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: 8210940
    Abstract: The Apparatuses, Methods, and Systems For Game Mechanics For Gifting (“GGM”) transform social graph, interactions, behavior and characteristics data inputs via various GGM components to create optimal gift-giving dynamics. In one embodiment, the GGM may receive a request to provide a gaming resource to a user. In response to the request, the GGM may aggregate and analyze interaction data to identify a provider with prior interactions with the user. The GGM may in turn request the provider for a gaming resource. The GGM may receive an indication to provide a gaming resource to the user in response to the request and may facilitate providing of a gaming resource to the user. The GGM may identify this indication as an instance of interaction and may update the user interaction data accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Dorion Carroll, Bill Mooney, Matthew Ocko
  • Patent number: 8210934
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A MULTI-LEVEL IN-GAME CURRENCY PLATFORM (“MIC”) transform user transaction request input via various MIC components into transaction result output. In one embodiment, a request to calculate a dynamic conversion rate between a payment currency type and a requested virtual currency type for a user may be received. The base conversion rate between the payment currency type and the requested virtual currency type may be retrieved. A user characteristic indicative of the user's progress through a game that affects the base conversion rate may be determined, and a game progression adjustment to the base conversion rate due to the determined user characteristic may be calculated. The dynamic conversion rate may be calculated by adjusting the base conversion rate with the game progression adjustment and returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Sim Singh
  • Patent number: 8147328
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GAME MECHANICS FOR GIFTING (“GGM”) transform social graph, interactions, behavior and characteristics data inputs via various GGM components to create optimal gift-giving dynamics. In one embodiment, the GGM may receive a request to provide a gaming resource to a user. In response to the request, the GGM may aggregate and analyze interaction data to identify a provider with prior interactions with the user. The GGM may in turn request the provider for a gaming resource. The GGM may receive may receive an indication to provide a gaming resource to the user in response to the request and may facilitate providing of a gaming resource to the user. The GGM may identify this indication as an instance of interaction and may update the user interaction data accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorion Carroll, Bill Mooney, Matthew Ocko
  • Publication number: 20120077596
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Justin Driemeyer
  • Publication number: 20120078394
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Sim Singh, Shane Saraeli
  • Publication number: 20120078395
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Sim Singh, Shane Saraeli
  • Publication number: 20120071236
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Justin Driemeyer
  • Publication number: 20120028713
    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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Justin Driemeyer, Kevin Hagan, Matthew Ocko, Nick Tornow
  • Publication number: 20120015733
    Abstract: The Apparatuses, Methods, and Systems For Game Mechanics For Gifting (“GGM”) transform social graph, interactions, behavior and characteristics data inputs via various GGM components to create optimal gift-giving dynamics. In one embodiment, the GGM may receive a request to provide a gaming resource to a user. In response to the request, the GGM may aggregate and analyze interaction data to identify a provider with prior interactions with the user. The GGM may in turn request the provider for a gaming resource. The GGM may receive an indication to provide a gaming resource to the user in response to the request and may facilitate providing of a gaming resource to the user. The GGM may identify this indication as an instance of interaction and may update the user interaction data accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Dorion Carroll, Bill Mooney, Matthew Ocko
  • Publication number: 20120015714
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Zynga, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Sim Singh
  • Publication number: 20120016796
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Zynga, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Driemeyer, Matthew Ocko
  • Publication number: 20110212770
    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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Sim Singh, Shane Sareli
  • Publication number: 20110213716
    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, upon receiving a customer service request from a user, the OBM may obtain, for processing the customer service request, user social graph data identifying co-users, social networking action identifiers and associated social networking action timestamps; user online gaming action identifiers and associated gaming action timestamps; and customer service request evaluation rules and associated request evaluation score thresholds. The OBM may generate social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users using the gaming action identifiers, social networking action identifiers and timestamps. The OBM may generate a social-gaming activity thread for the user using the social-gaming activity timelines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Matthew Ocko
  • Publication number: 20110212784
    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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Justin Driemeyer
  • Publication number: 20110212769
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GAME MECHANICS FOR GIFTING (“GGM”) transform social graph, interactions, behavior and characteristics data inputs via various GGM components to create optimal gift-giving dynamics. In one embodiment, the GGM may receive a request to provide a gaming resource to a user. In response to the request, the GGM may aggregate and analyze interaction data to identify a provider with prior interactions with the user. The GGM may in turn request the provider for a gaming resource. The GGM may receive may receive an indication to provide a gaming resource to the user in response to the request and may facilitate providing of a gaming resource to the user. The GGM may identify this indication as an instance of interaction and may update the user interaction data accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Dorion Carroll, Bill Mooney, Matthew Ocko
  • Publication number: 20110212762
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A MULTI-LEVEL IN-GAME CURRENCY PLATFORM (“MIC”) transform user transaction request input via various MIC components into transaction result output. In one embodiment, a request to calculate a dynamic conversion rate between a payment currency type and a requested virtual currency type for a user may be received. The base conversion rate between the payment currency type and the requested virtual currency type may be retrieved. A user characteristic indicative of the user's progress through a game that affects the base conversion rate may be determined, and a game progression adjustment to the base conversion rate due to the determined user characteristic may be calculated. The dynamic conversion rate may be calculated by adjusting the base conversion rate with the game progression adjustment and returned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew Ocko, Sim Singh
  • Publication number: 20110145137
    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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Justin Driemeyer, Matthew Ocko