Patents by Inventor Peter Pao Lai

Peter Pao Lai 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: 11590424
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner calculates a player skill level for a player. The System Tuner modifies at least one attribute of a second game level based on the player skill level prior to game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner detects game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner identifies a difference between a current rate of progression of the player and a reference rate of progression. The System Tuner triggers the modified attribute of the second game according to an extent of the difference between the current rate of progression and the reference rate of progression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Publication number: 20210308581
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner calculates a player skill level for a player. The System Tuner modifies at least one attribute of a second game level based on the player skill level prior to game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner detects game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner identifies a difference between a current rate of progression of the player and a reference rate of progression. The System Tuner triggers the modified attribute of the second game according to an extent of the difference between the current rate of progression and the reference rate of progression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Patent number: 10987589
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner calculates a player skill level for a player. The System Tuner modifies at least one attribute of a second game level based on the player skill level prior to game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner detects game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner identifies a difference between a current rate of progression of the player and a reference rate of progression. The System Tuner triggers the modified attribute of the second game according to an extent of the difference between the current rate of progression and the reference rate of progression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Publication number: 20190308105
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner calculates a player skill level for a player. The System Tuner modifies at least one attribute of a second game level based on the player skill level prior to game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner detects game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner identifies a difference between a current rate of progression of the player and a reference rate of progression. The System Tuner triggers the modified attribute of the second game according to an extent of the difference between the current rate of progression and the reference rate of progression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Patent number: 10409457
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for updating user interfaces. The System Tuner receives a selection of at least one target tile for removal from display of a plurality tile according to a first physical orientation. The System Tuner detects a change to a second physical orientation. While in the second physical orientation, the System Tuner identifies a proximate tile(s) placed above a tile position of the at least one removed target tile due to the change to the second physical orientation. The System Tuner shifts the proximate tile(s) downward towards the tile position of the at least one removed target tile. The System Tuner inserts a replacement tile in an open tile position resulting from shifting the at least one proximate tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: David Baack, Sora Bai, Peter Pao Lai, Katherine Lee, Daniel Ian Sternfeld
  • Patent number: 10369475
    Abstract: A method of customizing offers for sales of combinations of virtual items at discounted prices is disclosed. A combination of virtual items of a computer-implemented game is selected such that the sum of the values of each of the combination of virtual items has a proportion to an amount of currency in an account of a user of the computer-implemented game, the selecting being performed by a processor. An offer for a sale of the combination of the virtual items at a discounted price is generated for the user of the computer-implemented game. The offer for the sale of the combination of virtual items at the discounted price is presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio Santini, Peter Pao Lai
  • Patent number: 10363487
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner calculates a player skill level for a player. The System Tuner modifies at least one attribute of a second game level based on the player skill level prior to game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner detects game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner identifies a difference between a current rate of progression of the player and a reference rate of progression. The System Tuner triggers the modified attribute of the second game according to an extent of the difference between the current rate of progression and the reference rate of progression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Patent number: 10112112
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein to display positions of symbols in a target sequence. In various embodiments, a Sequence Generator generates a target sequence of symbols to be identified by a player in a virtual gaming environment. The Sequence Generator generates an obscured display of the target sequence. The Sequence Generator receives from the player a first selected sequence of symbols to be played in a first game move in the virtual gaming environment. The Sequence Generator identifies a first shared symbol present in both the first selected sequence and the target sequence. Responsive to the identifying, the Sequence Generator changes the obscured display of the target sequence to reveal the first shared symbol at a first position in the target sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Publication number: 20170304722
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a Game Action Trigger Module (GATM) for trigger game actions. The GATM generates a virtual gaming environment comprising a concurrent display of a tile board and a game world separate from the tile board. The GATM receives a selection of a sequence of tile board virtual objects. The GATM identifies a location of a particular tile board virtual object in the selected sequence. The GATM identifies a target game world virtual object based on the location of the particular tile board virtual object in the selected sequence. The GATM applies a game action to the target game world virtual object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Sumit Mehra, Sagar Patel, Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Patent number: 9757650
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a Game Action Trigger Module (GATM) for trigger game actions. The GATM generates a virtual gaming environment comprising a concurrent display of a tile board and a game world separate from the tile board. The GATM receives a selection of a sequence of tile board virtual objects. The GATM identifies a location of a particular tile board virtual object in the selected sequence. The GATM identifies a target game world virtual object based on the location of the particular tile board virtual object in the selected sequence. The GATM applies a game action to the target game world virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Sumit Mehra, Sagar Patel, Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Publication number: 20170246538
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein to display positions of symbols in a target sequence. In various embodiments, a Sequence Generator generates a target sequence of symbols to be identified by a player in a virtual gaming environment. The Sequence Generator generates an obscured display of the target sequence. The Sequence Generator receives from the player a first selected sequence of symbols to be played in a first game move in the virtual gaming environment, The Sequence Generator identifies a first shared symbol present in both the first selected sequence and the target sequence. Responsive to the identifying, the Sequence Generator changes the obscured display of the target sequence to reveal the first shared symbol at a first position in the target sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Publication number: 20170246540
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner calculates a player skill level for a player. The System Tuner modifies at least one attribute of a second game level based on the player skill level prior to game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner detects game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner identifies a difference between a current rate of progression of the player and a reference rate of progression. The System Tuner triggers the modified attribute of the second game according to an extent of the difference between the current rate of progression and the reference rate of progression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Patent number: 9724606
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein to display positions of symbols in a target sequence. In various embodiments, a Sequence Generator generates a target sequence of symbols to be identified by a player in a virtual gaming environment. The Sequence Generator generates an obscured display of the target sequence. The Sequence Generator receives from the player a first selected sequence of symbols to be played in a first game move in the virtual gaming environment. The Sequence Generator identifies a first shared symbol present in both the first selected sequence and the target sequence. Responsive to the identifying, the Sequence Generator changes the obscured display of the target sequence to reveal the first shared symbol at a first position in the target sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Patent number: 9675889
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner calculates a player skill level for a player. The System Tuner modifies at least one attribute of a second game level based on the player skill level prior to game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner detects game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner identifies a difference between a current rate of progression of the player and a reference rate of progression. The System Tuner triggers the modified attribute of the second game according to an extent of the difference between the current rate of progression and the reference rate of progression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Publication number: 20160214019
    Abstract: A method of customizing offers for sales of combinations of virtual items at discounted prices is disclosed. A combination of virtual items of a computer-implemented game is selected such that the sum of the values of each of the combination of virtual items has a proportion to an amount of currency in an account of a user of the computer-implemented game, the selecting being performed by a processor. An offer for a sale of the combination of the virtual items at a discounted price is generated for the user of the computer-implemented game. The offer for the sale of the combination of virtual items at the discounted price is presented to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Fabio Santini, Peter Pao Lai
  • Publication number: 20160098161
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for updating user interfaces. The System Tuner receives a selection of at least one target tile for removal from display of a plurality tile according to a first physical orientation. The System Tuner detects a change to a second physical orientation. While in the second physical orientation, the System Tuner identifies a proximate tile(s) placed above a tile position of the at least one removed target tile due to the change to the second physical orientation. The System Tuner shifts the proximate tile(s) downward towards the tile position of the at least one removed target tile. The System Tuner inserts a replacement tile in an open tile position resulting from shifting the at least one proximate tile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: David Baack, Sora Bai, Peter Pao Lai, Katherine Lee, Daniel Ian Sternfeld
  • Publication number: 20160067615
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner calculates a player skill level for a player. The System Tuner modifies at least one attribute of a second game level based on the player skill level prior to game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner detects game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner identifies a difference between a current rate of progression of the player and a reference rate of progression. The System Tuner triggers the modified attribute of the second game according to an extent of the difference between the current rate of progression and the reference rate of progression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Publication number: 20160067605
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein to display positions of symbols in a target sequence. In various embodiments, a Sequence Generator generates a target sequence of symbols to be identified by a player in a virtual gaming environment. The Sequence Generator generates an obscured display of the target sequence. The Sequence Generator receives from the player a first selected sequence of symbols to be played in a first game move in the virtual gaming environment. The Sequence Generator identifies a first shared symbol present in both the first selected sequence and the target sequence. Responsive to the identifying, the Sequence Generator changes the obscured display of the target sequence to reveal the first shared symbol at a first position in the target sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Publication number: 20160067601
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a Game Action Trigger Module (GATM) for trigger game actions. The GATM generates a virtual gaming environment comprising a concurrent display of a tile board and a game world separate from the tile board. The GATM receives a selection of a sequence of tile board virtual objects. The GATM identifies a location of a particular tile board virtual object in the selected sequence. The GATM identifies a target game world virtual object based on the location of the particular tile board virtual object in the selected sequence. The GATM applies a game action to the target game world virtual object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Sumit Mehra, Sagar Patel, Peter Pao Lai, Sora Bai, David Baack, Katherine Lee
  • Patent number: 9256887
    Abstract: A method of providing offers for sales of combinations of virtual items at discounted prices is disclosed. An offer is generated for a sale of a combination of virtual items at a discounted price. The offer for the sale of the combination of virtual items at the discounted price is presented to a user. The presenting suggests to the user that the combination of virtual items is randomly selected from a set of virtual items and the discounted price is randomly selected from a set of discounted prices, the presenting of the offer being performed by a processor. However, in actuality, the combination of virtual items or the discounted price may not be selected randomly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Fabio Santini, Peter Pao Lai