Patents by Inventor M. Ian Graham

M. Ian Graham 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: 11395966
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for generating game configurations are presented. For example, a system may receive a game configuration request message from a client device being operated by a player playing a virtual game. The game configuration request message may be sent, for example, in response to the player initiating a new game of the virtual game. The system may then select a game configuration based at least in part on historical performance data associated with the selected game configuration. The historical performance data may accumulate performance data from a group of players that previously played the virtual game using the selected game configuration. The system then communicates the selected game configuration to the client device. The player may play the virtual game using the selected game configuration as the initial game configuration for the virtual game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: M. Ian Graham, Ya-Bing Chu
  • Publication number: 20210236927
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for generating game configurations are presented. For example, a system may receive a game configuration request message from a client device being operated by a player playing a virtual game. The game configuration request message may be sent, for example, in response to the player initiating a new game of the virtual game. The system may then select a game configuration based at least in part on historical performance data associated with the selected game configuration. The historical performance data may accumulate performance data from a group of players that previously played the virtual game using the selected game configuration. The system then communicates the selected game configuration to the client device. The player may play the virtual game using the selected game configuration as the initial game configuration for the virtual game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: M. Ian Graham, Ya-Bing Chu
  • Patent number: 10874944
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for generating game configurations are presented. For example, a system may receive a game configuration request message from a client device being operated by a player playing a virtual game. The game configuration request message may be sent, for example, in response to the player initiating a new game of the virtual game. The system may then select a game configuration based at least in part on historical performance data associated with the selected game configuration. The historical performance data may accumulate performance data from a group of players that previously played the virtual game using the selected game configuration. The system then communicates the selected game configuration to the client device. The player may play the virtual game using the selected game configuration as the initial game configuration for the virtual game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: M. Ian Graham, Ya-Bing Chu
  • Publication number: 20190240575
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for generating game configurations are presented. For example, a system may receive a game configuration request message from a client device being operated by a player playing a virtual game. The game configuration request message may be sent, for example, in response to the player initiating a new game of the virtual game. The system may then select a game configuration based at least in part on historical performance data associated with the selected game configuration. The historical performance data may accumulate performance data from a group of players that previously played the virtual game using the selected game configuration. The system then communicates the selected game configuration to the client device. The player may play the virtual game using the selected game configuration as the initial game configuration for the virtual game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: M. Ian Graham, Ya-Bing Chu
  • Patent number: 10363484
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for generating game configurations are presented. For example, a system may receive a game configuration request message from a client device being operated by a player playing a virtual game. The game configuration request message may be sent, for example, in response to the player initiating a new game of the virtual game. The system may then select a game configuration based at least in part on historical performance data associated with the selected game configuration. The historical performance data may accumulate performance data from a group of players that previously played the virtual game using the selected game configuration. The system then communicates the selected game configuration to the client device. The player may play the virtual game using the selected game configuration as the initial game configuration for the virtual game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: M. Ian Graham, Ya-Bing Chu
  • Publication number: 20180071616
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing custom features in a game is provided. A themed game board associated with a first set of rules of a computer-implemented game is generated. The first set of rules relates to a theme of the themed game board and is different than a second set of rules associated with a game board without a theme. Game board display data is provided to a first client device of a first player to display the themed game board. A move on the themed game board is received from the first client device, and a score associated with the move is generated. The score is based on the first set of rules relating to the theme, where the score is different than a score associated with the move on the game board without a theme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: M. Ian Graham, Ya-Bing Chu, Randall William Allred, JR., Christopher Delbuck, Jonathan Sheng Chao, Vladimir Loktev, Amanda Carrico Schloss, Seth Alexander Allison, Andres Cantor
  • Patent number: 9849370
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing custom features in a game is provided. A themed game board associated with a first set of rules of a computer-implemented game is generated. The first set of rules relates to a theme of the themed game board and is different than a second set of rules associated with a game board without a theme. Game board display data is provided to a first client device of a first player to display the themed game board. A move on the themed game board is received from the first client device, and a score associated with the move is generated. The score is based on the first set of rules relating to the theme, where the score is different than a score associated with the move on the game board without a theme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: M. Ian Graham, Ya-Bing Chu, Randall William Allred, Jr., Christopher Delbuck, Jonathan Sheng Chao, Vladimir Loktev, Amanda Carrico Schloss, Seth Alexander Allison, Andres Cantor
  • Publication number: 20170296921
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for generating game configurations are presented. For example, a system may receive a game configuration request message from a client device being operated by a player playing a virtual game. The game configuration request message may be sent, for example, in response to the player initiating a new game of the virtual game. The system may then select a game configuration based at least in part on historical performance data associated with the selected game configuration. The historical performance data may accumulate performance data from a group of players that previously played the virtual game using the selected game configuration. The system then communicates the selected game configuration to the client device. The player may play the virtual game using the selected game configuration as the initial game configuration for the virtual game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: M. Ian Graham, Ya-Bing Chu
  • Patent number: 9744440
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for generating game configurations are presented. For example, a system may receive a game configuration request message from a client device being operated by a player playing a virtual game. The game configuration request message may be sent, for example, in response to the player initiating a new game of the virtual game. The system may then select a game configuration based at least in part on historical performance data associated with the selected game configuration. The historical performance data may accumulate performance data from a group of players that previously played the virtual game using the selected game configuration. The system then communicates the selected game configuration to the client device. The player may play the virtual game using the selected game configuration as the initial game configuration for the virtual game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: M. Ian Graham, Ya-Bing Chu
