Patents by Inventor Matthew Ocko

Matthew Ocko 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: 9566523
    Abstract: A method for testing a new feature of an online gaming application is provided, including: receiving a gaming application request from a user; determining whether to add the user to a live test for a new game feature; if the user is added to the live test, then determining whether to assign the user to a test group or a control group; if the user is assigned to the test group, then, providing a gaming application including the new game feature enabled, evaluating gaming activity and social network activity of the user; if the user is assigned to the control group, then, providing the gaming application without the new game feature enabled, evaluating gaming activity and social network activity of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Justin Driemeyer
  • Patent number: 9486708
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN ONLINE BEHAVIOR MONITOR (“OBM”) transform user social-gaming behavioral pattern data via various OBM components into online social-gaming experience customizations. In one embodiment, the OBM may generate individual social-gaming activity timelines for a group of users within a geographical region using user online gaming pattern and social activity data. The OBM may calculate individual time-varying activity level graphs for the users, as well as an aggregate activity level graph. The OBM may identify an activity trough in the aggregate activity level graph, and an event in the geographical region corresponding to the activity level trough. Based on keywords corresponding to the event, the OBM may obtain product results from a product database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Driemeyer, Kevin Hagan, Matthew Ocko, Nick Tornow
  • Publication number: 20160250557
    Abstract: A processor-implemented method for detecting suspicious behavior in an online gaming application is provided. Access to an online gaming application is provided by a gaming server over a network to a client device operated by a user. An evaluation server retrieves gaming activity of the user occurring during sessions of the online gaming application. The evaluation server retrieves social network activity of the user occurring over a social networking application independent of the online gaming application. The evaluation server generates a social-gaming activity timeline using the gaming activity and social network activity. The evaluation server applies one or more social-gaming evaluation parameters to the generated social-gaming activity timeline to generate one or more security clearance flags. The evaluation server generates a constraint of service order which defines an action to be taken in response to the generated one or more security clearance flags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Sim Singh, Shane Saraeli
  • Patent number: 9370722
    Abstract: A method for detecting suspicious behavior in an online gaming application is provided. The method initiates with providing an online gaming application to a user. Current gaming activity and social network activity of the user is analyzed. Prior gaming activity and social network activity of the user is also analyzed. A suspicious activity is detected based on the analyzed current gaming activity and social network activity and the analyzed prior gaming activity and social network activity. A constraint of service order is generated which defines an action to be taken in response to the detected suspicious activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Sim Singh, Shane Saraeli
  • Patent number: 9126120
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN ONLINE BEHAVIOR MONITOR (“OBM”) transform user social-gaming behavioral pattern data via various OBM components into online social-gaming experience customizations. In one embodiment, to process a virtual security clearance request, the OBM may obtain user online gaming pattern data including gaming actions and their associated timestamps, user online social activities and their associated timestamps; and virtual security clearance evaluation rules. The OBM may generate a social-gaming activity timeline using the gaming actions, social activities and timestamps. By applying the virtual security clearance evaluation rules to the social-gaming activity timeline, the OBM may calculate evaluation scores. The OBM may compare the evaluation scores to the evaluation score thresholds to generate virtual security clearance flags, and may determine whether any virtual security clearance flags were generated based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Sim Singh, Shane Sareli
  • Patent number: 9101843
    Abstract: A method for detecting suspicious behavior in an online gaming application is provided. The method initiates with providing an online gaming application to a user. Gaming activity and social network activity of the user is analyzed. In response to detecting a suspicious activity based on the analyzed gaming activity and social network activity, a constraint of service order is generated which defines an action to be taken in response to the detected suspicious activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Sim Singh, Shane Saraeli
  • Publication number: 20150011320
    Abstract: A method for testing a new feature of an online gaming application is provided, including: receiving a gaming application request from a user; determining whether to add the user to a live test for a new game feature; if the user is added to the live test, then determining whether to assign the user to a test group or a control group; if the user is assigned to the test group, then, providing a gaming application including the new game feature enabled, evaluating gaming activity and social network activity of the user; if the user is assigned to the control group, then, providing the gaming application without the new game feature enabled, evaluating gaming activity and social network activity of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Justin Driemeyer
  • Patent number: 8771062
    Abstract: A method for testing a set of new game features for an online gaming application is provided. The method initiates with selecting a new game feature for testing from the set of new game features. Users are assigned to a test group or control group. Each of the test group users is provided a gaming application including the selected new game feature enabled. Each of the control group users is provided the gaming application without the selected new game feature enabled. Evaluation scores are generated based on gaming activity and social network activity. A score comparison report is generated comparing the evaluations scores of the test group and the control group. Based on the score comparison report, it is determined whether to continue testing one or more additional new game features from the set of new game features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Justin Driemeyer
  • Patent number: 8754905
    Abstract: Software on a server receives a render request from a queue database. The software determines the render process requirements for the render request. The software queries a user profile database for render data based on the render process requirements. The software transmits a request to provide render data to a client device, if render data is not available in the user profile database. The software receives a response from the client device, including the requested render data. The software generates the rendered image, using the rendered data. The software creates a publishing element from the rendered data and a publishing template. And the software publishes the publishing element to the a newsfeed using an application programming interface (API).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Joel Poloney, Matthew Ocko
  • Publication number: 20140128153
    Abstract: Method for tracking virtual currency includes receiving a request to track virtual currency used in game play of a video game. A batch is created for the virtual currency that is to be tracked. The virtual currency in the batch is associated with a unique identifier for tracking. An expiration period is assigned for tracking the virtual currency in the created batch. A determination is made on whether the virtual currency in the batch being tracked is not involved in the transaction that is predefined to be potentially fraudulent, during a period leading up to the expiration period. The virtual currency in the created batch is un-tagged upon expiration of the expiration period assigned to the batch based on the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Driemeyer, Matthew Ocko
