Patents by Inventor Luke Dicken

Luke Dicken 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: 11291915
    Abstract: A game management system is configured for automated analysis of player behavior regarding traversal of different screens and options in a game application (as opposed to exclusively gameplay behavior) and to generate an automated estimation or inference about one or more psychological aspects of player behavior, such as motivation for game engagement and/or emotional states at different stages of interaction. The results of such analysis are automatically parametrized and included in a multidimensional parametric player model that informs player clustering and/or automated customization of game content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Dicken, Johnathan Pagnutti, Yang Wen
  • Publication number: 20220088484
    Abstract: A game management system generates a multidimensional parametric player model representative of player behavior by one or more players in a computer game. The parametric player model populated is used in the identification of groups or clusters of players, and/or in at least partly automated configuration of custom game content for behavior consistent with the parametric player model. A single parametric player model is defines a single set of parametric values corresponding to multiple predefined gameplay parameters, and can be used to model the behavior of a single respective player or to model the behavior of multiple players (e.g., based on cumulative historical gameplay data for the relevant players), providing a representative player model for those players. The player model is ingested by a content generator configured to generate game content customized to the behavior represented by the player model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Luke Dicken, Johnathan Pagnutti, Yang Wen
  • Publication number: 20220088478
    Abstract: A game management system provides a generator interface that enables an operator to trigger automated generation by a content generator of a game event based on operator input values. These values include respective target values for a target metric (e.g., a difficulty level) for each of a plurality of game levels that are together to form the game event. In addition, the generator interface in some examples enables the operator to selectively vary the particular number of game levels that are together to form the game event, via an event sizing mechanism provided by the generator interface. A particular predefined group or cluster of players for whom the game event is to be tailored or customized based on multidimensional parametric player model data can also be selected in the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Luke Dicken, Johnathan Pagnutti, Yang Wen
  • Publication number: 20220088486
    Abstract: A client device receives compiled software for a game engine. The game engine is for playing a designated game. The client device receives a game definition file for the designated game. The game definition file stores rules for the designated game. The game definition file defines the rules using non-compiled machine-readable code. The client device executes the game engine at the client device to enable playing of the designated game via the client device. Executing the game engine includes: accessing the game definition file; and providing, via a user interface generated on the client device, interactive gameplay of the designated game according to the rules for the designated game defined by the game definition file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Luke Dicken, Johnathan Pagnutti, Yang Wen
  • Publication number: 20220088481
    Abstract: A game server accesses player model representing subset of players. Player model is generated based on previous in-game behavior of the subset of players while playing a computer-implemented game. The game server accesses a set of interactive content items associated with the game. The game server forecasts, using the player model, a sequence of user actions of the subset of players during gameplay of the game. The sequence of user actions represents a prediction of user interaction with the set of interactive content items. The game server computes, based on the forecasted sequence of user actions and software-defined outcomes of the forecasted sequence of user actions in the game, configuration values for the set of interactive content items. The game server causes execution of gameplay at a client device associated with the player model. The gameplay is according to the computed configuration values for the set of interactive content items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Luke Dicken, Johnathan Pagnutti, Yang Wen
  • Publication number: 20220088474
    Abstract: A game server generates a set of game content items for a designated game. The set of game content items is customized for one or more user accounts based on numerical values from a player model representing the one or more user accounts. The player model is generated based on previous in-game behavior of the one or more user accounts while playing the designated game. The game server forecasts, using the player model, a sequence of user actions of the one or more user accounts during gameplay of the designated game with the generated set of game content items. The sequence of user actions represents a prediction of in-game user interaction with the set of game content items. The game server computes a set of metrics associated with gameplay of the one or more user accounts represented by the player model in the designated game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Luke Dicken, Johnathan Pagnutti, Yang Wen
  • Publication number: 20220088482
    Abstract: A game management system is configured for automated analysis of player behavior regarding traversal of different screens and options in a game application (as opposed to exclusively gameplay behavior) and to generate an automated estimation or inference about one or more psychological aspects of player behavior, such as motivation for game engagement and/or emotional states at different stages of interaction. The results of such analysis are automatically parametrized and included in a multidimensional parametric player model that informs player clustering and/or automated customization of game content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Luke Dicken, Johnathan Pagnutti, Yang Wen
  • Publication number: 20220088483
    Abstract: A game server receives data associated with gameplay of one or more user accounts, the one or more user accounts being used for playing a designated game. The game server computes, for the one or more user accounts, a player model representing previous in-game behavior of the one or more user accounts. The game server identifies, based on the player model, configuration values for the designated game. The configuration values represent data to specify operation of the designated game. The configuration values represent at least one of a game mechanics configuration and a game parameter configuration. The game server causes transmission of the configuration values to a client device. The configuration values cause the client device to adjust a game engine at the client device based on the previous in-game behavior of the one or more user accounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Luke Dicken, Johnathan Pagnutti, Yang Wen
  • Publication number: 20220088485
    Abstract: A game management system provides a content generator configured for automated generation of custom game content based on a plurality of parametric values that model gameplay behavior of one or more players for whom the game content is to be customized. The customized configuration is generated in a predefined sequence of progressive configuration stages. In each stage, a respective configurable feature is assigned a custom value that is determined (e.g., in a biased or constrained randomized operation) based on a respectively linked parameter value from the data model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Luke Dicken, Johnathan Pagnutti, Yang Wen
  • Patent number: 9504213
    Abstract: A sprinkler system is controlled to ensure that a given geographic area receives sufficient watering without being over-watered. The sprinkler system, capable of being programmed to deliver a desired amount of water in accordance with a desired daily watering schedule, is programmed to deliver the desired amount of water every day unless interrupted. Rainfall information is received, and a signal is sent to interrupt the sprinkler system, causing the sprinkler system to: a) follow a predetermined watering schedule when there is no rain, in which case the sprinkler system delivers the desired amount of water following a predetermined number of days, n, without watering, or b) increase n by 1 or more days if the rainfall information indicates at least one significant rain event capable of providing the desired amount of water, and c) return to a) when n expires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventors: Michael R. Levine, Luke Dickens
  • Publication number: 20140148959
    Abstract: A sprinkler system is controlled to ensure that a given geographic area receives sufficient watering without being over-watered. The sprinkler system, capable of being programmed to deliver a desired amount of water in accordance with a desired daily watering schedule, is programmed to deliver the desired amount of water every day unless interrupted. Rainfall information is received, and a signal is sent to interrupt the sprinkler system, causing the sprinkler system to: a) follow a predetermined watering schedule when there is no rain, in which case the sprinkler system delivers the desired amount of water following a predetermined number of days, n, without watering, or b) increase n by 1 or more days if the rainfall information indicates at least one significant rain event capable of providing the desired amount of water, and c) return to a) when n expires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Michael R. Levine, Luke Dickens