Patents by Inventor Matthew Adam Ocko

Matthew Adam Ocko 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: 8894482
    Abstract: Systems and methods for embedding and tracking revenue from fully operational games into third party websites are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Adam Ocko, Mark Jonathan Pincus, Harsimran Singh, Tim Terence Trampedach
  • Publication number: 20140335953
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a player. A graphical user interface to the player is provided, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object for selection by the player, and where the branded virtual object corresponds to a real-world brand. Selection and placement of the branded virtual object in the virtual environment by the player is monitored. The virtual environment of the player is updated to include the branded virtual object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: John Marsland, Revant Kapoor, Emily Anadu, Matt Levine, Edmund Leo, Matthew Adam Ocko
  • Patent number: 8874466
    Abstract: A method of dynamically sizing incentive rewards for location-based actions by groups is disclosed. A first incentive reward that is to be provided based on a first number of times members of a group of users complete a location-based action is determined. A second incentive reward that is to be provided based on a second number of times members of the group of users complete the location-based action is determined. A magnitude of the second incentive reward is greater than a magnitude of the first incentive reward based on the second number of times being greater than the first number of times. The group of users is notified of the incentive reward and the additional incentive reward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Paul Bethke, Scott Koenigsberg, Amitt Mahajan, Matthew Adam Ocko
  • Patent number: 8858338
    Abstract: A method of integrating client devices into a game networking system is disclosed. A location of a client device of a user of a group of users is enabled to be detected by a game networking system. A notification is received from the game networking system of an incentive reward to be provided to the user based on the group of users performing a set of tasks at the location within a time period. The notification is displayed in a user interface of the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Paul Bethke, Scott Koenigsberg, Amitt Mahajan, Matthew Adam Ocko
  • Patent number: 8845423
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for entering a viewable location on a gameboard having a virtual media object capable of presenting a media item within a media are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a game state of a player using a virtual gameboard. A graphical user interface displaying an exterior of one or more virtual buildings associated with the game instance is provided. A request to view an interior of a virtual structure is received via a device of the player. In response to the request, the interior of the virtual structure is displayed, including displaying a virtual media object in the interior of the virtual structure. The virtual media object is associated with a media playable to the player upon request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Monahan, Matthew Adam Ocko
  • Patent number: 8814696
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a player. A graphical user interface to the player is provided, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object for selection by the player, and where the branded virtual object corresponds to a real-world brand. Selection and placement of the branded virtual object in the virtual environment by the player is monitored. The virtual environment of the player is updated to include the branded virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: John Marsland, Revant Kapoor, Emily Anadu, Matt Levine, Edmund Leo, Matthew Adam Ocko
  • Patent number: 8812356
    Abstract: A method of voting with your feet is disclosed. A performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game is associated with a vote on a matter. The performance of the location-based action by the player is detected. A count of votes corresponding to the vote on the matter is incremented based on the detecting of the performance of the location-based action by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Matthew Adam Ocko, Brian Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8771080
    Abstract: A flash sale mechanic of a virtual game may perform a flash sale transaction based on transaction details for the flash sale transaction. These transaction details may indicate an item for sale, invitation requirements applicable to a player of the virtual game, and transaction requirements applicable to participants of the flash sale transaction. The flash sale mechanic may selectively provide an invitation request to a first player of the virtual game based on the invitation requirements of the flash sale transaction, and may receive acceptance responses from players that choose to participate in the flash sale transaction. The flash sale mechanic may complete the flash sale transaction if it determines that it has received an acceptance response from at least a minimum number of players that are needed to complete the flash sale transaction, and that these players have satisfied the transaction requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Adam Ocko, Sudhanshu Pintu Sethi
  • Patent number: 8771079
    Abstract: An introduction mechanic of a computer-implemented online game introduces a user of the online game to other players of the online game that are experiencing a common game objective. The introduction mechanic may determine another player to introduce to the user based on the other player not being directly associated, as reflected within relationship data, with the user. Also, if the user and the other player are opted into the introduction mechanic, the introduction mechanic may associate the user and the other player with the common game objective of the computer-implemented game, thereby allowing the user and the other player to interact to achieve the common game objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhanshu Pintu Sethi, Matthew Adam Ocko
  • Publication number: 20140187333
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to games and applications in general and in particular to computer-implemented online games, such as online role-playing games, playable by more than one person from more than one location. The game engine can search a player's social network to find friends to play with. These social networks can be constructed implicitly by analyzing a player's game play information and other information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Ryan Craine, Justin Potter Driemeyer, Kevin Thomas Hagan, Jason Samuel McGuirk, Matthew Adam Ocko, Shane Ishmael Sareli, Nicholas John Tornow
  • Patent number: 8751296
    Abstract: A method of voting with your feet is disclosed. A performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game is associated with a vote on a matter. The performance of the location-based action by the player is detected. A count of votes corresponding to the vote on the matter is incremented based on the detecting of the performance of the location-based action by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Matthew Adam Ocko, Brian Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8727887
    Abstract: A method of enabling users to transfer virtual items based on their locations is disclosed. A presence of a player of a computer-implemented game at a location is detected. A presence of an additional player of the computer-implemented game at the location is detected. The player is enabled to transfer a virtual item to the additional player based on the detection of the presence of the player at the location and the detection of the presence of the additional player at the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Matthew Adam Ocko, Brian Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8702522
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to games and applications in general and in particular to computer-implemented online games, such as online role-playing games, playable by more than one person from more than one location. The game engine can search a player's social network to find friends to play with. These social networks can be constructed implicitly by analyzing a player's game play information and other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Ryan Craine, Justin Potter Driemeyer, Kevin Thomas Hagan, Jason Samuel McGuirk, Matthew Adam Ocko, Shane Ishmael Sareli, Nicholas John Tornow
  • Patent number: 8690684
    Abstract: Example systems and methods related to player recruitment for acquiring rewards in an online game network is presented. In an example, an online game for a plurality of players is hosted. A player of the game is provided an asset based satisfaction of an acquisition requirement that includes a social requirement satisfied by a new association of a predetermined number of people with the online game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Francis Vanbragt, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Jonathan Chang Tien, Roger F. Dickey
  • Patent number: 8690683
    Abstract: Example systems and methods related to a social requirement for acquiring an asset, such as a reward, in an online game are presented herein. In one example, an online game for a plurality of players is hosted. Information describing a social network of friends of a player of the game is accessed. An asset is provided to the player based satisfaction of an acquisition requirement to acquire the asset. The acquisition requirement includes a social requirement that is satisfied by a new association of a predetermined number of friends of the social network of the player with the online game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Francis Vanbragt, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Jonathan Chang Tien, Roger F. Dickey
  • Publication number: 20140057725
    Abstract: A method of updating virtual worlds based on interactions between real-world items is disclosed. An interaction between a first real-world item and a second real-world item is detected. The first real-world item is a real-world item that is associated with a first player of a computer-implemented game and the second real-world item is a real-world item that is associated with a second player of the computer-implemented game. A virtual world of the computer-implemented game is updated based on the detection of the interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Matthew Adam Ocko
  • Patent number: 8608570
    Abstract: A method of enabling game features based on location-based actions is disclosed. An indication is received of a performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game. A feature of the computer-implemented game is enabled based on the receiving of the indication of the performance of the location-based action by the player of the computer-implemented game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Matthew Adam Ocko, Brian Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8591304
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a player. A graphical user interface to the player is provided, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object for selection by the player, and where the branded virtual object corresponds to a real-world brand. Selection and placement of the branded virtual object in the virtual environment by the player is monitored. The virtual environment of the player is updated to include the branded virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: John Marsland, Revant Kapoor, Emily Anadu, Matt Levine, Edmund Leo, Matthew Adam Ocko
  • Patent number: 8574076
    Abstract: A method of updating virtual worlds based on interactions between real-world items is disclosed. An interaction between a first real-world item and a second real-world item is detected. The first real-world item is a real-world item that is associated with a first player of a computer-implemented game and the second real-world item is a real-world item that is associated with a second player of the computer-implemented game. A virtual world of the computer-implemented game is updated based on the detection of the interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Matthew Adam Ocko
  • Patent number: 8556719
    Abstract: A method of linking virtual items to real-world items is disclosed. A real-world item is associated with a virtual item of a virtual world of a computer-implemented game. A location-based action involving the real-world item is reflected in the virtual world of the computer implemented game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Amitt Mahajan, Matthew Adam Ocko