Patents Issued in May 12, 2020
  • Patent number: 10649687
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory buffer management and bypass are described. Data corresponding to a page size of a memory array may be received at a virtual memory bank of a memory device, and a value of a counter associated with the virtual memory bank may be incremented. Upon determining that a value of the counter has reached a threshold value, the data may be communicated from the virtual memory bank to a buffer of the same memory device. For instance, the counter may be incremented based on the virtual memory bank receiving an access command from a host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Nasry Hasbun, Dean D. Gans, Sharookh Daruwalla
  • Patent number: 10649688
    Abstract: A processor includes a memory subsystem having a first memory subunit that includes a status register and an execution engine unit coupled to the memory subsystem. The execution engine unit is to: randomly select a load operation to monitor; determine a re-order buffer identifier of the load operation; and transmit the re-order buffer identifier to the memory subsystem. Responsive to receipt of the re-order buffer identifier, the first memory subunit stores a piece of information, related to a status of the load operation, in the status register. Responsive to detection of retirement of the load operation, the first memory subunit is to store the piece of information from the status register into a particular field of a record of a memory buffer, wherein the particular field is associated with the first memory subunit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmad Yasin, Michael Chynoweth, Rajshree Chabukswar, Muhammad Taher
  • Patent number: 10649689
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a semiconductor memory. The semiconductor memory includes a first variable resistance element, a first switching element coupled to the first variable resistance element via a first line, a second variable resistance element, and a second switching element coupled to the second variable resistance element via a second line, wherein a distance between the first switching element and the first variable resistance element is larger than a distance between the second switching element and the second variable resistance element, and wherein a second path from a first terminal of the second switching element to the second variable resistance element includes a resistance component, a resistance of the second path being greater than a resistance of a first path, the first path being from a first terminal of the first switching element to the first variable resistance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Nam-Kyun Park
  • Patent number: 10649690
    Abstract: In an example, there is disclosed a memory controller, including: a data buffer to drive a determinate value to a data bus to communicatively couple to a memory; and a register clock driver to: receive a memory initialization command from a processor; and incrementally step through a plurality of initialization addresses, sequentially driving each initialization address to an address bus to communicatively couple to the memory. There is also disclosed a computing device comprising the memory controller, and a method of initializing memory comprising incrementally stepping through a plurality of initialization addresses and sequentially writing a determinate value to each address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mohan J. Kumar, George Vergis, Sarathy Jayakumar
  • Patent number: 10649691
    Abstract: An example of storage system obtains a reference request of a reference request data block that is included in the content and is stored in the medium area. The storage system determines a number of gaps among addresses, in the medium area, of a plurality of data blocks continuous in the content including the reference request data block. The storage system determines, based on the number of gaps, whether or not defrag based on the plurality of data blocks is valid. The storage system writes, when the defrag is determined to be valid, the plurality of data blocks read from the medium area to the memory area, into continuous address areas of the medium area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Hayasaka, Ken Nomura, Keiichi Matsuzawa, Hitoshi Kamei
  • Patent number: 10649692
    Abstract: A method of operating a storage device includes receiving a write task from a host device. The method also includes storing the write task in a task queue included in the storage device. A write execution command is received from the host device. The method includes executing the write task in response to the write execution command and performing an internal management operation of the storage device after the write task is stored in the task queue and before the write execution command is received. The response time of the storage device to the write execution command is reduced and performance of the system is enhanced by performing the internal management operation such as the data backup operation during the queuing stage and the ready stage in advance before receiving the write execution command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Chul Park, Jun-Ho Ahn, Bong-Gwan Seol
  • Patent number: 10649693
    Abstract: A hard disk device accepts logical block addresses (LBAs) from a host. The hard disk device includes a disk having a plurality of physical sectors from which data is read and to which data is written, and a processor configured to perform read and write operations on the disk in response to read and write commands from the host that designate LBAs. The processor, in response to a request for initialization, does not perform any write operations on the disk, and generates a new mapping of LBAs to the physical sectors for a current generation based on unusable sectors detected during a previous generation, and tracks differences in correspondence between LBAs and the physical sectors between the current generation and the previous generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Kondo, Kana Furuhashi
  • Patent number: 10649694
    Abstract: A management device is configured to control reading and writing of data as performed by a processing circuit with respect to a nonvolatile memory. The management device includes circuitry configured to: in response to a request from the processing circuit, perform writing or reading with respect to the nonvolatile memory; in response to writing with respect to the nonvolatile memory, update a table indicating a rewriting count for each area in the nonvolatile memory; detect writing having a high degree of locality representing rewriting operation performed to an extent equal to or greater than a reference value, with respect to the same area in the nonvolatile memory by refer to the table; and identify an area under attack in which the writing having the high degree of locality is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yusuke Shirota, Tatsunori Kanai
  • Patent number: 10649695
    Abstract: A command processing method and a storage controller are provided. The command processing method includes: receiving multiple read-modify-write (RMW) commands by a command processing pool of the storage controller, wherein each of the RMW commands includes a read command and a write command in pairs; locking a queue by the command processing pool and transmitting a pending first read command of the RMW commands in the command processing pool to the queue; when a second read command paired with a second write command of the RMW commands is pending, not locking the queue by the command processing pool and not transmitting the second write command to the queue; and when a third read command paired with a third write command of the RMW commands is not pending, locking the queue by the command processing pool and transmitting the third write command to the queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Shenzhen EpoStar Electronics Limited CO.
    Inventor: Shih-Tien Liao
  • Patent number: 10649696
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for an application to provide for, in one embodiment, using hierarchical storage management to respond to a request to delete a data set by migrating the data set to another storage tier in a storage system before deleting the data set from its current location. As a result, the data set is stored on another tier to provide an opportunity to reverse the decision to delete the data set. In one embodiment, a temporary interval of time is provided to reverse the deletion decision and restore the data set from the migrated data set, before the data set is permanently deleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Derek L. Erdmann, Franklin E. McCune, Miguel A. Perez
  • Patent number: 10649697
    Abstract: An information providing system and method, including a computer, for providing time taken to read a file, which includes an acquisition unit. The acquisition unit obtains information on a recording position of a file when the file is recorded in a storage device. A recording unit writes information on the obtained recording position to an index referred to access the file. A calculation unit calculates time taken to read the file using the information on the recording position written to the index in response to a request to obtain the time taken to read the file, and providing the calculated time to a requester that requests the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Hasegawa, Hiroshi Itagaki, Shinsuke Mitsuma, Terue Watanabe, Noriko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10649698
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of networks, includes: a plurality of device drivers each of which is receives a packet from each of the networks; and circuitry determines a network to which a transmission source device of the packet belongs based on information indicating which of the device drivers has received the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Ejima
  • Patent number: 10649699
    Abstract: A non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable setting control program operating on an apparatus that corrects a print job, causes the apparatus to perform: by reading previously-registered setting information of the print job, displaying a setting value of each of items in a correctable manner; saving, in a storage, when a setting value of any one of the items is corrected, an uncorrected setting value of the item; and by classifying the items of the print job into a first item a setting value of which has not been corrected and a second item a setting value of which has been corrected, registering, in a database in a distinguishable manner, a set of the first item and the setting value of the first item and a set of the second item and an uncorrected setting value of the second item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Takashi Ajioka
  • Patent number: 10649700
    Abstract: An image generation-output control apparatus for controlling an image generation and output operation based on an instruction received from a server in an image processing system. The server includes a first memory to store first image processing data applicable to an image processing for outputting a target image, first circuitry to generate first image drawing information based on output target image information and the first image processing data when performing an image forming operation. The image generation-output control apparatus includes second circuitry, having one or more capabilities compatible with one or more capabilities of the first circuitry of the server. The second circuitry generates second image drawing information based on the output target image information and the first image processing data acquired from the server, and instructs an image forming apparatus to perform an image forming operation based on the generated second image drawing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Takuya Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 10649701
    Abstract: In an image processing system, a mobile terminal device obtains a position and a direction of each image forming apparatus relative to the mobile terminal device on a basis of respective wireless signals transmitted from each of the image forming apparatuses and is received by a near field communication unit, and displays on a display unit the position and the direction. When an arbitrary image forming apparatus is selected by operation of a touch panel, image data to be printed is transmitted via a network by a network communication section to the selected image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masayuki Shigetomi
  • Patent number: 10649702
    Abstract: A toner container installable in an image forming device having a controller according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A chip is positioned on the housing and configured to, after sending a first busy response to the controller of the image forming device, receive a second write command from the controller of the image forming device that is abbreviated relative to a first write command received from the controller of the image forming device and that requests the chip to send a response to the first write command. The chip is further configured to send a response to the first write command to the controller of the image forming device if upon receiving a read command corresponding to the second write command the chip has completed processing the first write command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Nathan Wayne Foley, Jennifer Topmiller Williams, Gregory Scott Woods, Jimmy Daniel Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10649703
    Abstract: A printing control apparatus suppresses information leaking due to a print job being printed when the user is not at the printer. A printing control apparatus that connects to a terminal and a printer has: a communicator configured to receive from the terminal a specified-printer job, which is a print job for which the printer is designated as a print destination; and a controller. If the specified-printer job is not confidential, the controller sends print data based on the specified-printer job to a specified printer, which is the printer designated as the print destination in the specified-printer job. If the specified-printer job is confidential, the controller receives authentication information input to the printer from the printer and executes an authentication process based on the authentication information, and sends the print data to an authenticated printer according to a result of the authentication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Tadachi, Takeshi Okamoto, Hiromu Okada, Hirofumi Miyamoto, Kaoru Takemae
  • Patent number: 10649704
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for formatting a label are provided. An example method includes receiving data, a first portion of the data being encoded in a first encoding scheme; defining, via a processor, a first field block based on first text layout information received in association with a first field block command, the first field block for rendering text on a label; and formatting, via the processor, the first portion of the data within the first field block according to a first text display direction received in association with a first field parameter command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John Fay, Jessica Wettstein, Cabel Sholdt, Ferdinand C. Susi, III
  • Patent number: 10649705
    Abstract: When the type of PDL data is switched, a resource that is already developed cannot be used. A memory control apparatus configured to process received PDL data includes a developing unit configured to develop the received PDL data in a first memory area, and develop a resource to be used by the PDL data in a second memory area, a determination unit configured to determine whether stored activation information is a first value or a second value, and a control unit configured to perform control for releasing the first memory area and deleting the resource developed in the second memory area, in a case where the activation information is determined to be the first value, and configured to release the first memory area and not deleting the resource developed in the second memory area, in a case where the activation information is determined to be the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Sonogi
  • Patent number: 10649706
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a virtual label display process program for executing steps. The steps include a composite image generating step, a composite image output step, a determining step, and a notifying step. In the composite image generating step, a real image data of a desired field of view and a virtual image data of a label are combined. In the composite image output step, a composite image data is output to a display device, and a virtual image of the label on the display device is superimposed and displayed. In the determining step, it is determined whether a desired suitability is satisfied between an exterior appearance of a background object and an exterior appearance of the label based on the real image data and the virtual image data. In the notifying step, a predetermined suitability notification is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Feng Zhu, Keigo Kako
  • Patent number: 10649707
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that are executable by a computer in an information processing apparatus connected with a printer, is provided. The computer readable instructions cause the computer to obtain a type of an object contained in an image file, determine whether the obtained type of the object falls under a first type, and based on a determination that the obtained type of the object falls under the first type, determine a combination of applicable options for a print setting for the image file to be a first option group, and based on a determination that the obtained type of the object falls under a second type, determine a combination of applicable options for the print setting for the image file to be a second option group containing a smaller number of applicable options than the first option group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Aiko Mizutani
  • Patent number: 10649708
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products directed to the multi-mode delivery of documents are provided. Example embodiments implement the transformation and delivery of data objects for use in connection with parallel delivery topologies and pathways to overcome technical challenges associated with the accuracy, reliability, scalability, and efficiency of conventional document delivery approaches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Paymentus Corporation
    Inventor: Dushyant Sharma
  • Patent number: 10649709
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for managing a print job in a virtual environment. The described technique includes associating a physical printer with a chosen virtual printer which may be used by the user in the remote application to execute. A remote application server can receive from a remote application a request to choose a virtual printer in a remote session established between the client device and a remote application server. A tag associated with the print job that indicates one or more parameters of the virtual printer is determined, as well as a location of the client device. The technique includes selecting a physical printer from a plurality of available printers in the remote session based on the determined location and the determined tag of the virtual printer. An association with the virtual printer is generated and saved, and may be used for a subsequent print job.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: PARALLELS INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Khalyapin, Serguei M. Beloussov, Nikolay Dobrovolskiy
  • Patent number: 10649710
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for simulating context-dependent electronic content on a separate digital sign. A user creates context-dependent electronic content for a separate digital sign, and associates the electronic content with context rules for displaying the content. The context-dependent electronic content is then displayed on a digital sign, such as in a normal display mode. To simulate the electronic content, a user selects simulation parameters for the simulation. An electronic content management system then configures the simulation parameters into a simulation protocol. When the simulation protocol is executed at the digital sign, digital sign displays the electronic content based on the simulation protocol, irrespective of the context associated with the sign. The simulation can continue, for example, until the user terminates the simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Adobe Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Capt, Julien Ramboz, Tobias Bocanegra, Damien Antipa
  • Patent number: 10649711
    Abstract: A method of switching display of a terminal and a terminal are disclosed. The method of switching display includes: obtaining a display mode of the terminal selected by a user, herein the terminal includes a first display screen and a second display screen; determining a display way of an output object on the first display screen and the second display screen according to the display mode selected by the user; and displaying the output object on at least one of the first display screen and the second display screen according to the determined display way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bin Wang
  • Patent number: 10649712
    Abstract: A display device operation method according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: operating in a twin mode in which a merge screen obtained by merging a first screen of the display device and a second screen of another display device connected to the display device can be used by linking a plurality of display devices including the display device; displaying a pointer on the first screen; acquiring a user input for the displayed pointer; and performing an operation corresponding to the acquired user input through one or more of the plurality of display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeonghwan Hwang, Hojun Nam, Woojin Jeong, Jaekyung Lee
  • Patent number: 10649713
    Abstract: In some examples, a stylus determines that an end cap was removed from an end of the stylus and notifies a computing device. In response, the computing device initiates a calibration process that includes displaying a pattern on a first display device of the computing device. The stylus gathers first data when the end of the stylus traces the pattern and sends the first data to the computing device. The computing device stops displaying the pattern on the first display device and begins displaying the pattern on a second display device of the computing device. The stylus gathers second data when the end of the stylus traces the pattern and sends the second data to the computing device. The computing device uses the first data and the second data to calibrate the first display device and the second display device to reduce perceived color and intensity differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Yung Chun Liu, Jace W. Files, Gerald Rene Pelissier
  • Patent number: 10649714
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a data output method may include: receiving unit-time or unit-size auditory data which are generated around a user and detected via a first apparatus; removing noises from the auditory data; extracting a frequency component included in the auditory data from which the noises have been removed; measuring at least one frequency of the auditory data on the basis of the frequency component; searching a database on the basis of the at least one frequency to fine reference data oscillating at the at least one frequency; generating first output data providing semantic data included in the reference data; and generating and providing an output control signal for transmitting the first output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: DOT INCORPORATION
    Inventors: Ju Yoon Kim, Ji Ho Kim, Hyeon Cheol Park
  • Patent number: 10649715
    Abstract: There is provided a control device that includes a control unit that executes a process of causing a speaker to stop speaking on a device toward which the speaker speaks on a basis of a result obtained by analyzing speech content based on a result of the speaker speaking toward the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Kawano, Miwa Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10649716
    Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) hub that coordinates playback of audio content is described. In particular, the A/V hub may calculate current time offsets between clocks in electronic devices (such as electronic devices that include speakers) and a clock in the A/V hub based on measured sound corresponding to one or more acoustic-characterization patterns, one or more times when the electronic devices output the sound and the one or more acoustic-characterization patterns. Then, the A/V hub may transmit, to the electronic devices, one or more frames that include audio content and playback timing information, which may specify playback times when the electronic devices are to playback the audio content based on the current time offsets. Moreover, the playback times of the electronic devices may have a temporal relationship so that the playback of the audio content by the electronic devices is coordinated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: EVA Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaylord Yu, Steven Stupp
  • Patent number: 10649717
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an audio-sensor inhibitor configured to inhibit detection of sound by an audio sensor of a communication device, and a secure communication interface coupled to the audio-sensor inhibitor, the secure communication interface being configured to transmit encrypted audio data from the secure communication interface to the communication device, wherein the communication interface generates audio data using a secure-interface audio sensor, and generates the encrypted audio data by encrypting the audio data using a cryptographic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: NAGRAVISION S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Fournier, Bernard Benoit, Bertrand Wendling, Andre Kudelski
  • Patent number: 10649718
    Abstract: Example systems and techniques disclosed herein facilitate interoperability between different media playback systems referred to herein as a virtual line-in (VLI) media playback system and a native playback system. When a VLI session is created by a VLI sender, a first native playback device can join a VLI group as a VLI receiver. As a VLI receiver, the first native playback device receives audio content and playback commands from the VLI sender to facilitate synchronous playback with other VLI receivers. At the same time, this native playback device can concurrently operate as a native domain group coordinator of a native domain synchrony group. As the native domain group coordinator, the native playback device translates VLI domain audio, control, and timing signals into the native domain and distributes such signals to native domain group members. In this way, the native domain group members can synchronize their playback with the VLI group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Chris Kotowski, Arvin Faruque
  • Patent number: 10649719
    Abstract: A rotary fader apparatus includes a fader control knob that is directly attached to the rotor of a non-contact electrical motor. The apparatus may produce a fade effect based on the rotational position of the fader control knob and may be automated through signals to the motor. Such a rotary fader apparatus may be used, for example, in audio mixing applications to provide automated or manual rotary control of track fading. The motor may also be used to alter the feel of the movement of the fader control knob and/or provide tactile feedback in response to mixing parameters or signal properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SOUND DEVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Matt Anderson, Steven Popovich, Paul Isaacs, Jason McDonald
  • Patent number: 10649720
    Abstract: Disclosed are a sound effect configuration method and system and a related device. The method comprises: detecting a starting operation for a target application of a mobile terminal and determining a period for setting sound effect comprising system time, the target application being for controlling an audio output device; determining a reference parameter of sound effect according to a pre-stored mapping between periods for setting sound effect and parameters of sound effect of the audio output device, the reference parameter of sound effect corresponding to the period for setting sound effect comprising the system time; sending a pre-configuration instruction comprising the reference parameter of sound effect to the audio output device, the pre-configuration instruction being for instructing the audio output device to create an instance of sound effect for an audio stream to be played according to the reference parameter of sound effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Gaoting Gan, Yajun Li, Guang Tu, Hai Yang
  • Patent number: 10649721
    Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) hub that coordinates playback of audio content is described. In particular, the A/V hub may calculate current time offsets between clocks in electronic devices and a clock in the A/V hub based on differences between transmit times of frames from the electronic devices and receive times when the frames were received. For example, the current time offsets may be calculated using wireless ranging by ignoring distances between the A/V hub and the electronic devices. Then, the A/V hub may transmit, to the electronic devices, one or more frames that include audio content and playback timing information, which may specify playback times when the electronic devices are to playback the audio content based on the current time offsets. Furthermore, the playback times of the electronic devices may have a temporal relationship so that the playback of the audio content by the electronic devices is coordinated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Eva Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaylord Yu, Steven Stupp
  • Patent number: 10649722
    Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) hub that coordinates playback of audio content is described. In particular, the A/V hub may calculate current time offsets between clocks in electronic devices and a clock in the A/V hub based on differences between receive times when frames are received from electronic devices and expected transmit times of the frames. For example, the expected transmit times may be based on coordination of clocks in the electronic devices and a clock in the A/V hub at a previous time and a predefined transmit schedule of the frames. Then, the A/V hub may transmit, to the electronic devices, one or more frames that include audio content and playback timing information, which may specify playback times when the electronic devices are to playback the audio content based on the current time offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: EVA Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaylord Yu, Steven Stupp
  • Patent number: 10649723
    Abstract: In a case where a communication device receives a playback request for second content while playing back first content, the communication device starts playing back the second content, based on a fact that a communication device identified by identification information about a communication device that has transmitted a playback request for the first content is identical to a communication device identified by identification information about a communication device that has transmitted the playback request for the second content, and continues playing back the first content, based on a fact that the communication devices are different. The communication device starts playing back the second content, based on a fact that a user identified by user identification information about the first content is identical to a user identified by user identification information about the second content, and continues playing back the first content, based on a fact that the users are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10649724
    Abstract: Examples of interface systems and methods for voice-based interaction in one or more virtual areas that define respective persistent virtual communication contexts are described. These examples enable communicants to use voice commands to, for example, search for communication opportunities in the different virtual communication contexts, enter specific ones of the virtual communication contexts, and bring other communicants into specific ones of the virtual communication contexts. In this way, these examples allow communicants to exploit the communication opportunities that are available in virtual areas, even when hands-based or visual methods of interfacing with the virtual areas are not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Sococo, Inc.
    Inventor: David Van Wie
  • Patent number: 10649725
    Abstract: Systems of the present disclosure adjust an interface mode of an application based on paralinguistic features of audio input. The audio input is via a microphone associated with a computing device. A predictive model uses paralinguistic features of the audio input and additional features received from sensors or a user profile to predict an interface mode that a user would currently prefer to use. The interface mode specifies how output is provided and how input is received. The interface mode may also specify which elements of a graphical user interface are displayed, where the elements are placed, and how the elements are sized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Indyk, Igor A. Podgorny, Raymond Chan
  • Patent number: 10649726
    Abstract: TTS is a well known technology for decades used for various applications from Artificial Call centers attendants to PC software that allows people with visual impairments or reading disabilities to listen to written works on a home computer. However to date TTS is not widely adopted for PC and Mobile users for daily reading tasks such as reading emails, reading pdf and word documents, reading through website content, and for reading books. The present invention offers new user experience for operating TTS for day to day usage. More specifically this invention describes a synchronization technique for following text being read by TTS engines and specific interfaces for touch pads, touch and multi touch screens. Nevertheless this invention also describes usage of other input methods such as touchpad, mouse, and keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventors: Dror Kalisky, Sharon Carmel
  • Patent number: 10649727
    Abstract: Systems and methods for wake word detection configuration are disclosed. An electronic device may be configured to detect a wake word in a user utterance based on one or more wake word models. Upon detection, wake word APIs may be utilized to determine if a speech-processing application associated with a remote speech-processing system is installed on the device. If installed, secondary wake word detection may be performed on the audio data representing the user utterance, and if the wake word is detected, the audio data may be sent to the remote system for processing. If not installed, a display of the electronic device may present options for downloading the speech-processing application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Douglas, Deepak Suresh Yavagal
  • Patent number: 10649728
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for rewinding media content based on detected audio events are provided. In some embodiments, a method for providing media guidance is provided, the method comprising: causing media content to be presented; receiving, using an audio input device, audio data that includes ambient sounds in an environment in which the media content is being presented; receiving a user command to rewind the media content; detecting that a portion of the audio data corresponds to an audio event that occurred during the presentation of the media content in response to receiving the user command to rewind the media content; determining a playback position in the media content based on the audio event; and causing the media content to be presented from the determpined playback position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: James Stout
  • Patent number: 10649729
    Abstract: Various embodiments include, for example, an audio device that operates by selecting one of a plurality of audio files in response to user interaction with a graphical user interface. The selected one of the plurality of audio files is decoded to generate audio output signals for playback of the selected one of the plurality of audio files via an audio output device. Animated auditory system display data is generated in response to the selected one of the plurality of audio files for display via a display device, wherein the animated auditory system display data animates action of at least one simulated cochlea in response to the selected one of the plurality of audio files. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventors: Antonio Torrini, Daniele Limoni
  • Patent number: 10649730
    Abstract: A unit operates on a sum term and a carry term separated into a high part and a low part of a product and performs a method that includes iteratively computing a carry save product and separating the carry save product into the high part and the low part: an intermediate product. The unit generates an intermediate wide result by performing a wide addition of the intermediate product to generate an unrounded sum for the high part (i.e., a fused-multiply-add high part) and the low part (i.e., a fused-multiply-add high part). The unit pre-aligns the intermediate wide result on two fixed length shifters such that the fused-multiply-add high part and the fused-multiply-add low part are pre-aligned to each fit on one shifter of the two fixed length shifters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus M. Kroener, Cedric Lichtenau, Silvia M. Mueller, Andreas Wagner
  • Patent number: 10649731
    Abstract: Integrated circuits with specialized processing blocks are provided. A specialized processing block may include one real addition stage and one real multiplier stage. The multiplier stage may simultaneously feed its output to the addition stage and directly to an adjacent specialized processing block. The addition stage may also produce sum and difference outputs in parallel. A group of four such specialized processing blocks may be connected in a chain to implement a radix-2 fast Fourier transform (FFT) butterfly. Multiple radix-2 butterflies may be stacked to form yet higher order radix butterflies. If desired, the specialized processing block may also be used to implement a complex multiply operation. Three or four specialized processing blocks may be chained together and along with one or more adders outside the specialized processing blocks, real and imaginary portions of a complex product can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Martin Langhammer
  • Patent number: 10649732
    Abstract: This application relates to apparatus and methods for the multiplication of signals. A multiplication circuit (100) has first and second time-encoding modulators (103a, 103b) configured to receive first and second combined signals (SC1, SC2) respectively, and generate respective first and second PWM signals (SPWM1, SPWM2), each with a cycle frequency that depends substantially on the square of the value of the input combined signal. The first combined signal (SC1) corresponds to a sum of a first and second input signals (S1, S2) and the second combined signal (SC2) corresponds to the difference between the first and second input signals (S1, S2). First and second time-decoding converters (104a, 104b) receive the first and second PWM signals and provide respective first and count values (D1, D2) based on a parameter related to the frequency of the respective first or second PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: John Paul Lesso, Mark McCloy-Stevens
  • Patent number: 10649733
    Abstract: A method is described that involves executing a first instruction with a functional unit. The first instruction is a multiply-add instruction. The method further includes executing a second instruction with the functional unit. The second instruction is a round instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Cristina S. Anderson, Zeev Sperber, Simon Rubanovich, Benny Eitan, Amit Gradstein
  • Patent number: 10649734
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for distributing a value among a plurality of accounts. One of the methods includes receiving, from a first terminal associated with a first account, a request for generating values, wherein the request comprises a sum of the values to be generated and a count of multiple second accounts, to which the values are to be distributed. The method also includes determining an average based on the sum and the count, generating multiple values in response to the request, the generated values comprising one or more value pairs and zero or one individual value, wherein a count of the generated values equals the count of second accounts in the request. The method further includes distributing the multiple values to the second accounts, wherein each of the second accounts is associated with a second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Alibaba Group Holding Limited
    Inventor: He Zhang
  • Patent number: 10649735
    Abstract: A security system with entropy bits includes a physically unclonable function circuit, and a security key generator. The physically unclonable function circuit provides a plurality of entropy bit strings. The security key generator generates a security key by manipulating a manipulation bit string derived from the plurality of entropy bit strings according to an operation entropy bit string. Each bit of the operation entropy bit string is used to determine whether to perform a corresponding operation to the manipulation bit string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: eMemory Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin-Ming Chen, Meng-Yi Wu, Po-Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 10649736
    Abstract: Arithmetic circuits and methods that perform efficient matrix multiplication for hardware acceleration of neural networks, machine learning, web search and other applications are disclosed herein. Various arrays of multiplier-accumulators may be coupled to form a matrix multiplier which processes data using high precision, fixed point residue number arithmetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Olsen IP Reserve, LLC
    Inventor: Eric B. Olsen