Patents Assigned to WHATSAPP LLC
  • Patent number: 11962555
    Abstract: A method to keep selected messages in a networked conversation thread includes receiving, from a first participant in a networked conversation, a selection of a first message to keep from a sequence of messages in the networked conversation. The method includes verifying that the networked conversation is slated for deletion at a selected time after the selection of the first message, storing the first message in a folder accessible to multiple participants in the networked conversation, and notifying a second participant authoring the first message that the first message has been stored in the folder and is accessible to the participants in the networked conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Isabel Tewes, Steven Zimmerman, Sudheer Kumar Peddireddy, Bruno Soares
  • Patent number: 11936601
    Abstract: A messaging system receives a message including a recipient ID and a message body, the message body containing one or more customizable fields. The messaging system receives a user preference model based on the recipient ID. The user preference model identifies message elements and content preferred by the recipient of the message. Based on the user preference model, the messaging system modifies the customizable fields in the message body, generating a modified message. The modified message is transmitted to a client device associated with the recipient ID for presentation to the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventor: Cheng Tian
  • Patent number: 11882231
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for transmitting ephemeral content messages. A sending client may establish an end-to-end encrypted session with possible recipients of the message, using a first decryption key during initial session setup. The client may send an ephemeral content message, including encrypted content and a second key, to the recipients through a server. The server may be unable to retrieve the encrypted content due to a lack of the second key. The server may filter a list of intended recipients, and may forward the ephemeral content message to the recipients on the filtered list. The recipients may retrieve the second key from the message, and use the first and second keys to decrypt the encrypted content. The sending client may change the second key each time the recipient list changes from the perspective of the sending client, as determined at the time the ephemeral content message is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Randall Sarafa, Eugene Fooksman, Brian Lange Acton, Jan Boris Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Ehren Andrew Kret
  • Patent number: 11847304
    Abstract: Techniques for media album display and management are described. An apparatus may comprise a messaging component operative to receive a plurality of messaging packages from a messaging server and determine a plurality of visual media items referenced by the plurality of messaging packages; a media layout component operative to determine a visual media item layout; and a display component operative to display the plurality of visual media items based on the visual media item layout Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Jan Boris Koum, Brian Lange Acton, Randall Sarafa, Kuan Loong Yong
  • Patent number: 11848930
    Abstract: This application describes methods, mediums, and systems for verifying a device for use in a messaging system. Using the device verification procedures described, a messaging system can securely authorize new devices to send and receive encrypted messages on behalf of a user, preferably without the need to share a private encryption key between the users' different devices. The application describes several techniques that can be used to provide such a system, including distributing a computer-perceptible code that encodes encryption information between a secondary device and a primary device. This allows the information to be distributed without intervention by a server. Other techniques provide unique ways to build and reverify authorized device lists, distribute encryption keys in chat channels, ensure that lists of authorized devices are distributed in the correct order and remain valid for an appropriate amount of time, add new devices to an ongoing or new conversation, and more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Abhinav Raj, Maaz Ali, Evan Christopher DeVrieze
  • Patent number: 11843636
    Abstract: This application describes methods, mediums, and systems for verifying a device for use in a messaging system. Using the device verification procedures described, a messaging system can securely authorize new devices to send and receive encrypted messages on behalf of a user, preferably without the need to share a private encryption key between the users' different devices. The application describes several techniques that can be used to provide such a system, including distributing a computer-perceptible code that encodes encryption information between a secondary device and a primary device. This allows the information to be distributed without intervention by a server. Other techniques provide unique ways to build and reverify authorized device lists, distribute encryption keys in chat channels, ensure that lists of authorized devices are distributed in the correct order and remain valid for an appropriate amount of time, add new devices to an ongoing or new conversation, and more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Abhinav Raj, Maaz Ali, Evan Christopher DeVrieze
  • Patent number: 11750574
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for end-to-end encrypted interactive messaging between users of a communication system. For example, the interactive messaging may be based on a message template. An end-to-end encrypted message may be sent to a recipient. The encrypted message may contain at least a template identifier associated with the message template and one or more dynamic parameters. The receiving device may decrypt the message and hydrate the message template with the one or more dynamic parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Aman Jain, Sanat Sourav Rath, Anand Prasad
  • Patent number: 11743035
    Abstract: This application describes methods, mediums, and systems for verifying a device for use in a messaging system. Using the device verification procedures described, a messaging system can securely authorize new devices to send and receive encrypted messages on behalf of a user, preferably without the need to share a private encryption key between the users' different devices. The application describes several techniques that can be used to provide such a system, including distributing a computer-perceptible code that encodes encryption information between a secondary device and a primary device. This allows the information to be distributed without intervention by a server. Other techniques provide unique ways to build and reverify authorized device lists, distribute encryption keys in chat channels, ensure that lists of authorized devices are distributed in the correct order and remain valid for an appropriate amount of time, add new devices to an ongoing or new conversation, and more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Abhinav Raj, Maaz Ali, Evan Christopher DeVrieze
  • Patent number: 11727130
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method for allowing a user at a first client device to provide access to restricted content on a content provider server to a user at a second client device without providing identifying information of the second client device or the user to the content provider. The content provider receives a request from a messaging app on a first client device for sharing of a content item with a second client device and generates a metadata block comprising at least a link to the content item. The metadata block is sent to the first client device and, in response, a public key of a private/public key pair of the second client device is received from the first client device. A request for the content item, is then received and contains a data item digitally signed using the private key of the private/public key pair of the second client device. The public key is then used to verify the digitally signed data item, thereby confirming the identity of the second client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventor: Cheng Tian
  • Patent number: 11722443
    Abstract: Techniques for media item display configuration are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a media management component operative to retrieve a plurality of contact-associated media items associated with a plurality of contacts for a user account associated with a messaging client by a messaging system; retrieve an engagement score for each of the plurality of contacts; and order the plurality of contact-associated media items based on the engagement score for each of the plurality of contacts; and a user interface component operative to receive a mixed-contact media display interface invocation in the messaging client for the messaging system; and display the plurality of contact-associated media items in a mixed-contact media display interface according to the ordering of the plurality of contact-associated media items. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Udayan Shiv Bannerjee Bulchandani, Alfonso Gomez Jordana Manas, Brian Furtado
  • Patent number: 11683444
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a video room system that can generate a video room utilizing a cross-application technique by accessing functions of one application based on user interaction within a separate application. In particular, the disclosed systems can generate a video room that remains open for access by a creator device and invitee devices in a casual come-and-go fashion. The disclosed systems can further generate a video room link that is distributable intelligently to grant access to the video room to invitee devices. The disclosed systems can also automatically surface a video room link to an invitee device based on determining a digital connection between the invitee device and the creator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Aby John, Valerie Rose, Priyanka Kodikal, Ryan Andrew Wiggins, Raluca-Elena Podiuc, Charlotte Genevieve Duran, Scott William Ryder
  • Patent number: 11671487
    Abstract: A messaging server establishes a video chat between first and second endpoints through a first and second router. In parallel, the messaging server transmits instructions to the first endpoint causing the first endpoint to transmit packets through a plurality of ports of the first router to a designated port of the second router. In addition, the messaging server transmits instructions to the second endpoint causing the second endpoint to transmit packets through a plurality of ports of the second router to a corresponding plurality of ports of the first router. A P2P connection is established between the first and second endpoints in response to a first port of the plurality of ports of the first router receiving a data packet from the designated port of the second router. The video chat is seamlessly transferred from the connection established through the messaging server to the established P2P connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventor: Meng Zhang
  • Patent number: 11658952
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for anonymizing information in an end-to-end (E2E) encrypted environment; the information may include, for example, statistical data about unique page/message views, view counts, view time, what users selected on the message or page, etc. Exemplary embodiments may prevent an E2E system server from being able to identify which user is associated with which record. Various examples are described, including an embodiment in which an originating client generates the data, encrypts it, and sends it to a random contact. The contact decrypts the data, re-encrypts it, and sends it to another random contact. The procedure continues for a set amount of time or for a set number of hops. Other embodiments relate to wrapping the data in various layers of encryption and sending the data to clients in a chain. The encrypted layers prevent clients along the chain from being able to view the anonymized data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Jamshid Mahdavi, Ehren Andrew Kret
  • Patent number: 11658955
    Abstract: This application describes methods, mediums, and systems for verifying a device for use in a messaging system. Using the device verification procedures described, a messaging system can securely authorize new devices to send and receive encrypted messages on behalf of a user, preferably without the need to share a private encryption key between the users' different devices. The application describes several techniques that can be used to provide such a system, including distributing a computer-perceptible code that encodes encryption information between a secondary device and a primary device. This allows the information to be distributed without intervention by a server. Other techniques provide unique ways to build and reverify authorized device lists, distribute encryption keys in chat channels, ensure that lists of authorized devices are distributed in the correct order and remain valid for an appropriate amount of time, add new devices to an ongoing or new conversation, and more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Abhinav Raj, Maaz Ali, Evan Christopher DeVrieze
  • Patent number: 11658829
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method for allowing a user at a first client device to provide access to restricted content on a content provider server to a user at a second client device without providing identifying information of the second client device or the user to the content provider. The second client device receives, in a messaging app, a message from the first client device comprising a link to a content item at a content provider and an identifier of a private/public key pair on the second client device. Second client device displays the link in the user interface of the messaging app and receives a user selection of the link. Second client device generates generating a digital signature for the link using the private key of the private/public key pair and sends the link and the digital signature to the content provider. The content item is then received from the content provider and displayed on the second client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventor: Cheng Tian
  • Patent number: 11646985
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, non-transitory computer-readable media, and methods for dynamically controlling ephemeral messaging threads and ephemeral message duration settings across computing devices while improving security by maintaining end-to-end encryption. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems can transmit encrypted ephemeral messages, including ephemeral message duration settings and ephemeral setting timestamps. The disclosed systems can decrypt received messages on receiving client devices and dynamically apply ephemeral message duration settings to different message threads. For example, the disclosed systems can modify existing duration settings at a receiving client device to match a received ephemeral message duration setting based on determining that the received ephemeral setting timestamp predates an existing setting timestamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Santiago Pina Ros, Jimmy Enrico Jacques Holzer, Shalini Sah, Elton Kyin-Fong Leong, Dafeng Ou, Christopher Luc, Nurzhan Bakibayev, Zafir Khan
  • Patent number: 11645806
    Abstract: This disclosure covers methods, computer-readable media, and systems that animate a digital graphic associated with a video or other visual media item based on a detected dynamic attribute. In particular, the disclosed methods, computer-readable media, and systems detect sensor data from a client device or a motion of an object within a video or other visual media item. Based on the detected sensor data or motion of an object within a visual media item, the methods, computer-readable media, and systems overlay and animate an emoji or other digital graphic selected by a user on a video or other visual media item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventor: Dmitri Stukalov
  • Patent number: 11646983
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for improving the speed and rendering quality of an image (e.g., a JPEG), particularly in an end-to-end encrypted environment. The image may be analyzed on the sending-client side and the image data may be broken into a thumbnail and a full-quality image, where the full-quality image data relies on the thumbnail data to render a high-quality image. The image is uploaded to a blob store, and a message is sent to the receiving client with image information. At the recipient side, the JPEG image data is retrieved from the blob store and the thumbnail is first rendered. Subsequently, as the remainder of the image data is received at the receiving client, the image is updated. Consequently, images are rendered faster, and the thumbnail can be automatically downloaded so that a user can determine if they wish to download the full image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Atul Patel, Jonathan Sheller
  • Patent number: 11637795
    Abstract: Techniques for templated messages are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a messaging component operative to receive a templated-message package at a client, the templated-message package comprising a message-template identifier and one or more parameters; retrieve a message template based on the message-template identifier; and generate a templated message based on the retrieved message template and the one or more parameters; and a user interface component operative to display the templated message in the client. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Vicki Wancheng Lee, Christopher Julian Peiffer
  • Patent number: 11616742
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to methods and systems for transferring a user's messaging history from one device to another. A user's primary device, storing the official truth of the user's messaging history, establishes an end-to-end encrypted session with a new device, using a first decryption key during initial session setup. The primary device may conglomerate all or a portion of the messages comprising the user's messaging history into a data blob which is encrypted and sent to a blob store. An E2E encrypted message is sent from the primary device to the new device, via an intermediate server. The E2E encrypted message includes a second key for decrypting the data blob and a pointer to the location of data blob on the blob store. The new device retrieves the data blob from the blob store and decrypts the data blob using the second key to extract plaintext versions of the user's messages and adds the messages to the messaging application on the new device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Alfonso Gomez Jordana Manas, Bruno Rafael Penteado Muratore, Cheng Tian, Daniel Lozano Valdes, Maksym Koshtenko, Oleg Sukhodolskii, Robert Mason, Theodore Elliot Yaung