Patents by Inventor Michael Arieh Luxton

Michael Arieh Luxton 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: 10163306
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for limiting transfer of virtual currency in an online game. One method includes an operation for receiving, at a server, a purchase order for virtual currency from a first player. The purchase order is made with legal currency, and the virtual currency is usable within a computer-implemented gambling game. Further, the method includes operations for using a particular type of virtual currency available in an account of the first player to purchase a virtual item and a beneficiary is selected for crediting the virtual item. Account of the first player is adjusted to reflect the purchase of the virtual item and the account of the beneficiary is updated to credit the virtual item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Mark Jonathan Pincus, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Publication number: 20170309129
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for limiting transfer of virtual currency in an online game. One method includes an operation for receiving, at a server, a purchase order for virtual currency from a first player. The purchase order is made with legal currency, and the virtual currency is usable within a computer-implemented gambling game. Further, the method includes operations for using a particular type of virtual currency available in an account of the first player to purchase a virtual item and a beneficiary is selected for crediting the virtual item. Account of the first player is adjusted to reflect the purchase of the virtual item and the account of the beneficiary is updated to credit the virtual item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Mark Jonathan Pincus, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Patent number: 9704344
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for limiting transfer of virtual currency in an online game. One method includes an operation for receiving, at a server, a purchase order for virtual currency from a first player. The purchase order is made with legal currency, and the virtual currency is usable within a computer-implemented gambling game. Further, the method includes operations for crediting an account of the first player with virtual currency, and for enabling the first player to make transfers of the virtual currency to other players. The transfers of virtual currency from the first player to other players are then limited, such as by limiting the amount, the frequency, or the recipients of the transfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Mark Jonathan Pincus, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Patent number: 9280875
    Abstract: In various embodiments, virtual currency is used within a multiplayer online game in a restricted manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Jonathan Pincus, Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Patent number: 8700735
    Abstract: Disclosed in some examples is a method of caching by storing data in a first cache specific to a first geographic area and accessible only by a first application in the first geographic area; storing data in a second cache specific to a second geographic area and accessible by a plurality of applications in the second geographic area including the first application and a second application, the second geographic area being larger than and encompassing at least part of the first geographic area; responsive to a miss in the first cache for data, contacting the second cache and searching for the data in the second cache; and responsive to a hit for the data in the second cache, sending the data to a first application, wherein the data was placed in the second cache by a second application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Dale, Nathan Brown, Michael Arieh Luxton
  • Publication number: 20130217479
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for limiting transfer of virtual currency in an online game. One method includes an operation for receiving, at a server, a purchase order for virtual currency from a first player. The purchase order is made with legal currency, and the virtual currency is usable within a computer-implemented gambling game. Further, the method includes operations for crediting an account of the first player with virtual currency, and for enabling the first player to make transfers of the virtual currency to other players. The transfers of virtual currency from the first player to other players are then limited, such as by limiting the amount, the frequency, or the recipients of the transfers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Arieh Luxton
  • Patent number: 8439747
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing game transactions in an online game to acquire virtual currency. One method includes an operation for detecting a request from a player to purchase virtual currency for use in the online game. Cash or credit is received, in an online transaction, to make the purchase of the virtual currency. The virtual currency of the online game is not redeemable for cash or credit so the virtual currency cannot be considered gambling proceeds. The method further includes an operation for crediting the player with an amount of virtual currency based on the amount of the received cash or credit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Jonathan Pincus, Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Publication number: 20120015715
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing game transactions in an online game to acquire virtual currency. One method includes an operation for detecting a request from a player to purchase virtual currency for use in the online game. Cash or credit is received, in an online transaction, to make the purchase of the virtual currency. The virtual currency of the online game is not redeemable for cash or credit so the virtual currency cannot be considered gambling proceeds. The method further includes an operation for crediting the player with an amount of virtual currency based on the amount of the received cash or credit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Mark Jonathan Pincus, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Publication number: 20100227675
    Abstract: In various embodiments, virtual currency is used within a multiplayer online game in a restricted manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Zynga Game Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Mark Jonathan Pincus, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler