Patents Examined by Keara Harris
  • Patent number: 9786292
    Abstract: An audio encoding apparatus capable of reducing the bit rate even if a codebook having a larger codebook number is selected in a split multi-rate lattice vector quantization is provided. Sub-vector determining unit (121) determines, in the spectrum of an input signal having been divided into a predetermined number of sub-vectors, a sub-vector using the largest number of bits. Positional information encoding unit (122) encodes the positional information of the determined sub-vector. Codebook indication value estimating unit (124) estimates a number of used bits for a codebook indication value of the largest number of used bits by use of the (N?1) other codebook indication values, and generates a number-of-used-bits estimation value. Difference calculating unit (125) calculates a difference by subtracting the number-of-used-bits estimation value from the actual value of the codebook indication value of the largest number of used bits. Difference encoding unit (126) encodes the difference information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Zongxian Liu, Masahiro Oshikiri
  • Patent number: 9772810
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a first receiving unit for receiving a print job; a print execution unit; a progress status specifying unit for specifying a current progress status from among a plurality of progress statuses of a printing process including a first kind of progress status and a second kind of progress status; and a first transmitting unit configured to transmit a specific information for outputting a message according to the current progress status, to a portable device. The first transmitting unit is configured to: transmit a first kind of specific information in a case where the current progress status is the first kind of progress status; and transmit a second kind of specific information different from the first kind of specific information in a case where the current progress status is the second kind of progress status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Okuno
  • Patent number: 9757959
    Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for determining the print path of a printer to facilitate manual duplexing. The method includes instructing a printing device to print a first object on a first side of a test sheet and then instructing a user to reinsert the test sheet in the printing device. The printing device is then instructed to print a second object on the test sheet. The user can further provide information indicating a location of the second object with respect to the first object. Based on the information, the printing path of the printer is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L. P.
    Inventors: Mike Whitmarsh, Cornelius J. O'Donnell, William E Hertling
  • Patent number: 9519847
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a patient and marking containers of biological products or test tubes (13) associated with said patient before collecting said biological products to be analyzed is described, comprising a high security portable hardware device (1) for processing and storing the patient's data capable of associating the patient's personal data and biometric data, a reading and patient biometric recognition device (2) of said portable hardware device, a personal computer (4) interacting with an operator and connected to a local communications network (50) for exchanging information with remote data storage means (3), one or more computerized labeling machines (5) of test tubes (13), each comprising a printer (11) of barcodes onto labels (10) adapted to receive printing commands after comparing expected and detected specimens (13) accommodated in a positioning and recognition device (12) supported by said labeling machine (5) and applying said labels (10) to said test tubes (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: INPECO HOLDING LTD.
    Inventor: Gianandrea Pedrazzini
  • Patent number: 9460371
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a first processing unit for performing a first process according to a first request signal; a second processing unit for performing a second process according to a second request signal; and a control unit for controlling at least one of the first processing unit and the second processing unit to perform the first process or the second process at a low processing speed when the control unit detects the second request signal when the first processing unit performs the first process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: OKI DATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsunori Nakai
  • Patent number: 9445054
    Abstract: An information providing apparatus sends an image forming instruction to an image forming apparatus to cause the image forming apparatus to form an image to generate image data and transmit the image data to the information providing apparatus, stores the image data received from the image forming apparatus in a memory area of a memory, and stores identification information that uniquely identifies the image data and information indicating the memory area to which the image data is stored in association with each other to generate management information in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshinaga Kato
  • Patent number: 9443174
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus rendering a plurality of objects includes a CPU cache used for rendering, a determination unit configured to determine whether a cache miss of the CPU cache occurs in rendering of the plurality of objects, and a rendering unit configured to, in a case where the determination unit determines that the cache miss occurs, execute division rendering processing for generating a bitmap corresponding to the plurality of objects by classifying the plurality of objects into a plurality of groups and for rendering the plurality of objects by each group so that the cache miss does not occur, and, in a case where the determination unit does not determine that the cache miss occurs, generate a bitmap corresponding to the plurality of objects by executing rendering without classifying the plurality of objects into the plurality of groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Morikazu Ito
  • Patent number: 9431021
    Abstract: Techniques are described for grouping multiple computing devices into a device set to enable shared audio functionality, or other types of shared functionality, between the devices in the device set. The devices may provide audio output, audio input, or both audio output and input. The devices may discover each other via transmitted radio signals, and the devices may be organized into one or more device sets based on location, supported functions, or other criteria. A voice command received at one device in the device set may be employed to control operations of other device(s) in the device set. Shared audio functionality between devices in a device set may also enable synchronized audio output through using multiple devices in the device set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert M. Scalise, Tony David
  • Patent number: 9384425
    Abstract: An information processor includes a first input unit configured to accept designation of an enlargement/reduction rate, an extraction unit configured to extract a first output setting for printout at the designated enlargement/reduction rate and a second output setting different from the first output setting for printout at the designated enlargement/reduction rate, a calculation unit configured to calculate a first fee for the first output setting and a second fee for the second output setting, a display configured to display the first output setting and the first fee in association with each other, and the second output setting and the second fee in association with each other, a second input unit configured to receive a selection of one of the first output setting and the second output setting, and a controller configured to cause the execution of image formation onto a medium with the selected output setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Hiraki
  • Patent number: 9360812
    Abstract: A method and a system for double-sided printing of a series of sheets is provided. First printing data for being printed onto a first surface of the series of sheets are provided. The first printing data comprise a plurality of first subsets, each first subset for being printed onto one sheet. Second printing data for being printed onto a second surface of the series of sheets are provided. The second printing data comprise a plurality of second subsets. Each second subset is associated with a respective first subset. A first print is printed in dependence upon the first printing data onto the first surface of the series of sheets. A second print is printed in dependence upon the second printing data onto the second surface of the series of sheets. The first print is scanned and first print data in dependence thereupon are provided. The second print is scanned and second print data in dependence thereupon are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: BRITISH BAZAAR COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: David P. Connolly, Blair M. Connolly
  • Patent number: 9274808
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a volatile main memory, a first non-volatile memory for storing a plurality of types of partial snap shot images, a second non-volatile memory from which information can be read faster than from the first non-volatile memory, for storing an entire snap shot image, and a processor. The processor reads a partial snap shot image corresponding to a state after change from the first non-volatile memory and updates a corresponding portion of the entire snap shot image in the second non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Tomoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9270856
    Abstract: Provided is an image reading apparatus, including: a placing member on which an original is to be placed; a reading section arranged so as to be opposed to the original across the placing member and reading an image of the original placed on the placing member; a casing which supports an outer peripheral edge portion of the placing member; and a support member supporting a portion other than the outer peripheral edge portion of the placing member, the support member including an abutment portion abutting against the casing, the support member being capable of supporting the placing member under a state in which the abutment portion abuts against the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Niimura
  • Patent number: 9204001
    Abstract: An image reading device includes: a base member; an outer cover; a top plate member; a carriage; a reading unit; a first drive unit; and a first power supply cable. The base member has a bottom wall, and a peripheral wall defining a moving space in combination with the base member. The outer cover covers the peripheral wall such that the inner surface of the outer cover is opposed to and spaced apart from the outer surface of the peripheral wall. The inner surface and the outer surface define a housing space therebetween. The reading unit reads an image from a medium placed on a platen glass while the carriage is reciprocatingly moved inside the moving space along a moving direction. The first drive unit is supported at the base member and reciprocatingly moves the carriage. The first power supply cable is connected to the first drive unit and accommodated in the housing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Shiomi
  • Patent number: 9191528
    Abstract: An information providing apparatus sends an image forming instruction to an image forming apparatus to cause the image forming apparatus to form an image to generate image data and transmit the image data to the information providing apparatus, stores the image data received from the image forming apparatus in a memory area of a memory, and stores identification information that uniquely identifies the image data and information indicating the memory area to which the image data is stored in association with each other to generate management information in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinaga Kato
  • Patent number: 9164705
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an accumulating unit to accumulate documents, a document selecting unit to receive selection of the accumulated documents to be printed, a screen displaying unit to display on a display unit a printing condition setting screen including default values for selecting plural of the accumulated documents and a list of setting items when the selection received by the document selecting unit indicates plural of the accumulated documents, a reset receiving unit to receive selection of the setting item to be changed and resetting of a default value of the selected setting item, a reset control unit to change a content of the setting item into a resetting content when the setting item is resettable or allow the content to remain unchanged when the setting item is not resettable, and a printing unit to print the accumulated document, the setting item of which is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Kubota, Daisuke Okada, Hideaki Matsui, Yuto Shibata
  • Patent number: 9152358
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses a printer comprising a USB port, memory, a printing device, and a processor configured to control the printing device and the memory, wherein the regular storage area includes a first memory area, and at least a second memory area in which at least an instruction file including the print data, and wherein, the processor executes a plurality of processing while concurrently performing at least one processing thereof, the plurality of processing including file write processing for updating a content of original instruction file stored in the second memory area by writing the instruction file in the second memory area, update preparation processing for enabling to be updated later a content of the instruction file stored in the second memory area, and print processing for making the printing device execute printing of print data corresponding to the instruction file written in the second memory area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Tomomatsu, Junya Kawai, Nako Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 9096074
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the embodiments includes a display section, an input section, a controller, and a printing section. A plurality of first images in the form of sheets and a plurality of second images targeted for printing. The input section acquires information about a position designated by a user, the position being within a display region of the display section. The controller detects that one or two or more of the plurality of second images are selected on the basis of the information about the position. In response to release of the selected second image on one of the plurality of first images, the controller makes setting such that the released second image is categorized in one group, and makes print setting for each group. The printing section prints the second image on a sheet on the basis of the print setting made by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiji Saito
  • Patent number: 9092168
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses a non-transitory recording medium storing a contents information processing program for executing steps on a computing device, the steps comprising: an explanatory text acquisition step for acquiring explanatory text associated in a fixed manner with specific contents selected from a plurality of contents prepared and related to producing the print label, a keyword acquisition step for acquiring at least one keyword associated with each of a plurality of preview images prepared, an image determining step for determining for each preview image a compatibility between corresponding the at least one keyword and details of the explanatory text acquired, and determining an image of the plurality of preview images that has a highest compatibility as a preview image to be associated with the specific contents, and an image output step for outputting the preview image to the operation terminal for display on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Chitoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 9081349
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of recording medium housing portions in which recording mediums to be reused are discriminated and housed respectively for degradation regions that are erased image regions; an obtaining unit to obtain image data; a printing region discriminating unit to discriminate a printing region at the time of printing from the obtained image data to the recording medium; a selecting unit to select the recording medium housing portion in which the recording medium not including the degradation region corresponding to the printing region discriminated by the printing region discriminating unit is housed from a plurality of the recording medium housing portions; and a printing portion to print the image data obtained in the obtaining unit on the recording medium fed from the recording medium housing portion which is selected by the selecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiji Saitou
  • Patent number: 9075549
    Abstract: A printing system according to an embodiment includes: plural printers connected to a network; a user terminal connected to the network; and a print server which receives and saves a print job from the user terminal, and which determines plural printer candidates suitable for executing the print job from among the plural printers connected to the network, monitors an operation mode of the plural printer candidates that are determined, and when plural printer candidates include a printer in a sleep mode, shifts the printer from the sleep mode to an normal operating mode via the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Sekine, Yutaka Tamada