Patents by Inventor Andrew Stephen Van Luchene

Andrew Stephen Van Luchene 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: 8267794
    Abstract: Video game methods and systems allow players to acquire ownership of video game environments. Methods and systems additionally include methods for buying and selling ownership or fractions of ownership in a particular game environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Publication number: 20100317429
    Abstract: Video game methods and systems allow players to acquire ownership of video game environments. Methods and systems additionally include methods for buying and selling ownership or fractions of ownership in a particular game environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7806758
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure provides a video game in which a new character can be created using attributes from multiple parent characters. Each character may contribute genetic material in the form of character attributes, which are then passed on to a child character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7780532
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for allowing players to acquire ownership of game environments. Methods and systems additionally include means for buying and selling ownership or fractions of ownership in a particular game environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7717782
    Abstract: A virtual game environment in which characters are allowed to give help to one another and in which the game tracks the amount of helpfulness of each character is provided. Characters may be rewarded or paid for giving help to each other. In some embodiments, help may be given in the form of advice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7690990
    Abstract: A virtual environment including various virtual financial institutions and instruments is described. According to some embodiments, some of the virtual financial instruments may be guaranteed by real world financial instruments such as a credit card. Accordingly, various virtual financial transactions such as virtual loans, virtual venture capital investments, virtual banking and virtual insurance are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7690997
    Abstract: Virtual environments in which multiple characters are allowed to form relationships wherein the relationships may provide various benefits as well as obligations are described. Systems and methods for forming, monitoring, and terminating the relationships are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene, Raymond Jay Mueller
  • Patent number: 7686691
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems for allowing game players to secure in-game contracts using credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. The disclosure further provides methods and systems for providing virtual and/or real world financial penalties to game players and/or player characters who default on in-game agreements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7677974
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems: for forming relationships between player characters, to allow for karma points, death, and reincarnation of player characters, for inheritance between player characters, to allow a game that progresses in eras, that allow reverse outcomes of game parameters, to create in-game objects from digital images of real life objects, to provide inventory management of in-game items and attributes, to facilitate favors between player characters, and to allow for genetic crossbreeding of parents to form children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7677973
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems for allowing game players to secure in-game contracts using credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. The disclosure further provides methods and systems for providing virtual and/or real world financial penalties to game players and/or player characters who default on in-game agreements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7677975
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for obtaining funding for developing game environments. Methods and systems include a variety of funding sources including taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or treasury stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7677979
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. The disclosure describes video game environments that include a method and system for controlling the quantity and distribution of virtual natural resources, raw materials, skills and NPCs in and between games, where player characters may acquire, use and modify such virtual resources within the physical limits of the games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7666095
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for enforcing contracts within video game environments. Methods and systems of the invention include virtual and real world penalties and remedies for entities that breach contracts or other obligations undertaken in the virtual world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7651395
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for obtaining funding for developing game environments. Methods and systems include a variety of funding sources including taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or treasury stock. In one embodiment the disclosure provides methods and systems for allowing members of a Venture Capital entity to vote on whether or not to fund a given venture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7645194
    Abstract: A system and method to allow players of a video game to perform financial transactions in a virtual environment. According to some embodiments, real world financial instruments such as a credit card or other financial instrument may guarantee some or all of the virtual financial operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene, Raymond Jay Mueller
  • Patent number: 7572187
    Abstract: A virtual game environment in which characters are allowed to give help to one another and in which the game tracks the amount of helpfulness of each character is provided. Characters may be rewarded or paid for giving help to each other. In some embodiments, help may be given in the form of advice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Publication number: 20080135384
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide an inexpensive and easy to use apparatus and method that permits a user to attach an apparatus to existing picture frames or other objects with various advantages. Such embodiments will keep a picture, object or frame in a substantially continuously level position or otherwise aligned position. Thus, using the disclosed apparatus, a user can ensure that any picture, frame or other hanging and relatively flat object will generally remain in a pleasantly horizontal or other desired aspect, without need for ongoing user inspection or manual adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Leviathan Entertainment
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Publication number: 20080134529
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide an inexpensive and easy to use apparatus and method that permits a user to attach an apparatus to existing picture frames or other objects with various advantages. Such embodiments will keep a picture, object or frame in a substantially continuously level position or otherwise aligned position. Thus, using the disclosed apparatus, a user can ensure that any picture, frame or other hanging and relatively flat object will generally remain in a pleasantly horizontal or other desired aspect, without need for ongoing user inspection or manual adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: LEVIATHAN ENTERTAINMENT
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7350304
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide an inexpensive and easy to use apparatus and method that permits a user to attach an apparatus to existing picture frames or other objects with various advantages. Such embodiments will keep a picture, object or frame in a substantially continuously level position or otherwise aligned position. Thus, using the disclosed apparatus, a user can ensure that any picture, frame or other hanging and relatively flat object will generally remain in a pleasantly horizontal or other desired aspect, without need for ongoing user inspection or manual adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Publication number: 20080046222
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. Video game environments that include a method for controlling the quantity of raw materials in and between games, where player characters invent items by creating blueprints that are registered to a virtual patent office and used by other player characters, that include methods for digital rights management, that include a method for providing inter and intra game exchanges between games, and that provide for the Initial Public Offering of game environments on an Inter Game Environment exchange are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: LEVIATHAN ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene