Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a communication device performs data communication with an external user terminal apparatus, and a job managing unit receives a print job request from the user terminal apparatus using the communication device. Further, when receiving the print job request from the user terminal apparatus, the job managing unit determines whether there is a user who is physically directly using the image forming apparatus or not, if there is not a user who is physically directly using the image forming apparatus, allows the print job request and if there is a user who is physically directly using the image forming apparatus, determines whether the print job request should be refused or not, and if the print job request should not be refused, allows the print job request and if the print job request should be refused, refuses the print job request.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided with a display unit displaying a software keyboard and an input unit receiving user operation including key input to the software keyboard. A display control unit performs display change processing for changing at least one of the position and shape of the software keyboard and the arrangement and color scheme of each key included in the software keyboard every time the input unit receives an arbitrary number of key inputs.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a communication device performs data communication with an external user terminal apparatus, and a job managing unit receives a print job request from the user terminal apparatus using the communication device. Further, when receiving the print job request from the user terminal apparatus, the job managing unit determines whether there is a user who is physically directly using the image forming apparatus or not, if there is not a user who is physically directly using the image forming apparatus, allows the print job request and if there is a user who is physically directly using the image forming apparatus, determines whether the print job request should be refused or not, and if the print job request should not be refused, allows the print job request and if the print job request should be refused, refuses the print job request.

Abstract: An apparatus for video signal switching for use with an external graphics processing unit device includes an input unit of an information processing device configured to input a first video signal from an external device comprising a graphics processing unit (“GPU”) and an input/output interface, a processing unit of the information processing device configured to output a second video signal, and a switching unit configured to determine a route for a video display signal that is output to a display unit, the route selected from an external route along which the first video signal is output to the display unit without going through the processing unit and an internal route along which the second video signal is output to the display unit. A computer program product and a system perform the functions of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to improve external graphics processing unit management. The apparatus includes a request information acquisition unit configured to acquire disconnection request information for requesting disconnection of an external signal processing device, where the external signal processing device is configured to execute at least part of signal processing in processing performed by running the application. The apparatus also includes a storage unit capable of storing files utilized by the application, and an exit control unit configured to issue a first command, the first command indicative of an instruction to exit after saving working files to the storage unit, to an application using signal processing by the signal processing device among running applications in response to the request information acquisition unit receiving the disconnection request information.

Abstract: A method of driving an actuator using a shape memory alloy is provided. An impact-driven actuator is activated by a pulse voltage generated by an action of a transistor. A keyboard outputs a key event at the timing of an input operation. A stress monitoring unit calculates a stress amount of an impact-driven actuator based on parameters of a key event and a pulse voltage. A stress adjustment unit changes the parameter of the pulse voltage when the stress amount reaches a permissible value. The parameter may be a wave crest value or a pulse width of the pulse voltage. The stress adjustment section is also able to stop the action of the impact-driven actuator in response to a key event corresponding to a break code.

Abstract: An information sharing method includes a first analysis step of analyzing a structure of a Web page being displayed, and associating a Web part with part identification information included in the Web part; a positional relationship generating step of generating a relative positional relationship between the Web part and a first display position on a display screen of the first terminal device; a second analysis step of analyzing a structure of the Web page when displayed in the own device, and associating the Web part with the part identification information; and a display step of determining a second display position for displaying the Web page on a display screen of the second terminal device on the basis of the relative positional relationship and the second analysis result obtained, and displaying the Web page on the display screen of the second terminal device in the second display position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to improve external graphics processing unit management. The apparatus includes a request information acquisition unit configured to acquire disconnection request information for requesting disconnection of an external signal processing device, where the external signal processing device is configured to execute at least part of signal processing in processing performed by running the application. The apparatus also includes a storage unit capable of storing files utilized by the application, and an exit control unit configured to issue a first command, the first command indicative of an instruction to exit after saving working files to the storage unit, to an application using signal processing by the signal processing device among running applications in response to the request information acquisition unit receiving the disconnection request information.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and program product that can reduce noise caused by haptic feedback are provided. One apparatus includes a display that displays a cursor. The apparatus includes an input device that detects a user operation and generates operation data for operating the cursor based on the user operation. The apparatus also includes a haptic feedback device that provides haptic feedback based on the operation of the cursor. The apparatus includes a control device that controls the operation of the cursor based on the operation data, and modifies the operation data to reduce noise caused by the haptic feedback during a time period in which the haptic feedback is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus for video signal switching for use with an external graphics processing unit device includes an input unit of an information processing device configured to input a first video signal from an external device comprising a graphics processing unit (“GPU”) and an input/output interface, a processing unit of the information processing device configured to output a second video signal, and a switching unit configured to determine a route for a video display signal that is output to a display unit, the route selected from an external route along which the first video signal is output to the display unit without going through the processing unit and an internal route along which the second video signal is output to the display unit. A computer program product and a system perform the functions of the apparatus.

Abstract: For indirect determination of digit movement, apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed. The apparatus for indirect determination of finger movement includes a processor and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The processor obtains frequency data corresponding to movement of a user's limb, extracts frequency data having a predetermined feature value from the measured frequency data; and determines from the extracted frequency data whether the movement of the limb corresponds to a predetermined digit motion.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing utilization management system (IPUMS) that can determine whether an information processing device (IPD) is available from an application of a mobile terminal (MT). The IMPUMS includes the MT and IPD connected thereto via a network, the IPD accepting a process request (PR) from the MT-installed application to execute a process. The MT includes a process data (PD) generation part generating PD based on the PR from the application to transmit the PD to the IPD. The IPD includes a PD receiving part receiving the PD, a MT kind-code obtaining part obtaining a kind-code of the MT from the PD, an application information (AI) obtaining part obtaining II of the application from the PD, and a utilization restriction determination part determining whether the PR from the AI is acceptable based on the kind-code of the MT and the II of the application.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving an actuator using a shape memory alloy is provided. The apparatus includes an actuator having a shape memory alloy, a pulse signal generating device for generating a pulse signal, and a switch for applying a pseudo single pulse voltage signal to the actuator. The pseudo single pulse voltage signal is generated by performing switching control of a predetermined voltage according to a set of successive micro-pulse signals.

Abstract: A keyboard that can yield a favorable keying feeling to a user is disclosed. The keyboard includes multiple keys, a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure used for pressing a key, a haptic device configured to generate haptic feedback that involves a micro vibration, and a feedback control unit configured to issue a signal used for driving the haptic device according to the pressure that the pressure sensor has sensed. In response to one-time key pressing, the feedback control unit issues a drive signal for generating a first haptic feedback when the pressure that the pressure sensor has sensed reaches a first threshold value, and a drive signal for generating a second haptic feedback when the pressure that the pressure sensor has sensed reaches a second threshold value.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and computer program products for simulating a physical keyboard are disclosed. One apparatus includes a processor for an information handling device and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to detect an input mechanism contacting a key area for displaying a flat keyboard and emit a first sensory feedback to a user in response to detecting the input mechanism contacting the key.

Abstract: A computer capable of recognizing gesture commands is disclosed. Suppose that a user makes a gesture of swinging a hand from side to side in front of a camera associated with a computer. A camera module receives frames with shots of the gesture in order. The camera module calculates a gradation difference between corresponding pixels of each frame and a background image to generate a set of binarized differential images. The camera module then combines differential images to generate composite images. In response to a determination that any of the composite images matches a reference pattern, the camera module outputs a computer command. The computer command can be used to control the power state of the computer or start a specific application within the computer.

Abstract: A method of driving an actuator using a shape memory alloy is provided. An impact-driven actuator is activated by a pulse voltage generated by an action of a transistor. A keyboard outputs a key event at the timing of an input operation. A stress monitoring unit calculates a stress amount of an impact-driven actuator based on parameters of a key event and a pulse voltage. A stress adjustment unit changes the parameter of the pulse voltage when the stress amount reaches a permissible value. The parameter may be a wave crest value or a pulse width of the pulse voltage. The stress adjustment section is also able to stop the action of the impact-driven actuator in response to a key event corresponding to a break code.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving an actuator using a shape memory alloy is provided. The apparatus includes an actuator having a shape memory alloy, a pulse signal generating device for generating a pulse signal, and a switch for applying a pseudo single pulse voltage signal to the actuator. The pseudo single pulse voltage signal is generated by performing switching control of a predetermined voltage according to a set of successive micro-pulse signals.

Abstract: A computer capable of recognizing gesture commands is disclosed. Suppose that a user makes a gesture of swinging a hand from side to side in front of a camera associated with a computer. A camera module receives frames with shots of the gesture in order. The camera module calculates a gradation difference between corresponding pixels of each frame and a background image to generate a set of binarized differential images. The camera module then combines differential images to generate composite images. In response to a determination that any of the composite images matches a reference pattern, the camera module outputs a computer command. The computer command can be used to control the power state of the computer or start a specific application within the computer.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing utilization management system (IPUMS) that can determine whether an information processing device (IPD) is available from an application of a mobile terminal (MT). The IMPUMS includes the MT and IPD connected thereto via a network, the IPD accepting a process request (PR) from the MT-installed application to execute a process. The MT includes a process data (PD) generation part generating PD based on the PR from the application to transmit the PD to the IPD. The IPD includes a PD receiving part receiving the PD, a MT kind-code obtaining part obtaining a kind-code of the MT from the PD, an application information (AI) obtaining part obtaining II of the application from the PD, and a utilization restriction determination part determining whether the PR from the AI is acceptable based on the kind-code of the MT and the II of the application.