In an assignment dated September 23, 2015, Yahoo! assigned 11 patents to ShapChat, which were recorded at the USPTO on October 8, 2015. The USPTO assignment database has no financial details behind the assignment, but I’ve included links to the patents, their titles, and their abstracts below. Interestingly, one of the patents in the transaction is titled, “Graphical/Rich Media Ads in Search Results,” which I thought was interesting after trying to find out how advertising was working on Snapchat, and coming across this article:
See the Charts: Snapchat Discover Is Averaging Just 2.5 Ads a Day. These patents cover some interesting territory. The patent that Snapchat seems to be most known for is Apparatus and method for accelerated display of ephemeral messages
Related Content:
Here are the recently assigned patent filings:
Method, Apparatus and System for Providing a Server Agent for a Mobile Device (US7356572)
Inventors: Zhaowei C. Jiang, Yingqing L. Cui, Min Zhou
Filed: Oct 19, 2004
Granted: April 8, 2008
Abstract
The invention enables one or more agents to gather information from at least one server on a network and automatically provide this information to an inbox on a server and then providing it to an inbox on a mobile device if a wireless connection to the mobile device is available.
A server agent facility provides for preprocessing requests for information from the mobile device, including, collecting the information out of band, filtering the collected information, and packaging the information for delivery in a format suitable for the mobile device.
A server agent within the server agent facility may actively collect the information based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, time, event(s), user profile, mobile device profile, request(s), alert(s), and historical behavior.
Uploading content to a server to send it to a mobile device.
Simultaneous Sharing Communication Interface (US8554868)
Inventors: Matthew James Skyrm, Joshua Robert Russell Jacobson, Eric P. Burke
Filed: May 17, 2007
Granted: Oct 8, 2013
Abstract
A user can share (show) multimedia information while simultaneously communicating (telling) with one or more other users over a network.
Multimedia information is received from at least one source. The multimedia information may be manually and/or automatically annotated and shared with other users.
The multimedia information may be displayed in an integrated live view simultaneously with other modes of communication, such as video, voice, or text.
A simultaneous sharing communication interface provides an immersive experience that lets a user communicate via text, voice, video, sounds, music, or the like, with one or more other users while also simultaneously sharing media such as photos, videos, movies, images, graphics, illustrations, animations, presentations, narratives, music, sounds, applications, files, and the like.
The simultaneous sharing interface enables a user to experience a higher level of intimacy in their communication with others over a network.
Uploading multimedia content to share it with others.
User Interface for Integrating Diverse Methods of Communication (US7729481)
Inventors: Brooke Thompson, Greg Rosenberg, Ryan Michael Olshavsky, Brian Kobashikawa
Filed: October 28, 2005
Granted: Jun 1, 2010
Abstract
An integrated communication interface is provided for composing and sending messages.
The interface is multi-configurable to seamlessly switch between different communication methods, e.g., electronic mail, instant messaging, SMS, chat, voice, and the like, without loss of message content.
The interface allows a user to begin composing a message to be sent using one communication method, such as electronic mail, and subsequently change the communication method and send the message via a second communication method, such as instant messaging.
When the communication method is changed, the user interface may also change to include elements specific to a particular communication method.
The integrated communication interface may display information about participants in the communication, such as the participants’ presence, i.e., whether they are online and available for communication, and may automatically choose the best method of communication based on the preferences and online presence of the participants.
Using different mediums to send messages interchangeably
User Interface for Integrating Diverse Methods of Communication (US8184783)
Inventors: Brooke Thompson, Greg Rosenberg, Brian Kobashikawa, Ryan Michael Olshavsky
Filed: February 9, 2009
Granted: May 22, 2012
Abstract
An integrated communication interface is provided for composing and sending messages.
The interface is multi-configurable to seamlessly switch between different communication methods, e.g., electronic mail, instant messaging, SMS, chat, voice, and the like, without loss of message content.
The interface allows a user to begin composing a message to be sent using one communication method, such as electronic mail, and subsequently change the communication method and send the message via a second communication method, such as instant messaging. When the communication method is changed, the user interface may also change to include elements specific to a particular communication method.
The integrated communication interface may display information about participants in the communication, such as the participants’ presence, i.e., whether they are online and available for communication, and may automatically choose the best method of communication-based on the preferences and online presence of the participants.
Messenger-Controlled Applications in an Instant Messaging Environment (US7188143)
Inventors: Christopher Tzann-en Szeto
Filed: Jul 2, 2003
Granted: Mar 6, 2007
Abstract
Techniques for controlling an application in an instant messaging environment are described. The instant messaging environment retrieves and executes an instant messaging application.
An identifier is assigned to the instant messaging application, which is retrieved and executed in the instant messaging environment between two or more instant messaging clients. The instant messaging environment identifies a selected instant messaging application and generates a control message. The control message includes the identifier which is used to retrieve and execute the instant messaging application.
The instant messaging environment also determines whether a supporting application is required, based on the instant messaging application identifier, to execute the instant messaging application.
Sharing and Implementing Instant Messaging Environments (US7133900)
Inventors: Christopher Tzann-en Szeto
Filed: Aug 15, 2001
Granted: Nov 7, 2006
Abstract
Sharing an instant messaging environment is described.
The instant messaging environment is selected from a set of stored instant messaging environments. An instant messaging environment identifier corresponding to the selected instant messaging environment is transmitted from a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instant messenger application.
The instant messaging environment identifier is received and the stored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instant messaging environment identifier is retrieved. The instant messaging environment is activated in the receiving instant messaging application.
Determining a Manner in Which User Interface Commands are Processed in an Instant Messaging Environment (US7454472)
Inventors: Christopher Tzann-en Szeto
Sep 6, 2006, 20070005719
Jan 4, 2007, 7454472
Nov 18, 2008
Abstract
Sharing an instant messaging environment is described. The instant messaging environment is selected from a set of stored instant messaging environments.
An instant messaging environment identifier corresponding to the selected instant messaging environment is transmitted from a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instant messenger application. The instant messaging environment identifier is received and the stored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instant messaging environment identifier is retrieved. The instant messaging environment is activated in the receiving instant messaging application.
Determining a Manner in Which User Interface Commands are Processed in an Instant Messaging Enviroment (US7454472)
Inventors: Christopher Tzann-en Szeto
Granted: November 18, 2008
Filed: September 6, 2006
Abstract
Sharing an instant messaging environment is described.
The instant messaging environment is selected from a set of stored instant messaging environments.
An instant messaging environment identifier corresponding to the selected instant messaging environment is transmitted from a transmitting instant messaging application to a receiving instant messenger application. The instant messaging environment identifier is received and the stored instant messaging environment corresponding to the instant messaging environment identifier is retrieved.
The instant messaging environment is activated in the receiving instant messaging application.
Providing a Server Agent for a Mobile Device with Refresh (US7818397)
Inventors: Zhaowei C. Jiang, Yingqing L. Cui, Min Zhou
Granted: October 19, 2010
Filed: February 12, 2008
Abstract
The invention enables one or more agents to gather information from at least one server on a network and automatically provide this information to an inbox on a server and then providing it to an inbox on a mobile device if a wireless connection to the mobile device is available.
A server agent facility provides for preprocessing requests for information from the mobile device, including, collecting the information out of band, filtering the collected information, and packaging the information for delivery in a format suitable for the mobile device. A server agent within the server agent facility may actively collect the information based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, time, event(s), user profile, mobile device profile, request(s), alert(s), and historical behavior
Graphical/Rich Media Ads in Search Results
(US7958156)
Inventors: Rajendra Shriwas, Kashyap Lodhiya
Granted: June 7, 2011
Filed: February 25, 2008
Abstract
A method and system for mixing rich media content with textual listing on a webpage include receiving a plurality of advertisement parameters associated with an advertisement from an advertiser.
The advertisement parameters define the advertisement and are used for booking the advertisement.
Additional media content associated with the advertisement is obtained from the advertiser.
The additional media content includes rich media content. A dynamic content window is defined for rendering the additional media content.
A graphical icon is provided for the advertisement to indicate that additional media content is available for the advertisement. The graphical icon is activated through a control or is activated by default. The graphical icon is associated with the dynamic content to provide access to the additional media content on the webpage in response to detecting a user action at the graphical icon.
An Example Rich Graphical Advertisement.
Simultaneous Sharing Communication Interface (patent application: US20140101568)
Inventors: Matthew James Skyrm, Joshua Robert Russell Jacobson, Eric P. Burke
Published: April 10, 2014
Abstract
A user can share (show) multimedia information while simultaneously communicating (telling) with one or more other users over a network. Multimedia information is received from at least one source.
The multimedia information may be manually and/or automatically annotated and shared with other users.
The multimedia information may be displayed in an integrated live view simultaneously with other modes of communication, such as video, voice, or text.
A simultaneous sharing communication interface provides an immersive experience that lets a user communicate via text, voice, video, sounds, music, or the like, with one or more other users while also simultaneously sharing media such as photos, videos, movies, images, graphics, illustrations, animations, presentations, narratives, music, sounds, applications, files, and the like. The simultaneous sharing interface enables a user to experience a higher level of intimacy in their communication with others over a network.
An immersive multiple media experience
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About Bill Slawski
With more than 26 years of SEO experience and a Juris Doctor Degree, Bill Slawski is the foremost expert on Google’s patents as related to SEO. Patent Exploration is one of the quickest and most detailed ways to find new information about SEO. Bill is the Editor of SEO by the Sea, a prominent search engine optimization blog, where he is the author of over 1,300 posts. Bill’s experience includes Fortune 500 brands and some of the largest websites in the world. Bill is a contributing author for Moz, Search Engine Land, and Search Engine Journal. In 2014-2021, he spoke at industry-leading international conferences about topics including search engine algorithms, universal and blended search, personalization in search, search and social, and duplicate content problems, structured data, and schemaJoin thousands of marketers to get the best search news in under 5 minutes. Get resources, tips and more with The Splash newsletter:
