Patents by Inventor Irving Tsai

Irving Tsai 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).

  • Publication number: 20010036839
    Abstract: A telephone and telephone answering apparatus and method are described for using secondary information embedded in audio passages included in phone calls. The telephone and telephone answering device monitors received calls to automatically detect for the presence of embedded secondary information. Some embodiments merely receive, automatically monitor for the presence of, and use secondary information. Other embodiments are also capable of generating and of embedding secondary information into audio passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Irving Tsai
  • Patent number: 5903407
    Abstract: A cassette recording system having both a primary memory and an auxiliary memory associated with the cassette. A mechanism is provided for sequentially reading information from and writing information to the primary memory as well as randomly reading information from and writing information to the auxiliary memory. The auxiliary memory may be used to retain programming information. The system enables a cassette to be transferred from one recorder to another with the recording schedule, being included in the auxiliary memory associated with the cassette, being similarly transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Irving Tsai
  • Patent number: 5838458
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving document images including portions linked to one or more electronic addresses. The linked portion of the document is identified using a predetermined visual attribute, such as bold-face text, or delimiters to mark the portion. The document image is then transmitted using, e.g., existing apparatus for transmitting images, such as a facsimile machine. An electronic address associated with the identified portion of the document is also transmitted using existing techniques, such as by touch-tone telephone. The address may be a voice telephone number, facsimile telephone number, World Wide Web address, or any other address with which communication can be established. At the receiving end, both the document image and electronic address are received. Pattern matching is performed on the document image to identify the portion with the predetermined attribute as a linked portion. The received electronic address is then correlated with the linked portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Irving Tsai
  • Patent number: 5655164
    Abstract: A system for incorporating electronic signals representative of at least audio information into still film slides and photographs. A data storage medium capable of retaining electronic signals is provided in association with a photographic print or frame in which a slide is mounted. Audio information is stored in the data storage medium and may be aurally reproduced by an audio reproduction device as the slide or photograph is being displayed. The system affords bi-directional compatibility with the existing art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Irving Tsai
  • Patent number: 5636078
    Abstract: A cassette recording system having both a primary memory and an auxiliary memory associated with the cassette. A mechanism is provided for sequentially reading information from and writing information to the primary memory as well as randomly reading information from and writing information to the auxiliary memory. The auxiliary memory may be used to retain programming information. The system enables a cassette to be transferred from one recorder to another, with the recording schedule, being included in the auxiliary memory associated with the cassette, being similarly transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Irving Tsai
  • Patent number: 5495581
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for linking a document with reference information associated therewith comprising a device for receiving an electronic representation of a document image, the document having a portion to be linked to electronic reference information, wherein the portion is designated by a predetermined attribute of the received document image; a device for electronically scanning the electronic representation of the document image to locate said predetermined attribute of the document image; a device for identifying the linked portion of the document based on the location of the predetermined attribute; a device for acquiring the electronic reference information associated with the linked portion; a device for correlating the linked portion of the document with the associated electronic reference information; and a device for providing a pointer from the linked portion in the document to each piece of electronic reference information associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Irving Tsai
  • Patent number: 5454067
    Abstract: A "conversion" device is described that enables a conventional, dedicated copier 4 designed for the singular purpose of making copies to be employed additionally as an electronically-driven printing apparatus, thereby offering a standard issue copier 4 the added functionality of a computer printer or facsimile machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Irving Tsai
  • Patent number: 5454066
    Abstract: A "conversion" device is described that enables a conventional, dedicated copier 4 designed for the singular purpose of making copies to be employed additionally as an electronically-driven printing apparatus, thereby offering a standard issue copier 4 the added functionality of a computer printer or facsimile machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Irving Tsai
  • Patent number: 5255054
    Abstract: A "conversion" device is described that enables a conventional, dedicated copier designed for the singular purpose of making copies to be employed additionally as an electronically-driven printing apparatus, thereby offering a standard issue copier the added functionality of a computer printer or facsimile machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventor: Irving Tsai
  • Patent number: 5164768
    Abstract: A "conversion" device is described that enables a conventional, dedicated copier designed for the singular purpose of making copies to be employed additionally as an electronically-driven printing apparatus, thereby offering a standard issue copier the added functionality of a computer printer or facsimile machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Inventor: Irving Tsai
  • Patent number: 5091747
    Abstract: A "conversion" device enables a conventional, dedicated copier designed for the singular purpose of making copies to be employed additionally as an electronically-driven printing apparatus, thereby offering a standard issue copier the added functionality of a computer printer or facsimile machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Irving Tsai