  • Patent number: 9446321
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing public gameplay is provided. Gameboard display data is generated to display a gameboard of a game. A move associated with the game is received from a client device of a player. The gameboard display data and move display data are provided to the client device to display the move on the gameboard. The gameboard display data and the move display data are also sent to a broadcast server to display the move on the gameboard via a public medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: M. Ian Graham, Ya-Bing Chu, Randall William Allred, Jr., Christopher Delbuck
  • Publication number: 20160107073
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing custom features in a game is provided. A themed game board associated with a first set of rules of a computer-implemented game is generated. The first set of rules relates to a theme of the themed game board and is different than a second set of rules associated with a game board without a theme. Game board display data is provided to a first client device of a first player to display the themed game board. A move on the themed game board is received from the first client device, and a score associated with the move is generated. The score is based on the first set of rules relating to the theme, where the score is different than a score associated with the move on the game board without a theme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: M. Ian Graham, Ya-Bing Chu, Randall William Allred, JR., Christopher Delbuck, Jonathan Sheng Chao, Vladimir Loktev, Amanda Carrico Schloss, Seth Alexander Allison, Andres Cantor
  • Patent number: 9254443
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing custom features in a game is provided. A themed game board associated with a first set of rules of a computer-implemented game is generated. The first set of rules relates to a theme of the themed game board and is different than a second set of rules associated with a game board without a theme. Game board display data is provided to a first client device of a first player to display the themed game board. A move on the themed game board is received from the first client device, and a score associated with the move is generated. The score is based on the first set of rules relating to the theme, where the score is different than a score associated with the move on the game board without a theme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: M. Ian Graham, Ya-Bing Chu, Randall William Allred, Jr., Christopher Delbuck, Jonathan Sheng Chao, Vladimir Loktev, Amanda Carrico Schloss, Seth Alexander Allison, Andres Cantor
  • Patent number: 8984541
    Abstract: Disclosed in one example is a method for interfacing with multiple social networks. The method includes receiving a call from a social networking service agnostic social networking application for one of a plurality of social networking functions in a first format, translating the call in the first format to a call in a second format, the second format being one of a plurality of heterogeneous social networking service application programming interface formats, and passing the call in the second format to a first social networking service by utilizing a first social networking service application programming interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Brown, M. Ian Graham, Shantanu Talapatra, Scott Dale
  • Patent number: 8522137
    Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are systems, methods, and machine readable medium for programming an application for multiple target social networks using custom markup tags that are independent of any custom markup tags defined by social networking services. These independent tags may be translated into the custom markup tags defined by the social networking service of interest if the desired functionality is supported in that social networking service using custom markup tags or if the tags are not supported, by a set of instructions for executing the same functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Brown, M. Ian Graham, Shantanu Talapatra
  • Patent number: 8352969
    Abstract: Disclosed in one example is a method for interfacing with multiple social networks. The method includes receiving a call from a social networking service agnostic social networking application for one of a plurality of social networking functions in a first format, translating the call in the first format to a call in a second format, the second format being one of a plurality of heterogeneous social networking service application programming interface formats, and passing the call in the second format to a first social networking service by utilizing a first social networking service application programming interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Brown, M. Ian Graham, Shantanu Talapatra, Scott Dale
  • Patent number: 8352970
    Abstract: Disclosed in one example is a method for interfacing with multiple social networks. The method includes receiving a call from a social networking service agnostic social networking application for one of a plurality of social networking functions in a first format, translating the call in the first format to a call in a second format, the second format being one of a plurality of heterogeneous social networking service application programming interface formats, and passing the call in the second format to a first social networking service by utilizing a first social networking service application programming interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Brown, M. Ian Graham, Shantanu Talapatra, Scott Dale
  • Patent number: 8347322
    Abstract: Disclosed in one example is a method for interfacing with multiple social networks. The method includes receiving a call from a social networking service agnostic social networking application for one of a plurality of social networking functions in a first format, translating the call in the first format to a call in a second format, the second format being one of a plurality of heterogeneous social networking service application programming interface formats, and passing the call in the second format to a first social networking service by utilizing a first social networking service application programming interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Brown, M. Ian Graham, Shantanu Talapatra, Scott Dale
  • Patent number: 8296784
    Abstract: Disclosed in one example is a method for interfacing with multiple social networks. The method includes receiving a call from a social networking service agnostic social networking application for one of a plurality of social networking functions in a first format, translating the call in the first format to a call in a second format, the second format being one of a plurality of heterogeneous social networking service application programming interface formats, and passing the call in the second format to a first social networking service by utilizing a first social networking service application programming interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Brown, M. Ian Graham, Shantanu Talapatra, Scott Dale
  • Publication number: 20120254903
    Abstract: Disclosed in one example is a method for interfacing with multiple social networks. The method includes receiving a call from a social networking service agnostic social networking application for one of a plurality of social networking functions in a first format, translating the call in the first format to a call in a second format, the second format being one of a plurality of heterogeneous social networking service application programming interface formats, and passing the call in the second format to a first social networking service by utilizing a first social networking service application programming interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Nathan Brown, M. Ian Graham, Shantanu Talapatra, Scott Dale
  • Publication number: 20120254902
    Abstract: Disclosed in one example is a method for interfacing with multiple social networks. The method includes receiving a call from a social networking service agnostic social networking application for one of a plurality of social networking functions in a first format, translating the call in the first format to a call in a second format, the second format being one of a plurality of heterogeneous social networking service application programming interface formats, and passing the call in the second format to a first social networking service by utilizing a first social networking service application programming interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Nathan Brown, M. Ian Graham, Shantanu Talapatra, Scott Dale