e-book is tracked. The current page is progressively transitioned to next page based on the reader's position on the current page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
    Inventor: James Wu
  • Patent number: 9524078
    Abstract: A system and method for managing objects in a multimedia container. The method includes displaying, on a mobile device, a piece of content; receiving an indication the piece of content is to be added to a subsequently identified multimedia container; displaying a list of a plurality of multimedia containers, wherein each of the multimedia containers is operable to comprise a plurality of media types; receiving an indication identifying a selected multimedia container; and displaying an indication that the piece of content has been added to the selected one of the plurality of multimedia containers. The method can further comprise: determining an image corresponding to the piece of content; and modifying a datastore corresponding to the selected multimedia container. Determining of the image corresponding to the piece of content can comprise accessing a book cover image, determining a rendering of a website, etc. The mobile device can be a tablet computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
    Inventors: James Wu, Robin Bennett, Daniel Hill, Anya Galkina
  • Patent number: 9519922
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically identifying an electronic document. The method includes accessing, within an electronic device, an electronic document and extracting text from the electronic document. A signature is then determined based on the text of the electronic document and the signature is communicated over a communication channel. The method further includes receiving an identifier of the electronic document over the communication channel. In one embodiment, the identifier is determined by a server matching the signature against a signature library. The method further includes receiving a bookmark associated with the electronic document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO INC.
    Inventors: Jordan Christensen, Darius Braziunas
  • Patent number: 9501792
    Abstract: A system and method for a graphical user interface including a multimedia container. The method includes accessing, within a mobile device, a first data store corresponding to a multimedia container and accessing a second data store. The multimedia container comprises a first object and the multimedia container is operable to comprise one or more applications, widgets, and pieces of content. The second data store comprises data corresponding to a first electronic book. The method further includes displaying a first image corresponding to the first object, where the first image comprises a first book cover image corresponding to the first electronic book. The first image further comprises a first statistic corresponding to the first electronic book and the first statistic is related to access of the first electronic book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
    Inventors: James Wu, Robin Bennett, Tony O'Donoghue, Daniel Hill
  • Patent number: 9471558
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically generating a commodity introductory document that encompasses personalized subject matter as well as related information acquired from external information sources. A predetermined template comprising user-authored sections and automated sections is used to select and organize the information. The GUIs corresponding to the user-authored sections allow an introductory document author to provide personalized input. The automated sections are linked to information sources through embedded hyperlinks, from which relevant information can be identified and derived to populate the automated sections. The introductory document author may be provided with a few options regarding the layout and the presentation of the indicatory document as well as individual sections thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO INC.
    Inventors: James Wu, Anthony O'Donoghue
  • Patent number: 9454756
    Abstract: Examples described herein include a computing system or environment that enables the user to acquire an option to re-transfer a purchased digital content item at a later date. Data corresponding to the option can be recorded and linked with the user. Subsequent requests from the user to re-transfer the digital content item can be permitted or denied based on whether the user is authorized by way of having acquired the corresponding option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO INC.
    Inventors: Tai Toh, James Wu, Anthony O'Donoghue
  • Patent number: 9451818
    Abstract: A housing accessory convertible to a stand for a mobile computing device. The housing accessory includes a foldable cover member that has an upper portion, a flap portion, and a single folding hinge between the two portions and extending diagonally across the foldable cover. The flap portion can be rotated about the single holding hinge from a position coplanar with the upper portion to a folded position. Thereby the foldable cover is converted into a display stand operable to retain the mobile computing device in an inclined angle on a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
    Inventor: Anna Buechin
  • Patent number: 9342324
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying a multimedia container. The method includes accessing, within a mobile device, a datastore corresponding to a multimedia container, wherein the multimedia container comprises a plurality of objects and the datastore comprises information about the plurality of objects; determining a plurality of most recently accessed objects of the plurality of objects; determining a respective image corresponding to each of the plurality of most recently used objects; determining an order of each respective image based on a respective access time of a respective object corresponding to the respective image; and displaying a multimedia container image comprising each respective image according to the order, the multimedia container image corresponds to the multimedia container. In one exemplary implementation, a first object of the plurality of objects is a first portion of content and a second object of the plurality of objects is a second portion of content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: RAKUTEN KOBO, INC.
    Inventors: James Wu, Robin Bennett, Daniel Hill, Anya Galkina