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).
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Patent number: 11159478Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: WHATSAPP LLCInventors: Jan Boris Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Lange Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
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Patent number: 11005708Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2020Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.Inventors: Claudiu Dan Gheorghe, Erik James Reed, Ehren Andrew Kret
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Patent number: 10764228Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.Inventors: Michael B. Donohue, Erik James Reed
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Patent number: 10608978Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 12, 2016Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
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Patent number: 10567217Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 1, 2016Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.Inventors: Claudiu Dan Gheorghe, Erik James Reed, Ehren Kret
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Patent number: 10263937Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.Inventors: Michael B. Donohue, Erik James Reed
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Patent number: 10129412Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.Inventors: Manpreet Singh, Ehren A. Kret, Erik James Reed, Michael B. Donohue
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Patent number: 9998602Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
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Patent number: 9948580Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.Inventors: Erik James Reed, Jamshid Mahdavi
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Publication number: 20180034969Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
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Patent number: 9819801Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 8, 2017Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
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Publication number: 20170250859Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Claudiu Dan Gheorghe, Erik James Reed, Ehren Kret
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Publication number: 20170149978Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
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Patent number: 9602985Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
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Publication number: 20170034106Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Applicant: WhatsApp Inc.Inventors: Michael B. Donohue, Erik James Reed
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Publication number: 20160373382Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2015Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: WhatsApp Inc.Inventors: Erik James Reed, Jamshid Mahdavi
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Patent number: 9503401Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.Inventors: Michael B. Donohue, Erik James Reed
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Publication number: 20160323726Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Applicant: WhatsApp Inc.Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
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Patent number: 9419935Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov
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Publication number: 20160157068Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2015Publication date: June 2, 2016Applicant: WhatsApp Inc.Inventors: Jan Koum, Michael B Donohue, Brian Acton, Erik James Reed, Dima Stukalov