Patents Issued in March 28, 2017
  • Patent number: 9606718
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus comprises a touch detection unit which detects a touch operation on a display unit, a display control unit which controls to display a specific display item on the display unit, and a control unit which controls to execute a specific function in response to a touch operation as a touch at a position in a first area, at least a portion of which is included in a display area of the specific display item, and controls not to execute the specific function in response to a touch operation as a touch at a position in a second area, at least a portion of which is included in a display area of the specific display item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichiro Matsushima
  • Patent number: 9606719
    Abstract: In particular embodiments, a computing device provides for presentation to a user a first user interface, the first user interface including a plurality of interactive elements. The computing device receives first user input selecting one of the interactive elements. In response to the first user input, the computing device provides for presentation to the user an animation associated with the selected one of the interactive elements. The computing device receives second user input associated with the selected one of the interactive element and, in response to the second user input, provides for presentation to the user a second user interface, the second user interface being associated with the selected one of the interactive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Luu, William Joseph Flynn, III
  • Patent number: 9606720
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a preview of a digital photo album is provided. A representation of a digital photo album, which includes plural content items is displayed on an electronic device. An interaction associated with the displayed representation of the digital photo album is detected on the electronic device. A determination of whether the interaction corresponds to a gesture that is maintained for a first threshold distance is made. A preview of the digital photo album is provided for display in response to the determination, where the preview includes one or more of the plural content items included within the digital photo album.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ajmal Arshan Asver, Chandrashekar Raghavan, Denise K. Ho, Darwin Kengo Yamamoto, Aaron Schurman
  • Patent number: 9606721
    Abstract: A mobile terminal is provided a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to exemplary embodiments. The mobile terminal includes a main body that is configured to be wearable on a specific portion of a user's body, a sensing unit that is configured to sense whether or not the main body has been worn, and also sense a user gesture for deciding the worn position of the main body, and a controller that is configured to decide the worn position of the main body according to the sensed user gesture, and setting a user input for generating a first control command in a different manner based on the decided worn position. With the configuration, the main body may sense the worn position by itself so as to provide a user interface, which is more intuitive and convenient for the user, according to the sensed worn position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yonghahk Park, Younghan Kim, Mihyun Park, Gukchan Lim, Seonghyok Kim
  • Patent number: 9606722
    Abstract: A portable display terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes: a display unit configured to display an image and a mounting unit on which the display unit is mounted. The display unit includes a front display at a front surface of the display unit, and a first lateral display, a second lateral display, a third lateral display and a fourth lateral display at respective side surfaces of the display unit adjacent to the front display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hee Soo Yoo, Hyun Jae Lee, Mu Gyeom Kim
  • Patent number: 9606723
    Abstract: Systems for displaying information on an electronic device have a first touchscreen display and a second touchscreen display. As the user enters inputs on the first touchscreen display, the second touchscreen displays the results of the user's inputs on the first touchscreen display. Either touchscreen can be used as an input device. Display information generated by an application can be the same on both displays. Alternatively, the first and second displays comprise a single, larger screen. An single application can address the displays as distinct devices. A touchscreen display can be dedicated to a single application, or a single instance of an application such that the two displays can run different applications, or different instances of the same application. In conjunction with a wireless communications module, the electronic device can be used as a portable teleconferencing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventor: Mo Selim
  • Patent number: 9606724
    Abstract: A method of providing input to a program, such as a video game, that expects input from a mouse and keyboard is disclosed. A plurality of large virtual cells are created on a display, each cell corresponding either to a smaller graphical button displayed by the program or to one or more keystrokes that the program will accept as input. A controller capable of moving the cursor is used to move the cursor onto a virtual cell, and a controller button pressed. An instruction is sent to the program, in the format the program expects, to perform the command corresponding to the user's action. The large virtual cells allow a user to select a command rapidly using various controllers without having to locate the cursor on the small graphical buttons of the program, and are thus well suited to large displays located at some distance from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sixense Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Bellinghausen, Daniel K. Paullus, Scott L. Szyjewicz, Danny G. Woodall, Lup-Yen Peter Young
  • Patent number: 9606725
    Abstract: Collaborative overlay of user interface elements rendered on the display of a computing device, including: identifying, by an overlay management module, one or more active elements of a user interface for a first application; selecting, by the overlay management module, a location on a user interface for a second application to place one or more of the active elements of the user interface for the first application; and displaying, by the overlay management module, the one or more of the active elements of the user interface for the first application at the selected location on the user interface for the second application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary D. Cudak, Lydia M. Do, Christopher J. Hardee, Adam Roberts
  • Patent number: 9606726
    Abstract: A method of operating a display unit enhances functionality of one hand control and a terminal supports the same. The method of operating the input area, output on the display unit, includes: determining whether one-hand operation mode is set; and displaying a first input module in which a key map area is displayed to be biased to a specific direction based on a center of the display unit when the one-hand operation mode is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunyoung Park, Chungkyu Lee, Pillsun Song
  • Patent number: 9606727
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a user interface, which provides a keyboard layout, is provided. A display portion of a user interface apparatus displays a portion of a plurality of keys that are included in the keyboard layout, and provides individual input keys of at least a predetermined size inside a display area that is limited by not displaying the portion of the plurality of keys. The keys which are displayed on the display portion comprise a first input key, which is allocated to a first character, and a second input key, which is allocated to a second character that differs from the first character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventors: Yong Chang Seo, Jin Ho Seo
  • Patent number: 9606728
    Abstract: A method, computer-readable storage medium and computer system for controlling a storage system, the storage system comprising a plurality of logical storage volumes, the method comprising: monitoring, for each of the logical storage volumes, one or more load parameters; receiving, for each of the logical storage volumes, one or more load parameter threshold values; comparing, for each of the logical storage volumes, the first load parameter values of said logical storage volume with the corresponding one or more load parameter threshold values; in case at least one of the first load parameter values of one of the logical storage volumes violates the load parameter threshold value it is compared with, automatically executing a corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Bolik, Uwe Fiebrich-Kandler, Dietmar Noll
  • Patent number: 9606729
    Abstract: A translation system can translate a storage request to a physical address using fields as keys to traverse a map of nodes with node entries. A node entry can include a link to a next node or a physical address. Using a portion of the key as noted in node metadata, a node entry can be determined. When adding node entries to a node, a node utilization can exceed a threshold value. A new node can be created such that node entries are split between the original and new node. Node metadata of the parent node, new node and original node can be revised to identify which parts of the key are used to identify a node entry. When removing node entries from a node, node utilization can cross a minimum threshold value. Node entries from the node can be merged with a sibling, or the map can be rebalanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Skyera, LLC
    Inventors: Radoslav Danilak, Ladislav Steffko, Qi Wu
  • Patent number: 9606730
    Abstract: A program method for a memory system including a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory having multi-level memory cells and a random access memory. The method uses the random access memory to variously store selected bits of multi-bit data during the programming of a row of memory cells in the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Hei Jun, Donghun Kwak
  • Patent number: 9606731
    Abstract: A program method for a memory system including a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory having multi-level memory cells and a random access memory. The method uses the random access memory to variously store selected bits of multi-bit data during the programming of a row of memory cells in the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Hei Jun, Donghun Kwak
  • Patent number: 9606732
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product to verify serialization of storage frames within an address space via multi-threaded programs is described. The method includes dynamically scaling a number of units of work based on a number of available processors, each of the units of work configured to execute actions, and dynamically scaling an amount and page size of virtual storage accessed by each of the units of work based on a total available memory. The method also includes obtaining, at each of the units of work, different types of storage pages and accessing storage pages corresponding with the respective different types of virtual storage pages associated with the different frame sizes and attributes and performing a respective action, and verifying, for each of the units of work performing the respective action, a state and data content of the storage pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alfred F. Foster, Charles E. Mari, Robert Miller, Jr., Harris M. Morgenstern, Thomas F. Rankin, Elpida Tzortzatos
  • Patent number: 9606733
    Abstract: A data storage device includes a FLASH memory and a controller. The FLASH memory includes a plurality of blocks wherein each of the blocks includes a plurality of pages. The controller is coupled to the FLASH memory and utilized to execute a garbage-collection process on the FLASH memory according to a number of spare blocks in the FLASH memory and a number of inefficient blocks where most of the pages are spare in the FLASH memory. The garbage-collection process is utilized for merging at least two inefficient blocks to release at least one spare block from the inefficient blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Shen-Ting Chiu
  • Patent number: 9606734
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided in an array controller of a two-level hierarchical log structured array architecture for a non-volatile memory array for coordinated garbage collection. The two-level hierarchical log structured array (LSA) architecture comprises an array-level LSA in the array controller and a node-level LSA in each node of the non-volatile memory array. The array controller maintains host logical block address (LBA) to node LBA mapping in an array controller connected to a plurality of nodes. A host data processing system issues access requests to host LBA. The mapping maps the host LBA space to a node LBA space of a plurality of nodes. The mechanism makes overprovisioned space in the node LBA space of the plurality of nodes available to the array-level LSA. The mechanism adds additional overprovisioned space at each node LBA space. The array controller initiates array-level garbage collection at the array-level LSA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nikolas Ioannou, Ioannis Koltsidas, Roman A. Pletka, Andrew D. Walls
  • Patent number: 9606735
    Abstract: An operational management server manages a storage device that includes a plurality of types of disks having different performances. A setting unit sets a target value of a performance to a volume produced by using the different types of the disks. An allocation rate management unit determines allocation rates of the respective types of the disks included in the volume on the basis of the target value set by the setting unit, and instructs the storage device to reproduce the volume in accordance with the determined allocation rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Shinya Hamano, Toshiharu Makida, Kiyoshi Sugioka, Motohiro Sakai
  • Patent number: 9606736
    Abstract: A storage system is proposed which comprises a data storage device including a number N of removable storage media for storing data, with N?2, and a number m of drives, with m?1, wherein each of the m drives is configured to drive one of the removable storage media mounted to the drive. The storage system includes a server being coupled to the data storage device and configured to serve requests from clients, and a controller which is configured to control the data storage device to adaptively unmount the removable storage media based on a monitoring information of the requests at the data storage device, states of the drives, and states of the removable storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ilias Iliadis, Jens Jelitto, Yusik Kim, Slavisa Sarafijanovic, Vinodh Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 9606737
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and/or devices are used to implement variable bit encoding per NAND flash cell to extend life of flash-based storage devices and preserve over-provisioning. In some embodiments, the method includes detecting a trigger condition with respect to one or more non-volatile memory portions (e.g., portions configured to store data encoded in a first encoding format and having a first storage density) of a plurality of non-volatile memory portions of a storage device. In response to detecting the trigger condition and in accordance with a first determination that a projected amount of over-provisioning (e.g., corresponding to over-provisioning for the storage device after reconfiguring the one or more non-volatile memory portions to store data encoded in a second encoding format and having a second storage density) meets predefined over-provisioning criteria, the method includes reconfiguring the one or more non-volatile memory portions to store data encoded in the second encoding format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Navneeth Kankani, Linh Tien Truong
  • Patent number: 9606738
    Abstract: A memory system according to the present embodiment includes a memory controller including a first data bus and a first address bus. A memory part includes a second data bus and a second address bus. A bridge part is capable of receiving an address from the memory controller via the first data bus, and outputs the address via the first address bus to the memory part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Eguchi, Jin Kashiwagi, Hideaki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9606739
    Abstract: Ordering data writes includes at least some of a group of local storage devices receiving a first plurality of data writes, waiting for all of the local storage devices to be ready to switch cycles and causing a coordinated and synchronized cycle switch after all of the local storage devices are ready to switch cycles by sending a first command to each of the local storage devices where the first plurality of data writes are associated with a particular cycle on each local storage device in the group. Ordering data writes also includes at least some of the group of local storage devices receiving a second plurality of writes after initiating the coordinated and synchronized cycle switch where all of the second plurality of writes are associated with a cycle different from the particular cycle on each local storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Douglas E. LeCrone, Kevin C. Heasley, Vadim Longinov, Mark J. Halstead, David Meiri, Benjamin Yoder, William P. Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 9606740
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for synchronizing data written to tape with improved data recovery. When writing data to tape, an index is kept in memory and updated to reflect change(s) to a file system mounted on tape. After a predetermined amount of data is written to a tape, a device may perform a sync operation, causing the index to be written into a data partition of the tape. If the sync operation is successful, the index in the index partition of the tape can be updated using a copy of the index in the data partition of the tape next time the tape is mounted. If the sync operation is not successful, the device may write the data to a different location on the same or another tape, update the index, and force another sync operation. This process can be repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: KIP CR P1 LP
    Inventors: Andrew Glen Klein, Robert C. Sims, William H. Moody, II
  • Patent number: 9606741
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the disclosure, methods, systems and computer program products for memory power management and data consolidation are disclosed. The method may include selecting a first real memory portion and a second real memory portion from a plurality of real memory portions coupled to a memory controller in a computer system by a memory bus. The first real memory portion may be connected to a first buffer and the second real memory portion may be connected to a second buffer. The first and second real memory portions may be selected by the memory controller. The method may include migrating data from the first real memory portion to the second real memory portion on a migration bus through the first and second buffers. The method may also include placing the first real memory portion into a reduced power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Diyanesh B. Chinnakkonda Vidyapoornachary, Edgar R. Cordero, Anand Haridass, Arun Joseph
  • Patent number: 9606742
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with conserving power using variable width pulses to activate word lines are described. In one embodiment, a memory device embedded within a processor. The memory device includes a pulse shaper to generate a first timing delay and a second timing delay according to power state information. The power state information indicates a current operating state of the processor. The memory device includes a memory controller to generate, in response to receiving a request to access one or more memory cells of the memory device, a word line enable signal that activates the one or more memory cells according to the first timing delay, the second timing delay, and a clock signal by generating the word line enable signal with a pulse width that is variable to conserve power when the state information indicates the processor is in a power saving state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hoyeol Cho, Jinho Kwack, Jilong Shan
  • Patent number: 9606743
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device that can reduce power consumption includes plural memory banks containing nonvolatile plural memory cells. A common data bus is shared by plural memory banks and transmits the data of the memory cells. The plural switches are provided respectively between the electric source and plural memory banks. A controller controls the plural switches. The controller, in the data reading-out action or the data writing-in action, makes at least one of the switches corresponding to at least one of the memory banks accessible in a conduction state, and other switches in a non-conduction state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Ryousuke Takizawa
  • Patent number: 9606744
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided, in a storage system controller of a storage system, for writing data to a storage medium. The storage system controller receives a write request to write a block of data to the storage medium. The write request does not specify a location on the storage medium to which to write the block of data. The storage system controller determines a current position of a write mechanism of the storage system relative to the storage medium and determines a location on the storage medium to write the block of data based on the current position of the write mechanism. The storage system controller sends a notification to a host system identifying the location of the block of data on the storage medium as determined by the storage system controller. The writing mechanism writes the block of data to the determined location on the storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Shiratori
  • Patent number: 9606745
    Abstract: In conventional unified storage systems, an I/O for block storage and an I/O for file storage are processed in a single OS without being distinguished, so that it was not possible to perform processes for speedy failure detection or for enhancing performances such as tuning of performance by directly monitoring hardware. The present invention solves the problem by having a block storage-side OS and an OS group managing multiple systems including a file system other than the block storage-side OS coexist within a storage system, wherein the OS group managing multiple systems including a file system other than the block storage-side OS is virtualized by a hypervisor, wherein a block storage micro-controller and the hypervisor can cooperate in performing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ai Satoyama, Yoshiaki Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9606746
    Abstract: A shiftable memory supporting in-memory data structures employs built-in data shifting capability. The shiftable memory includes a memory having built-in shifting capability to shift a contiguous subset of data from a first location to a second location within the memory. The shiftable memory further includes a data structure defined on the memory to contain data comprising the contiguous subset. The built-in shifting capability of the memory to facilitate one or more of movement of the data, insertion of the data and deletion of the data within the data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Goetz Graefe, Terence P. Kelly, Harumi Kuno, Robert E. Tarjan
  • Patent number: 9606747
