Patents by Inventor Shawn Carnes

Shawn Carnes 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: 20200246689
    Abstract: A method of rewarding players for performing actions with respect to computer-implemented games is disclosed. An action by a user with respect to a computer game is detected. It is identified that the performing of the action by the user qualifies the user to participate in a mini game, the mini game having a plurality of stages. A reward to associate with a winning by the user of a stage of the plurality of stages is determined. The winning by the user of the stage of the plurality of stages is detected. Under certain circumstances, the user is provided with an option to participate in the additional stage of the plurality of stages in exchange for the user not receiving the reward, the additional stage of the plurality of stages being associated with an additional reward, the additional reward being greater than the reward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes, Michael Kane, Edward LeBreton, IV
  • Patent number: 10507380
    Abstract: A method of rewarding players for performing actions with respect to computer-implemented games is disclosed. An action by a user with respect to a computer game is detected. It is identified that the performing of the action by the user qualifies the user to participate in a mini game, the mini game having a plurality of stages. A reward to associate with a winning by the user of a stage of the plurality of stages is determined. The winning by the user of the stage of the plurality of stages is detected. Under certain circumstances, the user is provided with an option to participate in the additional stage of the plurality of stages in exchange for the user not receiving the reward, the additional stage of the plurality of stages being associated with an additional reward, the additional reward being greater than the reward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes, Michael Kane, Edward LeBreton, IV
  • Patent number: 10406428
    Abstract: A method of rewarding players for performing actions with respect to computer-implemented games is disclosed. An action by a user with respect to a computer game is detected. It is identified that the performing of the action by the user qualifies the user to participate in a mini game, the mini game having a plurality of stages. A reward to associate with a winning by the user of a stage of the plurality of stages is determined. The winning by the user of the stage of the plurality of stages is detected. Under certain circumstances, the user is provided with an option to participate in the additional stage of the plurality of stages in exchange for the user not receiving the reward, the additional stage of the plurality of stages being associated with an additional reward, the additional reward being greater than the reward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes, Michael Kane, Edward LeBreton, IV
  • Publication number: 20180353846
    Abstract: A method of rewarding players for performing actions with respect to computer-implemented games is disclosed. An action by a user with respect to a computer game is detected. It is identified that the performing of the action by the user qualifies the user to participate in a mini game, the mini game having a plurality of stages. A reward to associate with a winning by the user of a stage of the plurality of stages is determined. The winning by the user of the stage of the plurality of stages is detected. Under certain circumstances, the user is provided with an option to participate in the additional stage of the plurality of stages in exchange for the user not receiving the reward, the additional stage of the plurality of stages being associated with an additional reward, the additional reward being greater than the reward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes, Michael Kane, Edward LeBreton, IV
  • Patent number: 9965921
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for providing play areas to communities of players in an online game. One method includes an operation for identifying attributes of players in the online game. A characteristic that is common to a subset of players is determined in the online game, where the characteristic is based on the attributes of players in the online game. The method further includes an operation for creating a playing area in the online game, such that the subset of players are allowed to play in the playing area, but other players in the online game, that are outside the subset of players, are disallowed from playing in the playing area. The subset of players is then enabled to play in the playing area with other players from the subset of players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Wickett, Timothy Wickland, Shawn Carnes
  • Publication number: 20170278353
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a system and a method of implementing bad beat insurance are disclosed. After a stage of a portion of a game is played, it is determined that a player is favored to win the portion of the game. After the portion of the game is completed, it is determined that the player has suffered a bad beat. The player is compensated at least partially for a loss that the player incurred as a consequence of suffering the bad beat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes
  • Patent number: 9711010
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a system and a method of implementing bad beat insurance are disclosed. After a stage of a portion of a game is played, it is determined that a player is favored to win the portion of the game. After the portion of the game is completed, it is determined that the player has suffered a bad beat. The player is compensated at least partially for a loss that the player incurred as a consequence of suffering the bad beat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes
  • Publication number: 20160019752
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for providing play areas to communities of players in an online game. One method includes an operation for identifying attributes of players in the online game. A characteristic that is common to a subset of players is determined in the online game, where the characteristic is based on the attributes of players in the online game. The method further includes an operation for creating a playing area in the online game, such that the subset of players are allowed to play in the playing area, but other players in the online game, that are outside the subset of players, are disallowed from playing in the playing area. The subset of players is then enabled to play in the playing area with other players from the subset of players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Justin Wickett, Timothy Wickland, Shawn Carnes
  • Patent number: 9155965
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for providing play areas to communities of players in an online game. One method includes an operation for identifying attributes of players in the online game. A characteristic that is common to a subset of players is determined in the online game, where the characteristic is based on the attributes of players in the online game. The method further includes an operation for creating a playing area in the online game, such that the subset of players are allowed to play in the playing area, but other players in the online game, that are outside the subset of players, are disallowed from playing in the playing area. The subset of players is then enabled to play in the playing area with other players from the subset of players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Wickett, Timothy Wickland, Shawn Carnes
  • Publication number: 20150179022
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a system and a method of implementing bad beat insurance are disclosed. After a stage of a portion of a game is played, it is determined that a player is favored to win the portion of the game. After the portion of the game is completed, it is determined that the player has suffered a bad beat. The player is compensated at least partially for a loss that the player incurred as a consequence of suffering the bad beat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes
  • Patent number: 8974279
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a system and a method of implementing bad beat insurance are disclosed. After a stage of a portion of a game is played, it is determined that a player is favored to win the portion of the game. After the portion of the game is completed, it is determined that the player has suffered a bad beat. The player is compensated at least partially for a loss that the player incurred as a consequence of suffering the bad beat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes
  • Publication number: 20140128138
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for providing play areas to communities of players in an online game. One method includes an operation for identifying attributes of players in the online game. A characteristic that is common to a subset of players is determined in the online game, where the characteristic is based on the attributes of players in the online game. The method further includes an operation for creating a playing area in the online game, such that the subset of players are allowed to play in the playing area, but other players in the online game, that are outside the subset of players, are disallowed from playing in the playing area. The subset of players is then enabled to play in the playing area with other players from the subset of players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Justin Wickett, Timothy Wickland, Shawn Carnes