Patents by Inventor Robert A. Franklin

Robert A. Franklin 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).

  • Publication number: 20190166083
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a conversation engine for facilitating a conversation between member accounts (e.g., personal accounts) and social network entities (e.g., corporate accounts) in a social networking system. The conversation engine can enable interactions between a member account and a social network entity via a messaging application when an end-user device associated with the member account is in proximity to a physical establishment associated with the social network entity. The end-user device can scan for available access points and determine its location based on the wireless source identifier(s) of the available access points. The end-user device and/or the social networking system can compare the wireless source identifier(s) to a set of known wireless source identifiers to determine the end-user device's location. Messages can be generated by the conversation engine that include content that is generated based at least in part on the location of the end-user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Franklin Daniel, Deniz Demir, Ming Xiao, Michael Allen Sherron, Yoram Talmor
  • Patent number: 10302526
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining stresses in pipe under non-uniform exterior loads to test the pipe design for structural integrity by approximating non-uniform exterior loads on the pipe and performing a stress analysis of the pipe under the non-uniform exterior loading to determine the stresses in the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Franklin Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20190156337
    Abstract: A method of processing a deferred authorization transaction including: receiving at least one transaction processing request associated with a transaction, where the transaction is initiated using a portable financial device associated with a user, the at least one transaction processing request including a deferred authorization indicator; determining that the at least one transaction processing request includes the deferred authorization indicator; determining that the transaction is a deferred authorization transaction based on determining that the at least one transaction processing request includes the deferred authorization indicator; and processing the transaction using at least one deferred authorization transaction rule in response to determining that the transaction is a deferred authorization transaction. A system for processing a deferred authorization transaction is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Franklin Alandt, Barbara Elizabeth Patterson, Anjana Neera Surin
  • Patent number: 10243905
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a conversation engine for facilitating a conversation between member accounts (e.g., personal accounts) and social network entities (e.g., corporate accounts) in a social networking system. The conversation engine can enable interactions between a member account and a social network entity via a messaging application when an end-user device associated with the member account is in proximity to a physical establishment associated with the social network entity. The end-user device can scan for available access points and determine its location based on the wireless source identifier(s) of the available access points. The end-user device and/or the social networking system can compare the wireless source identifier(s) to a set of known wireless source identifiers to determine the end-user device's location. Messages can be generated by the conversation engine that include content that is generated based at least in part on the location of the end-user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Franklin Daniel, Deniz Demir, Ming Xiao, Michael Allen Sherron, Yoram Talmor
  • Patent number: 10236016
    Abstract: A speech interface device may be configured to act as a remote speaker peripheral for multiple audio sources such as media players and phones. Upon receiving a request from a user to connect to an audio device, the speech interface device determines which of the multiple audio devices are currently available, selects one of the audio devices based on information about or received from the user, establishes an audio connection with the selected one of the audio devices, and begins acting as a remote speaker or speakerphone for the selected audio device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Meng Li, Robert Warren Sjoberg, Aimee Therese Piercy, Robert Franklin Burton
  • Patent number: 10161239
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the advance, real-time and/or post-event evaluation of inaccessible passive pressure containment barriers using an iterative process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Earl Sweatman, Robert Franklin Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10142591
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to facilitating voice and video communication between users independent of a location or a device. A communication request can specify users, who may be identified and located in their respective environments. For example, users can be identified and located using facial recognition imaging techniques and/or by monitoring a radio frequency (RF) signal associated with a device that is carried or worn by a user. After determining a location of a user, individual devices can be configured as a functionally grouped device to allow the users to communicate. For example, capabilities of a television, microphone, speaker, and imaging device can be combined to allow a video communication between users. Further, as a user moves around his or her environment, the location of the user can be tracked and additional functionally grouped devices can be provided for seamless communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Barry Fineberg, Robert Franklin Ebert, Tarun Yohann Morton, Eric Peter Raeber, Miroslav Ristic
  • Publication number: 20180325122
    Abstract: A sandwiching device for creating pocket sandwich-type food, the sandwiching device having a stand, a lever mechanism attached to the stand, a punch attached to the lever mechanism, a die attached to the stand and positioned below the punch, and a sealer seated within the die. The lever mechanism is used to lower the punch and press the punch against the die and the sealer. When foodstuff is placed on the die, pressing the punch against the die and the sealer simultaneously cuts the crust off the foodstuff while sealing the edges of the foodstuff to create a pocket sandwich. To facilitate the sealing, the perimeter edge of the sealer may have a scalloped edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: James Franklin, Robert Franklin
  • Patent number: 10095687
    Abstract: Techniques for graph based natural language processing are described. In one embodiment an apparatus may comprise a client service component operative on the processor circuit to receive a natural language user request from a device and to execute the natural language user request based on matched one or more objects and a social object relation component operative on the processor circuit to match the natural language user request to the one or more objects in an object graph, the object graph comprising token mappings for objects within the object graph, the token mappings based on data extracted from a plurality of interactions by a plurality of users of the network system, wherein the one or more objects are matched with the natural language user request based on the token mappings. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Franklin Daniel, Akash Guarav Gupta
  • Patent number: 10034614
    Abstract: Approaches for assessing hemodynamic characteristics for an organ of interest are related. In one implementation, a fluid dynamics model may be provided with data derived from an anatomic imaging modality and blood flow information derived by ultrasound to derive the desired hemodynamic characteristics. In one such implementation, a fractional flow reserve is estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Michael Edic, Robert Franklin Senzig, Kai Erik Thomenius, Steven James Gray, David Allen Langan, Prem Venugopal, Jeffrey Brian Fowlkes
  • Publication number: 20180204019
