Patents by Inventor Michael Vernal
Michael Vernal has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10417702Abstract: Methods for facilitating financial transactions include facilitating or otherwise increasing the ease and speed of checkout processes. In particular, one or more implementations comprise an e-commerce payment facilitator that acts as an intermediary between a commerce application and a payment gateway. The e-commerce payment facilitator can provide stored payment information to a commerce application based on a few simple selections by a user. This allows a user to easily and securely complete commerce transactions, which simplifies the user's checkout experience and reduces barriers to purchase. Furthermore, the e-commerce payment facilitator can pass payment details to the commerce application's payment gateway. In addition to the foregoing, methods involve dynamically and intelligently providing a user the option of using payment information stored by the network application.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: Michael Vernal, Yuji Higaki, Deborah Liu
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Patent number: 10050926Abstract: Particular embodiments of a method comprise analyzing a message to perform sentiment analysis with respect to at least a portion of the message. One or more sentiments associated with the at least a portion of the message may then be identified. One or more ideograms (e.g., written characters, symbols or images that represent an idea or thing), each corresponding to an identified sentiment, may then be suggested to a user for insertion into a message. Upon receiving a user selection of one or more of the ideograms in relation to some portion of the message, an association may be saved in a user-specific dictionary linking the user-selected one or more of the ideograms with the portion of the message. In particular embodiments, the sentiment analysis may incorporate social-networking information and/or historical ideogram usage information.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: David Ebersman, Samuel Lessin, Thomas Stocky, Michael Vernal
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Publication number: 20180210886Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a client system of a first user, an input from the first user indicating a query-domain and one or more query-filters, generating a card cluster comprising a plurality of cards referencing a plurality of objects corresponding to the indicated query-domain and one or more query-filters, ranking the plurality of cards based on one or more user-engagement factors, and sending, to the client system in response to the input from the first user, instructions for displaying the card cluster to the first user, the cards of the card cluster being ordered based on the rankings associated with the cards.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Avichal Garg, Ming Hua, Michael Vernal, Yang Qin, Dan Ionut Fechete, Xinpan Xiao, Yu Huang, Lu D. Chen, Saurabh Prafulla Chakradeo, Dharmesh A. Bhatt, Alex Himel
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Patent number: 10013601Abstract: Particular embodiments of a method comprise analyzing an image to classify an expression displayed on a face shown in a captured image. Image analysis may include detecting the face in the image, generating a characterization of features of the face, and classifying the expression based on the characterization. The characterization of facial features may be based on benchmark metrics for a particular expression. One or more ideograms (e.g., written characters, symbols or images that represent an idea or thing) may be selected based on the expression. The selection may be based on one or more match scores for the expression. The match scores may be determined based on an ideogram dictionary or an ideogram usage history. The selected ideograms may then be presented, in association with the face, on a screen for the computing device.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: David Ebersman, Samuel Lessin, Thomas Stocky, Michael Vernal
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Patent number: 10009352Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a client device of an author of a message, a request for a restricted ideogram to be inserted into a message; accessing social-networking information for the author; determining, based on the social-networking information for the author, whether the author is authorized to access the restricted ideogram; accessing social-networking information for a recipient user; determining, based on the social-networking information for the recipient user, whether the recipient user is authorized to access the restricted ideogram; and if the author and the recipient user are authorized to access the restricted ideogram, then sending, to the client device of the author, information to insert the restricted ideogram into the message.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2017Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: David Ebersman, Samuel Lessin, Thomas Stocky, Michael Vernal
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Patent number: 9959320Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a client device of a user of an online social network, an input from the user to access a card-stack interface, generating a plurality of cards, where each card comprises a suggested query referencing a query-domain associated with the online social network and one or more query-filters, and where each query-filter references one or more objects of the online social network, each card further comprising one or more search results corresponding to the suggested query, and each search result referencing an object of the online social network matching the suggested query of the card; and sending, to the client device in response to the input from the first user, the card-stack interface for display to the first user, wherein the card-stack interface comprises one or more of the generated cards.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: Avichal Garg, Ming Hua, Michael Vernal, Yang Qin, Dan Ionut Fechete, Xinpan Xiao, Yu Huang, Lu D. Chen, Saurabh Prafulla Chakradeo, Dharmesh A. Bhatt, Alex Himel
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Publication number: 20170318024Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a client device of an author of a message, a request for a restricted ideogram to be inserted into a message; accessing social-networking information for the author; determining, based on the social-networking information for the author, whether the author is authorized to access the restricted ideogram; accessing social-networking information for a recipient user; determining, based on the social-networking information for the recipient user, whether the recipient user is authorized to access the restricted ideogram; and if the author and the recipient user are authorized to access the restricted ideogram, then sending, to the client device of the author, information to insert the restricted ideogram into the message.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: David Ebersman, Samuel Lessin, Thomas Stocky, Michael Vernal
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Patent number: 9749334Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a client device of an author of a message, a request for a restricted ideogram to be inserted into a message; accessing social-networking information for the author; determining, based on the social-networking information for the author, whether the author is authorized to access the restricted ideogram; accessing social-networking information for a recipient user; determining, based on the social-networking information for the recipient user, whether the recipient user is authorized to access the restricted ideogram; and if the author and the recipient user are authorized to access the restricted ideogram, then sending, to the client device of the author, information to insert the restricted ideogram into the message.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: David Ebersman, Samuel Lessin, Thomas Stocky, Michael Vernal
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Publication number: 20170063870Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a client device of an author of a message, a request for a restricted ideogram to be inserted into a message; accessing social-networking information for the author; determining, based on the social-networking information for the author, whether the author is authorized to access the restricted ideogram; accessing social-networking information for a recipient user; determining, based on the social-networking information for the recipient user, whether the recipient user is authorized to access the restricted ideogram; and if the author and the recipient user are authorized to access the restricted ideogram, then sending, to the client device of the author, information to insert the restricted ideogram into the message.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: David Ebersman, Samuel Lessin, Thomas Stocky, Michael Vernal
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Patent number: 9515968Abstract: Particular embodiments of a method comprise providing one or more ideograms (e.g., written characters, symbols or images that represent an idea or thing) for insertion into a message. A request may be received from a user for a restricted one of the ideograms. A determination may be made as to whether the user is authorized to access the restricted ideogram. This determination may be based on whether the user is a member of a group of authorized users, whether an attribute of the user meets a restriction requirement, or whether the request comprises an authorization code or token. If the user is authorized to access the restricted ideogram, then the restricted ideogram may be displayed to the user in association with the message. Otherwise, a restricted-content response may be generated.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: David Ebersman, Samuel Lessin, Thomas Stocky, Michael Vernal
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Patent number: 9460215Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a social graph that includes a number of nodes and edges connecting the nodes. Each of the edges between two of the nodes representing a single degree of separation between them. The nodes include a first node corresponding to a first user associated with an online social network and a plurality of second nodes that each correspond to a concept or a second user associated with the online social network. The method also includes generating a card cluster including a number of cards. Each card includes a suggested query referencing a query-domain associated with the online social network and zero or more query-filters. Each query-filter references one or more nodes of the plurality of nodes or one or more edges of the plurality of edges.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: Avichal Garg, Ming Hua, Michael Vernal, Yang Qin, Dan Ionut Fechete
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Publication number: 20150222617Abstract: Particular embodiments of a method comprise providing one or more ideograms (e.g., written characters, symbols or images that represent an idea or thing) for insertion into a message. A request may be received from a user for a restricted one of the ideograms. A determination may be made as to whether the user is authorized to access the restricted ideogram. This determination may be based on whether the user is a member of a group of authorized users, whether an attribute of the user meets a restriction requirement, or whether the request comprises an authorization code or token. If the user is authorized to access the restricted ideogram, then the restricted ideogram may be displayed to the user in association with the message. Otherwise, a restricted-content response may be generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: David Ebersman, Samuel Lessin, Thomas Stocky, Michael Vernal
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Publication number: 20150222586Abstract: Particular embodiments of a method comprise analyzing a message to perform sentiment analysis with respect to at least a portion of the message. One or more sentiments associated with the at least a portion of the message may then be identified. One or more ideograms (e.g., written characters, symbols or images that represent an idea or thing), each corresponding to an identified sentiment, may then be suggested to a user for insertion into a message. Upon receiving a user selection of one or more of the ideograms in relation to some portion of the message, an association may be saved in a user-specific dictionary linking the user-selected one or more of the ideograms with the portion of the message. In particular embodiments, the sentiment analysis may incorporate social-networking information and/or historical ideogram usage information.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: David Ebersman, Samuel Lessin, Thomas Stocky, Michael Vernal
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Publication number: 20150220774Abstract: Particular embodiments of a method comprise analyzing an image to classify an expression displayed on a face shown in a captured image. Image analysis may include detecting the face in the image, generating a characterization of features of the face, and classifying the expression based on the characterization. The characterization of facial features may be based on benchmark metrics for a particular expression. One or more ideograms (e.g., written characters, symbols or images that represent an idea or thing) may be selected based on the expression. The selection may be based on one or more match scores for the expression. The match scores may be determined based on an ideogram dictionary or an ideogram usage history. The selected ideograms may then be presented, in association with the face, on a screen for the computing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2014Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: David Ebersman, Samuel Lessin, Thomas Stocky, Michael Vernal
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Publication number: 20150178397Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a client device of a user of an online social network, an input from the user to access a card-stack interface, generating a plurality of cards, where each card comprises a suggested query referencing a query-domain associated with the online social network and one or more query-filters, and where each query-filter references one or more objects of the online social network, each card further comprising one or more search results corresponding to the suggested query, and each search result referencing an object of the online social network matching the suggested query of the card; and sending, to the client device in response to the input from the first user, the card-stack interface for display to the first user, wherein the card-stack interface comprises one or more of the generated cardsType: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Avichal Garg, Ming Hua, Michael Vernal, Yang Qin, Dan Ionut Fechete, Xinpan Xiao, Yu Huang, Lu D. Chen, Saurabh Prafulla Chakradeo, Dharmesh A. Bhatt, Alex Himel
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Publication number: 20150178284Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a social graph that includes a number of nodes and edges connecting the nodes. Each of the edges between two of the nodes representing a single degree of separation between them. The nodes include a first node corresponding to a first user associated with an online social network and a plurality of second nodes that each correspond to a concept or a second user associated with the online social network. The method also includes generating a card cluster including a number of cards. Each card includes a suggested query referencing a query-domain associated with the online social network and zero or more query-filters. Each query-filter references one or more nodes of the plurality of nodes or one or more edges of the plurality of edges.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: Avichal Garg, Ming Hua, Michael Vernal, Yang Qin, Dan Ionut Fechete
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Publication number: 20150052036Abstract: Methods for facilitating financial transactions include facilitating or otherwise increasing the ease and speed of checkout processes. In particular, one or more implementations comprise an e-commerce payment facilitator that acts as an intermediary between a commerce application and a payment gateway. The e-commerce payment facilitator can provide stored payment information to a commerce application based on a few simple selections by a user. This allows a user to easily and securely complete commerce transactions, which simplifies the user's checkout experience and reduces barriers to purchase. Furthermore, the e-commerce payment facilitator can pass payment details to the commerce application's payment gateway. In addition to the foregoing, methods involve dynamically and intelligently providing a user the option of using payment information stored by the network application.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: Michael Vernal, Yuji Higaki, Deborah Liu
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Patent number: 8949250Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a social graph including a number of nodes and a number of edges connecting the nodes. Each of the edges between two of the nodes represent a single degree of separation between them. The nodes include a first node corresponding to a first user associated with an online social network and a number of second nodes that each correspond to a concept or a second user associated with the online social network. The method also includes generating a number of cards. Each card includes a suggested query referencing a query-domain associated with the online social network and zero or more query-filters for the query-domain. Each query-filter references one or more nodes of the number of nodes or one or more edges of the number of edges.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Facebook, Inc.Inventors: Avichal Garg, Ming Hua, Michael Vernal, Yang Qin, Dan Ionut Fechete, Xinpan Xiao, Yu Huang, Lu D. Chen, Saurabh Prafulla Chakradeo, Dharmesh A. Bhatt, Alex Himel
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Publication number: 20140365358Abstract: Methods and systems for context-based check-out flows using a pass-through payment gateway (PTPG) are described. One method in a user computing device includes transmitting a probability request for a user to a network application seeking an indication of whether the user would likely utilize payment information stored by the network application while placing an order using a commerce application. Upon receiving a response, the commerce application presents a UI element indicating that the user may utilize the stored payment information to complete the order. Another method in a PTPG includes receiving a request from a commerce application to charge a user for an order. In response, the gateway transmits a charge request to an identified payment gateway system for the commerce application on behalf of the commerce application such that a monetary amount is credited to an account of the commerce application directly by the payment gateway system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Yuji Higaki, Deborah Liu, John Anderson, Michael Vernal
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Publication number: 20060215571Abstract: A sending computer system can identify one or more available network resources at one or more network computers by sending a request for services using SOAP over UDP. In particular, the sending computer system prepares a SOAP message that includes a request for available resources. The sending computer system then encapsulates the SOAP message into a user datagram, and sends the user datagram to one or more identifiable computer systems on the network. In one implementation, the sending computer system sends the user datagram to a multi-cast URI. The receiving computer system receives the message through UDP, unpacks the message, and responds to the SOAP message request. Accordingly, the sending computer system can query multiple computer systems in an efficient manner without necessarily incurring the overhead otherwise associated with connection-oriented communication.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2005Publication date: September 28, 2006Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Michael Vernal, Erik Christensen, Martin Gudgin, John Justice, Gopal Kakivaya, David Langworthy, Yaniv Pessach, Jeffrey Schlimmer, Elliot Waingold, Kenneth Wolf