Patents Assigned to Zynga Inc.
  • Communicating messages within network games
    Patent number: 9320971
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating messages within online games are described. One of the methods includes receiving a message post from a first user. The message post is displayed on an in-game object that is configured for sharing message posts between the first user and other users. The method further includes detecting an interfacing action by a second user with the in-game object. The interfacing action is an input that is responsive to request content that is part of the message post. The method further includes validating the interfacing action to meet a threshold. If the threshold is met, the virtual game object is credited to the game space of the first user. The method includes generating a reward to the second user when the interfacing action is validated. The reward is credited to a game space of the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Tiago Amaral Penteado de Jesus
  • Methods and systems for generating test information from a source code
    Patent number: 9317402
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating test information from a source code are described. One of the methods includes accessing the source code. The method further includes receiving a modification of the source code to generate a modified source code. The modification includes one or more instructions that do not affect functions performed by executing the source code. The modification further includes one or more instructions for generating test information regarding each executable line of the source code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Aleksandr Kuzmin
  • Cross platform social networking authentication system
    Patent number: 9311462
    Abstract: Disclosed in one example is a method of authenticating with multiple social network services. The method may include storing first authentication information associated with a user for a first social networking service using at least one computer processor, receiving second authentication information associated with the user for a second social networking service from a social networking application, and sending to the social networking application the first authentication information. The first authentication information may enable the social networking application to utilize a protected application programming interface call for the first social networking service and the second authentication information may enable the social networking application to utilize a protected application programming interface call for the second social networking service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Brown, Henry Joseph Sommer, Andreas Selp Haugsnes
  • Methods and apparatus for managing network linked gambling video games
    Patent number: 9311778
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for playing video games in a network environment are provided. One method includes receiving a request to initiate a game for a player of a first network connected device and enabling a second player from a second networked connected device to play the game. The method also enables transfer of currency between the first and second players using the network for playing the game. The method debits an account of a player that transferred the currency and credits an account of a player that that received the currency. The method then enables purchases in the game using the credited currency and displays an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked connected device, and displays an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked connected device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena M. Fincham, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Stephen C. Tulley, Daniel E. Tedesco, Robert C. Tedesco
  • Slots-fueled adventure
    Patent number: 9302177
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing an adventure game. One method includes operations for sending an interface for a betting game, and for starting an online game that is displayed simultaneously with the interface for the betting game. The method further includes operations for detecting a bet placed in the betting game, and for determining an outcome of the bet in the betting game. An avatar is advanced along a path of the online game, where the amount of advancement of the avatar is based on the outcome of the bet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Guase, Nimai Malle, Nathan Ratcliffe
  • Gaming platform utilizing a fraud detection platform
    Patent number: 9305028
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for detecting fraud in a social gaming environment is disclosed herein. For example, game events generated responsive to a player playing a game executing on a client device are received. The game events may then be used to build a player profile for the player. The player profile may characterize the game actions performed by the player. The player profile is then compared with a golden profile. The golden profile may specify an expected gaming behavior. Based on the comparison between the player profile and the expected gaming behavior specified by the golden profile, a player account associated with the player may be marked as suspicious.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Sunu Engineer, Prashun Purkayastha, Anandamoy Roychowdhary
  • Methods and apparatus for a distributed object renderer
    Patent number: 9305328
    Abstract: A method performed by software generates a render request record for a render request submitted by a user of an app and stores the render request record in a queue database. The render request includes a visualization to be rendered. The software selects the render request record from the queue database. Selection of the render request record is determined at least in part by a priority value that depends on an amount of time the user has spent using the app. The software generates a rendered image for the selected render request record, using render data. Then the software publishes a publishing element including the rendered image to a newsfeed stream displayed by a social networking site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Matt Ocko, Joel Poloney
  • Method and apparatus for the secure storage of audio signals
    Patent number: 9307091
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method, system and apparatus for recording audio is provided so that the recording can be authenticated. The system may be implemented as a central server that is accessed via one or more lines for audio communication, or as a stand-alone unit. The system operates by encrypting communicated data (e.g., audio signals), storing the encrypted information, and providing at least one user with a key that can be used to decrypt the stored information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Thomas M. Sparico, James A. Jorasch
  • Integration of multiple games
    Patent number: 9305425
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for providing online games that are non-monolithic programs. One method includes an operation for providing access to a plurality of online games and to a wrapper game. Each of the online games and the wrapper game is directly accessible to be loaded utilizing a corresponding internet address, which is different for each online game. The wrapper game includes options to load any of the plurality of online games. In addition, the method includes another operation for providing a chat interface in the plurality of online games and in the wrapper game. The chat interface allows users accessing any of the online games to exchange messages with other users accessing any of the online games, and the chat interface is unavailable to users currently absent from the online games and absent from the wrapper game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Sareli, Lamberto M. Alvaro, Laurence M. Toney, Nir Leibovich, Sergey Pervov
  • Smart ping system
    Patent number: 9295919
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing a smart ping mechanism are presented. For example, an example embodiment may generate a game board on a first client device and a second client device. Then, the embodiment may detect, from the first client device, user activation of a smart ping mechanic. Responsive to detecting the user activation, the embodiment may generate, on the first client device, one or more user selectable communication artifacts based at least in part on contextual data derived from the game board. Then, responsive to detecting a user selection of one of the user selectable communication artifacts, the embodiment may surface the selected communication artifact to the second client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan D. Maynard, Jason C. Leong, Cameron McNeil
  • Method and system for matchmaking connections within a gaming social network
    Patent number: 9289686
    Abstract: Techniques for recommending and establishing connections between users within a gaming social network, designed for connecting users having common gaming interests or characteristics. Embodiments include methods for recommending connections from members of an out-of-game social network, the gaming social network, and gaming activity participants; evaluating user profile information and user characteristics in a gaming social network and gaming activity in a game networking system to determine an appropriate set of connections for a selected user; and presenting graphical user interface content and configurations to enable the suggestion, review, and accepting of recommended connections in the gaming social network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Hall, Daniel McCaffrey, Dylan Sproule, Ben Hall, Timothy J. O. Catlin, Jason Allen, Clayton Stark
  • Challenging players in online game to compete in modular game
    Patent number: 9286767
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for allowing players to challenge other players in an online game to compete by playing a modular game within the online game. One method includes an operation for providing an interface to a first player for challenging a second player to compete in the modular game after detecting completion of the modular game by the first player. The modular game is played within an online game. Further, the method includes operations for sending a challenge to the second player, and for detecting that the second player completed the modular game in response to the challenge. The first player is rewarded a challenge award if the first player obtained a higher score than the second player in the modular game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Leslie, Joseph E Kaminkow
  • Game rhythm
    Patent number: 9283484
    Abstract: Game rhythm in an electronic game can be synchronized, allowing a desired emotional state to be achieved. Specifically, a desired emotional state of a user playing an electronic game is identified. Then a beats-per-minute (bpm) level corresponding to the desired emotional state is selected. Game music may then be played at the selected bpm level, while animation for one or more game objects within the electronic game is synchronized with the selected bpm level. In some example embodiments, the game rhythm is synchronized based upon which game object a user selects, and there remain some game objects whose animations are synchronized at a different bpm level than the selected game object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Michael McCarthy
  • Apparatuses, methods and systems for application programming interface call abstraction
    Patent number: 9286058
    Abstract: The apparatuses, methods and systems for API call abstraction includes obtaining programming code for an application. The obtained programming code is parsed to identify various instructions contained therein. An application programming interface (API) call is identified in the programming code, based on the parsing. The API call includes an input string. It is then determined whether the API call requires a pre-registered bundle to replace the input string. A database is queried for the pre-registered bundle using the input string. The pre-registered bundle is retrieved and is incorporated into the application by replacing the input string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Luke Rajlich
  • Virtual playing chips in a multiuser online game network
    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
  • Methods and systems for generating tailored game challenges
    Patent number: 9272208
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for generating tailored game challenges are presented. To begin, a method may first identify a first game object and a second game object operable within a game challenge. The method may calculate, based on game profile data associated with a player, a first selection factor associated with the first game object and a second selection factor associated with the second game object. A game object from the first game object and the second game object is then selected. The selection is based on the first selection factor and the second selection factor. The game challenge is then generated, wherein the game challenge with the selected game object for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Tim LeTourneau, Alexi Chialtas, Joe Traverso, Hao Chen
  • Automated apparent responses
    Patent number: 9272212
    Abstract: Software at a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game website receives a request for assistance with a game task from a first player of a MMO game. The software transmits the request to a second player of the MMO game who is associated with the first player through a relationship recognized by the MMO game. The software determines whether the second player responds to the request within a time period. The time period depends on one or more factors related to game mechanics and to user data for the first player. Then if the second player does not respond within the time period and the game task is a game task whose completion can be assigned without the assistance of another player, the software assigns completion of the game task to the first player and transmits an automated apparent response to the first player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: John Osvald, Michael Waite, Kyle Sauger, Lauren Duncan, Erik Nilsson
  • Consolidating businesses in a gamespace for an online game
    Patent number: 9272214
    Abstract: Software receives a command from a player selecting one or more businesses from a game menu in an online game that is a builder-type game. The software then receives a command from the player identifying an empty location in a game space for the game. The software causes the one or more businesses to be displayed in the game space at the location and receives a command from the player selecting a plurality of displayed businesses. The software then receives a command from the player to consolidate the displayed businesses that were selected into a consolidated business and displays the consolidated business in the game space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Eddy, Daniel Marks
  • System and method for providing notifications to players of games
    Patent number: 9272217
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium sorting at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing notifications to players of games are described. An identifier for a player of a first game is received. Notifications for at least one other game are obtained using the identifier for the player. The notifications for the at least one other game are transmitted to a device of the player, where the notifications for the at least one other game are to be displayed in a user interface for the first game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Holme, Andy Gotcher, Tim Terence Trampedach, Ananda Ghosh, Jane Shapiro
  • Three dimensional operations in an isometric projection
    Patent number: 9272219
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing three-dimensional operations in an isometric projection are presented. A graphical user interface may be presented to a user that presents an isometric projection of a virtual environment. A placement event corresponding to a user initiating a placement of a game object within the virtual environment may then be detected. The game object may be modeled with a two-dimensional model. Selection coordinates associated with the placement event are then obtained. Using the selection coordinates, it may be determined that the user selected one of a plurality of surface areas of an existing game object. Then, the game object is then inserted within the virtual environment relative to the one of the plurality of surface areas of the existing game object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Sreenath Somarajapuram