    Abstract: A system and method that provides access to remote data locally by identifying and downloading linked content from a plurality of remote sources through a communication network; decomposing the downloaded content into local content elements by intercepting links between the content elements and mapping the intercepted links to redirected links that locate the same download content in a local cache or a local server proxy; identifying remote devices requesting access to the local cache or the local server proxy and the device's functionality through a tracking code stored on the remote devices and a probabilistic tracking; and providing access to the local cache or the local server proxy in response to authorizations associated with the identified devices and a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Jeff W. Smith, Shaun S. Gleason, Michael L. Baker, David L. Bond, Gregory L. Capps, Robert A. Franklin, Kimberly B. Jeskie
  • Publication number: 20180150525
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for providing search results, such as when performing a type-ahead search. If an exact match to the search query is available, the exact match is used. If no exact match exists, search results are prioritized based primarily on responsiveness and pixel data, and secondarily based on metrics including locale/location, fancount, and social signal information. If a user searches for an entity having multiple results, the system will attempt to find a local result that is proximate to the user, but will prioritize a search hit for a more responsive result over other results. This boosts the chance that the user will get a response if they leave a message for the searched entity. Entities may be omitted from search results if they are unable to send or receive messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Franklin Daniel, Edward Young Zhang, Matthew Robert Anger, Weiwei Ding, Tsung-Chuan Chen, Qian Wang
  • Publication number: 20180139167
    Abstract: Techniques for coordinating a message experience across platforms are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a messaging application operative on a processor circuit to receive a request from a remote web browser to login to the messaging application. The messaging application may comprise an access code generator to generate a first access code and present the first access code on a messaging application website; an authenticator to receive a second access code from a second device associated with a user identifier, compare the second and first access codes, and lookup an account associated with the user identifier; and a messaging component to retrieve message data for an account associated with the user identifier in response the second access code matching the first access code, and to transmit the message data to the remote web browser for presentation. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica Lee, Robert Franklin Daniel, William Arthur Franklin, Harrison C. Wong
  • Patent number: 9949650
    Abstract: Approaches for assessing hemodynamic characteristics for an organ of interest are related. In one implementation, a fluid dynamics model may be provided with data derived from an anatomic imaging modality and blood flow information derived by ultrasound to derive the desired hemodynamic characteristics. In one such implementation, a fractional flow reserve is estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Michael Edic, Robert Franklin Senzig, Kai Erik Thomenius, Steven James Gray, David Allen Langan, Prem Venugopal, Jeffrey Brian Fowlkes
  • Publication number: 20180103004
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for reengaging website visitors via a social networking system. For example, in accordance with one embodiment, a social networking system receives information regarding a user-triggered event associated with a merchant webpage, utilizes the received information to generate an electronic message from the merchant to the user, and provides the electronic message to the user via the social networking system. The user can then reengage with the merchant in response to the received electronic message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Deniz Demir, Wenyun Yang, Robert Franklin Daniel, Yoram Talmor, Edward Young Zhang, Aayush Gupta, Ramkumar Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20180032509
    Abstract: Techniques for graph based natural language processing are described. In one embodiment an apparatus may comprise a client service component operative on the processor circuit to receive a natural language user request from a device and to execute the natural language user request based on matched one or more objects and a social object relation component operative on the processor circuit to match the natural language user request to the one or more objects in an object graph, the object graph comprising token mappings for objects within the object graph, the token mappings based on data extracted from a plurality of interactions by a plurality of users of the network system, wherein the one or more objects are matched with the natural language user request based on the token mappings. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Franklin Daniel, Akash Guarav Gupta
  • Patent number: 9882862
    Abstract: Techniques for coordinating a message experience across platforms are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a messaging application operative on a processor circuit to receive a request from a remote web browser to login to the messaging application. The messaging application may comprise an access code generator to generate a first access code and present the first access code on a messaging application website; an authenticator to receive a second access code from a second device associated with a user identifier, compare the second and first access codes, and lookup an account associated with the user identifier; and a messaging component to retrieve message data for an account associated with the user identifier in response the second access code matching the first access code, and to transmit the message data to the remote web browser for presentation. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Jessica Lee, Robert Franklin Daniel, William Arthur Franklin, Harrison C. Wong
  • Patent number: 9817816
    Abstract: Techniques for graph based natural language processing are described. In one embodiment an apparatus may comprise a client service component operative on the processor circuit to receive a natural language user request from a device and to execute the natural language user request based on matched one or more objects and a social object relation component operative on the processor circuit to match the natural language user request to the one or more objects in an object graph, the object graph comprising token mappings for objects within the object graph, the token mappings based on data extracted from a plurality of interactions by a plurality of users of the network system, wherein the one or more objects are matched with the natural language user request based on the token mappings. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FACEBOOK INC.
    Inventors: Robert Franklin Daniel, Akash Guarav Gupta
  • Patent number: 9817815
    Abstract: Techniques for graph based natural language processing are described. In one embodiment an apparatus may comprise a client service component operative on the processor circuit to receive a natural language user request from a device and to execute the natural language user request based on matched one or more objects and a social object relation component operative on the processor circuit to match the natural language user request to the one or more objects in an object graph, the object graph comprising token mappings for objects within the object graph, the token mappings based on data extracted from a plurality of interactions by a plurality of users of the network system, wherein the one or more objects are matched with the natural language user request based on the token mappings. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Franklin Daniel, Akash Guarav Gupta
  • Patent number: D804493
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Franklin Daniel, Yoram Talmor, Alexandre Lebrun, Laurent Nicolas Landowski, Deniz Demir, Jeremy Harrison Goldberg, Willy Blandin