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for importing pre-existing data into a storage system utilizing a current storage management system that is different from an original storage management system used to create the pre-existing data. One or more data storage devices are integrated into the storage system in-place without modification of the pre-existing data stored on the one or more data storage devices. Metadata for the pre-existing data is created based on a linear progression of data in the pre-existing data. Read access requests targeting the pre-existing data are executed using the created metadata. Write access requests targeting the pre-existing data are executed by redirecting the write access requests to a copy of the pre-existing data created in another storage location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Janet E. Adkins, David J. Craft, Thomas S. Mathews, Frank L. Nichols, III
  • Patent number: 9606748
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for importing pre-existing data into a storage system utilizing a current storage management system that is different from an original storage management system used to create the pre-existing data. One or more data storage devices are integrated into the storage system in-place without modification of the pre-existing data stored on the one or more data storage devices. Metadata for the pre-existing data is created based on a linear progression of data in the pre-existing data. Read access requests targeting the pre-existing data are executed using the created metadata. Write access requests targeting the pre-existing data are executed by redirecting the write access requests to a copy of the pre-existing data created in another storage location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Janet E. Adkins, David J. Craft, Thomas S. Mathews, Frank L. Nichols, III
  • Patent number: 9606749
    Abstract: A first metadata object identifying a set of disk locations which have been written to since a previous consistency group is maintained. Backup data for the consistency group is written. Writing backup data for the consistency group includes identifying a disk location from the set of disk locations, generating a record containing the disk location, data stored at the disk location, and a consistency group value identifying the consistency group, writing the record to a record location in tape storage, and modifying a second metadata object to indicate that the record location contains the record. Records written to tape storage can be used to restore data to disk storage for a given consistency group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua J. Crawford, Paul A. Jennas, II, Jason L. Peipelman, Matthew J. Ward
  • Patent number: 9606750
    Abstract: A method of storing data in a distributed manner based on data compression ratio prediction, and a mass storage device and system using the method are disclosed. The device includes a compression ratio predicting unit, a compressing unit, and a control unit. When an address and first unit sized data are received, the compression ratio predicting unit estimates the predicted compression ratio of the first unit sized data. The compressing unit generates compressed data. The control unit calculates the benefit of compression based on at least the estimated predicted compression ratio, stores the compressed data in a first storage area if the calculated benefit of compression is higher than a predetermined benefit threshold value, and stores the first unit sized data in the second storage area if the calculated benefit of compression is equal to or lower than the predetermined benefit threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Research and Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Eui Seong Seo, Bon Keun Seo, Hyeon Hwa Kim
  • Patent number: 9606751
    Abstract: This image forming apparatus accepts a reservation for itself from a terminal device communicably connected to the image forming apparatus via a network. Upon receiving a reservation containing a reservation time from the terminal device of a user, who is a reserving user, a reservation unit determines whether the current time is the reservation time. If it is determined that the current time is the reservation time, a prohibiting unit prohibits other users from using the image forming apparatus with the satisfaction of predetermined conditions, including a condition that the terminal device of the reserving user has approached the image forming apparatus. A prohibition removing unit determines whether a user approaching the image forming apparatus is the reserving user after the use of the image forming apparatus is prohibited, and removes the prohibition on the use of the image forming apparatus if the user is the reserving user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Yukio Shibata
  • Patent number: 9606752
    Abstract: A printing control apparatus includes a display unit to display a preview screen of a document to print, a control unit to extract objects included in the document displayed on the preview screen and individually set a printing option corresponding to an object selected by a user from among the extracted objects, and a printing data generation unit to generate printing data corresponding to the set printing option and to spool the printing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo-chul Shin, Jun-young Choi, Seung-wan Lee
  • Patent number: 9606753
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus starts processing for downloading first print data based on a first print setting from an external apparatus. If a change from the first print setting to a second print setting is received and if second print data based on the second print setting needs to be downloaded from the external apparatus, the data processing apparatus stops the processing for downloading the first print data, starts processing for downloading the second print data from the external apparatus, and then transmits a print job based on the second print data to a printing apparatus. If the second print data does not need to be acquired from the external apparatus, the data processing apparatus transmits a print job based on the first print data and the second print setting to the printing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Itami
  • Patent number: 9606754
    Abstract: A PC to which a print image generation device according to the invention is applied includes: an acquisition unit which acquires image data of a photographed image and image information recorded with the image data; a conversion unit which converts the acquired image information into text information; an input unit which inputs input information including a title of the photographed image; a print image generation unit which generates a print image for printing the converted text information and the inputted input information, on a print medium for label; and a print instruction unit which gives a print instruction on the print image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tsunenobu Endo, Taisuke Okawa
  • Patent number: 9606755
    Abstract: A portable terminal apparatus comprising: a display for a remote screen of the image processing apparatus; an acquisition portion for acquiring information indicating whether an area in the remote screen is a first area which is set for editorial processing by the portable terminal apparatus or a second area which is set for editorial processing by the image processing apparatus; a determination portion for determining whether a gesture operation is an operation performed on the first area or on the second area; and a control portion for performing the editorial processing with screen data of the first area if the operation was performed on the first area, and for transmitting information instructing the image processing apparatus to perform the editorial processing of screen data of the second area and acquiring the editorial processed screen data, if the operation was performed on the second image area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenya Haba
  • Patent number: 9606756
    Abstract: A printing unit comprises: a communication unit configured to be connected to a communication line to which a plurality of print data transmission devices are connectable; a memory unit configured to store print data received by the communication unit; a printing unit including a roller mechanism for sending recording paper and being configured to drive a printing mechanism based on the print data stored in the memory unit to print on the recording paper; and a control unit configured to determine, in response to receiving a connection request from a first print data transmission device by the communication unit, whether or not the printing apparatus is connected to another print data transmission device for communication, cause the communication unit to send as a reply a first response for causing the first print data transmission device to wait to start transmission of print data when the printing apparatus is connected to the another print data transmission device for communication, and cause the communica
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Ryuichi Oka
  • Patent number: 9606757
    Abstract: A controller of a management device managing a plurality of image processing apparatuses acquires ability information and device identification information from the respective image processing apparatuses; determines, based on the ability information of the respective image processing apparatuses, as an in-charge device any one of the respective image processing apparatuses for each of a plurality of protocols predetermined; for the respective protocols, causes the in-charge device determined for the protocol to respond to a packet by multicast of the protocol on behalf of the respective image processing apparatuses; and causes one or more image processing apparatuses other than the in-charge device determined for the protocol to refrain from responding to a packet by multicast of the protocol. The respective image processing apparatuses respond to a packet by multicast of the protocol if the apparatus itself is determined the in-charge device for the protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Masami Yamada, Kazumi Sawayanagi, Hisashi Uchida, Kazuya Anezaki, Akihiro Torigoshi, Yasutaka Ito
  • Patent number: 9606758
    Abstract: A system and method of connecting a computer to a printer which reduces the number of hardware printing devices. An example method includes determining that a virtual printer is available for use, broadcasting over a network that the peripheral is available for use, receiving a request from the first computer through a web service to connect to the virtual printer, mapping the virtual printer to the first computer, and sending information to the first computer through the web service to facilitate connection by the first computer to the virtual printer through the second computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Mitchell Chandler
  • Patent number: 9606759
    Abstract: A printer includes an authenticator that authenticates a login of a user, a prohibited job memory that stores a prohibition information list, a prohibition list register that loads job information on a print job from a storage medium installed in the printer and stores the job information in the prohibited job memory as the prohibition information list in [1] a case where a preset time has elapsed from the user's last operation or [2] a case where the storage medium is still installed in the printer at a user's logoff request, and a controller. In loading a print job from a storage medium installed in the printer, the controller prohibits a print process of the print job loaded from the storage medium when job information of the print job loaded from the storage medium corresponds with the job information contained in the prohibition information list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Hamayama
  • Patent number: 9606760
    Abstract: The print request of a print job issued from an information processing apparatus via a wide area network is received. Print job information issued from the information processing apparatus via a local area network is received. The storage destinations of the print request of the print job and the print job information are controlled in the issuing order of the print request of the print job and the print job information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9606761
