Patents by Inventor Joseph Borst

Joseph Borst 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: 11872498
    Abstract: A virtual pet breeding system that allows users of the game to buy virtual pets for their account which can be bred to obtain or generate new virtual pets (offspring) that are added to the user's account, wherein at least some of the offspring can materialize into a physical toy or object for the user to enjoy in the real world. In particular, some virtual offspring will be paired with a redemption code which allows the user to order and/or receive a real world/physical item resembling the virtual offspring that was produced from the virtual breeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
  • Publication number: 20220297014
    Abstract: A virtual pet breeding system that allows users of the game to buy virtual pets for their account which can be bred to obtain or generate new virtual pets (offspring) that are added to the user's account, wherein at least some of the offspring can materialize into a physical toy or object for the user to enjoy in the real world. In particular, some virtual offspring will be paired with a redemption code which allows the user to order and/or receive a real world/physical item resembling the virtual offspring that was produced from the virtual breeding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
  • Patent number: 11389735
    Abstract: A virtual pet breeding system that allows users of the game to buy virtual pets for their account which can be bred to obtain or generate new virtual pets (offspring) that are added to the user's account, wherein at least some of the offspring can materialize into a physical toy or object for the user to enjoy in the real world. In particular, some virtual offspring will be paired with a redemption code which allows the user to order and/or receive a real world/physical item resembling the virtual offspring that was produced from the virtual breeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Ganz
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
  • Publication number: 20210125212
    Abstract: A virtual pet breeding system that allows users of the game to buy virtual pets for their account which can be bred to obtain or generate new virtual pets (offspring) that are added to the user's account, wherein at least some of the offspring can materialize into a physical toy or object for the user to enjoy in the real world. In particular, some virtual offspring will be paired with a redemption code which allows the user to order and/or receive a real world/physical item resembling the virtual offspring that was produced from the virtual breeding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
  • Publication number: 20200082467
    Abstract: An Entertainment System including a website, in combination with a commercially purchased product, wherein the system allows a product user to register a primary product online using a registration code, allowing the user access to various activities and scenarios in a “virtual world” including a virtual representation of the product, via a computer connected to the Internet. Additional ancillary products are also provided that may be related to the primary product or the virtual world, with these ancillary products also being provided with one or more codes to provide additional content, bonus items, and/or bonus access in the virtual world.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Ganz
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
  • Patent number: 10131831
    Abstract: Method of increasing the permeability in subterranean formations comprising rock that is soluble by acid, in particular carbonatic formations, using a formulation comprising at least an acid and a retarding surfactant which is an amphoteric surfactant. Preferably, the acid comprises methanesulfonic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignees: BASF SE, BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn Rimassa, Walter Bertkau, Joseph Borst
  • Patent number: 10099126
    Abstract: The subject application describes an activity performed with or without a website, such as a game. The game can be played either when in contact with the website or when disconnected from the website. The game playing can be carried out for example on a mobile device. The game can be used to earn virtual cash on the website, when playing from the mobile device. The game can also be played when the mobile device is not attached to the website, in which case the points that are received are saved along with an encryption to avoid a user's improper increasing of the points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, John Alexander Larsen
  • Publication number: 20170361227
    Abstract: The subject application describes an activity performed with or without a website, such as a game. The game can be played either when in contact with the website or when disconnected from the website. The game playing can be carried out for example on a mobile device. The game can be used to earn virtual cash on the website, when playing from the mobile device. The game can also be played when the mobile device is not attached to the website, in which case the points that are received are saved along with an encryption to avoid a user's improper increasing of the points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, John Alexander Larsen
  • Patent number: 9782674
    Abstract: The subject application describes an activity performed with or without a website, such as a game. The game can be played either when in contact with the website or when disconnected from the website. The game playing can be carried out for example on a mobile device. The game can be used to earn virtual cash on the website, when playing from the mobile device. The game can also be played when the mobile device is not attached to the website, in which case the points that are received are saved along with an encryption to avoid a user's improper increasing of the points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, John Alexander Larsen
  • Publication number: 20170037304
    Abstract: Method of increasing the permeability in subterranean formations comprising rock that is soluble by acid, in particular carbonatic formations, using a formulation comprising at least an acid and a retarding surfactant which is an amphoteric surfactant. Preferably, the acid comprises methanesulfonic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Shawn Rimassa, Walter BERTKAU, Joseph BORST
  • Patent number: 9403089
    Abstract: A system providing a graphical chat room and/or virtual world on a website in which users can control avatars or other characters to participate in activities and interact with other users' avatars/characters. The chat room or virtual world has a large common location where a large number of users might participate with their characters/avatars, but where because display of all of the participants and/or all of the area becomes impractical or otherwise unwieldy, the system determines an appropriate portion of the area and a limited number of avatars/characters to display based on some criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Karl Joseph Borst, John Alexander Larsen
  • Patent number: 9050534
    Abstract: A user interface for a virtual world controls and allows registering new characters and also registering achievement when the user has carried out a number of different items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Ganetakos, Frank James Caron, Jesse Daniel Scoble, Gord Scott McLeod, John Alexander Larsen, Felix Leung, Karl Joseph Borst
