IP Library Granted Patent US 8,556,719
Granted Patent B1
US 8,556,719 · App. 13/174,735 · Granted Oct 15, 2013

Linking virtual items to real-world items

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,556,719
App. No.
13/174,735
Granted
Oct 15, 2013
Kind
B1
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.

Claims (22)

1. A method comprising:

detecting a receipt of a first virtual ingredient of a virtual item by a user of a computer-implemented game;

identifying that a first real-world item has come within a predetermined distance of a second real-world item, the first real-world item representing the first virtual ingredient of the virtual item and the second real-world item representing a second virtual ingredient of the virtual item; and

based on the identifying, providing the user with the virtual item.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first real-world item is configured to be communicatively coupled to a network of the computer-implemented game.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first real-world item is configured to be uniquely identifiable on the network of the computer-implemented game.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first real-world item is configured to be communicatively coupled to the network of the computer-implemented via a wireless device integrated into the first real-world item.

5. A system comprising:

a processor-implemented game networking system configured to:

detect a receipt of a first virtual ingredient of a virtual item by a user of a computer-implemented game;

identify that a first real-world item has come within a predetermined distance of a second real-world item, the first real-world item representing the first virtual ingredient of the virtual real-world item and the second real-world item representing a second virtual ingredient of the virtual item; and

based on the identifying, providing the user with the virtual item.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the first real-world item is configured to be communicatively coupled to a network of the computer-implemented game.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first real-world item is configured to be uniquely identifiable on the network of the computer-implemented game.

8. The system of claim 5 , wherein the first real-world item is configured to be communicatively coupled to the network of the computer-implemented via a wireless device integrated into the first real-world item.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by at least one processor of a computer system, cause the computer system to perform operations comprising:

detecting a receipt of a first virtual ingredient of a first virtual item by a player character of a user of a computer-implemented game;

identifying that a first real-world item has come within a predetermined distance of a second real-world item, the first real-world item representing the first virtual ingredient of the virtual item and the second real-world item representing a second virtual ingredient of the virtual item; and

based on the identifying, providing the user with the virtual item.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the first real-world item is configured to be communicatively coupled to a network of the computer-implemented game.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the first real-world item is configured to be uniquely identifiable on the network of the computer-implemented game.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the first real-world item is configured to be communicatively coupled to the network of the computer-implemented via a wireless device integrated into the first real-world item.

Assignments (5)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded May 23, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ZYNGA INC.
Reel/Frame 060163/0437 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Dec 14, 2020
From: ZYNGA INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 054719/0490 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Dec 11, 2020
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS LENDER
To: ZYNGA INC.
Reel/Frame 054701/0393 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Dec 21, 2018
From: ZYNGA INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS LENDER
Reel/Frame 049147/0546 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2011
From: MAHAJAN, AMITT; OCKO, MATTHEW ADAM
To: ZYNGA INC.
Reel/Frame 026902/0698 →