Patents by Inventor Mark A Aubin
Mark A Aubin 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).
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Patent number: 10300395Abstract: Systems and methods for filtering communication within a location-based game are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of filtering communication for a location-based game is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at a computing device, communication data for a plurality of players associated with the location based-game. The method further includes filtering the communication data for each player based on one or more signals associated with the respective player.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: David Kornmann, Mark A. Aubin, Alejandro Nijamkin
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Patent number: 10130888Abstract: Methods and systems for verifying and/or modifying game data for a location-based game, such as a parallel reality game, are provided. Game data for the location-based game can be verified and/or modified by establishing one or more mini-games to be played within the location-based game. Players can be encouraged to play the mini-game by providing a reward, such as a virtual reward that can be used in the location-based game or by providing another suitable reward. Mini-game data received from a plurality of players of the mini-game can be aggregated and used to update game data for the location-based game. In this manner, game elements, game objectives, and/or game play for all players in the location-based game (even players that do not play in the mini-game) can be adjusted based on the aggregated responses to the mini-game.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: David Kornmann, Charles Spirakis, Chris Hibbert, Mark A. Aubin
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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
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Patent number: 9669293Abstract: Methods and systems for verifying and/or modifying game data for a location-based game, such as a parallel reality game, are provided. Game data for the location-based game can be verified and/or modified by establishing one or more mini-games to be played within the location-based game. Players can be encouraged to play the mini-game by providing a reward, such as a virtual reward that can be used in the location-based game or by providing another suitable reward. Mini-game data received from a plurality of players of the mini-game can be aggregated and used to update game data for the location-based game. In this manner, game elements, game objectives, and/or game play for all players in the location-based game (even players that do not play in the mini-game) can be adjusted based on the aggregated responses to the mini-game.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: David Kornmann, Charles Spirakis, Chris Hibbert, Mark A. Aubin
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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
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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
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Patent number: 9226106Abstract: Systems and methods for filtering communication within a location-based game are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of filtering communication for a location-based game is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at a computing device, communication data for a plurality of players associated with the location based-game. The method further includes filtering the communication data for each player based on one or more signals associated with the respective player.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Niantic, Inc.Inventors: David Kornmann, Mark A. Aubin, Alejandro Nijamkin
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Patent number: 9069985Abstract: A flat file data organization technique is used for storing and retrieving geospatially organized data. The invention reduces transfer time by transferring a few large files in lieu of a large number of small files. It also moves the process of locating a given data file away from the file system to a proprietary code base. Additionally, the invention simplifies database management by having quadtree packets generated on demand.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Chikai J. Ohazama, Philip C. Keslin, Mark A. Aubin
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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
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Patent number: 8745080Abstract: A flat file data organization technique is used for storing and retrieving geospatially organized data. The invention reduces transfer time by transferring a few large files in lieu of a large number of small files. It also moves the process of locating a given data file away from the file system to a proprietary code base. Additionally, the invention simplifies database management by having quadtree packets generated on demand.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Chikai J. Ohazama, Phillip C. Keslin, Mark A. Aubin
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Publication number: 20140033329Abstract: A flat file data organization technique is used for storing and retrieving geospatially organized data. The invention reduces transfer time by transferring a few large files in lieu of a large number of small files. It also moves the process of locating a given data file away from the file system to a proprietary code base. Additionally, the invention simplifies database management by having quadtree packets generated on demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Chikai J. Ohazama, Philip C. Keslin, Mark A. Aubin
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Publication number: 20110093803Abstract: A flat file data organization technique is used for storing and retrieving geospatially organized data. The invention reduces transfer time by transferring a few large files in lieu of a large number of small files. It also moves the process of locating a given data file away from the file system to a proprietary code base. Additionally, the invention simplifies database management by having quadtree packets generated on demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: C/O GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Chikai J. Ohazama, Phillip C. Keslin, Mark A. Aubin
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Patent number: 7818325Abstract: A flat file data organization technique is used for storing and retrieving geospatially organized data. The invention reduces transfer time by transferring a few large files in lieu of a large number of small files. It also moves the process of locating a given data file away from the file system to a proprietary code base. Additionally, the invention simplifies database management by having quadtree packets generated on demand.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Chikai J. Ohazama, Phillip C. Keslin, Mark A. Aubin
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Patent number: 7225207Abstract: A flat file data organization technique is used for storing and retrieving geospatially organized data. The invention reduces transfer time by transferring a few large files in lieu of a large number of small files. It also moves the process of locating a given data file away from the file system to a proprietary code base. Additionally, the invention simplifies database management by having quadtree packets generated on demand.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Chikai J Ohazama, Phillip C Keslin, Mark A Aubin