Patents Assigned to Zynga Inc.
  • Patent number: 10252166
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for online game cooperation. One method includes an operation for receiving a first request from a first user to place a game asset in a first game board of the first user. The game asset is associated with a task to be performed in the game. Further, the method includes an operation for receiving a second request from a second user to place the game asset in a second game board of the second user. The first user and the second user make progress by interacting with the game asset in their respective game boards. When the first user or the second user receives a transactional reward for interacting with the game asset, the transactional reward is also given to the other user. A final reward is given to the first user and to the second user upon completion of the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Kathryn Bambino, Tiago de Jesus, Kevin Wienecke, Achint Goel, Zhifei Song, Niko Vuori, Matthew Salazar
  • Patent number: 10242178
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for identity key management in networked application execution. In one embodiment, an identifier request is transmitted from a client system to a server system, in which an identity key value in the identifier request is blank. Upon detecting the blank identity key value at the server system, the server system operates to generate a new identity key value and an identifier for the new identity key value. The new identity key value and the identifier for the new identity key value are transmitted from the server system to the client system. The new identity key value is stored in a local store of the client system. The local store of the client system is secured by a passcode and persists data through power cycling of the client system. The identifier is used to track execution of a networked application in an anonymous execution mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Rohith Ravi, Joy Ghanekar, Dorion Carroll
  • Patent number: 10232259
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium for efficiently collecting doobers. A game area may be presented in a graphical user interface on a display device. The game area may include a game character associated with a first player, regions and objects within the regions. The character may move within the regions and interact with the objects. One or more doobers may be presented in the game area, and the doober(s) may be identified as collected by the first player in response to one or more inputs to the graphical user interface by the first player. The doober(s) may be marked as collected if an input is within a particular distance from the doober(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Seth John Sivak
  • Patent number: 10232250
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing a game action sweep mechanic are presented. A virtual game environment that includes a first virtual object and a second virtual object may be generated for a user. User interactions involving a game pointer and a selection input are then monitored. In response to detecting the selection input being activated while the game pointer is located proximate to the first virtual object, a game action is then performed on the first virtual object. A game action sweep mode is then activated. While the game action sweep mode is active, the game action is then performed on the second virtual game object in response to detecting the game pointer is located proximate to the second virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Omi, Michael McCarthy, Travis Gorkin
  • Patent number: 10220301
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying dynamically changing content within scrollview class applications are described. In some example embodiments, an intermediate module fetches images from an underlying layer of a webview module, and provides the images to a scrollview module, which presents the images via a scrollable user interface on a computing device, such as a scrollable user interface within a game application presenting an online game via a user interface of a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Nishchaie Khanna, Shivkumar Ramamurthi
  • Patent number: 10201757
    Abstract: A method and system to transfer assets between interactive social games is described. In some embodiments, the method generates a visual expression of a transfer mechanism in a first computer-implemented game. The method further generates the visual expression of the transfer mechanism in a second computer-implemented game. The transfer mechanism is capable of transferring an in-game asset from the first computer-implemented game to the second computer-implemented game. The method transfers the in-game asset from the first computer-implemented game to the second computer-implemented game using the transfer mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel Uris Bronstein Bendayan
  • Patent number: 10192397
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a method of estimating odds that a player will win a round of a card game is disclosed. Information is received pertaining to cards that have been dealt from a deck at a particular point during a round of a card game. The information identifies cards that have been revealed to the player and a number of cards that have not been revealed to the player. An estimation of odds that the player will win the round of the card game is generated. The generating includes repeatedly, for each of the number of cards that has not been revealed to the player and for each remaining card to be dealt in the round, randomly selecting a card from remaining cards in the deck. The estimation of the odds is communicated for integration into a presentation of information pertaining to the card game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Jarred Wesley Simmer
  • Patent number: 10179288
    Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for an Alliance Engine. The Alliance Engine receives a selection, by a first player, of a first tile to be controlled by a first enforcer asset on behalf of the first player. The first tile provides access to a first type of in-game resource to the first player. The Alliance Engine detects the first tile is adjacent to a second tile. The second tile is controlled by a second enforcer asset on behalf of a second player. The first player and the second player belong to a player alliance. The second tile providing access to a second type of in-game resource to the second player. Based on the detected adjacency, the Alliance Engine transfers a portion of the first type of in-game resource of the first tile to the second player. The Alliance Engine transfers a portion of the second type of in-game resource of the second tile to the first player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Massimo Maietti
  • Patent number: 10182460
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multitenancy gaming platform services are presented. In one embodiment a method for providing multitenancy gaming platform services comprises receiving, at a server computer, a request from one of a plurality of applications for an operation associated with a service, the request including a token, data related to an application, and a target user identifier. The method further comprises, decoding the token to determine an application identifier and a user identifier. The method further comprises, determining which service of a plurality of multitenancy gaming platform services is requested, and sending the data related to the application to a second server computer responsible for the service, wherein the operation is authorized by the second server computer based on the user identifier and target user identifier. The method further comprises receiving a response from the second server computer responsible for the service, indicating a status of the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Ajinkya Apte, Bruce Sherrod, Matthew Leventi, Suryaveer Singh Lodha, Matthew John Alberts, Tim Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10181127
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for generating revenue in an online game are presented. One method includes an operation for creating, in the online game, a first virtual currency and a game score, where the amount of the first virtual currency can be increased in exchange for real currency. The first virtual currency can be traded for advancement in the online game. Further, a game module, that is an autonomous game within the online game, is started, and a second virtual currency and a module score are created in the game module. The amount of the second virtual currency can be increased in exchange for real currency, where the second virtual currency can be traded for advancement in the game module and cannot be traded for advancement in the online game outside of the game module. Advancement in the game module increases the module score and does not increase the game score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: John Osvald, Michael Waite, Kyle Sauger, Lauren Duncan, Erik Nilsson
  • Patent number: 10163306
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for limiting transfer of virtual currency in an online game. One method includes an operation for receiving, at a server, a purchase order for virtual currency from a first player. The purchase order is made with legal currency, and the virtual currency is usable within a computer-implemented gambling game. Further, the method includes operations for using a particular type of virtual currency available in an account of the first player to purchase a virtual item and a beneficiary is selected for crediting the virtual item. Account of the first player is adjusted to reflect the purchase of the virtual item and the account of the beneficiary is updated to credit the virtual item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Arieh Luxton, Matthew Adam Ocko, Mark Jonathan Pincus, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Stephen Henry Schoettler
  • Patent number: 10157521
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for providing information in a poker game. One method includes operations for providing an interface to a player for playing a poker game, and for detecting the creation of a side pot in the poker game during play. The side pot is presented in a first format, which includes the amount of the side pot. Additionally, the method includes an operation for detecting a selection by the first player in the poker game requesting additional information about the side pot. In response to the selection, the side pot is presented in a second format, which has the amount of the side pot and one icon for each of the players participating in the side pot, where players absent from the side pot are not represented in the second format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Moore, Stacey Adams, Justin Rouse, Theodore Marston
  • Patent number: 10143926
    Abstract: A method of changing a virtual world of a computer-implemented game based on real-world locations of players of the computer-implemented game is disclosed. A presence of a player of the computer-implemented game is detected at a physical location. A presence of an additional player of the computer-implemented game is detected at the physical location based on a communication received from the player of the computer-implemented game. An aspect of the virtual world of the computer-implemented game is changed based on the detecting of the presence of the player at the physical location and the detecting of the presence of the additional player of the computer-implemented game at the physical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Arthur Etter, Jay Monahan, Matthew Adam Ocko, Brian Reynolds
  • Patent number: 10135776
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of cross-social network communication. The method may include determining a plurality of recipients of a social networking service interaction, determining a plurality of target social networking services based upon the plurality of recipients of the social networking service interaction, and a plurality of authentication information associated with the plurality of social networking services. The method may include constructing an application programming interface call for each of the plurality of target social networking services, the application programming interface call associated with the social networking service interaction, the application programming interface call specifying one or more of the plurality of recipients that is to receive the interaction, the one or more of the plurality of recipients being members of the particular target social networking service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Brown, Henry Joseph Sommer
  • Patent number: 10124253
    Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for automatic game creation are presented. An access module can access player information for a receiver and an originator. Additionally, a matching module can determine that the receiver and the originator have a connection based on the player information. Furthermore, a game invitation module can detect that a recipient game is installed on an originator device of the originator and that the recipient game is not installed on a receiver device of the receiver. Subsequently, the game invitation module can send, to the receiver device, a game invitation to play the recipient game based on the determination and the detection, with the game invitation including information associated with the originator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Abhinav Agrawal, Adam Ja Ming Yim, Kohta Aoki Wajima
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10105603
    Abstract: A system for automated tuning of a computer-implemented game is configured to enable definition of a performance metric indicative of player performance in a computer-implemented game that has tunable gameplay parameters. A performance target is defined that represents target values for the performance metric during progress in the game. The system executes a gameplay simulation using an automated player, and performs an iterative tuning operation based on results of the simulation. The tuning operation automatically determines a suggested value set for the tunable parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Bucher, Alexandros Ntoulas, Xinxian Huang, Brett Bauleke, Moises Goldszmidt, Samer Ead
  • Patent number: 10108410
    Abstract: Software parses an app update schedule with a parsing utility to obtain a current app version number of an app and determines that the deployed app version number is older than the current app version number. The software conducts a dependency analysis of the current version of the app using a scanning utility that outputs a hierarchical tree diagram of dependent code modules. The hierarchical tree diagram identifies a name and a code version number for each dependent code module. The software uses the name and code number for each dependent code module to obtain all code version numbers for the dependent code module from the code database and determines whether at least one code version number for a dependent code module is later than the code version number for the dependent code module in the hierarchical tree diagram. Then the software creates an updated app using newer source code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: Amitt Mahajan
  • Patent number: 10102713
    Abstract: Software for a gaming system receives a password over a network from a user of a remote player device for a gaming system for a gambling game. The software authenticates the user using the password. The software also receives an age from the user and determines that the user is of age to gamble on the gambling game, based on data stored in a database for the gaming system. Then software transmits a program to the remote player device. When executed, the program interactively presents the gambling game through a remote player interface and causes media associated with the gambling game to be presented on the remote player device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Saunders, Rolf E. Carlson, William D. Miller
  • Patent number: 10089816
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for providing players with additional side betting options. One method includes operations for receiving user account information of a first player for playing a blackjack game, and for providing data for a sideboard interface to be presented before a round of the blackjack game. The sideboard interface provides options for side bets, which are wagers on cards dealt during the round. Additionally, the method includes an operation for providing data for a blackjack interface for playing the blackjack game after side bets have been entered. A check is made to determine if the one or more cards dealt during the round of the blackjack game produce one or more winning side bets, and a currency counter of the user account is increased of the first player for the one or more winning side bets during the round of the blackjack game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Pagano, Hal Hanlin