Patents by Inventor Norioki Watanabe

Norioki Watanabe 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).

  • Patent number: 8409017
    Abstract: A branching tree program replays audio data, and thereafter, when the user performs a selection of alternatives, the branching tree program replays audio data in the branching tree which is the target of selection. The branching tree program progresses a game by repeating this type of selection and replaying. If the end of the branching tree is reached, or if the next item of audio data is not stored upon the portable telephone, then the required data or program is downloaded from a server device 50, and the game is continued. Accordingly, along with it being possible to progress the story of the game by simple actuation, also it is possible to economize upon the storage space, and moreover it is possible to utilize story data without changing the program. As a result, along with it being possible to progress the story of the game by simple actuation, also it is possible to economize upon the storage space, and moreover it is possible to utilize story data without changing the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
    Inventors: Mikio Inoue, Norioki Watanabe, Junko Osawa
  • Patent number: 8406734
    Abstract: When an application activation instruction is input, it is decided whether the application is expected to access a high-level protection resource or low-level protection resource (step S31). If the decision is affirmative, display is done to prompt the user to select whether to permit activation of the application (step S32). When the user inputs an activation permission instruction, the application is activated (steps S33 to S36). As a result, only when the user permits an application, which is expected to access a high-level protection resource or low-level protection resource, to access a predetermined resource immediately before its execution, the application is executed. Hence, the basic processing part and application can operate in cooperation with each other while limiting access to various kinds of resources by the application in a reasonable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
    Inventors: Osamu Otaka, Mineko Moroto, Norioki Watanabe, Toshihiko Murakami, Satoshi Ogawa, Naomi Nishikata
  • Publication number: 20120278435
    Abstract: When an application activation instruction is input, it is decided whether the application is expected to access a high-level protection resource or low-level protection resource (step S31). If the decision is affirmative, display is done to prompt the user to select whether to permit activation of the application (step S32). When the user inputs an activation permission instruction, the application is activated (steps S33 to S36). As a result, only when the user permits an application, which is expected to access a high-level protection resource or low-level protection resource, to access a predetermined resource immediately before its execution, the application is executed. Hence, the basic processing part and application can operate in cooperation with each other while limiting access to various kinds of resources by the application in a reasonable range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: VODAFONE GROUP PLC
    Inventors: Osamu OTAKA, Mineko MOROTO, Norioki WATANABE, Toshihiko MURAKAMI, Satoshi OGAWA, Naomi NISHIKATA
  • Patent number: 7742585
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal is provided whose operability is improved by enabling a user to promptly use a function that the user requires, upon suspension of execution of an application program. A mobile communication terminal (mobile phone) 20 includes an output unit 216 having a liquid crystal display (LCD) 27 that displays an image; a main control unit 215 that controls the output unit 216; and an application program executing and managing unit 214 that executes an application program registered by a user. The application program executing and managing unit 214 sends a function transition request instruction (screen transition request instruction) to make a transition to a function specified by the application program, to the main control unit 215, upon suspension of execution of the application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
    Inventors: Osamu Otaka, Mineko Moroto, Norioki Watanabe, Shinichiro Ide, Naomi Nishikata
  • Patent number: 7583285
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal is provided that is capable of shooting a code image, restoring data from the code image, and using the shot code image and the restored data, in response to a request from an application program. A mobile communication terminal (mobile phone) includes an image shooting unit for shooting an image; a data memory unit for memorizing data of a code image shot by the image shooting unit; a main control unit for controlling the image shooting unit and the data memory unit; and an application program executing and managing unit for executing an application program registered by a user. The main control unit controls the image shooting unit and the data memory unit based on a control request instruction sent from the application program executing and managing unit that is executing the application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
    Inventors: Osamu Otaka, Mineko Moroto, Norioki Watanabe, Shinichiro Ide, Satoshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7574238
    Abstract: The application (33) requests a basic processing part (31) to execute character input processing, depending on the character input request from the user during display of a graphics window managed by an application (33). The execution environment part (32), which received the character input processing request, notifies the basic processing part (31) of the character input processing request, and turns in a display blocked state. After that, characters are input under the control of the basic processing part (31). When character input is terminated, the basic processing part (31) closes the display of the character input screen to notify the execution environment part (32) of the termination of the character input and the character input result. The execution environment part (32), which received the notice, releases the display blocked state and notifies the application (33) of the termination of the character input and the character input result data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
    Inventors: Osamu Otaka, Mineko Moroto, Norioki Watanabe, Shin-ichirou Ide, Naomi Nishikata
  • Publication number: 20080146350
    Abstract: A branching tree program replays audio data, and thereafter, when the user performs a selection of alternatives, the branching tree program replays audio data in the branching tree which is the target of selection. The branching tree program progresses a game by repeating this type of selection and replaying. If the end of the branching tree is reached, or if the next item of audio data is not stored upon the portable telephone, then the required data or program is downloaded from a server device 50, and the game is continued. Accordingly, along with it being possible to progress the story of the game by simple actuation, also it is possible to economize upon the storage space, and moreover it is possible to utilize story data without changing the program. As a result, along with it being possible to progress the story of the game by simple actuation, also it is possible to economize upon the storage space, and moreover it is possible to utilize story data without changing the program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: VODAFONE K.K.
