Patents by Inventor Erik James Reed

Erik James Reed 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: 11159478
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: WHATSAPP LLC
    Inventors: Jan Boris Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Lange Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
  • Patent number: 11005708
    Abstract: Techniques to perform the dynamic configuration of load-balanced relay operations are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a first load balancer component, a second load balancer component, a first relay server component, a second relay server component, and a persistent shared-memory storage component. The apparatus may be operative to perform the dynamic configuration of load-balanced relay operations for a two-tier relay system using persistent shared-memory storage in which a session identifier received from client devices is used to coordinate the activities of the relay server components based on information shared via the persistent shared-memory storage component. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Claudiu Dan Gheorghe, Erik James Reed, Ehren Andrew Kret
  • Patent number: 10764228
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for supporting automated recall of a message (e.g., a chat message) from an originator's device, or at least media that accompanied the message. An original message may convey one or more media files that are temporarily stored on a system or apparatus that hosts the communication application used to create, send, and receive messages. The media files may be lost in transit because of failure of a system component, failure of a storage device, purging of the files before they are retrieved by a recipient, or for some other reason. When the recipient's device receives an error in response to an attempt to retrieve the media file(s), it automatically initiates a recall request that is returned to the originating device. If the message and media are still available on the device, an abbreviated version of the message is re-sent, with the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Michael B. Donohue, Erik James Reed
  • Patent number: 10608978
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
  • Patent number: 10567217
    Abstract: Techniques to perform the dynamic configuration of load-balanced relay operations are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a first load balancer component, a second load balancer component, a first relay server component, a second relay server component, and a persistent shared-memory storage component. The apparatus may be operative to perform the dynamic configuration of load-balanced relay operations for a two-tier relay system using persistent shared-memory storage in which a session identifier received from client devices is used to coordinate the activities of the relay server components based on information shared via the persistent shared-memory storage component. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Claudiu Dan Gheorghe, Erik James Reed, Ehren Kret
  • Patent number: 10263937
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for supporting automated recall of a message (e.g., a chat message) from an originator's device, or at least media that accompanied the message. An original message may convey one or more media files that are temporarily stored on a system or apparatus that hosts the communication application used to create, send, and receive messages. The media files may be lost in transit because of failure of a system component, failure of a storage device, purging of the files before they are retrieved by a recipient, or for some other reason. When the recipient's device receives an error in response to an attempt to retrieve the media file(s), it automatically initiates a recall request that is returned to the originating device. If the message and media are still available on the device, an abbreviated version of the message is re-sent, with the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Michael B. Donohue, Erik James Reed
  • Patent number: 10129412
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for establishing and supporting a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) call from one computing/communication device to another. The system receives a call offer from a caller, forwards it to the callee, and identifies to each party multiple candidate relay entities for relaying their digitized voice communications. Each device binds with one or all relays, and either or both of them select one of the relays to use in a relay mode of operation of the call, if necessary. One or more of the relays inform the devices of their external network addresses, and each device passes its (internal and external) addresses to each other, through the system. The devices attempt to establish a direct connection to conduct their call in a peer-to-peer mode of operation, but may dynamically switch between peer-to-peer and relay modes as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Manpreet Singh, Ehren A. Kret, Erik James Reed, Michael B. Donohue
  • Patent number: 9998602
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
  • Patent number: 9948580
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a messaging server component operative to determine a sharing event for a data item, the sharing event associated with a source client device with a local storage of the data item. The apparatus may request that the source client device upload the data item to a destination storage device in response to a determination that network storage of the data item is scheduled for relocation from a source storage device to the destination storage device. The apparatus may include a storage management component operative to determine that the network storage of the data item is scheduled for relocation from a source storage device to a destination storage device and de-schedule the relocation of the data item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Erik James Reed, Jamshid Mahdavi
  • Publication number: 20180034969
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
  • Patent number: 9819801
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
  • Publication number: 20170250859
    Abstract: Techniques to perform the dynamic configuration of load-balanced relay operations are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a first load balancer component, a second load balancer component, a first relay server component, a second relay server component, and a persistent shared-memory storage component. The apparatus may be operative to perform the dynamic configuration of load-balanced relay operations for a two-tier relay system using persistent shared-memory storage in which a session identifier received from client devices is used to coordinate the activities of the relay server components based on information shared via the persistent shared-memory storage component. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Claudiu Dan Gheorghe, Erik James Reed, Ehren Kret
  • Publication number: 20170149978
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
  • Patent number: 9602985
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
  • Publication number: 20170034106
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for supporting automated recall of a message (e.g., a chat message) from an originator's device, or at least media that accompanied the message. An original message may convey one or more media files that are temporarily stored on a system or apparatus that hosts the communication application used to create, send, and receive messages. The media files may be lost in transit because of failure of a system component, failure of a storage device, purging of the files before they are retrieved by a recipient, or for some other reason. When the recipient's device receives an error in response to an attempt to retrieve the media file(s), it automatically initiates a recall request that is returned to the originating device. If the message and media are still available on the device, an abbreviated version of the message is re-sent, with the media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: WhatsApp Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Donohue, Erik James Reed
  • Publication number: 20160373382
    Abstract: Techniques to replicate data using uploads from messaging clients are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a messaging server component operative to determine a sharing event for a data item, the sharing event associated with a source client device with a local storage of the data item, and request the source client device upload the data item in response to a determination that network storage of the data item is scheduled for relocation; and a storage management component operative to determine that the network storage of the data item is scheduled for relocation from a source storage and de-schedule the relocation of the data item from the source storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: WhatsApp Inc.
    Inventors: Erik James Reed, Jamshid Mahdavi
  • Patent number: 9503401
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and methods are provided for supporting automated recall of a message (e.g., a chat message) from an originator's device, or at least media that accompanied the message. An original message may convey one or more media files that are temporarily stored on a system or apparatus that hosts the communication application used to create, send, and receive messages. The media files may be lost in transit because of failure of a system component, failure of a storage device, purging of the files before they are retrieved by a recipient, or for some other reason. When the recipient's device receives an error in response to an attempt to retrieve the media file(s), it automatically initiates a recall request that is returned to the originating device. If the message and media are still available on the device, an abbreviated version of the message is re-sent, with the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Michael B. Donohue, Erik James Reed
  • Publication number: 20160323726
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: WhatsApp Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
  • Patent number: 9419935
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
  • Publication number: 20160157068
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: WhatsApp Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov