Patents by Inventor Kenneth M. Lau

Kenneth M. Lau 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: 10764231
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a request to share a message is received from a first user. The request includes a first location, the message, and note-access criteria for sharing the message based on one or more groups of second users. A particular second user is identified having a second location that is within a threshold distance of the first location. Based on the note-access criteria and one or more groups associated with the particular second user, it is determined that the message should be shared with the particular second user, the message is sent to the particular second user, and a location of the first user is determined to be within a predetermined distance from the first location. If the first user is currently within the predetermined distance, a notification is sent to the first user informing the first user that the message was sent to the particular second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Garrod Bosworth, David Harry Garcia, Kenneth M. Lau
  • Publication number: 20190281005
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a request to share a message is received from a first user. The request includes a first location, the message, and note-access criteria for sharing the message based on one or more groups of second users. A particular second user is identified having a second location that is within a threshold distance of the first location. Based on the note-access criteria and one or more groups associated with the particular second user, it is determined that the message should be shared with the particular second user, the message is sent to the particular second user, and a location of the first user is determined to be within a predetermined distance from the first location. If the first user is currently within the predetermined distance, a notification is sent to the first user informing the first user that the message was sent to the particular second user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew Garrod Bosworth, David Harry Garcia, Kenneth M. Lau
  • Patent number: 10263944
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a request to share a message is received from a first user. The request includes a first location, the message, and note-access criteria for sharing the message based on one or more groups of second users. A particular second user is identified having a second location that is within a threshold distance of the first location. Based on the note-access criteria and one or more groups associated with the particular second user, it is determined that the message should be shared with the particular second user, the message is sent to the particular second user, and a location of the first user is determined to be within a predetermined distance from the first location. If the first user is currently within the predetermined distance, a notification is sent to the first user informing the first user that the message was sent to the particular second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Garrod Bosworth, David Harry Garcia, Kenneth M. Lau
  • Patent number: 9971830
    Abstract: Based on information associated with users, a social networking system recommends one or more groups for a target user to join or to create. Characteristics of the target user, characteristics of users connected to the target user, characteristics of candidate groups in the social networking system may be used to identify groups for recommendation. The social networking system may provide questions to the target user and recommend a group to the target user based on received answers to the questions. For example, the answers to the provided question identify one or more characteristics of the target user, which are used to select a group for recommendation. Additionally, the social networking system may recommend additional users for the target user to add or invite to a group based on characteristics of the target user, the additional users, and/or the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Christopher Jackson, William Russell Maschmeyer, Bin Jiang, Kenneth M. Lau, Michael Novati
  • Publication number: 20180115509
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a request to share a message is received from a first user. The request includes a first location, the message, and note-access criteria for sharing the message based on one or more groups of second users. A particular second user is identified having a second location that is within a threshold distance of the first location. Based on the note-access criteria and one or more groups associated with the particular second user, it is determined that the message should be shared with the particular second user, the message is sent to the particular second user, and a location of the first user is determined to be within a predetermined distance from the first location. If the first user is currently within the predetermined distance, a notification is sent to the first user informing the first user that the message was sent to the particular second user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew Garrod Bosworth, David Harry Garcia, Kenneth M. Lau
  • Patent number: 9876752
    Abstract: In one embodiment, note is received from a first user, comprising a message and a first location. The first location may be specified by the first user. A number of second users are identified based on a respective second location of each identified second user being within a threshold distance of the first location. The message of the note is sent to the identified second users. When the message is sent, it is determined whether a current location of the first user is within a predetermined distance from the first location. If the current location is within the predetermined distance, a notification is sent to the first user informing the first user that the message has been sent to the identified second users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Garrod Bosworth, David Harry Garcia, Kenneth M. Lau
  • Patent number: 9800529
    Abstract: A messaging system that organizes and presents messages to users of the messaging system. The messaging system includes a mailbox module that receives messages and generates conversation threads from the messages. Messages received from different electronic message channels may be aggregated into a common conversation thread. The conversation threads are also organized in a message interface and then presented to a user of the messaging system. The messaging system may include a social networking system that stores social information about users, which can be used to organize the conversation threads. Other features include a multi mode message interface, and a method for adding contextual information to messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Malik, Jiakai Liu, Andrew G. Bosworth, Joel Benjamin Seligstein, Drew W. Hamlin, Daniel Hsiao, Kenneth M. Lau, Ross David Bayer, Mark E. Zuckerberg
  • Patent number: 9621500
    Abstract: A messaging system facilitates communication between users through various messaging channels. The messaging system supports multiple communication channels and includes a messaging module that automatically selects one or more of the messaging channels for delivering a message to a recipient of the message using, for example, a set of policy rules or a trained model. The messaging module may also provide, in a user interface for sending and receiving messages, a visual indication of the selected messaging channel to the sender of the message to provide the user with transparency about how the message will be delivered. Additionally, the message may be delivered via multiple messaging channels, where the messaging module may rescind messages from some of the messaging channels upon receiving a reply from the recipient of the message or other confirmation that the recipient has seen the message via one of the communication channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Hsiao, Joel Benjamin Seligstein, Mark E. Zuckerberg, Kenneth M. Lau, Ross David Bayer, Zheng Zhang, Benjamin Peter Davenport, Peter Xiu Deng, Ben Hamilton, Lucy Congyun Zhang, Jonathan David Perlow
  • Publication number: 20170012928
    Abstract: In one embodiment, note is received from a first user, comprising a message and a first location. The first location may be specified by the first user. A number of second users are identified based on a respective second location of each identified second user being within a threshold distance of the first location. The message of the note is sent to the identified second users. When the message is sent, it is determined whether a current location of the first user is within a predetermined distance from the first location. If the current location is within the predetermined distance, a notification is sent to the first user informing the first user that the message has been sent to the identified second users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew Garrod Bosworth, David Harry Garcia, Kenneth M. Lau
  • Patent number: 9467414
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a request to create a note is received from a first user. The note includes a message and a first location of the first user. A note record is created of the message, the first location, and a first user-interest associated with the first user. A number of second users are identified based on second locations of the second users, and second user-interests associated with the second users. The message is sent to the identified second users. In response to sending the message, the current location of the first user is determined compared to the first location. If the first user is within a predetermined distance from the first location, a notification is sent to the first user indicating that the message has been sent to the second users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Garrod Bosworth, David Harry Garcia, Kenneth M. Lau
  • Publication number: 20160044142
    Abstract: A messaging system facilitates communication between users through various messaging channels. The messaging system supports multiple communication channels and includes a messaging module that automatically selects one or more of the messaging channels for delivering a message to a recipient of the message using, for example, a set of policy rules or a trained model. The messaging module may also provide, in a user interface for sending and receiving messages, a visual indication of the selected messaging channel to the sender of the message to provide the user with transparency about how the message will be delivered. Additionally, the message may be delivered via multiple messaging channels, where the messaging module may rescind messages from some of the messaging channels upon receiving a reply from the recipient of the message or other confirmation that the recipient has seen the message via one of the communication channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Hsiao, Joel Benjamin Seligstein, Mark E. Zuckerberg, Kenneth M. Lau, Ross David Bayer, Zheng Zhang, Benjamin Peter Davenport, Peter Xiu Deng, Ben Gertzfield, Lucy Congyun Zhang, Jonathan David Perlow
  • Patent number: 9203796
    Abstract: A messaging system facilitates communication between users through various messaging channels. The messaging system supports multiple communication channels and includes a messaging module that automatically selects one or more of the messaging channels for delivering a message to a recipient of the message using, for example, a set of policy rules or a trained model. The messaging module may also provide, in a user interface for sending and receiving messages, a visual indication of the selected messaging channel to the sender of the message to provide the user with transparency about how the message will be delivered. Additionally, the message may be delivered via multiple messaging channels, where the messaging module may rescind messages from some of the messaging channels upon receiving a reply from the recipient of the message or other confirmation that the recipient has seen the message via one of the communication channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Hsiao, Joel Benjamin Seligstein, Mark E. Zuckerberg, Kenneth M. Lau, Ross David Bayer, Zheng Zhang, Benjamin Peter Davenport, Peter Xiu Deng, Ben Gertzfield, Lucy Congyun Zhang, Jonathan David Perlow
  • Publication number: 20150341369
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a geo-social networking system maintains a data store of shared space, wherein each shared space comprises one or more content objects, a location, and one or more privacy settings. The geo-social networking system allows a user read-access to a shared space based on privacy settings associated with the shared space. The geo-social networking system allows a user write-access to a shared space if the user is at the location associated with the shared space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Garrod Bosworth, David Harry Garcia, Kenneth M. Lau
  • Patent number: 9195989
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a request is received from a first user to create a location-triggered benefit that may be redeemed by a second user at a vendor and associated with a condition. The first user is not the vendor, and the condition may require that the second user go to a particular location. A record of the location-triggered benefit may be created in a database. Information may be received that the second user has satisfied the condition, and in response, the second user may be allowed to redeem the location-triggered benefit at the vendor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Garrod Bosworth, David Harry Garcia, Kenneth M. Lau
  • Patent number: 9177347
    Abstract: Based on information associated with users, a social networking system recommends one or more groups for a target user to join or to create. Characteristics of the target user, characteristics of users connected to the target user, characteristics of candidate groups in the social networking system may be used to identify groups for recommendation. The social networking system may provide questions to the target user and recommend a group to the target user based on received answers to the questions. For example, the answers to the provided question identify one or more characteristics of the target user, which are used to select a group for recommendation. Additionally, the social networking system may recommend additional users for the target user to add or invite to a group based on characteristics of the target user, the additional users, and/or the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Christopher Jackson, William Russell Maschmeyer, Bin Jiang, Kenneth M. Lau, Michael Novati
  • Patent number: 9098720
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a geo-social networking system maintains a data store of shared space, wherein each shared space comprises one or more content objects, a location, and one or more privacy settings. The geo-social networking system allows a user read-access to a shared space based on privacy settings associated with the shared space. The geo-social networking system allows a user write-access to a shared space if the user is at the location associated with the shared space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Garrod Bosworth, David Harry Garcia, Kenneth M. Lau
  • Publication number: 20150089006
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a request to create a note is received from a first user. The note includes a message and a first location of the first user. A note record is created of the message, the first location, and a first user-interest associated with the first user. A number of second users are identified based on second locations of the second users, and second user-interests associated with the second users. The message is sent to the identified second users. In response to sending the message, the current location of the first user is determined compared to the first location. If the first user is within a predetermined distance from the first location, a notification is sent to the first user indicating that the message has been sent to the second users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Garrod Bosworth, David Harry Garcia, Kenneth M. Lau
  • Patent number: 8938512
    Abstract: Based on information associated with users, a social networking system recommends one or more groups for a target user to join or to create. Characteristics of the target user, characteristics of users connected to the target user, characteristics of candidate groups in the social networking system may be used to identify groups for recommendation. The social networking system may provide questions to the target user and recommend a group to the target user based on received answers to the questions. For example, the answers to the provided question identify one or more characteristics of the target user, which are used to select a group for recommendation. Additionally, the social networking system may recommend additional users for the target user to add or invite to a group based on characteristics of the target user, the additional users, and/or the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Christopher Jackson, William Russell Maschmeyer, Bin Jiang, Kenneth M. Lau, Michael Novati
  • Patent number: 8935346
    Abstract: Based on information associated with users, a social networking system recommends one or more groups for a target user to join or to create. Characteristics of the target user, characteristics of users connected to the target user, characteristics of candidate groups in the social networking system may be used to identify groups for recommendation. The social networking system may provide questions to the target user and recommend a group to the target user based on received answers to the questions. For example, the answers to the provided question identify one or more characteristics of the target user, which are used to select a group for recommendation. Additionally, the social networking system may recommend additional users for the target user to add or invite to a group based on characteristics of the target user, the additional users, and/or the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Christopher Jackson, William Russell Maschmeyer, Bin Jiang, Kenneth M. Lau, Michael Novati
  • Patent number: 8935341
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer system creates for a first user a location-triggered note specific for a second user and for a particular location, determines the second user's location, and transmits the location-triggered note to the second user if the second user is at the particular location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Garrod Bosworth, David Harry Garcia, Kenneth M. Lau