Patents Issued in January 12, 2016
  • Patent number: 9237211
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments comprise an energy harvesting computer device in association with a communication device comprising interactive user interface operatively configured with CMOS multiple antennas on chin for boosting signal receptions and for providing faster data transmission speed. Disclosed embodiment encompasses three modes of communications—the Cell phone, wireless Internet applications, and Global communication and media information. Embodiments provide communication apparatus operable to enhance mobile communication efficiency with touch sensitive display comprising energy harvesting platform in communication with a charging circuit board configured with memories, processors, sensors, and modules. Embodiments further provide a gaming device, a wireless media device configured with touch pads comprising sensors being embedded in silicon substrate and fused in nano-fiber/microfiber material having excellent electrical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph Akwo Tabe
  • Patent number: 9237212
    Abstract: A locking device for a sliding/swing type mobile terminal is provided. The terminal includes a body housing and a sliding housing which slides on the body housing and swinging to open and close. The locking device includes a sliding member connected to the sliding housing while enabling the sliding housing to slide, a swing member which assembles the sliding member while enabling the sliding member to swing, and a locking unit which includes the sliding member and the swing member, the locking unit which prevents the sliding housing from swinging while sliding and from sliding while swinging in a state before sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Yup Lee, Sung-Sun Park
  • Patent number: 9237213
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to initiate real time communications via capturing an image of a communication reference using a mobile device. One embodiment includes: an input device; a communication module; an image sensor; and a processor coupled with the input device, the image sensor and the communication module. In response to the input device receiving a user input, the image sensor is to capture an image, the processor to identify a telephonic reference from an image captured by the image sensor, and the communication module to initiate a telephonic connection using the telephonic reference identified from the captured image. In one embodiment, a method implemented in a mobile telephonic device, includes: capturing an image in response to an input from a user; identifying a telephonic reference from the image in response to the image being captured; and establishing a telephonic connection using the telephonic reference identified from the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: YellowPages.com LLC
    Inventors: Ebbe Altberg, Scott Faber, Ron Hirson, Sean Van Der Linden
  • Patent number: 9237214
    Abstract: A method of initiating a communication event via a communication system at a communication device comprising storing a plurality of memory items, wherein each memory item is associated with a user of the communication system; selecting a first set of memory items from said plurality of memory items in accordance with a predetermined selection method; displaying the first set of memory items as a first set of icons, wherein each icon represents at least one memory item and receiving a selection signal associated with one of said icons from the user of the communication device to initiate the communication event with the user of the communication system associated with the memory item represented by the selected icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Skype
    Inventors: Oliver Reitalu, Pui Kwan Law
  • Patent number: 9237215
    Abstract: According to one configuration, a user is able to activate an application on a mobile phone device without the user having to directly pressing an appropriate sequence of keys on the mobile phone device. For example, a user logs onto a web site to provide a phone number of the mobile phone device. Additionally, via input to the web site, the user also requests activation of a particular application on the mobile phone device. An application server receives notification of the request and generates a text-message to the application on the mobile phone device to initiate activation of the application. In response to receiving the text-message, the application on the mobile phone device initiates retrieval of appropriate configuration information associated with the user from the application server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Matthew John Cannon, Howard Leigh Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 9237216
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed for a mobile device to wirelessly dock to a device. In some examples, a mobile device may receive an indication to identify a device for wirelessly docking. The mobile device may gather identification for possible devices to wirelessly dock. A ranging technique may be implemented using a given frequency band to identify a device within a shortest distance from the mobile device from among the possible devices. The device having the shortest distance may be selected and a wireless dock may then be established. Other examples are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard D. Roberts, Mathys C. Walma, Carlos Cordeiro
  • Patent number: 9237217
    Abstract: A dock for connecting a smartphone to a display and peripherals is disclosed. The dock uses a single connector to transfer audio/video data to a display and input-output data and to establish a wireless link with peripherals. The dock has a controller with a switch, a wireless communication module, a USB hub, a relay, a first connector, an audio/video (AV) converter and a second connector. The relay normally connects AV data from the smartphone to the AV converter. The controller switches the relay while the switch is being operated, and then the controller links the USB hub, the first connector and the wireless communication module, and the wireless communication module establishes the wireless link with the smartphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: I/O INTERCONNECT, LTD.
    Inventors: Ping-Shun Zeung, Johnny Chen
  • Patent number: 9237218
    Abstract: A method of inputting an electronic address into a text field on a communications device is disclosed, as well as a device and controller for implementing the method. The method includes: receiving, through a user input interface of the device, an input corresponding to a predetermined delimiter; selecting a non-text symbol character from a set of non-text symbol characters in dependence on a number of times the input corresponding to the predetermined delimiter has been repetitively input without any intervening inputs; and adding the selected non-text symbol character to the text field of the communications device when an input other than that corresponding to the predetermined delimiter is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: William Daniel Willey
  • Patent number: 9237219
    Abstract: A communications system may include at least one mobile wireless communications device, and a wireless communications network for sending text messages thereto. More particularly, the at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver and a controller for cooperating therewith for receiving text messages from the wireless communications network. It may further include a headset output connected to the controller. The controller may be for switching between a normal message mode and an audio message mode based upon a connection between the headset output and a headset. Moreover, when in the audio message mode, the controller may output at least one audio message including speech generated from at least one of the received text messages via the headset output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Darrell Reginald May, Alain R. Gagne
  • Patent number: 9237220
    Abstract: An approach is provided for collaborative context data sensing and communications. A context platform determines context data from a plurality of devices. The context platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of the context data to determine scheduling information for causing, at least in part, a sensing, a transmission, or a combination thereof of additional context data by at least one of the plurality of devices. The context platform then determines the additional context data based, at least in part, on the scheduling information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Pekka Waris, Harri Paloheimo, Jinfeng Zhang, CanFeng Chen, Jukka Kalevi Nurminen, Jussi Pekka Olavi Ruutu
  • Patent number: 9237221
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to detect a selection of an image from a graphical user interface, identify an entry in a contact book responsive to the detected selection of the image, and retrieve one or more communication identifiers associated with the party from the entry of the contact book for initiating a communication session. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
    Inventors: Anup D Karnalkar, R. Tyler Wallis, William Stanley Robbins, Susan Steele, Larry B. Pearson
  • Patent number: 9237222
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to quickly and surely acquire icon information without passing through a plurality of hierarchies. A mobile terminal 110 according to the present invention includes a display unit 214, a touch detection unit 218 that receives a user input onto a surface of the display unit, an operation unit 216 including a plurality of movable operation keys, and a guidance display unit that enters a guidance display mode upon detection of a depression of a predetermined movable operation key of the operation unit 216, and in the guidance display mode, upon detection of a user input onto an icon displayed on the display unit by the touch detection unit 218, displays on the display unit a predetermined guidance screen related to the icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Asano
  • Patent number: 9237223
    Abstract: A communication terminal (1) in accordance with the present invention includes a controlling section (12) for, when a touch operation to a key of a numeric keypad (22) in which each key is associated with a plurality of pieces of called party identifying information is detected, causing a plurality of pieces of called party identifying information that are associated with the key to be displayed, and, when a condition is detected in which one of the plurality of pieces of called party identifying information is selected, setting as a to-be-called phone number a phone number identified by the one of the plurality of pieces of called party identifying information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiro Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9237224
    Abstract: A computerized communication device has a display screen, a mechanism for a user to select words or phrases displayed on the display screen, and software executing from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a function for providing audio signal output in a connected voice-telephone call from the text words or phrases selected by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventor: Padmanabhan Mahalingam
  • Patent number: 9237225
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an echo canceller having an audio signal input and an audio signal output and dynamic pre-conditioning logic. The dynamic pre-conditioning logic is operatively coupled to the echo canceller audio signal output as a feedback signal and has a dynamic pre-conditioning logic output operatively coupled to the echo canceller audio signal input. The dynamic pre-conditioning logic is also operative to receive an audio signal input from at least one microphone. The dynamic pre-conditioning logic is operative to analyze the feedback signal to obtain at least one characteristic, and pre-condition the audio signal input, based on the at least one characteristic of the feedback signal, and provide a pre-conditioned audio signal at the echo canceller audio signal input. The echo canceller audio signal output is then provided to a noise suppressor for the send path of a full duplex communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Juan C Garcia, Joel A Clark, Tenkasi V Ramabadran
