Patents by Inventor Michael C. Caldarone

Michael C. Caldarone 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: 10252169
    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: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 10248970
    Abstract: An approach to facilitating virtual item promotions via time-period-based virtual item benefits is provided. A store interface may present offers to users of a game space to purchase item instances of virtual items associated with in-space benefits. Item instances of a first virtual item may be configured to be activated by the users in the game space to obtain one or more first in-space benefits. A promotion that is conducted for the game space may be managed such that, during a first promotion time period, item instances of the first virtual item purchased through the store interface may be modified instances of the first virtual item. The modified instances may be configured to be activated by the users in the game space during a second promotion time period to obtain one or more second in-space benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Caldarone, Stephanie K. Schultz
  • Patent number: 10245513
    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: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuexin Chu, Alex Genco, Jason Lee, Clive Henrick, Matthew Curtis, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 10223739
    Abstract: A shop interface is presented to users in conjunction with presentation of views of an online game, wherein the shop interface is configured to facilitate presentations to users of offers to sell virtual items usable within the game in exchange for consideration. In response to detecting that the online game is systematically unavailable to users, an alternative virtual shop interface is presented to users that is accessed over the Internet separately from the online game, and offers to sell the virtual times usable within the game are presented to users in exchange for less consideration than the offers to sell the virtual items through the shop interface presented in conjunction with the online game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie K. Schultz, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Publication number: 20190046882
    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: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 10203846
    Abstract: A system and method for non-deterministically providing denominated virtual currency in a virtual space are disclosed. The units of virtual currencies may be classified by different denominations and levels. Non-purchasing utilities may be obtained for the denomination and level of the virtual currencies and provided to users in the virtual space. In one example, the denomination and level of the virtual currencies may be used as socketing elements to provide boosts to base attributes to virtual items. In some implementations, an amount of boost provided by a denomination and level of virtual currency when socketed to a virtual item may be determined based on numerical relationships among the denomination and level of the virtual currencies. The denomination and level of virtual currencies may be harvested non-deterministically by users based on probabilities determined for the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventors: Weiwei Geng, Matthew Curtis, Michael C. Caldarone, Stephanie K. Schultz, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Xuezheng Liu
  • Patent number: 10176672
    Abstract: A system and method for providing rewards in a game space based on errors disrupting user interactions with the game space is disclosed. For providing such rewards, error information indicating the errors may be obtained and the errors may be extracted from the obtained error information. In some examples, levels of disruption caused by the errors may be determined. In some examples, support resources for addressing the errors may be determined. Rewards may be determined to be awarded to the users based on the determined levels of disruption and/or the determined support resources. In some examples, the determined rewards may be distributed to the users responsive to the users performing one or more actions addressing the errors on the client computing platforms associated with the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Publication number: 20180361256
    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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Yuexin CHU, Alex GENCO, Jason LEE, Clive HENRICK, Matthew CURTIS, Kellen Christopher SMALLEY, Michael C. CALDARONE
  • Publication number: 20180361257
    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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Patent number: 10124259
    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: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Kabam, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Curtis, James Koh, Kellen Christopher Smalley, Michael C. Caldarone
  • Publication number: 20180261048
    Abstract: An approach to facilitating event-based currency is provided. A first virtual currency usable by users of a game space to purchase in-space benefits may be managed. An event in the game space that is conducted during an event time period may be managed such that, during the event time period, an event virtual currency may be distributed to one or more of the users as a reward for certain operations and/or achievements performed in the game space during the event time period. Exchanges of in-space benefits associated with the event virtual currency may be effectuated for one or more of the users. In some implementations, the event virtual currency may not available to the users after the event time period, while the first virtual currency may be available to the users during and after the event time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Stephanie K. Schultz, Michael C. Caldarone
  • 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
  • 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: 20180211307
    Abstract: A shop interface is presented to users in conjunction with presentation of views of an online game, wherein the shop interface is configured to facilitate presentations to users of offers to sell virtual items usable within the game in exchange for consideration. In response to detecting that the online game is systematically unavailable to users, an alternative virtual shop interface is presented to users that is accessed over the Internet separately from the online game, and offers to sell the virtual times usable within the game are presented to users in exchange for less consideration than the offers to sell the virtual items through the shop interface presented in conjunction with the online game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Stephanie K. Schultz, 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: 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: 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: 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