Patents Assigned to Leviathan
  • Software-based commerce engine deployed in video game environment
    Patent number: 7966239
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems that permit players of a video game to secure contracts in-game using, e.g., credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. Virtual and/or real world financial penalties can be applied to players and/or player characters who default on agreements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Video game including child character generation using combination of parent character attributes
    Patent number: 7806758
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure provides a video game in which a new character can be created using attributes from multiple parent characters. Each character may contribute genetic material in the form of character attributes, which are then passed on to a child character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Ownership of game environments in a virtual world
    Patent number: 7780532
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for allowing players to acquire ownership of game environments. Methods and systems additionally include means for buying and selling ownership or fractions of ownership in a particular game environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Event-driven alteration of avatars
    Patent number: 7775885
    Abstract: Virtual environments in which player avatars can be altered based on events that occur in a video game, metaverse or virtual environment. One event is the failure to fulfill an obligation in a virtual contract. Avatars who fail to fulfill such obligations may have their appearance, voice, or smell altered, or may be followed by one or more non player character avatars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew S. Van Luchene, Raymond J. Mueller
  • Helpfulness in a virtual environment
    Patent number: 7717782
    Abstract: A virtual game environment in which characters are allowed to give help to one another and in which the game tracks the amount of helpfulness of each character is provided. Characters may be rewarded or paid for giving help to each other. In some embodiments, help may be given in the form of advice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Financial institutions and instruments in a virtual environment
    Patent number: 7690990
    Abstract: A virtual environment including various virtual financial institutions and instruments is described. According to some embodiments, some of the virtual financial instruments may be guaranteed by real world financial instruments such as a credit card. Accordingly, various virtual financial transactions such as virtual loans, virtual venture capital investments, virtual banking and virtual insurance are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Virtual environment with formalized inter-character relationships
    Patent number: 7690997
    Abstract: Virtual environments in which multiple characters are allowed to form relationships wherein the relationships may provide various benefits as well as obligations are described. Systems and methods for forming, monitoring, and terminating the relationships are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene, Raymond Jay Mueller
  • Satisfaction of financial obligations in a virtual environment via virtual and real world currency
    Patent number: 7686691
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems for allowing game players to secure in-game contracts using credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. The disclosure further provides methods and systems for providing virtual and/or real world financial penalties to game players and/or player characters who default on in-game agreements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Video game methods and systems
    Patent number: 7677974
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems: for forming relationships between player characters, to allow for karma points, death, and reincarnation of player characters, for inheritance between player characters, to allow a game that progresses in eras, that allow reverse outcomes of game parameters, to create in-game objects from digital images of real life objects, to provide inventory management of in-game items and attributes, to facilitate favors between player characters, and to allow for genetic crossbreeding of parents to form children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Securing virtual contracts with credit
    Patent number: 7677973
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems for allowing game players to secure in-game contracts using credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. The disclosure further provides methods and systems for providing virtual and/or real world financial penalties to game players and/or player characters who default on in-game agreements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Video game with registration of funding sources
    Patent number: 7677975
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for obtaining funding for developing game environments. Methods and systems include a variety of funding sources including taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or treasury stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Method and system for allocating resources in a video game
    Patent number: 7677979
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. The disclosure describes video game environments that include a method and system for controlling the quantity and distribution of virtual natural resources, raw materials, skills and NPCs in and between games, where player characters may acquire, use and modify such virtual resources within the physical limits of the games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Securing contracts in a virtual world
    Patent number: 7666095
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for enforcing contracts within video game environments. Methods and systems of the invention include virtual and real world penalties and remedies for entities that breach contracts or other obligations undertaken in the virtual world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Video game with venture capital funding voting
    Patent number: 7651395
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for obtaining funding for developing game environments. Methods and systems include a variety of funding sources including taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or treasury stock. In one embodiment the disclosure provides methods and systems for allowing members of a Venture Capital entity to vote on whether or not to fund a given venture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Financial institutions and instruments in a virtual environment
    Patent number: 7645194
    Abstract: A system and method to allow players of a video game to perform financial transactions in a virtual environment. According to some embodiments, real world financial instruments such as a credit card or other financial instrument may guarantee some or all of the virtual financial operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene, Raymond Jay Mueller
  • Video game environment that tracks help and advice provided to other player characters
    Patent number: 7572187
    Abstract: A virtual game environment in which characters are allowed to give help to one another and in which the game tracks the amount of helpfulness of each character is provided. Characters may be rewarded or paid for giving help to each other. In some embodiments, help may be given in the form of advice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Automated leveling apparatus
    Patent number: 7568291
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide an inexpensive and easy to use apparatus and method that permits a user to attach an apparatus to existing picture frames or other objects with various advantages. Such embodiments will keep a picture, object or frame in a substantially continuously level position or otherwise aligned position. Thus, using the disclosed apparatus, a user can ensure that any picture, frame or other hanging and relatively flat object will generally remain in a pleasantly horizontal or other desired aspect, without need for ongoing user inspection or manual adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Leviathan
    Inventors: Andrew S. Van Luchene, Raymond J. Mueller
  • Mediation of Disputes in a Virtual Environment
    Publication number: 20090170604
    Abstract: A mechanism for dispute mediation and resolution in a virtual environment is provided. The mechanism may involve the breach of a virtual contract and the determination of suitable penalties against the breaching parties. In some embodiments, the mechanism may include a judge or jury comprising members of the virtual community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: LEVIATHAN ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Raymond Mueller, Andrew S Van Luchene
  • Real Time Trivia Match with Questions with Proof
    Publication number: 20090149259
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a trivia game in which a first contestant is able to create a trivia question related to a database of video clips and a compilation proof comprised of clips from the database. The contestant may then posit a putative answer to the question, based on the compilation proof. Audience members can then vote as to whether or not the putative answer is correct or incorrect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: LEVIATHAN ENTERTAINMENT
    Inventor: Andrew S. Van Luchene
  • Real Time Trivia Match with Audience Votes and Rewards
    Publication number: 20090146378
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a trivia game in which a first contestant is able to create a trivia question and them posit a putative answer to the question. Audience members can then vote as to whether or not the putative answer is correct or incorrect. A reward may be distributed to some members of the audience based on the results of the vote.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: LEVIATHAN ENTERTAINMENT
    Inventor: Andrew S Van Luchene