  • Patent number: 9237226
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an echo canceller configured to cancel echo in a wideband voice conference is provided. A double-talk condition may be when a plurality of users are speaking substantially simultaneously. When a double-talk condition is detected in the wideband conference, a high-frequency process is enabled and used to process signals in the high band to reduce echo. Accordingly, echo in the high band may not be produced by end devices being used by the users' speaking. Also, the users speaking have the echo cancelled in the low band and substantial echo does not result. This results in the users speaking experiencing the conference in the narrowband. The other users that are not speaking, however, continue to receive wideband signals. The users not speaking also continue to have echo cancellation performed for the high band and low band because these users are not speaking and thus attenuation of their voices is not a consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Frauenthal, Michael A. Ramalho
  • Patent number: 9237227
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: identify a preferential use setting of a communications device, the preferential use setting being associated with a remote contact, or with a use pattern of the communications device, and being configured to provide a supplementary communication function during communications; and automatically activate the identified preferential use setting of the communications device when the communications device is used to communicate with the associated remote contact, or to communicate in accordance with the associated use pattern of the communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Liang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9237228
    Abstract: An E-9-1-1 voice-over-IP (VoIP) solution is provided wherein a 911 call from a mobile VoIP device is routed directly to the correct Public Safety Answer Point (PSAP) via dedicated trunks, together with correct location information and call-back number. VoIP gateways are implemented locally, at least one per LATA, and accept VoIP packetized data inbound, and convert it to standard wireline voice calls. Calls are routed to an IP address at the VoIP gateway, which then egresses the call to a voice port at a selective router. Mid-call updating of location of a moving VoIP terminal is provided to a PSAP. The location of the VoIP is validated using HTTP based protocol by pushing location information to a VoIP location server, and comparing it against a geographic location database to confirm that a contained street address is valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yinjun Zhu, Richard Dickinson, Roger Marshall, Steven P. Helme
  • Patent number: 9237229
    Abstract: A call processing method, system and communication device for providing call authorization features. Generally described, the present application relates to authorizing communications between devices during call setup time. In one illustrative embodiment, communications within a telephone network configured within a private branch exchange or carrier are filtered using an authorizing device. The authorizing device can be activated using different procedures including, but not limited to, feature access codes and pin numbers. When a call is received from a calling device, the telephone network can reserve a line for the call to the intended restricted device. The authorizing device can thereafter be alerted about the call. A user of the authorizing device can answer the call or direct the telephone network to block the call, connect the call with the restricted device through the reserved line, or forward the call to a third device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Matthew Hillier, Katayoun Hillier
  • Patent number: 9237230
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at an application server, information related to a call from a calling device to a called device. The method further includes determining, at the application server, a designation of the calling device. The method further includes sending a prompt to the calling device from the application server. The prompt is a request for information related to urgency of the call, where the prompt corresponds to a first prompt when the designation is a first designation and the prompt corresponds to a second prompt when the designation is a second designation. The method further includes receiving a response to the prompt at the application server and modifying a call setup message based on the response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sreenivasa Rao Gorti, Stephen Mark Mueller, Jeffrey Lewis Brandt, Huitao Liu
  • Patent number: 9237231
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various systems and methods for providing enhanced messaging features. An exemplary method for providing a predictive response messaging feature includes receiving a message from a first device (108) at a second device (110) and analyzing the message to determine at least one response option based upon the content of the message. After determining at least one response option, the at least one response option can be presented on a display (202) of the second device (110). A called party can make a selection of one of the at least one response options and the selection can be received on the second device (110). The selection can trigger the creation of a response message based upon the selected response option and the response message can be sent to the first device (108). Other methods and systems are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Scott Swanburg, Andre Okada, Paul Hanson, Chris Young
  • Patent number: 9237232
    Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing digital recordings of the human voice in order to find characteristics unique to an individual. A biometrics engine may use an analytics service in a contact center to supply audio streams based on configured rules and providers for biometric detection. The analytics service may provide call audio data and attributes to connected engines based on a provider-set of selection rules. The connected providers send call audio data and attributes through the analytics service. The engines are notified when a new call is available for processing and can then retrieve chunks of audio data and call attributes by polling an analytics service interface. A mathematical model of the human vocal tract in the call audio data is created and/or matched against existing models. The result is analogous to a fingerprint, i.e., a pattern unique to an individual to within some level of probability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: VERINT AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Jamie Richard Williams, Robert John Barnes, Ian Linsdell, Scott M. Bluman
  • Patent number: 9237233
    Abstract: A system for handling call transfer contains a talker computer for providing a batch notification that enables a central data server to identify a batch of one or more customer records for calling, a central data server for receiving the batch notification that enables the central data server to identify the batch of one or more customer record, and a dialing agent computer for providing a connected notification that a customer that has been called has been connected, referred to herein as a connected customer, via a call, wherein a customer record of the connected customer is associated with the batch, wherein the central data server provides an identify notification and the talker computer receives the identify notification that enables the talker computer to distinguish the connected customer record, wherein the connected customer record is associated with the batch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Micro Macro Assets LLC
    Inventor: Senraj Soundar
  • Patent number: 9237234
    Abstract: A parameters modification system for a contact center is provided. The parameters modification system includes an input module for enabling a user to provide an input indicating one or more parameters required to be modified. The parameters modification system further includes a determination module for determining a surface based on key performance indicators (KPIs) associated the one more parameters. The determination module further determines an optimal path in the determined surface. The parameters modification system further includes a modification module for modifying the one or more parameters along the determined optimal path so that key performance indicators associated with the one or more parameters remain within a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, Tony McCormack
  • Patent number: 9237235
    Abstract: A mobile device can be assigned to an extension configured as a Queue Agent (“QA”) in a call-queuing enabled virtual private branch exchange (vPBX). This and other mobile or fixed devices can be interconnected to form a virtual call center. Each extension can be assigned various rules, which specify how the incoming calls are answered at the extension and how calls in the call queue are selected for answering by the QA. As part of the rules, the vPBX system forwards calls from a call queue to the QA based on QA's availability status. If a location-aware mobile device is associated with the QA, the vPBX system can determine the QA's availability status based on a geographic location of the mobile device. A most geographically proximate agent can be selected for answering the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: RingCentral, Inc.
    Inventors: Vlad Vendrow, Bruce Young, Praful Shah, Boris Elpiner, Vladimir Shmunis
  • Patent number: 9237236
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for providing a voice prompt and a text prompt using a mobile phone client and a corresponding mobile phone client. The method uses software locally installed in the mobile phone to answer an incoming call automatically, provide a voice prompt including a plurality of options to the caller, and according to a selection of the caller, provide a user of the mobile phone with a text prompt corresponding to the selection from the caller. The present disclosure may advantageously achieve voice prompts and quick text feedbacks by using local software functions in the mobile phone, so that the user of the mobile phone can quickly learn intention of the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Beijing Netqin Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiao Yang, Yuping Zhang, Yu Lin, Shihong Zou
  • Patent number: 9237237
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing messages to users in a discussion group are provided. Discussion groups are monitored and each discussion group is associated with a list of signed-on users. A request is received from a user to join one of the discussion groups. An identity of the user is verified. The user is then added to the requested discussion group as a signed-on user by adding an entry for the user on the list of the requested discussion group upon verification of the user identity. Messages received from one or more of the signed-on users in the requested discussion group are transmitted to at least one of the other signed-on users in the requested discussion group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Intellisist, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilad Odinak
  • Patent number: 9237238
    Abstract: A conference apparatus reduces or eliminates noise in audio for endpoints in a conference. Endpoints in the conference are designated as a primary talker and as secondary talkers. Audio for the endpoints is processed with speech detectors to characterize the audio as speech or not and to determine energy levels of the audio. As the audio is written to buffers and then read from the buffers, decisions for the gain settings of faders for read audio of the endpoints being combined in the speech selective mix. In addition, the conference apparatus can mitigate the effects of a possible speech collision that may occur during the conference between endpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Chu, Yibo Liu, Uri Avni, Ami Noy
