US20150356564A1 - Smart phones or internet pads supporting mobile payment that includes security based, at least partly, on fingerprint authentication, data encryption, and short physical distance wireless communication - Google Patents
Smart phones or internet pads supporting mobile payment that includes security based, at least partly, on fingerprint authentication, data encryption, and short physical distance wireless communicationDownload PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150356564A1 US20150356564A1US14/828,349US201514828349AUS2015356564A1US 20150356564 A1US20150356564 A1US 20150356564A1US 201514828349 AUS201514828349 AUS 201514828349AUS 2015356564 A1US2015356564 A1US 2015356564A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- information apparatus
- mobile information
- output
- user
- output controller
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/16—Sound input; Sound output
- G06F3/167—Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F15/00—Digital computers in general; Data processing equipment in general
- G06F15/16—Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/0412—Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
- G06F3/0481—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
- G06F3/0482—Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
- G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
- G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
- G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
- G06F3/1206—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management resulting in increased flexibility in input data format or job format or job type
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
- G06F3/1224—Client or server resources management
- G06F3/1226—Discovery of devices having required properties
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
- G06F3/1237—Print job management
- G06F3/1244—Job translation or job parsing, e.g. page banding
- G06F3/1247—Job translation or job parsing, e.g. page banding by conversion to printer ready format
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
- G06F3/1237—Print job management
- G06F3/126—Job scheduling, e.g. queuing, determine appropriate device
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
- G06F3/1285—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
- G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
- G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
- G06F3/1292—Mobile client, e.g. wireless printing
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/14—Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
- G06Q20/322—Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
- G06Q20/3224—Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
- G06Q20/322—Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
- G06Q20/3226—Use of secure elements separate from M-devices
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
- G06Q20/327—Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
- G06Q20/32—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using wireless devices
- G06Q20/327—Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
- G06Q20/3278—RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/38—Payment protocols; Details thereof
- G06Q20/40—Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
- G06Q20/401—Transaction verification
- G06Q20/4012—Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/38—Payment protocols; Details thereof
- G06Q20/40—Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
- G06Q20/401—Transaction verification
- G06Q20/4014—Identity check for transactions
- G06Q20/40145—Biometric identity checks
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/38—Payment protocols; Details thereof
- G06Q20/40—Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
- G06Q20/405—Establishing or using transaction specific rules
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
- H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
- H04L12/2805—Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
- H04L41/08—Configuration management of networks or network elements
- H04L41/0803—Configuration setting
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/247—Telephone sets including user guidance or feature selection means facilitating their use
- H04M1/2478—Telephone terminals specially adapted for non-voice services, e.g. email, internet access
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/12—Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W64/00—Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
- H04W64/003—Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management locating network equipment
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/02—Terminal devices
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q2220/00—Business processing using cryptography
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
- H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
- H04L12/2807—Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network
- H04L12/2809—Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
- H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
- H04L12/2838—Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
- H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
- H04L2012/284—Home automation networks characterised by the type of medium used
- H04L2012/2841—Wireless
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
- H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
- H04L2012/2847—Home automation networks characterised by the type of home appliance used
- H04L2012/2849—Audio/video appliances
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
- H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
- H04L2012/2847—Home automation networks characterised by the type of home appliance used
- H04L2012/285—Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W76/00—Connection management
- H04W76/10—Connection setup
Definitions
- Present inventionrelates to device synchronization and digital output and, in particular, to providing pervasive output for information apparatuses.
- An Information apparatusrefers to both stationary computers and mobile computing devices (pervasive devices). Examples of information apparatuses include without limitation desktop computers, laptop computers, palmtop (hand-held) computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), Internet-enabled cellular phones, smart phones, pagers, Internet appliances, e-books, digital pads, Web pads, and digital capturing devices (e.g., digital cameras and video cameras).
- An output device 140may include a fax machine, printer, copier, image or video display device, projector, and an audio output device.
- printer and printingare used as a specific example to simplify description or may be one exemplary embodiment.
- the reference to printing used hereis intended to be applied or extended to the larger scope and definition of output devices and should not be construed as restricting the scope and practice of present invention.
- an information worker at an airport receiving e-mail in his hand-held computermay want to walk up to a nearby printer or fax machine to have his e-mail printed.
- the mobile workermay also want to print a copy of his to-do list, appointment book, business card, and his flight schedule from his mobile device.
- a traveler stopping at a convenience store, gas station, or kiosksmay want to print out a copy of the map he just downloaded from the Internet using his Internet enable wireless phone (information apparatus).
- an individual who just finished a stock trade or performed an e-commerce transaction using his PDA (information apparatus)may want to print out a copy of his transaction confirmation, invoice or receipt.
- a user who takes a picture with a digital cameramay want to easily print it out to a nearby printer.
- the printer input space or print datamay include a printer-specific input format (e.g., image, graphics, file, data format), encoding, page description language, markup language, instructions, protocols or data that can be understood or used by a particular printer make and model.
- a printer-specific input formate.g., image, graphics, file, data format
- Print datamay be proprietary or a published standard or a combination of the two.
- a printer input space or print datais therefore, in general, device dependent. Different printer models may specify their own input, designed or adopted for optimal operation by the printer manufacturer according to a specification. Consequently, different printers usually require use of specific printer drivers for accurate printing.
- a device driver(printer driver in this example) may control, manage, communicate, and output print data to a printer. Sometimes, instead of using a printer or device driver, the device driving feature may be included as part of an application software. The application in this example may process the document and communicate directly with an output device without utilizing a device driver.
- Print datais an output data sent to a printer.
- the term print data used hereis intended to be applied or extended to the larger scope and definition of output data which applies to any output devices including display, projection and audio devices, and this should not be construed as restricting the scope and practice of present invention.
- Installation of a printer driver or applicationmay be accomplished by, for example, manual installation using a CD or floppy disk supplied by the printer manufacturer. Or alternatively, a user may be able to download that particular driver or application from a network. For a home or office user, this installation process may take anywhere from several minutes to several hours depending on the type of driver and user's sophistication level with computing devices and networks. Even with plug-and-play driver installation, the user is still required to execute a multi-step process for each printer. This installation and configuration process adds a degree of complexity and work to end-users who may otherwise spend their time doing other productive or enjoyable work.
- a mobile information deviceusually has limited memory and storage capacity.
- the userwould currently be required to install and configure a printer driver each time at each such different location before printing.
- the usermay not want to be bothered with looking for a driver or downloading it and installing it just to print out one page of email at the airport. This is certainly an undesirable and discouraging process to promote pervasive or mobile computing. Therefore, a more convenient or automated printing solution is needed so that a user can simply walk up to a printer and easily print a digital document without having to install or pre-install a particular printer driver.
- the above configurationis often used in a local area network (LAN) such as in an office building.
- LANlocal area network
- An office worker with a mobile or static computing device connected to this networkmay be able to send a print job to any printer that is connected to the same network. He either has the necessary printer drivers pre-installed in his device or he can download a driver from the LAN before printing to a particular printer. But once outside of the office building, or meaning outside of his wired or wireless network coverage, the office worker can no longer print to any printer he or she desires.
- Network printingrequires perfect function in any part of the chain of network hardware, software and services. If any component of the link is down or not fully functional, for any reason, printing service may be unavailable, interrupted or result in inaccuracies.
- This software componentmaybe damaged, corrupted or carrying a malicious attack or virus or otherwise modified by hackers.
- a damaged software componentcan disrupt or corrupt the user's information apparatus.
- some internal corporate or local networksmay reject unknown documents trying to reach their printers and other output devices protected within a firewall. It is therefore more desirable if the communication and exchange of information are done locally between users' information apparatus and the selected output device, all within the range of the users watchful, and inspecting eyes.
- the present inventionprovides a convenient method of digital printing in which a user need not pre-install a device-dependent printer driver on an information apparatus in order to print.
- This inventioncan provide an easy, friendly and convenient process for printing. Unlike conventional printing, a user need not manually install a printer driver from a CD, floppy disk, or download it somewhere from an existing static network. With the apparatus and process of present invention, all the software components, data, or printer drivers can be loaded to the information apparatus through easy and automatic synchronization process between the information apparatus and a printer having an output controller of present invention. As a result, a mobile user with an information apparatus equipped with an output manager of present invention can print pervasively virtually at any time, anywhere, to any printer.
- this inventioncan provide a more reliable printing method than conventional remote network printing methods or processes.
- the printing processdoes not depend on the perfect function of each element of a network chain.
- This chainmay include, for example, network connections, network servers, application servers, service providers and application providers. Therefore, the chance of a successful printing under present invention is greatly enhanced as processing and communication involves fewer elements.
- This inventioncan further provide a more secure printing process than conventional network printing processes and methods.
- Uploading or downloading data or software componentssuch as a printer driver from an output device immediately in front of user provides a more secure feeling than dealing with components from a remote location in the network.
- Components stored in a large networkmay be perceived to have more exposure to tampering (e.g., contaminated with a virus).
- An erroneous module or component in the network caused by a human or software or hardware errormay also disrupt the function of the information apparatus.
- sending a confidential digital document or print data directly to the printer in front of userprovides a more secure feeling than if the document is routed through a large network with a plurality of users and servers. There are greater possibilities of the document being intercepted, viewed, copied, stored or finally printed on a wrong printer in conventional network printing.
- an electronic system and method of pervasive outputallow an information apparatus to output digital content conveniently to virtually any output device.
- the information apparatusmay be equipped with a central processing unit, input/output control unit, storage unit, memory unit, and wired or wireless communication unit or adapters.
- the information apparatuspreferably also includes output manager that may be implemented as application software, a client application, or device driver (printer driver in case of printer).
- the output managermay include management and control capabilities with hardware and software components including for example one or more communication chipsets residing in its host information apparatus.
- the output manager in the information apparatusmay be capable of communicating with, managing and synchronizing data or software components with an output device equipped with an output controller of present invention.
- output devicesinclude, without limitation, printers, fax machines, copiers, image or video display devices, monitors, display screens, projectors, and audio output devices.
- the output controllermay be a circuit board, card or software components residing in an output device. Alternatively, the output controller may be connected externally to an output device as an external component or “box.”
- the output controllermay be implemented with one or a combination of embedded processor, software, firmware, ASIC, DSP, FPGA, system on a chip, special chipsets, among others.
- the functionality of the output controllermay be provided by application software running on a PC, workstation or server connected externally to an output device.
- the output controllermay include a processing unit, memory/storage unit and communication adapter unit, among others.
- the storage or memory unit of the output controllermay store device drivers, software components or objects encapsulating device dependent data, algorithms, and code.
- Device dependent datamay be, for example, parameters and information about the output device and output controller.
- Software components and objectsmay encapsulate for example code or executables of algorithms necessary for converting or encoding an image or document description or language into print data or output data compatible with a specific output device.
- the output managermay manage the process of uploading data and or software components from an output controller to an information apparatus in order to, for example, enable the information apparatus to generate and transmit print data or output data accurately to the output device or the output controller.
- Output data(or print data in the case where the output device is a printer) may be specific data, instructions, page description language, markup language, graphics and or image file format among others. Print data may also be encoded or compressed with one or more compression or encoding techniques. Furthermore, print data may use one or more open standards or one or more proprietary techniques and formats, or a combination. Output data (or print data for printers) refers to the electronic data sent from an information apparatus to the output device.
- a userrequests to print a digital content from his/her information apparatus.
- the information apparatusdetects available output devices by a discovery process.
- the information apparatusexchanges service information with output controllers associated with the available output devices in a service negotiation process. The user may then select one or more output devices based on the service information provided.
- the information apparatuscommunicates with output controller to identify and upload the necessary components to enable output to a specific output device as part of a synchronization process.
- the uploaded components or datamay then be installed or configured in the information apparatus.
- the digital content intended for outputis processed by one or more components to be compatible with the output device.
- the one or more componentsinclude the information apparatus with an output manager, an output controller and the output device.
- the printer engine or display engine or audio enginegenerates final output.
- an output manager residing in the information apparatusmay participate in, coordinate and manage the communication and exchange of information/components between its host information apparatus and output controllers.
- FIG. 1is a block diagram of an output system that can implement the process and apparatus of the present invention.
- FIGS. 2A and 2Bare block diagrams illustrating exemplary configurations of hardware components of wireless communication units.
- FIG. 3A-3Cillustrates various configurations and implementations of output manager with respect to an information apparatus.
- FIGS. 4A-4Fillustrate various configurations and implementations of output controller with respect to a printer or output device.
- FIG. 5is a flow diagram of a pervasive output process of the present invention.
- FIG. 6is a flow diagram of an exemplary implementation of service negotiation process optionally included in the output process of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 7is a flow diagram of different possible configuration of print job process included in the output process of FIG. 5 .
- FIGS. 8A-8Gshow a series of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) rendered at different times on a display screen of an information apparatus.
- GUIsgraphical user interfaces
- FIG. 9A-9Bis a block diagram of a conventional printing system or printer.
- FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components of an electronic communication system that may provide an operating environment for the present invention and includes an information apparatus 100 , which is a computing device with processing capability.
- information apparatus 100may include, but are not limited to, a desktop personal computer (PC), laptop computer, palmtop computer, handheld or mobile device, personal digital assistant (PDA), smart phone, screen phone, set-top box, e-book, Internet pad, digital camera, Internet appliance, pager, etc.
- PCpersonal computer
- PDApersonal digital assistant
- Information apparatus 100may contain components (not shown) such as a processing unit, a memory unit, a storage unit and an input/output control unit, as are known in the art. Information apparatus 100 may also contain an interface (not shown) for interactions with users.
- the interfacemay be implemented in software or hardware or a combination. Examples of such an interface include, without limitation, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch-sensitive or non-touch-sensitive screen, one or more push buttons, soft keys, a stylus, a speaker, a microphone, etc.
- An information apparatus 100may be a dedicated single task device (e.g. email terminal, web terminal, e-book, etc) or a general-purpose computing device with multiple features and functions. These multiple functions and features may be implemented by one or more software applications (e.g., applications 302 , FIG. 3 ) installed in the information apparatus 100 , which may or may not include an operating system.
- a digital camera 112 equipped with processing capability and feature sets of the present inventionis also an example of an information apparatus 100 .
- Some information apparatuses 100may be pre-configured by manufacturers with fixed functionalities and features. Other information apparatuses 100 may allow users to install additional hardware components and application software (e.g., applications 302 , FIG. 3 ) to expand or change functionality. Examples of functionalities and applications of information apparatuses 100 may include, for example, e-mail, messaging, voice communication, web browsing, image acquisition, text processing, graphics applications, document or image editing, and output functionalities, among others.
- Functionalities and feature sets of an information apparatus 100may be implemented in software or hardware or a combination of both. When features are implemented in software, this software may be installed by the manufacturer or by users.
- Application softwaremay be implemented using embedded software running on embedded processors or it may run on a specific operating system. Some or all or combinations of applications and feature sets may also be implemented in hardware or in silicon. Some functionality or feature sets may be implemented in special chip sets and may include one or more or combinations of, for example, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), systems on a chip, firmwares, etc.
- ASICsapplication-specific integrated circuits
- FPGAsfield programmable gate arrays
- DSPsdigital signal processors
- Information apparatus 100may or may not contain an operating system.
- the operating systemmay provide a variety of application programming interfaces (APIs) or object models (e.g., APIs 300 , FIG. 3 ) for software applications to interface and communicate with device drivers.
- Device drivers in an information apparatus 100control and communicate with peripheral devices such as printers, copiers, fax machines, display monitors, screens, etc.
- APIsapplication programming interfaces
- Several different applicationscan share a common device driver through the use of APIs or interfaces or object models provided by an operating system, as described below with reference to FIG. 3A .
- each applicationmay have to implement its own device driver or its own output and communication capability, as described below with reference to FIGS. 3B and 3C .
- each applicationmay have to implement its own printer-specific driving, processing and/or communication capability.
- information apparatus 100includes an output manager 308 ( FIGS. 3A-3C ), which is typically implemented in software.
- Output manager 308may be implemented or included in a client application, or as a stand-alone application, or as part of another application software 302 B ( FIG. 3B ), or in the form of a device driver (e.g., a printer driver, in case of a printer being the output device), which may be invoked, shared and used by one or more application software programs 302 ( FIGS. 3A-3C ).
- a device drivere.g., a printer driver, in case of a printer being the output device
- output manager 308may, for example, implement an open-standard or a proprietary communication protocol to directly or indirectly interact with, manage, or utilize functionalities provided by hardware components residing in a host information apparatus 100 .
- Such hardware componentsmay include, for example, a processing unit, a memory unit and communication chipsets (not shown).
- Output manager 308may include one or more of the following features and functionalities:
- An output controller 120may be implemented as software or hardware and may be connected to or integrated within an output device 140 .
- Output controllers 120 Hillustrate hardware implementations in the form of a circuit board or card that is installed or integrated into an output device 140 , such as a printer, copiers, fax machine, display screen among others. In another configuration (not shown), output controller 120 may be implemented as a software application or component that is installed or integrated into an output device 140 .
- Output controller 120 Gillustrates a hardware implementation in the form of an external component or “box” that is separately connected to one or more output devices 140 .
- output controller 120may be implemented with hardware, software, or both, that perform the feature sets and functionalities of the output controller 120 described herein. In the case of output device 140 being a printer, output controller 120 can also sometimes be called a printer server. Exemplary configurations and implementations of output controller 120 are described below with reference to FIG. 4 .
- output controller 120may be implemented as a computer connected to one or more output devices 140 .
- a conventional PC, workstation or servermay serve the purpose of an output controller 120 .
- the functionalities of output controller 120may be implemented using application software installed in the computer (PC, server, or workstation), with the computer connected to the output device 140 .
- An output controller 120 installed or connected to an output device 140enables the output device 140 to communicate and negotiate services with information apparatus 100 .
- an information apparatus 100may communicate with an output controller 120 connected to a printer or an output controller 120 internally installed within a printer to obtain device dependent data or software components such as device specific printer driver.
- An applicationsuch as an output manager 308 residing in the information apparatus 100 may install and configure the uploaded components or data, allowing information apparatus 100 to print to that printer directly. An example of an output process is described below with reference to FIG. 5 .
- Functionalities and feature sets of output controller 120may include one or more of the following:
- output controller 120may be implemented in a variety of ways and may include hardware, software, or a combination of the two.
- output controller 120may include components using one or more of hardware types such as ASIC, DSP, FPGA, firmware, system on a chip, and communication chip set.
- Output controller 120may also include embedded processors with software components or embedded application software to implement its feature sets, and functionalities.
- An output controller 120may or may not contain an operating system.
- Output controller 120typically includes a memory or storage unit (ROM, RAM, flash memory, disk drive-not shown), which may store one or more software applications, software components and data. Some software applications may run in the output controller 120 to perform its functionalities (e.g., communicate with information apparatus 100 ).
- the memory or storage unit of an output controller 120may also store data and one or more software components that may be available to be uploaded to or synchronized with an information apparatus 100 during communication with output manager 308 .
- a software componentmay be a device driver or complete application software that can run on the information apparatus 100 . Once such a software component is uploaded and installed, the information apparatus 100 can drive or output to that specific output device 140 .
- a software componentmay also be a partial device driver or partial application software or partial software component.
- a software componentmay be an executable or partially executable program, object or code.
- Software componentsmay encapsulate information, algorithms, and data. Examples (of algorithms that may be included in the software components include compression/decompression methods, file conversion, graphics representation and rendering, image processing and enhancement operations, color space transformation and data conversion, encoding/decoding techniques, color matching and management methods, image transformation, interpolation methods halftoning techniques, user interface software codes etc.
- Examples of data that may be included in software componentsinclude, for example, a color table, color space information, halftoning tables, output device type, output resolution, bit depth, input type, format or language, communication protocol type, output status, device identification and signature, graphics, image and text descriptions etc.
- Such software componentsmay be uploaded to output manager 308 to facilitate communication and generation of print data or output data suitable, compatible or optimized for the output controller 120 or the output device 140 .
- the output controller 120 and output manager 308manage and negotiate the proper components to be uploaded to the information apparatus 100 .
- uploading only a software componentmay be sufficient.
- An information apparatus 100may pre-install a more generic printer driver, where this printer driver contains the device independent portion of the software code, algorithms, and data that is common or can be used for this entire class of printers.
- Device-independent codemay include, for example, a rasterization process (including half-toning and color management methods) and image enhancement of the digital document that is suitable for use with this entire class of printers.
- the device-dependent portion or component or datamay include, but is not limited to, color tables, halftoning tables, output resolution, bit depth, compression/decompression methods, color space conversion, encoding algorithms or conversion software that is specific to that printer or output device 140 .
- Another example of a software component stored in the memory unit of an output controller 120 for uploading to an information apparatus 100is an installation wizard or a user interface to capture a user's preferences for printing or output operation.
- user preferences in the case of printingmay include, without limitation, color and print quality parameter adjustments, number of copies, number of cards per page, number of pages per sheet, duplex, portrait or landscape, security information, etc.
- the information apparatus 100can drive or output to the output device 140 .
- an application 302 in the information apparatus 100can print a digital document or image to a printer.
- Different information apparatuses 100may require different software components to be uploaded in order to drive a specific output device 140 . Accordingly, a variety of software components and data or device drivers for a plurality of information apparatuses 100 , operating systems, and platform types may be stored in the memory or storage components of an output controller 120 .
- Output controller 120may contain an embedded operating system to manage its applications. With an operating system, some or all functionalities and feature sets of the output controller 120 may be implemented as application software. Additional application software may be installed or upgraded to newer versions in order to, for example, provide additional functionalities or bug fixes.
- Output controller 120may contain a user interface that allows a user to configure and manage the functions provided by the output controller 120 .
- the user interface of the output controller 120maybe accomplished by, for example, using display screens, soft keys, pushbuttons, mouse, stylus and keypads to allow users to interact with and manage the functions provided by the output controller 120 .
- Examples of such functionsmay include any or all of an on-off power switch, status display or indicator, cancel current job, or reorder existing jobs, etc.
- Output controller 120typically also includes a communication or adapter unit, which allows output controller 120 to communicate with other devices including information apparatus 100 through wired or wireless connections. Exemplary configurations of wireless adapter or communication unit are described below with reference to FIG. 2 .
- output controller 120When output controller 120 is implemented as firmware, or an embedded application, the configuration and management of the functionalities of output controller 120 may be optionally accomplished by, for example, using controller management software in a host computer (not shown).
- a host computermay be a desktop personal computer (PC), workstation, or server.
- the host computermay be connected locally or through a network to the output device 140 or controller 120 . Communication between the host computer and output controller 120 can be accomplished through wired or wireless communication.
- the management application software in the host computercan manage the settings, configurations, and feature sets of the output controller 120 .
- a host computer configuration applicationmay download or install application software, software components or data in the output controller 120 for the purpose of upgrading, updating, and or modifying the features and capabilities of the output controller 120 .
- Output device 140 in one implementationincludes or is connected to output controller 120 described above. Therefore, functionalities and feature sets provided by output controller 120 are automatically included as part of the functionalities of output device 140 .
- the output device 140may, however, implement or include other controllers or applications that provide at least partially the features and functionalities of the output controller 120 .
- the output device 140may include some or all of the functionalities and feature sets provided by the output controller 120 .
- Output device 140is an electronic system capable of outputting digital content regardless of whether the output medium is a substrate (e.g., paper), a display image, a projection, or sound.
- a typical example of output device 140may be a printer, which outputs digital documents containing text, graphics, images or any combination onto a substrate.
- Output device 140may also be a display device capable of displaying still images or video, such as, without limitation, televisions, monitors, and projectors.
- Output device 140can also be a device capable of outputting sound. Any device capable of playing or reading digital content in audio (e.g., music) or data (e.g., text or document) formats is also a possible output device 140 .
- a printer(including a fax machine, copier, etc.) is frequently referred to herein as the exemplary output device 140 . However, it should be recognized that the present invention applies as well to output devices 140 other than printers.
- FIG. 9Ais a block diagram of a conventional printing system or printer 900 A having three basic components: raster image processor (RIP) 902 , a memory buffer 904 , and a marking engine 906 .
- Raster image processor 902converts digital content into a bitmap suitable for printing; memory buffer 904 holds the rasterized image ready for printing; and marking engine 906 transfers colorant to a substrate (e.g., paper).
- Marking engine 906may use any of a variety of different technologies to transform a rasterized image to paper or other media or, in other words, to transfer colorant to a substrate.
- the different marking or printing technologies that may be usedinclude both impact and non-impact printing. Examples of impact printing may include dot matrix, Teletype, daisywheel, etc.
- Non-impact printing technologiesmay include inkjet, laser, electrostatic, thermal, dye sublimation, etc.
- Marking engine 906 and memory buffer 904 of a printer 900form its printer engine 908 , which may also include additional circuitry and components, such as firmware, software and or chips or chipsets for decoding and signal conversion etc. (not shown).
- Input to a printer engine 908is usually a final rasterized print data generated by the raster image processor 902 . Such input is usually device dependent and printer specific. The printer engine 908 may take this device dependent input and generate output pages.
- Raster image processor (RIP) 902may be located within the printing device itself (as shown in FIG. 10A ) or externally implemented as hardware, software, or a combination. As an example, RIP may be implemented in a software application or device driver in the information apparatus. A RIP may also reside within a printer controller, a print server or an output controller of present invention. Examples of raster image processing operations may include image and graphics interpretation, rasterization, segmentation, color space transformation, image enhancement, color correction, halftoning etc.
- a printer controller 910may, for example, interpret, convert and/or rasterize input print data into a final format, language or instructions that printer engine 908 can understand.
- a laser printer with a faster printing speedis an example that falls in this category.
- a PostScript printer controller 910may contain a postscript interpreter (not shown) and a raster image processor 902 (RIP).
- Postscript interpreterinterpret the postscript language and the raster image processor 902 may process the digital document and converting it to a printer specific format, language or instructions that can be accepted by the printer engine 908 .
- a device-dependent printer driver(e.g., a Postscript driver, not shown) may be needed in the information apparatus 100 to convert digital document from its original format into print data (e.g. in PostScript) that is acceptable to the printer controller 910 .
- PCLPrinter Command Language
- HPHewlett Packard
- PostScript and PCLa variety of other page description languages, markup languages, image formats, graphics formats, and file formats may also be used as input print data 920 to a printer 900 or output device 140 .
- Examples of possible inputs other than PostScript and PCLmay include without limitation, EMF, XML, HTML, among many others.
- Some printer manufacturersmay also use a combination of proprietary or non-proprietary page description languages, markup languages, file formats, graphics and image formats, color spaces, metafiles, encoding, decoding, compression or decompression etc. for the print data 920 .
- Print data 920 sent to printers with printer controllers 910are usually intermediate descriptions of a digital document that may require further interpretation, processing and/or conversion before it can be send a printer engine for output.
- a printer controller 910may interpret and process the input intermediate print data information into the final format that can be understood by the printer engine 908 .
- usersusually have to pre-install a device-specific driver in their information apparatus 100 in order to output the proper language, format, or file that can be accepted by a specific printer 140 .
- the output controller 120may be connected externally to an output device 140 or integrated internally into the output device 140 . If an output device 140 such as a printer already includes a printer controller 910 , the output controller 120 may be implemented serially or cascaded with the printer controller 910 as two separate controllers. Alternatively, output controller 120 can be integrated with a printer controller to become a “combined controller” 120 C. A combined controller (e.g., 120 C or 120 F) has functionalities of both printer controller 910 (e.g., input interpretation and or raster image processing) and output controller 120 of the present invention. Other configurations and implementations of output controller 120 and printer controller 910 are also possible. The various possible configurations and implementations of output controller are described below with reference to FIG. 4 .
- Communication links 150 and 160 between information apparatus 100 with an output controller 120may be variously implemented.
- information apparatus 100communicates with output controller 120 through wireless connections such as infrared or radio links.
- wireless connectionssuch as infrared or radio links.
- wireless connections technologyinclude without limitation IrDA, home RF, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, HiperLan2, among others.
- wired connectionssuch as serial interfaces, parallel interfaces, USB interfaces, Fire Wire (IEEE 1394), Ethernet and token ring network among others may also be implemented in the present invention.
- Adapter pairsmay be incorporated into each communicating node (e.g., information apparatus 100 and output controller 120 ) to conduct communications by performing signal conversions.
- output controller 120is installed as an external component or “box” (as shown in FIG. 4A )
- the communication link 170 between output controller 120 and output device 140may also be implemented using wired or wireless adapters.
- FIGS. 2A and 2Bare block diagrams illustrating two exemplary configurations and implementations of wireless communication adapters that may be included in an information apparatus 100 , output controller 120 or output device 140 .
- a radio adapter 200may be implemented to enable data/voice transmission among devices through radio links.
- a RF transceiver 214 coupled with antenna 216is used to receive and transmit radio frequency signals.
- the RF transceiver 214also converts radio signals into and from electronic signals.
- the RF transceiver 214is connected to a RF link controller 210 by an interface 212 .
- the interface 212may perform functions such as analog-to-digital conversion, digital-to-analog conversion, modulation/demodulation and other data conversion functions.
- RF link controller 210implements real-time lower layer (e.g., physical layer) protocol processing that enables the hosts (e.g., information apparatus 100 , output controller 120 , output device 140 , etc.) to communicate over a radio link.
- functions performed by the link controller 210may include, without limitation, error detection/correction, power control, data packet processing, data encryption/decryption and other data processing functions.
- a variety of radio linksmay be utilized, including a group of competing technologies operating in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed frequency band. This group currently includes Bluetooth, Home radio frequency (Home RF) and implementations based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. Each of these technologies has a different set of protocols and they all provide solutions for wireless local area networks (LANs). Interference among these technologies could limit deployment of these protocols simultaneously. It is anticipated that new local area wireless technologies may emerge or that the existing ones may converge. Nevertheless, all theses existing and future wireless technologies may be implemented in the present invention to transmit data between different devices without limitation and therefore in no way depart from the scope of present invention.
- Home RFHome radio frequency
- LANswireless local area networks
- Bluetoothrequires relatively lower power consumption.
- Bluetoothhas its own protocol stack and is designed for short range (10 meters), point-to-multipoint voice and data transfer. It is based on a frequency-hopping version of spread spectrum. Seventy-nine hop frequencies are utilized beginning at the lowest frequency of 2402 MHz and each of the 79 hop frequencies is 1 MHz above the next lower frequency.
- Bluetooth-enabled devicesoperate in piconets, in which several devices, using the same hopping pattern or sequence, are connected in a point-to-multipoint system (piconet). One device (master) in each piconet determines how the bandwidth is allocated to other devices (slaves). As many as 10 piconets of 8 devices each can operate simultaneously.
- infrared (IR) adapters 220may be implemented to enable data transmission among devices through infrared transmission.
- the IR adapters 220may be conveniently implemented in accordance with the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) standards and specifications.
- IrDAInfrared Data Association
- the IrDA standardis used to provide wireless connectivity technologies for devices that would normally use cables for connection.
- the IrDA standardis a point-to-point (vs. point-to-multipoint as in Bluetooth), narrow angle, ad-hoc data transmission standard designed to operate over a distance of 0 to 1 meter and at speeds up to 4 Mbps.
- FIG. 2Billustrates one embodiment of infrared adapter 220 .
- Transceiver 226receives/emits IR signals and converts IR signals to/from electrical signals.
- a UART (universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter) 222performs the function of serialization/deserialization, converting serial data stream to/from data bytes.
- the UART 222is connected to the IR transceiver 226 by encoder/decoder (ENDEC) 224 .
- ENDECencoder/decoder
- This configurationis generally suitable for transferring data at relatively low rate, for example 115.2 kbps or below.
- Other componentse.g. packet framer, phase-locked loop
- FIGS. 3A-3Cillustrate different implementations of output manager 308 .
- FIG. 3Ashows an exemplary configuration of output manager 308 in which its host information apparatus 100 includes an operating system.
- Such information apparatuses 100may include, without limitation, desktop PC, laptop PC and handheld or palmtop computer, among others.
- the operating systemprovides API's or object models 300 for software applications 302 to interface and communicate with various device management applications sometimes called device drivers.
- Output manager 308in this case may be characterized as one of the device management applications or device drivers.
- Different software applications 302 Acan share the same output manager 308 through the use of API's 300 provided by an operating system.
- application software 302can still decide to implement its own output or device management capabilities (as shown in FIG. 3B ) and not depend or use the functionalities or API's or object models 300 provided by an operating system to facilitate access of output manager as a separate application.
- output manager 308The above are merely exemplary implementations of output manager 308 . Due to the diversity of feature sets and capabilities of operating systems, other implementations of output manager 308 are also possible. As an example, some operating systems may provide partial APIs or object models to support limited output capability. In this case, software applications 302 may rely on the limited output capacity to interact with device management applications, or the software applications 302 can implement or incorporate partially other desired output features of the output manager 308 using the configurations or combination of configuration illustrated in FIGS. 3B or 3 C.
- FIGS. 4A-4Fillustrate various alternative configurations and implementations of output controller 120 .
- a printer 900 Amay include within it a RIP 902 or printer controller 910 .
- Such printer 900 Ais usually more powerful and therefore more expensive than printers without these features.
- One example of such printer 900 Ais high-speed laser printer.
- Output controller 120may be variously implemented in printers regardless of whether they include a printer controller.
- FIG. 4Ashows that output controller 120 may be cascaded externally to one or more printers (only one shown).
- Information apparatus 100communicates with output controller 120 A, which then communicates with output device such as a printer 104 A.
- the communication link between the output controller 120 A and the printer 140 Amay be a wired link or a wireless link, as described above.
- FIG. 4Bshows another implementation in which output controller 120 B is installed as one or more circuit boards or cards internally inside printer 140 B.
- the output controller 120 Bmay co-exist with printer controller and other components of the printer 140 B.
- One example of this implementationis to connect output controller 120 B sequentially with the printer controller.
- FIG. 4Cshow a third implementation in which the functionalities of output controller 120 and printer controller 910 are combined into a single controller (-referred to as “combined controller”) 120 C.
- the combined controller 120 Cis a more capable controller. In this implementation, it is possible to reduce the cost of material when compared to implementing two separate controllers as shown in FIG. 4B .
- the combined controller 120 Cmay share the same processors, memories, and storages to run the applications and functionalities of the two types of controllers and therefore, may have lower component costs when compared to providing two separate controllers.
- Some printersdo not include a raster image processor or printer controller 910 , as illustrated in FIG. 9B , and as a result are usually less expensive.
- An example of this type of printeris a low-cost desktop inkjet printer.
- This type of printermay use a proprietary or published input format.
- the input to an inkjet printermay consist of specific proprietary compressed CMYK data with one or more bits per pixel input.
- Application software 302 or printer drivers included in information apparatus 100usually perform raster image processing. It is therefore necessary that the proper device driver or application software runs the raster image processing on an information apparatus 100 before printing.
- output controller 120may be implemented into a variety of printing systems, including printers without capable or complete printer controllers for performing raster image processing functions.
- FIG. 4Dshows as a fourth implementation of output controller 120 D that is installed in an external component or “box,” which is connected to a printer 140 D that does not include a printer controller or raster image processor.
- an application software 302 or device driver 308 in information apparatus 100would typically perform the rasterization function.
- some or all operations of raster image processingmay also be implemented in the output controller 120 D.
- Any print data sent to the printer 140 D from the output controller 120 Dis preferred to be in a final format that can be understood and processed by the printer engine of the printer 140 D.
- connection between output controller 120 D and output device 140 Dcan be wired or wireless. Connection between information apparatus 100 and output controller 120 D is preferred to be wireless, for example.
- FIG. 4Eshows as a fifth implementation of an output controller 120 E that is incorporated within printer 140 E as one or more circuit boards or cards and may contain software and applications running on an embedded processor.
- printer 140 Edoes not include a printer controller or raster image processing capability. Accordingly, information apparatus 100 would typically perform rasterization functions in this implementation. However, raster image processing could alternatively be provided completely or partially by output controller 120 E, for example, to speed up raster image processing operations for an information apparatus 100 having limited processing and memory capabilities.
- FIG. 4Fshows a sixth implementation, a combined controller 120 F that integrates the functionalities of a printer controller and an output controller into a single external combined controller component or “box” 120 F.
- the two controller functionsmay share a common processor as well as a common memory space to run applications of the two types of controllers. Under this configuration, either information apparatus 100 or the combined controller 120 F could perform or share raster image processing functionality.
- One exemplary implementation of the combined controller 120 F shown in FIG. 4Fis to use an external computing device (PC, workstation, or server) running one or more applications that includes the functionality of output controller 120 and printer controller 910 .
- PCpersonal computer
- workstationworkstation
- printer controller 910printer controller
- output controller 120may be implemented in an external “box” while the remaining functionalities may reside within an output device 140 as a separate circuit board or integrated with a printer controller.
- the functionalities of output controller 120may be implemented into a plurality of external boxes connected to the same output device 140 .
- the same output controller 120may be connected to and service multiple output devices 140 .
- FIG. 5illustrates one embodiment of output process using a printer as primary output device 140 . It should be recognized, however, the following described process can be similarly applied to other output devices 140 such as fax machines, digital copiers, display screens, monitors, TVs, voice output devices, etc
- Step 500indicates that a user initiates output from an information apparatus 100 .
- a usermay want to print or otherwise output an email, receipt, confirmation, map, photo, graphics, web page, one or more slides of a PowerPoint®-brand presentation, or any other document or digital content from an information apparatus 100 .
- the outputmay be initiated by various means, such as by using a soft key, push button, keyboard, keypad, mouse, stylus, software GUI, command or voice activated command, etc.
- An exemplary user interface with which a user may initiate such a process from an information apparatus 100is described below with reference to FIG. 8 .
- Step 500 and one or more other steps of output process, shown in FIG. 5may be implemented by an output manager 308 residing in a user's information apparatus 100 .
- Step 502references a discovery process in which, for example, information apparatus 100 searches for available output devices 140 , including display devices, printers, copiers or fax machines among others (collectively refer to as “printers” here for simplicity of discussion), that can perform a requested output or print job.
- the output manager 308 residing in the information apparatus 100may participate in, coordinate and manage the discovery process 502 .
- information apparatus 100may communicate via a wired or wireless connection with output controllers 120 that are connected to or included in output devices 140 .
- the discovery process 502may be skipped. For example, discovery process 502 may be skipped if a user already knows the output device or printer to which output is to be directed. As another example, a user may set a frequently used printer as a preferred default printer so that discovery process 502 may be partly skipped if the default printer is found to be available. Other examples in which discovery process 502 may be optional or partly skipped involve direct wire line connections or infrared communications. In these cases, a user may directly connect or physically point an information apparatus 100 to a specific output device 140 so that it could be sufficient only to check the connection and establish communication between the devices.
- Discovery process 502may operate in a variety of scenarios.
- information apparatus 100broadcasts a service request, for example printing, through wired or wireless signals.
- Service devicessuch as output device 140 equipped with output controller 120 , “listen to” such signals, “read” the request, “see” whether they can provide requested service, and respond if they can provide the requested service.
- all service devicescan periodically or continuously announce or advertise the services they provide.
- Information apparatus 100“listens to” such announcements and identifies the service it needs.
- service devices of the same networke.g., LAN
- a control pointis a computing system (e.g. a server, controller) that maintains records on all service devices within the same network. Information apparatus 100 may contact the control point to search for the service it needs.
- Wireless communication protocolsare preferred. Wired communication, on the other hand, may also be implemented. Examples of applicable protocols may include, without limitation, Bluetooth, HAVi, Jini, Salutation, Service Location Protocol, and Universal Plug-and-play, among others. Other proprietary protocols or combinations may also be implemented in the discovery process.
- information apparatus 100may or may not find an output device 140 available to accept its print or output job.
- Exemplary factors that may impact the availability of output devices 140may include, without limitation, the following:
- Wired communicationis also subject to the availability and length of cable or other wired lines.
- CompatibilityThe output process with reference to FIG. 5 employs communication and coordination among various devices such as an information apparatus 100 having output manager 308 , and output controllers 120 associated with output devices 140 .
- Compatible hardware and software componentsmay need to reside in each of the communicating nodes (e.g., information apparatus 100 and output device 140 ). Any missing part may cause compatibility problems. Other factors may also cause lack of compatibility.
- components stored in the memory unit of output controller 120may not support the operating system or application software 312 included in the information apparatus 100 .
- Security authenticationmay be implemented in various steps of communication, including the discovery step 502 .
- Security authenticationmay be required for example when an output service is restricted to a certain group of users or information apparatuses.
- output device 140 or output controller 120may process an authentication step by automatically detecting the identification or other information provided by the user, output manager 308 or information apparatus 100 .
- the information apparatus 100 of a particular usermay not be able to discover an available output device 140 because access is not authorized for the user or the apparatus.
- User specified search criteriaThe user may specify certain search criteria for discovery process 502 , such as output device model, quality of service provided, range or price of service charge, etc. Output devices 140 not satisfying user criteria or a default profile may not be shown to the user.
- Step 506indicates that the user is notified if no available output device 140 is found in the discovery process 502 .
- the usermay be notified by an application such as the output manager 308 through a user interface of the information apparatus 100 .
- the information apparatus 100may also provide more detailed information such as the reasons why the requested service is not available. Examples of possible reasons may include, among others: no output device within limited physical distance, no compatible hardware or software components, technical difficulties, security authentication not satisfied, no subscription to the service, search criteria not met, etc.
- Step 514indicates that service negotiation is performed, such as when one or more available printers are discovered in the discovery process 502 .
- information apparatus 100exchanges information with output controllers 120 connected to or installed in the available output devices 140 .
- the output manager 308may participate in, coordinate or manage negotiation process 514 with output controller 120 .
- Information being exchangedmay include, for example, the following:
- Type, make and model of each available output device 140including information about the printer engine, its technology and specifications of the output device.
- Type and parameters of the output device 140such as font or international character code supported, paper size, resolution, bit depth, color space, number of colors supported, color or grayscale etc.
- Type of service and quality of service provided by each available output device 140are Type of service and quality of service provided by each available output device 140 .
- Conditions under which the services are providede.g., service charge, subscription charge
- transaction and service chargesare satisfied.
- each output device 140Whether the usage or service of each output device 140 is restricted to certain groups, in which case the user may have to provide authentication information to be identified as member of such a group before use of that device is allowed.
- Type, make and model (including operating system) of the information apparatus 100are Type, make and model (including operating system) of the information apparatus 100 .
- the type of input format, encoding, language, data, color space, and or compression that the output controller 120 or other device may take as inputfor example, PostScript, PCL, RTL, XML, etc.
- the information being exchangedmay be entered manually by the user or may be automatically detected and or synchronized between the information apparatus 100 and the output controller 120 or it may be partially assisted by the user or partially automated. Some or all of the information being exchanged may be provided to the user through a user interface in the information apparatus 100 . The user may monitor the status or approve certain transactions.
- One embodiment of the service negotiation process 514is described below with reference to FIG. 6 . Based on the information provided and obtained in the service negotiation process 514 , the user may choose one or more output devices 140 that can take the print or output job.
- Step 516indicates that a synchronization process is performed once an output device 140 has been identified and selected.
- the information apparatus 100may communicate with the output controller or controllers 120 of the selected output device or devices 140 to identify what components, if any, need to be uploaded to the information apparatus 100 to enable printing or other output. This communication between information apparatus 100 and output controller or controllers 120 may not be necessary if adequate information has been obtained in the discovery process 502 and or service negotiation process 514 .
- Synchronization process 516may be optional or it may be partially skipped if the necessary components (e.g., identified in the service negotiation step 514 ) already exist in information apparatus 100 .
- the necessary components or parts of components or datamay be uploaded to the information apparatus 100 from output controller 120 .
- Examples of possible componentsmay include, without limitation, one or more of the following: data, device driver, printer driver, application software, software components, metafiles, user interface etc.
- the output manager 308may participate in, coordinate or manage the synchronization process 516 . Encryption techniques may be implemented in the synchronization process 516 to prevent eavesdropping.
- the newly uploaded componentsmay be incorporated into the output manager 308 residing in the user's information apparatus 100 .
- the newly uploaded componentsmay be installed into the information apparatus 100 as a separate application or as part of the output manager 308 .
- the process of uploading and installingmay be done automatically or manually by the user, or a combination of the two.
- Part or all of synchronization process 516may be skipped in some instances.
- the information apparatus 100may already include all the software components and data or drivers necessary for output to the selected output device or devices 140 . This may be due to the components having been uploaded from a previous synchronization process 516 and left undeleted, or alternatively the user may have preinstalled all the necessary components for output in the information apparatus 100 . In these cases, no software components are being uploaded and the user may be notified of this status for possible override of synchronization process 516 . Alternatively synchronization process 516 may be automatically skipped transparently to the user.
- Step 518indicates that print or output job processing is performed.
- the print request or print jobis processed and digital content or document may be converted to the final format to send to the output device 140 for output.
- the usermay be provided with options to select or change or input printing or output preferences such as page layout, number of copies, color/grayscale, print quality parameters, etc. These options may include or offer pre-configured user preferences or factory defaults. Some options, parameters and preferences may be device-dependent while others may be device-independent. For example, device dependent parameters and preferences may be presented after having synchronized or uploaded device dependent components or information from the output controller 120 . Device independent parameters and preferences may also be uploaded and synchronized like the device dependent parameters and preferences or may be pre-installed as part of the output manager 308 prior to the synchronization and uploading of information.
- output controller 120may be implemented in a variety of ways. Different implementations of output controller 120 may impact the procedures described here.
- the original digital document or content included or generated in an application 312 in information apparatus 100may be processed by different applications in different locations (application software 312 , output manager 308 , output controller 120 , printer controller) before being converted to a final print data that can be accepted by a printer engine for output.
- application software 312 , output manager 308 , output controller 120 , printer controllerFor example, raster image processing of the digital document to convert it to print data suitable to output device 140 may occur entirely or partially in application software 312 , output manager 308 , output controller 120 , or the printer controller, depending on the implementation, configuration, and the type of output system and output device among others.
- Different processing procedures and embodiments that may be implemented in this step 518are described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 7 .
- Step 520indicates that the printer engine or display engine 908 generates a final output.
- the processing result of step 518is sent to a printer engine or display engine 908 of an output device 140 to generate final output on a substrate, for example.
- Memory buffersmay be needed to temporarily store print data before output.
- Firmware, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, system-on-a-chip, software, or a combination,may be used or involved to convert digital data into signals suitable for the printer engine or display engine 908 .
- this optional featuremay be useful when the information apparatus 100 has limited storage space.
- One implementation of this optional featureis to provide a setting in the output manager 308 in which the user has a choice to (1) always keep the uploaded data or components; or (2) always automatically delete the uploaded data or components upon completion of the print job, or upon exit of the application, or upon shutting down of the information apparatus or upon elapse of certain amount of time; or (3) always ask the user whether to delete or keep the uploaded component or data.
- output process 501illustrates an exemplary embodiment of output process 501 .
- a printeris referred to as output device 140 in the above illustration, however, it should be recognized that output process 501 could be easily applied to other output devices 140 such as fax machines, digital copiers, display screens, TVs, monitors, projectors, voice output devices etc.
- a pervasive output process implementing fewer or additional stepsmay also be possible.
- step 502the discovery process, may be skipped if the user already knows which printer or printers are to output the content.
- a payment-processing stepmay be added to the above-described output process 501 if the printing service is provided for a fee.
- Output controller 120in this case, may provide services such as calculating payment amount or collecting payments in a variety of possible forms, for example, credit card, bank card, cash, E-cash, smart card, among others.
- the payment information(e.g., credit card number or other credit identification or payment) may be stored in the information apparatus 100 and released to the output controller 120 at the user's choice. Adding additional processes or skipping one or more steps in output process 501 does not, however, depart from the spirit and scope of present invention.
- FIG. 6illustrates an embodiment of service negotiation process 514 .
- information apparatus 100exchanges information with output controller 120 or output devices 140 .
- Service negotiation process 514may include one or more of the following:
- step 600the user may be provided at information apparatus 100 with information on some or all available output devices 140 identified in the discovery process 502 .
- Information being provided heremay include one or more of the following:
- Information collected during discovery process 502may be provided to the user through a user interface on the information apparatus 100 , such as a GUI or voice or another interface.
- step 602based on some or all of the information provided, the user may choose one or more output devices to take the print request or print job. On the other hand, the user may choose to decline the output service offered, and choose not to output the document or content to any of those devices. In this case, alternatives may be provided to the user as previously described with reference to step 508 ( FIG. 508 ).
- Authentication step 604is optional, but may be necessary if, for example, the use of an output device 140 is restricted to a group of users.
- the usermay have to provide authentication information to identify him/herself as part of the authorized group to use the service.
- Examples of authentication methodsmay include a user's name, password, personal identification number (PIN), ID number, signatures, security keys (physical or digital), biometric, fingerprint, voice, etc. ID number or IP address of the information apparatus 100 may also be used as authentication information.
- ID number or IP address of the information apparatus 100may also be used as authentication information.
- Such authentication informationmay be provided by the user manually or detected automatically by the output controller 120 or output device 140 .
- FIG. 6only provides one embodiment of the service negotiation process 514 of present invention.
- a service negotiation process 514 having fewer or additional stepsmay also be possible.
- step 604authentication
- one or more steps, such as credit verification, payment, deposit, escrow, and receipt processingmay be added to the negotiation process 514 if a service charge is involved. All these and other possible variations, however, shall not depart from the spirit and scope of present invention.
- FIG. 7illustrates different processing procedures that may be implemented as part of output or print job processing step 518 .
- output device 140is referred to as a printer and output data is referred to as print data.
- print datais referred to as print data.
- a printeris only one embodiment of an output device. Display, projection and audio devices are also output devices within the scope of present invention. In no way should the use of printer, in place of output device, and print data, in place of output data, be viewed as restricting the scope to a printing device in the following discussion.
- step 700output manager 308 processes an input digital document or content 701 and converts it to print data 703 that can be transmitted to output controller 120 , combined controller ( 120 C, 120 F) or directly to printer engine 908 . Rasterization, interpretation, encoding, decoding, etc. may take place in this step.
- print data 703may utilize an intermediate format or language to facilitate the transmission of the digital document or content 701 to the output controller 120 . This intermediate format or language may be a predefined input format or language that the output controller 120 can understand. It is also possible in this step 700 that the output manager 308 simply passes the digital document 701 in its original format to the output controller 120 with little processing.
- the output manager 308may process (e.g. raster image process) the digital content or document 701 into a final print data or output data format compatible to the input requirements of the output device 140 . Encryption techniques may be used to assure the security of communication between information apparatus 100 and output devices 140 .
- output data or print data (in case of a printer) 703 generated by step 700may be in various formats.
- the print data 703may be in a final format suitable for sending directly to the printer engine.
- the output controller 120does little or no processing.
- One exemplary use of this configurationcan be implemented in a low cost inkjet printer that does not have a printer controller.
- the print data 703may be in a compressed 1 bit or more CMYK data format that can be sent directly to the printer engine 908 for final output as shown in step 702 .
- print data 703can be sent to the output controller 120 for possible optional features such as buffering, queuing, and print job management as shown in step 704 .
- output manager 308may generate print data 703 in an intermediate format, language, or instruction that requires further processing.
- formats, language or instructionmay include, without limitations, Page description languages (e.g. PostScript, PCL), metafiles (e.g. EMF), markup languages (e.g. XML, HTML), image or graphics formats (TIFF, GIF, PNG, JPEG compressed), among others.
- the intermediate formatmay also include proprietary solutions in page description languages, markup languages, metafiles, image and graphics formats, encoding and decoding, compression and decompression.
- the above-mentioned intermediate formatsmay be used independently, or in combinations.
- output controller 120may be implemented in a variety of ways. Different implementations of output controller 120 may impact the processing procedures described here with reference to FIG. 7 .
- the print data 703is sent directly to the printer or display engine 908 for final output with little or no further processing from output controller 120 or a printer controller 910 .
- the print data or output data 703is preferably to be in a final format or language that can be understood by the printer or display engine 908 that is part of the selected output devices or devices 140 .
- print data 703is sent to an output controller 120 connected to or installed within a selected printer or output device 140 .
- the print data 703may be in a final format or language that can be understood and processed by the printer or display engine 908 .
- the output controllermay buffer the input print data 703 before passing it to the printer or display engine 908 with little or no further processing.
- print data 703maybe in an intermediate format or language not understood by the printer 900 or output engine 908 . Therefore, the output controller 120 may process the print data and convert it into a final format, language or instruction that can be sent to the printer engine (or other output engine, in the case of other type of output device).
- the output controller 120may perform additional management functions such as payment processing, service verification, authentication, print job management, queuing, spooling, quality of service among others.
- the output controller 120may simply buffer the print data 703 and sent it directly to the printer controller 910 as needed with little or no processing.
- the printer controller 910may perform functions such as interpretation, decoding, and raster image processing operations on the input print data 707 (such as a page description language) if such operations were not already performed by output controller 120 or by output manager 308 .
- the processed result of the printer controller 910may be sent to the printer engine 908 for final output.
- a single combined controller 120 F, 120 C(as illustrated in FIG. 4C and 4F ) that combines the functionalities of output controller 120 and a printer controller 910 may process the print data.
- Applications that provide feature sets for each controllermay share the same resources, such as processor, memory space, storage unit, etc.
- the combined controller ( 120 C, 120 F)may further process the print data 703 in step 710 if the print data 703 is not already in the format or language required by printer engine.
- the combined controller ( 120 C, 120 F)may need to perform interpretation, decoding and rasterization operations in addition to converting the input print data 703 (in one or more of intermediate formats described previously) to the required format, language or instruction of the printer engine 908 for output. If the print data 703 is already in the final format, language or instruction understood by the printer engine 908 , the combined controller ( 120 C, 120 F) might simply buffer the print data 703 and send it as needed to the printer engine 908 for output.
- the output controller 120 and the combined controllermay perform functions such as payment processing (if service charge applies); print job management, queuing, spooling, etc.
- FIGS. 8A -8Eshow a series of exemplary graphical user interfaces (GUIs) rendered at different times on a display screen 800 of an information apparatus 100 to illustrate one implementation of the output process 501 described with reference to FIG. 5 .
- GUIsgraphical user interfaces
- the user interfaces showncan be implemented in an information apparatus 100 with or without an operating system.
- the user interfaces illustrated hereare only one example, and other user interfaces may also be implemented within the scope of the present invention.
- a userreceives an email on an information apparatus 100 using an email application.
- Functions available to the userare displayed at the bottom of the screen 800 .
- Printingis one of the functions displayed by the “print” function control or icon 802 .
- the usermay invoke such functions by selecting the icons displayed.
- the usercan make the selection by using, for example, any one or combination of a keyboard, keypad, mouse, stylus, soft keys, push buttons, software command, touch sensitive screen, etc.
- the usermay also make such selection by, for example, a pull down menu, voice-activated command, etc.
- Print function control 802the output process described with reference to FIG. 5 is invoked. As a result, the user is notified of all the printers, if any, available that can take the print or output job. If no available printers are detected, the user may also be notified and provided with alternatives as described with reference to steps 506 and 508 of FIG. 5 .
- screen 810informs the user of the make and model of each available printer.
- the usermay obtain further information on each available printer by, for example, selecting a “more information” control or arrow sign 814 displayed after the name of each printer.
- Further information provided heremay include, without limitation, service options offered by each printer, quality of services provided, service charge if any, acceptable payment method, and whether the use of such printer is restricted to a certain group.
- the information apparatus 100may communicate with output controller 120 to identify data or software components, if any, which need to be uploaded to the information apparatus 100 to enable printing.
- the output manager 308 residing in the information apparatus 100may participate in, coordinate and manage the communications between applications in the information apparatus 100 and the output controller 120 .
- screen 840is displayed to the user as shown in FIG. 8E .
- the usermay use screen 840 to select a preference such as page range, number of copies, number of cards per page, color or grayscale, page layout parameters, etc. Selecting “property” control or button 842 , the user may be provided with more device-dependent options such as color and tone adjustments, halftoning parameters, duplexing, resolution, watermarking, etc.
- Steps 518 and 520can proceed after the user finishes selecting any preferences.
- the userafter selecting the confirmation control or “OK” button 844 shown in FIG. 8E , waits to obtain the printout or other output from the printer or printers 140 selected.
- FIG. 8Fillustrates an interface for the printing process of steps 518 and 520 .
- the usermay be provided with an option to keep or delete the printer driver or software components or synchronized device dependent data, which was uploaded to information apparatus 100 in the earlier steps.
- This optionmay be beneficial to those mobile information apparatuses 100 with limited memory space or a casual user of that particular output device 140 .
- a user who frequently uses a selected printermay wish to keep the printer driver, software components, or data installed so that synchronization for uploading components may be skipped when the printer is used again.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Accounting & Taxation (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Strategic Management (AREA)
- General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
- Finance (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Software Systems (AREA)
- Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
- Development Economics (AREA)
- Economics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
- Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
- Facsimiles In General (AREA)
- Communication Control (AREA)
- Stored Programmes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/710,306 filed Dec. 10, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/903,048 filed Oct. 12, 2010, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,332,521 on Dec. 11, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/016,223 filed Nov. 1, 2001, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,941,541 on May 10, 2011 and which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/245,101 filed Nov. 1, 2000. The complete disclosures of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
- Present invention relates to device synchronization and digital output and, in particular, to providing pervasive output for information apparatuses.
- An Information apparatus refers to both stationary computers and mobile computing devices (pervasive devices). Examples of information apparatuses include without limitation desktop computers, laptop computers, palmtop (hand-held) computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), Internet-enabled cellular phones, smart phones, pagers, Internet appliances, e-books, digital pads, Web pads, and digital capturing devices (e.g., digital cameras and video cameras). An
output device 140 may include a fax machine, printer, copier, image or video display device, projector, and an audio output device. - For simplicity and convenience, hereafter, the following description may refer to an output device as a printer and an output process as printing. However, it should be understood that the term printer and printing is used as a specific example to simplify description or may be one exemplary embodiment. The reference to printing used here is intended to be applied or extended to the larger scope and definition of output devices and should not be construed as restricting the scope and practice of present invention.
- Fueled by ever-increasing bandwidth and processing power and ever-increasing numbers of wireless mobile devices and available software applications for pervasive devices, millions of users are or will be creating, downloading, and transmitting content and information using their pervasive computing devices. Unfortunately, the small display screen of a pervasive device may not provide a good viewing experience. As a result, there is a need to allow users to easily output content and information from their pervasive computing devices to any output device. People need to output directly and conveniently from their pervasive information apparatus, without depending on synchronizing with a stationary computer (e.g., desktop personal computer) for printing, as an example.
- To illustrate, an information worker at an airport receiving e-mail in his hand-held computer may want to walk up to a nearby printer or fax machine to have his e-mail printed. In addition, the mobile worker may also want to print a copy of his to-do list, appointment book, business card, and his flight schedule from his mobile device. As another example, a traveler stopping at a convenience store, gas station, or kiosks may want to print out a copy of the map he just downloaded from the Internet using his Internet enable wireless phone (information apparatus). In still another example, an individual who just finished a stock trade or performed an e-commerce transaction using his PDA (information apparatus) may want to print out a copy of his transaction confirmation, invoice or receipt. In yet another example, a user who takes a picture with a digital camera may want to easily print it out to a nearby printer.
- Conventionally, an output device (e.g., a printer) is connected to an information apparatus via a wired connection such as a cable line. A wireless connection is also possible by using, for example, radio communication or infrared communication. Regardless of whether the connection is wired or wireless, a user must first install in the information apparatus a printer driver corresponding to a particular printer model and make. Using a device-dependent or specific driver, the information apparatus may process output content or a digital document into the printer input space. The printer input space corresponds to the type of input that a printer understands (herein referred to as print data). For example, the printer input space or print data may include a printer-specific input format (e.g., image, graphics, file, data format), encoding, page description language, markup language, instructions, protocols or data that can be understood or used by a particular printer make and model.
- Print data may be proprietary or a published standard or a combination of the two. A printer input space or print data is therefore, in general, device dependent. Different printer models may specify their own input, designed or adopted for optimal operation by the printer manufacturer according to a specification. Consequently, different printers usually require use of specific printer drivers for accurate printing. A device driver (printer driver in this example) may control, manage, communicate, and output print data to a printer. Sometimes, instead of using a printer or device driver, the device driving feature may be included as part of an application software. The application in this example may process the document and communicate directly with an output device without utilizing a device driver. Print data is an output data sent to a printer. However, the term print data used here is intended to be applied or extended to the larger scope and definition of output data which applies to any output devices including display, projection and audio devices, and this should not be construed as restricting the scope and practice of present invention.
- Installation of a printer driver or application may be accomplished by, for example, manual installation using a CD or floppy disk supplied by the printer manufacturer. Or alternatively, a user may be able to download that particular driver or application from a network. For a home or office user, this installation process may take anywhere from several minutes to several hours depending on the type of driver and user's sophistication level with computing devices and networks. Even with plug-and-play driver installation, the user is still required to execute a multi-step process for each printer. This installation and configuration process adds a degree of complexity and work to end-users who may otherwise spend their time doing other productive or enjoyable work. Moreover, many unsophisticated users may be discouraged from adding new peripherals (e.g., printers, scanners, etc.) to their home computers or networks to avoid the inconvenience of installation and configuration. Therefore, there is a need to provide a way for a user to more conveniently or easily output digital content to an output device without the inconvenience of manually finding and installing new device drivers or printer drivers. Installation of printer drivers, if needed, should be more automatic and transparent to end-users.
- In addition, conventional printing methods may pose significantly higher challenges and difficulties for mobile device users than for home and office computer users. The requirement for pre-installation of a device-dependent driver is in conflict with the concept of mobile (pervasive) computing and output. For example, a mobile user may want to print e-mail, PowerPoint® presentation documents, web pages, or other documents in an airplane or at an airport, gas station, convenience store, kiosk, hotel, conference room, office, home, etc. It is highly unlikely that the user would find at any of these locations a printer of the same make and model as is at the user's base station. Therefore, the user may have to install and configure a printer driver each time at each of these locations before printing. Alternatively, it is also not a viable option usually to pre-install all of the possible hundreds, or even thousands, of printer drivers available to the user's information apparatus. A mobile information device usually has limited memory and storage capacity. As a consequence, the user would currently be required to install and configure a printer driver each time at each such different location before printing. Moreover, the user may not want to be bothered with looking for a driver or downloading it and installing it just to print out one page of email at the airport. This is certainly an undesirable and discouraging process to promote pervasive or mobile computing. Therefore, a more convenient or automated printing solution is needed so that a user can simply walk up to a printer and easily print a digital document without having to install or pre-install a particular printer driver.
- Network printing may partially solve the above problem in a local area network (LAN). Network printing was first motivated to allow people to share printing resources within a network. Printers are often connected to the network using a network adapter or network card. Print servers may be used to manage print jobs (such as spooling). Different clients may send print jobs to the print server for queuing, prioritizing and managing. The driver of each networked printer may be stored in the network (for example, in an application server) and available for clients to download.
- The above configuration is often used in a local area network (LAN) such as in an office building. An office worker with a mobile or static computing device connected to this network may be able to send a print job to any printer that is connected to the same network. He either has the necessary printer drivers pre-installed in his device or he can download a driver from the LAN before printing to a particular printer. But once outside of the office building, or meaning outside of his wired or wireless network coverage, the office worker can no longer print to any printer he or she desires.
- In one instance, it has been argued that the idea of local network printing can be further extended to the Internet as the larger and public network. In an ideal situation, every printer and every computing device (information apparatus) is connected to the same network, for example the Internet. But in reality, extending network printing to a big super-network or the Internet is still unavailable.
- Nevertheless, one drawback of network printing may be higher cost. To connect the output devices and information apparatus to the same network, additional hardware or software may need to be installed. And therefore, the costs of output devices may be raised substantially. In addition to hardware and software costs there are also service charges to maintain the connectivity to a large network such as the Internet. Furthermore, a large permanent network infrastructure would need to be built and made available to each location.
- In addition to costs, another drawback of network printing is reliability. Network printing requires perfect function in any part of the chain of network hardware, software and services. If any component of the link is down or not fully functional, for any reason, printing service may be unavailable, interrupted or result in inaccuracies.
- Finally, another drawback of network printing is the issue of security. A user does not feel secure if confidential documents or information must pass through the entire network before reaching the printer immediately in front of him or her. There may be the fear that the confidential document could be intercepted, viewed, copied or stored within any segment of the connected network. There can also be the fear that the document could actually be printed to a different printer instead of the intended one. This problem may be caused by, for example, errors in directory service software, a software component that is not up-to-date or corrupted, inconsistent or incompatible software and/or hardware versions, or any combination of human, software, network, or hardware errors. There is also risk when downloading a software component (e.g., printer driver) from the network to an information apparatus. This software component maybe damaged, corrupted or carrying a malicious attack or virus or otherwise modified by hackers. A damaged software component can disrupt or corrupt the user's information apparatus. Finally, some internal corporate or local networks may reject unknown documents trying to reach their printers and other output devices protected within a firewall. It is therefore more desirable if the communication and exchange of information are done locally between users' information apparatus and the selected output device, all within the range of the users watchful, and inspecting eyes.
- Accordingly, the present invention provides a convenient method of digital printing in which a user need not pre-install a device-dependent printer driver on an information apparatus in order to print.
- This invention can provide an easy, friendly and convenient process for printing. Unlike conventional printing, a user need not manually install a printer driver from a CD, floppy disk, or download it somewhere from an existing static network. With the apparatus and process of present invention, all the software components, data, or printer drivers can be loaded to the information apparatus through easy and automatic synchronization process between the information apparatus and a printer having an output controller of present invention. As a result, a mobile user with an information apparatus equipped with an output manager of present invention can print pervasively virtually at any time, anywhere, to any printer.
- Furthermore, this invention can provide a convenient method allowing users to print to any printer with or without connection to a static permanent network for both the information apparatus and the output device. Through local communication and synchronization directly between the information apparatus and the output device, hardware and software installation for static network connectivity may not be necessary. Therefore printing costs may be reduced.
- In addition, this invention can provide a more reliable printing method than conventional remote network printing methods or processes. By communicating locally between an information apparatus and an output device, the printing process does not depend on the perfect function of each element of a network chain. This chain may include, for example, network connections, network servers, application servers, service providers and application providers. Therefore, the chance of a successful printing under present invention is greatly enhanced as processing and communication involves fewer elements.
- This invention can further provide a more secure printing process than conventional network printing processes and methods. Uploading or downloading data or software components such as a printer driver from an output device immediately in front of user provides a more secure feeling than dealing with components from a remote location in the network. Components stored in a large network may be perceived to have more exposure to tampering (e.g., contaminated with a virus). An erroneous module or component in the network caused by a human or software or hardware error may also disrupt the function of the information apparatus. Furthermore, sending a confidential digital document or print data directly to the printer in front of user provides a more secure feeling than if the document is routed through a large network with a plurality of users and servers. There are greater possibilities of the document being intercepted, viewed, copied, stored or finally printed on a wrong printer in conventional network printing.
- In accordance with present invention, an electronic system and method of pervasive output allow an information apparatus to output digital content conveniently to virtually any output device. The information apparatus may be equipped with a central processing unit, input/output control unit, storage unit, memory unit, and wired or wireless communication unit or adapters. The information apparatus preferably also includes output manager that may be implemented as application software, a client application, or device driver (printer driver in case of printer). The output manager may include management and control capabilities with hardware and software components including for example one or more communication chipsets residing in its host information apparatus.
- The output manager in the information apparatus may be capable of communicating with, managing and synchronizing data or software components with an output device equipped with an output controller of present invention. Examples of output devices include, without limitation, printers, fax machines, copiers, image or video display devices, monitors, display screens, projectors, and audio output devices.
- The output controller may be a circuit board, card or software components residing in an output device. Alternatively, the output controller may be connected externally to an output device as an external component or “box.” The output controller may be implemented with one or a combination of embedded processor, software, firmware, ASIC, DSP, FPGA, system on a chip, special chipsets, among others. In another embodiment, the functionality of the output controller may be provided by application software running on a PC, workstation or server connected externally to an output device.
- The output controller may include a processing unit, memory/storage unit and communication adapter unit, among others. The storage or memory unit of the output controller may store device drivers, software components or objects encapsulating device dependent data, algorithms, and code. Device dependent data may be, for example, parameters and information about the output device and output controller. Software components and objects may encapsulate for example code or executables of algorithms necessary for converting or encoding an image or document description or language into print data or output data compatible with a specific output device. The output manager may manage the process of uploading data and or software components from an output controller to an information apparatus in order to, for example, enable the information apparatus to generate and transmit print data or output data accurately to the output device or the output controller.
- Output data (or print data in the case where the output device is a printer) may be specific data, instructions, page description language, markup language, graphics and or image file format among others. Print data may also be encoded or compressed with one or more compression or encoding techniques. Furthermore, print data may use one or more open standards or one or more proprietary techniques and formats, or a combination. Output data (or print data for printers) refers to the electronic data sent from an information apparatus to the output device.
- One implementation of a digital content output process of this invention includes the following steps.
- 1. A user requests to print a digital content from his/her information apparatus.
- 2. The information apparatus detects available output devices by a discovery process.
- 3. The information apparatus exchanges service information with output controllers associated with the available output devices in a service negotiation process. The user may then select one or more output devices based on the service information provided.
- 4. The information apparatus communicates with output controller to identify and upload the necessary components to enable output to a specific output device as part of a synchronization process. The uploaded components or data may then be installed or configured in the information apparatus.
- 5. The digital content intended for output is processed by one or more components to be compatible with the output device. The one or more components include the information apparatus with an output manager, an output controller and the output device.
- 6. The printer engine or display engine or audio engine generates final output.
