Patents by Inventor Howard Ganz
Howard Ganz 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).
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Patent number: 7967657Abstract: A computer system provides a virtual world. The computer system includes a server subsystem serving virtual world data, via a communication network, and receives data and/or commands. A registration subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, verifies information from a toy, registers the toy, and determines a quantity of toys registered by a user who is registering the toy. The verifying includes determining the validity of the information. A virtual world providing subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, provides the virtual world data, which produces data that presents the virtual world. The virtual world data includes a virtual toy representing the toy and a reward provided to the user for registering the toy. The reward is based on the quantity of toys previously registered by the user, such that the reward received for registering the toy is different than another reward previously received by the user for registering another toy.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: GanzInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20110126115Abstract: A unique code is used to register a virtual pet or other item using a code that is associated with the pet, and which, when entered, allows viewing and interacting with a virtual representation of the actual item on the website. If the code is entered during a specific time period, it allows obtaining at least one additional item, for example an exclusive item that cannot be obtained in any other way. The specific time period can be extended, e.g., using supplemental codes. The codes may specify fixed or variable time periods, and may be generic extension codes and extend other things other than this period.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: GANZInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, Stephen Braund
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Publication number: 20110113112Abstract: A computer network-based messaging system includes a multiple-layer chat filtering system for controlling the content of messages sent by users. A computer receives a message including a plurality of words entered by a sender. A word database includes a plurality of permitted words which are allowed to be transmitted. A phrase database includes a plurality of prohibited phrases which are not allowed to be transmitted. At least one of the plurality of prohibited phrases consists of a plurality of individual words that are each included in the word database. A message sending part that transmits the message over a computer network only if all of the plurality of words entered by the sender are contained in the word database and none of the plurality of prohibited phrases are contained in the message.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: GANZInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
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Publication number: 20110092128Abstract: A method, system and toy that provides a product that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the product. The product has a registration code associated with it. Data associated with the product is electronically stored in the product using an electronic storage medium. A user is registered on the website by associating the user with a user ID. The user ID is associated with the virtual replica of the product by utilizing the registration code. Access is granted to one or more features on the website in connection with the virtual replica of the product subsequent to input and validation of the registration code via the user ID without requiring additional entry of the registration code.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: GANZInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20110087967Abstract: A social networking website allows users to interact socially without revealing any information about themselves. The only information they reveal is about their virtual pets in the virtual website world.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: GANZInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, Jesse Scoble, Sally Christensen
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Publication number: 20110029409Abstract: An E-store allows purchase of codes for use on another website. The codes can be redeemed for items or credit on a website different from the site on which they were purchased. This allows obtaining items on the web site without requiring real money or virtual money to be paid for the items. In addition, credits can be awarded using an administrative tool that distributes the credits or a portion thereof based on automatically detected events.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: GANZInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
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Publication number: 20100325182Abstract: Multimedia items are legally downloaded with a code usable on another website. The codes can be used once or a set number of times in order to encourage legal downloading of multimedia through positive incentives such as bonus content (e.g., codes); however the multimedia items themselves can be viewed or accessed multiple times.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: GANZ, an Ontario partnership consisting of 2121200 Ontario Inc., and 2121812 Ontario Inc.Inventor: Howard Ganz
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Patent number: 7846004Abstract: A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy on said website; providing at least one virtual room on the website for the virtual replica of the toy; offering one or more virtual furnishings for the at least one virtual room; providing content that allows the one or more virtual furnishings to be arranged in the at least one virtual room; and interacting the virtual replica of the toy with at least one of the one or more virtual furnishings.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: GanzInventor: Howard Ganz
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Patent number: 7789726Abstract: A method provides defining a profile associated with an image representing a real toy or product, said profile including at least one variable parameter therein, which variable parameter effects the way the image is displayed on the website, based on said interacting, changing a part of the profile that includes at least one parameter related to at least one of health, happiness and/or hunger, based on a registration code associated with the real product or toy, defining a temperament profile that defines how the image will react to interactions with another aspect of the method or a system or a user, and based on the temperament profile and the interactions and the profile, causing the image to react to one or more of the interactions.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: GanzInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20100162137Abstract: Customized item that is usable on both a website as an item in a virtual world, and outside the website as a tangible item in the real world is provided and described. One single customization is used to create both items. The item can be the same in the virtual world as it is in the virtual world, or can be different in the virtual world.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: GANZInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
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Publication number: 20100161443Abstract: An E-store allows purchase of codes for use on another website. The codes can be redeemed for items or credit on a website different from the site on which they were purchased. This allows obtaining items on the website without requiring real money or virtual money to be paid for the items. In addition, credits can be awarded using an administrative tool that distributes the credits or a portion thereof based on automatically detected events.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: GANZ, an Ontario partnership consisting of 2121200 Ontario Inc. and 2121812 Ontario Inc.Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
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Publication number: 20100107214Abstract: A computer system and method are provided that facilitate permitting temporary access to a website or other computer application in which temporary access is given to a generic virtual character and its corresponding user. Temporary access is made available through a temporary user account that is set up by the user. The temporary user account is active for a limited time and allows the user to learn about the website, for instance, via the generic virtual character. The generic virtual character has limited access to the website and in particular to various activities or areas on the website. Unlike temporary user account holders, users who have purchased a real world item and have created premium user accounts have full access to the website via their corresponding premium virtual characters. In addition, the system and method prevent at least some interaction between the generic virtual characters and the premium virtual characters.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: GANZInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20100100447Abstract: A customer may obtain an authorization which allows accessing a website that has prestored templates which are each associated with use by the customer. The authorization may be obtained by purchasing products. The prestored templates each represent an event that can be hosted at a place of business. The templates each include activities that can be hosted, days when the activities can be hosted, and times for the activities. The customer can select activities by the customer, and automatically produce pages and form an Internet webpage which advertises the activities based on said templates and information about the customer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: GANZInventor: Howard Ganz
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Patent number: 7677948Abstract: An Entertainment System in combination with a commercially purchased toy, wherein the system allows a toy user to register the toy online using a registration code, allowing the user access to various entertainment activities and scenarios in a “virtual world” including a virtual representation of the toy, via a computer connected to the Internet. The system then encourages the user to purchase additional toys to enjoy additional benefits using the Entertainment System. The Entertainment System including a database subsystem, a registration subsystem, a server subsystem, and a virtual world providing subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: GanzInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090307609Abstract: A social networking website allowing users to interact socially without revealing any personal information about themselves. The only information they reveal is about their virtual pets in the virtual website world. Different templates for the personalizable portion of the website can be selected, some of which are restricted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2008Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: GANZ, an Ontario partnership consisting of 2121200 Ontario Inc. and 2121812 Ontario Inc.Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, Jesse Scoble, Sally Christensen
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Patent number: 7618303Abstract: A method that provides a virtual presentation including: registering a first registration code for at a product on a website, viewing a virtual replica of the product responsive to a successful registration, accessing a first subset of restricted content responsive to the successful registration, and receiving an additional subset of restricted content when a second registration code is registered by a same user. The first subset includes at least one of: a virtual room, virtual currency, virtual food, a furnishing for the virtual room, and a chat function. The additional subset of restricted content includes at least one of the following: access to additional virtual currency, access to an additional furnishing, access to an additional chat room, access to additional food, access to an additional game, access to an additional challenge, access to an additional room, and access to an additional activity.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: GanzInventor: Howard Ganz
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Patent number: 7604525Abstract: A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy on said website; providing at least one virtual room on the website for the virtual replica of the toy; offering one or more virtual furnishings for the at least one virtual room; providing content that allows the one or more virtual furnishings to be arranged in the at least one virtual room; and interacting the virtual replica of the toy with at least one of the one or more virtual furnishings.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: GanzInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090254434Abstract: A method for disabling and re-enabling third-party advertisements is disclosed. An Internet accessible “virtual world” or interactive on-line community can have its advertisements disabled by the entering and subsequent validation of a registration code that is associated with a toy into a website, once validated, displaying a virtual representation of the toy on the website, providing virtual world content so that the virtual representation of the toy is caused to interact with the virtual world content and the toy virtual representations of other users, displaying advertisement on the website in a first mode and allowing customization of the virtual world content including the disabling of advertisements in a second mode. In a similar manner the third party advertisements can be re-enabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: GANZInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, Jessica Boyd
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Publication number: 20090248544Abstract: A reverse purchase system allows purchasing an item on a website and receiving a virtual version of that item substantially immediately. Subsequent to receiving that virtual version, the user later receives the real version either in the mail or through redemption of a coupon.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: Ganz, an Ontario partnership consisting of 212100 Ontario Inc. and 2121812 Ontario Inc.Inventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090240659Abstract: A social networking website allows users to interact socially without revealing any information about themselves. The only information they reveal is about their virtual pets in the virtual website world.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2008Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: Ganz, an Ontario partnership consisting of 2121200 Ontario Inc. and 2121812 Ontario Inc.Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, Jesse Scoble, Sally Christensen