  • Patent number: 9237239
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a query from an external entity for information about a call between a first user and a second user, determining a call identifier associated with the call and providing the call identifier to the external entity. Subsequently, when a request to alter the call and comprising the call identifier is received from the external entity, the call is altered the call in accordance with the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Genband US LLC
    Inventor: Dany Sylvain
  • Patent number: 9237240
    Abstract: A method and a system for detecting presence of an application layer gateway (ALG) in a network path between an analog telephone adapter and a communications service provider (CSP), and transmitting a media message by bypassing the (ALG) are provided. A communication management application (CMA) detects, processes, and augments the media message sent by a first user device to a second user device. A message relay server (MRS) processes and manages the media message. The CMA receives the media message from the first user device and detects the presence of the ALG using a message echo server. The CMA scrambles the media message and transmits the scrambled media message to the MRS via a network. The ALG is bypassed due to non-recognition of the scrambled media message. The MRS unscrambles the scrambled media message and transmits the unscrambled media message to the CSP for forwarding to the second user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Obihai Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Fandrianto, Sam Sin
  • Patent number: 9237241
    Abstract: A voice packet dynamic echo cancellation system includes an input/output unit configured to communicate over a packet network and a storage unit configured to store network performance information associated with node segments on the packet network. The system also includes a processing unit configured to execute instructions to: set-up a call from an originating call device to a terminating call device; determine the network performance of the call between the originating call device and the terminating call device; locate an echo signal of the call to the originating call device based on the network performance; produce a echo cancellation signal based on the echo signal; cancel the echo signal with the echo cancellation signal; and recheck the network performance information during a duration of the call and adjust the specific delay point of the received signal window based on the network performance information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Michael K. Bugenhagen
  • Patent number: 9237242
    Abstract: A system for providing roadside and emergency assistance to a vehicle includes a vehicle unit with several connectivity options. A user interface unit permits a user to request assistance and communicate with an emergency dispatcher and/or service provider. A server receives requests for assistance from the vehicle unit and relays information between the vehicle unit and a dispatcher or service provider to provide communication between the driver of the vehicle and the dispatcher or service provider. Alternatively, such as in an emergency (e.g. crash) situation, the server directly requests assistance to be sent to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Otman A. Basir
  • Patent number: 9237243
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying and addressing community issues that burden the emergency response system, the method including receiving an electronic report for an incident, matching a person or location identifier from the electronic report with patient-centric data from a database, and providing an alert to a specialized caregiver if the identity or incident matches a list of frequent or high priority emergency service users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventors: Anne Marie Jensen, Winston Yu
  • Patent number: 9237244
    Abstract: A handheld digital camera device including an image sensor for capturing images and generating image data; a color display for displaying captured images to a user; an orientation sensor for generating orientation data; and an integral processor configured for: controlling operation of the image sensor and the color display; determining a landscape or portrait orientation of the camera device using the orientation data; decoding an imaged coding pattern printed on a substrate; and performing an action in the handheld electronic device based on the decoded coding pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 9237245
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an environmental contribution supporting apparatus provided for a system including a printing apparatus and an erasing apparatus includes a duplex-reduction calculating unit, an aggregation-reduction calculating unit, a sheet-reduction-ratio calculating unit, a printing-state-character selecting unit, a sheet-reuse-ratio calculating unit, a reuse-state-character selecting unit, a sheet-reduction-message selecting unit, a sheet-reuse-message selecting unit, an advice setting unit, and a report creating unit configured to edit a character selected by the printing-state-character selecting unit, a character selected by the reuse-state-character selecting unit, and a message set by the advice setting unit into a predetermined form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyo Tanaka, Yoshikatsu Kamisuwa, Tsunehiro Motegi
  • Patent number: 9237246
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first display unit that displays a video input on an operation and display unit, a second display unit that displays an input image that is superimposed on the video input displayed on the operation and display unit, and a captured image recording unit that records a captured image of the video input and the input image that are displayed on the operation and display unit. The second display unit erases the input image that is recorded when the captured image recording unit records the captured image of the input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Kemmochi, Atsuo Shimada
  • Patent number: 9237247
    Abstract: There is provided a communication device including: a touch screen display configured to detect an indicated position and to display a plurality of kinds of object; a controller configured to control the touch screen display to define at least one first area in the touch screen display, control the touch screen display to display a first object in the first area, execute a setting process of communication based on the indicated position in a case that the indicated position detected by the touch screen display is located in the first area; and control the touch screen display to display a second object, which is in relation to data obtained depending on execution or completion of the setting process of communication, in the first area, instead of the first object, in a case that execution of the setting process of communication is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Kasamatsu
  • Patent number: 9237248
    Abstract: An image reading device is movable between a first position and a second position spaced farther apart from an image forming device than the first position, and a regulating member configured to regulate respective positions of two cables maintains, when the image reading device is at the first position, the two cables, respectively, in a bent state in a direction away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichiro Osawa, Yu Shuhama
  • Patent number: 9237249
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a watermark adding section for adding a watermark for copy control to an image, where the watermark includes a dot pattern which becomes visible when copy, and a pattern adding section for adding a predetermined pattern to an appropriate position of an image, wherein the watermark adding section includes a watermark generating section for generating a watermark for copy control, where the watermark includes a dot pattern which becomes invisible when copy, a determining section for determining whether or not the pattern adding section adds the predetermined pattern to the image, when the generated watermark is added to the image, and a region setting section for setting a region where the predetermined pattern is to be appeared at a different portion where the dot pattern is added, when the determining section determines that the predetermined pattern is to be added to the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masakazu Ohira
  • Patent number: 9237250
    Abstract: A multifunction image processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a communications module, a scan subsystem, a print subsystem, and a digital signal processor (DSP) block. The communications module is used to communicate with a host computer to send and receive image data files. The scan subsystem is used to scan images. The print subsystem is used to print images. The DSP block includes at least two digital signal processors. The digital signal processors can be programmed to symmetrically multiprocess portions of an image data file to process it more quickly. Alternatively, digital signal processors can be programmed to simultaneously process the image data for the scan subsystem and image data for the print subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Marvell International Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: J. Daren Bledsoe, Gregory F. Carlson, Todd A. McClelland, Patrick A. McKinley
  • Patent number: 9237251
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus that is capable of reducing the garbling of characters caused by the difference among the character codes when setting data are transferred to another apparatus by the import-export function. A storage unit stores setting data for the data processing apparatus. A receiving unit receives an instruction for exporting the setting data stored in the storage unit. A converting unit converts Unicode data included in the setting data into character code data of language, which is set to the data processing apparatus. An export unit exports the character code data converted by the converting unit and the Unicode data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noritsugu Okayama
  • Patent number: 9237252
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of processing signals from a large-format scanner comprising a first and a second image sensor that provide respective image signals recorded at respective areas of a scanned medium, where a portion of the respective areas is recorded also by the other of the respective image sensors, whereby image data from overlapping and non-overlapping areas are present in the respective signals; the method comprising: determining a first and a second level of intensity from image signals from the first and the second image sensor at the overlapping area, respectively; determining a compensation value by processing the first level of intensity and the second level of intensity to determine a discrepancy between the level of intensities; applying compensation values to image data from overlapping and non-overlapping areas to provide compensated image data to compensate for a discrepancy between levels of intensity from the first and the second image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Contex A/S
    Inventor: Gerard Verhaegh
  • Patent number: 9237253
    Abstract: An ultraviolet image pattern and a gloss effect pattern are created on a recording medium having florescence properties and being a first color by electronically creating a first electronic pattern ink, the first electronic pattern ink including a second color, holes, and a first pattern, the holes representing areas in the first electronic pattern ink wherein the second color is absent; electronically creating a second electronic pattern ink, the second electronic pattern ink including the second color, holes, and the first pattern, the holes of the second electronic pattern ink representing areas in the second electronic pattern ink filled with a third color, the third color being equal to the first color; electronically creating an electronic image region having a background and a foreground; electronically painting, using the first electronic pattern ink, the background of the electronic image region; electronically painting, using the second electronic pattern ink, the foreground of the electronic image
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Edward N. Chapman, Kenneth R. Miller
  • Patent number: 9237254
    Abstract: This invention generates a high-quality image by controlling the superimposition relationship between dots to be printed in multi-pass printing by a printhead including a plurality of printing elements. When a yellow dot is printed after printing a cyan dot in one scan in multi-pass printing, image data serving as a processing target is generated as follows. In cyan and yellow halftone image data for each scan, halftone image data having dots at a common pixel are set to correspond to a scan in which yellow dot data precedes cyan dot data. A yellow dot is printed as a layer lower than a cyan dot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomokazu Yanai
  • Patent number: 9237255
    Abstract: Various embodiments for methods and systems for processing a document are disclosed. A font size associated with each of one or more text regions included in the document is determined. A first resolution of each of the one or more text regions is modified based on respective font size associated with each of the one or more text regions to generate a multi-resolution document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Sainarayanan Gopalkrishnan, Xing Li, Rajasekar Kanagasabai, Vignesh Doss, Clara Cuciurean-Zapan
  • Patent number: 9237256
    Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read the document being conveyed at a reading position, a white member disposed opposite to the reading position, a reference value determination unit configured to determine a reference value from an output value of the reading unit obtained when the reading unit reads the white member, a detection unit configured to detect a shadow generated by a leading edge of the document from the reference value and an output value of the reading unit obtained before the leading edge of the document is conveyed, a streak pixel position determination unit configured to determine a streak pixel position from an output value of the reading unit corresponding to a position of the document which is determined based on a detection result by the detection unit, and a correction unit configured to perform a streak correction based on the streak pixel position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeto Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9237257
    Abstract: A circuit for generating a digital image is described. The circuit comprises an image capture circuit; an edge mapping circuit coupled to the image capture circuit, the edge mapping circuit generating a mapping of edges in the image; and an edge enhancement circuit coupled to the edge mapping circuit. The edge enhancement circuit modifies aberrations in the image which are associated with an edge based upon a coefficient of a plurality of directional coefficients associated with an edge. A method of generating a digital image is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Gabor Szedo, Vanessa Y. Chou
  • Patent number: 9237258
    Abstract: A method for use with content includes analyzing a sequence of frames of the content, determining whether an area exists in a scene depicted by the sequence of frames where additional content such as advertising can be inserted without obstructing activity in the scene, for any such area, determining an amount of time that the area is available when the sequence of frames is being played, and for any such area, determining a size of the area. A storage medium storing a computer program for causing a processor based system to execute these steps and an apparatus for use with content are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventor: Gary M. Zalewski
  • Patent number: 9237259
    Abstract: In one system embodiment, an overlapped block processing module configured to provide three-dimensional (3D) denoising of plural frames corresponding to a raw video sequence; and a frame alignment module configured to represent the raw video sequence with motion compensated frames corresponding to the raw video sequence, the motion compensated frames consisting of the plural frames and fewer in quantity than the quantity of frames of the raw video sequence, the plural frames based on prior temporally matched frames corresponding to the raw video sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel W. Schoenblum, Larry S. McKinney, Kenneth W. Heinrich
  • Patent number: 9237260
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a photographic optical system, an image sensor, and an image processing unit. The system includes an aberration control element for generating a predetermined aberration. The system forms an optical image. The image sensor generates an image signal corresponding to the image. The processing unit processes the image signal to improve image characteristics degraded based on the predetermined aberration. The aberration control element, at a first spatial frequency less than a Nyquist frequency of the image sensor, sets a response of a system optical transfer function to a reducible maximum value. The aberration control element positions a field distance of a maximum pupil height of a spherical aberration curve of the system, and a field distance of an inflection point proximate to the maximum pupil height, on either a plus side or a minus side with respect to a field distance of the pupil height of zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke Hayashi