    Inventors: Mikio Inoue, Norioki Watanabe, Junko Osawa
  • Publication number: 20080014912
    Abstract: When an application activation instruction is input, it is decided whether the application is expected to access a high-level protection resource or low-level protection resource (step S31). If the decision is affirmative, display is done to prompt the user to select whether to permit activation of the application (step S32). When the user inputs an activation permission instruction, the application is activated (steps S33 to S36). As a result, only when the user permits an application, which is expected to access a high-level protection resource or low-level protection resource, to access a predetermined resource immediately before its execution, the application is executed. Hence, the basic processing part and application can operate in cooperation with each other while limiting access to various kinds of resources by the application in a reasonable range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Osamu Otaka, Mineko Moroto, Norioki Watanabe, Toshihiko Murakami, Satoshi Ogawa, Naomi Nishikata
  • Publication number: 20060276233
    Abstract: The application (33) requests a basic processing part (31) to execute character input processing, depending on the character input request from the user during display of a graphics window managed by an application (33). The execution environment part (32), which received the character input processing request, notifies the basic processing part (31) of the character input processing request, and turns in a display blocked state. After that, characters are input under the control of the basic processing part (31). When character input is terminated, the basic processing part (31) closes the display of the character input screen to notify the execution environment part (32) of the termination of the character input and the character input result. The execution environment part (32), which received the notice, releases the display blocked state and notifies the application (33) of the termination of the character input and the character input result data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Osamu Otaka, Mineko Moroto, Norioki Watanabe, Shin-ichirou Ide, Naomi Nishikata
  • Publication number: 20060232662
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal is provided that is capable of shooting a code image, restoring data from the code image, and using the shot code image and the restored data, in response to a request from an application program. A mobile communication terminal (mobile phone) 20 includes an image shooting unit 217 for shooting an image; a data memory unit 219 for memorizing data of a code image shot by the image shooting unit 217; a main control unit 215 for controlling the image shooting unit 217 and the data memory unit 219; and an application program executing and managing unit 214 for executing an application program registered by a user. The main control unit 215 controls the image shooting unit 217 and the data memory unit 219 based on a control request instruction sent from the application program executing and managing unit 214 that is executing the application program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: Osamu Otaka, Mineko Moroto, Norioki Watanabe, Shinichiro Ide, Satoshi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20060229106
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal is provided whose operability is improved by enabling a user to promptly use a function that the user requires, upon suspension of execution of an application program. A mobile communication terminal (mobile phone) 20 includes an output unit 216 having a liquid crystal display (LCD) 27 that displays an image; a main control unit 215 that controls the output unit 216; and an application program executing and managing unit 214 that executes an application program registered by a user. The application program executing and managing unit 214 sends a function transition request instruction (screen transition request instruction) to make a transition to a function specified by the application program, to the main control unit 215, upon suspension of execution of the application program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Osamu Otaka, Mineko Moroto, Norioki Watanabe, Shinichiro Ide, Naomi Nishikata
  • Publication number: 20060077196
    Abstract: The determination means 21 read out the condition of the number of pixels, wherein the number is necessary when the application is executed and the condition being described at the predetermined position of the application file stored in the storage device 23. Subsequently, the determination means 21 determines the operation display mode among at least one of the display mode candidates having different magnification ratios including equal ratio, depending on the condition of the number of pixels for the application being operated on a display screen. Then, the display control means 25 displays the content image designated by the application in the determined operation display mode on a display means 13. As a result, the content can be displayed in an appropriate form, being adapted to the display means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: VODAFONE K.K.
    Inventor: Norioki Watanabe
  • Patent number: RE44123
    Abstract: The application (33) requests a basic processing part (31) to execute character input processing, depending on the character input request from the user during display of a graphics window managed by an application (33). The execution environment part (32), which received the character input processing request, notifies the basic processing part (31) of the character input processing request, and turns in a display blocked state. After that, characters are input under the control of the basic processing part (31). When character input is terminated, the basic processing part (31) closes the display of the character input screen to notify the execution environment part (32) of the termination of the character input and the character input result. The execution environment part (32), which received the notice, releases the display blocked state and notifies the application (33) of the termination of the character input and the character input result data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Nocom Audio NY LLC
    Inventors: Osamu Otaka, Mineko Moroto, Norioki Watanabe, Shin-Ichirou Ide, Naomi Nishikata