This Facebook patent by inventor Mark Zuckerberg is directed towards managing information about relationships in a social network via a social timeline. Mr. Zuckerberg was awarded U.S. Patent 7725492 entitled “Managing information about relationships in a social network via a social timeline” on May 25, 2010. The utility patent has been cited 188 times by other U.S. patents in the field of computer technology and in other fields.

A system, method, and computer program for generating a social timeline is provided. A plurality of data items associated with at least one relationship between users associated with a social network is received, each data item having an associated time. The data items are ordered according to the at least one relationship. A social timeline is generated according to the ordered data items. Link: U.S. Patent 7725492

Facebook filed this utility patent on December 26, 2006 giving it a processing time of 1246 days (compared to an average processing time of 1879 in the field). They have a total number of 2008 patents. The first named inventor is Mark E. Zuckerberg of Palo Alto, CA. The patent was allowed by primary examiner Don Wong and assistant examiner Sheree N Brown.

Select Patents researches top computer technology patents and electrical engineering patents which have been allowed and granted worldwide.  Click here for more information about filing a design patent. If you would like legal advice regarding a patent or would like to file a patent go to https://selectpatents.wpengine.com/contact/

Select Patents provides a variety of services. We want you to develop an effective and efficient patent protection strategy. These services include:

• Patentability Searches – Determine the patentability of your inventions.
• Freedom to Operate Searches & Opinions – Identify patents may give you potential infringement issues (including in the computer technology field).
• Non-Infringement Opinions – Determine if your product infringes a competitor’s patent.
• Patent Invalidity Searches & Opinions – Find prior art to invalidate a competitor’s patent.
•  U.S. Provisional Patent Applications – Receive cost-effective “patent pending” status for your invention.
• U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Applications (Utility) – Apply for patent protection on the structural and functional aspects of your invention.
• U.S. Design Patent Applications – Apply for patent protection on the ornamental appearance of your invention.