Patents by Inventor Kellen Christopher Smalley

Kellen Christopher Smalley 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: 10058786
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to a system configured to provide a virtual space, in accordance with one or more implementations. Users of virtual spaces may encounter barriers in a game. During these barriers, users may receive and/or provide assistance to other affiliation members. One aspect of the disclosure relates to allowing affiliations or other groups to utilize in-game items to assist other players in game progress in an online game. This may incent positive player actions towards affiliation members, may enhance engagement between affiliation members, may provide an incentive for users to join an affiliation, and/or have other results. These results may ultimately contribute to enhanced retention, enhanced monetization, enhanced user satisfaction, and/or other enhancements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 10058782
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing a customized user experience based on a spend frequency of a user in an online game. The users may be segmented based on a spend frequency associated with the user. A spend frequency may comprise an amount of purchases made by a user in a predetermined time period. The purchases made by the user in the online game may comprise purchases of virtual items made with virtual currency, purchases of real goods made with virtual currency, purchases of virtual items made with real currency, purchases of real goods made with real currency, a combination thereof, and/or other types of purchases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Christopher Pitz, Kellen Christopher Smalley
  • Publication number: 20180236351
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to adjusting virtual item bundles made available to users of on online game based on user gameplay information. In implementations, information relating to prospective usage of the online game is used to classify users according by user type. Responsive to the determined user type of a user, customizations of item bundles in the online game made available to individual users for purchase within the online game may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington, Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 10035069
    Abstract: An approach to facilitating interface-based game-space contest generation is provided. A user interface may be provided to an administrator. The user interface may be configured to receive user inputs from the administrator that include one or more performance criteria to be associated with a contest to be provided in a game space, one or more awards to be distributed in association with the contest, and one or more qualifications to participate in the contest. A notification that relates to the contest may be provided, based on the user inputs, in the game space. Performance scores of users that participated in the contest may be determined based on the performance criteria and activities that are performed in the game space by the participating users. Automated distribution of the awards to individual ones of the participating users may be facilitated in accordance with the performance scores of the individual participating users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuexin Chu, Alex Genco, Jason Lee, Clive Henrick, Matthew Curtis, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Publication number: 20180193756
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing an in-game offer to one or more players of an online game. The offer is provided to players that have newly joined the game and/or to players that have not yet made a purchase. In some implementations, the offer may be meant to incentivize purchase upon entry into the game. The in-game offer may comprise an offer to one or more items and a bonus comprising one or more bonus items provided to the player responsive to the offered items being purchased. The in-game offer may only be made available to a qualifying player for a certain amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew CURTIS, Kellen Christopher SMALLEY, Christopher PITZ, Michael C. CALDARONE
  • Publication number: 20180147496
    Abstract: An approach to facilitate providing leaderboards based upon in-game events within a game space. The leaderboards based on user progress to achieving one or more administrator defined objectives within the game space, where each objective requires the completion of one or more activities. An objective metric for the first user, indicating the first user's progress toward achieving the objective may be determined, based upon one or more activity metric values for the first user. The activity metric values providing an indication of the first user's progress toward completing activities required to be completed to achieve the objective, as defined by an administrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Publication number: 20180147494
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to altering a probability of fulfilling a game objective in a game space. The game objective may be associated with a set of potential reward items, the set of potential reward items including a first item. Probabilities of the first item from the set of potential reward items being provided to individual users as a reward for completing the game objective may be determined based on the rates of usage of the game space by the user. The probability of the first user being provided with the first item as a reward for completing the game objective may be determined based on the rate of usage of the game space by the first user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Publication number: 20180140953
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to adjusting individualized content made available to users of an online game based on user gameplay information. In implementations, information relating to prospective usage of the online game is used to classify users according by user type, and content made available to the users is customized accordingly. Information relating to prospective usage may include predictive information such as demographic and geographic information, as well as game usage information for the users. User types may include resource collection, player versus player, and player versus environment. Customized content may include content made available to the users through the users in-game actions, such as exploring a map, researching a technology or skill, purchasing an in-game item, and completing an in-game achievement, including in-game items, in-game powers, in-game skills, in-game technologies, in-game pets, in-game transportation units, in-game units, and in-game buildings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington, Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9975052
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing an in-game offer to one or more players of an online game. The offer is provided to players that have newly joined the game and/or to players that have not yet made a purchase. In some implementations, the offer may be meant to incentivize purchase upon entry into the game. The in-game offer may comprise an offer to one or more items and a bonus comprising one or more bonus items provided to the player responsive to the offered items being purchased. The in-game offer may only be made available to a qualifying player for a certain amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Christopher Pitz, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9919222
    Abstract: An approach to facilitate providing leaderboards based upon in-game events within a game space. The leaderboards based on user progress to achieving one or more administrator defined objectives within the game space, where each objective requires the completion of one or more activities. An objective metric for the first user, indicating the first user's progress toward achieving the objective may be determined, based upon one or more activity metric values for the first user. The activity metric values providing an indication of the first user's progress toward completing activities required to be completed to achieve the objective, as defined by an administrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9901830
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to altering a probability of fulfilling a game objective in a game space. The game objective may be associated with a set of potential reward items, the set of potential reward items including a first item. Probabilities of the first item from the set of potential reward items being provided to individual users as a reward for completing the game objective may be determined based on the rates of usage of the game space by the user. The probability of the first user being provided with the first item as a reward for completing the game objective may be determined based on the rate of usage of the game space by the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9889380
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to adjusting individualized content made available to users of an online game based on user gameplay information. In implementations, information relating to prospective usage of the online game is used to classify users according by user type, and content made available to the users is customized accordingly. Information relating to prospective usage may include predictive information such as demographic and geographic information, as well as game usage information for the users. User types may include resource collection, player versus player, and player versus environment. Customized content may include content made available to the users through the users in-game actions, such as exploring a map, researching a technology or skill, purchasing an in-game item, and completing an in-game achievement, including in-game items, in-game powers, in-game skills, in-game technologies, in-game pets, in-game transportation units, in-game units, and in-game buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington, Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9868052
    Abstract: A system and method is described for comparing and displaying user-selected segments of players of an online game to identify and predict trends related to player activity and monetization in the game, determine relative response to events that occur in the game, and/or analyze other correlations. The players may be segmented on or more system variables chosen by a user. A user may be a system administrator, a game developer, and/or other user interested in identifying and predicting trends, determining responses to events, and/or engaging in other analysis relating to the game. A comparison of the first segment of players and the second segment of players based on a first feature and a second feature may allow identification and prediction of trends related to player activity and monetization in the game, determine relative response to events that occur in the game, and/or analyze other correlations in an online game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley
  • Patent number: 9808708
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to adjusting virtual item bundles made available to users of on online game based on user gameplay information. In implementations, information relating to prospective usage of the online game is used to classify users according by user type. Responsive to the determined user type of a user, customizations of item bundles in the online game made available to individual users for purchase within the online game may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington, Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9799059
    Abstract: A virtual space is provided to users via client computing devices where the user cost associated with purchasable virtual items may be adjusted. A game shop interface may be presented to users, comprising offers to purchase sets of one or more virtual items to the user. The associated user cost for the one or more sets of virtual items may be adjusted based upon a determination that the rate of purchase of and/or the revenue generated from the virtual items is more than a specified threshold from the average rate of purchase and/or average revenue generation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Christopher Pitz, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9795886
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to determining prices for a protection extension in an online game. The protection extension may be implemented, for example, after a user's beginning protection and/or any other in-game protection period has ceased. The protection extension may be dynamically priced for individual users. The protection extension may be priced, for example, based on the user's power and/or strength in a game, and/or based on other factors. For example, the stronger the user is in the game, the more expensive the extension of protection, and the weaker the user is in the game, the cheaper the extension of protection. This may provide an opportunity for a less experienced player to build up their strength in a game, thus promoting further player engagement. Individualizing the price of protection extensions may provide other enhancements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kellen Christopher Smalley, Stephanie K. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9782679
    Abstract: An approach to facilitating interface-based game-space contest generation is provided. A user interface may be provided to an administrator. The user interface may be configured to receive user inputs from the administrator that include one or more performance criteria to be associated with a contest to be provided in a game space, one or more awards to be distributed in association with the contest, and one or more qualifications to participate in the contest. A notification that relates to the contest may be provided, based on the user inputs, in the game space. Performance scores of users that participated in the contest may be determined based on the performance criteria and activities that are performed in the game space by the participating users. Automated distribution of the awards to individual ones of the participating users may be facilitated in accordance with the performance scores of the individual participating users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuexin Chu, Alex Genco, Jason Lee, Clive Henrick, Matthew Curtis, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9776089
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to automatically triggering events (e.g., sales, promotions, gameplay-based events, and/or other events) in an online game based on varying levels of spend by users in the game. This automation of live operations in the online game may provide for management of revenue generation in the online game. The events may serve to draw users into the online game during traditional off-peak hours, may serve to entice user spending in the online game during times when spending would be low without an event, and/or provides for other enhancements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9733955
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating a user to initiate and accept an assistance request through a chat session is disclosed. Controls may be provided in a graphical chat interface to enable the user to specify inputs to request assistance from other users participating in the chat session. An assistance request may be generated and communicated to those users through the chat session. Graphical representation for the assistance request and controls that facilitate the users to accept the assistance request may be provided in the graphical chat interface. Upon an acceptance to the assistance request by a responding user through the graphical chat interface, an assistance command may be generated and executed in the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9720578
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating user interactions with a virtual space through a graphical chat interface is disclosed. One or more potential inputs to the virtual space and/or virtual space status information may be determined dynamically for a user participating in a chat session through a graphical chat interface. An activity notification may be generated for the user based one the determined potential inputs and/or the virtual space status information. The generated activity notification may comprise graphical representation for the notification and as well as representation information for one or more controls facilitating the user to provide inputs requested by the activity notification through the graphical chat interface. User acceptance to the activity notification via the graphical chat interface may be received. One or more activity commands may be generated based on the received user acceptance and executed in the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Caldarone, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Matthew Curtis, James Koh