Patents by Inventor Kent Wakeford

Kent Wakeford 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: 20160335847
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to implementing a system to encourage cross platform operation in an online game. The online game may provide the ability to provide incentives for participating in cross platform game play. The system may monitor the player's performance on a particular console and provide incentives to accomplish tasks through game play on a different platform than the player is currently operating to play the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Clifford J. Harrington, Kent Wakeford
  • Patent number: 9492757
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to facilitating the development and provision of enhanced video of game playback, including the ability to augment a video of game playback with information relating to the game state of the game. A video may be generated based on game state information associated with one or more selected portions of the game. The video may include visual features that may not have been present in corresponding views that were presented to the user during game play of those one or more portions of the game. The user may augment the video with displayed information based on game logic for the online game. For example, displayed information may include commentary, tips on how the user could have maximized his game play, influential plays from the one or more portions of the game, and/or other information based on the game logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9483854
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating control of virtual space entities based on user geolocations is disclosed. In such a system and method, one or more real-world spatial displacement requirements may be associated with corresponding virtual space maneuvers to connect user movements in real world locations with the virtual space. User performance of real-world spatial displacements may be obtained and compared with real-world spatial displacement requirements of interest. Virtual space maneuvers may be executed in the virtual space based on requesting user performance of real-world spatial displacements as required. Rewards, bonuses, virtual space enhancements and/or other incentives may be provided to the users based on qualities of their performance of real-world spatial displacement as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9480909
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and methodology for dynamically adjusting a game based on predictions made during game account creation in accordance with one or more implementations. The system may be configured to receive user information included in platform level accounts which were previously created by users on an online platform. The system may be configured such that creation of a first game level account for a first user of an online game includes receiving user information from a first platform level user account which was previously created by the first user on an online platform and using this user information to determine in-game customizations predicted to be desirable for a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: KABAM, INC.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9479466
    Abstract: A system and method for generating virtual space messages based on information indicated by a contact list associated with a virtual space user are disclosed. The contact list may be obtained for the virtual space user and contact entries may be extracted from the obtained contact list. Individual contact entries may be correlated with users in the virtual space. In some examples, relationships between the virtual space and his/her contacts may be determined based on the information indicated by the contact entries. Virtual space messages, such as, but not limited to, to facilitate social interactions, mentorship, friendship and/or any other relationships between the virtual space user and his/her contacts within the virtual space may be generated and communicated to the client computing platforms associated with the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9448634
    Abstract: A system and method for providing rewards to a user in a virtual space based on the user performance of gestures is disclosed. Gesture parameters may be obtained for physical actions performed by virtual space users in the real world. Gestures and corresponding gesture commands in the virtual space may be identified based on the gesture parameters. User performance of an identified gesture may be qualified by one or more gesture metrics. The gesture metrics may be determined based on the obtained gesture parameters. Access to reward content may be provided to the user based on user performance of the identified gestures as qualified by the determined gesture metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KABAM, INC.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9440143
    Abstract: A virtual space is provided to users via client computing devices. Device information related to a client computing platform used by a user to interact with the virtual space may be obtained. Customized in-game capabilities available for the user may be determined based on the device information, which may include a description of or otherwise identify the client computing platform. The device information may include or otherwise by used to obtain device capabilities such as hardware, software, network, and/or other specifications. Different users using different client computing platforms may be provided with different in-game capabilities such as user roles, content items, levels, and/or other content or actions available for the user in the virtual space based on the client computing platform used by the users to interact with the virtual space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: KABAM, INC.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9415306
    Abstract: An online gaming system for presenting recommendations to users of an online game. The recommendations may be based on monitored usage of the individual interface methods and directed to use of a particular interface method and/or participation in content which is made available to the users. The system may comprise one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The system may include a client compatibility module configured to obtain interface methods available to the users; a game module configured to manage game content for portions of the online game which can be adjusted to make different content accessible to the users based on the interface methods available; an interface monitor module configured to monitor the usage of interface methods; and a recommendation module configured to present recommendations to the users related to the game content accessible by virtue of the available interface methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: KABAM, INC.
    Inventors: Clifford J. Harrington, Kent Wakeford
  • Patent number: 9403093
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to implementing a system to encourage cross platform operation in an online game. The online game may provide the ability to provide incentives for participating in cross platform game play. The system may monitor the player's performance on a particular console and provide incentives to accomplish tasks through game play on a different platform than the player is currently operating to play the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: KABAM, INC.
    Inventors: Clifford J. Harrington, Kent Wakeford
  • Patent number: 9375636
    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: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: KABAM, INC.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington, Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 9364754
    Abstract: Affiliated players in an online game often coordinate activity and communication in the online game. Affiliated players may want to coordinate activities and/or communicate with each even when one or more affiliated players may not be logged into the online game. Further, persons of higher status in an affiliation may want to control the extent to which other players in the affiliation are sent messages external to the game. As such, one aspect of the disclosure relates to facilitating communication to a group of related players of an online game outside of communication mediums available via the game, where the ability to communicate and the type of communication may depend upon permissions associated with a player in a group of affiliated players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: KABAM, INC.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9330531
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for communicating a primary display comprising information that facilitates visual presentation of a view of a game space to a primary client device and facilitating communication of alliance information among members of an alliance through a secondary client device such as a user's smartphone. The system may include a game device that allows a user to play a video game or otherwise interact with a virtual environment, and send or receive alliance information using the primary client device and send or receive alliance information using a secondary client device while playing the video game using the primary client device. The primary client device or the secondary client device may also be used to control actions taken by the alliance. Thus, alliance control may be facilitated using either or both of the primary client device and the secondary client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: KABAM, INC.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9295916
    Abstract: Recommendations for in-game content are provided to players of an online game. An instance of a virtual space is executed in which an online game is conducted and implemented to facilitate presentation of a view of the virtual space to users through client computing platforms associated with the users. Device specification sets of the client computing devices are determined and recommendations for in-game content are presented to the users based on the obtained device specification sets of the client computing devices associated with the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: KABAM, INC.
    Inventors: Clifford J. Harrington, Kent Wakeford
  • Publication number: 20160082354
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and methodology for dynamically adjusting the difficulty of a game based on upon the specific hardware configuration and/or network connectivity capabilities available to specific users in connection with the interaction of those users with the game. In exemplary implementations, dynamically adjusting the difficulty of playing a game based on hardware and network connectivity capabilities may be performed by processors executing computer program modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Publication number: 20160074750
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating a user defined virtual space is disclosed. One or more virtual space locations and/or activities may be correlated with user specified geolocations. In some implementations, the user specified geolocations may be verified against one or more spatial requirements prior to recording the user selected space-geolocation correlations. A user request to initiate an action or activity in the virtual space may be received. Prior to executing the requested action or activity in the virtual space, the user current geolocation may be verified against that specified in a space-geolocation correlation corresponding to a virtual space location or activity indicated in the user request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9205338
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and methodology for dynamically adjusting the difficulty of a game based on upon the specific hardware configuration and/or network connectivity capabilities available to specific users in connection with the interaction of those users with the game. In exemplary implementations, dynamically adjusting the difficulty of playing a game based on hardware and network connectivity capabilities may be performed by processors executing computer program modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 9195376
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating a user defined virtual space is disclosed. One or more virtual space locations and/or activities may be correlated with user specified geolocations. In some implementations, the user specified geolocations may be verified against one or more spatial requirements prior to recording the user selected space-geolocation correlations. A user request to initiate an action or activity in the virtual space may be received. Prior to executing the requested action or activity in the virtual space, the user current geolocation may be verified against that specified in a space-geolocation correlation corresponding to a virtual space location or activity indicated in the user request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 8998725
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to facilitating the development and provision of enhanced video of game playback, including the ability to augment a video of game playback with information relating to the game state of the game. A video may be generated based on game state information associated with one or more selected portions of the game. The video may include visual features that may not have been present in corresponding views that were presented to the user during game play of those one or more portions of the game. The user may augment the video with displayed information based on game logic for the online game. For example, displayed information may include commentary, tips on how the user could have maximized his game play, influential plays from the one or more portions of the game, and/or other information based on the game logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 8998726
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to facilitating association of a user of an online game to a shard based on aggregated data related to third party latency and further based on social graphs associated with the user. A first type of aggregated third party latency may be calculated based on one or more of: a plurality of first latencies from a device associated with the user to a first plurality of users associated with the first shard and a plurality of second latencies from the first plurality of users to the first shard. A second type of aggregated third party latency may be calculated based on one or more of: a plurality of first latencies from the device associated with the user to a second plurality of users associated with the second shard and a plurality of second latencies from the second plurality of users to the second shard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 8944908
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and methodology for dynamically adjusting the difficulty of a game based on upon the specific hardware configuration and/or network connectivity capabilities available to specific users in connection with the interaction of those users with the game. In exemplary implementations, dynamically adjusting the difficulty of playing a game based on hardware and network connectivity capabilities may be performed by processors executing computer program modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Wakeford, Clifford J. Harrington