Patents by Inventor Andrew A. CHENG

Andrew A. CHENG 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).

  • Patent number: 11736717
    Abstract: Systems and methods herein describe a video compression system. The described systems and methods accesses a sequence of image frames from a first computing device, the sequence of image frames comprising a first image frame and a second image frame, detects a first set of keypoints for the first image frame, transmits the first image frame and the first set of keypoints to a second computing device, detects a second set of keypoints for the second image frame, transmits the second set of keypoints to the second computing device, causes an animated image to be displayed on the second computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Demyanov, Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin, Aleksei Podkin, Aleksei Stoliar, Sergey Tulyakov
  • Patent number: 11722535
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for communicating with a user external to a virtual conference. The program and method provide, in association with designing a room for virtual conferencing, an interface for configuring an external communication element to communicate with an external user; receive, via the interface, an indication of first user input for setting properties for the external communication element; provide, in association with virtual conferencing for the room, the external communication element in the room based on the properties; receive an indication of second user input selecting the external communication element; and provide, in response to receiving indication of the second user input, for communication with the external user based on the properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Publication number: 20230216991
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for providing side conversations within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide, in association with a virtual conference among plural participants, a first audio channel for sharing among the plural participants; provide, for each of the plural participants, display of a participant video element which corresponds to the participant and which includes a user-selectable button to initiate a side conversation with the participant; receive indication of a user selection, by a first participant, of the user-selectable button for initiating a side conversation with a second participant of the plural participants; and provide a second audio channel from a first device associated with the first participant to a second device associated with the second participant, in conjunction with providing the first audio channel to the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Patent number: 11689696
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for configuring participant video feeds within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide, in association with designing a room for virtual conferencing, an interface for configuring plural participant video elements which are assignable to respective participant video feeds; receive, via the interface, an indication of user input for setting properties for the plural participant video elements; provide, in association with virtual conferencing between plural participants, display of the room based on the properties for the plural participant video elements; and assign, for each of the plural participants, a participant video feed corresponding to the participant with a respective participant video element of the plural participant video elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Patent number: 11683447
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for providing side conversations within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide, in association with a virtual conference among plural participants, a first audio channel for sharing among the plural participants; provide, for each of the plural participants, display of a participant video element which corresponds to the participant and which includes a user-selectable button to initiate a side conversation with the participant; receive indication of a user selection, by a first participant, of the user-selectable button for initiating a side conversation with a second participant of the plural participants; and provide a second audio channel from a first device associated with the first participant to a second device associated with the second participant, in conjunction with providing the first audio channel to the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Patent number: 11683192
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for updating element properties based on distances between elements in a virtual conference. The program and method provide, in association with designing a room, an interface for specifying how a first element in the room affects at least one property value of a second element, based on distance between the two elements; receive user selection of parameter values specifying how the first element affects the at least one property value of the second element based on the distance; provide a virtual conference between plural participants within the room including the first and second elements; update the at least one property value of the second element based on a change in distance between the first and second elements, and on the parameter values; and provide for updated display of the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Cho, Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Patent number: 11647159
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for providing side conversations within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide, in association with a virtual conference among plural participants, a first audio channel for sharing among the plural participants; provide, for each of the plural participants, display of a participant video element which corresponds to the participant and which includes a user-selectable button to initiate a side conversation with the participant; receive indication of a user selection, by a first participant, of the user-selectable button for initiating a side conversation with a second participant of the plural participants; and provide a second audio channel from a first device associated with the first participant to a second device associated with the second participant, in conjunction with providing the first audio channel to the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Patent number: 11647160
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for configuring participant video feeds within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide, in association with designing a room for virtual conferencing, an interface for configuring plural participant video elements which are assignable to respective participant video feeds; receive, via the interface, an indication of user input for setting properties for the plural participant video elements; provide, in association with virtual conferencing between plural participants, display of the room based on the properties for the plural participant video elements; and assign, for each of the plural participants, a participant video feed corresponding to the participant with a respective participant video element of the plural participant video elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Publication number: 20230113024
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for configuring broadcast media quality within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide, in association with designing a room for virtual conferencing, an interface for configuring plural participant video elements which are assignable to respective participant video feeds; receive an indication of user input for setting a broadcast media quality for a first participant video element, such that the broadcast media quality set for the first participant video element differs from that set for a second participant video element; provide for presentation of the room based on the broadcast media quality set for each of the first and second participant video elements; and assign, for each participant, a participant video feed corresponding to the participant with a respective participant video element of the plural participant video elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Publication number: 20230108152
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for providing a takeable item within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide for providing, in association with designing a room for virtual conferencing, an interface for designating an element within the room to be takeable during virtual conferencing; receiving, based on the interface, an indication of first user input designating the element to be takeable; providing a virtual conference between plural participants within the room, the room including the element; receiving an indication of second user input, by a first participant of the plural participants, to take the element; and associating, in response to receiving the indication of second user input, the element with the first participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Publication number: 20230107473
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for providing Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) controls within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide, in association with designing a room for virtual conferencing, an interface for updating a property of an element within a room based on a received MIDI message; receiving, based on the interface, an indication of user input specifying to update the property of the element when the received MIDI message includes a predefined value; providing a virtual conference between plural participants within the room, the room including the element; receiving a MIDI message that includes the predefined value; and updating, in response to receiving the MIDI message, the property of the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Publication number: 20230101377
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for providing contact information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Publication number: 20230095314
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for configuring 360-degree video within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide, in association with designing a room for virtual conferencing, a first interface for configuring at least one participant video element which is assignable to a respective participant video feed; receive, via the first interface, an indication of user input for setting first properties for the at least one participant video element; provide, in association with designing the room for virtual conferencing, a second interface for configuring a 360-degree video element which is assignable to a 360-degree video source; receive, via the second interface, an indication of user input for setting second properties for the 360-degree video element; and provide, in association with virtual conferencing, display of the room based on the first properties and the second properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Publication number: 20230094963
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for providing template rooms within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide for providing an interface to configure a template room for virtual conferencing; receiving, via the interface, an indication of user input specifying a configuration for the template room; accessing a data file comprising values for generating plural rooms based on the configuration for the template room; and providing, based on the configuration for the template room and on the data file, for virtual conferencing between plural participants across the plural rooms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-Min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Publication number: 20230096597
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for updating a room element within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide for providing, in association with designing a room for virtual conferencing, an interface for setting properties of elements within a room; receiving, via the interface, an indication of first user input setting a property of an element within the room; providing, based on the first user input, a virtual conference between plural participants within the room, the room including the element; receiving, via the interface and during the virtual conference, an indication of second user input updating the property of the element within the room; and updating, based on the second user input and during the virtual conference, the property of the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Publication number: 20230101879
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for providing a door for a room within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide for virtual conferencing between plural participants within a room of a virtual space, the room being assigned a door for entry by an additional participant into the room; provide, for each of the plural participants, an interface for locking or closing the door assigned to the room; receive indication of user selection, by at least one of the plural participants via the interface, to close or lock the door assigned to the room; and provide, in response to a request by the additional participant to enter the room, a notification that the door assigned to the room is closed or locked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Publication number: 20230032922
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for assigning participants to rooms within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide for accessing, in association with a virtual space comprising plural rooms for virtual conferencing between plural participants, room occupancy preferences for occupying the plural rooms; accessing metadata associated with one or more participants of the plural participants; assigning, based on the room occupancy preferences and the metadata, the plural participants to one or more rooms of the plural rooms; and providing, based on the assigning, for virtual conferencing between the plural participants within the one or more rooms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Publication number: 20220407735
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for presenting participant reactions to a virtual conference. The program and method provide for a virtual conference between plural participants; provide, for each of the plural participants, display of a reaction button which is selectable by the participant to indicate a reaction to the virtual conference; receive indication of selections of the reaction button by one or more of the plural participants; and in response to receiving the indication, provide, for each of the plural participants, display of reaction icons and audio output based on the selections, determine that a rate at which the selections were received meets a threshold rate, and provide, in response to the determining, for modified audio output associated with the selections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Maxwell Gale, Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Publication number: 20220385490
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for administrator-based navigating of a participant between rooms. The program and method provide, to a first of plural participants, a first user interface for navigating a virtual space comprising plural rooms, the first user interface allowing the first participant to move the plural participants among the plural rooms; provide, to a second participant, a second user interface for navigating the virtual space, the second user interface allowing the second participant to move among the plural rooms while disallowing to move other participants among the plural rooms; receive an indication of user input via the first user interface, to move the second participant from a first room to a second room; and provide, in response to receiving the indication, for switching the second participant from the first to second room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin
  • Patent number: 11489684
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for assigning participants to rooms within a virtual conferencing system. The program and method provide for accessing, in association with a virtual space comprising plural rooms for virtual conferencing between plural participants, room occupancy preferences for occupying the plural rooms; accessing metadata associated with one or more participants of the plural participants; assigning, based on the room occupancy preferences and the metadata, the plural participants to one or more rooms of the plural rooms; and providing, based on the assigning, for virtual conferencing between the plural participants within the one or more rooms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Cheng-min Lin, Walton Lin