  • Patent number: 8660946
    Abstract: Method for detecting fraud includes receiving a fraud alert. The fraud alert is investigated by analyzing social graph information and other available information of one or more users associated with the fraud alert to determine likelihood of the users being involved in fraud. When it is determined that a fraud was committed based on the analysis, chain of fraudulent transactions related to the fraud are reversed and fraud events data related to the fraud are updated into a fraud event database for subsequent analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Driemeyer, Matthew Ocko
  • Publication number: 20130252727
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES and METHODS FOR providing access to a game area of an online game includes receiving a request to access the game area, from a user, wherein the request includes information related to game attributes of the user. The game attributes of the user are analyzed to determine if the user should be provided access to the game area defined in the request. When it is determined that the user does not have one or more of the game attributes to gain access to the game area based on the analysis, determining if a specific one of the game attributes is eligible for purchase to gain access to the game area. If the specific game attribute is eligible for purchase, then facilitating purchase of the specific one of the game attributes by the user in order to gain access to the game area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Sim Singh
  • Patent number: 8469801
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES and METHODS FOR dynamic conversion of a transaction includes receiving a transaction request from a user, wherein the transaction request includes data related to a transaction and user characteristics of the user. The data associated with the transaction and the user is analyzed to determine if the user is eligible to request the transaction. When it is determined that the user is eligible for requesting the transaction, identifying a payment currency for the requested transaction, computing dynamic conversion rate for converting the payment currency to the requested virtual currency, and calculating a purchase price in terms of the payment currency for the requested virtual currency of the transaction request using the dynamic conversion rate, the purchase price is used in completing the transaction request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Sim Singh
  • Publication number: 20130084927
    Abstract: A method for testing a set of new game features for an online gaming application is provided. The method initiates with selecting a new game feature for testing from the set of new game features. Users are assigned to a test group or control group. Each of the test group users is provided a gaming application including the selected new game feature enabled. Each of the control group users is provided the gaming application without the selected new game feature enabled. Evaluation scores are generated based on gaming activity and social network activity. A score comparison report is generated comparing the evaluations scores of the test group and the control group. Based on the score comparison report, it is determined whether to continue testing one or more additional new game features from the set of new game features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Justin Driemeyer
  • Publication number: 20130046684
    Abstract: Method for detecting fraud includes receiving a fraud alert. The fraud alert is investigated by analyzing social graph information and other available information of one or more users associated with the fraud alert to determine likelihood of the users being involved in fraud. When it is determined that a fraud was committed based on the analysis, chain of fraudulent transactions related to the fraud are reversed and fraud events data related to the fraud are updated into a fraud event database for subsequent analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Justin Driemeyer, Matthew Ocko
  • Patent number: 8333659
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN ONLINE BEHAVIOR MONITOR (“OBM”) transform user social-gaming behavioral pattern data via various OBM components into online social-gaming experience customizations. In one embodiment, the OBM may provide, in response to a gaming app request from a user, a gaming app including a test game feature for the user. The OBM may obtain user social graph data identifying co-users of the user. The OBM may also obtain: online gaming pattern data for the users and the co-users, including gaming action identifiers and their associated gaming action timestamps; user online social activity data, for the users and the co-users, including social networking action identifiers and their associated social networking action timestamps; and game feature adoption evaluation instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Driemeyer, Matthew Ocko
  • Patent number: 8326751
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A TRACKABLE VIRTUAL CURRENCIES PLATFORM (“TVC”) transform user transaction request input via various TVC components into transaction result output. In one embodiment, information regarding a virtual currency transaction including a user identifier of a user associated with the virtual currency transaction may be received. A potential fraud event threshold score for the user may be calculated by analyzing past fraud data associated with the user, and a virtual currency transaction fraud score may be calculated by analyzing the user's social graph and the user's prior game play patterns. If the virtual currency transaction fraud score exceeds the potential fraud event threshold score for the user, the virtual currency transaction may be identified as potentially fraudulent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Driemeyer, Matthew Ocko
  • Patent number: 8317610
    Abstract: A method for testing a new feature of an online gaming application is provided. The method initiates with assigning each of a plurality of users to one of a test group and a control group. Each of the test group users is provided a gaming application including a new game feature enabled, and each of the control group users is provided the gaming application without the new game feature enabled. Gaming activity and social network activity of the test group users is evaluated to generate an evaluation score for the test group users. Gaming activity and social network activity of the control group users is evaluated to generate an evaluation score for the control group users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Justin Driemeyer
  • Patent number: 8315944
    Abstract: Methods for detecting fraud using virtual currency transaction include receiving information regarding a virtual currency transaction from a user. The information is analyzed to determine whether the transaction involves a user that is being tracked, wherein the user being tracked is associated with an elevated level of risk of fraud. When a user associated with the transaction is being tracked, the virtual currency transaction is monitored using tracked virtual currency. The virtual currency transaction is identified as potentially fraudulent based on the monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Driemeyer, Matthew Ocko
  • Patent number: 8241116
    Abstract: A method for testing a new feature of an online gaming application is provided. According to the method, a gaming application request is received from a user, and it is determined whether to add the user to a live test for a new game feature. If the user is added to the live test, then the user is assigned to a test group or a control group. If the user is assigned to the test group, then a gaming application is provided including the new game feature enabled. If the user is assigned to the control group, then the gaming application is provided without the new game feature enabled. User social graph data identifying co-users of the user is obtained, and gaming activity and social network activity of the user is evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Justin Driemeyer