- In the output process of present invention, an output manager residing in the information apparatus may participate in, coordinate and manage the communication and exchange of information/components between its host information apparatus and output controllers.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an output system that can implement the process and apparatus of the present invention.FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams illustrating exemplary configurations of hardware components of wireless communication units.FIG. 3A-3C illustrates various configurations and implementations of output manager with respect to an information apparatus.FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate various configurations and implementations of output controller with respect to a printer or output device.FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a pervasive output process of the present invention.FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an exemplary implementation of service negotiation process optionally included in the output process ofFIG. 5 .FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of different possible configuration of print job process included in the output process ofFIG. 5 .FIGS. 8A-8G show a series of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) rendered at different times on a display screen of an information apparatus.FIG. 9A-9B is a block diagram of a conventional printing system or printer.FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components of an electronic communication system that may provide an operating environment for the present invention and includes aninformation apparatus 100, which is a computing device with processing capability. As illustrated inFIG. 1 , examples ofinformation apparatus 100 may include, but are not limited to, a desktop personal computer (PC), laptop computer, palmtop computer, handheld or mobile device, personal digital assistant (PDA), smart phone, screen phone, set-top box, e-book, Internet pad, digital camera, Internet appliance, pager, etc.Information apparatus 100 may contain components (not shown) such as a processing unit, a memory unit, a storage unit and an input/output control unit, as are known in the art.Information apparatus 100 may also contain an interface (not shown) for interactions with users. The interface may be implemented in software or hardware or a combination. Examples of such an interface include, without limitation, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch-sensitive or non-touch-sensitive screen, one or more push buttons, soft keys, a stylus, a speaker, a microphone, etc.- An
information apparatus 100 may be a dedicated single task device (e.g. email terminal, web terminal, e-book, etc) or a general-purpose computing device with multiple features and functions. These multiple functions and features may be implemented by one or more software applications (e.g.,applications 302,FIG. 3 ) installed in theinformation apparatus 100, which may or may not include an operating system. Adigital camera 112 equipped with processing capability and feature sets of the present invention is also an example of aninformation apparatus 100. - Some information apparatuses100 (e.g., dedicated devices) may be pre-configured by manufacturers with fixed functionalities and features.
Other information apparatuses 100 may allow users to install additional hardware components and application software (e.g.,applications 302,FIG. 3 ) to expand or change functionality. Examples of functionalities and applications ofinformation apparatuses 100 may include, for example, e-mail, messaging, voice communication, web browsing, image acquisition, text processing, graphics applications, document or image editing, and output functionalities, among others. - Functionalities and feature sets of an
information apparatus 100 may be implemented in software or hardware or a combination of both. When features are implemented in software, this software may be installed by the manufacturer or by users. Application software may be implemented using embedded software running on embedded processors or it may run on a specific operating system. Some or all or combinations of applications and feature sets may also be implemented in hardware or in silicon. Some functionality or feature sets may be implemented in special chip sets and may include one or more or combinations of, for example, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), systems on a chip, firmwares, etc. Information apparatus 100 may or may not contain an operating system. In an implementation having an operating system, the operating system may provide a variety of application programming interfaces (APIs) or object models (e.g.,APIs 300,FIG. 3 ) for software applications to interface and communicate with device drivers. Device drivers in aninformation apparatus 100 control and communicate with peripheral devices such as printers, copiers, fax machines, display monitors, screens, etc. Several different applications can share a common device driver through the use of APIs or interfaces or object models provided by an operating system, as described below with reference toFIG. 3A . In implementations having no operating system or an operating system that does not support or provide a device driver API, each application may have to implement its own device driver or its own output and communication capability, as described below with reference toFIGS. 3B and 3C . For example, to output a digital document to a printer, each application may have to implement its own printer-specific driving, processing and/or communication capability.- In one implementation,
information apparatus 100 includes an output manager308 (FIGS. 3A-3C ), which is typically implemented in software.Output manager 308 may be implemented or included in a client application, or as a stand-alone application, or as part of another application software302B (FIG. 3B ), or in the form of a device driver (e.g., a printer driver, in case of a printer being the output device), which may be invoked, shared and used by one or more application software programs302 (FIGS. 3A-3C ). - One task for
output manager 308 is to manage and coordinate communication betweeninformation apparatus 100 and one ormore output controllers 120.Output manager 308 may, for example, implement an open-standard or a proprietary communication protocol to directly or indirectly interact with, manage, or utilize functionalities provided by hardware components residing in ahost information apparatus 100. Such hardware components may include, for example, a processing unit, a memory unit and communication chipsets (not shown).Output manager 308 may include one or more of the following features and functionalities: Output manager 308 may communicate and interact with one ormore software applications 302 included in ahost information apparatus 100 to provide pervasive output capability or feature to thosesoftware applications 302. The type of information passed from thesoftware applications 302 to theoutput manager 308 may be, for example, a digital document or digital content data that needs output. In some instances,application software 302 may invoke or launch theoutput manager 308 as a separate application (as shown inFIG. 3C ) or as an integrated part of the application software (as shown inFIG. 3B ). Examples of possible communication and management betweenoutput manager 308 andapplication software 302 may include, among others, messages, objects models, instances, procedural calls, program invocation and APIs, which may or may not be provided by an operating system.Output manager 308 may manage and maintain wired or wireless communications withoutput controller 120.Output manager 308 may interact with functionalities implemented by hardware components of itshost information apparatus 100. As an example, theoutput manager 308 may manage and interact with the communication unit in theinformation apparatus 100.FIGS. 2A and 2B show an example of communication units using wireless adapters, as described below in greater detail. A user may interact with theoutput manager 308 through a user interface provided byoutput manager 308 through thehost information apparatus 100.Output manager 308 may help discoveravailable output devices 140, verify communication connections, identify devices available or compatible for service, or send or broadcast service requests to one or more devices.Output manager 308 may communicate withoutput controller 120 to identify necessary software components, data, or any other device dependent information or parameters, if any, that need to be uploaded from theoutput controller 120 to thehost information apparatus 100 to enable pervasive output. Software components may be, for example, a device driver, an application, a special code or algorithm, an executable object or device dependent data, parameter, information, etc.Output manager 308 may coordinate withoutput controller 120 to upload the necessary components or data from theoutput controller 120 to itshost information apparatus 100 so that the user can output digital content pervasively to thatoutput controller 120 or its associatedoutput device 140.Output manager 308 may perform raster image processing operations (e.g. rasterization, color management, half-toning operations) or convert digital content from its original format into print data compatible for input to aspecific output controller 120 oroutput device 140. The digital content may be created, stored or received by theinformation apparatus 100. For example, anoutput manager 308 may convert digital document information from a certain format or language into a specific print data or intermediate format or language such as PostScript, PCL, EMF, XML, TIFF, JPEG, RTL, among others, for output.Output manager 308 may coordinate or manage the communication between ahost information apparatus 100 andoutput controller 120 to send or transmit the print data to theoutput controller 120.
Output Controller 120- An
output controller 120 may be implemented as software or hardware and may be connected to or integrated within anoutput device 140.Output controllers 120H illustrate hardware implementations in the form of a circuit board or card that is installed or integrated into anoutput device 140, such as a printer, copiers, fax machine, display screen among others. In another configuration (not shown),output controller 120 may be implemented as a software application or component that is installed or integrated into anoutput device 140.Output controller 120G illustrates a hardware implementation in the form of an external component or “box” that is separately connected to one ormore output devices 140. - Whether externally connected to or internally installed in
output device 140,output controller 120 may be implemented with hardware, software, or both, that perform the feature sets and functionalities of theoutput controller 120 described herein. In the case ofoutput device 140 being a printer,output controller 120 can also sometimes be called a printer server. Exemplary configurations and implementations ofoutput controller 120 are described below with reference toFIG. 4 . - As one example,
output controller 120 may be implemented as a computer connected to one ormore output devices 140. For example, a conventional PC, workstation or server may serve the purpose of anoutput controller 120. In this case, the functionalities ofoutput controller 120 may be implemented using application software installed in the computer (PC, server, or workstation), with the computer connected to theoutput device 140. - An
output controller 120 installed or connected to anoutput device 140, such as a printer, enables theoutput device 140 to communicate and negotiate services withinformation apparatus 100. In one implementation, aninformation apparatus 100 may communicate with anoutput controller 120 connected to a printer or anoutput controller 120 internally installed within a printer to obtain device dependent data or software components such as device specific printer driver. An application such as anoutput manager 308 residing in theinformation apparatus 100 may install and configure the uploaded components or data, allowinginformation apparatus 100 to print to that printer directly. An example of an output process is described below with reference toFIG. 5 . - Functionalities and feature sets of
output controller 120 may include one or more of the following: - Provide service to clients—
Output controller 120 may actively search for available clients, includinginformation apparatus 100 oroutput manager 308 or other communication units, to which clients' output service could be provided. Alternatively or in combination, anoutput controller 120 may passively wait to be discovered by one or more clients, includinginformation apparatus 100, to provide output service to the client or clients. - Negotiation of services with
information apparatus 100—Output controller 120 may communicate and exchange information withinformation apparatus 100 as part of negotiating the output services to be provided. As an example, in communication with aninformation apparatus 100, anoutput controller 120 may inform theinformation apparatus 100 of the make, model, identification, version, type of input language, type of device driver software, type of services provided, type of components available for upload, etc. for a selectedoutput device 140 such as a printer. As another example, aninformation apparatus 100 may send one or more messages to anoutput controller 120 inquiring about what software component or data, if any, theinformation apparatus 100 needs to upload from theoutput controller 120 to enable output to aspecific output device 140. - Provide security functionalities such as authentication and encryption—Authentication is used to prevent unwanted access to services, while encryption is used to prevent eavesdropping. Security procedures may be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of both, in various steps and stages of communication between the
output controller 120 or theoutput device 140 and theinformation apparatus 100. - Payment or transaction management and services—A user may be charged a service fee when, for example, providing output to a
printer 140 orother output device 140.Output controller 120 may have the ability to calculate and process payment according to the services requested by or rendered to a client.Output controller 120 may process payments in various forms such as cash, E-cash, credit card, debit card, E-card, smart card, virtual cash, etc. - Storage capability—
Output controller 120 may include a memory or storage unit and may store within it one or more of the following: application software, device or printer driver, software components, device dependent data or parameters, user interfaces, etc. Software components or data stored in theoutput device 140 or theoutput controller 120 may be uploaded to theinformation apparatus 100 in order for theinformation apparatus 100 or theoutput manager 308 to drive theoutput device 140. Software components may be executable or partially executable programs or data. - Synchronize with
information apparatus 100—Afteroutput controller 120 or theoutput manager 308 ininformation apparatus 100 identifies the components (software component, data, information or parameters) necessary to enable output or printing, theoutput controller 120 may coordinate with theoutput manager 308 to upload to theinformation apparatus 100 the components stored in a memory or storage unit ofoutput controller 120. - Provide management tools—
Multiple information apparatuses 100 may request service from thesame output device 140 at the same time or at overlapping times. Management tools such as queuing and spooling of print jobs, quality of service, etc. may be provided by theoutput controller 120.
- Provide service to clients—
- As indicated above,
output controller 120 may be implemented in a variety of ways and may include hardware, software, or a combination of the two. In hardware implementations, for example,output controller 120 may include components using one or more of hardware types such as ASIC, DSP, FPGA, firmware, system on a chip, and communication chip set.Output controller 120 may also include embedded processors with software components or embedded application software to implement its feature sets, and functionalities. Anoutput controller 120 may or may not contain an operating system. Output controller 120 typically includes a memory or storage unit (ROM, RAM, flash memory, disk drive-not shown), which may store one or more software applications, software components and data. Some software applications may run in theoutput controller 120 to perform its functionalities (e.g., communicate with information apparatus100).- The memory or storage unit of an
output controller 120 may also store data and one or more software components that may be available to be uploaded to or synchronized with aninformation apparatus 100 during communication withoutput manager 308. A software component may be a device driver or complete application software that can run on theinformation apparatus 100. Once such a software component is uploaded and installed, theinformation apparatus 100 can drive or output to thatspecific output device 140. - A software component may also be a partial device driver or partial application software or partial software component. A software component may be an executable or partially executable program, object or code. Software components may encapsulate information, algorithms, and data. Examples (of algorithms that may be included in the software components include compression/decompression methods, file conversion, graphics representation and rendering, image processing and enhancement operations, color space transformation and data conversion, encoding/decoding techniques, color matching and management methods, image transformation, interpolation methods halftoning techniques, user interface software codes etc. Examples of data that may be included in software components include, for example, a color table, color space information, halftoning tables, output device type, output resolution, bit depth, input type, format or language, communication protocol type, output status, device identification and signature, graphics, image and text descriptions etc.
- Such software components may be uploaded to
output manager 308 to facilitate communication and generation of print data or output data suitable, compatible or optimized for theoutput controller 120 or theoutput device 140. Theoutput controller 120 andoutput manager 308 manage and negotiate the proper components to be uploaded to theinformation apparatus 100. - Not all situations require uploading an entire or complete driver or application to
output manager 308 orinformation apparatus 100. In some implementations uploading only a software component may be sufficient. For example, there are many inkjet printers that commonly use one-bit or multi-bit CMYK printing technology, and sometimes have similar resolutions. Aninformation apparatus 100 may pre-install a more generic printer driver, where this printer driver contains the device independent portion of the software code, algorithms, and data that is common or can be used for this entire class of printers. Device-independent code may include, for example, a rasterization process (including half-toning and color management methods) and image enhancement of the digital document that is suitable for use with this entire class of printers. In this example, it is feasible to upload only a smaller software component or data that includes the device-dependent components for a particular printer oroutput device 140. The device-dependent portion or component or data may include, but is not limited to, color tables, halftoning tables, output resolution, bit depth, compression/decompression methods, color space conversion, encoding algorithms or conversion software that is specific to that printer oroutput device 140. - Another example of a software component stored in the memory unit of an
output controller 120 for uploading to aninformation apparatus 100 is an installation wizard or a user interface to capture a user's preferences for printing or output operation. Examples of user preferences in the case of printing may include, without limitation, color and print quality parameter adjustments, number of copies, number of cards per page, number of pages per sheet, duplex, portrait or landscape, security information, etc. - Once the software components or data are uploaded or installed in
information apparatus 100, theinformation apparatus 100 can drive or output to theoutput device 140. For example, anapplication 302 in theinformation apparatus 100 can print a digital document or image to a printer. Different information apparatuses 100 may require different software components to be uploaded in order to drive aspecific output device 140. Accordingly, a variety of software components and data or device drivers for a plurality ofinformation apparatuses 100, operating systems, and platform types may be stored in the memory or storage components of anoutput controller 120.Output controller 120 may contain an embedded operating system to manage its applications. With an operating system, some or all functionalities and feature sets of theoutput controller 120 may be implemented as application software. Additional application software may be installed or upgraded to newer versions in order to, for example, provide additional functionalities or bug fixes.Output controller 120 may contain a user interface that allows a user to configure and manage the functions provided by theoutput controller 120. The user interface of theoutput controller 120 maybe accomplished by, for example, using display screens, soft keys, pushbuttons, mouse, stylus and keypads to allow users to interact with and manage the functions provided by theoutput controller 120. Examples of such functions may include any or all of an on-off power switch, status display or indicator, cancel current job, or reorder existing jobs, etc.Output controller 120 typically also includes a communication or adapter unit, which allowsoutput controller 120 to communicate with other devices includinginformation apparatus 100 through wired or wireless connections. Exemplary configurations of wireless adapter or communication unit are described below with reference toFIG. 2 .- When
output controller 120 is implemented as firmware, or an embedded application, the configuration and management of the functionalities ofoutput controller 120 may be optionally accomplished by, for example, using controller management software in a host computer (not shown). A host computer may be a desktop personal computer (PC), workstation, or server. The host computer may be connected locally or through a network to theoutput device 140 orcontroller 120. Communication between the host computer andoutput controller 120 can be accomplished through wired or wireless communication. The management application software in the host computer can manage the settings, configurations, and feature sets of theoutput controller 120. Furthermore, a host computer configuration application may download or install application software, software components or data in theoutput controller 120 for the purpose of upgrading, updating, and or modifying the features and capabilities of theoutput controller 120. Output device 140 in one implementation includes or is connected tooutput controller 120 described above. Therefore, functionalities and feature sets provided byoutput controller 120 are automatically included as part of the functionalities ofoutput device 140. Theoutput device 140 may, however, implement or include other controllers or applications that provide at least partially the features and functionalities of theoutput controller 120.- Therefore, the
output device 140 may include some or all of the functionalities and feature sets provided by theoutput controller 120. Output Device 140Output device 140 is an electronic system capable of outputting digital content regardless of whether the output medium is a substrate (e.g., paper), a display image, a projection, or sound. A typical example ofoutput device 140 may be a printer, which outputs digital documents containing text, graphics, images or any combination onto a substrate.Output device 140 may also be a display device capable of displaying still images or video, such as, without limitation, televisions, monitors, and projectors.Output device 140 can also be a device capable of outputting sound. Any device capable of playing or reading digital content in audio (e.g., music) or data (e.g., text or document) formats is also apossible output device 140. A printer (including a fax machine, copier, etc.) is frequently referred to herein as theexemplary output device 140. However, it should be recognized that the present invention applies as well tooutput devices 140 other than printers.FIG. 9A is a block diagram of a conventional printing system orprinter 900A having three basic components: raster image processor (RIP)902, a memory buffer904, and a marking engine906.Raster image processor 902 converts digital content into a bitmap suitable for printing; memory buffer904 holds the rasterized image ready for printing; and marking engine906 transfers colorant to a substrate (e.g., paper).- Marking engine906 may use any of a variety of different technologies to transform a rasterized image to paper or other media or, in other words, to transfer colorant to a substrate. The different marking or printing technologies that may be used include both impact and non-impact printing. Examples of impact printing may include dot matrix, Teletype, daisywheel, etc. Non-impact printing technologies may include inkjet, laser, electrostatic, thermal, dye sublimation, etc.
- Marking engine906 and memory buffer904 of a printer900 form its printer engine908, which may also include additional circuitry and components, such as firmware, software and or chips or chipsets for decoding and signal conversion etc. (not shown). Input to a printer engine908 is usually a final rasterized print data generated by the
raster image processor 902. Such input is usually device dependent and printer specific. The printer engine908 may take this device dependent input and generate output pages. - Raster image processor (RIP)902 may be located within the printing device itself (as shown in
FIG. 10A ) or externally implemented as hardware, software, or a combination. As an example, RIP may be implemented in a software application or device driver in the information apparatus. A RIP may also reside within a printer controller, a print server or an output controller of present invention. Examples of raster image processing operations may include image and graphics interpretation, rasterization, segmentation, color space transformation, image enhancement, color correction, halftoning etc. - When a
RIP 902 is located inside anoutput device 140, theRIP 902 is usually included in aprinter controller 910 that may, for example, interpret, convert and/or rasterize input print data into a final format, language or instructions that printer engine908 can understand. A laser printer with a faster printing speed is an example that falls in this category. For example, aPostScript printer controller 910 may contain a postscript interpreter (not shown) and a raster image processor902 (RIP). Postscript interpreter interpret the postscript language and theraster image processor 902 may process the digital document and converting it to a printer specific format, language or instructions that can be accepted by the printer engine908. In this example, a device-dependent printer driver (e.g., a Postscript driver, not shown) may be needed in theinformation apparatus 100 to convert digital document from its original format into print data (e.g. in PostScript) that is acceptable to theprinter controller 910. - Another example of page description language is PCL (Printer Command Language) from HP (Hewlett Packard). In the same way as postscript, a printer equipped with
PCL printer controller 910 can take PCL as input.Information apparatus 100 usually needs to have PCL printer driver in order to drive or print to a printer equipped with a PCL controller. - Although the illustrations above use PostScript and PCL as examples, a variety of other page description languages, markup languages, image formats, graphics formats, and file formats may also be used as input print data920 to a printer900 or
output device 140. Examples of possible inputs other than PostScript and PCL may include without limitation, EMF, XML, HTML, among many others. Some printer manufacturers may also use a combination of proprietary or non-proprietary page description languages, markup languages, file formats, graphics and image formats, color spaces, metafiles, encoding, decoding, compression or decompression etc. for the print data920. Print data920 sent to printers withprinter controllers 910 are usually intermediate descriptions of a digital document that may require further interpretation, processing and/or conversion before it can be send a printer engine for output. Aprinter controller 910 may interpret and process the input intermediate print data information into the final format that can be understood by the printer engine908. Regardless of the type of print data920, users usually have to pre-install a device-specific driver in theirinformation apparatus 100 in order to output the proper language, format, or file that can be accepted by aspecific printer 140. - Some
output devices 900B do not have aprinter controller 910 as shown inFIG. 9B . A typical example is a lower-cost inkjet printer. RIP in this example may be implemented in asoftware application 302 or device driver oroutput manager 308 of present invention in theinformation apparatus 100. Therefore, the rasterization process may occur in theinformation apparatus 100 that outputs to such a printer. A device-specific driver or application may need to reside in theinformation apparatus 100 to rasterize and convert the digital document from its original format intofinal print data 920B (e.g., compressed CMKY data with one or more bits per pixel) that can be understood by aparticular printer engine 908B. - In present invention, for the
printer 900B, RIP can be integrated within theoutput manager 308 orapplication software 302 in theinformation apparatus 100. Alternatively, RIP may also be integrated as a part or a function of any one of output controllers as shown in configurations120D,120E, and120F. - The
output controller 120 may be connected externally to anoutput device 140 or integrated internally into theoutput device 140. If anoutput device 140 such as a printer already includes aprinter controller 910, theoutput controller 120 may be implemented serially or cascaded with theprinter controller 910 as two separate controllers. Alternatively,output controller 120 can be integrated with a printer controller to become a “combined controller”120C. A combined controller (e.g.,120C or120F) has functionalities of both printer controller910 (e.g., input interpretation and or raster image processing) andoutput controller 120 of the present invention. Other configurations and implementations ofoutput controller 120 andprinter controller 910 are also possible. The various possible configurations and implementations of output controller are described below with reference toFIG. 4 . - Communication Unit
Communication links information apparatus 100 with anoutput controller 120, whether externally connected and or internally integrated, may be variously implemented. In one implementation,information apparatus 100 communicates withoutput controller 120 through wireless connections such as infrared or radio links. Examples of wireless connections technology include without limitation IrDA, home RF, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, HiperLan2, among others. However, wired connections such as serial interfaces, parallel interfaces, USB interfaces, Fire Wire (IEEE 1394), Ethernet and token ring network among others may also be implemented in the present invention. Adapter pairs may be incorporated into each communicating node (e.g.,information apparatus 100 and output controller120) to conduct communications by performing signal conversions.- In the case that
output controller 120 is installed as an external component or “box” (as shown inFIG. 4A ), thecommunication link 170 betweenoutput controller 120 andoutput device 140 may also be implemented using wired or wireless adapters. FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams illustrating two exemplary configurations and implementations of wireless communication adapters that may be included in aninformation apparatus 100,output controller 120 oroutput device 140. Referring toFIG. 2A , aradio adapter 200 may be implemented to enable data/voice transmission among devices through radio links. ARF transceiver 214 coupled withantenna 216 is used to receive and transmit radio frequency signals. TheRF transceiver 214 also converts radio signals into and from electronic signals. TheRF transceiver 214 is connected to aRF link controller 210 by aninterface 212. Theinterface 212 may perform functions such as analog-to-digital conversion, digital-to-analog conversion, modulation/demodulation and other data conversion functions.RF link controller 210 implements real-time lower layer (e.g., physical layer) protocol processing that enables the hosts (e.g.,information apparatus 100,output controller 120,output device 140, etc.) to communicate over a radio link. Functions performed by thelink controller 210 may include, without limitation, error detection/correction, power control, data packet processing, data encryption/decryption and other data processing functions.- A variety of radio links may be utilized, including a group of competing technologies operating in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed frequency band. This group currently includes Bluetooth, Home radio frequency (Home RF) and implementations based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. Each of these technologies has a different set of protocols and they all provide solutions for wireless local area networks (LANs). Interference among these technologies could limit deployment of these protocols simultaneously. It is anticipated that new local area wireless technologies may emerge or that the existing ones may converge. Nevertheless, all theses existing and future wireless technologies may be implemented in the present invention to transmit data between different devices without limitation and therefore in no way depart from the scope of present invention.
- Among the current available wireless technologies, Bluetooth requires relatively lower power consumption. Bluetooth has its own protocol stack and is designed for short range (10 meters), point-to-multipoint voice and data transfer. It is based on a frequency-hopping version of spread spectrum. Seventy-nine hop frequencies are utilized beginning at the lowest frequency of 2402 MHz and each of the 79 hop frequencies is 1 MHz above the next lower frequency. Bluetooth-enabled devices operate in piconets, in which several devices, using the same hopping pattern or sequence, are connected in a point-to-multipoint system (piconet). One device (master) in each piconet determines how the bandwidth is allocated to other devices (slaves). As many as 10 piconets of 8 devices each can operate simultaneously.
- Referring to
FIG. 2B , infrared (IR)adapters 220 may be implemented to enable data transmission among devices through infrared transmission. TheIR adapters 220 may be conveniently implemented in accordance with the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) standards and specifications. In general, the IrDA standard is used to provide wireless connectivity technologies for devices that would normally use cables for connection. The IrDA standard is a point-to-point (vs. point-to-multipoint as in Bluetooth), narrow angle, ad-hoc data transmission standard designed to operate over a distance of 0 to 1 meter and at speeds up to 4 Mbps. - Configuration of
infrared adapters 220 may vary depending on the intended rate of data transfer.FIG. 2B illustrates one embodiment ofinfrared adapter 220.Transceiver 226 receives/emits IR signals and converts IR signals to/from electrical signals. A UART (universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter)222 performs the function of serialization/deserialization, converting serial data stream to/from data bytes. TheUART 222 is connected to theIR transceiver 226 by encoder/decoder (ENDEC)224. This configuration is generally suitable for transferring data at relatively low rate, for example 115.2 kbps or below. Other components (e.g. packet framer, phase-locked loop) may be needed for higher data transfer rates. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate exemplary configurations of wireless adapters. Such adapters are implemented into devices (e.g.,information apparatus 100,output controller 120,output device 140, etc.) to enable wireless communications among/between them. Wired links, however, such as parallel interface, USB, firewire interface, Ethernet and token ring networks may also be implemented in the present invention by using appropriate adapters and configurations.- Different Output Manager Configurations and Processes
FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate different implementations ofoutput manager 308.FIG. 3A shows an exemplary configuration ofoutput manager 308 in which itshost information apparatus 100 includes an operating system.Such information apparatuses 100 may include, without limitation, desktop PC, laptop PC and handheld or palmtop computer, among others. The operating system provides API's or objectmodels 300 forsoftware applications 302 to interface and communicate with various device management applications sometimes called device drivers.Output manager 308 in this case may be characterized as one of the device management applications or device drivers. Different software applications302A can share thesame output manager 308 through the use of API's300 provided by an operating system.- As shown in
FIG. 3A ,email application 302 A1,document creation application 302 A2 andInternet browsing application 302 A3 (referred to generally or together as application software302) may operate on top of or through an operating system included in theinformation apparatus 100. The operating system provides or supports API's or objectmodels 300 for thesesoftware applications 302 to communicate with and access utilities and services provided byoutput manager 308.Application software 302 andoutput manager 308 may communicate with each other through a variety of means using for example file transfer, metafile, messages, instances, procedural calls, etc., which may or may not be provided by the operating system or its API's or objectmodels 300. Theoutput manager 308 communicates and synchronizes withoutput controller 120 to enable pervasive output. Therefore, a user may output digital contents from any of these software applications302 (email, document creation, Internet browsing, etc.) to anoutput device 140 equipped with or connected tooutput controller 120. - It should be recognized that the three software applications302(1)-302(3) illustrated in
FIG. 3 are merely examples of applications that may be included in theinformation apparatus 100. Various other software applications302 (e.g., messaging, digital imaging, graphics, video, audio, etc.) may also exist in thesame information apparatus 100 and they may all access the utilities provided by theoutput manager 308. It should also be recognized that other device management applications or drivers might also be included in theinformation apparatus 100. These device management applications or drivers may be implemented in the same way asoutput manager 308 so that they can be accessed by other software applications supported by the operating system. FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate exemplary configurations ofoutput manager 308 wheninformation apparatus 100 includes, respectively, no operating system or a less capable operating system that does not provide API's or objectmodels 300 forsoftware application 302 interactions. Examples of such aninformation apparatus 100 may include, without limitation, PDA, smart phone, pager, Internet pad, email terminal, digital and video cameras, ebook and other dedicated devices etc. In this case, eachsoftware application 302 in theinformation apparatus 100 provides or implements the capabilities to enable pervasive output. As shown inFIG. 3B , eachsoftware application 302 B1-302 B3 integratesoutput manager 308 or includes the features ofoutput manager 308 to enable pervasive output. It should be recognized that, even in an environment where there is a complete operating system,application software 302 can still decide to implement its own output or device management capabilities (as shown inFIG. 3B ) and not depend or use the functionalities or API's or objectmodels 300 provided by an operating system to facilitate access of output manager as a separate application.- Instead of integrating the
output manager 308 intoapplication software 302, an alternative implementation is shown inFIG. 3C . Thesoftware applications 302 C1-302 C3 may establish direct links with theoutput manager 308, which may be used as a helper program that can be invoked or launched by eachsoftware application 302 as needed. - The communication and exchange of information between
output manager 308 andother software applications 302 can be accomplished by one or more of many available techniques, such as passing, transferring or exchanging objects, messages, procedural calls, files, metafiles, etc. Some of these techniques may be facilitated by a set of APIs or object models provided by theapplication software 302 oroutput manager 308 or the operating system. The exact technique may depend for example on the type of application, platform, language, and developer preference etc. This may be easily implemented and recognized by an average software engineer skilled in the art. - The above are merely exemplary implementations of
output manager 308. Due to the diversity of feature sets and capabilities of operating systems, other implementations ofoutput manager 308 are also possible. As an example, some operating systems may provide partial APIs or object models to support limited output capability. In this case,software applications 302 may rely on the limited output capacity to interact with device management applications, or thesoftware applications 302 can implement or incorporate partially other desired output features of theoutput manager 308 using the configurations or combination of configuration illustrated inFIGS. 3B or3C. - Different Output Controller Configurations and Processes
FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate various alternative configurations and implementations ofoutput controller 120. As described above, aprinter 900A (FIG. 9 ) may include within it aRIP 902 orprinter controller 910.Such printer 900A is usually more powerful and therefore more expensive than printers without these features. One example ofsuch printer 900A is high-speed laser printer.Output controller 120 may be variously implemented in printers regardless of whether they include a printer controller.FIG. 4A shows thatoutput controller 120 may be cascaded externally to one or more printers (only one shown).Information apparatus 100 communicates withoutput controller 120A, which then communicates with output device such as a printer104A. The communication link between theoutput controller 120A and theprinter 140A may be a wired link or a wireless link, as described above.FIG. 4B shows another implementation in whichoutput controller 120B is installed as one or more circuit boards or cards internally insideprinter 140B. Theoutput controller 120B may co-exist with printer controller and other components of theprinter 140B. One example of this implementation is to connectoutput controller 120B sequentially with the printer controller.FIG. 4C show a third implementation in which the functionalities ofoutput controller 120 andprinter controller 910 are combined into a single controller (-referred to as “combined controller”)120C. The combinedcontroller 120C is a more capable controller. In this implementation, it is possible to reduce the cost of material when compared to implementing two separate controllers as shown inFIG. 4B . As an example, the combinedcontroller 120C may share the same processors, memories, and storages to run the applications and functionalities of the two types of controllers and therefore, may have lower component costs when compared to providing two separate controllers.- Some printers do not include a raster image processor or
printer controller 910, as illustrated inFIG. 9B , and as a result are usually less expensive. An example of this type of printer is a low-cost desktop inkjet printer. This type of printer may use a proprietary or published input format. For example, the input to an inkjet printer may consist of specific proprietary compressed CMYK data with one or more bits per pixel input.Application software 302 or printer drivers included ininformation apparatus 100 usually perform raster image processing. It is therefore necessary that the proper device driver or application software runs the raster image processing on aninformation apparatus 100 before printing. Accordingly,output controller 120 may be implemented into a variety of printing systems, including printers without capable or complete printer controllers for performing raster image processing functions. FIG. 4D shows as a fourth implementation of output controller120D that is installed in an external component or “box,” which is connected to aprinter 140D that does not include a printer controller or raster image processor. In this configuration, anapplication software 302 ordevice driver 308 ininformation apparatus 100 would typically perform the rasterization function. However, some or all operations of raster image processing may also be implemented in the output controller120D. Any print data sent to theprinter 140D from the output controller120D is preferred to be in a final format that can be understood and processed by the printer engine of theprinter 140D. As in other examples, connection between output controller120D andoutput device 140D can be wired or wireless. Connection betweeninformation apparatus 100 and output controller120D is preferred to be wireless, for example.FIG. 4E shows as a fifth implementation of an output controller120E that is incorporated withinprinter 140E as one or more circuit boards or cards and may contain software and applications running on an embedded processor. As withprinter 140D (FIG. 4D ),printer 140E does not include a printer controller or raster image processing capability. Accordingly,information apparatus 100 would typically perform rasterization functions in this implementation. However, raster image processing could alternatively be provided completely or partially by output controller120E, for example, to speed up raster image processing operations for aninformation apparatus 100 having limited processing and memory capabilities.FIG. 4F shows a sixth implementation, a combined controller120F that integrates the functionalities of a printer controller and an output controller into a single external combined controller component or “box”120F. The two controller functions may share a common processor as well as a common memory space to run applications of the two types of controllers. Under this configuration, eitherinformation apparatus 100 or the combined controller120F could perform or share raster image processing functionality. One exemplary implementation of the combined controller120F shown inFIG. 4F is to use an external computing device (PC, workstation, or server) running one or more applications that includes the functionality ofoutput controller 120 andprinter controller 910.- The above are exemplary implementations of
output controller 120, but other implementations are also possible. For example, partial functionalities ofoutput controller 120 may be implemented in an external “box” while the remaining functionalities may reside within anoutput device 140 as a separate circuit board or integrated with a printer controller. As another example, the functionalities ofoutput controller 120 may be implemented into a plurality of external boxes connected to thesame output device 140. As a further example, thesame output controller 120 may be connected to and servicemultiple output devices 140. FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of output process using a printer asprimary output device 140. It should be recognized, however, the following described process can be similarly applied toother output devices 140 such as fax machines, digital copiers, display screens, monitors, TVs, voice output devices, etc- Step500 indicates that a user initiates output from an
information apparatus 100. For example, a user may want to print or otherwise output an email, receipt, confirmation, map, photo, graphics, web page, one or more slides of a PowerPoint®-brand presentation, or any other document or digital content from aninformation apparatus 100. The output may be initiated by various means, such as by using a soft key, push button, keyboard, keypad, mouse, stylus, software GUI, command or voice activated command, etc. An exemplary user interface with which a user may initiate such a process from aninformation apparatus 100 is described below with reference toFIG. 8 . Step500 and one or more other steps of output process, shown inFIG. 5 , may be implemented by anoutput manager 308 residing in a user'sinformation apparatus 100. - Step502 references a discovery process in which, for example,
information apparatus 100 searches foravailable output devices 140, including display devices, printers, copiers or fax machines among others (collectively refer to as “printers” here for simplicity of discussion), that can perform a requested output or print job. Theoutput manager 308 residing in theinformation apparatus 100 may participate in, coordinate and manage thediscovery process 502. As part ofdiscovery process 502,information apparatus 100 may communicate via a wired or wireless connection withoutput controllers 120 that are connected to or included inoutput devices 140. - In some situations, the
discovery process 502, or part of it, may be skipped. For example,discovery process 502 may be skipped if a user already knows the output device or printer to which output is to be directed. As another example, a user may set a frequently used printer as a preferred default printer so thatdiscovery process 502 may be partly skipped if the default printer is found to be available. Other examples in whichdiscovery process 502 may be optional or partly skipped involve direct wire line connections or infrared communications. In these cases, a user may directly connect or physically point aninformation apparatus 100 to aspecific output device 140 so that it could be sufficient only to check the connection and establish communication between the devices. Discovery process 502 may operate in a variety of scenarios. In one scenario,information apparatus 100 broadcasts a service request, for example printing, through wired or wireless signals. Service devices, such asoutput device 140 equipped withoutput controller 120, “listen to” such signals, “read” the request, “see” whether they can provide requested service, and respond if they can provide the requested service. Alternatively or in combination, all service devices can periodically or continuously announce or advertise the services they provide.Information apparatus 100 “listens to” such announcements and identifies the service it needs. In a third scenario, service devices of the same network (e.g., LAN) register their services with a control point. A control point is a computing system (e.g. a server, controller) that maintains records on all service devices within the same network.Information apparatus 100 may contact the control point to search for the service it needs.- Various protocols may be implemented in the
discovery process 502. Wireless communication protocols are preferred. Wired communication, on the other hand, may also be implemented. Examples of applicable protocols may include, without limitation, Bluetooth, HAVi, Jini, Salutation, Service Location Protocol, and Universal Plug-and-play, among others. Other proprietary protocols or combinations may also be implemented in the discovery process. - In the
discovery process 502,information apparatus 100 may or may not find anoutput device 140 available to accept its print or output job. Exemplary factors that may impact the availability ofoutput devices 140 may include, without limitation, the following: - Physical distance—Some wireless communication links may impose limitations on physical distance between communicating devices. The restrictions on physical distance may vary among different wireless communication technologies. Wired communication, on the other hand, is also subject to the availability and length of cable or other wired lines.
- Compatibility—The output process with reference to
FIG. 5 employs communication and coordination among various devices such as aninformation apparatus 100 havingoutput manager 308, andoutput controllers 120 associated withoutput devices 140. Compatible hardware and software components may need to reside in each of the communicating nodes (e.g.,information apparatus 100 and output device140). Any missing part may cause compatibility problems. Other factors may also cause lack of compatibility. For example, components stored in the memory unit ofoutput controller 120 may not support the operating system or application software312 included in theinformation apparatus 100. - Security authentication—Security authentication may be implemented in various steps of communication, including the
discovery step 502. Security authentication may be required for example when an output service is restricted to a certain group of users or information apparatuses. When a user requests service,output device 140 oroutput controller 120 may process an authentication step by automatically detecting the identification or other information provided by the user,output manager 308 orinformation apparatus 100. As a result of such an authentication process, theinformation apparatus 100 of a particular user may not be able to discover anavailable output device 140 because access is not authorized for the user or the apparatus. - User specified search criteria—The user may specify certain search criteria for
discovery process 502, such as output device model, quality of service provided, range or price of service charge, etc.Output devices 140 not satisfying user criteria or a default profile may not be shown to the user. - Step506 indicates that the user is notified if no
available output device 140 is found in thediscovery process 502. The user may be notified by an application such as theoutput manager 308 through a user interface of theinformation apparatus 100. Theinformation apparatus 100 may also provide more detailed information such as the reasons why the requested service is not available. Examples of possible reasons may include, among others: no output device within limited physical distance, no compatible hardware or software components, technical difficulties, security authentication not satisfied, no subscription to the service, search criteria not met, etc. - Step508 indicates that alternatives are provided when a requested service is not available at the current moment. The user may be provided with alternatives such as canceling the service request, trying again, or being notified when the requested service is available or the requested
output device 140 is identified or becomes available. As an example, the user'sinformation apparatus 100 may not detect anyavailable output devices 140 in the current wired/wireless network. The print requests are then queued or registered within theinformation apparatus 100. When the user enters a new network having available printers, or when new compatible printers are added to the current network or when a printer becomes available for any reason, the user would be notified of such availability through theinformation apparatus 100. The user may then output the print job to the newly detected or now available printer with, for example, a mere click of a button. This detection and notification function may be implemented by a software program or as a feature of theoutput manager 308. This feature may also be implemented in hardware or combination of hardware and software residing in theinformation apparatus 100. - Step514 indicates that service negotiation is performed, such as when one or more available printers are discovered in the
discovery process 502. Inservice negotiation process 514,information apparatus 100 exchanges information withoutput controllers 120 connected to or installed in theavailable output devices 140. Theoutput manager 308 may participate in, coordinate or managenegotiation process 514 withoutput controller 120. Information being exchanged may include, for example, the following: - Type, make and model of each
available output device 140, including information about the printer engine, its technology and specifications of the output device. - Type and parameters of the
output device 140 such as font or international character code supported, paper size, resolution, bit depth, color space, number of colors supported, color or grayscale etc. - Type of service and quality of service provided by each
available output device 140. - Conditions under which the services are provided (e.g., service charge, subscription charge) and whether, for example, transaction and service charges are satisfied.
- Whether the usage or service of each
output device 140 is restricted to certain groups, in which case the user may have to provide authentication information to be identified as member of such a group before use of that device is allowed. - Type, make and model (including operating system) of the
information apparatus 100. - The type of input format, encoding, language, data, color space, and or compression that the
output controller 120 or other device may take as input, for example, PostScript, PCL, RTL, XML, etc. - The type of component or data that may need to be uploaded from
output controller 120 toinformation apparatus 100 so as to enable output to a specific output device. - The information being exchanged may be entered manually by the user or may be automatically detected and or synchronized between the
information apparatus 100 and theoutput controller 120 or it may be partially assisted by the user or partially automated. Some or all of the information being exchanged may be provided to the user through a user interface in theinformation apparatus 100. The user may monitor the status or approve certain transactions. One embodiment of theservice negotiation process 514 is described below with reference toFIG. 6 . Based on the information provided and obtained in theservice negotiation process 514, the user may choose one ormore output devices 140 that can take the print or output job. - Step516 indicates that a synchronization process is performed once an
output device 140 has been identified and selected. Beforesynchronization process 516 begins, theinformation apparatus 100 may communicate with the output controller orcontrollers 120 of the selected output device ordevices 140 to identify what components, if any, need to be uploaded to theinformation apparatus 100 to enable printing or other output. This communication betweeninformation apparatus 100 and output controller orcontrollers 120 may not be necessary if adequate information has been obtained in thediscovery process 502 and orservice negotiation process 514.Synchronization process 516 may be optional or it may be partially skipped if the necessary components (e.g., identified in the service negotiation step514) already exist ininformation apparatus 100. - After they have been identified, the necessary components or parts of components or data may be uploaded to the
information apparatus 100 fromoutput controller 120. Examples of possible components may include, without limitation, one or more of the following: data, device driver, printer driver, application software, software components, metafiles, user interface etc. Theoutput manager 308 may participate in, coordinate or manage thesynchronization process 516. Encryption techniques may be implemented in thesynchronization process 516 to prevent eavesdropping. - The newly uploaded components may be incorporated into the
output manager 308 residing in the user'sinformation apparatus 100. Alternatively or in combination, the newly uploaded components may be installed into theinformation apparatus 100 as a separate application or as part of theoutput manager 308. The process of uploading and installing may be done automatically or manually by the user, or a combination of the two. - Part or all of
synchronization process 516 may be skipped in some instances. For example, theinformation apparatus 100 may already include all the software components and data or drivers necessary for output to the selected output device ordevices 140. This may be due to the components having been uploaded from aprevious synchronization process 516 and left undeleted, or alternatively the user may have preinstalled all the necessary components for output in theinformation apparatus 100. In these cases, no software components are being uploaded and the user may be notified of this status for possible override ofsynchronization process 516. Alternativelysynchronization process 516 may be automatically skipped transparently to the user. - Step518 indicates that print or output job processing is performed. In this
step 518, the print request or print job is processed and digital content or document may be converted to the final format to send to theoutput device 140 for output. At the beginning of thisstep 518, the user may be provided with options to select or change or input printing or output preferences such as page layout, number of copies, color/grayscale, print quality parameters, etc. These options may include or offer pre-configured user preferences or factory defaults. Some options, parameters and preferences may be device-dependent while others may be device-independent. For example, device dependent parameters and preferences may be presented after having synchronized or uploaded device dependent components or information from theoutput controller 120. Device independent parameters and preferences may also be uploaded and synchronized like the device dependent parameters and preferences or may be pre-installed as part of theoutput manager 308 prior to the synchronization and uploading of information. - With reference to
FIGS. 4A-4F ,output controller 120 may be implemented in a variety of ways. Different implementations ofoutput controller 120 may impact the procedures described here. The original digital document or content included or generated in an application312 ininformation apparatus 100 may be processed by different applications in different locations (application software312,output manager 308,output controller 120, printer controller) before being converted to a final print data that can be accepted by a printer engine for output. For example, raster image processing of the digital document to convert it to print data suitable tooutput device 140 may occur entirely or partially in application software312,output manager 308,output controller 120, or the printer controller, depending on the implementation, configuration, and the type of output system and output device among others. Different processing procedures and embodiments that may be implemented in thisstep 518 are described in more detail below with reference toFIG. 7 . - Step520 indicates that the printer engine or display engine908 generates a final output. In this
step 520, the processing result ofstep 518 is sent to a printer engine or display engine908 of anoutput device 140 to generate final output on a substrate, for example. Memory buffers may be needed to temporarily store print data before output. Firmware, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, system-on-a-chip, software, or a combination, may be used or involved to convert digital data into signals suitable for the printer engine or display engine908. - After a print job or output job has been successfully printed or displayed, the user may be provided a choice (not shown) to delete the components that have been uploaded to the
information apparatus 100 during thesynchronization process 516. This optional feature may be useful when theinformation apparatus 100 has limited storage space. One implementation of this optional feature is to provide a setting in theoutput manager 308 in which the user has a choice to (1) always keep the uploaded data or components; or (2) always automatically delete the uploaded data or components upon completion of the print job, or upon exit of the application, or upon shutting down of the information apparatus or upon elapse of certain amount of time; or (3) always ask the user whether to delete or keep the uploaded component or data. - The above description illustrates an exemplary embodiment of output process501. A printer is referred to as
output device 140 in the above illustration, however, it should be recognized that output process501 could be easily applied toother output devices 140 such as fax machines, digital copiers, display screens, TVs, monitors, projectors, voice output devices etc. - A pervasive output process implementing fewer or additional steps may also be possible. For
example step 502, the discovery process, may be skipped if the user already knows which printer or printers are to output the content. As another example, a payment-processing step may be added to the above-described output process501 if the printing service is provided for a fee.Output controller 120, in this case, may provide services such as calculating payment amount or collecting payments in a variety of possible forms, for example, credit card, bank card, cash, E-cash, smart card, among others. The payment information (e.g., credit card number or other credit identification or payment) may be stored in theinformation apparatus 100 and released to theoutput controller 120 at the user's choice. Adding additional processes or skipping one or more steps in output process501 does not, however, depart from the spirit and scope of present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment ofservice negotiation process 514. In this illustration, it is assumed thatavailable output devices 140 have been identified from thediscovery process 502. In theservice negotiation process 514,information apparatus 100 exchanges information withoutput controller 120 oroutput devices 140.Service negotiation process 514 may include one or more of the following:- (1) The user may be provided with information on the
available output devices 140. - (2) The user may select a desired output service according to the information provided. The
output manager 308 residing in theinformation apparatus 100 may participate in, coordinate and manage theservice negotiation process 514, together with theoutput controller 120. - In
step 600, the user may be provided atinformation apparatus 100 with information on some or allavailable output devices 140 identified in thediscovery process 502. Information being provided here may include one or more of the following: - Total number of available output devices discovered.
- Model and make of each available output device.
- Type and capability of the output device.
- Type of service and quality of service provided by each available output device.
- Conditions under which the services are provided. For example, if service charge or subscription fee is required and the acceptable payment method.
- Whether the use of each output device is restricted to certain groups.
- The components or information, if any, need to be uploaded to the information apparatus to enable output to the selected output devices.
- Information collected during
discovery process 502 may be provided to the user through a user interface on theinformation apparatus 100, such as a GUI or voice or another interface. - In
step 602, based on some or all of the information provided, the user may choose one or more output devices to take the print request or print job. On the other hand, the user may choose to decline the output service offered, and choose not to output the document or content to any of those devices. In this case, alternatives may be provided to the user as previously described with reference to step508 (FIG. 508 ). Authentication step 604 is optional, but may be necessary if, for example, the use of anoutput device 140 is restricted to a group of users. In this case, the user may have to provide authentication information to identify him/herself as part of the authorized group to use the service. Examples of authentication methods may include a user's name, password, personal identification number (PIN), ID number, signatures, security keys (physical or digital), biometric, fingerprint, voice, etc. ID number or IP address of theinformation apparatus 100 may also be used as authentication information. Such authentication information may be provided by the user manually or detected automatically by theoutput controller 120 oroutput device 140.- It should be recognized that
FIG. 6 only provides one embodiment of theservice negotiation process 514 of present invention. Aservice negotiation process 514 having fewer or additional steps may also be possible. As an example, step604 (authentication) may not be necessary if the use of anoutput device 140 is not restricted. As another example, one or more steps, such as credit verification, payment, deposit, escrow, and receipt processing may be added to thenegotiation process 514 if a service charge is involved. All these and other possible variations, however, shall not depart from the spirit and scope of present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates different processing procedures that may be implemented as part of output or printjob processing step 518. For this description,output device 140 is referred to as a printer and output data is referred to as print data. It should be understood that a printer is only one embodiment of an output device. Display, projection and audio devices are also output devices within the scope of present invention. In no way should the use of printer, in place of output device, and print data, in place of output data, be viewed as restricting the scope to a printing device in the following discussion.- In
step 700,output manager 308 processes an input digital document orcontent 701 and converts it to printdata 703 that can be transmitted tooutput controller 120, combined controller (120C,120F) or directly to printer engine908. Rasterization, interpretation, encoding, decoding, etc. may take place in this step. In one implementation,print data 703 may utilize an intermediate format or language to facilitate the transmission of the digital document orcontent 701 to theoutput controller 120. This intermediate format or language may be a predefined input format or language that theoutput controller 120 can understand. It is also possible in thisstep 700 that theoutput manager 308 simply passes thedigital document 701 in its original format to theoutput controller 120 with little processing. In still another exemplary implementation, theoutput manager 308 may process (e.g. raster image process) the digital content or document701 into a final print data or output data format compatible to the input requirements of theoutput device 140. Encryption techniques may be used to assure the security of communication betweeninformation apparatus 100 andoutput devices 140. - As indicated above, output data or print data (in case of a printer)703 generated by
step 700 may be in various formats. In one embodiment, theprint data 703 may be in a final format suitable for sending directly to the printer engine. In this case, theoutput controller 120 does little or no processing. One exemplary use of this configuration can be implemented in a low cost inkjet printer that does not have a printer controller. In this example, theprint data 703 may be in a compressed1 bit or more CMYK data format that can be sent directly to the printer engine908 for final output as shown instep 702. Or printdata 703 can be sent to theoutput controller 120 for possible optional features such as buffering, queuing, and print job management as shown instep 704. - In another embodiment,
output manager 308 may generateprint data 703 in an intermediate format, language, or instruction that requires further processing. Examples of such format, language or instruction may include, without limitations, Page description languages (e.g. PostScript, PCL), metafiles (e.g. EMF), markup languages (e.g. XML, HTML), image or graphics formats (TIFF, GIF, PNG, JPEG compressed), among others. The intermediate format may also include proprietary solutions in page description languages, markup languages, metafiles, image and graphics formats, encoding and decoding, compression and decompression. The above-mentioned intermediate formats may be used independently, or in combinations. - As described above with reference to
FIG. 4 ,output controller 120 may be implemented in a variety of ways. Different implementations ofoutput controller 120 may impact the processing procedures described here with reference toFIG. 7 . - As shown in
step 702, theprint data 703 is sent directly to the printer or display engine908 for final output with little or no further processing fromoutput controller 120 or aprinter controller 910. In this case, the print data oroutput data 703 is preferably to be in a final format or language that can be understood by the printer or display engine908 that is part of the selected output devices ordevices 140. - Alternatively, as shown in
step 704,print data 703 is sent to anoutput controller 120 connected to or installed within a selected printer oroutput device 140. In one embodiment, theprint data 703 may be in a final format or language that can be understood and processed by the printer or display engine908. In this case, the output controller may buffer theinput print data 703 before passing it to the printer or display engine908 with little or no further processing. In another embodiment,print data 703 maybe in an intermediate format or language not understood by the printer900 or output engine908. Therefore, theoutput controller 120 may process the print data and convert it into a final format, language or instruction that can be sent to the printer engine (or other output engine, in the case of other type of output device). - Regardless of the format of
input print data 703, theoutput controller 120 may perform additional management functions such as payment processing, service verification, authentication, print job management, queuing, spooling, quality of service among others. - As illustrated in
step print data 703 may be processed by both output controller120 (in step706) and printer controller910 (in step708) separately before being sent to the printer engine908 for final output. For example, some printers, such as high-speed laser printers, already include aprinter controller 910 that has the capability of processing certain types of input such as PostScript, PCL, and XML, among others. In this case, theoutput controller 120 may process or convert theprint data 703 into theinput 707 required by theprinter controller 910. Alternatively, in a different implementation, if theprint data 703 is already in one of the formats or languages that are compatible and can be understood by theprinter controller 910, theoutput controller 120 may simply buffer theprint data 703 and sent it directly to theprinter controller 910 as needed with little or no processing. Instep 708, theprinter controller 910 may perform functions such as interpretation, decoding, and raster image processing operations on the input print data707 (such as a page description language) if such operations were not already performed byoutput controller 120 or byoutput manager 308. The processed result of theprinter controller 910 may be sent to the printer engine908 for final output. - As illustrated in
step 710, a single combinedcontroller 120F,120C (as illustrated inFIG. 4C and 4F ) that combines the functionalities ofoutput controller 120 and aprinter controller 910 may process the print data. Applications that provide feature sets for each controller may share the same resources, such as processor, memory space, storage unit, etc. Under this configuration, the combined controller (120C,120F) may further process theprint data 703 instep 710 if theprint data 703 is not already in the format or language required by printer engine. The combined controller (120C,120F) may need to perform interpretation, decoding and rasterization operations in addition to converting the input print data703 (in one or more of intermediate formats described previously) to the required format, language or instruction of the printer engine908 for output. If theprint data 703 is already in the final format, language or instruction understood by the printer engine908, the combined controller (120C,120F) might simply buffer theprint data 703 and send it as needed to the printer engine908 for output. - Similarly, other than processing print data, the
output controller 120 and the combined controller (120C,120F) may perform functions such as payment processing (if service charge applies); print job management, queuing, spooling, etc. FIGS. 8A -8E show a series of exemplary graphical user interfaces (GUIs) rendered at different times on adisplay screen 800 of aninformation apparatus 100 to illustrate one implementation of the output process501 described with reference toFIG. 5 . The user interfaces shown can be implemented in aninformation apparatus 100 with or without an operating system. The user interfaces illustrated here are only one example, and other user interfaces may also be implemented within the scope of the present invention.- Referring to
FIG. 8A , a user receives an email on aninformation apparatus 100 using an email application. Functions available to the user are displayed at the bottom of thescreen 800. Printing is one of the functions displayed by the “print” function control oricon 802. The user may invoke such functions by selecting the icons displayed. The user can make the selection by using, for example, any one or combination of a keyboard, keypad, mouse, stylus, soft keys, push buttons, software command, touch sensitive screen, etc. The user may also make such selection by, for example, a pull down menu, voice-activated command, etc. - As the user selects “Print”
function control 802, the output process described with reference toFIG. 5 is invoked. As a result, the user is notified of all the printers, if any, available that can take the print or output job. If no available printers are detected, the user may also be notified and provided with alternatives as described with reference tosteps FIG. 5 . - Assume in this example that three printers are found available as the result of
discovery process step 502. InFIG. 8B ,screen 810 informs the user of the make and model of each available printer. The user may obtain further information on each available printer by, for example, selecting a “more information” control orarrow sign 814 displayed after the name of each printer. Further information provided here may include, without limitation, service options offered by each printer, quality of services provided, service charge if any, acceptable payment method, and whether the use of such printer is restricted to a certain group. - If a printer is restricted to be used by a certain group, the user may be required to provide identification information before being able to select this printer. For example, to use a printer placed in the hallway of a company office building, a user may have to identify himself or herself as an employee of such company. Password, personal identification number or I.D. number of the
information apparatus 100 may be required for authorization purposes. The identification information may be provided by the user manually or detected by theoutput controller 120 oroutput device 140 automatically. If the printer provides fee-based service, certain payment process steps may be required additionally, which are not shown in the figures for simplicity. - After the user has successfully selected the desired output device or devices in the
service negotiation process 514, theinformation apparatus 100 may communicate withoutput controller 120 to identify data or software components, if any, which need to be uploaded to theinformation apparatus 100 to enable printing. Theoutput manager 308 residing in theinformation apparatus 100 may participate in, coordinate and manage the communications between applications in theinformation apparatus 100 and theoutput controller 120. - In this particular example, as illustrated in
FIG. 8C , the communication between theinformation apparatus 100 and theoutput controller 120 has identified that a printer driver needs to be uploaded as displayed onscreen 820. Options are provided to the user as whether or not to continue the process. This information and selection are optional as the process may be implemented transparently to the user. Other optional information that theinformation apparatus 100 may provide to the user includes, for example, the estimation of time needed for the uploading. - The above description gives an example of a printer driver component that may need to be uploaded. Other components and combinations may also be possible; this may include for example a partial print driver, data, software components, or a user interface. A partial print driver or component may for example include only device dependent software components and data specific to an output device. Device independent code and data of the device driver may have been previously installed in the
information apparatus 100 and therefore need not be uploaded. It is also possible that no components need to be uploaded because all the components needed for printing to the selectedoutput device 140 may already reside in theinformation apparatus 100. Assuming in this example that the user agrees to upload the driver,FIG. 8D illustrates an example of an interface whensynchronization process 516 proceeds. - When the
synchronization process 516 is completed,screen 840 is displayed to the user as shown inFIG. 8E . The user may usescreen 840 to select a preference such as page range, number of copies, number of cards per page, color or grayscale, page layout parameters, etc. Selecting “property” control orbutton 842, the user may be provided with more device-dependent options such as color and tone adjustments, halftoning parameters, duplexing, resolution, watermarking, etc. Steps button 844 shown inFIG. 8E , waits to obtain the printout or other output from the printer orprinters 140 selected.FIG. 8F illustrates an interface for the printing process ofsteps - After the print job has been successfully finished, the user may be provided with an option to keep or delete the printer driver or software components or synchronized device dependent data, which was uploaded to
information apparatus 100 in the earlier steps. This option may be beneficial to thosemobile information apparatuses 100 with limited memory space or a casual user of thatparticular output device 140. A user who frequently uses a selected printer may wish to keep the printer driver, software components, or data installed so that synchronization for uploading components may be skipped when the printer is used again. FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate only one example of the output process shown inFIG. 5 . While the above descriptions contain much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplary embodiment thereof. Other user interfaces and embodiments may also be implemented. The process may also be implemented with more or fewer steps. As an example, security verification, authentication, and payment processing may be added to steps illustrated inFIGS. 8A-8E . As another example, the step illustrated byFIG. 8C may be skipped as the loading process proceeds automatically when the user selects a desired printer or printers. These and other possible variations do not however depart from the scope of present invention.- Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
- Having described and illustrated the principles of our invention with reference to an illustrated embodiment, it will be recognized that the illustrated embodiment can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of our invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the detailed embodiments are illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of our invention. Rather, I claim as my invention all such embodiments as may come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto.
Claims (20)
1. A mobile information apparatus operable for making mobile payments by short range wireless communication with a wireless controller device that is within a limited physical distance, the wireless output controller being a distinct device from the mobile information apparatus, the mobile information apparatus is at least a smart phone or an Internet-Pad, the mobile information apparatus comprising:
a processing unit;
operating system software;
a touch sensitive screen interface for interacting with the user;
a digital camera for taking pictures;
an antenna for transmitting short range radio frequency signals to wireless controller devices that are within a limited physical distance from the mobile information apparatus;
a wireless communication unit for managing local wireless communication with wireless controller devices that are within a limited physical distance from the mobile information apparatus;
a memory or storage unit storing at least part of payment information at the information apparatus, the payment information being associated, at least in part, with a credit card or a bank card related to the user of the mobile information apparatus;
wherein, the mobile information apparatus is configured for:
discovering, over the antenna of the mobile information apparatus, the wireless output controller, the discovering of the wireless output controller is limited to when the mobile information apparatus is within a limited local physical distance from the wireless output controller;
establishing, by the wireless communication unit over the antenna, a short range radio frequency communication link directly between the mobile information apparatus and the wireless output controller;
generating, at the mobile information apparatus, encrypted output data for ensuring security of communication from the mobile information apparatus to the wireless output controller for transaction management, the encrypted output data is associated with the payment information stored at the memory or storage unit of the mobile information apparatus, and the payment information is associated, at least partly, with a credit card;
receiving at least an indication from the user of the mobile information apparatus authorizing the release of payment information from the mobile information apparatus to the wireless output controller, the indication from the user includes fingerprint authentication of the user; and
subsequent to the fingerprint authentication that identifies the user of the information apparatus, the mobile information apparatus is operable for wireless transmitting at least part of the encrypted output data, over the short range radio frequency communication link directly from the mobile information apparatus, to the wireless output controller for processing payment associated with a transaction.
2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 in which the security of the mobile payment is implemented with all of the following:
(1) a physical distance restriction directly between the mobile information apparatus and the wireless output controller;
(2) an encryption technique applied on data being transmitted from the mobile information apparatus to the wireless output controller; and
(3) fingerprint authentication of the user of the mobile information apparatus.
3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 in which accessing the mobile payment service further comprises obtaining, at the mobile information apparatus, at least one of a password, a PIN code, a personal identification number, or an ID number, individually or in any combination.
4. The apparatus ofclaim 1 , further comprising instructing the user of the mobile information apparatus to physically point the mobile information apparatus directly to the wireless output controller to be within a limited physical distance for establishing short range radio frequency communication link directly between the mobile information apparatus and the wireless output controller.
5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 in which the mobile information apparatus is a smart phone that includes:
a touch sensitive screen interface for interacting with the user;
a graphical user interface over the touch sensitive screen;
a digital camera for taking pictures; and
one or more applications installed, wherein the operating system software further supports an application programming interface (API) to facilitate operations of the one or more applications at the mobile information apparatus, and the smart phone further allows the user to install additional applications for expanding the functionalities of the smart phone.
6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 in which accessing the mobile payment service further comprises obtaining, at the mobile information apparatus, biometric information associated with the user.
7. A method for mobile payment operable with a mobile information apparatus that is at least a smart phone or an Internet-Pad, the mobile information apparatus having:
a processing unit,
operating system software that is executable, at least partly, by the processing unit of the mobile information apparatus,
a touch sensitive screen interface for interacting with the user,
a digital camera for taking pictures,
an antenna for transmitting short range radio frequency signals for wireless communication with wireless controller devices that are within a limited physical distance from the mobile information apparatus,
a wireless communication unit for managing local wireless communication with a wireless controller device that is within a limited physical distance from the mobile information apparatus,
a memory or storage unit storing at least part of payment information at the information apparatus, the payment information being associated, at least in part, with a credit card or a bank card related to the user of the mobile information apparatus,
the method comprising:
establishing, by the wireless communication unit and over the antenna, a short range radio frequency communication link directly between the mobile information apparatus and a wireless output controller, the wireless output controller being a distinct and separate device from the mobile information apparatus, and the establishing of the short range radio frequency communication link is limited to when the mobile information apparatus is within a limited physical distance from the wireless output controller;
generating, at the mobile information apparatus, encrypted output data for ensuring security of communication from the mobile information apparatus to the wireless output controller, the encrypted output data is associated with the payment information, and the payment information is associated, at least partly, with a credit card or a bank card;
receiving at least an indication from the user of the mobile information apparatus for releasing payment information from the mobile information apparatus to the wireless output controller, the indication from the user includes fingerprint authentication of the user of the information apparatus; and
subsequent to the fingerprint authentication that identifies the user of the information apparatus, wireless transmitting at least part of the encrypted output data, over the short range radio frequency communication link directly from the mobile information apparatus to the wireless output controller for processing payment associated with a transaction.
8. The method ofclaim 7 in which the security of the mobile payment method relies, at least in part, on all of the following:
(1) a physical distance restriction directly between the mobile information apparatus and the wireless output controller;
(2) an encryption technique applied on the data being transmitted from the mobile information apparatus to the wireless output controller; and
(3) fingerprint authentication of the user of the mobile information apparatus.
9. The method ofclaim 7 in which accessing the mobile payment service further comprises obtaining, at the mobile information apparatus, at least one of a password, a PIN code, a personal identification number, or an ID number, individually or in any combination, for authorizing payment service.
10. The method ofclaim 7 , further comprising instructing the user of the mobile information apparatus to physically point the mobile information apparatus directly to a wireless output controller to be within the limited physical distance for establishing the short range distance wireless communication link.
11. The method ofclaim 7 , further comprising discovering the wireless output controller device when the mobile information apparatus is within the limited physical distance directly between the mobile information apparatus and the wireless output controller.
12. The method ofclaim 7 in which, after the wireless output controller receives output data from the mobile information apparatus, the method further comprises the wireless output controller implementing a payment service and a transaction management service.
13. The method ofclaim 7 , further comprising obtaining a signature from the user of the information apparatus for authorizing payment.
14. A mobile information apparatus system for mobile payment, the system is at least a smart phone or an Internet-Pad, the system comprising:
a processing unit;
software executable by the processing unit for receiving, at the mobile information apparatus system, fingerprint authentication from the user of the mobile information apparatus for authorizing mobile payment;
a touch sensitive screen interface for interacting with the user;
a memory or storage unit storing at least part of payment information at the information apparatus, the payment information being associated, at least in part, with a credit card or a bank card related to the user of the mobile information apparatus system;
an antenna for transmitting short range radio frequency signals; and
a wireless communication unit for establishing short range radio frequency communication, and wherein subsequent to having received the fingerprint authentication from the user authorizing payment, the wireless communication unit is configured for:
managing local wireless communication with a wireless output controller that is within a limited physical distance from the mobile information apparatus;
establishing, a short range radio frequency communication link directly between the mobile information apparatus and a wireless output controller, the wireless output controller being a distinct and separate device from the mobile information apparatus, and the establishing of the short range radio frequency communication link is limited to when the mobile information apparatus is within a limited physical distance from the wireless output controller;
obtaining payment information from the memory or storage unit, the payment information is associated, at least partly, with a credit card or a bank card;
encrypting data for communication, the encryption being for ensuring security of communication from the mobile information apparatus to the wireless output controller; and
transmitting the payment information that includes encrypted data, over the short range radio frequency communication link directly from the mobile information apparatus, to the wireless output controller for processing payment.
15. The system ofclaim 14 in which the security of the mobile payment relies, at least in part, on all of the following:
(1) a physical distance restriction directly between the mobile information apparatus and the wireless output controller; and
(2) an encryption technique applied on the data being transmitted from the mobile information apparatus to the wireless output controller; and
(3) fingerprint authentication of the user of the mobile information apparatus for authorizing payment.
16. The system ofclaim 14 , wherein the user of the information apparatus is charged a fee for using the payment service.
17. The system ofclaim 14 , further comprising instructing the user of the mobile information apparatus to physically point the mobile information apparatus directly to a wireless output controller to be within the limited physical distance for establishing the short range radio frequency communication link.
18. The system ofclaim 14 , wherein the encryption of data is implemented by both software and hardware as a security implementation.
19. The system ofclaim 14 in which accessing the mobile payment service further comprises obtaining, at the mobile information apparatus, at least one of a password, a PIN code, a personal identification number, or an ID number, individually or in any combination, for authorizing payment.
