Patents Assigned to Ganz
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Patent number: 7604525Abstract: A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy on said website; providing at least one virtual room on the website for the virtual replica of the toy; offering one or more virtual furnishings for the at least one virtual room; providing content that allows the one or more virtual furnishings to be arranged in the at least one virtual room; and interacting the virtual replica of the toy with at least one of the one or more virtual furnishings.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: GanzInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090254434Abstract: A method for disabling and re-enabling third-party advertisements is disclosed. An Internet accessible “virtual world” or interactive on-line community can have its advertisements disabled by the entering and subsequent validation of a registration code that is associated with a toy into a website, once validated, displaying a virtual representation of the toy on the website, providing virtual world content so that the virtual representation of the toy is caused to interact with the virtual world content and the toy virtual representations of other users, displaying advertisement on the website in a first mode and allowing customization of the virtual world content including the disabling of advertisements in a second mode. In a similar manner the third party advertisements can be re-enabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: GANZInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, Jessica Boyd
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Publication number: 20090248544Abstract: A reverse purchase system allows purchasing an item on a website and receiving a virtual version of that item substantially immediately. Subsequent to receiving that virtual version, the user later receives the real version either in the mail or through redemption of a coupon.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: Ganz, an Ontario partnership consisting of 212100 Ontario Inc. and 2121812 Ontario Inc.Inventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090240659Abstract: A social networking website allows users to interact socially without revealing any information about themselves. The only information they reveal is about their virtual pets in the virtual website world.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2008Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: Ganz, an Ontario partnership consisting of 2121200 Ontario Inc. and 2121812 Ontario Inc.Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, Jesse Scoble, Sally Christensen
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Publication number: 20090228557Abstract: A computer network-based messaging system includes a multiple-layer chat filtering system for controlling the content of messages sent by users. A computer receives a message including a plurality of words entered by a sender. A word database includes a plurality of permitted words which are allowed to be transmitted. A phrase database includes a plurality of prohibited phrases which are not allowed to be transmitted. At least one of the plurality of prohibited phrases consists of a plurality of individual words that are each included in the word database. A message sending part that transmits the message over a computer network only if all of the plurality of words entered by the sender are contained in the word database and none of the plurality of prohibited phrases are contained in the message.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2008Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: Ganz, an Ontario partnership consisting of 2121200 Ontario Inc. and 2121812 Ontario Inc.Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
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Publication number: 20090204908Abstract: A method and system of managing a user's friends in a virtual environment are presented. The method includes interacting a virtual character with a plurality of additional virtual characters in response to commands input from the user entered via the user computer. A subset of the additional users, the additional virtual characters, or a combination of the additional users and the additional virtual characters are designated as friends of the user in the virtual environment, and the friends are added to a list of friends associated with the user. The friends on the list displayed to the user can be ranked in an order based at least in part on the interacting of the virtual character controlled by the user with the plurality of additional virtual characters in the virtual environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: GANZInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, Sally Christensen
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Publication number: 20090204420Abstract: A method for providing a virtual world presentation includes registering a first product on a computer system; registering a user on the computer system and associating that user with a user ID; responsive to registering the first product, displaying a virtual representation of the first product on the computer system; associating the virtual representation of the first product with the user ID; registering a second product on the computer system; and responsive to registering the second product, generating specialized content on the computer system. The specialized content is also associated with the user ID and may include a virtual representation of the second product. Accessing the computer system using the user ID provides access to both the virtual representation of the first product and the specialized content on the computer system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: GANZInventor: Howard Ganz
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Patent number: 7568964Abstract: A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy on said website; providing at least one virtual room on the website for the virtual replica of the toy; offering one or more virtual furnishings for the at least one virtual room; providing content that allows the one or more virtual furnishings to be arranged in the at least one virtual room; and interacting the virtual replica of the toy with at least one of the one or more virtual furnishings.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: GanzInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090132656Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: Ganz, an Ontario partnership consisting of S.H. Ganz Holdings Inc. and 816877 Ontario LimitedInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090132267Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: Ganz, an Ontario partnership consisting of S.H. Ganz Holdings Inc. and 816877 Ontario LimitedInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090132357Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: Ganz, an Ontario partnership consisting of S.H. Ganz Holdings Inc. and 816877 Ontario LimitedInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090131164Abstract: A method, system and toy that provides a product that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the product. The product has a registration code associated with it. Data associated with the product is electronically stored in the product using an electronic storage medium. A user is registered on the website by associating the user with a user ID. The user ID is associated with the virtual replica of the product by utilizing the registration code. Access is granted to one or more features on the website in connection with the virtual replica of the product subsequent to input and validation of the registration code via the user ID without requiring additional entry of the registration code.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2009Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: GANZInventor: Howard Ganz
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Patent number: 7534157Abstract: An Entertainment System in combination with a commercially purchased toy, wherein the system allows a toy user to register the toy online using a registration code, allowing the user access to various entertainment activities and scenarios in a “virtual world” including a virtual representation of the toy, via a computer connected to the Internet. The system then encourages the user to purchase additional toys to enjoy additional benefits using the Entertainment System. The Entertainment System including a database subsystem, a registration subsystem, a server subsystem, and a virtual world providing subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: GanzInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090118009Abstract: A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy on said website; providing at least one virtual room on the website for the virtual replica of the toy; offering one or more virtual furnishings for the at least one virtual room; providing content that allows the one or more virtual furnishings to be arranged in the at least one virtual room; and interacting the virtual replica of the toy with at least one of the one or more virtual furnishings.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2009Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: GANZInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090063282Abstract: A computer system provides a virtual world. The computer system includes a server subsystem serving virtual world data, via a communication network, and receives data and/or commands. A registration subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, verifies information from a toy, registers the toy, and determines a quantity of toys registered by a user who is registering the toy. The verifying includes determining the validity of the information. A virtual world providing subsystem, coupled to the server subsystem, provides the virtual world data, which produces data that presents the virtual world. The virtual world data includes a virtual toy representing the toy and a reward provided to the user for registering the toy. The reward is based on the quantity of toys previously registered by the user, such that the reward received for registering the toy is different than another reward previously received by the user for registering another toy.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: GANZInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090063271Abstract: 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: September 19, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: GANZInventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
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Publication number: 20090054155Abstract: An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the internet and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may “log onto” the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: GANZInventor: Michael D. Borge
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Publication number: 20090053970Abstract: An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the internet and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may “log onto” the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: GANZInventor: Michael D. Borge
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Publication number: 20090029772Abstract: A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy on said website; providing at least one virtual room on the website for the virtual replica of the toy; offering one or more virtual furnishings for the at least one virtual room; providing content that allows the one or more virtual furnishings to be arranged in the at least one virtual room; and interacting the virtual replica of the toy with at least one of the one or more virtual furnishings.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: GanzInventor: Howard Ganz
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Publication number: 20090029768Abstract: A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy on said website; providing at least one virtual room on the website for the virtual replica of the toy; offering one or more virtual furnishings for the at least one virtual room; providing content that allows the one or more virtual furnishings to be arranged in the at least one virtual room; and interacting the virtual replica of the toy with at least one of the one or more virtual furnishings.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: GANZInventor: Howard Ganz