Patents by Inventor Inyang Akpan

Inyang Akpan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11198070
    Abstract: Approaches for secondary-game-mode sessions based on primary-game-mode arrangements of user-controlled elements are provided. Actions by user-controlled elements of a first user or other game-space elements in a primary game mode of a game space may be managed. A session request for a session in a secondary game mode of the game space may be received from the first user. A first session for the first user may be executed in the secondary game mode such that: the first session involves artificial-intelligence-controlled elements as opponents against the user-controlled elements; (ii) an arrangement of the user-controlled elements at a beginning of the first session is the same as an arrangement of the user-controlled elements in the primary game mode at a time of the session request; and (iii) impacts on the user-controlled elements during the first session in the secondary game mode are not reflected in the primary game mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: John Kim, Bryan Tsao, Inyang Akpan, Kevin Chanthasiriphan, Albert Wei, David McNeill
  • Publication number: 20200289945
    Abstract: Approaches for secondary-game-mode sessions based on primary-game-mode arrangements of user-controlled elements are provided. Actions by user-controlled elements of a first user or other game-space elements in a primary game mode of a game space may be managed. A session request for a session in a secondary game mode of the game space may be received from the first user. A first session for the first user may be executed in the secondary game mode such that: the first session involves artificial-intelligence-controlled elements as opponents against the user-controlled elements; (ii) an arrangement of the user-controlled elements at a beginning of the first session is the same as an arrangement of the user-controlled elements in the primary game mode at a time of the session request; and (iii) impacts on the user-controlled elements during the first session in the secondary game mode are not reflected in the primary game mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: John Kim, Bryan Tsao, Inyang Akpan, Kevin Chanthasiriphan, Albert Wei, David McNeill
  • Patent number: 10639555
    Abstract: Approaches for secondary-game-mode sessions based on primary-game-mode arrangements of user-controlled elements are provided. Actions by user-controlled elements of a first user or other game-space elements in a primary game mode of a game space may be managed. A session request for a session in a secondary game mode of the game space may be received from the first user. A first session for the first user may be executed in the secondary game mode such that: (i) the first session involves artificial-intelligence-controlled elements as opponents against the user-controlled elements; (ii) an arrangement of the user-controlled elements at a beginning of the first session is the same as an arrangement of the user-controlled elements in the primary game mode at a time of the session request; and (iii) impacts on the user-controlled elements during the first session in the secondary game mode are not reflected in the primary game mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS ARTS INC.
    Inventors: John Kim, Bryan Tsao, Inyang Akpan, Kevin Chanthasiriphan, Albert Wei, David McNeill
  • Patent number: 10576374
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating users to obtain location information in a virtual space is disclosed. Query items may be offered to sell to the users. Upon user activation of the query items, identification information identifying target entities may be obtained from the users. Based on such identification information, location information regarding virtual space locations controlled by or associated with the target entities may be provided to the users. The provided location information may include coordinate information reflecting virtual space coordinates of such locations. In some examples, the level of detail and/or accuracy of such location information provided to the users may be based on the activated query items being specific grades and/or based on levels of the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventors: Inyang Akpan, Bryan Tsao, Albert Wei, John Kim, David McNeill, Kevin Chanthasiriphan
  • Patent number: 10535227
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing players of an online game the option of performing one or more activities external to the online game instead of spend virtual currency to accomplish a specific action in the game. This option is presented through an interface that creates and displays separate “offer walls” for separation actions in the game. The activities may thematically correspond to the type of action the player wants to perform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventors: Inyang Akpan, Bryan Tsao, Albert Wei, John Kim, David McNeill, Kevin Chanthasiriphan
  • Publication number: 20190046885
    Abstract: Approaches for secondary-game-mode sessions based on primary-game-mode arrangements of user-controlled elements are provided. Actions by user-controlled elements of a first user or other game-space elements in a primary game mode of a game space may be managed. A session request for a session in a secondary game mode of the game space may be received from the first user. A first session for the first user may be executed in the secondary game mode such that: (i) the first session involves artificial-intelligence-controlled elements as opponents against the user-controlled elements; (ii) an arrangement of the user-controlled elements at a beginning of the first session is the same as an arrangement of the user-controlled elements in the primary game mode at a time of the session request; and (iii) impacts on the user-controlled elements during the first session in the secondary game mode are not reflected in the primary game mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: John Kim, Bryan Tsao, Inyang Akpan, Kevin Chanthasiriphan, Albert Wei, David McNeill
  • Patent number: 10016688
    Abstract: Approaches for secondary-game-mode sessions based on primary-game-mode arrangements of user-controlled elements are provided. Actions by user-controlled elements of a first user or other game-space elements in a primary game mode of a game space may be managed. A session request for a session in a secondary game mode of the game space may be received from the first user. A first session for the first user may be executed in the secondary game mode such that: (i) the first session involves artificial-intelligence-controlled elements as opponents against the user-controlled elements; (ii) an arrangement of the user-controlled elements at a beginning of the first session is the same as an arrangement of the user-controlled elements in the primary game mode at a time of the session request; and (iii) impacts on the user-controlled elements during the first session in the secondary game mode are not reflected in the primary game mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventors: John Kim, Bryan Tsao, Inyang Akpan, Kevin Chanthasiriphan, Albert Wei, David McNeill
  • Patent number: 9931570
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating player interaction with instances of virtual containers in an online game are disclosed. After player activation of an instance of virtual container in the online game, one or more virtual items may be determined as initial payouts to be distributed to the player. One or more redetermined offers may be presented to the player such that the player may enable to pay an amount of consideration in exchange for having some or all of the items in the initial payout redetermined to improve the initial payout. Responsive to player selection of a redetermination offer, an outcome whether the player wins the reward may be determined stochastically. Distribution of virtual items may be effectuated accordance with the stochastically determined outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Yu, Inyang Akpan, David McNeill, Wynne Chyou, Kevin Lee
  • Patent number: 9928688
    Abstract: A system and method for providing currency multiplier items to one or more users of an online game is described. A user of an online game may obtain a currency multiplier item by purchase, by award, responsive to one or more actions taken in the online game, and/or by other methods. Use of the currency multiplier item may enable the user to adjust the amount of virtual currency in the inventory in the user's user account, wherein the adjustment to the amount of currency is not provided to the first user prior to use of the currency multiplier item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kim, Bryan Tsao, Inyang Akpan, Kevin Chanthasiriphan, Albert Wei, David McNeill
  • Patent number: 9799163
    Abstract: A system and method for providing currency multiplier items to one or more users of an online game is described. A user of an online game may obtain a currency multiplier item by purchase, by award, responsive to one or more actions taken in the online game, and/or by other methods. Use of the currency multiplier item may enable the user to adjust the amount of virtual currency in the inventory in the user's user account, wherein the adjustment to the amount of currency is not provided to the first user prior to use of the currency multiplier item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kim, Bryan Tsao, Inyang Akpan, Kevin Chanthasiriphan, Albert Wei, David McNeill
  • Patent number: 9656159
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing players of an online game the option of performing one or more activities external to the online game instead of spend virtual currency to accomplish a specific action in the game. This option is presented through an interface that creates and displays separate “offer walls” for separation actions in the game. The activities may thematically correspond to the type of action the player wants to perform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Inyang Akpan, Bryan Tsao, Albert Wei, John Kim, David McNeill, Kevin Chanthasiriphan
  • Patent number: 9649554
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating users to obtain location information in a virtual space is disclosed. Query items may be offered to sell to the users. Upon user activation of the query items, identification information identifying target entities may be obtained from the users. Based on such identification information, location information regarding virtual space locations controlled by or associated with the target entities may be provided to the users. The provided location information may include coordinate information reflecting virtual space coordinates of such locations. In some examples, the level of detail and/or accuracy of such location information provided to the users may be based on the activated query items being specific grades and/or based on levels of the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Inyang Akpan, Bryan Tsao, Albert Wei, John Kim, David McNeill, Kevin Chanthasiriphan
  • Patent number: 9586133
    Abstract: Approaches for secondary-game-mode sessions based on primary-game-mode arrangements of user-controlled elements are provided. Actions by user-controlled elements of a first user or other game-space elements in a primary game mode of a game space may be managed. A session request for a session in a secondary game mode of the game space may be received from the first user. A first session for the first user may be executed in the secondary game mode such that: (i) the first session involves artificial-intelligence-controlled elements as opponents against the user-controlled elements; (ii) an arrangement of the user-controlled elements at a beginning of the first session is the same as an arrangement of the user-controlled elements in the primary game mode at a time of the session request; and (iii) impacts on the user-controlled elements during the first session in the secondary game mode are not reflected in the primary game mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kim, Bryan Tsao, Inyang Akpan, Kevin Chanthasiriphan, Albert Wei, David McNeill
  • Patent number: 9579564
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating player interaction with instances of virtual containers in an online game are disclosed. After player activation of an instance of virtual container in the online game, one or more virtual items may be determined as initial payouts to be distributed to the player. One or more redetermination offers may be presented to the player such that the player may enable to pay an amount of consideration in exchange for having some or all of the items in the initial payout redetermined to improve the initial payout. Responsive to player selection of a redetermination offer, an outcome whether the player wins the reward may be determined stochastically. Distribution of virtual items may be effectuated in accordance with the stochastically determined outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Yu, Inyang Akpan, David McNeill, Wynne Chyou, Kevin Lee