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).
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Publication number: 20200246689Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes, Michael Kane, Edward LeBreton, IV
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Patent number: 10507380Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes, Michael Kane, Edward LeBreton, IV
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Patent number: 10406428Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes, Michael Kane, Edward LeBreton, IV
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Publication number: 20180353846Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes, Michael Kane, Edward LeBreton, IV
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Patent number: 9965921Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: Justin Wickett, Timothy Wickland, Shawn Carnes
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Publication number: 20170278353Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes
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Patent number: 9711010Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 3, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes
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Publication number: 20160019752Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Justin Wickett, Timothy Wickland, Shawn Carnes
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Patent number: 9155965Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: Justin Wickett, Timothy Wickland, Shawn Carnes
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Publication number: 20150179022Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2015Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes
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Patent number: 8974279Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Zynga Inc.Inventors: James Brett Nowak, Shawn Carnes
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Publication number: 20140128138Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Inventors: Justin Wickett, Timothy Wickland, Shawn Carnes