  • Patent number: 9037486
    Abstract: A method for disabling and re-enabling third-party advertisements is disclosed. An Internet accessible “virtual world” or interactive on-line community can have its advertisements disabled by the entering and subsequent validation of a registration code that is associated with a toy into a website, once validated, displaying a virtual representation of the toy on the website, providing virtual world content so that the virtual representation of the toy is caused to interact with the virtual world content and the toy virtual representations of other users, displaying advertisement on the website in a first mode and allowing customization of the virtual world content including the disabling of advertisements in a second mode. In a similar manner the third party advertisements can be re-enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst, Jessica Boyd
  • Patent number: 9022868
    Abstract: A method of providing an interactive virtual environment is provided. The method includes using a computer system to receive registration information, establish an account for a user and associating a virtual character with the account. In response to an interaction between the virtual character and a non-player character in the virtual environment, task information is served over the communication network for presenting the user controlling the virtual character with a request from the non-player character to perform a task. An invitation is received over the communication network inviting at least one additional virtual character to participate in performing the task. In response to receiving an acceptance of the task on behalf of the additional virtual character, task content is served over the communication network to allow both the virtual character and the additional virtual character to take actions to perform the task included in the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Ganz
    Inventor: Karl Joseph Borst
  • Patent number: 8898233
    Abstract: A matchmaking system is provided herein to facilitate the development of relationships in a virtual social environment. The amount of development (positive or negative) is measured through the detection and analysis of the villager's actions and activity in the virtual social environment. By performing actions including participating in events, activities, sharing an opinion, and giving gifts to other villagers or NPCs present in the environment, a villager creates relationships between herself and other villagers (regardless if owned by the same or different user) or NPCs which then contributes to the development of her own “life” in the virtual social environment. Through this system, villagers are able to meet again based on multiple factors to further develop life-like relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ganz
    Inventors: Joseph Benjamin Ganetakos, Jesse Daniel Scoble, John Alexander Larsen, Karl Joseph Borst
  • Patent number: 8836719
    Abstract: A crafting system and method are provided that allow users or players in a social virtual environment to create their own unique virtual items for use on the site. With the crafting system and method, players can collect different types of materials, some more common than others, from within the virtual social environment to customize items, which the player can use to express their individuality as well as sell or trade within the environment. The complexity and uniqueness of the crafted item makes it much more difficult for another player to obtain the same materials and to replicate the design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ganz
    Inventors: Felix Leung, Karl Joseph Borst, Joseph Benjamin Ganetakos
  • Patent number: 8795072
    Abstract: A method and computer system for providing a virtual presentation is provided. A plurality of different groups of virtual objects within a virtual world on a display device, wherein at least one of the different groups is selectable by a user. The desired group of virtual objects are to be displayed within a virtual optical viewfinder. A selection tool is provided within the virtual optical viewfinder and is controllable by the user to select a target virtual object from the desired group of virtual objects displayed within the virtual optical viewfinder. The user is presented with a magnified image of the target virtual object and revealing an identity of the target virtual object that has been selected in response to selection of the target virtual object by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ganz
    Inventors: Karl Joseph Borst, Jessica Boyd, Michael Kwant
  • Patent number: 8788943
    Abstract: Provided is a method of making a graphic available to be transmitted over a communication network. Access is granted to a graphic that a sender of a first communication can select for inclusion in the first communication to be transmitted over the communication network. Selection by the sender of a restricted graphic for inclusion in the first communication is prevented. Using a computer operatively connected to the communication network, the content of the first communication entered by the sender is received, and includes the graphic available for selection by the sender. The first communication including the graphic is transmitted over the communication network. A code associated with a product is received, and the product is registered based at least in part on the code. In response to successful registration of the product, the sender is granted access to the restricted graphic, allowing the sender to select the restricted graphic for inclusion in a second communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: GANZ
    Inventors: Karl Joseph Borst, John Alexander Larsen
  • Patent number: 8753167
    Abstract: A unique code is used to register a virtual pet or other item using a code that is associated with the pet, and which, when entered, allows viewing and interacting with a virtual representation of the actual item on the website. If the code is entered during a specific time period, it allows obtaining at least one additional item, for example an exclusive item that cannot be obtained in any other way. The specific time period can be extended, e.g., using supplemental codes. The codes may specify fixed or variable time periods, and may be generic extension codes and extend other things other than this period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ganz
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst
  • Publication number: 20140156405
    Abstract: A method of delivering interactive content using an entertainment system. The method includes a step of providing access to interactive content to a user at a first level of access over a computer network including first access privileges. The method also includes a step of providing access to the content to the user at a second level of access in response to the user satisfying a first predetermined condition. The second level of access provides second access privileges that are excluded from the first level of access. The method also includes a step of providing access to the content to the user at a third level of access in response to the user satisfying both the first predetermined condition and a second predetermined condition. The third level of access provides the second access privileges and third access privileges. The third access privileges are excluded from said second level of access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Ganz
    Inventors: Howard Ganz, Karl Joseph Borst