Patents by Inventor Randall Sarafa

Randall Sarafa 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: 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: 11604561
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for identifying and providing highlight messages from a group messaging thread. For example, systems and methods described herein detect when a group messaging thread participant becomes absent from the group messaging thread, and identifies one or more highlight messages that were submitted to the group messaging thread while the participant was absent. Systems and methods described herein identify highlight messages that are specific to the absent participant, such that when the participant again accesses the group messaging thread, the participant can review the identified highlight messages in order to quickly “catch up” on the group messaging thread without having to read each electronic message submitted to the group messaging thread during the participant's absence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: WhatsApp LLC
    Inventors: Charles Donald Deets, Jr., Randall Sarafa, Anton Borzov
  • Patent number: 11316965
    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 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Randall Sarafa, Eugene Fooksman, Brian Lange Acton, Jan Boris Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Ehren Andrew Kret
  • Patent number: 11265413
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for sending ephemeral content messages via a communications service. An interface may be presented to allow a user to initially access ephemeral content functionality and select content for inclusion in the ephemeral content message. The interface may present a streamlined set of use cases without regard to the manner in which the content was initially captured. Different types of content may be used as ephemeral content, including images, videos, weather reports, news stories, text, audio recordings, location tags, etc. The ephemeral content may be sent through the communications service as an end-to-end encrypted message. When a user replies to an ephemeral content message, the reply may trigger a one-to-one conversation between the originating user and the replying user. Alternatively, an ephemeral content message may be initially sent to a selected group, and replies may be sent back to the entire group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Randall Sarafa, Eugene Fooksman, Brian Acton, Jan Boris Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Charles Donald Deets, Jr., Anton Borzov, Ehren Andrew Kret
  • Patent number: 11106341
    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: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: WHATSAPP LLC
    Inventors: Jan Boris Koum, Brian Lange Acton, Randall Sarafa, Kuan Loong Yong
  • Patent number: 10917374
    Abstract: Techniques to visualize messaging flow are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a messaging component operative to receive a message package at a client device, the message package comprising a primary message portion and a quoted message portion, the quoted message portion comprising a quoted message identifier; determine whether a quoted message store corresponding to the quoted message identifier is present on the client device; retrieve a primary message from the primary message portion; retrieve a quoted message based on the quoted message store where the quoted message store corresponding to the quoted message identifier is present on the client device; and retrieve the quoted message from the quoted message portion of the message package where the quoted message store corresponding to the quoted message identifier is not present on the client device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Randall Sarafa, Kuan Loong Yong, Michael B. Donohue, Dmitri Stukalov
  • Patent number: 10778831
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for displaying and interacting with ephemeral content messages in a communication service. Ephemeral content, transmitted as a message in order to preserve end-to-end encryption, may be tagged with an identifier designating the message as an ephemeral content message. A receiving client may recognize the flag and display the content of the message as ephemeral content. The update may include a link to the content that expires under certain conditions. While the link is active, the link may be selected to enter a full-screen presentation of the ephemeral content. Different media types may be associated with different types of full-screen presentations. Displayed ephemeral content from different users may be ranked based on an interest score and displayed in the ranked order. Ephemeral content may be displayed in a user interface on separate tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Randall Sarafa, Eugene Fooksman, Brian Acton, Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Charles Donald Deets, Jr., Anton Borzov, Ehren Andrew Kret
  • Publication number: 20200285358
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for identifying and providing highlight messages from a group messaging thread. For example, systems and methods described herein detect when a group messaging thread participant becomes absent from the group messaging thread, and identifies one or more highlight messages that were submitted to the group messaging thread while the participant was absent. Systems and methods described herein identify highlight messages that are specific to the absent participant, such that when the participant again accesses the group messaging thread, the participant can review the identified highlight messages in order to quickly “catch up” on the group messaging thread without having to read each electronic message submitted to the group messaging thread during the participant's absence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Charles Donald Deets, Jr., Randall Sarafa, Anton Borzov
  • Patent number: 10685074
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for identifying and providing highlight messages from a group messaging thread. For example, systems and methods described herein detect when a group messaging thread participant becomes absent from the group messaging thread, and identifies one or more highlight messages that were submitted to the group messaging thread while the participant was absent. Systems and methods described herein identify highlight messages that are specific to the absent participant, such that when the participant again accesses the group messaging thread, the participant can review the identified highlight messages in order to quickly “catch up” on the group messaging thread without having to read each electronic message submitted to the group messaging thread during the participant's absence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Charles Donald Deets, Jr., Randall Sarafa, Anton Borzov
  • Patent number: 10678401
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for identifying and providing highlight messages from a group messaging thread. For example, systems and methods described herein detect when a group messaging thread participant becomes absent from the group messaging thread, and identifies one or more highlight messages that were submitted to the group messaging thread while the participant was absent. Systems and methods described herein identify highlight messages that are specific to the absent participant, such that when the participant again accesses the group messaging thread, the participant can review the identified highlight messages in order to quickly “catch up” on the group messaging thread without having to read each electronic message submitted to the group messaging thread during the participant's absence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Charles Donald Deets, Jr., Randall Sarafa, Anton Borzov
  • Patent number: 10681202
    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: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Randall Sarafa, Eugene Fooksman, Brian Acton, Jan Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Ehren Andrew Kret
  • Patent number: 10664150
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for identifying and providing highlight messages from a group messaging thread. For example, systems and methods described herein detect when a group messaging thread participant becomes absent from the group messaging thread, and identifies one or more highlight messages that were submitted to the group messaging thread while the participant was absent. Systems and methods described herein identify highlight messages that are specific to the absent participant, such that when the participant again accesses the group messaging thread, the participant can review the identified highlight messages in order to quickly “catch up” on the group messaging thread without having to read each electronic message submitted to the group messaging thread during the participant's absence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Charles Donald Deets, Jr., Randall Sarafa, Anton Borzov
  • Patent number: 10582036
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for sending ephemeral content messages via a communications service. An interface may be presented to allow a user to initially access ephemeral content functionality and select content for inclusion in the ephemeral content message. The interface may present a streamlined set of use cases without regard to the manner in which the content was initially captured. Different types of content may be used as ephemeral content, including images, videos, weather reports, news stories, text, audio recordings, location tags, etc. The ephemeral content may be sent through the communications service as an end-to-end encrypted message. When a user replies to an ephemeral content message, the reply may trigger a one-to-one conversation between the originating user and the replying user. Alternatively, an ephemeral content message may be initially sent to a selected group, and replies may be sent back to the entire group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Randall Sarafa, Eugene Fooksman, Brian Lange Acton, Jan Boris Koum, Michael B. Donohue, Charles Donald Deets, Jr., Anton Borzov, Ehren Andrew Kret
  • Patent number: 10582157
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media for live interactions in persistent conversations are described. In some implementations, a method can include receiving a communication message sent from a first user to a second user, wherein the communication message includes initiation of a live interaction. The method can also include generating a live interaction user interface element for display as part of a persistent conversation interface. The method can further include storing a representation of the live interaction in a conversation content section of a persistent conversation object when the live interaction ends. The method can include updating conversation state information of the persistent conversation object to reflect the receiving of the communication message and the storing of the representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn Chapman Cushing, Benjamin David Eidelson, Randall Sarafa, Mayur Kamat, Param Reddappagari, Shrikrishna Vijaykumar Borde, Michael Dodd, Richard Fulcher, Gülay Birand, Ivan Bertona
  • Patent number: 10536411
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for identifying and providing highlight messages from a group messaging thread. For example, systems and methods described herein detect when a group messaging thread participant becomes absent from the group messaging thread, and identifies one or more highlight messages that were submitted to the group messaging thread while the participant was absent. Systems and methods described herein identify highlight messages that are specific to the absent participant, such that when the participant again accesses the group messaging thread, the participant can review the identified highlight messages in order to quickly “catch up” on the group messaging thread without having to read each electronic message submitted to the group messaging thread during the participant's absence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: WhatsApp Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Donald Deets, Jr., Randall Sarafa, Anton Borzov
  • Patent number: 10331309
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media for persistent conversations are described. In some implementations, a method can include receiving a communication message sent from a first user to at least one other user, and generating a persistent conversation object having a conversation content section and conversation state information. The method can also include storing the communication message in the conversation content section of the persistent conversation object, and forwarding the communication message to the at least one other user. The method can further include updating the conversation state information to reflect the receiving, storing and forwarding of the communication message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin David Eidelson, Randall Sarafa, Mayur Kamat, Ujjwal Singh, Peter Pawlowski, Richard Fulcher, Peter Ng, Evan Stephen Millar, Rhett Robinson
  • Patent number: 10313503
    Abstract: Techniques to reconfigure messaging clients during contact information changes are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a messaging component operative to receive a contact phone number update at a messaging client on the client device from a messaging system, the contact phone number update associated with a contact with the messaging client, the contact phone number update comprising a previous phone number and an updated phone number; determine an existing message thread for the messaging client identified based on the previous phone number; and send a user message to the contact via the messaging system using the updated phone number as a destination address; and a user interface component operative to display a contact phone number change notification in the existing message thread; and receive the user message for the contact. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Brian Acton, Jan Koum, Randall Sarafa
  • Patent number: D851671
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Charles Donald Deets, Jr., Randall Sarafa, Anton Borzov, Zafir Khan
  • Patent number: D904435
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: WHATSAPP INC.
    Inventors: Charles Donald Deets, Jr., Randall Sarafa, Anton Borzov, Zafir Khan