Patents by Inventor Carl Eric Schiermeyer

Carl Eric Schiermeyer 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: 11232671
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to games and applications in general and in particular to computer-implemented online games, such as online role-playing games, playable by more than one person from more than one location. The game engine can dynamically determine the type of in-game asset to award to a first player and the types of in-game obstacles to present to the first player by referencing the in-game assets available to other players in the first player's social network and by referencing other game state variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Roger F. Dickey, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Jonathan Chang Tien
  • Publication number: 20190118097
    Abstract: Example systems and methods relating to dynamic requirement variation for asset acquisition in an online game are presented. In an example online game for multiple players, a plurality of parameters employed to identify players who qualify for a reward provided by the online game are accessed continually. A current acquisition requirement for the reward based on the plurality of parameters is updated continually. The reward is provided to at least one of the players responsive to satisfaction of the current acquisition requirement by the at least one of the players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Erik Francis Vanbragt, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Jonathan Chang Tien, Roger F. Dickey
  • Patent number: 10163306
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for limiting transfer of virtual currency in an online game. One method includes an operation for receiving, at a server, a purchase order for virtual currency from a first player. The purchase order is made with legal currency, and the virtual currency is usable within a computer-implemented gambling game. Further, the method includes operations for using a particular type of virtual currency available in an account of the first player to purchase a virtual item and a beneficiary is selected for crediting the virtual item. Account of the first player is adjusted to reflect the purchase of the virtual item and the account of the beneficiary is updated to credit the virtual item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Mark Jonathan Pincus, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Publication number: 20170309129
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for limiting transfer of virtual currency in an online game. One method includes an operation for receiving, at a server, a purchase order for virtual currency from a first player. The purchase order is made with legal currency, and the virtual currency is usable within a computer-implemented gambling game. Further, the method includes operations for using a particular type of virtual currency available in an account of the first player to purchase a virtual item and a beneficiary is selected for crediting the virtual item. Account of the first player is adjusted to reflect the purchase of the virtual item and the account of the beneficiary is updated to credit the virtual item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Mark Jonathan Pincus, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Patent number: 9704344
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for limiting transfer of virtual currency in an online game. One method includes an operation for receiving, at a server, a purchase order for virtual currency from a first player. The purchase order is made with legal currency, and the virtual currency is usable within a computer-implemented gambling game. Further, the method includes operations for crediting an account of the first player with virtual currency, and for enabling the first player to make transfers of the virtual currency to other players. The transfers of virtual currency from the first player to other players are then limited, such as by limiting the amount, the frequency, or the recipients of the transfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Mark Jonathan Pincus, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Patent number: 9280875
    Abstract: In various embodiments, virtual currency is used within a multiplayer online game in a restricted manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Jonathan Pincus, Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Patent number: 8690684
    Abstract: Example systems and methods related to player recruitment for acquiring rewards in an online game network is presented. In an example, an online game for a plurality of players is hosted. A player of the game is provided an asset based satisfaction of an acquisition requirement that includes a social requirement satisfied by a new association of a predetermined number of people with the online game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Francis Vanbragt, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Jonathan Chang Tien, Roger F. Dickey
  • Patent number: 8690683
    Abstract: Example systems and methods related to a social requirement for acquiring an asset, such as a reward, in an online game are presented herein. In one example, an online game for a plurality of players is hosted. Information describing a social network of friends of a player of the game is accessed. An asset is provided to the player based satisfaction of an acquisition requirement to acquire the asset. The acquisition requirement includes a social requirement that is satisfied by a new association of a predetermined number of friends of the social network of the player with the online game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Francis Vanbragt, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Jonathan Chang Tien, Roger F. Dickey
  • Patent number: 8439747
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing game transactions in an online game to acquire virtual currency. One method includes an operation for detecting a request from a player to purchase virtual currency for use in the online game. Cash or credit is received, in an online transaction, to make the purchase of the virtual currency. The virtual currency of the online game is not redeemable for cash or credit so the virtual currency cannot be considered gambling proceeds. The method further includes an operation for crediting the player with an amount of virtual currency based on the amount of the received cash or credit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Jonathan Pincus, Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Patent number: 8348767
    Abstract: Example systems and methods related to dynamic generation of in-game assets and in-game obstacles of an online game are presented. In an example, information describing a social network of a first player of an online game is accessed, the information identifying other players of the online game. Game account information of the other players is then accessed. The game account information of the other players identifies in-game assets of the other players. At least one of an in-game asset for the first player and an in-game obstacle to affect the first player in the online game is generated based on a mathematical function that considers the in-game assets of the other player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Roger F. Dickey, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Jonathan Chang Tien
  • Patent number: 8262468
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for operating a multiuser online game with viral dynamic rewards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Francis Vanbragt, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Jonathan Chang Tien, Roger F. Dickey
  • Patent number: 8231473
    Abstract: Systems and methods to distribute benefits and detriments in a multiuser game are described. In some embodiments, a method accesses social network information associated with a player of a game. The player controls a first player character in the game where the first player character has certain attributes. The method accesses profile information associated with a friend of the player, who controls a second player character. A proxy based on the second player is created and includes multiple proxy attributes based on the profile information associated with the friend of the player. A game event outcome associated with the first player character is determined based on the first player character attributes and at least one proxy attribute. The game event outcome includes an in-game benefit or detriment that is distributed to the first and second player characters based on the proxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer
  • Patent number: 8226485
    Abstract: An online multiuser game includes friend-playing characters that can be taken into account when determining outcomes of game events. The outcome of a game event can depend on player inputs, player character state, game state and the state of characters of friends of the player, independent of whether the friends are current players. Friends of a player can be determined by a game social network system that maintains records on game players and relationships between various players. A game server can attribute one or more in-game benefits to a current player based on the in-game profile associated with other players who are identified in a game social network as friends of the current player. The friend network can be single-layered or multiple-layered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer
  • Patent number: 8226487
    Abstract: Systems and methods to generate proxies for players in a game are described. In some embodiments, a method accesses social network information associated with a player of a game. The player controls a first player character in the game where the first player character has certain attributes. The method further accesses profile information associated with a friend of the player. The friend of the player controls a second player character in the game. A proxy based on the second player character is created and includes multiple proxy attributes based on the profile information associated with the friend of the player. The proxy is associated with the first player character. A game event outcome associated with the first player character is determined based on the first player character attributes and at least one proxy attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer
  • Patent number: 8226486
    Abstract: Systems and methods to generate proxies for players in a game are described. In some embodiments, a method accesses social network information associated with a player of a first game and a second game. The player controls a first player character in the first game and controls a second player character in the second game. The method accesses profile information of a friend of the player controlling a third player character in the first game. The method creates a proxy based on the third player character having multiple attributes based on the profile information of the friend of the player. A event outcome is determined based on an attribute of the first player character and at least one proxy attribute. Another game event outcome is determined based on an attribute of the second player character and at least one proxy attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer
  • Publication number: 20120077580
    Abstract: Example systems and methods related to dynamic generation of in-game assets and in-game obstacles of an online game are presented. In an example, information describing a social network of a first player of an online game is accessed, the information identifying other players of the online game. Game account information of the other players is then accessed. The game account information of the other players identifies in-game assets of the other players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Roger F. Dickey, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Jonathan Chang Tien
  • Publication number: 20120015745
    Abstract: Systems and methods to distribute benefits and detriments in a multiuser game are described. In some embodiments, a method accesses social network information associated with a player of a game. The player controls a first player character in the game where the first player character has certain attributes. The method accesses profile information associated with a friend of the player, who controls a second player character. A proxy based on the second player is created and includes multiple proxy attributes based on the profile information associated with the friend of the player. A game event outcome associated with the first player character is determined based on the first player character attributes and at least one proxy attribute. The game event outcome includes an in-game benefit or detriment that is distributed to the first and second player characters based on the proxy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer
  • Publication number: 20120015738
    Abstract: Example systems and methods related to player recruitment for acquiring rewards in an online game network is presented. In an example, an online game for a plurality of players is hosted. A player of the game is provided an asset based satisfaction of an acquisition requirement that includes a social requirement satisfied by a new association of a predetermined number of people with the online game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Erik Francis Vanbragt, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Jonathan Chang Tien, Roger F. Dickey
  • Publication number: 20120015715
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing game transactions in an online game to acquire virtual currency. One method includes an operation for detecting a request from a player to purchase virtual currency for use in the online game. Cash or credit is received, in an online transaction, to make the purchase of the virtual currency. The virtual currency of the online game is not redeemable for cash or credit so the virtual currency cannot be considered gambling proceeds. The method further includes an operation for crediting the player with an amount of virtual currency based on the amount of the received cash or credit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Mark Jonathan Pincus, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Publication number: 20120015740
    Abstract: Example systems and methods related to the acquisition of awards in a multiplayer online game based on a social requirement are presented. In an example, a player is provided with a first-level reward based on satisfaction of first acquisition requirement including at least one of an in-game asset requirement and a game state requirement. Also provided to the player is a second-level reward based on satisfaction of a second acquisition requirement including a social requirement that is satisfied by anew association between another person and the online game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Erik Francis Vanbragt, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Jonathan Chang Tien, Roger F. Dickey