Patents by Inventor John G. Vignocchi

John G. Vignocchi 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: 10376776
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a video game using information stored by physical objects are disclosed. The video game may take place in a virtual space. Users may access the virtual space via client computing platforms. Users may participate in the video game by controlling game entities in the virtual space. Individual ones of the game entities may be associated with individual physical objects. The information stored by individual physical objects may be implemented by virtue of a client computing platform receiving the stored information. The information may be implemented independently from gameplay in the virtual space using the associated game entity. For example, a physical object may store information related to a “limited edition” version of an associated game entity that may only be implemented in the virtual space by virtue of the information being received from the physical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lowe, Robert Nelson, John G. Vignocchi, Jeffrey Gosztyla
  • Patent number: 9922185
    Abstract: Token detection at a single computing platform may be linked with a user identification to unlock content and/or effectuate modifications in virtual space instances presented via multiple computing platforms, in accordance with one or more implementations. Exemplary implementations may enhance consistency in a user's experiences of a virtual space across multiple computing platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, Robert Nelson, Jeffrey Bunker, Troy Leavitt, Robert Lowe, John Blackburn, Christopher Shen
  • Publication number: 20170203204
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a video game using information stored by physical objects are disclosed. The video game may take place in a virtual space. Users may access the virtual space via client computing platforms. Users may participate in the video game by controlling game entities in the virtual space. Individual ones of the game entities may be associated with individual physical objects. The information stored by individual physical objects may be implemented by virtue of a client computing platform receiving the stored information. The information may be implemented independently from gameplay in the virtual space using the associated game entity. For example, a physical object may store information related to a “limited edition” version of an associated game entity that may only be implemented in the virtual space by virtue of the information being received from the physical object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Lowe, Robert Nelson, John G. Vignocchi, Jeffrey Gosztyla
  • Patent number: 9704336
    Abstract: Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, Christopher Shen, Jared Bals, Troy Leavitt, Chad Liddell, Manfred Neber, Jeffrey Gosztyla
  • Patent number: 9667624
    Abstract: Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, Jeffrey Gosztyla, Manfred Neber, Troy Leavitt, Christopher Shen, Jared Bals, Chad Liddell
  • Patent number: 9656172
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to manage virtual content within a virtual space based on information associated with objects. The information associated with the objects may be updated responsive to detecting the objects at various real world physical geographic locations. The system may be configured to enhance a user's gaming experience by enabling location based unlocking of the virtual content in the virtual space. In some implementations, the locations may be locations such as but not limited to locations within theme parks, movie theaters, restaurants, and/or stores, for example. A user may be able to transport objects to one or more geographic locations where object identification devices detect the objects. Virtual content may be unlocked responsive to the detection of objects by the object identification devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Nelson, Robert Lowe, John G. Vignocchi
  • Patent number: 9552434
    Abstract: Virtual items may be unlocked in a virtual space responsive to physical token detection. A common virtual item repository may be provided in the virtual space. Once unlocked, a given virtual item may be accessible to multiple characters in the virtual space via the virtual item repository. Customization of a virtual space may be facilitated. The customization may be based on the virtual items accessible via the virtual item repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, Jeffrey Bunker, Manfred Neber, Jeffrey Gosztyla, Chad Liddell, Marcus Fisher, Troy Leavitt, Jared Bals, John Blackburn, Robert Lowe
  • Patent number: 9517404
    Abstract: Exemplary implementations may facilitate modifications to characters and/or virtual items within a virtual space, or to the virtual space itself, made responsive to detection of a token. In some implementations, a physical accessory may depict a character in the virtual space. By way of non-limiting example, the physical accessory may include a toy figurine resembling the character. A detectable token (i.e., a physical object) may be removably attached to the physical accessory. According to some implementations, responsive to the physical accessory being detected along with the removably attached token, a modification within the virtual space may be made to the character and/or a virtual item associated with the character. In some implementations, detection of the token alone may effectuate such a modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, Jieun Kim, Afsoun Yazdian, Armen Mkrtchyan, Robert Nelson, Tracy Thurman, Jeffrey Bunker, John Blackburn
  • Patent number: 9457263
    Abstract: Virtual items may be unlocked in a virtual space responsive to physical token detection. A common virtual item repository may be provided in the virtual space. Once unlocked, a given virtual item may be accessible to multiple characters in the virtual space via the virtual item repository. Customization of a virtual space may be facilitated. The customization may be based on the virtual items accessible via the virtual item repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, John Blackburn, Jeffrey Bunker, Marcus Fisher, Manfred Neber, Troy Leavitt, Robert Lowe, Jeffrey Gosztyla, Chad Liddell, Jared Bals
  • Patent number: 9387407
    Abstract: Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, Jared Bals, Troy Leavitt, Jeffrey Gosztyla, Christopher Shen, Manfred Neber, Chad Liddell
  • Publication number: 20160125696
    Abstract: Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, Christopher Shen, Jared Bals, Troy Leavitt, Chad Lidell, Manfred Neber, Jeffrey Gosztyla
  • Patent number: 9327200
    Abstract: Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: John G. Vignocchi
  • Publication number: 20150134658
    Abstract: Virtual items may be unlocked in a virtual space responsive to physical token detection. A common virtual item repository may be provided in the virtual space. Once unlocked, a given virtual item may be accessible to multiple characters in the virtual space via the virtual item repository. Customization of a virtual space may be facilitated. The customization may be based on the virtual items accessible via the virtual item repository.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: John G. VIGNOCCHI, Jeffrey BUNKER, Manfred NEBER, Jeffrey GOSZTYLA, Chad LIDDELL, Marcus FISHER, Troy LEAVITT, Jared BALS, John BLACKBURN, Robert LOWE
  • Patent number: 8986115
    Abstract: Virtual items may be unlocked in a virtual space responsive to physical token detection. A common virtual item repository may be provided in the virtual space. Once unlocked, a given virtual item may be accessible to multiple characters in the virtual space via the virtual item repository. Customization of a virtual space may be facilitated. The customization may be based on the virtual items accessible via the virtual item repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, John Blackburn, Jared Bals, Chad Liddell, Marcus Fisher, Troy Leavitt, Jeffrey Gosztyla, Jeffrey Bunker, Robert Lowe, Manfred Neber
  • Patent number: 8972369
    Abstract: Virtual items may be unlocked in a virtual space responsive to physical token detection. A common virtual item repository may be provided in the virtual space. Once unlocked, a given virtual item may be accessible to multiple characters in the virtual space via the virtual item repository. Customization of a virtual space may be facilitated. The customization may be based on the virtual items accessible via the virtual item repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, Jeffrey Bunker, Manfred Neber, Jeffrey Gosztyla, Chad Liddell, Marcus Fisher, Troy Leavitt, Jared Bals, John Blackburn, Robert Lowe
  • Publication number: 20150050995
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to manage virtual content within a virtual space based on information associated with objects. The information associated with the objects may be updated responsive to detecting the objects at various real world physical geographic locations. The system may be configured to enhance a user's gaming experience by enabling location based unlocking of the virtual content in the virtual space. In some implementations, the locations may be locations such as but not limited to locations within theme parks, movie theaters, restaurants, and/or stores, for example. A user may be able to transport objects to one or more geographic locations where object identification devices detect the objects. Virtual content may be unlocked responsive to the detection of objects by the object identification devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Nelson, Robert Lowe, John G. Vignocchi
  • Publication number: 20150033317
    Abstract: Token detection at a single computing platform may be linked with a user identification to unlock content and/or effectuate modifications in virtual space instances presented via multiple computing platforms, in accordance with one or more implementations. Exemplary implementations may enhance consistency in a user's experiences of a virtual space across multiple computing platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: John G. VIGNOCCHI, Robert NELSON, Jeffrey BUNKER, Troy LEAVITT, Robert LOWE, John BLACKBURN, Christopher SHEN
  • Patent number: 8910266
    Abstract: Token detection at a single computing platform may be linked with a user identification to unlock content and/or effectuate modifications in virtual space instances presented via multiple computing platforms, in accordance with one or more implementations. Exemplary implementations may enhance consistency in a user's experiences of a virtual space across multiple computing platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, Troy Leavitt, Jeffrey Bunker, Christopher Shen, Robert Nelson, Robert Lowe, John Blackburn
  • Patent number: D748199
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, Jeffrey Bunker, Troy Leavitt, Manfred Neber, Robert Lowe, John Blackburn, Jared Bals, Jeffrey Gosztyla, Chad Liddell, Marcus Fisher
  • Patent number: D748200
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Vignocchi, Robert Nelson, Tracy Thurman, Jieun Kim, Jeffrey Bunker, Afsoun Yazdian, John Blackburn, Armen Mkrtchyan