IP Library Granted Patent US 8,491,380
Granted Patent B2
US 8,491,380 · App. 13/244,797 · Granted Jul 23, 2013

Online game rewards for non-gaming online activities

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,491,380
App. No.
13/244,797
Granted
Jul 23, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Example systems and methods related to providing rewards for an online game in response to non-gaming online activities are presented. In an example, an identifier of a user related to a proposed online action not involving a game of an online gaming system is received at the online gaming system. Also received is an identification of the proposed online action. An in-game reward based at least in part on the identification of the proposed online action is determined. The in-game reward for the user is provided in response to the user performing the proposed online action.

Claims (36)

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at an online gaming system, an identification of a proposed online action to be performed by a user at an online access system distinct from the online gaming system;

receiving, at the online gaming system, an identifier of the user;

determining, using at least one processor, an in-game reward for the user to be provided by the online gaming system, the in-game reward being based at least in part on the identification of the proposed online action;

receiving, at the online gaming system, a confirmation generated by the online access system that the user performed the proposed online action; and

providing the in-game reward for the user in response to the confirmation that the user performed the proposed online action.

2. The method of claim 1 , the determining of the in-game reward being based at least in part on the user being a player of the online gaming system.

3. The method of claim 2 , the determining of the in-game reward being based at least in part on game account information of the user on the online gaming system.

4. The method of claim 3 , the online gaming system offering multiple games, the in-game reward for at least one game of the multiple games that the user does not play.

5. The method of claim 3 , the online gaming system offering multiple games, the user being a player on two or more of the multiple games, the in-game reward being for at least one of the two or more games.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising presenting an in-game reward for each of the two or more games, from which the user is to select a single one of the in-game rewards.

7. The method of claim 5 , the determining of the in-game reward being based at least in part on at least one of frequency of play, duration of play, and play preferences associated with the user for each of the two or more games.

8. The method of claim 1 , the determining of the in-game reward being based at least in part on an elapsed amount of time until the user performs the proposed online action.

9. The method of claim 1 , the providing of the in-game reward comprising offering the in-game reward to the user for a limited period of time.

10. The method of claim 1 , the providing of the in-game reward occurring according to a predetermined probability.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising revealing the in-game reward to the user based on the user performing the proposed online action.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising revealing the in-game reward to the user based on the user engaging with the online gaming system.

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

receiving, at an online gaming system, an identification of a proposed online action to be performed by a user at an online access system distinct from the online gaming system;

receiving, at the online gaming system, an identifier of the user;

determining an in-game reward for the user to be provided by the online gaming system, the in-game reward being based at least in part on the identification of the proposed online action;

receiving, at the online gaming system, a confirmation generated by the online access system that the user performed the proposed online action; and

providing the in-game reward for the user in response to the confirmation that the user performed the proposed online action.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 , the proposed online action comprising a proposed online purchase of a product by the user.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , the determining of the in-game reward comprising determining the in-game reward based on details of the product.

16. A system comprising:

an online access system to present, to a client device of a user, a proposed online action to be performed by the user at the online access system; and

an online gaming system to:

receive an identifier of the user and an identification of the proposed online action in response to the presentation of the proposed online action to the client device; and

determining an in-game reward for the user to be provided by the online gaming system, the in-game reward being based at least in part on the identification of the proposed online action;

the online access system to accept performance of the proposed online action from the client device and to generate a confirmation of the performance of the proposed online action; and

the online gaming system to provide the in-game reward for the user in response to the confirmation of the performance of the proposed online action.

17. The system of claim 16 , the online access system comprising an online merchant system, the proposed online action comprising a proposed online purchase of a product.

18. The system of claim 16 , the online access system comprising an online media system, the proposed online action comprising a viewing of online media content.

19. The system of claim 16 , the online access system comprising an online reviewing system, the proposed online action comprising a proposed submission of a review by the user.

20. The system of claim 16 , the online access system comprising an online search engine, the proposed online action comprising a proposed viewing of at least one of an advertisement and a sponsored web link.

Assignments (6)
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 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2019
From: MOSITES, DONALD C.; WALDRON, JUSTIN; TALAPATRA, SHANTANU
To: ZYNGA GAME NETWORK, INC.
Reel/Frame 047928/0136 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 8, 2019
From: ZYNGA GAME NETWORK INC.
To: ZYNGA INC.
Reel/Frame 048028/0613 →
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 →