Patents Assigned to Ganz
-
Publication number: 20120197692Abstract: Rewards, which can be virtual currency which can include items, on one website are transferred to be used on another website. The one website on which the rewards are earned has reciprocity with other websites, and can send those rewards to another website, either associated with the user's own account, or with someone else's account. In one embodiment, the rewards can be transferred even if the user who earns those rewards does not participate in the website that is receiving the transfer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: GANZInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
-
Publication number: 20120179523Abstract: A social networking activity which provides charitable donations to a desired area/location. A computer server provides outputs from the social networking site that allows users to play a game on the social networking site. The game is such that the social networking site receives revenue on the social networking site as a result of a user playing the game. The user can select at least one charitable cause from among a plurality of selections of charitable causes, or at least one geographic location to receive at least some of that revenue.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: GANZInventor: Howard Ganz
-
Publication number: 20120178537Abstract: The subject application describes an activity performed with or without a website, such as a game. The game can be played either when in contact with the website or when disconnected from the website. The game playing can be carried out for example on a mobile device. The game can be used to earn virtual cash on the website, when playing from the mobile device. The game can also be played when the mobile device is not attached to the website, in which case the points that are received are saved along with an encryption to avoid a user's improper increasing of the points.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: GANZInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, John Alexander Larsen
-
Patent number: 8205158Abstract: An Entertainment System including a website, in combination with a commercially purchased product, wherein the system allows a product user to register a primary product online using a registration code, allowing the user access to various activities and scenarios in a “virtual world” including a virtual representation of the product, via a computer connected to the Internet. Additional ancillary products are also provided that may be related to the primary product or the virtual world, with these ancillary products also being provided with one or more codes to provide additional content, bonus items, and/or bonus access in the virtual world.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: GanzInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
-
Publication number: 20120116898Abstract: A unique code is used to register a virtual pet or other item using a code that is associated with the pet, and which, when entered, allows viewing and interacting with a virtual representation of the actual item on the website. If the code is entered during a specific time period, it allows obtaining at least one additional item, for example an exclusive item that cannot be obtained in any other way. The specific time period can be extended, e.g., using supplemental codes. The codes may specify fixed or variable time periods, and may be generic extension codes and extend other things other than this period.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: GANZInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
-
Patent number: 8128500Abstract: A method provides a virtual presentation including a virtual character in an environment other than a natural environment of the virtual character. The method includes validating a registration code associated with a toy, providing at least one virtual room representing a natural environment of the toy in the virtual presentation, and displaying the virtual character in the virtual room representing the natural environment of the toy, which represents the toy in the virtual presentation. The method further includes providing at least one additional virtual room representing an unnatural environment of the toy in the virtual presentation, the unnatural environment of the toy being different than the natural environment of the toy, and providing the virtual character with an environment extension tool that enables the virtual character to exist in the room representing the unnatural environment of the toy.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: GanzInventors: Karl Joseph Borst, Stephen Braund
-
Patent number: 8118636Abstract: A unique code is used to register a virtual pet or other item using a code that is associated with the pet, and which, when entered, allows viewing and interacting with a virtual representation of the actual item on the website. If the code is entered during a specific time period, it allows obtaining at least one additional item, for example an exclusive item that cannot be obtained in any other way. The specific time period can be extended, e.g., using supplemental codes. The codes may specify fixed or variable time periods, and may be generic extension codes and extend other things other than this period.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: GanzInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
-
Publication number: 20120042260Abstract: A customer service tool which is used to locally adopt a virtual item in a virtual world.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: GANZInventor: Matan Michael Kohen
-
Publication number: 20120036147Abstract: A computer network-based messaging system controls the content of messages sent by users. A database includes permitted words and replacement text elements corresponding to at least one permitted word. A message filter receives an entered word or phrase input by a user on a messaging device as part of a message. The message filter replaces the entered word in the message with a corresponding replacement text element stored in the database. A message sending part transmits the message including the replacement text element over a data network for viewing by other users only if every entered word in the message is included in the database. The message sending part transmits the message even though one or words contained in the replacement text element are not permitted words in the database. The system may allow deletion of a replacement text element from a message only in its entirety.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2010Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: GANZInventors: Karl Joseph Borst, Sally Christensen
-
Patent number: 8088002Abstract: A first website earns rewards, e.g. points and items, for carrying out activities. Those rewards can be transferred to a second website. For example, a parent's website allows the parent to carry more adult tasks and also earn points. The points can be transferred to the child's website. A center of the universe website allows obtaining rewards for any of these websites. A social networking component operates across multiple websites.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: GanzInventor: Howard Ganz
-
Publication number: 20110282764Abstract: A party pack is purchased from an electronic store that includes everything necessary to have a party including games, prizes, food items, an invitation template, and prizes for the party recipients.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: GANZInventors: Karl Joseph Borst, Michael Kwant, Jessica Boyd
-
Publication number: 20110270718Abstract: Provided are a method and computer system that provide a virtual world. A server of the computer system includes a storage subsystem that stores two or more items of different personalized information about multiple different users, including different user identifications and passwords associated with the user identifications respectively representing the users. The server computer system is programmed to accept login credentials including a user identification and password and validate the login credentials. The server computer system is also programmed to control formation of a first user account and storage of the first user identification and first password. The storage subsystem stores information about registration codes that have not yet been entered.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: GANZInventor: Howard Ganz
-
Publication number: 20110265041Abstract: A user interface for a virtual world includes a circular area forming a display for an item in the virtual world, and controls surrounding only a portion of the display for controlling that item.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: GANZInventors: Joseph Benjamin Ganetakos, Frank James Caron, Jesse Daniel Scoble, Gord Scott McLeod, John Alexander Larsen, Felix Leung, Karl Joseph Borst
-
Publication number: 20110265018Abstract: A virtual world in which users can be represented by avatars that can communicate with both other avatars and with non-player characters (NPC's). During the communication, entering of an emotional text language causes the avatar itself to be animated to show emotion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: GANZInventors: Karl Joseph Borst, John Alexander Larsen, Joseph Benjamin Ganetakos
-
Publication number: 20110264489Abstract: A system is provided in which at least two different types of currencies exist in an economy established for a virtual environment. A first currency is earned or obtained by a participant through activities performed while in the environment, and it is used to pay for activity fees and to purchase personal use items including but not limited to food, clothing, home furnishings, house pets, and event tickets. A second currency is limited in its use and is more difficult to obtain. The second currency is used to purchase infrastructure items for a particular town in the environment (e.g., new buildings, villager homes, or upgrades to existing properties). These two currencies are not interchangeable and items/property purchased by village contributions cannot be transferred between villagers.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: GANZInventors: Joseph Benjamin Ganetakos, Felix Leung, Karl Joseph Borst
-
Publication number: 20110265044Abstract: A user interface for a virtual world controls and allows registering new characters and also registering achievement when the user has carried out a number of different items.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: GANZInventors: Joseph Benjamin Ganetakos, Frank James Caron, Jesse Daniel Scoble, Gord Scott McLeod, John Alexander Larsen, Felix Leung, Karl Joseph Borst
-
Publication number: 20110264562Abstract: Provided are a method and system that promote the conversion of visitors to a website into full members using a one click protocol. The method, which can be executed by a computer system, includes hosting a website on a server. User profiles are stored on the website, and the users include a first set of users who are full members and a second set of users who are not full members. Access is granted to an electronic store associated with the website, and a different version of the electronic store is accessible by the first and second sets of users. Members of the second set of users who purchase an item from the limited selection of items of the electronic store are converted into additional members, and subsequently granted access to portions of the website reserved for full members.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: GANZInventor: Karl Joseph Borst
-
Publication number: 20110264796Abstract: The subject application involves enhancing search and navigation through a social virtual environment through the use of a ratings system. The environment is comprised of smaller communities or villages. The rating of a village is determined in part by the activities performed in a village, by the user who is performing the activity, and the duration and recurrence of the activity. Another element that affects a village's current rating is the state of decline or decay to which it is subjected. Certain activities that are performed can effectively delay or negate an amount of decay to the rating, but even so, village ratings are in a continual state of decline. To increase or maintain a particular rating, village residents need to perform activities.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: GANZInventors: Joseph Benjamin Ganetakos, John Alexander Larsen, Karl Joseph Borst
-
Publication number: 20110261071Abstract: A crafting system and method are provided that allow users or players in a social virtual environment to create their own unique virtual items for use on the site. With the crafting system and method, players can collect different types of materials, some more common than others, from within the virtual social environment to customize items, which the player can use to express their individuality as well as sell or trade within the environment. The complexity and uniqueness of the crafted item makes it much more difficult for another player to obtain the same materials and to replicate the design.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: GANZInventors: Joseph Benjamin Ganetakos, Felix Leung, Karl Joseph Borst
-
Publication number: 20110264741Abstract: A matchmaking system is provided herein to facilitate the development of relationships in a virtual social environment. The amount of development (positive or negative) is measured through the detection and analysis of the villager's actions and activity in the virtual social environment. By performing actions including participating in events, activities, sharing an opinion, and giving gifts to other villagers or NPCs present in the environment, a villager creates relationships between herself and other villagers (regardless if owned by the same or different user) or NPCs which then contributes to the development of her own “life” in the virtual social environment. Through this system, villagers are able to meet again based on multiple factors to further develop life-like relationships.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: GANZInventors: Joseph Benjamin Ganetakos, Jesse Daniel Scoble, John Alexander Larsen, Karl Joseph Borst