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that performs control to write data requested to be output by a user to a predetermined file via a port monitor as a function of first output control software installed in an operating system, acquires the data written to the predetermined file, and performs output control on the acquired data to an external system on a network as a function of second output control software downloaded from an application management server and installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroaki Nakata
  • Patent number: 9606762
    Abstract: A computer-readable recording device may store a computer program including instructions for causing a computer of a mobile device to operate as: (1) a first storing controlling module that causes a storing unit to store one or more first information for identifying one or more candidate devices, the one or more first information being received from a wireless network by a communication unit, (2) a sending controlling module that selects one candidate device as a temporarily selected candidate device from among the one or more candidate devices identified by the one or more first information, and controls the communication unit such that the communication unit sends a first instruction to the temporarily selected candidate device, and (3) a communication controlling module that controls the communication unit such that the communication unit communicates with the temporarily selected candidate device in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Minoru Oishi
  • Patent number: 9606763
    Abstract: A folding electronic device is disclosed. The folding electronic device includes a first flexible display, a second flexible display, a hinge mechanism and an image data generation unit. The first flexible display, which includes a first pixel matrix disposed at a first primary flat part and at a first bending part, enables a user to observe light beams emitted from the first primary flat part and the first bending part that bends to define a first inner side face in a front view direction. The second flexible display, which includes a second pixel matrix disposed at a second primary flat part and a second bending part, enables said user to observe light beams emitted from the second primary flat part and the second bending part that bends to define a second inner side face in the front view direction. The first flexible display is connected to the second flexible display via the hinge mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Yasumichi Tsukamoto, Moriyuki Tsuchihashi
  • Patent number: 9606764
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the inventions, a display system is disclosed for manipulation of images on tiled displays. The display system can include at least one discrete display device and a control module configured to allow a user to move a graphical representation of an image to a plurality of positions on the at least one discrete display device to thereby define a requested position. The control module can be configured to determine a difference between the requested position and a plurality of predetermined positions on the at least one discrete display device. The control module can also be configured to move and/or stretch the image toward one of the predetermined positions based on the determination of the determined difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hiperwall, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Jenks, Sung-Jin Kim, Jeff Greenberg
  • Patent number: 9606765
    Abstract: Audio data are played back by a personal computer a relationship with a playback process recognized easily. Displays showing the contents of play lists are arranged and displayed so that the contents become continuous in sequence in a playback sequence from content that is currently being played back from a display of an operation element that causes an image of a playback process to appear or from a display showing the content which is currently being played back. When the playback of one piece of content of one play list from among a plurality of play lists is terminated and one piece of content of an other play list is played back, at least the content that is currently being played back and content to be subsequently played back are displayed so that the contents can be distinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Junichiro Sakata
  • Patent number: 9606766
    Abstract: An approach is described for creating an audio file sample based upon user preferences. An associated method may include detecting selection of an audio file by a user, wherein the selection of the audio file occurs via a communications network and indexing the audio file to create a plurality of indexed segments based upon audio analysis. The method further may include selecting at least one segment among the plurality of indexed segments based upon a profile of the user and incorporating the at least one selected segment into an audio sample having a designated length. Indexing the audio file to create a plurality of indexed segments based upon audio analysis may include, for each audio characteristic among a plurality of designated audio characteristics, creating from the audio file at least one indexed segment corresponding to the audio characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Al Chakra, John A. Feller, Trudy L. Hewitt, Francesco C. Schembari
  • Patent number: 9606767
    Abstract: The technology of the present application provides a method and apparatus to manage speech resources. The method includes detecting a change in a speech application that requires the use of different resources. On detection of the change, the method loads the different resources without the user needing to exit the currently executing speech application. The apparatus provides a switch (which could be a physical or virtual switch) that causes a speech recognition system to identify audio as either commands or text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NVOQ INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Charles Corfield