20. The system ofclaim 14 in which the mobile information apparatus is a smart phone that includes:
a touch sensitive screen interface for interacting with the user;
a graphical user interface over the touch sensitive screen;
a digital camera for taking pictures;
one or more applications installed; and
operating system software that supports an application programming interface (API) to facilitate operations of the one or more applications at the mobile information apparatus, wherein the smart phone further allows the user to install additional applications for expanding the functionalities of the smart phone.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US14/828,349US20150356564A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2015-08-17 | Smart phones or internet pads supporting mobile payment that includes security based, at least partly, on fingerprint authentication, data encryption, and short physical distance wireless communication |
| US14/835,585US20150363763A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2015-08-25 | Mobile Information Apparatus That Includes A Secure Element Storing Payment Information And Using A Cryptographic Technique For Implementing Mobile Payment |
| US15/042,051US10359957B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2016-02-11 | Integrated circuit device that includes a secure element and a wireless component for transmitting protected data over short range wireless point-to-point communications |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US24510100P | 2000-11-01 | 2000-11-01 | |
| US10/016,223US7941541B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-11-01 | Wireless data output method for rendering digital content accessed from a mobile information apparatus |
| US12/903,048US8332521B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2010-10-12 | Internet-pad specification, the internet-pad specification may include a touch sensitive screen, a digital camera, a document application, an e-mail application, icons over the touch sensitive screen for user selection, a wireless communication unit for wireless connectivity, a digital content application for playing digital content, and an operating system supporting application programming interface (API) |
| US13/710,306US9110622B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2012-12-10 | Internet-pads that include a digital camera, a touch sensitive screen interface, and support for voice activated commands |
| US14/828,349US20150356564A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2015-08-17 | Smart phones or internet pads supporting mobile payment that includes security based, at least partly, on fingerprint authentication, data encryption, and short physical distance wireless communication |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US13/710,306ContinuationUS9110622B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2012-12-10 | Internet-pads that include a digital camera, a touch sensitive screen interface, and support for voice activated commands |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10/734,481Continuation-In-PartUS11467856B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2003-12-12 | Portable USB device for internet access service |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US20150356564A1true US20150356564A1 (en) | 2015-12-10 |
Family
ID=22925285
Family Applications (20)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10/000,732AbandonedUS20020059415A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-10-31 | Manager for device-to-device pervasive digital output |
| US10/003,594AbandonedUS20020051200A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-10-31 | Controller for device-to-device pervasive digital output |
| US10/016,630AbandonedUS20020055984A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-11-01 | Method for device-to-device pervasive digital output |
| US10/016,223Expired - LifetimeUS7941541B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-11-01 | Wireless data output method for rendering digital content accessed from a mobile information apparatus |
| US12/903,048Expired - Fee RelatedUS8332521B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2010-10-12 | Internet-pad specification, the internet-pad specification may include a touch sensitive screen, a digital camera, a document application, an e-mail application, icons over the touch sensitive screen for user selection, a wireless communication unit for wireless connectivity, a digital content application for playing digital content, and an operating system supporting application programming interface (API) |
| US12/907,865Expired - Fee RelatedUS8285802B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2010-10-19 | Internet-phone or smart phone with applications for managing and playing digital content, and a mobile device operating system supporting application programming interface |
| US13/103,958Expired - Fee RelatedUS9164718B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2011-05-09 | Output device and method for output without an output driver |
| US13/708,607Expired - Fee RelatedUS9092177B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2012-12-07 | Smart phones that include a digital camera, a touch sensitive screen, support for voice activated commands, and support to at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards |
| US13/710,299Expired - LifetimeUS9798516B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2012-12-10 | Smart phones that support wireless printing of emails over air to a wireless printer in a wireless local area network |
| US13/710,295Expired - Fee RelatedUS9383956B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2012-12-10 | Smart phones that include touch sensitive screen and supporting voice activated commands for managing or replying to E-mails |
| US13/710,306Expired - Fee RelatedUS9110622B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2012-12-10 | Internet-pads that include a digital camera, a touch sensitive screen interface, and support for voice activated commands |
| US13/864,000Expired - Fee RelatedUS9015329B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2013-04-16 | Portable information apparatus that includes touch sensitive screen interface and wireless communication circuitry for selecting an output device on the touch sensitive screen and for wireless transmitting output stream to the selected output device |
| US14/828,349AbandonedUS20150356564A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2015-08-17 | Smart phones or internet pads supporting mobile payment that includes security based, at least partly, on fingerprint authentication, data encryption, and short physical distance wireless communication |
| US14/828,359Expired - Fee RelatedUS10592201B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2015-08-17 | Mobile information apparatus supporting mobile payment having security based, at least in part, on device identification number, password or pin code, data encryption, and short physical distance wireless communication |
| US14/828,369Expired - Fee RelatedUS10592202B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2015-08-17 | Mobile information apparatus supporting mobile payment that includes security based, at least partly, on user pushbutton, user biometrics, data encryption, and short physical distance wireless communication |
| US14/866,143Expired - LifetimeUS10108394B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2015-09-25 | Output device and method for output without an output driver |
| US15/201,194Expired - Fee RelatedUS10162596B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2016-07-01 | Portable electronic device configured to receive voice activated commands and to wirelessly manage or drive an output device |
| US15/692,977AbandonedUS20170364326A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2017-08-31 | User interface and application software in a mobile device that support wireless printing over a network |
| US16/229,896Expired - Fee RelatedUS10642576B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2018-12-21 | Mobile information apparatus that includes wireless communication circuitry for discovery of an output device for outputting digital content at the wirelessly discovered output device |
| US16/396,460Expired - Fee RelatedUS10740066B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2019-04-26 | Output devices that establish wireless connection with an information apparatus subsequent to having been wirelessly discovered by the information apparatus |
Family Applications Before (12)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10/000,732AbandonedUS20020059415A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-10-31 | Manager for device-to-device pervasive digital output |
| US10/003,594AbandonedUS20020051200A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-10-31 | Controller for device-to-device pervasive digital output |
| US10/016,630AbandonedUS20020055984A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-11-01 | Method for device-to-device pervasive digital output |
| US10/016,223Expired - LifetimeUS7941541B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2001-11-01 | Wireless data output method for rendering digital content accessed from a mobile information apparatus |
| US12/903,048Expired - Fee RelatedUS8332521B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2010-10-12 | Internet-pad specification, the internet-pad specification may include a touch sensitive screen, a digital camera, a document application, an e-mail application, icons over the touch sensitive screen for user selection, a wireless communication unit for wireless connectivity, a digital content application for playing digital content, and an operating system supporting application programming interface (API) |
| US12/907,865Expired - Fee RelatedUS8285802B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2010-10-19 | Internet-phone or smart phone with applications for managing and playing digital content, and a mobile device operating system supporting application programming interface |
| US13/103,958Expired - Fee RelatedUS9164718B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2011-05-09 | Output device and method for output without an output driver |
| US13/708,607Expired - Fee RelatedUS9092177B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2012-12-07 | Smart phones that include a digital camera, a touch sensitive screen, support for voice activated commands, and support to at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards |
| US13/710,299Expired - LifetimeUS9798516B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2012-12-10 | Smart phones that support wireless printing of emails over air to a wireless printer in a wireless local area network |
| US13/710,295Expired - Fee RelatedUS9383956B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2012-12-10 | Smart phones that include touch sensitive screen and supporting voice activated commands for managing or replying to E-mails |
| US13/710,306Expired - Fee RelatedUS9110622B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2012-12-10 | Internet-pads that include a digital camera, a touch sensitive screen interface, and support for voice activated commands |
| US13/864,000Expired - Fee RelatedUS9015329B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2013-04-16 | Portable information apparatus that includes touch sensitive screen interface and wireless communication circuitry for selecting an output device on the touch sensitive screen and for wireless transmitting output stream to the selected output device |
Family Applications After (7)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US14/828,359Expired - Fee RelatedUS10592201B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2015-08-17 | Mobile information apparatus supporting mobile payment having security based, at least in part, on device identification number, password or pin code, data encryption, and short physical distance wireless communication |
| US14/828,369Expired - Fee RelatedUS10592202B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2015-08-17 | Mobile information apparatus supporting mobile payment that includes security based, at least partly, on user pushbutton, user biometrics, data encryption, and short physical distance wireless communication |
| US14/866,143Expired - LifetimeUS10108394B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2015-09-25 | Output device and method for output without an output driver |
| US15/201,194Expired - Fee RelatedUS10162596B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2016-07-01 | Portable electronic device configured to receive voice activated commands and to wirelessly manage or drive an output device |
| US15/692,977AbandonedUS20170364326A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2017-08-31 | User interface and application software in a mobile device that support wireless printing over a network |
| US16/229,896Expired - Fee RelatedUS10642576B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2018-12-21 | Mobile information apparatus that includes wireless communication circuitry for discovery of an output device for outputting digital content at the wirelessly discovered output device |
| US16/396,460Expired - Fee RelatedUS10740066B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2019-04-26 | Output devices that establish wireless connection with an information apparatus subsequent to having been wirelessly discovered by the information apparatus |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (20) | US20020059415A1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP1340131B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN100334577C (en) |
| AU (2) | AU2002243279A1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2774115T3 (en) |
| WO (2) | WO2002046867A2 (en) |
Cited By (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9298407B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2016-03-29 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Mobile information apparatus that are configurable to include applications for playing audio digital content received over the internet from subscribed audio digital content service(s) |
| US9383956B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2016-07-05 | Mattel, Inc. | Smart phones that include touch sensitive screen and supporting voice activated commands for managing or replying to E-mails |
| CN106504003A (en)* | 2016-09-30 | 2017-03-15 | 维沃移动通信有限公司 | A kind of method of mobile terminal payment mandate and mobile terminal |
| US9836259B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2017-12-05 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Televisions, output controllers, or speakers that are setup to wirelessly connect to a network and to receive digital content from a digital content service over the network |
| USRE46637E1 (en) | 2000-09-05 | 2017-12-12 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus, methods, and systems for data mining user information |
| US10359957B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2019-07-23 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Integrated circuit device that includes a secure element and a wireless component for transmitting protected data over short range wireless point-to-point communications |
| US10860290B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2020-12-08 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Mobile information apparatuses that include a digital camera, a touch sensitive screen interface, support for voice activated commands, and a wireless communication chip or chipset supporting IEEE 802.11 |
| US10915296B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2021-02-09 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Information apparatus that includes a touch sensitive screen interface for managing or replying to e-mails |
| US11204729B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2021-12-21 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Internet based digital content services for pervasively providing protected digital content to smart devices based on having subscribed to the digital content service |
| US11467856B2 (en) | 2002-12-12 | 2022-10-11 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Portable USB device for internet access service |
| US11829776B2 (en) | 2002-12-12 | 2023-11-28 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Integrated circuit device that includes a protected memory component for transmitting protected data over a communication interface |
Families Citing this family (287)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7260369B2 (en)* | 2005-08-03 | 2007-08-21 | Kamilo Feher | Location finder, tracker, communication and remote control system |
| US9998307B2 (en)* | 1999-08-09 | 2018-06-12 | Kamilo Feher | Future generation 5G and multimode 4G and 3G mobile modulation format selectable (MFS) communications |
| KR100431255B1 (en)* | 2000-01-12 | 2004-05-12 | 세이코 엡슨 가부시키가이샤 | Personal digital terminal and data output control system |
| US8127326B2 (en) | 2000-11-14 | 2012-02-28 | Claussen Paul J | Proximity detection using wireless connectivity in a communications system |
| CA2428946C (en) | 2000-11-14 | 2010-06-22 | Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. | Networked subscriber television distribution |
| US7133939B1 (en)* | 2000-11-20 | 2006-11-07 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Distributed-service architecture at the point of sale or service |
| GB0028475D0 (en)* | 2000-11-22 | 2001-01-10 | Ncr Int Inc | Module |
| US7130889B2 (en)* | 2000-11-29 | 2006-10-31 | Ncr Corporation | Method of printing information by a network kiosk |
| US7636757B2 (en)* | 2000-12-15 | 2009-12-22 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Printing over the internet |
| US20020124046A1 (en)* | 2001-02-20 | 2002-09-05 | Fischer William A. | Peripheral devices which manage application upload to computing devices |
| JP2002259812A (en)* | 2001-03-02 | 2002-09-13 | Toshiba Tec Corp | Ad distribution system |
| US7024662B2 (en) | 2001-03-14 | 2006-04-04 | Microsoft Corporation | Executing dynamically assigned functions while providing services |
| US7302634B2 (en) | 2001-03-14 | 2007-11-27 | Microsoft Corporation | Schema-based services for identity-based data access |
| JP2002297491A (en)* | 2001-03-29 | 2002-10-11 | Seiko Epson Corp | File conversion apparatus |
| JP2003036152A (en)* | 2001-05-17 | 2003-02-07 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Information printing system |
| US20020174372A1 (en)* | 2001-05-18 | 2002-11-21 | Buvana Venkataraman | Method and apparatus for providing synchronized data |
| US7383321B2 (en) | 2002-07-09 | 2008-06-03 | Moyer Alan L | Method and system for communicating between a remote printer and a server |
| US20040019628A1 (en)* | 2002-07-09 | 2004-01-29 | Puri Anish N. | System for remotely rendering content for output by a printer |
| US20030045236A1 (en)* | 2001-08-29 | 2003-03-06 | Yuan-Jung Chang | Wireless peripheral with inbuilt driver |
| US20030051044A1 (en)* | 2001-09-12 | 2003-03-13 | Parry Travis J. | System and method for facilitating generation of hard copies |
| JP3984895B2 (en)* | 2001-10-03 | 2007-10-03 | キヤノン株式会社 | Information processing apparatus, server apparatus, driver updating method, computer-readable storage medium, and program |
| US20030072027A1 (en)* | 2001-10-11 | 2003-04-17 | Haines Robert E. | Unique identifier for customer account and method |
| US20030074268A1 (en)* | 2001-10-11 | 2003-04-17 | Haines Robert E. | User and device interactions for web consolidation |
| US20030074547A1 (en)* | 2001-10-11 | 2003-04-17 | Haines Robert E. | Hardcopy output engine consumable supply management and method |
| US7886026B2 (en)* | 2001-10-11 | 2011-02-08 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Hardcopy output engine configuration apparatus and method |
| TW519845B (en)* | 2001-10-31 | 2003-02-01 | Ru-Fang Shiau | Wireless projection system and projection method therefor |
| US7555287B1 (en) | 2001-11-01 | 2009-06-30 | Nokia Corporation | Customized messaging between wireless access point and services |
| US7283264B2 (en)* | 2001-11-20 | 2007-10-16 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Method and system for distributing print job |
| JP2003162469A (en)* | 2001-11-27 | 2003-06-06 | Toshiba Tec Corp | Information storage input system, information storage input service, and screen display system |
| JP4122773B2 (en)* | 2002-01-10 | 2008-07-23 | コニカミノルタビジネステクノロジーズ株式会社 | Image forming system and image forming apparatus |
| US7340214B1 (en)* | 2002-02-13 | 2008-03-04 | Nokia Corporation | Short-range wireless system and method for multimedia tags |
| US20030169289A1 (en)* | 2002-03-08 | 2003-09-11 | Holt Duane Anthony | Dynamic software control interface and method |
| US20030235309A1 (en) | 2002-03-08 | 2003-12-25 | Marinus Struik | Local area network |
| US7532862B2 (en)* | 2002-03-19 | 2009-05-12 | Apple Inc. | Method and apparatus for configuring a wireless device through reverse advertising |
| US7102640B1 (en)* | 2002-03-21 | 2006-09-05 | Nokia Corporation | Service/device indication with graphical interface |
| US20030192047A1 (en)* | 2002-03-22 | 2003-10-09 | Gaul Michael A. | Exporting data from a digital home communication terminal to a client device |
| US7256709B2 (en) | 2002-04-01 | 2007-08-14 | Electro Industries/Gauge Tech | Meter with IrDA port |
| GB0211658D0 (en)* | 2002-05-22 | 2002-07-03 | Svanborg Catharina | Novel therapies and methods of screening for therapeutic compounds |
| US20040003134A1 (en)* | 2002-06-27 | 2004-01-01 | Lin Eugene S. | Software sharing model |
| US9886309B2 (en)* | 2002-06-28 | 2018-02-06 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Identity-based distributed computing for device resources |
| US20040021905A1 (en)* | 2002-08-01 | 2004-02-05 | Holmstead Stanley Bruce | System and method for managing printable assets |
| US20040024844A1 (en)* | 2002-08-01 | 2004-02-05 | Stanley Bruce Holmstead | Downloading data for printers |
| US7516470B2 (en)* | 2002-08-02 | 2009-04-07 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Locally-updated interactive program guide |
| US20040039802A1 (en)* | 2002-08-23 | 2004-02-26 | Stringham Gary Glen | Obtaining pieces of operating code for a network device from multiple sources |
| US7426532B2 (en)* | 2002-08-27 | 2008-09-16 | Intel Corporation | Network of disparate processor-based devices to exchange and display media files |
| US20040044724A1 (en)* | 2002-08-27 | 2004-03-04 | Bell Cynthia S. | Apparatus and methods to exchange menu information among processor-based devices |
| US7376696B2 (en) | 2002-08-27 | 2008-05-20 | Intel Corporation | User interface to facilitate exchanging files among processor-based devices |
| US7072616B2 (en) | 2002-09-09 | 2006-07-04 | Conexant Systems, Inc. | Multi-protocol interchip interface |
| US7908625B2 (en) | 2002-10-02 | 2011-03-15 | Robertson Neil C | Networked multimedia system |
| US7360235B2 (en) | 2002-10-04 | 2008-04-15 | Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. | Systems and methods for operating a peripheral record/playback device in a networked multimedia system |
| US7545935B2 (en) | 2002-10-04 | 2009-06-09 | Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. | Networked multimedia overlay system |
| US8046806B2 (en) | 2002-10-04 | 2011-10-25 | Wall William E | Multiroom point of deployment module |
| US20040095598A1 (en)* | 2002-11-19 | 2004-05-20 | Heidelberg Digital, L.L.C. | Method of communicating with a proprietary printing system over a communications network |
| US8064073B2 (en)* | 2002-12-03 | 2011-11-22 | Sprague Jeffrey R | Adaptive rasterizer buffer |
| US20040193752A1 (en)* | 2003-01-02 | 2004-09-30 | Harpreet Singh | System and method for providing fee-based data services |
| EP1435596A1 (en)* | 2003-01-02 | 2004-07-07 | Toshiba Corporation | System and method for providing fee-based data services to mobile users |
| US20040193751A1 (en)* | 2003-01-02 | 2004-09-30 | Harpreet Singh | System and method for providing fee-based data services |
| US7487532B2 (en)* | 2003-01-15 | 2009-02-03 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Optimization of a full duplex wideband communications system |
| US8094640B2 (en) | 2003-01-15 | 2012-01-10 | Robertson Neil C | Full duplex wideband communications system for a local coaxial network |
| US7272407B2 (en)* | 2003-02-18 | 2007-09-18 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Display on wireless mobile device |
| US20040176118A1 (en)* | 2003-02-18 | 2004-09-09 | Michael Strittmatter | Service attribute based filtering system and method |
| US20040181517A1 (en)* | 2003-03-13 | 2004-09-16 | Younghee Jung | System and method for social interaction |
| KR100432367B1 (en)* | 2003-04-30 | 2004-05-20 | 푸른정보기술(주) | managing and control system for network and local printers |
| US8150907B2 (en) | 2003-05-29 | 2012-04-03 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Composite service providing system for a plurality of communicatively connected electronic devices |
| US6989839B2 (en)* | 2003-06-19 | 2006-01-24 | Xerox Corporation | Method for converting color to monochrome to maintain differentiability |
| US7668903B2 (en)* | 2003-07-07 | 2010-02-23 | Xerox Corporation | Method and apparatus for dynamically delivering service profiles to clients |
| US20050113025A1 (en)* | 2003-07-17 | 2005-05-26 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Output device, output method, radio communication device, and recording medium |
| US20050012951A1 (en)* | 2003-07-18 | 2005-01-20 | Madril Robert J. | Printer driver management |
| US7925611B1 (en)* | 2003-09-25 | 2011-04-12 | Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. | Graphical user interface |
| US20050166239A1 (en)* | 2003-10-09 | 2005-07-28 | Olympus Corporation | Surgery support system |
| US20050083411A1 (en)* | 2003-10-16 | 2005-04-21 | Cozier Robert P. | Device driven share system and method |
| US8260857B2 (en) | 2003-10-23 | 2012-09-04 | Microsoft Corporation | One to many data projection system and method |
| US20050091359A1 (en)* | 2003-10-24 | 2005-04-28 | Microsoft Corporation | Systems and methods for projecting content from computing devices |
| US7716273B2 (en)* | 2003-10-24 | 2010-05-11 | Microsoft Corporation | Systems and methods for projecting content from computing devices |
| US20050097337A1 (en)* | 2003-11-03 | 2005-05-05 | Robert Sesek | Systems and methods for providing recipient-end security for transmitted data |
| US20050117179A1 (en)* | 2003-11-06 | 2005-06-02 | Tatsuo Ito | Output information providing method, output information providing system, document outputting method, and document outputting system |
| US7861162B2 (en)* | 2003-11-14 | 2010-12-28 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Help file generating method and apparatus |
| FI20031908A0 (en)* | 2003-12-29 | 2003-12-29 | Nokia Corp | Method for assembling a media clip in a mobile terminal, terminal utilizing the method and means with programs for executing the method |
| US8432562B2 (en)* | 2004-02-17 | 2013-04-30 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Image processing apparatus, method, program, and computer readable recording medium for controlling operation switching and displaying at occurrence of error conditions |
| EP1724967B1 (en)* | 2004-03-10 | 2019-03-06 | Panasonic Corporation | Image transmission system and image transmission method |
| US7506253B2 (en)* | 2004-05-21 | 2009-03-17 | Electronics For Imaging, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for recording web information |
| JP2005346202A (en)* | 2004-05-31 | 2005-12-15 | Toshiba Corp | Electronics |
| JP4125269B2 (en)* | 2004-07-09 | 2008-07-30 | キヤノン株式会社 | Job processing system and control method thereof |
| US7698566B1 (en)* | 2004-07-12 | 2010-04-13 | Sprint Spectrum L.P. | Location-based voice-print authentication method and system |
| CN101015165B (en)* | 2004-08-26 | 2010-05-05 | 富士通株式会社 | Content management method and device |
| US7451921B2 (en)* | 2004-09-01 | 2008-11-18 | Eric Morgan Dowling | Methods, smart cards, and systems for providing portable computer, VoIP, and application services |
| JP2006082422A (en)* | 2004-09-16 | 2006-03-30 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Printer, printing system, and printing condition setting program |
| US7438641B2 (en)* | 2004-10-01 | 2008-10-21 | Igt | Gaming device with rotating and translating display device |
| US20060075075A1 (en)* | 2004-10-01 | 2006-04-06 | Malinen Jouni I | Method and system to contextually initiate synchronization services on mobile terminals in an enterprise environment |
| US8015234B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-09-06 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for administering imaging device notification access control |
| US7873718B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-01-18 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device accounting server recovery |
| US8115945B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2012-02-14 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device job configuration management |
| US8115944B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2012-02-14 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for local configuration-based imaging device accounting |
| US8006293B2 (en)* | 2004-10-08 | 2011-08-23 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device credential acceptance |
| US8006176B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-08-23 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging-device-based form field management |
| US7684074B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2010-03-23 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device metadata management |
| US8049677B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-11-01 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device display element localization |
| US7969596B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-06-28 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device document translation |
| US8120799B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2012-02-21 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for accessing remote, descriptor-related data at an imaging device |
| US8051125B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-11-01 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for obtaining imaging device event notification subscription |
| US8120793B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2012-02-21 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for displaying content on an imaging device |
| US7978618B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-07-12 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for user interface customization |
| US7870185B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-01-11 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device event notification administration |
| US8237946B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2012-08-07 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device accounting server redundancy |
| US8115947B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2012-02-14 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for providing remote, descriptor-related data to an imaging device |
| US8156424B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2012-04-10 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device dynamic document creation and organization |
| US8024792B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-09-20 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device credential submission |
| US8171404B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2012-05-01 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for disassembly and reassembly of examination documents |
| US8001183B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-08-16 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device related event notification |
| US8065384B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-11-22 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device event notification subscription |
| US7966396B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-06-21 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for administrating imaging device event notification |
| US8032608B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-10-04 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device notification access control |
| US7633644B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2009-12-15 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device job management |
| US8384925B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2013-02-26 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device accounting data management |
| US8018610B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-09-13 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device remote application interaction |
| US8230328B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2012-07-24 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for distributing localized display elements to an imaging device |
| US7934217B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-04-26 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for providing remote file structure access to an imaging device |
| US8006292B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-08-23 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device credential submission and consolidation |
| US7873553B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-01-18 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for authorizing imaging device concurrent account use |
| US8213034B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2012-07-03 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for providing remote file structure access on an imaging device |
| US8120797B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2012-02-21 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for transmitting content to an imaging device |
| US8115946B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2012-02-14 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and sytems for imaging device job definition |
| US7738808B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2010-06-15 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device concurrent account use with remote authorization |
| US8035831B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-10-11 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device remote form management |
| US8060930B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-11-15 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device credential receipt and authentication |
| US8051140B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-11-01 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device control |
| US7826081B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2010-11-02 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for receiving localized display elements at an imaging device |
| US7920101B2 (en) | 2004-10-08 | 2011-04-05 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for imaging device display standardization |
| KR100636202B1 (en)* | 2004-12-03 | 2006-10-19 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Print device and print method |
| US9275052B2 (en) | 2005-01-19 | 2016-03-01 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Providing annotations of a digital work |
| US8428484B2 (en) | 2005-03-04 | 2013-04-23 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for peripheral accounting |
| JP2006252001A (en)* | 2005-03-09 | 2006-09-21 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Document processor |
| US20060258342A1 (en)* | 2005-04-21 | 2006-11-16 | Kenny Fok | Methods and apparatus for providing wireless device-centric control of an external computing device |
| WO2006119616A1 (en)* | 2005-05-06 | 2006-11-16 | Objectif Lune Inc. | Converting a printer to an xml printer |
| US20060259602A1 (en)* | 2005-05-12 | 2006-11-16 | Randall Stewart | Method and apparatus for transport level server advertisement and discovery |
| US7843582B2 (en)* | 2005-08-31 | 2010-11-30 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Systems and methods for driverless N-up and duplexed imaging |
| JP4328749B2 (en)* | 2005-09-01 | 2009-09-09 | キヤノン株式会社 | Network system, setting method thereof, program, and storage medium |
| US7876998B2 (en) | 2005-10-05 | 2011-01-25 | Wall William E | DVD playback over multi-room by copying to HDD |
| US20070081184A1 (en)* | 2005-10-12 | 2007-04-12 | Daos Brenda F | System and method for releasing multiple document processing operations |
| US8559350B2 (en)* | 2005-12-20 | 2013-10-15 | Microsoft Corporation | Mechanism to convey discovery information in a wireless network |
| US8478300B2 (en)* | 2005-12-20 | 2013-07-02 | Microsoft Corporation | Proximity service discovery in wireless networks |
| US9762623B1 (en)* | 2005-12-22 | 2017-09-12 | Apple Inc. | Automatic call initiation in response to selecting tags in electronic documents and applications |
| US8055083B2 (en)* | 2006-01-18 | 2011-11-08 | Xerox Corporation | Portable bitmap rendering systems and methods |
| JP4871598B2 (en)* | 2006-01-19 | 2012-02-08 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image processing apparatus, image processing apparatus activation method, and program |
| US8661348B2 (en)* | 2006-01-27 | 2014-02-25 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Methods and systems to process an image |
| US8370141B2 (en)* | 2006-03-03 | 2013-02-05 | Reagan Inventions, Llc | Device, system and method for enabling speech recognition on a portable data device |
| US8400649B2 (en)* | 2006-05-01 | 2013-03-19 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Approach for managing printer driver settings |
| US20070264991A1 (en)* | 2006-05-15 | 2007-11-15 | Microsoft Corporation | Services near me: discovering and connecting to available wireless services utilizing proximity discovery |
| US10681151B2 (en) | 2006-05-15 | 2020-06-09 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Notification framework for wireless networks |
| US8345272B2 (en) | 2006-09-28 | 2013-01-01 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Methods and systems for third-party control of remote imaging jobs |
| US20090091791A1 (en)* | 2006-09-28 | 2009-04-09 | Andrew Rodney Ferlitsch | Methods and systems for third-party administrative control of remote imaging jobs and imaging devices |
| US8725565B1 (en) | 2006-09-29 | 2014-05-13 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Expedited acquisition of a digital item following a sample presentation of the item |
| US9672533B1 (en) | 2006-09-29 | 2017-06-06 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Acquisition of an item based on a catalog presentation of items |
| US9135612B1 (en) | 2011-04-17 | 2015-09-15 | Proctor Consulting, LLC | Proximity detection, virtual detection, or location based triggering of the exchange of value and information |
| US7865817B2 (en) | 2006-12-29 | 2011-01-04 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Invariant referencing in digital works |
| US8836960B1 (en)* | 2007-01-03 | 2014-09-16 | Marvell International Ltd. | Storing device drivers in imaging devices |
| US8024400B2 (en) | 2007-09-26 | 2011-09-20 | Oomble, Inc. | Method and system for transferring content from the web to mobile devices |
| US7751807B2 (en) | 2007-02-12 | 2010-07-06 | Oomble, Inc. | Method and system for a hosted mobile management service architecture |
| US9189192B2 (en)* | 2007-03-20 | 2015-11-17 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Driverless printing system, apparatus and method |
| USD609714S1 (en)* | 2007-03-22 | 2010-02-09 | Fujifilm Corporation | Electronic camera |
| US7716224B2 (en) | 2007-03-29 | 2010-05-11 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Search and indexing on a user device |
| US9665529B1 (en) | 2007-03-29 | 2017-05-30 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Relative progress and event indicators |
| CN101287197A (en)* | 2007-04-13 | 2008-10-15 | 摩托罗拉公司 | Method of starting electronic device application by using wireless communication network |
| US8234282B2 (en)* | 2007-05-21 | 2012-07-31 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Managing status of search index generation |
| US20090063612A1 (en)* | 2007-08-30 | 2009-03-05 | Kiyohiro Hyo | Image forming apparatus and image forming system |
| KR20090031111A (en)* | 2007-09-21 | 2009-03-25 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method and device for managing image forming device driver program |
| US8723963B2 (en)* | 2008-01-11 | 2014-05-13 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Dynamic print driver installation on cameras |
| US20090182533A1 (en)* | 2008-01-14 | 2009-07-16 | Apple Inc. | Remote diagnostic service |
| US9105031B2 (en) | 2008-02-22 | 2015-08-11 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Authentication mechanisms for wireless networks |
| US7877482B1 (en)* | 2008-04-01 | 2011-01-25 | Google Inc. | Efficient application hosting in a distributed application execution system |
| JP5361248B2 (en)* | 2008-05-27 | 2013-12-04 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming apparatus, image forming method, storage medium, and program |
| US20100016019A1 (en)* | 2008-07-17 | 2010-01-21 | Harris Scott C | Communication and Operation Using Wireless Peripherals |
| US20100049805A1 (en)* | 2008-08-19 | 2010-02-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | Selection and Delivery of Messages Based on an Association of Pervasive Technologies |
| US8090359B2 (en) | 2008-09-08 | 2012-01-03 | Proctor Jr James Arthur | Exchanging identifiers between wireless communication to determine further information to be exchanged or further services to be provided |
| US8793306B2 (en)* | 2008-10-03 | 2014-07-29 | Infosys Limited | System, wireless communication device and method for combining compatible services |
| US9043503B2 (en)* | 2008-10-28 | 2015-05-26 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | System and method of interacting with data at a wireless communication device |
| US8005950B1 (en) | 2008-12-09 | 2011-08-23 | Google Inc. | Application server scalability through runtime restrictions enforcement in a distributed application execution system |
| JP2010160616A (en)* | 2009-01-07 | 2010-07-22 | Seiko Epson Corp | Host device, method for controlling the same, image forming system, and computer program |
| CN101782841A (en)* | 2009-01-16 | 2010-07-21 | 鸿富锦精密工业（深圳）有限公司 | Electronic device and method for allocating and installing wireless printing environment |
| US9087032B1 (en) | 2009-01-26 | 2015-07-21 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Aggregation of highlights |
| US8378979B2 (en)* | 2009-01-27 | 2013-02-19 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Electronic device with haptic feedback |
| JP5257142B2 (en)* | 2009-02-27 | 2013-08-07 | 株式会社リコー | Image forming apparatus, image forming system, information processing method, and computer program |
| US8832584B1 (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2014-09-09 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Questions on highlighted passages |
| US20100309508A1 (en)* | 2009-06-03 | 2010-12-09 | Kamath Harish B | Network print-related service |
| JP5511230B2 (en)* | 2009-06-12 | 2014-06-04 | キヤノン株式会社 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM |
| KR20110029435A (en)* | 2009-09-15 | 2011-03-23 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Printer and method for outputting document of mobile terminal and mobile terminal |
| JP5353591B2 (en)* | 2009-09-15 | 2013-11-27 | 株式会社リコー | Projector, projector system, control method, and control program |
| JP4798278B2 (en)* | 2009-09-17 | 2011-10-19 | コニカミノルタビジネステクノロジーズ株式会社 | Job processing system, image processing apparatus, program, and control method for image processing apparatus |
| US8692763B1 (en) | 2009-09-28 | 2014-04-08 | John T. Kim | Last screen rendering for electronic book reader |
| JP5489619B2 (en)* | 2009-09-29 | 2014-05-14 | キヤノン株式会社 | Information processing apparatus and method |
| US9329807B2 (en)* | 2009-10-16 | 2016-05-03 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Method and system to share a printer and print |
| US9098507B2 (en)* | 2009-12-03 | 2015-08-04 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Dynamic content presentation |
| US20110161428A1 (en)* | 2009-12-28 | 2011-06-30 | Ezpnp Technologies Corp. | Two-way data and resources sharing method |
| WO2011090474A1 (en) | 2010-01-20 | 2011-07-28 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Cloud printer with a common user print experience |
| US8928911B2 (en) | 2010-03-30 | 2015-01-06 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Fulfillment utilizing selected negotiation attributes |
| CN101820318B (en)* | 2010-04-23 | 2012-09-26 | 大连亿达信息技术有限公司 | 1Gbps ultra-high speed LED optical communication control system |
| US9495322B1 (en) | 2010-09-21 | 2016-11-15 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Cover display |
| JP5678556B2 (en)* | 2010-10-04 | 2015-03-04 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Job execution system, job execution device, and program |
| US9639315B2 (en)* | 2010-10-26 | 2017-05-02 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Content production |
| KR20120055779A (en)* | 2010-11-23 | 2012-06-01 | 한국전자통신연구원 | System and method for communicating audio data based zigbee and method thereof |
| JP5619649B2 (en)* | 2011-02-17 | 2014-11-05 | シャープ株式会社 | Information processing apparatus, image output system, program, and recording medium |
| US20120254288A1 (en)* | 2011-03-28 | 2012-10-04 | Sony Corporation | Recompositing an rui in real-time |
| US8667513B1 (en)* | 2011-03-29 | 2014-03-04 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Dormancy timer adjustment in a wireless access node based on wireless device application status |
| EP3416101A1 (en)* | 2011-04-20 | 2018-12-19 | NEC Corporation | Tenprint card input device, tenprint card input method and storage medium |
| GB201107978D0 (en)* | 2011-05-13 | 2011-06-29 | Antix Labs Ltd | Method of distibuting a multi-user software application |
| KR101719994B1 (en) | 2011-09-07 | 2017-03-27 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same |
| US9158741B1 (en) | 2011-10-28 | 2015-10-13 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Indicators for navigating digital works |
| US9361049B2 (en)* | 2011-11-01 | 2016-06-07 | Xerox Corporation | Systems and methods for appearance-intent-directed document format conversion for mobile printing |
| US20130117670A1 (en)* | 2011-11-04 | 2013-05-09 | Barnesandnoble.Com Llc | System and method for creating recordings associated with electronic publication |
| CN103108389A (en)* | 2011-11-15 | 2013-05-15 | 中兴通讯股份有限公司 | Communication method and communication system from device to device and user devices |
| US8854673B2 (en)* | 2011-12-27 | 2014-10-07 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Image forming apparatus and image forming method for controlling sending of an advertising packet |
| US9069501B2 (en) | 2012-02-28 | 2015-06-30 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Mechanism that allows initiating print without being aware of the printer email address |
| US8938551B2 (en)* | 2012-04-10 | 2015-01-20 | Intel Mobile Communications GmbH | Data processing device |
| WO2014003712A1 (en) | 2012-06-26 | 2014-01-03 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Exposing network printers to wi-fi clients |
| TW201401843A (en)* | 2012-06-28 | 2014-01-01 | Avision Inc | Document scanning method and computer program |
| JP6057565B2 (en)* | 2012-07-04 | 2017-01-11 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image processing apparatus, image processing apparatus control method, and program |
| US9122554B2 (en) | 2013-02-08 | 2015-09-01 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Pervasive service providing device-specific updates |
| JP6123394B2 (en)* | 2013-03-15 | 2017-05-10 | 株式会社リコー | Definition information creation system, information processing device |
| CN103346954A (en)* | 2013-06-17 | 2013-10-09 | 北京印刷学院 | Email sending-receiving device |
| JP5578259B1 (en)* | 2013-07-22 | 2014-08-27 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Terminal device, image forming system, and program |
| JP6102627B2 (en)* | 2013-08-09 | 2017-03-29 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Relay device, image processing device, relay method, program, and system |
| JP6413506B2 (en)* | 2013-09-17 | 2018-10-31 | 株式会社リコー | Information processing system, input / output device, program, and authentication method |
| US9063683B2 (en)* | 2013-10-28 | 2015-06-23 | Xerox Corporation | Storing print options and print accounting credentials when printing via e-mail |
| US11310614B2 (en) | 2014-01-17 | 2022-04-19 | Proctor Consulting, LLC | Smart hub |
| US9438753B2 (en)* | 2014-02-17 | 2016-09-06 | Xerox Corporation | Method and apparatus for redirecting print job requests to digital alternatives |
| US10430779B2 (en)* | 2014-04-08 | 2019-10-01 | Capital One Services Llc | Systems and methods for transacting at an ATM using a mobile device |
| KR20150139336A (en) | 2014-06-03 | 2015-12-11 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Image forming apparatus and method for providing user interface screen thereof |
| US9824688B2 (en)* | 2014-07-16 | 2017-11-21 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation Of America | Method for controlling speech-recognition text-generation system and method for controlling mobile terminal |
| JP6098611B2 (en)* | 2014-10-28 | 2017-03-22 | コニカミノルタ株式会社 | Image processing device, terminal device, processing method, and control program |
| US20170324988A1 (en)* | 2014-12-05 | 2017-11-09 | Thomson Licensing | Method and device for transmitting content |
| JP6412422B2 (en)* | 2014-12-11 | 2018-10-24 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image processing apparatus, control method therefor, system, and program |
| JP6482299B2 (en)* | 2015-01-30 | 2019-03-13 | キヤノン株式会社 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM |
| US9430723B1 (en)* | 2015-03-27 | 2016-08-30 | Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. | Printing device software management and common interface |
| JP6520403B2 (en)* | 2015-05-29 | 2019-05-29 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Mobile terminal and output program |
| JP6471616B2 (en) | 2015-06-05 | 2019-02-20 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Portable terminal and output program |
| US10803229B2 (en)* | 2015-07-16 | 2020-10-13 | Thinxtream Technologies Pte. Ltd. | Hybrid system and method for data and file conversion across computing devices and platforms |
| US10739960B2 (en)* | 2015-09-22 | 2020-08-11 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Performing application-specific searches using touchscreen-enabled computing devices |
| JP6641928B2 (en)* | 2015-11-27 | 2020-02-05 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | program |
| JP6524896B2 (en)* | 2015-11-27 | 2019-06-05 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | program |
| CN105430628A (en)* | 2015-12-15 | 2016-03-23 | 邢海安 | Small local area network type multi-party conferencing device |
| CN105491540A (en)* | 2015-12-15 | 2016-04-13 | 邢海安 | Intelligent unit internal local area network system |
| TW201725546A (en)* | 2016-01-11 | 2017-07-16 | 仁寶電腦工業股份有限公司 | Secure payment device and secure payment method thereof |
| JP2017126857A (en)* | 2016-01-13 | 2017-07-20 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image processing apparatus, system, information processing method, and program |
| WO2017131778A1 (en)* | 2016-01-29 | 2017-08-03 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Transfer jobs to service printers |
| US10389892B2 (en) | 2016-09-15 | 2019-08-20 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | System for executing operations on image processing devices |
| USD849015S1 (en) | 2016-09-22 | 2019-05-21 | Facebook, Inc. | Display panel of a programmed computer system with a graphical user interface |
| US10834231B2 (en)* | 2016-10-11 | 2020-11-10 | Synergex Group | Methods, systems, and media for pairing devices to complete a task using an application request |
| CN106599079B (en)* | 2016-11-11 | 2020-05-26 | Oppo广东移动通信有限公司 | Data processing method and corresponding mobile terminal |
| CN106791933B (en)* | 2017-01-20 | 2019-11-12 | 杭州当虹科技股份有限公司 | The method and system of online quick editor's video based on web terminal |
| JP6862195B2 (en)* | 2017-01-26 | 2021-04-21 | キヤノン株式会社 | Information processing equipment, information processing equipment control methods, and computer programs |
| USD845976S1 (en) | 2017-01-30 | 2019-04-16 | Google Llc | Computer display screen or portion thereof with a graphical user interface |
| US10379798B2 (en)* | 2017-03-21 | 2019-08-13 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Information processing apparatus that obtains and displays synchronized setting information, control method therefor, and storage medium |
| CN107092456A (en)* | 2017-04-10 | 2017-08-25 | 北京技德网络技术有限公司 | Extension display methods, system and mobile device for mobile device |
| JP6755834B2 (en)* | 2017-07-13 | 2020-09-16 | キヤノン株式会社 | Systems and printers and servers Systems and control methods and programs |
| JP7467022B2 (en) | 2017-07-13 | 2024-04-15 | キヤノン株式会社 | System and method for control |
| WO2019055020A1 (en)* | 2017-09-14 | 2019-03-21 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Print job printing based on human voice activity |
| JP6954066B2 (en) | 2017-12-07 | 2021-10-27 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Programs and information processing terminals. |
| KR102414927B1 (en) | 2018-03-21 | 2022-06-30 | 삼성전자 주식회사 | Method and apparatus for authenticating a device using wireless local area network service |
| JP7135385B2 (en) | 2018-03-30 | 2022-09-13 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Communication device and computer program for the communication device |
| US11355106B2 (en)* | 2018-03-30 | 2022-06-07 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Information processing apparatus, method of processing information and storage medium comprising dot per inch resolution for scan or copy |
| CN110691173B (en)* | 2018-07-05 | 2021-08-20 | 台达电子工业股份有限公司 | Image transmission device, image transmission method and image transmission system |
| US12418517B2 (en)* | 2018-10-19 | 2025-09-16 | Apple Inc. | Media intercom over a secure device to device communication channel |
| JP7234612B2 (en)* | 2018-11-30 | 2023-03-08 | 株式会社リコー | Information processing system and information processing method |
| JP2020086412A (en)* | 2018-11-30 | 2020-06-04 | 株式会社リコー | Information processing system, program, and information processing method |
| US10592183B1 (en) | 2018-12-14 | 2020-03-17 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Printer selection |
| JP7196602B2 (en) | 2018-12-28 | 2022-12-27 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Communication device, computer program for communication device, and computer program for first external device |
| US10841772B2 (en)* | 2018-12-28 | 2020-11-17 | Wipro Limited | Method and system for controlling communication between internet-of-things (IOT) devices |
| USD904432S1 (en)* | 2019-01-04 | 2020-12-08 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Display screen or portion thereof with transitional graphical user interface |
| USD920997S1 (en)* | 2019-01-04 | 2021-06-01 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with transitional graphical user interface |
| CN109660747A (en)* | 2019-01-09 | 2019-04-19 | 张爱兰 | Compatible type face detection system and method |
| CA3126770A1 (en) | 2019-01-15 | 2020-07-23 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Providing communication services using sets of i/o devices |
| CN110531944B (en)* | 2019-08-29 | 2023-05-23 | 珠海天威技术开发有限公司 | Method for controlling operation of printing consumable adapter based on intelligent terminal system, computer device and computer readable storage medium |
| JP7400303B2 (en)* | 2019-09-27 | 2023-12-19 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Communication devices and computer programs for communication devices |
| USD962286S1 (en)* | 2020-06-11 | 2022-08-30 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Display screen or portion thereof with icon |
| US11782685B2 (en) | 2020-06-17 | 2023-10-10 | Bank Of America Corporation | Software code vectorization converter |
| US11347500B2 (en) | 2020-06-17 | 2022-05-31 | Bank Of America Corporation | Software code converter for resolving conflicts during code development |
| US11573775B2 (en) | 2020-06-17 | 2023-02-07 | Bank Of America Corporation | Software code converter for resolving redundancy during code development |
| US11237851B1 (en)* | 2020-07-14 | 2022-02-01 | Xerox Corporation | Simultaneous generation of differently interactive device menus automatically from an initial device menu |
| CN111831246B (en)* | 2020-07-27 | 2021-06-08 | 深圳乐播科技有限公司 | Screen projection method, device, equipment and storage medium based on 5G network |
| KR20220052607A (en)* | 2020-10-21 | 2022-04-28 | 휴렛-팩커드 디벨롭먼트 컴퍼니, 엘.피. | Controlling network setup of electronic device |
| CN112328189B (en)* | 2020-11-27 | 2023-01-17 | 联想(北京)有限公司 | Information processing method and device, electronic equipment and computer storage medium |
| KR20220119968A (en)* | 2021-02-22 | 2022-08-30 | 휴렛-팩커드 디벨롭먼트 컴퍼니, 엘.피. | One time link based user authentification in image forming devices |
| US12073376B2 (en) | 2022-05-31 | 2024-08-27 | Bank Of America Corporation | Light-weight and secure payment processing using a low-power wide-area networking protocol |
| US12014342B2 (en)* | 2022-09-14 | 2024-06-18 | T Pushke Inc | System and method for processing communal and public collections by utilizing a publicly accessible kiosk |
| US12406238B2 (en)* | 2022-12-29 | 2025-09-02 | American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. | Overlay network for real-time payment networks |
| US12380457B2 (en) | 2023-01-26 | 2025-08-05 | American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. | Optimal routing of payments |
| US12136092B1 (en)* | 2023-04-18 | 2024-11-05 | T-Mobile Innovations Llc | Secure management of execution of an application |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6091956A (en)* | 1997-06-12 | 2000-07-18 | Hollenberg; Dennis D. | Situation information system |
| US20020013730A1 (en)* | 1999-01-28 | 2002-01-31 | Joseph Phillip Bigus | Vehicle-based order entry and processing mechanism |
| US20030028481A1 (en)* | 1998-03-25 | 2003-02-06 | Orbis Patents, Ltd. | Credit card system and method |
| US6598031B1 (en)* | 2000-07-31 | 2003-07-22 | Edi Secure Lllp | Apparatus and method for routing encrypted transaction card identifying data through a public telephone network |
Family Cites Families (578)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6789191B1 (en) | 1999-05-25 | 2004-09-07 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Interactive device network registration protocol |
| US3629493A (en) | 1969-11-06 | 1971-12-21 | Hazeltine Corp | Screening process simulation apparatus |
| US3833297A (en) | 1972-03-13 | 1974-09-03 | Sears Roebuck & Co | Automatic brightness control for photographic projectors |
| US3848856A (en) | 1973-10-01 | 1974-11-19 | Hazeltine Corp | Local correction apparatus for a color previewer |
| US4262301A (en) | 1978-03-30 | 1981-04-14 | Polaroid Corporation | Electronic imaging camera |
| US4335955A (en) | 1978-04-24 | 1982-06-22 | Ragen Precision Industries, Inc. | Electrostatic display apparatus |
| US4301599A (en) | 1979-10-05 | 1981-11-24 | Imero Fiorentino Associates, Inc. | Lens previewer |
| US4266863A (en) | 1979-12-17 | 1981-05-12 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Device for forming graphics |
| US4291957A (en) | 1979-12-17 | 1981-09-29 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Graphic forming device with toggle clamped lamp arm |
| US4291956A (en) | 1979-12-17 | 1981-09-29 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Graphic forming device with preview feature |
| DE3021138C2 (en) | 1980-06-04 | 1983-07-28 | geb.Böser Liesel 6336 Solms Martin | Slide tape |
| US4340905A (en) | 1980-09-12 | 1982-07-20 | Balding George H | Photographic printer and color film analyzer apparatus |
| AU546625B2 (en) | 1980-10-09 | 1985-09-12 | Sony Corporation | V.t.r. editing control |
| US4495490A (en) | 1981-05-29 | 1985-01-22 | Ibm Corporation | Word processor and display |
| US4539585A (en) | 1981-07-10 | 1985-09-03 | Spackova Daniela S | Previewer |
| US4360264A (en) | 1981-07-31 | 1982-11-23 | Polaroid Corporation | Variable magnification slide copy camera |
| US4553835A (en) | 1982-02-11 | 1985-11-19 | Morgan Jr James T | Process for producing pre-press color proofs |
| US4435059A (en) | 1982-09-30 | 1984-03-06 | Jeremy Gerber | Camera with automatic aperture setting and partially color deleted viewfinder selection |
| US4603330A (en) | 1982-10-01 | 1986-07-29 | High Technology Solutions, Inc. | Font display and text editing system with character overlay feature |
| US4542497A (en) | 1983-03-28 | 1985-09-17 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Wideband digital switching network |
| US4541010A (en) | 1983-06-17 | 1985-09-10 | Polaroid Corporation | Electronic imaging camera |
| US4602280A (en) | 1983-12-05 | 1986-07-22 | Maloomian Laurence G | Weight and/or measurement reduction preview system |
| US4580880A (en) | 1984-02-21 | 1986-04-08 | William Watson | Non-reversing mirror device with perceived depth perspective |
| US7428575B1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 2008-09-23 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Method and system for communicating with a device attached to a computer using electronic mail messages |
| US4758881A (en) | 1987-06-02 | 1988-07-19 | Eastman Kodak Company | Still video frame store memory |
| US5220674A (en)* | 1987-07-17 | 1993-06-15 | Digital Equipment Corporation | Local area print server for requesting and storing required resource data and forwarding printer status message to selected destination |
| US4924301A (en)* | 1988-11-08 | 1990-05-08 | Seecolor Corporation | Apparatus and methods for digital halftoning |
| US4979032A (en) | 1988-12-27 | 1990-12-18 | Eastman Kodak Company | Color imaging apparatus producing on various image receptive materials a visually matched hard copy reproduction of a video image displayed |
| US4958220A (en) | 1988-12-27 | 1990-09-18 | Eastman Kodak Company | Color imaging apparatus producing visually matched displays of perceptually distinct reproduced images |
| US4956665A (en) | 1989-07-03 | 1990-09-11 | Polaroid Corporation | Framing apparatus for a medical scanning camera |
| US5048057A (en)* | 1990-01-02 | 1991-09-10 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Wireless local area network |
| US6389010B1 (en) | 1995-10-05 | 2002-05-14 | Intermec Ip Corp. | Hierarchical data collection network supporting packetized voice communications among wireless terminals and telephones |
| US6749122B1 (en) | 1990-05-25 | 2004-06-15 | Broadcom Corporation | Multi-level hierarchial radio-frequency system communication system |
| IL98700A (en) | 1990-07-13 | 1994-04-12 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Apparatus and method for assembling a composite image from a plurality of data types |
| US5129639A (en) | 1990-12-17 | 1992-07-14 | Eastman Kodak Company | Printer configuration control system |
| JP3318897B2 (en) | 1991-01-29 | 2002-08-26 | ソニー株式会社 | Remote controller with video monitor |
| DE69231877D1 (en)* | 1991-04-04 | 2001-07-26 | Canon Kk | Wireless transmission device and printer using this device |
| JP3159392B2 (en) | 1991-04-16 | 2001-04-23 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Image memory device and operation method thereof |
| JP2661416B2 (en)* | 1991-06-29 | 1997-10-08 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Printing system |
| US5463623A (en) | 1991-07-31 | 1995-10-31 | At&T Ipm Corp. | Integrated wireless telecommunication and local area network system |
| US5739928A (en) | 1991-09-12 | 1998-04-14 | Eastman Kodak Company | Technique particularly suited for use in a print preview function for adapting CRT colorimetry to ambient lighting conditions |
| US5564109A (en)* | 1991-09-13 | 1996-10-08 | Eastman Kodak Company | Remote user interface for prioritizing and selecting from a plurality of document production peripheral devices |
| US5257097A (en) | 1991-09-27 | 1993-10-26 | Eastman Kodak Company | Method and apparatus for selective interception of a graphics rendering operation for effecting image data modification |
| US5353388A (en)* | 1991-10-17 | 1994-10-04 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | System and method for document processing |
| DE69231118T2 (en) | 1991-10-18 | 2000-12-14 | Fujitsu Ltd., Kawasaki | Message distribution system with cordless message-transmitting substations and message-receiving terminal devices |
| US5537517A (en)* | 1991-10-23 | 1996-07-16 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Information processing device in an electronic apparatus utilizing an accessory control device and methods of application |
| DE59106492D1 (en) | 1991-11-19 | 1995-10-19 | Siemens Ag | Parameterizable output circuit integrated in an integrated circuit. |
| US5802314A (en) | 1991-12-17 | 1998-09-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Method and apparatus for sending and receiving multimedia messages |
| US6850252B1 (en) | 1999-10-05 | 2005-02-01 | Steven M. Hoffberg | Intelligent electronic appliance system and method |
| US5319751A (en)* | 1991-12-27 | 1994-06-07 | Intel Corporation | Device driver configuration in a computer system |
| US5479206A (en) | 1992-02-04 | 1995-12-26 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Imaging system, electronic camera, computer system for controlling said electronic camera, and methods of controlling same |
| US5845078A (en)* | 1992-04-16 | 1998-12-01 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Network integrated construction system, method of installing network connection machines, and method of setting network parameters |
| US5754655A (en)* | 1992-05-26 | 1998-05-19 | Hughes; Thomas S. | System for remote purchase payment and remote bill payment transactions |
| US5799068A (en) | 1992-06-29 | 1998-08-25 | Elonex I.P. Holdings Ltd. | Smart phone integration with computer systems |
| US5799067A (en) | 1992-06-29 | 1998-08-25 | Elonex I.P. Holdings Ltd. | Smart phone integration with computer systems |
| US5337258A (en)* | 1992-07-10 | 1994-08-09 | Microsoft Corporation | Cost metrics |
| JP2773559B2 (en)* | 1992-07-16 | 1998-07-09 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Image editing processing device and image editing processing system |
| US5319711A (en) | 1992-08-19 | 1994-06-07 | Gte Laboratories Incorporated | Wireless device for verifying identification |
| JPH06119134A (en)* | 1992-08-20 | 1994-04-28 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Image processing device |
| US5467434A (en)* | 1992-08-28 | 1995-11-14 | Xerox Corporation | Apparatus and method for determining printer option availability and representing conflict resolution in a combination of print job selections |
| US5613123A (en)* | 1992-09-30 | 1997-03-18 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and system for configuring and executing device drivers based on configuration requirements |
| JPH06203157A (en)* | 1992-10-14 | 1994-07-22 | Fujitsu Ltd | Color image processing method and apparatus |
| US5287194A (en)* | 1992-11-25 | 1994-02-15 | Xerox Corporation | Distributed printing |
| JP3438918B2 (en) | 1992-11-27 | 2003-08-18 | コモンウェルス サイエンティフィック アンド インダストリアル リサーチ オーガニゼーション | Wireless LAN |
| US5270773A (en)* | 1992-11-27 | 1993-12-14 | Xerox Corporation | Image producing device with security to prevent disclosure of sensitive documents |
| US5604843A (en)* | 1992-12-23 | 1997-02-18 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and system for interfacing with a computer output device |
| DE69331220T2 (en) | 1993-02-11 | 2002-06-27 | Agfa-Gevaert N.V., Mortsel | Process for displaying radiation images |
| EP0610604A1 (en) | 1993-02-11 | 1994-08-17 | Agfa-Gevaert N.V. | Multiple processing of radiographic images based on a pyramidal image decomposition |
| JP2990992B2 (en) | 1993-03-18 | 1999-12-13 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Satellite communication terminal |
| IL109462A0 (en) | 1993-04-30 | 1994-07-31 | Scitex Corp Ltd | Method for generating artificial shadow |
| US5796727A (en) | 1993-04-30 | 1998-08-18 | International Business Machines Corporation | Wide-area wireless lan access |
| EP0631419B1 (en)* | 1993-06-22 | 1996-03-27 | Vmx Inc. | An electronic mail system having integrated voice messages |
| WO1995001020A1 (en) | 1993-06-25 | 1995-01-05 | Xircom, Incorporated | Virtual carrier detection for wireless local area network with distributed control |
| US5566278A (en)* | 1993-08-24 | 1996-10-15 | Taligent, Inc. | Object oriented printing system |
| US5619623A (en)* | 1993-09-21 | 1997-04-08 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Method and device for transmitting and processing print data used for printer |
| US5596697A (en)* | 1993-09-30 | 1997-01-21 | Apple Computer, Inc. | Method for routing items within a computer system |
| US5937112A (en) | 1993-10-28 | 1999-08-10 | Agfa-Gevaert N.V. | Interactive color image digitizing system having restricted memory capability |
| US5485634A (en)* | 1993-12-14 | 1996-01-16 | Xerox Corporation | Method and system for the dynamic selection, allocation and arbitration of control between devices within a region |
| KR960012849B1 (en) | 1993-12-23 | 1996-09-24 | 현대전자산업 주식회사 | Wireless printer sharing system |
| US5625757A (en)* | 1993-12-24 | 1997-04-29 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Printing system |
| JP3491998B2 (en) | 1994-01-31 | 2004-02-03 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image processing method and apparatus |
| US5580177A (en)* | 1994-03-29 | 1996-12-03 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Printer/client network with centrally updated printer drivers and printer status monitoring |
| US7991347B1 (en) | 1994-04-07 | 2011-08-02 | Data Innovation Llc | System and method for accessing set of digital data at a remote site |
| US5608909A (en)* | 1994-04-15 | 1997-03-04 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and system for caching presentation data of a source object in a presentation cache |
| US5761480A (en)* | 1994-04-20 | 1998-06-02 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Display control method |
| US5519641A (en)* | 1994-05-20 | 1996-05-21 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for configuring plural multimedia audio cards as a local area network |
| US5574979A (en) | 1994-06-03 | 1996-11-12 | Norand Corporation | Periodic interference avoidance in a wireless radio frequency communication system |
| FI964919L (en) | 1994-06-08 | 1997-02-07 | Hughes Aircraft Co | Device and method for accessing a hybrid network |
| US5515480A (en) | 1994-06-15 | 1996-05-07 | Dp-Tek, Inc. | System and method for enhancing graphic features produced by marking engines |
| JP3723211B2 (en) | 1994-06-24 | 2005-12-07 | マイクロソフト コーポレーション | Method and system for scrolling data |
| US5862321A (en)* | 1994-06-27 | 1999-01-19 | Xerox Corporation | System and method for accessing and distributing electronic documents |
| US5699495A (en)* | 1994-07-27 | 1997-12-16 | Microsoft Corporation | Point-and-print in a distributed environment |
| US5629981A (en) | 1994-07-29 | 1997-05-13 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Information management and security system |
| US5822230A (en)* | 1994-09-22 | 1998-10-13 | Elonex Plc Ltd. | Personal digital assistant module having a broadcast pointer device |
| US5881213A (en)* | 1994-10-05 | 1999-03-09 | Microsoft Corporation | Deferred printing |
| WO1996013132A1 (en) | 1994-10-24 | 1996-05-02 | Ameritech Corporation | Wireless digital personal communications system having voice/data/image two-way calling and intercell hand-off |
| JPH08263438A (en)* | 1994-11-23 | 1996-10-11 | Xerox Corp | Distribution and use control system of digital work and access control method to digital work |
| US6963859B2 (en) | 1994-11-23 | 2005-11-08 | Contentguard Holdings, Inc. | Content rendering repository |
| US6366682B1 (en)* | 1994-11-28 | 2002-04-02 | Indivos Corporation | Tokenless electronic transaction system |
| US5870723A (en) | 1994-11-28 | 1999-02-09 | Pare, Jr.; David Ferrin | Tokenless biometric transaction authorization method and system |
| US5619257A (en) | 1994-12-13 | 1997-04-08 | Eastman Kodak Company | Combined film and electronic camera with storage density selection, segment image stacking, instant view and high resolution film mode |
| US7133846B1 (en)* | 1995-02-13 | 2006-11-07 | Intertrust Technologies Corp. | Digital certificate support system, methods and techniques for secure electronic commerce transaction and rights management |
| US6745937B2 (en) | 1995-06-07 | 2004-06-08 | E-Comm, Inc. | Low-power hand-held transaction device |
| US7095854B1 (en)* | 1995-02-13 | 2006-08-22 | Intertrust Technologies Corp. | Systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection |
| US7133845B1 (en)* | 1995-02-13 | 2006-11-07 | Intertrust Technologies Corp. | System and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection |
| US5793966A (en) | 1995-12-01 | 1998-08-11 | Vermeer Technologies, Inc. | Computer system and computer-implemented process for creation and maintenance of online services |
| US5727135A (en) | 1995-03-23 | 1998-03-10 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Multiple printer status information indication |
| US6252964B1 (en)* | 1995-04-03 | 2001-06-26 | Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. | Authorization of services in a conditional access system |
| US6213652B1 (en) | 1995-04-18 | 2001-04-10 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Job scheduling system for print processing |
| JPH08286857A (en) | 1995-04-19 | 1996-11-01 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Printer and its method |
| US6122526A (en) | 1997-04-24 | 2000-09-19 | Eastman Kodak Company | Cellular telephone and electronic camera system with programmable transmission capability |
| US5613191A (en) | 1995-05-01 | 1997-03-18 | Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. | Customer premise wireless distribution of audio-video, control signals and voice using CDMA |
| US5701451A (en) | 1995-06-07 | 1997-12-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method for fulfilling requests of a web browser |
| US8169311B1 (en) | 1999-12-15 | 2012-05-01 | Automotive Technologies International, Inc. | Wireless transmission system for vehicular component control and monitoring |
| US5664243A (en) | 1995-06-08 | 1997-09-02 | Minolta Co., Ltd. | Camera |
| US5619649A (en)* | 1995-06-12 | 1997-04-08 | Xerox Corporation | Network printing system for programming a print job by selecting a job ticket identifier associated with remotely stored predefined document processing control instructions |
| DE19522053A1 (en) | 1995-06-17 | 1996-12-19 | Roland Man Druckmasch | Information transmission system |
| JP3119429B2 (en)* | 1995-07-14 | 2000-12-18 | キヤノン株式会社 | Printer control device and method |
| US5724106A (en) | 1995-07-17 | 1998-03-03 | Gateway 2000, Inc. | Hand held remote control device with trigger button |
| US5636211A (en)* | 1995-08-15 | 1997-06-03 | Motorola, Inc. | Universal multimedia access device |
| US5826244A (en)* | 1995-08-23 | 1998-10-20 | Xerox Corporation | Method and system for providing a document service over a computer network using an automated brokered auction |
| US6009464A (en)* | 1995-09-20 | 1999-12-28 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for enabling application programs to communicate with network clients and servers |
| US5890820A (en)* | 1995-09-21 | 1999-04-06 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Printers |
| JPH09134319A (en) | 1995-10-03 | 1997-05-20 | Sony Electron Inc | User interface and rule processing for personal communication routing system |
| JPH09102857A (en) | 1995-10-04 | 1997-04-15 | Canon Inc | Facsimile machine |
| US5680461A (en) | 1995-10-26 | 1997-10-21 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Secure network protocol system and method |
| US5771353A (en) | 1995-11-13 | 1998-06-23 | Motorola Inc. | System having virtual session manager used sessionless-oriented protocol to communicate with user device via wireless channel and session-oriented protocol to communicate with host server |
| US5831664A (en)* | 1995-12-15 | 1998-11-03 | Mediaone Group, Inc. | Method and system for synchronizing data between at least one mobile interface device and an interactive terminal |
| US5903832A (en)* | 1995-12-21 | 1999-05-11 | Nokia Mobile Phones Llimited | Mobile terminal having enhanced system selection capability |
| JP2000503154A (en)* | 1996-01-11 | 2000-03-14 | エムアールジェイ インコーポレイテッド | System for controlling access and distribution of digital ownership |
| JP3492069B2 (en)* | 1996-01-18 | 2004-02-03 | キヤノン株式会社 | Information processing apparatus and control method thereof |
| US6209048B1 (en) | 1996-02-09 | 2001-03-27 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Peripheral with integrated HTTP server for remote access using URL's |
| US7088990B1 (en) | 1996-02-26 | 2006-08-08 | Nokia Mobile Phones, Ltd. | Communication network terminal supporting a plurality of applications |
| US6076109A (en)* | 1996-04-10 | 2000-06-13 | Lextron, Systems, Inc. | Simplified-file hyper text protocol |
| JPH09244830A (en)* | 1996-03-13 | 1997-09-19 | Canon Inc | Image processing system and image processing system control method |
| US6223029B1 (en) | 1996-03-14 | 2001-04-24 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Combined mobile telephone and remote control terminal |
| US6088450A (en) | 1996-04-17 | 2000-07-11 | Intel Corporation | Authentication system based on periodic challenge/response protocol |
| US5809242A (en) | 1996-04-19 | 1998-09-15 | Juno Online Services, L.P. | Electronic mail system for displaying advertisement at local computer received from remote system while the local computer is off-line the remote system |
| US6225993B1 (en)* | 1996-04-22 | 2001-05-01 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Video on demand applet method and apparatus for inclusion of motion video in multimedia documents |
| US6023715A (en)* | 1996-04-24 | 2000-02-08 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for creating and organizing a document from a plurality of local or external documents represented as objects in a hierarchical tree |
| US6996609B2 (en) | 1996-05-01 | 2006-02-07 | G&H Nevada Tek | Method and apparatus for accessing a wide area network |
| JP3832089B2 (en)* | 1997-05-26 | 2006-10-11 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Digital camera and printing system |
| US6043898A (en)* | 1996-05-31 | 2000-03-28 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and system for concurrently executing multiple spooling systems in a networked computer system |
| KR100212986B1 (en)* | 1996-06-14 | 1999-08-02 | 윤종용 | Direct printing method of image file of printer |
| US6148346A (en)* | 1996-06-20 | 2000-11-14 | Peerless Systems Imaging Products, Inc. | Dynamic device driver |
| US6167514A (en)* | 1996-07-05 | 2000-12-26 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Method, apparatus, system and information storage medium for wireless communication |
| US5710557A (en) | 1996-07-25 | 1998-01-20 | Htv, Inc. | Computerized valet parking system |
| FI102923B1 (en)* | 1996-08-08 | 1999-03-15 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd | Information printing system, procedure for printing information and terminals for printing information |
| JPH1065864A (en)* | 1996-08-23 | 1998-03-06 | Sharp Corp | Digital image forming system |
| US5859970A (en)* | 1996-08-27 | 1999-01-12 | Telxon Corporation | Portable computer with internal ethernet/token ring controller |
| JP3947251B2 (en)* | 1996-09-04 | 2007-07-18 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Digital print ordering and delivery system and reception processing device |
| US5979757A (en) | 1996-09-05 | 1999-11-09 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Method and system for presenting item information using a portable data terminal |
| US6618039B1 (en) | 1996-09-12 | 2003-09-09 | Gerry R. Grant | Pocket-sized user interface for internet browser terminals and the like |
| US6069707A (en) | 1996-09-20 | 2000-05-30 | Pekelman; Gil | System for reproducing a physical color image |
| US5983200A (en)* | 1996-10-09 | 1999-11-09 | Slotznick; Benjamin | Intelligent agent for executing delegated tasks |
| US5946031A (en) | 1996-10-22 | 1999-08-31 | Polaroid Corporation | Electronic still camera with printing capability |
| JPH10181102A (en)* | 1996-10-22 | 1998-07-07 | Canon Inc | Information processing apparatus, image output apparatus, control method thereof, and image output system |
| US6177926B1 (en) | 1996-10-22 | 2001-01-23 | Intermec Ip Corp. | Hand-held computer having input screen and means for preventing inadvertent actuation of keys |
| US6192407B1 (en) | 1996-10-24 | 2001-02-20 | Tumbleweed Communications Corp. | Private, trackable URLs for directed document delivery |
| US5911044A (en)* | 1996-11-08 | 1999-06-08 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Network image scanning system which transmits image information from a scanner over a network to a client computer |
| US6839775B1 (en) | 1996-11-15 | 2005-01-04 | Kim Y. Kao | Method and apparatus for vending machine controller configured to monitor and analyze power profiles for plurality of motor coils to determine condition of vending machine |
| JP3910272B2 (en)* | 1996-11-18 | 2007-04-25 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Network photo service system |
| US6452692B1 (en)* | 1996-12-02 | 2002-09-17 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Networked printer server |
| US6175922B1 (en)* | 1996-12-04 | 2001-01-16 | Esign, Inc. | Electronic transaction systems and methods therefor |
| US5867633A (en)* | 1996-12-09 | 1999-02-02 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Method and apparatus for processing and printing documents |
| US20080146283A1 (en) | 1996-12-16 | 2008-06-19 | Rao Raman K | Configurable interface for devices |
| US7929950B1 (en) | 1996-12-16 | 2011-04-19 | Ip Holdings, Inc. | Dynamically configurable IP based wireless device and wireless networks |
| US6169789B1 (en) | 1996-12-16 | 2001-01-02 | Sanjay K. Rao | Intelligent keyboard system |
| US5926104A (en)* | 1997-01-28 | 1999-07-20 | Motorola, Inc. | Selective call device and method of subscribing to information services |
| US6138178A (en)* | 1997-01-29 | 2000-10-24 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Controlled device storing multiple drivers that judges and downloads a particular driver corresponding to a controller's operating system having an identical or greater version number |
| US5862404A (en) | 1997-02-12 | 1999-01-19 | Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. | Network device discovery and status information distribution using independent information distribution processes |
| US5917542A (en)* | 1997-02-18 | 1999-06-29 | Eastman Kodak Company | System and method for digital image capture and transmission |
| JPH10232846A (en)* | 1997-02-18 | 1998-09-02 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Electronic device applied to network communication, network communication method for electronic device applied to network communication, and machine-readable recording medium storing program for causing a computer to execute the method |
| US5930466A (en)* | 1997-03-11 | 1999-07-27 | Lexmark International Inc | Method and apparatus for data compression of bitmaps using rows and columns of bit-mapped printer data divided into vertical slices |
| EP0864986B1 (en)* | 1997-03-12 | 2006-07-12 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Data communication apparatus, method and system, and program for data communication process stored in memory medium |
| US5946458A (en) | 1997-03-24 | 1999-08-31 | Xerox Corporation | Network printing system for responding to remote print-related requests |
| IL121071A0 (en)* | 1997-03-27 | 1997-11-20 | El Mar Software Ltd | Automatic conversion server |
| US6189993B1 (en)* | 1997-03-31 | 2001-02-20 | Xerox Corporation | Ink jet printer having multiple level grayscale printing |
| US5907831A (en) | 1997-04-04 | 1999-05-25 | Lotvin; Mikhail | Computer apparatus and methods supporting different categories of users |
| US6020973A (en) | 1997-04-15 | 2000-02-01 | Xerox Corporation | Centralized print server for interfacing one or more network clients with a plurality of printing devices |
| US5974234A (en) | 1997-04-15 | 1999-10-26 | Xerox Corporation | Centralized print server for interfacing one or more network clients with a plurality of printing devices |
| JP3780094B2 (en)* | 1997-04-25 | 2006-05-31 | キヤノン株式会社 | Print control system, print controller, image server, information processing apparatus and method, and storage medium storing computer-readable program |
| US6003065A (en) | 1997-04-24 | 1999-12-14 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and system for distributed processing of applications on host and peripheral devices |
| US5832191A (en)* | 1997-04-30 | 1998-11-03 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Method and apparatus for automatically enabling communication with a network printer |
| US6526129B1 (en)* | 1997-05-02 | 2003-02-25 | Nortel Networks Limited | System and method for communication media management |
| US6070185A (en)* | 1997-05-02 | 2000-05-30 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Technique for obtaining information and services over a communication network |
| US6076076A (en)* | 1997-05-12 | 2000-06-13 | Moore U.S.A., Inc. | Prepaid print card system and method |
| US5916309A (en) | 1997-05-12 | 1999-06-29 | Lexmark International Inc. | System for dynamically determining the size and number of communication buffers based on communication parameters at the beginning of the reception of message |
| US5946110A (en) | 1997-05-19 | 1999-08-31 | Microtek Artix Corporation | Apparatus for multiple resolution scanning |
| US5968176A (en)* | 1997-05-29 | 1999-10-19 | 3Com Corporation | Multilayer firewall system |
| US5987454A (en)* | 1997-06-09 | 1999-11-16 | Hobbs; Allen | Method and apparatus for selectively augmenting retrieved text, numbers, maps, charts, still pictures and/or graphics, moving pictures and/or graphics and audio information from a network resource |
| US6184996B1 (en)* | 1997-06-18 | 2001-02-06 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Network printer with remote print queue control procedure |
| US7103834B1 (en)* | 1997-06-25 | 2006-09-05 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for a home network auto-tree builder |
| US6151628A (en) | 1997-07-03 | 2000-11-21 | 3Com Corporation | Network access methods, including direct wireless to internet access |
| GB9715256D0 (en) | 1997-07-21 | 1997-09-24 | Rank Xerox Ltd | Token-based docement transactions |
| JPH11184649A (en)* | 1997-07-25 | 1999-07-09 | Seiko Epson Corp | Printing system, method and printer |
| JP3746378B2 (en) | 1997-08-26 | 2006-02-15 | シャープ株式会社 | Electronic memo processing device, electronic memo processing method, and computer-readable recording medium recording electronic memo processing program |
| JPH1185651A (en) | 1997-09-01 | 1999-03-30 | Yamatake Honeywell Co Ltd | Communication interface device, target device, and communication method |
| US6081629A (en) | 1997-09-17 | 2000-06-27 | Browning; Denton R. | Handheld scanner and accompanying remote access agent |
| US6195564B1 (en) | 1997-09-19 | 2001-02-27 | Ericsson Inc. | Method for automatically establishing a wireless link between a wireless modem and a communication device |
| JP3763418B2 (en) | 1997-09-25 | 2006-04-05 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Remote control device |
| US6745229B1 (en) | 1997-09-26 | 2004-06-01 | Worldcom, Inc. | Web based integrated customer interface for invoice reporting |
| US6211858B1 (en) | 1997-09-26 | 2001-04-03 | Ericsson Inc. | Method and apparatus for displaying a rotating meter icon on a portable intelligent communications device |
| US6453127B2 (en) | 1997-09-26 | 2002-09-17 | Nexpress Solutions Llc | Establishment at a remote location of an internet/intranet user interface to a copier/printer |
| US5993047A (en) | 1997-10-02 | 1999-11-30 | John C. Novogrod | Apparatus and method for requesting and dispensing negotiable instruments |
| US5940843A (en)* | 1997-10-08 | 1999-08-17 | Multex Systems, Inc. | Information delivery system and method including restriction processing |
| US20010011302A1 (en) | 1997-10-15 | 2001-08-02 | William Y. Son | Method and apparatus for voice activated internet access and voice output of information retrieved from the internet via a wireless network |
| US6041346A (en) | 1997-10-17 | 2000-03-21 | Ateon Networks, Inc. | Method and system for providing remote storage for an internet appliance |
| US6088337A (en) | 1997-10-20 | 2000-07-11 | Motorola, Inc. | Method access point device and peripheral for providing space diversity in a time division duplex wireless system |
| JP3559713B2 (en)* | 1997-10-27 | 2004-09-02 | キヤノン株式会社 | Print processing apparatus, print processing method, and storage medium storing processing program |
| GB9722766D0 (en) | 1997-10-28 | 1997-12-24 | British Telecomm | Portable computers |
| US6084968A (en) | 1997-10-29 | 2000-07-04 | Motorola, Inc. | Security token and method for wireless applications |
| US5978560A (en)* | 1997-11-07 | 1999-11-02 | Xerox Corporation | Load balancing of distributed printing systems using enhanced printer attributes |
| US5931919A (en)* | 1997-11-07 | 1999-08-03 | Xerox Corporation | State-based object transition control and attribute-based locking |
| US6418439B1 (en)* | 1997-11-12 | 2002-07-09 | Ncr Corporation | Computer system and computer implemented method for translation of information into multiple media variations |
| KR100246608B1 (en)* | 1997-11-13 | 2000-03-15 | 이계철 | Alternative authentication and alternative billing method of web infoshop service system |
| US6034621A (en) | 1997-11-18 | 2000-03-07 | Lucent Technologies, Inc. | Wireless remote synchronization of data between PC and PDA |
| US6623527B1 (en) | 1997-11-19 | 2003-09-23 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method for providing a document with a button for a network service |
| US6201611B1 (en)* | 1997-11-19 | 2001-03-13 | International Business Machines Corporation | Providing local printing on a thin client |
| US6356543B2 (en) | 1997-11-25 | 2002-03-12 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Controlling mobile phone system user views from the world-wide web |
| US6930709B1 (en) | 1997-12-04 | 2005-08-16 | Pentax Of America, Inc. | Integrated internet/intranet camera |
| US6535855B1 (en) | 1997-12-09 | 2003-03-18 | The Chase Manhattan Bank | Push banking system and method |
| JP2000135820A (en)* | 1997-12-11 | 2000-05-16 | Canon Inc | PRINTING APPARATUS, PRINTING SYSTEM, PRINTING CONTROL METHOD, STORAGE MEDIUM CONTAINING PRINTING CONTROL PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING PRINTING APPARATUS, AND SENDING APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING PRINTING CONTROL PROGRAM CONTROLLING PRINTING APPARATUS |
| US6215494B1 (en) | 1997-12-18 | 2001-04-10 | Mgi Software Corporation | Method and system for centering image objects |
| US6505252B1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 2003-01-07 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Data transfer utilizing preview data |
| US5880858A (en) | 1997-12-31 | 1999-03-09 | Mustek Systems Inc. | Method of auto-cropping images for scanners |
| US5970473A (en)* | 1997-12-31 | 1999-10-19 | At&T Corp. | Video communication device providing in-home catalog services |
| US6385305B1 (en)* | 1997-12-31 | 2002-05-07 | At& T Corp. | Video phone multimedia announcement message toolkit |
| US6545722B1 (en) | 1998-01-09 | 2003-04-08 | Douglas G. Brown | Methods and systems for providing television related services via a networked personal computer |
| JPH11203359A (en) | 1998-01-14 | 1999-07-30 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Network photo service system |
| US20020002039A1 (en) | 1998-06-12 | 2002-01-03 | Safi Qureshey | Network-enabled audio device |
| JP3754824B2 (en)* | 1998-01-26 | 2006-03-15 | キヤノン株式会社 | Printing system, control method, information processing apparatus, and output apparatus |
| US6101291A (en) | 1998-02-11 | 2000-08-08 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Platen-based image-aquisition apparatus having preview feature |
| US6035214A (en)* | 1998-02-24 | 2000-03-07 | At&T Corp | Laptop computer with integrated telephone |
| US6088702A (en) | 1998-02-25 | 2000-07-11 | Plantz; Scott H. | Group publishing system |
| US6144950A (en)* | 1998-02-27 | 2000-11-07 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Postage printing system including prevention of tampering with print data sent from a postage meter to a printer |
| US6421748B1 (en)* | 1998-03-04 | 2002-07-16 | Nadio.Com, Inc. | System and method for a universal output driver |
| US6006265A (en) | 1998-04-02 | 1999-12-21 | Hotv, Inc. | Hyperlinks resolution at and by a special network server in order to enable diverse sophisticated hyperlinking upon a digital network |
| US6366912B1 (en)* | 1998-04-06 | 2002-04-02 | Microsoft Corporation | Network security zones |
| US6315195B1 (en) | 1998-04-17 | 2001-11-13 | Diebold, Incorporated | Transaction apparatus and method |
| US6796490B1 (en) | 2000-10-04 | 2004-09-28 | Diebold, Incorporated | Automated banking machine system and method |
| US6301012B1 (en) | 1998-04-24 | 2001-10-09 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Automatic configuration of a network printer |
| JPH11316658A (en) | 1998-05-02 | 1999-11-16 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Printing equipment |
| CA2331705C (en)* | 1998-05-07 | 2007-08-07 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for user and device command and control in a network |
| US6789228B1 (en) | 1998-05-07 | 2004-09-07 | Medical Consumer Media | Method and system for the storage and retrieval of web-based education materials |
| US6233611B1 (en)* | 1998-05-08 | 2001-05-15 | Sony Corporation | Media manager for controlling autonomous media devices within a network environment and managing the flow and format of data between the devices |
| US6255961B1 (en)* | 1998-05-08 | 2001-07-03 | Sony Corporation | Two-way communications between a remote control unit and one or more devices in an audio/visual environment |
| US6141659A (en)* | 1998-05-12 | 2000-10-31 | International Businss Machines Corporation | Systems, methods and computer program products for retrieving documents from multiple document servers via a single client session |
| US6288790B1 (en) | 1998-05-15 | 2001-09-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Mobility support for printing |
| FI105743B (en) | 1998-05-27 | 2000-09-29 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd | Method for multimedia messaging and multimedia messaging system |
| US7025209B2 (en)* | 1998-05-29 | 2006-04-11 | Palmsource, Inc. | Method and apparatus for wireless internet access |
| US7209955B1 (en) | 1998-05-29 | 2007-04-24 | Research In Motion Limited | Notification system and method for a mobile data communication device |
| US6226098B1 (en)* | 1998-06-11 | 2001-05-01 | Nuworld Marketing, Ltd | Printer appliance for use in a wireless system for broadcasting packets of information |
| US6510515B1 (en) | 1998-06-15 | 2003-01-21 | Telefonaktlebolaget Lm Ericsson | Broadcast service access control |
| US6215483B1 (en) | 1998-06-17 | 2001-04-10 | Webtv Networks, Inc. | Combining real-time and batch mode logical address links |
| JP2000023148A (en)* | 1998-07-02 | 2000-01-21 | Seiko Epson Corp | Image data reproduction method in network projector system and network projector system |
| US6256666B1 (en) | 1998-07-14 | 2001-07-03 | International Business Machines Corp. | Method and system for remotely managing electronic mail attachments |
| US6205495B1 (en) | 1998-07-15 | 2001-03-20 | Gateway, Inc. | Wireless interface for standard modems |
| US6473800B1 (en) | 1998-07-15 | 2002-10-29 | Microsoft Corporation | Declarative permission requests in a computer system |
| US6292283B1 (en)* | 1998-07-17 | 2001-09-18 | Lsi Logic Corporation | Audio/video device including an infrared transceiver for transmitting and receiving configuration data, and method for configuring same |
| EP0975145B1 (en)* | 1998-07-22 | 2008-07-30 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Information processing system and information processing method |
| US8098140B1 (en) | 2000-07-13 | 2012-01-17 | Universal Electronics Inc. | Customizable and upgradable devices and methods related thereto |
| US7360230B1 (en) | 1998-07-27 | 2008-04-15 | Microsoft Corporation | Overlay management |
| US6145031A (en)* | 1998-08-26 | 2000-11-07 | International Business Machines Corporation | Multiple insertion point queue to order and select elements to be processed |
| US6312106B1 (en) | 1999-04-20 | 2001-11-06 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Method and apparatus for transferring information between a replaceable consumable and a printing device |
| EP0987860A3 (en) | 1998-09-16 | 2004-01-14 | Mitsubishi Materials Corporation | Radio server system |
| TW465235B (en) | 1998-09-17 | 2001-11-21 | United Video Properties Inc | Electronic program guide with digital storage |
| GB2342197A (en) | 1998-09-30 | 2000-04-05 | Xerox Corp | Alerting users of mobile computing devices to document changes |
| GB2342196A (en)* | 1998-09-30 | 2000-04-05 | Xerox Corp | System for generating context-sensitive hierarchically-ordered document service menus |
| KR20000026146A (en) | 1998-10-17 | 2000-05-15 | 윤종용 | Method for generating telephone directory in digital mobile communication terminal having character recognition function |
| US20030160993A1 (en) | 1998-10-30 | 2003-08-28 | Kian Hoe Kang | Method for printing to a networked printer |
| JP3754849B2 (en)* | 1998-10-30 | 2006-03-15 | キヤノン株式会社 | Data communication apparatus, control method, storage medium, and image printing system |
| US6446127B1 (en) | 1998-10-30 | 2002-09-03 | 3Com Corporation | System and method for providing user mobility services on a telephony network |
| WO2000026827A1 (en) | 1998-11-03 | 2000-05-11 | British Telecommunications Public Limited Company | Apparatus for processing communications |
| US6473070B2 (en)* | 1998-11-03 | 2002-10-29 | Intel Corporation | Wireless tracking system |
| US6959339B1 (en) | 1998-11-06 | 2005-10-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | Technique for handling a universal image format on the internet |
| US6434535B1 (en) | 1998-11-13 | 2002-08-13 | Iomega Corporation | System for prepayment of electronic content using removable media and for prevention of unauthorized copying of same |
| US7451195B1 (en)* | 1998-11-16 | 2008-11-11 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Method and system for operating a PDA for use with an IP phone device |
| US6493550B1 (en) | 1998-11-20 | 2002-12-10 | Ericsson Inc. | System proximity detection by mobile stations |
| US6363149B1 (en)* | 1999-10-01 | 2002-03-26 | Sony Corporation | Method and apparatus for accessing stored digital programs |
| US6628302B2 (en) | 1998-11-30 | 2003-09-30 | Microsoft Corporation | Interactive video programming methods |
| US7076730B1 (en) | 1998-12-10 | 2006-07-11 | Intellinet, Inc. | Electronic mail software with modular integrated authoring/reading software components |
| US6577861B2 (en) | 1998-12-14 | 2003-06-10 | Fujitsu Limited | Electronic shopping system utilizing a program downloadable wireless telephone |
| US6449639B1 (en)* | 1998-12-23 | 2002-09-10 | Doxio, Inc. | Method and system for client-less viewing of scalable documents displayed using internet imaging protocol commands |
| JP3890173B2 (en)* | 1998-12-24 | 2007-03-07 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium storing image processing program |
| WO2000041364A1 (en) | 1998-12-28 | 2000-07-13 | Ntt Docomo, Inc. | Communication control system, communication method, server device, terminal, relay device, and communication system |
| US6366965B1 (en)* | 1998-12-31 | 2002-04-02 | Lsi Logic Corporation | System for updating an identity of a device in response to determining that a neighbor device has an identity different from one stored therein |
| US6332193B1 (en) | 1999-01-18 | 2001-12-18 | Sensar, Inc. | Method and apparatus for securely transmitting and authenticating biometric data over a network |
| US6483906B1 (en) | 1999-01-22 | 2002-11-19 | Pointset Corporation | Method and apparatus for setting programmable features of an appliance |
| US6189148B1 (en) | 1999-01-28 | 2001-02-13 | Douglas G. Brown | Methods and circuits using frequency shift keying modulation to transfer data over transmission lines simultaneous with television signals |
| US6622015B1 (en)* | 1999-01-29 | 2003-09-16 | International Business Machines | Method and apparatus for using electronic documents within a smart phone |
| US8364136B2 (en) | 1999-02-01 | 2013-01-29 | Steven M Hoffberg | Mobile system, a method of operating mobile system and a non-transitory computer readable medium for a programmable control of a mobile system |
| US7904187B2 (en) | 1999-02-01 | 2011-03-08 | Hoffberg Steven M | Internet appliance system and method |
| JP2000221593A (en) | 1999-02-04 | 2000-08-11 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Projection television |
| GB2347240A (en) | 1999-02-22 | 2000-08-30 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd | Communication terminal having a predictive editor application |
| US7348961B1 (en)* | 1999-02-26 | 2008-03-25 | Jonathan Shneidman | Telescreen operating method |
| US6393271B1 (en) | 1999-03-01 | 2002-05-21 | Angus O. Dougherty | System and method for wireline based registration of wireless device |
| US6487587B1 (en) | 1999-03-01 | 2002-11-26 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and system for data processing by proxy |
| US6496855B1 (en) | 1999-03-02 | 2002-12-17 | America Online, Inc. | Web site registration proxy system |
| US6873836B1 (en)* | 1999-03-03 | 2005-03-29 | Parkervision, Inc. | Universal platform module and methods and apparatuses relating thereto enabled by universal frequency translation technology |
| US20020013852A1 (en) | 2000-03-03 | 2002-01-31 | Craig Janik | System for providing content, management, and interactivity for thin client devices |
| US6199099B1 (en)* | 1999-03-05 | 2001-03-06 | Ac Properties B.V. | System, method and article of manufacture for a mobile communication network utilizing a distributed communication network |
| US8407102B2 (en) | 1999-03-08 | 2013-03-26 | Printingforless.Com | Printing via E-commerce method and system |
| JP4181685B2 (en) | 1999-03-12 | 2008-11-19 | 富士通株式会社 | Power control method, electronic device, and recording medium |
| US6898577B1 (en) | 1999-03-18 | 2005-05-24 | Oracle International Corporation | Methods and systems for single sign-on authentication in a multi-vendor e-commerce environment and directory-authenticated bank drafts |
| US6363452B1 (en)* | 1999-03-29 | 2002-03-26 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for adding and removing components without powering down computer system |
| US6574672B1 (en) | 1999-03-29 | 2003-06-03 | Siemens Dematic Postal Automation, L.P. | System, apparatus and method for providing a portable customizable maintenance support computer communications system |
| US6493104B1 (en)* | 1999-03-31 | 2002-12-10 | International Business Machines Corporation | Data processing system and method for permitting a computer to automatically detect a presence of and establish a communications link with a printer |
| US7027169B1 (en) | 1999-03-31 | 2006-04-11 | Minolta Co., Ltd. | System for efficiently distributing print jobs |
| GB2348570B (en) | 1999-03-31 | 2003-03-05 | Ericsson Telefon Ab L M | Mobile internet access |
| CA2336118C (en) | 1999-04-07 | 2010-09-28 | Khyber Technologies Corporation | Portable computing, communication and entertainment device with central processor carried in a detachable handset |
| JP2000298564A (en)* | 1999-04-13 | 2000-10-24 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Document print processing method |
| US6658625B1 (en) | 1999-04-14 | 2003-12-02 | International Business Machines Corporation | Apparatus and method for generic data conversion |
| US6449052B1 (en)* | 1999-04-23 | 2002-09-10 | Peerless Systems Corporation | Multi-purpose image generator for driving multiple output devices |
| US7213061B1 (en) | 1999-04-29 | 2007-05-01 | Amx Llc | Internet control system and method |
| US7223914B2 (en)* | 1999-05-04 | 2007-05-29 | Neokismet Llc | Pulsed electron jump generator |
| US7511630B2 (en) | 1999-05-04 | 2009-03-31 | Intellimat, Inc. | Dynamic electronic display system with brightness control |
| US6087060A (en) | 1999-05-12 | 2000-07-11 | Presstek, Inc. | Method of multistage digital proofing with dimensional consistency |
| US6826632B1 (en)* | 1999-05-18 | 2004-11-30 | Gateway, Inc. | System for identifying the interconnection of peripheral devices |
| AUPQ363299A0 (en) | 1999-10-25 | 1999-11-18 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Paper based information inter face |
| US6830196B1 (en) | 1999-05-25 | 2004-12-14 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Identity-coded surface region |
| US7793824B2 (en)* | 1999-05-25 | 2010-09-14 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | System for enabling access to information |
| US7079712B1 (en) | 1999-05-25 | 2006-07-18 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Method and system for providing information in a document |
| US6728000B1 (en) | 1999-05-25 | 2004-04-27 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Method and system for printing a document |
| US6816274B1 (en) | 1999-05-25 | 2004-11-09 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Method and system for composition and delivery of electronic mail |
| US7178718B2 (en) | 1999-05-25 | 2007-02-20 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Methods and systems for object identification and interaction |
| US7971784B2 (en) | 1999-05-25 | 2011-07-05 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Sensing device with mode changes via nib switch |
| AUPQ439299A0 (en) | 1999-12-01 | 1999-12-23 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Interface system |
| EP1246414B1 (en) | 1999-05-26 | 2012-05-23 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Wireless communications system and method therefor |
| US7346374B2 (en)* | 1999-05-26 | 2008-03-18 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Wireless communications system and method |
| US6263503B1 (en) | 1999-05-26 | 2001-07-17 | Neal Margulis | Method for effectively implementing a wireless television system |
| JP3740320B2 (en) | 1999-05-31 | 2006-02-01 | キヤノン株式会社 | Device search system and device search method |
| US7149726B1 (en) | 1999-06-01 | 2006-12-12 | Stamps.Com | Online value bearing item printing |
| US7143356B1 (en)* | 1999-06-02 | 2006-11-28 | International Business Machines Corporation | Communication link system based on user indicator |
| US6725281B1 (en) | 1999-06-11 | 2004-04-20 | Microsoft Corporation | Synchronization of controlled device state using state table and eventing in data-driven remote device control model |
| DE60045294D1 (en) | 1999-06-14 | 2011-01-05 | Ntt Docomo Inc | Battery unit and charger for a wireless telecommunications device |
| US6430599B1 (en) | 1999-06-15 | 2002-08-06 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Just-in-time services for small footprint devices |
| JP3975616B2 (en) | 1999-06-18 | 2007-09-12 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Image processing device |
| SE9902362L (en) | 1999-06-21 | 2001-02-21 | Ericsson Telefon Ab L M | Apparatus and method for detecting proximity inductively |
| JP2001005783A (en) | 1999-06-23 | 2001-01-12 | Namco Ltd | Personal identification system |
| US8029415B2 (en) | 1999-07-08 | 2011-10-04 | Icon Ip, Inc. | Systems, methods, and devices for simulating real world terrain on an exercise device |
| US6711677B1 (en) | 1999-07-12 | 2004-03-23 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Secure printing method |
| US6442375B1 (en)* | 1999-07-14 | 2002-08-27 | Ericsson Inc. | Systems and methods for maintaining operation of a receiver co-located with a transmitter and susceptible to interference therefrom by desensitization of the receiver |
| US6771749B1 (en) | 1999-07-28 | 2004-08-03 | A.T.&T. Corp. | Method and apparatus for delivering messages to a device |
| US8295406B1 (en) | 1999-08-04 | 2012-10-23 | Parkervision, Inc. | Universal platform module for a plurality of communication protocols |
| US7376583B1 (en)* | 1999-08-10 | 2008-05-20 | Gofigure, L.L.C. | Device for making a transaction via a communications link |
| US7289964B1 (en) | 1999-08-31 | 2007-10-30 | Accenture Llp | System and method for transaction services patterns in a netcentric environment |
| US7533344B1 (en) | 1999-09-10 | 2009-05-12 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Application unit monitoring and reporting system and method |
| US6687745B1 (en) | 1999-09-14 | 2004-02-03 | Droplet, Inc | System and method for delivering a graphical user interface of remote applications over a thin bandwidth connection |
| US6360252B1 (en) | 1999-09-20 | 2002-03-19 | Fusionone, Inc. | Managing the transfer of e-mail attachments to rendering devices other than an original e-mail recipient |
| US9092535B1 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 2015-07-28 | Google Inc. | E-mail embedded textual hyperlink object |
| US6982733B1 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 2006-01-03 | Ameranth Wireless, Inc. | Information management and synchronous communications system with menu generation, and handwriting and voice modification of orders |
| JP2001093226A (en) | 1999-09-21 | 2001-04-06 | Sony Corp | Information communication system and method, and information communication device and method |
| US7840639B1 (en) | 1999-09-21 | 2010-11-23 | G&H Nevada-Tek | Method and article of manufacture for an automatically executed application program associated with an electronic message |
| US6753978B1 (en) | 1999-09-22 | 2004-06-22 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Higher order error diffusion of digital halftoning |
| US6621589B1 (en)* | 1999-09-24 | 2003-09-16 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Print job processing in a printer network using selected printer attributes |
| US6556313B1 (en)* | 1999-09-27 | 2003-04-29 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Incorporated | Vector method for color misregistration detection in image data |
| US6470189B1 (en)* | 1999-09-29 | 2002-10-22 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and apparatus in a wireless transceiver for seeking and transferring information available from a network server |
| US6671068B1 (en)* | 1999-09-30 | 2003-12-30 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Adaptive error diffusion with improved edge and sharpness perception |
| US6604148B1 (en) | 1999-10-01 | 2003-08-05 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method, system, and program for accessing a network namespace |
| SE522260C2 (en) | 1999-10-01 | 2004-01-27 | Ericsson Telefon Ab L M | Method, system and security adapter for executing secure data transmission in a wireless network |
| JP4352529B2 (en) | 1999-10-04 | 2009-10-28 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Printer print control method and printer print control apparatus |
| US8140658B1 (en) | 1999-10-06 | 2012-03-20 | Borgia/Cummins, Llc | Apparatus for internetworked wireless integrated network sensors (WINS) |
| US7020685B1 (en) | 1999-10-08 | 2006-03-28 | Openwave Systems Inc. | Method and apparatus for providing internet content to SMS-based wireless devices |
| US7203721B1 (en) | 1999-10-08 | 2007-04-10 | At Road, Inc. | Portable browser device with voice recognition and feedback capability |
| US6678751B1 (en)* | 1999-10-15 | 2004-01-13 | Micro Motion, Inc. | System for setting frame and protocol for transmission in a UART device |
| US7239346B1 (en) | 1999-10-18 | 2007-07-03 | Priddy Dennis G | System and architecture that supports a multi-function semiconductor device between networks and portable wireless communications products |
| US6859228B1 (en) | 1999-10-18 | 2005-02-22 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Least squares method for color misregistration detection and correction in image data |
| US6819919B1 (en)* | 1999-10-29 | 2004-11-16 | Telcontar | Method for providing matching and introduction services to proximate mobile users and service providers |
| KR100558028B1 (en) | 1999-11-01 | 2006-03-10 | 세이코 엡슨 가부시키가이샤 | Data output controller |
| US6608928B1 (en) | 1999-11-03 | 2003-08-19 | Xerox Corporation | Generic pre-processing of mixed raster content planes |
| JP2001134657A (en) | 1999-11-05 | 2001-05-18 | Sony Corp | Device and method for coping with inquiry, computer readable information recording medium with program having function of coping with inquiry recorded thereon and transmitting medium transmitting program having function of copying with inquiry |
| US7403510B1 (en)* | 1999-11-10 | 2008-07-22 | Fujifilm Corporation | Communication terminal apparatus, communication method thereof, and connected destination selection method in wireless LAN |
| US6714964B1 (en) | 1999-11-12 | 2004-03-30 | Mimeo.Com | System, method and recordable medium for printing services over a network |
| US7257398B1 (en) | 1999-11-12 | 2007-08-14 | Sony Corporation | Telephone set, communication adaptor, home appliance control method, and program recording medium |
| US6546387B1 (en) | 1999-11-15 | 2003-04-08 | Transcom Software Inc. | Computer network information management system and method using intelligent software agents |
| US7743133B1 (en) | 1999-11-16 | 2010-06-22 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Remote system usage monitoring with flexible encoding and decoding objects |
| JP4167367B2 (en)* | 1999-11-18 | 2008-10-15 | 株式会社東芝 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND COMMUNICATION METHOD |
| US8170538B2 (en) | 1999-12-06 | 2012-05-01 | Solocron Media, Llc | Methods and apparatuses for programming user-defined information into electronic devices |
| US6798530B1 (en) | 1999-12-07 | 2004-09-28 | Xerox Corporation | Systems, methods and graphical user interfaces for printing object optimized images using virtual printers |
| US6842766B2 (en) | 1999-12-09 | 2005-01-11 | Microsoft Corporation | Client side caching of printer configuration |
| US7028102B1 (en) | 1999-12-13 | 2006-04-11 | Axis, Ab | Method and system for presenting information |
| US6859937B1 (en) | 1999-12-15 | 2005-02-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Context-sensitive options panel |
| US7958457B1 (en) | 1999-12-20 | 2011-06-07 | Wireless Agents, Llc | Method and apparatus for scheduling presentation of digital content on a personal communication device |
| US20030061381A1 (en) | 1999-12-21 | 2003-03-27 | Mitch A. Brisebois | Interface apparatus and method for wireless data communication |
| US6816724B1 (en) | 1999-12-28 | 2004-11-09 | Nokia Corporation | Apparatus, and associated method, for remotely effectuating a transaction service |
| US6788332B1 (en) | 1999-12-29 | 2004-09-07 | Qwest Communications International Inc. | Wireless imaging device and system |
| US6540722B1 (en) | 1999-12-30 | 2003-04-01 | Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. | Embolic protection devices |
| US6553240B1 (en)* | 1999-12-30 | 2003-04-22 | Nokia Corporation | Print option for WAP browsers |
| US8117644B2 (en) | 2000-01-07 | 2012-02-14 | Pennar Software Corporation | Method and system for online document collaboration |
| US7039358B1 (en) | 2000-01-10 | 2006-05-02 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Coexistence techniques in wireless networks |
| US6678740B1 (en)* | 2000-01-14 | 2004-01-13 | Terayon Communication Systems, Inc. | Process carried out by a gateway in a home network to receive video-on-demand and other requested programs and services |
| US6542173B1 (en) | 2000-01-19 | 2003-04-01 | Xerox Corporation | Systems, methods and graphical user interfaces for printing object optimized images based on document type |
| US7239868B2 (en) | 2000-02-01 | 2007-07-03 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Electric device capable of being controlled based on data transmitted from cellular phone |
| US6956833B1 (en) | 2000-02-08 | 2005-10-18 | Sony Corporation | Method, system and devices for wireless data storage on a server and data retrieval |
| US6587835B1 (en) | 2000-02-09 | 2003-07-01 | G. Victor Treyz | Shopping assistance with handheld computing device |
| US7644039B1 (en) | 2000-02-10 | 2010-01-05 | Diebold, Incorporated | Automated financial transaction apparatus with interface that adjusts to the user |
| JP2003524841A (en)* | 2000-02-10 | 2003-08-19 | ジョン ショアー， | Apparatus, system, and method for performing wireless transaction financial transfers, electronically recordable authorized transfers, and other information transfers |
| US7349955B1 (en) | 2000-02-11 | 2008-03-25 | Goamerica, Inc. | Method of and system for transferring data over a wireless communications network |
| US6885878B1 (en) | 2000-02-16 | 2005-04-26 | Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) | Method and system for using an electronic reading device as a general application input and navigation interface |
| US6839623B1 (en) | 2000-02-16 | 2005-01-04 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Positioning applications for an electronic reading device |
| US7180614B1 (en)* | 2000-02-17 | 2007-02-20 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Distributed rendering of print jobs |
| US7554684B1 (en) | 2000-02-17 | 2009-06-30 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Configurable printer menu structure |
| US7266590B2 (en)* | 2000-02-21 | 2007-09-04 | Seiko Epson Corporation | System for mediating printing on network |
| US7878905B2 (en) | 2000-02-22 | 2011-02-01 | Creative Kingdoms, Llc | Multi-layered interactive play experience |
| JP2001325182A (en)* | 2000-03-10 | 2001-11-22 | Ricoh Co Ltd | PRINTING SYSTEM, COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING PRINTING METHOD AND PROGRAM, AND MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE, PRINTER, PRINT SERVER AND CLIENT IN THE PRINTING SYSTEM |
| US6904527B1 (en)* | 2000-03-14 | 2005-06-07 | Xilinx, Inc. | Intellectual property protection in a programmable logic device |
| CA2342095A1 (en) | 2000-03-27 | 2001-09-27 | Symagery Microsystems Inc. | Image capture and processing accessory |
| US7187947B1 (en) | 2000-03-28 | 2007-03-06 | Affinity Labs, Llc | System and method for communicating selected information to an electronic device |
| US6379058B1 (en)* | 2000-03-30 | 2002-04-30 | Zih Corp. | System for RF communication between a host and a portable printer |
| US6760745B1 (en) | 2000-03-30 | 2004-07-06 | Aspect Communications Corporation | Web server replicated mini-filter |
| CA2303610A1 (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2001-09-30 | Peter Nicholas Maxymych | Transaction tray with communications means |
| US7076255B2 (en) | 2000-04-05 | 2006-07-11 | Microsoft Corporation | Context-aware and location-aware cellular phones and methods |
| US7478403B1 (en) | 2000-04-21 | 2009-01-13 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Secure access to managed network objects using a configurable platform-independent gateway providing individual object-level access control |
| US7237253B1 (en) | 2000-04-27 | 2007-06-26 | Microsoft Corporation | User interface for interactive television systems |
| US6750978B1 (en) | 2000-04-27 | 2004-06-15 | Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc. | Print media information system with a portable print media receiving unit assembly |
| US6789107B1 (en) | 2000-05-03 | 2004-09-07 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing a view of an electronic mail message |
| US7007066B1 (en) | 2000-05-04 | 2006-02-28 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corp. | Method and apparatus for configuring electronic mail according to a user-selected type |
| US6643650B1 (en) | 2000-05-09 | 2003-11-04 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Mechanism and apparatus for using messages to look up documents stored in spaces in a distributed computing environment |
| US6467688B1 (en)* | 2000-05-17 | 2002-10-22 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Sheet fed printer for a hand held terminal |
| US9622058B1 (en) | 2000-06-02 | 2017-04-11 | Timothy G. Newman | Apparatus, system, methods and network for communicating information associated with digital images |
| US20020012329A1 (en)* | 2000-06-02 | 2002-01-31 | Timothy Atkinson | Communications apparatus interface and method for discovery of remote devices |
| EP1377904A2 (en) | 2000-06-02 | 2004-01-07 | Zucotto wireless, Inc. | Data path engine (dpe) |
| US20020103942A1 (en) | 2000-06-02 | 2002-08-01 | Guillaume Comeau | Wireless java device |
| US6701009B1 (en)* | 2000-06-06 | 2004-03-02 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Method of separated color foreground and background pixel improvement |
| US8073565B2 (en)* | 2000-06-07 | 2011-12-06 | Apple Inc. | System and method for alerting a first mobile data processing system nearby a second mobile data processing system |
| US6735616B1 (en) | 2000-06-07 | 2004-05-11 | Infocus Corporation | Method and apparatus for remote projector administration and control |
| US7058356B2 (en)* | 2000-06-15 | 2006-06-06 | Benjamin Slotznick | Telephone device with enhanced audio-visual features for interacting with nearby displays and display screens |
| US6990548B1 (en)* | 2000-06-15 | 2006-01-24 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Methods and arrangements for configuring a printer over a wireless communication link using a wireless communication device |
| US7315949B1 (en) | 2000-06-24 | 2008-01-01 | Palm, Inc. | Method and system for providing a personal identification security feature to a portable computing device |
| US7812856B2 (en) | 2000-10-26 | 2010-10-12 | Front Row Technologies, Llc | Providing multiple perspectives of a venue activity to electronic wireless hand held devices |
| US7630721B2 (en) | 2000-06-27 | 2009-12-08 | Ortiz & Associates Consulting, Llc | Systems, methods and apparatuses for brokering data between wireless devices and data rendering devices |
| US7076534B1 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2006-07-11 | Microsoft Corporation | Server-side scripting that enables creation of customized documents for clients |
| US7477890B1 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2009-01-13 | International Business Machines Corporation | Demand pull—multichannel asynchronous data and application synchronization for pervasive devices |
| JP3466998B2 (en)* | 2000-07-06 | 2003-11-17 | 株式会社東芝 | Communication device and control method thereof |
| CN1332565A (en) | 2000-07-07 | 2002-01-23 | 株式会社御幸 | Favour information distributing system using radio mobile terminal |
| US6489934B1 (en) | 2000-07-07 | 2002-12-03 | Judah Klausner | Cellular phone with built in optical projector for display of data |
| US7113979B1 (en) | 2000-07-11 | 2006-09-26 | Xerox Corporation | System, method and article of manufacture for enhancing electronic messages |
| US6769012B1 (en) | 2000-07-24 | 2004-07-27 | Song Liu | Method and system for managing message transactions between a sender and recipient within a virtual mailbox |
| CN1293740C (en) | 2000-07-25 | 2007-01-03 | 美国在线服务公司 | Video messaging |
| US6636259B1 (en) | 2000-07-26 | 2003-10-21 | Ipac Acquisition Subsidiary I, Llc | Automatically configuring a web-enabled digital camera to access the internet |
| US6801962B2 (en) | 2000-07-26 | 2004-10-05 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Data output system, mobile terminal, data output method, data output program, and computer-readable recording medium storing data output program |
| JP2002041910A (en)* | 2000-07-31 | 2002-02-08 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Print ordering system and control method therefor, server computer and communication terminal used on print ordering system, and control method therefor |
| US6775407B1 (en) | 2000-08-02 | 2004-08-10 | Eastman Kodak Company | Producing a final modified digital image using a source digital image and a difference digital image |
| US6748056B1 (en) | 2000-08-11 | 2004-06-08 | Unisys Corporation | Coordination of a telephony handset session with an e-mail session in a universal messaging system |
| US7024200B2 (en)* | 2000-08-14 | 2006-04-04 | Vesuvius, Inc. | Communique system with active feedback for cellular communication networks |
| EP1314310A1 (en) | 2000-08-21 | 2003-05-28 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | A voice controlled remote control with downloadable set of voice commands |
| JP3559757B2 (en)* | 2000-08-22 | 2004-09-02 | キヤノン株式会社 | Communication method and communication device |
| US7099304B2 (en) | 2000-09-05 | 2006-08-29 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus, methods and systems for anonymous communication |
| US20020065902A1 (en) | 2000-09-05 | 2002-05-30 | Janik Craig M. | Webpad and method for using the same |
| US20020065927A1 (en) | 2000-09-05 | 2002-05-30 | Janik Craig M. | Webpad and method for using the same |
| US7779097B2 (en) | 2000-09-07 | 2010-08-17 | Sonic Solutions | Methods and systems for use in network management of content |
| US20060015904A1 (en)* | 2000-09-08 | 2006-01-19 | Dwight Marcus | Method and apparatus for creation, distribution, assembly and verification of media |
| US6477575B1 (en) | 2000-09-12 | 2002-11-05 | Capital One Financial Corporation | System and method for performing dynamic Web marketing and advertising |
| JP2002094848A (en) | 2000-09-12 | 2002-03-29 | Canon Inc | Image communication device, image input device, and image output device |
| US6895444B1 (en) | 2000-09-15 | 2005-05-17 | Motorola, Inc. | Service framework with local proxy for representing remote services |
| GB0023462D0 (en)* | 2000-09-25 | 2000-11-08 | Ncr Int Inc | Self service terminal |
| US6952414B1 (en) | 2000-09-26 | 2005-10-04 | Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. | Portable internet browser device with cordless phone module and method of operation |
| US7356347B1 (en) | 2000-09-28 | 2008-04-08 | Palmsource, Inc. | Efficient discovery of devices in a bluetooth environment |
| US6748195B1 (en) | 2000-09-29 | 2004-06-08 | Motorola, Inc. | Wireless device having context-based operational behavior |
| JP2002108578A (en)* | 2000-10-03 | 2002-04-12 | Toshiba Tec Corp | Print service method for commercial printing system |
| US6607314B1 (en)* | 2000-10-03 | 2003-08-19 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Apparatus for and method of updating a software routine |
| US6909889B2 (en)* | 2000-10-06 | 2005-06-21 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Print service system, print order receiving server, image storage service system, image storage server and mobile telephone |
| US6914694B1 (en) | 2000-10-12 | 2005-07-05 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Web print system with image enhancement |
| US7460853B2 (en)* | 2000-10-12 | 2008-12-02 | Sony Corporation | Wireless module security system and method |
| US6931661B2 (en)* | 2000-10-19 | 2005-08-16 | Motorola, Inc. | Dynamic image provisioning |
| US7340501B2 (en)* | 2000-10-24 | 2008-03-04 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | System, method, apparatus and program for collecting and providing information |
| US7287089B1 (en) | 2000-10-25 | 2007-10-23 | Thomson Financial Inc. | Electronic commerce infrastructure system |
| US7761541B1 (en) | 2000-10-25 | 2010-07-20 | Nortel Networks Limited | Service enabling technology |
| US6856430B1 (en) | 2000-10-26 | 2005-02-15 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Calculation of toner usage |
| US6901429B2 (en)* | 2000-10-27 | 2005-05-31 | Eric Morgan Dowling | Negotiated wireless peripheral security systems |
| US20150363763A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2015-12-17 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc, | Mobile Information Apparatus That Includes A Secure Element Storing Payment Information And Using A Cryptographic Technique For Implementing Mobile Payment |
| AU2002243279A1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2002-06-18 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Controller and manager for device-to-device pervasive digital output |
| US11467856B2 (en) | 2002-12-12 | 2022-10-11 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Portable USB device for internet access service |
| US7383355B1 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2008-06-03 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing centralized management of heterogeneous distributed enterprise application integration objects |
| US10915296B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2021-02-09 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Information apparatus that includes a touch sensitive screen interface for managing or replying to e-mails |
| US10860290B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2020-12-08 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Mobile information apparatuses that include a digital camera, a touch sensitive screen interface, support for voice activated commands, and a wireless communication chip or chipset supporting IEEE 802.11 |
| US7260597B1 (en)* | 2000-11-02 | 2007-08-21 | Sony Corporation | Remote manual, maintenance, and diagnostic services for networked electronic devices |
| US20020059489A1 (en) | 2000-11-14 | 2002-05-16 | Davis Ray Charles | Remote printing |
| AU2002239325A1 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2002-05-27 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Systems and methods for mobile and pervasive output |
| US6958821B1 (en) | 2000-11-21 | 2005-10-25 | Eastman Kodak Company | Analyzing images to determine third party product materials corresponding to the analyzed images |
| FI110046B (en) | 2000-11-27 | 2002-11-15 | Lasse Artturi Halttunen | Method of transmitting mobile phone picture and sound to a conventional analog television receiver by means of an additional device in the mobile phone |
| US7016062B2 (en) | 2000-11-30 | 2006-03-21 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Apparatus, method and system for printing from a wireless mobile device over the internet |
| FI113991B (en)* | 2000-11-30 | 2004-07-15 | Nokia Corp | Procedure for short range radio frequency communication |
| US6584903B2 (en) | 2000-12-12 | 2003-07-01 | Xerox Corporation | Color digital front end decomposer output to multiple color spaces with actual output optionally being determined by input color spaces |
| US6941014B2 (en) | 2000-12-15 | 2005-09-06 | Xerox Corporation | Method and apparatus for segmenting an image using a combination of image segmentation techniques |
| US7164885B2 (en) | 2000-12-18 | 2007-01-16 | Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) | Method and apparatus for selective service access |
| US7454796B2 (en) | 2000-12-22 | 2008-11-18 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Obtaining temporary exclusive control of a printing device |
| US6983310B2 (en) | 2000-12-29 | 2006-01-03 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for providing search capabilties on a wireless device |
| US7197531B2 (en) | 2000-12-29 | 2007-03-27 | Fotomedia Technologies, Llc | Meta-application architecture for integrating photo-service websites for browser-enabled devices |
| US7272788B2 (en) | 2000-12-29 | 2007-09-18 | Fotomedia Technologies, Llc | Client-server system for merging of metadata with images |
| US6690918B2 (en) | 2001-01-05 | 2004-02-10 | Soundstarts, Inc. | Networking by matching profile information over a data packet-network and a local area network |
| US7155163B2 (en) | 2001-01-09 | 2006-12-26 | Agere Systems Inc. | Unified passcode pairing of piconet devices |
| US20020099884A1 (en) | 2001-01-19 | 2002-07-25 | Chang William Ho | Output controller systems and method for universal data output |
| US7275102B2 (en)* | 2001-01-22 | 2007-09-25 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Trust mechanisms for a peer-to-peer network computing platform |
| WO2002057917A2 (en)* | 2001-01-22 | 2002-07-25 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Peer-to-peer network computing platform |
| JP3952696B2 (en) | 2001-02-06 | 2007-08-01 | Ｋｄｄｉ株式会社 | Optical coupling structure |
| US7584269B2 (en)* | 2001-03-09 | 2009-09-01 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method for providing kiosk service offerings in a personal area network |
| US7355730B2 (en) | 2001-03-21 | 2008-04-08 | Toshiba Tec Germany Imaging Systems Gmbh | Office machine that can be remote-maintenanced via a computer network and a management or/and support or/and report or/and information system comprising a plurality of office machines |
| US7483958B1 (en)* | 2001-03-26 | 2009-01-27 | Microsoft Corporation | Methods and apparatuses for sharing media content, libraries and playlists |
| US7587196B2 (en)* | 2001-03-29 | 2009-09-08 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Wireless point of sale transaction |
| US6550627B2 (en)* | 2001-04-16 | 2003-04-22 | Nexpress Solutions Llc | Container |
| DE60239086D1 (en)* | 2001-04-18 | 2011-03-10 | Trilliant Networks Inc | Wireless network node device |
| US6636202B2 (en) | 2001-04-27 | 2003-10-21 | International Business Machines Corporation | Interactive tactile display for computer screen |
| US6859197B2 (en) | 2001-05-02 | 2005-02-22 | Universal Electronics Inc. | Universal remote control with display and printer |
| US7814516B2 (en)* | 2001-05-03 | 2010-10-12 | Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. | Control system and user interface for network of input devices |
| JP2002351944A (en)* | 2001-05-25 | 2002-12-06 | Konica Corp | Image data handling system, printing system, and recording medium recording system |
| US7327481B2 (en)* | 2001-05-30 | 2008-02-05 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Open coventuring in a remote hardcopy proofing service, with preserved clientele, through interface sharing |
| US6922258B2 (en) | 2001-05-30 | 2005-07-26 | Polaroid Corporation | Method and apparatus for printing remote images using a mobile device and printer |
| US6892251B2 (en)* | 2001-06-18 | 2005-05-10 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | System and method for walk-up printing |
| US6801604B2 (en)* | 2001-06-25 | 2004-10-05 | International Business Machines Corporation | Universal IP-based and scalable architectures across conversational applications using web services for speech and audio processing resources |
| US20030002072A1 (en) | 2001-06-29 | 2003-01-02 | Berkema Alan C. | Print by reference communication methods for portable wireless device printing |
| US20030013483A1 (en)* | 2001-07-06 | 2003-01-16 | Ausems Michiel R. | User interface for handheld communication device |
| US6751732B2 (en) | 2001-07-12 | 2004-06-15 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Method and system for secure delivery and printing of documents via a network device |
| EP1276308A3 (en) | 2001-07-12 | 2005-05-04 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Mobile communication terminal comprising camera |
| US7574723B2 (en)* | 2001-07-19 | 2009-08-11 | Macrovision Corporation | Home media network |
| US7170857B2 (en)* | 2001-08-10 | 2007-01-30 | Strix Systems, Inc. | Virtual linking using a wireless device |
| US6757070B1 (en)* | 2001-08-21 | 2004-06-29 | Advanced Hitech Corporation | Universal print driver |
| US20030061606A1 (en) | 2001-09-21 | 2003-03-27 | Stephan Hartwig | Method and apparatus for inhibiting functions of an electronic device according to predefined inhibit rules |
| US20030073431A1 (en) | 2001-10-16 | 2003-04-17 | Jheroen Dorenbosch | Transferring communications over a network |
| US7506059B2 (en)* | 2001-10-26 | 2009-03-17 | Nokia Corporation | Mobile client provisioning web service |
| US6999112B2 (en) | 2001-10-31 | 2006-02-14 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | System and method for communicating content information to an image capture device |
| US7555287B1 (en)* | 2001-11-01 | 2009-06-30 | Nokia Corporation | Customized messaging between wireless access point and services |
| US6670982B2 (en)* | 2002-01-04 | 2003-12-30 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Wireless digital camera media |
| US7103313B2 (en)* | 2002-06-05 | 2006-09-05 | Nokia Corporation | Automatic determination of access point content and services for short-range wireless terminals |
| WO2004055638A2 (en) | 2002-12-12 | 2004-07-01 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Wireless communication between computing devices |
| US7379958B2 (en)* | 2002-12-30 | 2008-05-27 | Nokia Corporation | Automatic and dynamic service information delivery from service providers to data terminals in an access point network |
| CN101208657B (en) | 2003-04-11 | 2017-11-14 | 富意科技 | Portable integrated circuit storage device and operation method thereof |
| US7612803B2 (en) | 2003-06-10 | 2009-11-03 | Zoran Corporation | Digital camera with reduced image buffer memory and minimal processing for recycling through a service center |
| US7941665B2 (en) | 2003-12-05 | 2011-05-10 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Device pairing |
| US7590589B2 (en) | 2004-09-10 | 2009-09-15 | Hoffberg Steven M | Game theoretic prioritization scheme for mobile ad hoc networks permitting hierarchal deference |
| US7885622B2 (en) | 2004-10-27 | 2011-02-08 | Chestnut Hill Sound Inc. | Entertainment system with bandless tuning |
| US7660460B2 (en) | 2005-11-15 | 2010-02-09 | Xerox Corporation | Gamut selection in multi-engine systems |
| JP2007185946A (en) | 2005-12-13 | 2007-07-26 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Information processing apparatus, program, and preview image display method |
| US7986298B1 (en) | 2005-12-19 | 2011-07-26 | Adobe Systems Incorporated | Identifying changes to an image file |
| US20080004965A1 (en) | 2006-06-14 | 2008-01-03 | Park Byungsun | Coin-free retail management system and method |
| US20080004925A1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2008-01-03 | Bangel Matthew J | Multi-site project management |
| JP4282694B2 (en) | 2006-07-06 | 2009-06-24 | シャープ株式会社 | Display device and electronic apparatus provided with the display device |
| JP4855915B2 (en) | 2006-12-05 | 2012-01-18 | 株式会社リコー | Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and program |
| JP5251516B2 (en) | 2006-12-21 | 2013-07-31 | Ｊｎｃ株式会社 | Platelet aggregation inducer |
| WO2008085203A2 (en)* | 2006-12-29 | 2008-07-17 | Prodea Systems, Inc. | Presence status notification from digital endpoint devices through a multi-services gateway device at the user premises |
| JP4922021B2 (en) | 2007-03-07 | 2012-04-25 | 株式会社リコー | Image processing apparatus, program, and preview image display method |
| CN101056185A (en) | 2007-03-26 | 2007-10-17 | 华为技术有限公司 | Processing method for service subscription, system and its gateway device |
| JP4752868B2 (en) | 2008-05-23 | 2011-08-17 | コニカミノルタビジネステクノロジーズ株式会社 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program |
| US20100020382A1 (en) | 2008-07-22 | 2010-01-28 | Qualcomm Mems Technologies, Inc. | Spacer for mems device |
| US8442766B2 (en) | 2008-10-02 | 2013-05-14 | Certusview Technologies, Llc | Marking apparatus having enhanced features for underground facility marking operations, and associated methods and systems |
| US8523663B2 (en) | 2009-01-19 | 2013-09-03 | Wms Gaming, Inc | Transporting and using wagering game data |
| US9351193B2 (en) | 2009-01-28 | 2016-05-24 | Headwater Partners I Llc | Intermediate networking devices |
| US10492102B2 (en) | 2009-01-28 | 2019-11-26 | Headwater Research Llc | Intermediate networking devices |
| US9377967B2 (en) | 2009-05-27 | 2016-06-28 | Dell Products L.P. | Systems and methods for scalable storage management |
| CA2770893A1 (en) | 2009-08-10 | 2011-02-17 | Visa International Service Association | Systems and methods for enrolling users in a payment service |
| US8522283B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2013-08-27 | Google Inc. | Television remote control data transfer |
| US20110145074A1 (en) | 2010-08-31 | 2011-06-16 | Paul Anthony Polizzotto | Apparatuses, methods and systems for an environmental advertising, financing and management platform |
| US8808350B2 (en) | 2011-03-01 | 2014-08-19 | Endologix, Inc. | Catheter system and methods of using same |
| WO2013012107A1 (en) | 2011-07-19 | 2013-01-24 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Electronic device and method for controlling same |
| US9819710B2 (en) | 2011-08-25 | 2017-11-14 | Logitech Europe S.A. | Easy sharing of wireless audio signals |
| US9100825B2 (en) | 2012-02-28 | 2015-08-04 | Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. | Method and system for multi-factor biometric authentication based on different device capture modalities |
| US20140310075A1 (en) | 2013-04-15 | 2014-10-16 | Flextronics Ap, Llc | Automatic Payment of Fees Based on Vehicle Location and User Detection |
| US20140309813A1 (en) | 2013-04-15 | 2014-10-16 | Flextronics Ap, Llc | Guest vehicle user reporting |
| US20140310031A1 (en) | 2013-04-15 | 2014-10-16 | Flextronics Ap, Llc | Transfer of user profile data via vehicle agency control |
| US20140309863A1 (en) | 2013-04-15 | 2014-10-16 | Flextronics Ap, Llc | Parental control over vehicle features and child alert system |
| US20140309862A1 (en) | 2013-04-15 | 2014-10-16 | Flextronics Ap, Llc | User profile exchange via vehicle supported communications protocol |
| US9082239B2 (en) | 2012-03-14 | 2015-07-14 | Flextronics Ap, Llc | Intelligent vehicle for assisting vehicle occupants |
| US20130298001A1 (en) | 2012-05-04 | 2013-11-07 | Quad/Graphics, Inc. | Presenting actionable elements on a device relating to an object |
| DE102012210519A1 (en) | 2012-06-21 | 2013-12-24 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Vehicle with a driver-controlled and electronically controlled vehicle device |
| KR101920029B1 (en) | 2012-08-03 | 2018-11-19 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Mobile apparatus and control method thereof |
| CN104321220B (en) | 2013-04-15 | 2017-03-08 | 自动连接控股有限责任公司 | Access and portability of user profiles stored as templates |
| CN105144656A (en) | 2013-04-26 | 2015-12-09 | 交互数字专利控股公司 | Multi-factor authentication to achieve required authentication assurance level |
| US9898642B2 (en) | 2013-09-09 | 2018-02-20 | Apple Inc. | Device, method, and graphical user interface for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs |
| US9122429B1 (en) | 2014-03-07 | 2015-09-01 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | System, method, and computer-readable storage medium for transmitting a map and an image of a device |
| US9763056B2 (en) | 2014-06-30 | 2017-09-12 | Polar Electro Oy | Bluetooth beacon transmission |
| KR20160023159A (en) | 2014-08-21 | 2016-03-03 | 삼성전자주식회사 | THE METHOD FOR SETTING WIRELESS CONNECTION USING FUNCTION OF NFC(Near Field Communication) AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING THE SAME |
| JP6531362B2 (en) | 2014-09-09 | 2019-06-19 | 株式会社リコー | Device management system and device management method |
| US9811312B2 (en) | 2014-12-22 | 2017-11-07 | Intel Corporation | Connected device voice command support |
| US9542136B2 (en) | 2015-03-19 | 2017-01-10 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Communication control system, communication control apparatus, and communication control method |
| CA2984313C (en) | 2015-04-27 | 2024-03-26 | First Advantage Corporation | Device and method for performing validation and authentication of a physical structure or physical object |
| US9913079B2 (en) | 2015-06-05 | 2018-03-06 | Apple Inc. | Cloud-based proximity pairing and switching for peer-to-peer devices |
| US10637953B2 (en) | 2016-04-29 | 2020-04-28 | Canon Information And Imaging Solutions, Inc. | Apparatus, system and method for cache management |
- 2001
- 2001-10-31AUAU2002243279Apatent/AU2002243279A1/ennot_activeAbandoned
- 2001-10-31CNCNB018211011Apatent/CN100334577C/ennot_activeExpired - Lifetime
- 2001-10-31USUS10/000,732patent/US20020059415A1/ennot_activeAbandoned
- 2001-10-31USUS10/003,594patent/US20020051200A1/ennot_activeAbandoned
- 2001-10-31WOPCT/US2001/046247patent/WO2002046867A2/enactiveApplication Filing
- 2001-11-01USUS10/016,630patent/US20020055984A1/ennot_activeAbandoned
- 2001-11-01USUS10/016,223patent/US7941541B2/ennot_activeExpired - Lifetime
- 2001-11-01WOPCT/US2001/048057patent/WO2002041118A2/ennot_activeApplication Discontinuation
- 2001-11-01AUAU2002235193Apatent/AU2002235193A1/ennot_activeAbandoned
- 2001-11-01EPEP01985549.3Apatent/EP1340131B1/ennot_activeExpired - Lifetime
- 2001-11-01ESES01985549Tpatent/ES2774115T3/ennot_activeExpired - Lifetime
- 2010
- 2010-10-12USUS12/903,048patent/US8332521B2/ennot_activeExpired - Fee Related
- 2010-10-19USUS12/907,865patent/US8285802B2/ennot_activeExpired - Fee Related
- 2011
- 2011-05-09USUS13/103,958patent/US9164718B2/ennot_activeExpired - Fee Related
- 2012
- 2012-12-07USUS13/708,607patent/US9092177B2/ennot_activeExpired - Fee Related
- 2012-12-10USUS13/710,299patent/US9798516B2/ennot_activeExpired - Lifetime
- 2012-12-10USUS13/710,295patent/US9383956B2/ennot_activeExpired - Fee Related
- 2012-12-10USUS13/710,306patent/US9110622B2/ennot_activeExpired - Fee Related
- 2013
- 2013-04-16USUS13/864,000patent/US9015329B2/ennot_activeExpired - Fee Related
- 2015
- 2015-08-17USUS14/828,349patent/US20150356564A1/ennot_activeAbandoned
- 2015-08-17USUS14/828,359patent/US10592201B2/ennot_activeExpired - Fee Related
- 2015-08-17USUS14/828,369patent/US10592202B2/ennot_activeExpired - Fee Related
- 2015-09-25USUS14/866,143patent/US10108394B2/ennot_activeExpired - Lifetime
- 2016
- 2016-07-01USUS15/201,194patent/US10162596B2/ennot_activeExpired - Fee Related
- 2017
- 2017-08-31USUS15/692,977patent/US20170364326A1/ennot_activeAbandoned
- 2018
- 2018-12-21USUS16/229,896patent/US10642576B2/ennot_activeExpired - Fee Related
- 2019
- 2019-04-26USUS16/396,460patent/US10740066B2/ennot_activeExpired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6091956A (en)* | 1997-06-12 | 2000-07-18 | Hollenberg; Dennis D. | Situation information system |
| US20030028481A1 (en)* | 1998-03-25 | 2003-02-06 | Orbis Patents, Ltd. | Credit card system and method |
| US7571142B1 (en)* | 1998-03-25 | 2009-08-04 | Orbis Patents Limited | Credit card system and method |
| US20020013730A1 (en)* | 1999-01-28 | 2002-01-31 | Joseph Phillip Bigus | Vehicle-based order entry and processing mechanism |
| US6598031B1 (en)* | 2000-07-31 | 2003-07-22 | Edi Secure Lllp | Apparatus and method for routing encrypted transaction card identifying data through a public telephone network |
Cited By (52)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USRE46637E1 (en) | 2000-09-05 | 2017-12-12 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus, methods, and systems for data mining user information |
| USRE49176E1 (en) | 2000-09-05 | 2022-08-16 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus, methods, or software for data mining user information by providing services over the internet for connecting people |
| USRE48088E1 (en) | 2000-09-05 | 2020-07-07 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Methods, devices, or applications for accessing a service provided over the internet for connecting to another user or device, the service data mines transactions and information of its user |
| USRE48066E1 (en) | 2000-09-05 | 2020-06-23 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Services that are provided, at least partly, over the internet for data mining user information |
| US10866773B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2020-12-15 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Information apparatus for playing digital content that is received from a digital content service provided over the internet |
| US10860290B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2020-12-08 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Mobile information apparatuses that include a digital camera, a touch sensitive screen interface, support for voice activated commands, and a wireless communication chip or chipset supporting IEEE 802.11 |
| US9383956B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2016-07-05 | Mattel, Inc. | Smart phones that include touch sensitive screen and supporting voice activated commands for managing or replying to E-mails |
| US9798516B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2017-10-24 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Smart phones that support wireless printing of emails over air to a wireless printer in a wireless local area network |
| US11416197B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2022-08-16 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Wireless controllers connectable to televisions, wireless televisions, wireless output controllers, or wireless output devices for receiving digital content from one or more servers over the internet |
| US11204729B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2021-12-21 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Internet based digital content services for pervasively providing protected digital content to smart devices based on having subscribed to the digital content service |
| US11096056B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2021-08-17 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Output devices, such as televisions, output controllers, or audio output devices, that are setup to wirelessly receive digital content from a digital content service over the internet or from a wireless information apparatus that is in the same network as the output devices |
| US10037178B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2018-07-31 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Wireless output devices or wireless controllers that support wireless device discovery for establishing wireless connectivity |
| US10126991B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2018-11-13 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Output systems, information apparatus, or internet appliances supporting voice commands for receiving and for playing selected digital content from a service over a network |
| US10592201B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2020-03-17 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Mobile information apparatus supporting mobile payment having security based, at least in part, on device identification number, password or pin code, data encryption, and short physical distance wireless communication |
| US10592202B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2020-03-17 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Mobile information apparatus supporting mobile payment that includes security based, at least partly, on user pushbutton, user biometrics, data encryption, and short physical distance wireless communication |
| US10140073B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2018-11-27 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Wireless devices that establish a wireless connection with a mobile information apparatus by wirelessly detecting, within physical proximity, the mobile information apparatus |
| US10140072B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2018-11-27 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Sound output system or internet appliance that supports voice activated commands, and that plays audio data received from a service over a network |
| US10152285B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2018-12-11 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Mobile information apparatus that includes voice commands for playing digital content that is received from a digital content service provided over the internet |
| US10162596B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2018-12-25 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Portable electronic device configured to receive voice activated commands and to wirelessly manage or drive an output device |
| US11029903B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2021-06-08 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Output systems, such as television controllers, televisions, display devices, or audio output devices, operable for playing digital content wirelessly received either from a digital content service over the internet or wirelessly received from a client device that is in the same network as the output system |
| US10915296B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2021-02-09 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Information apparatus that includes a touch sensitive screen interface for managing or replying to e-mails |
| US10873856B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2020-12-22 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Printing devices supporting printing over air or printing over a wireless network |
| US10359957B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2019-07-23 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Integrated circuit device that includes a secure element and a wireless component for transmitting protected data over short range wireless point-to-point communications |
| US10387087B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2019-08-20 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Output systems or audio output devices that include an interface operable by a user to initiate wireless discovery for establishing wireless connections with mobile devices |
| US10481846B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2019-11-19 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Software applications and information apparatus for printing over air or for printing over a network |
| US10481847B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2019-11-19 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Information apparatus and software applications supporting output of digital content over a network to a registered output device |
| US10489096B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2019-11-26 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Information apparatus and application for receiving digital content from a digital content service over the internet and for playing at least part of the received digital content at an output device |
| US10846031B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2020-11-24 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Software application for a mobile device to wirelessly manage or wirelessly setup an output system or output device for service |
| US10768871B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2020-09-08 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Wireless output devices or wireless controllers for establishing wireless connectivity and for receiving digital content |
| US10761791B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2020-09-01 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Wireless printing devices that provide printing services over a network without a need for a client device of the printing device to use, at the client device, a printer specific printer driver |
| US10642576B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2020-05-05 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Mobile information apparatus that includes wireless communication circuitry for discovery of an output device for outputting digital content at the wirelessly discovered output device |
| US10740066B2 (en) | 2000-11-01 | 2020-08-11 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Output devices that establish wireless connection with an information apparatus subsequent to having been wirelessly discovered by the information apparatus |
| US10303411B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2019-05-28 | Pebble Tide Llc | Method for capturing, storing, accessing, and outputting digital content |
| US10261739B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2019-04-16 | Pebble Tide Llc | System for capturing and outputting digital content over a network that includes the internet |
| US10606535B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2020-03-31 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Internet based digital content services that provide content upload, content storage, content sharing, and content playlist selection; and smart devices with access to the internet based digital content services |
| US10133527B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2018-11-20 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Wireless devices that communicate, via short range wireless communication, with a mobile client device for establishing services of the wireless device with a server over the internet |
| US9965233B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2018-05-08 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Digital content services or stores over the internet that transmit or stream protected or encrypted digital content to connected devices and applications that access the digital content services or stores |
| US11169756B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2021-11-09 | Flexijet Technologies, Inc. | Method for capturing, storing, accessing, and outputting digital content |
| US9836259B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2017-12-05 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Televisions, output controllers, or speakers that are setup to wirelessly connect to a network and to receive digital content from a digital content service over the network |
| US9298407B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2016-03-29 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Mobile information apparatus that are configurable to include applications for playing audio digital content received over the internet from subscribed audio digital content service(s) |
| US10346114B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2019-07-09 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Digital content services over the internet that transmit or stream protected digital content to mobile devices, display devices, audio output devices, printing devices, televisions, or television controllers |
| US9389822B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2016-07-12 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Mobile information apparatus that include support for receiving video digital content over the internet from a service, and for wireless displaying or playing over air at least part of the received video digital content from the mobile information apparatus to televisions, television controllers, display devices, or projection devices |
| US9971555B2 (en) | 2000-11-20 | 2018-05-15 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Internet based digital content services that provide content upload, content storage, content sharing, content playlist selection, content editing, or content download; and smart phones, information pads, smart televisions and printers with access to the internet based digital content services |
| US9841935B2 (en) | 2001-01-19 | 2017-12-12 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Wireless television or controller wire connectable to a television for receiving and rendering digital content |
| US10140071B2 (en) | 2001-01-19 | 2018-11-27 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Printers, printer controllers, printer software, or printer firmware for supporting wireless printing or printing over air |
| US10841798B2 (en) | 2001-01-19 | 2020-11-17 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Information apparatus or client software that wirelessly discovers, within short range, one or more output devices for establishing a wireless connection |
| US9836257B2 (en) | 2001-01-19 | 2017-12-05 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Mobile information apparatus that includes intelligent wireless display, wireless direct display, or transfer of digital content for playing over air the digital content at smart televisions, television controllers, or audio output devices |
| US10963169B2 (en) | 2002-12-12 | 2021-03-30 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Integrated circuit device storing protected data for wireless transmitting, over short range wireless communication, the protected data to a wireless computing device |
| US11467856B2 (en) | 2002-12-12 | 2022-10-11 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Portable USB device for internet access service |
| US11662918B2 (en) | 2002-12-12 | 2023-05-30 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Wireless communication between an integrated circuit memory device and a wireless controller device |
| US11829776B2 (en) | 2002-12-12 | 2023-11-28 | Flexiworld Technologies, Inc. | Integrated circuit device that includes a protected memory component for transmitting protected data over a communication interface |
| CN106504003A (en)* | 2016-09-30 | 2017-03-15 | 维沃移动通信有限公司 | A kind of method of mobile terminal payment mandate and mobile terminal |
Also Published As
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US10740066B2 (en) | Output devices that establish wireless connection with an information apparatus subsequent to having been wirelessly discovered by the information apparatus | |
| US10860290B2 (en) | Mobile information apparatuses that include a digital camera, a touch sensitive screen interface, support for voice activated commands, and a wireless communication chip or chipset supporting IEEE 802.11 | |
| US20210165632A1 (en) | Wireless output controller for wirelessly receiving, over a wireless local area network connection, digital content from a mobile information apparatus that is within the same wireless local area network as the wireless output controller | |
| US10489096B2 (en) | Information apparatus and application for receiving digital content from a digital content service over the internet and for playing at least part of the received digital content at an output device |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS | Assignment | Owner name:FLEXIWORLD TECHNOLOGIES, INC., WASHINGTON Free format text:ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHANG, WILLIAM HO;LIU, CHRISTINA YING;REEL/FRAME:036430/0097 Effective date:20011101 | |
| STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general | Free format text:DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION | |
| STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general | Free format text:NON FINAL ACTION MAILED | |
| STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general | Free format text:RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER | |
| STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general | Free format text:FINAL REJECTION MAILED | |
| STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general | Free format text:DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION | |
| STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general | Free format text:NON FINAL ACTION MAILED | |
| STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general | Free format text:RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER | |
| STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general | Free format text:FINAL REJECTION MAILED | |
| STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general | Free format text:DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION | |
| STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general | Free format text:NON FINAL ACTION MAILED | |
| STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation | Free format text:ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |