Patents by Inventor John V. Hanke
John V. Hanke 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).
-
Publication number: 20210379484Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for locating virtual elements that can be used or collected by players of a parallel reality game having a virtual world that parallels at least a portion of the real world are provided. In particular, the location of virtual elements in the virtual world is determined based on data associated with one or more real world conditions. Virtual elements can be located in the virtual world at locations corresponding to locations in the real world that encourage safe and effective game play. Locating virtual elements in the virtual world based on data associated with real world conditions improves the link between the parallel virtual world and the real world, enhancing the illusion that the virtual world is another dimension of the real world that the player can interact with through the parallel reality game.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Keith P. Golden, Mark A. Aubin, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, James Dinkelacker, Charles Spirakis, Alexander Vladimirov
-
Patent number: 11167205Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for locating virtual elements that can be used or collected by players of a parallel reality game having a virtual world that parallels at least a portion of the real world are provided. In particular, the location of virtual elements in the virtual world is determined based on data associated with one or more real world conditions. Virtual elements can be located in the virtual world at locations corresponding to locations in the real world that encourage safe and effective game play. Locating virtual elements in the virtual world based on data associated with real world conditions improves the link between the parallel virtual world and the real world, enhancing the illusion that the virtual world is another dimension of the real world that the player can interact with through the parallel reality game.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: Keith P. Golden, Mark A. Aubin, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, James Dinkelacker, Charles Spirakis, Alexander Vladimirov
-
Publication number: 20210252384Abstract: Systems and methods for linking real world activity with a location-based parallel reality experience are provided. In particular, a game server hosting a parallel reality experience receives position data from a client device of a user and determines whether the client device is at a real world landmark associated with a geographic area. Responsive to determining that the client device is at the real world landmark, the game server cause the client device to present content incentivizing the user to travel to a real world location in the geographic area. The game server determines whether the client device is within proximity of the real world location based on sensor data. Responsive to determining that the client device is within proximity of the real world location, the game server causes the client device to display the virtual element at a virtual world location corresponding to the real world location.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2020Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Yuanjian Carla Li, Bryan De Leon, Gang Liu, Maya Ramsey, Christopher Grant Stoski, Saro Orfali, Daniel Casadevall Pino, Haley Lierman, Maryam Sabour, Laura Mae Warner, Lucas Kazansky, Erica Lynn Kovalkoski, Kyu Young Chang, Junji Shiraishi, Mayuko Nakajima, Setsuto Murai, John V. Hanke, Vikram Grover, Loren Sherman
-
Patent number: 10646783Abstract: Systems and methods for linking real world activity, such as real world commercial activity or real world data collection activity, with a location-based parallel reality game are provided. In particular, a game server hosting a parallel reality game can modify, update, or add to game data stored in a game database associated with the parallel reality game to include certain game features in the parallel reality game linked with real world activity in the real world. The game features can be linked with activities in the real world such that player actions associated with the game features in the virtual world can lead to or encourage activity in the real world, such as commercial activity and/or data collection activity in the real world.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: Chris Hibbert, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, Leor Stern, Mark A. Aubin, James Dinkelacker, William J. Kilday, Yennie Solheim, Keith P. Golden, Charles Spirakis
-
Publication number: 20200054939Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for locating virtual elements that can be used or collected by players of a parallel reality game having a virtual world that parallels at least a portion of the real world are provided. In particular, the location of virtual elements in the virtual world is determined based on data associated with one or more real world conditions. Virtual elements can be located in the virtual world at locations corresponding to locations in the real world that encourage safe and effective game play. Locating virtual elements in the virtual world based on data associated with real world conditions improves the link between the parallel virtual world and the real world, enhancing the illusion that the virtual world is another dimension of the real world that the player can interact with through the parallel reality game.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Keith P. Golden, Mark A. Aubin, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, James Dinkelacker, Charles Spirakis, Alexander Vladimirov
-
Patent number: 10486059Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for locating virtual elements that can be used or collected by players of a parallel reality game having a virtual world that parallels at least a portion of the real world are provided. In particular, the location of virtual elements in the virtual world is determined based on data associated with one or more real world conditions. Virtual elements can be located in the virtual world at locations corresponding to locations in the real world that encourage safe and effective game play. Locating virtual elements in the virtual world based on data associated with real world conditions improves the link between the parallel virtual world and the real world, enhancing the illusion that the virtual world is another dimension of the real world that the player can interact with through the parallel reality game.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: Keith P. Golden, Mark A. Aubin, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, James Dinkelacker, Charles Spirakis, Alexander Vladimirov
-
Patent number: 10471358Abstract: A parallel reality game has a virtual world that parallels at least a portion of the real world. A captured region is identified within the virtual world that is associated with a team within the parallel reality game. A geographic region is identified within the real world corresponding to the captured region within the virtual world. Data associated with population density for at least a portion of the geographic region is accessed. A score is assigned for the captured region based on the population density.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: David Kornmann, Alexander Vladimirov, Chris Hibbert, Jim Wang, Charles Spirakis, John V. Hanke
-
Patent number: 10250703Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method for location-based content publishing. The method includes a step for receiving indication of a user subscription to one or more publisher feeds, wherein each of the one or more publisher feeds provides multiple content items, each content item being associated with a location. The method also includes a step for receiving a request for content items, wherein the request includes information about the user's location based on a mobile device of the user. The method also includes a step for selecting content items provided by the one or more publisher feeds based on the user's location and based on the location associated with the content items. The method also includes a step for providing at least a portion of the selected content items for display on the user's mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Leif Hendrik Wilden, John V. Hanke, Ioannis Tsoukalidis, Yennie C. Solheim, Lior Stern
-
Patent number: 9782668Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for locating virtual elements that can be used or collected by players of a parallel reality game having a virtual world that parallels at least a portion of the real world are provided. In particular, the location of virtual elements in the virtual world is determined based on data associated with one or more real world conditions. Virtual elements can be located in the virtual world at locations corresponding to locations in the real world that encourage safe and effective game play. Locating virtual elements in the virtual world based on data associated with real world conditions improves the link between the parallel virtual world and the real world, enhancing the illusion that the virtual world is another dimension of the real world that the player can interact with through the parallel reality game.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: Keith P. Golden, Mark A. Aubin, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, James Dinkelacker, Charles Spirakis, Alexander Vladimirov
-
Patent number: 9669296Abstract: Systems and methods for linking real world activity, such as real world commercial activity or real world data collection activity, with a location-based parallel reality game are provided. In particular, a game server hosting a parallel reality game can modify, update, or add to game data stored in a game database associated with the parallel reality game to include certain game features in the parallel reality game linked with real world activity in the real world. The game features can be linked with activities in the real world such that player actions associated with the game features in the virtual world can lead to or encourage activity in the real world, such as commercial activity and/or data collection activity in the real world.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: Chris Hibbert, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin, Lior Stern, Mark A. Aubin, James Dinkelacker, William J. Kilday, Yennie Solheim, Keith P. Golden, Charles Spirakis
-
Patent number: 9604131Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying player proximity within a location-based game are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for verifying player proximity may include receiving a request associated with verifying the proximity of a first player of the location-based game relative to a second player of the location-based game and transmitting a visual indicator to a first client of the first player, wherein the visual indicator is associated with a data record configured to expire within a predetermined time period. In addition, the method may include receiving a copy of the visual indicator from a second client of the second player and determining whether the copy of the visual indicator was received prior to the expiration of the data record.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: Keith Shoji Kiyohara, Chris Hibbert, Charles Spirakis, James Dinkelacker, John V. Hanke, Phillip Craig Keslin
-
Patent number: 9539498Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for mapping real world actions to a virtual world associated with a parallel reality game are provided. The virtual world has experiences that relate to real world actions. The method includes accessing a data source associated with one or more real world actions; and modifying game data associated with the parallel reality game to generate experiences in the virtual world based at least in part on the data associated with the one or more real world actions. Generating experiences in the virtual world based on data associated with real world actions improves the link between the parallel virtual world and the real world, enhancing illusion that the virtual world is another dimension of the real world that the player can interact with through the parallel reality game.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: John V. Hanke, Mark A. Aubin, James Dinkelacker, Phillip Craig Keslin, Charles Spirakis
-
Publication number: 20160344824Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method for location-based content publishing. The method includes a step for receiving indication of a user subscription to one or more publisher feeds, wherein each of the one or more publisher feeds provides multiple content items, each content item being associated with a location. The method also includes a step for receiving a request for content items, wherein the request includes information about the user's location based on a mobile device of the user. The method also includes a step for selecting content items provided by the one or more publisher feeds based on the user's location and based on the location associated with the content items. The method also includes a step for providing at least a portion of the selected content items for display on the user's mobile device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Leif Hendrik Wilden, John V. Hanke, Ioannis Tsoukalidis, Yennie C. Solheim, Lior Stern
-
Patent number: 9426232Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method for location-based content publishing. The method includes a step for receiving indication of a user subscription to one or more publisher feeds, wherein each of the one or more publisher feeds provides multiple content items, each content item being associated with a location. The method also includes a step for receiving a request for content items, wherein the request includes information about the user's location based on a mobile device of the user. The method also includes a step for selecting content items provided by the one or more publisher feeds based on the user's location and based on the location associated with the content items. The method also includes a step for providing at least a portion of the selected content items for display on the user's mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Leif Hendrik Wilden, John V. Hanke, Ioannis Tsoukalidis, Yennie C. Solheim, Lior Stern
-
Patent number: 8968099Abstract: Systems and methods of transporting virtual objects through a virtual world associated with a parallel reality game are provided. The virtual world has a geography that parallels at least a portion of the geography of the real world. A method includes accessing at least one data source storing or providing data associated with the location of a real world carrier. The method further includes modifying game data associated with the parallel reality to transport at least one virtual object through the virtual world, such that the position of the virtual object in the virtual world is based, at least in part, on the data associated with the location of the real world carrier. Other implementations are directed to systems, apparatus, non-transitory computer-readable media, devices, and user interfaces for transporting virtual objects in a location-based parallel reality game.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: John V. Hanke, Mark A. Aubin, David Kornmann, Marius Milner, Keith P. Golden, Lior Stern