Patents by Inventor William Henry Kelly Mooney

William Henry Kelly Mooney 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: 20190118097
    Abstract: Example systems and methods relating to dynamic requirement variation for asset acquisition in an online game are presented. In an example online game for multiple players, a plurality of parameters employed to identify players who qualify for a reward provided by the online game are accessed continually. A current acquisition requirement for the reward based on the plurality of parameters is updated continually. The reward is provided to at least one of the players responsive to satisfaction of the current acquisition requirement by the at least one of the players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Erik Francis Vanbragt, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer, Jonathan Chang Tien, Roger F. Dickey
  • Patent number: 9901833
    Abstract: A system has a computerized server connected to a network and having a processor, a data repository coupled to the processor, and software (SW) executing on the processor from a non-transitory medium. The software enables a player operating a computerized appliance connected to the network to log in to a site hosted on the server, the site providing video games and other places to which the player may navigate, enables the player to purchase virtual currency spendable in games the player may enter to play and at other places the player may select to navigate, credits the player with Points in a pre-established ratio to virtual currency spent by the player while logged in to the site, and accounts for points accredited to the player and other players, and displaying on the site Point totals for at least players having the greatest number of Points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Roblox Corporation
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, David Baszucki
  • Patent number: 9501203
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for modifying a game state of a player of a social game are presented. A first location of a first virtual object and a second location of a second virtual object in a virtual world of a social game are identified, where the first virtual object is associated with a first social contact of a player of the social game and the second virtual object is associated with a second social contact of the player of the social game. A location adjacency metric for the first virtual object and the second virtual object is determined using the first location and the second location. A social adjacency metric for the first virtual object and the second virtual object is determined. A game state for the player is modified using the location adjacency metric and the social adjacency metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: William Henry Kelly Mooney
  • Patent number: 9354700
    Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium, and a method for modifying a game state of a player of a social game are presented. A first location of a first virtual object and a second location of a second virtual object in a virtual world of the social game are identified. The first virtual object is associated with a first social contact of the player of the social game and the second virtual object is associated with a second social contact of the player of the social game. A location adjacency metric for the first virtual object and the second virtual object is determined using the first location and the second location. A social adjacency metric for the first virtual object and the second virtual object is determined. A game state for the player is modified using the location adjacency metric and the social adjacency metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventor: William Henry Kelly Mooney
  • Publication number: 20150265929
    Abstract: A system has a computerized server connected to a network and having a processor, a data repository coupled to the processor, and software (SW) executing on the processor from a non-transitory medium. The software enables a player operating a computerized appliance connected to the network to log in to a site hosted on the server, the site providing video games and other places to which the player may navigate, enables the player to purchase virtual currency spendable in games the player may enter to play and at other places the player may select to navigate, credits the player with Points in a pre-established ratio to virtual currency spent by the player while logged in to the site, and accounts for points accredited to the player and other players, and displaying on the site Point totals for at least players having the greatest number of Points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, David Baszucki
  • Patent number: 9028310
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating multiuser online games with game condition reminders. In particular implementations, a method includes accessing a game condition file from a memory wherein the game condition file includes one or more game condition identifiers corresponding to one or more game conditions for a user of a game, determining the value of the one or more game condition identifiers, presenting a reminder for the one or more game conditions based on the determined value for the one or more corresponding game condition identifiers, presenting a user response interface for receiving a user response related to whether the user has changed the one or more game conditions, and updating the one or more game condition identifiers in the game condition file based on the user's response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, Erik Francis Vanbragt
  • Patent number: 8974276
    Abstract: Systems and methods to generate reminders for game conditions are described. In some embodiments, a method accesses a game condition identifier associated with a game condition for a user of an online game. The method further determines a value associated with the game condition identifier and generates a reminder associated with the game condition based on the value of the game condition identifier. The reminder is presented to the user along with a user response interface that allows the user to indicate whether the user has performed a particular action with respect to the game condition. The game condition identifier is updated based on a response received from the user regarding whether the user has performed the particular action with respect to the game condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, Erik Francis Vanbragt
  • Patent number: 8894483
    Abstract: Systems and methods to selectively generate user reminders for game conditions are described. In some embodiments, a method accesses a game condition identifier associated with a game condition for a user of an online game. The method further determines a value associated with the game condition identifier and determines that the user has not performed a particular action required with respect to the game condition based on the value of the game condition identifier. Additionally, the method determines whether to remind the user of the game condition. If so, a reminder associated with the game condition is generated and presented to the user. The reminder includes a user response interface that allows the user to indicate whether the user has performed the game condition. The game condition identifier is updated if a response received from the user indicates that the user has performed the game condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, Erik Francis Vanbragt
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8506409
    Abstract: A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. An incentive reward is generated that is to be provided to at least one member of a group of users of a game networking system based on the group exercising a level of influence over a location during a time period that is greater than a level of influence of an additional group of users over the location during the time period. It is determined that the group exercised the level of influence over the location during the time period. The incentive reward is provided to the at least one member of the group based on the determining that the level of influence exercised by the group is greater than the level of influence of the additional group over the location during the time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Paul Bethke, Michael Broom, Robert Aaron Jones, Scott Koenigsberg, Amitt Mahajan, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Ian Wang
  • Patent number: 8496532
    Abstract: A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. A first group of a plurality of players of a computer-implemented game is notified that each member of the first group is to receive an incentive reward based on a level of influence of the first group over a location being greater than a level of influence of a second group of the plurality of players over the location. The level of influence of the first group over the location is determined to be greater than the level of influence of the second group over the location. The incentive reward is provided to the first group based on the determined level of influence of the first group over the location being greater than the level of influence of the second group over the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Paul Bethke, Michael Broom, Robert Aaron Jones, Scott Koenigsberg, Amitt Mahajan, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Ian Wang
  • Patent number: 8444491
    Abstract: A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. An incentive reward is generated that is to be provided to at least one member of a group of users of a game networking system based on the group exercising a level of influence over a location during a time period that is greater than a level of influence of an additional group of users over the location during the time period. It is determined that the group exercised the level of influence over the location during the time period. The incentive reward is provided to the at least one member of the group based on the determining that the level of influence exercised by the group is greater than the level of influence of the additional group over the location during the time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Paul Bethke, Michael Broom, Aaron Jones, Scott Koenigsberg, Amitt Mahajan, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Ian Wang
  • Publication number: 20130005473
    Abstract: A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. An incentive reward is generated that is to be provided to at least one member of a group of users of a game networking system based on the group exercising a level of influence over a location during a time period that is greater than a level of influence of an additional group of users over the location during the time period. It is determined that the group exercised the level of influence over the location during the time period. The incentive reward is provided to the at least one member of the group based on the determining that the level of influence exercised by the group is greater than the level of influence of the additional group over the location during the time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Paul Bethke, Michael Broom, Aaron Jones, Scott Koenigsberg, Amitt Mahajan, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Ian Wang
  • Publication number: 20130005480
    Abstract: A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. An incentive reward is generated that is to be provided to at least one member of a group of users of a game networking system based on the group exercising a level of influence over a location during a time period that is greater than a level of influence of an additional group of users over the location during the time period. It is determined that the group exercised the level of influence over the location during the time period. The incentive reward is provided to the at least one member of the group based on the determining that the level of influence exercised by the group is greater than the level of influence of the additional group over the location during the time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Erik Paul Bethke, Michael Broom, Aaron Jones, Scott Koenigsberg, Amitt Mahajan, William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Ian Wang
  • Patent number: 8262468
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for operating a multiuser online game with viral dynamic rewards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    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: 8231473
    Abstract: Systems and methods to distribute benefits and detriments in a multiuser game are described. In some embodiments, a method accesses social network information associated with a player of a game. The player controls a first player character in the game where the first player character has certain attributes. The method accesses profile information associated with a friend of the player, who controls a second player character. A proxy based on the second player is created and includes multiple proxy attributes based on the profile information associated with the friend of the player. A game event outcome associated with the first player character is determined based on the first player character attributes and at least one proxy attribute. The game event outcome includes an in-game benefit or detriment that is distributed to the first and second player characters based on the proxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer
  • Patent number: 8226487
    Abstract: Systems and methods to generate proxies for players in a game are described. In some embodiments, a method accesses social network information associated with a player of a game. The player controls a first player character in the game where the first player character has certain attributes. The method further accesses profile information associated with a friend of the player. The friend of the player controls a second player character in the game. A proxy based on the second player character is created and includes multiple proxy attributes based on the profile information associated with the friend of the player. The proxy is associated with the first player character. A game event outcome associated with the first player character is determined based on the first player character attributes and at least one proxy attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer
  • Patent number: 8226486
    Abstract: Systems and methods to generate proxies for players in a game are described. In some embodiments, a method accesses social network information associated with a player of a first game and a second game. The player controls a first player character in the first game and controls a second player character in the second game. The method accesses profile information of a friend of the player controlling a third player character in the first game. The method creates a proxy based on the third player character having multiple attributes based on the profile information of the friend of the player. A event outcome is determined based on an attribute of the first player character and at least one proxy attribute. Another game event outcome is determined based on an attribute of the second player character and at least one proxy attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer
  • Patent number: 8226485
    Abstract: An online multiuser game includes friend-playing characters that can be taken into account when determining outcomes of game events. The outcome of a game event can depend on player inputs, player character state, game state and the state of characters of friends of the player, independent of whether the friends are current players. Friends of a player can be determined by a game social network system that maintains records on game players and relationships between various players. A game server can attribute one or more in-game benefits to a current player based on the in-game profile associated with other players who are identified in a game social network as friends of the current player. The friend network can be single-layered or multiple-layered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: William Henry Kelly Mooney, Matthew Adam Ocko, Carl Eric Schiermeyer