IP Library Granted Patent US 10,232,250
Granted Patent B2
US 10,232,250 · App. 14/332,914 · Granted Mar 19, 2019

Gaming platform providing a game action sweep mechanic

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,232,250
App. No.
14/332,914
Granted
Mar 19, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing a game action sweep mechanic are presented. A virtual game environment that includes a first virtual object and a second virtual object may be generated for a user. User interactions involving a game pointer and a selection input are then monitored. In response to detecting the selection input being activated while the game pointer is located proximate to the first virtual object, a game action is then performed on the first virtual object. A game action sweep mode is then activated. While the game action sweep mode is active, the game action is then performed on the second virtual game object in response to detecting the game pointer is located proximate to the second virtual object.

Claims (64)

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

generating a game user interface that displays a virtual game environment in which is located multiple virtual objects that includes one or more objects that support a first game action and one or more objects that support a second, different game action;

detecting activation of a selection input while a game pointer is located over a first one of the multiple virtual objects;

determining that the first virtual object supports the first game action,

performing the first game action on the first virtual object; and

in an automated operation using one or more processors, activating a game action sweep mode to occur until a deactivation of the selection input, the game action sweep mode comprising:

detecting that the game pointer is located over a second one of the multiple virtual objects, the first virtual object comprising a different type of object than the second virtual object;

determining that the second virtual object supports the first game action, and, responsive thereto, performing the game action on the second virtual object;

detecting that the game pointer is located over a third one of the multiple virtual objects, the third virtual object supporting the second game action; and

determining that the third virtual object does not support the first game action, and, responsive thereto, performing no game action on the third virtual object during the game action sweep mode, such that game state information remains unchanged responsive to movement of the game pointer over the third virtual object during the game action sweep mode.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein detecting activation of a selection input comprises:

receiving an indication of the activation of the selection input based on receipt of contact on a touch screen under which the virtual game environment is displayed.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , further comprising:

detecting the deactivation of the selection input in response to receiving an indication of a termination of the contact on the touch screen.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein detecting activation of a selection input while a game pointer is located over a first virtual object in a virtual game environment comprises:

determining a placement of the contact on the touch screen is within a threshold distance from a display location of the first virtual object.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein performing the first game action on the first virtual object comprises:

updating the state of the first virtual object to reflect a first performance of the first game action on the first virtual object; and

wherein performing the first game action on the second virtual object comprises:

updating a state of the second virtual object to reflect a second performance of the first game action on the second virtual object.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein performing no game action on the third virtual object comprises maintaining a current state of the third virtual object.

7. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

generating a game user interface that displays a virtual game environment in which is located multiple virtual objects that includes one or more objects that support a first game action and one or more objects that support a second, different game action;

detecting activation of a selection input while a game pointer is located over a first one of the multiple virtual objects;

determining that the first virtual object supports the first game action;

performing the first game action on the first virtual object; and

activating a game action sweep mode to occur until a deactivation of the selection input, the game action sweep mode comprising:

detecting that the game pointer is located over a second one of the multiple virtual objects, the first virtual object comprising a different type of object than the second virtual object;

determining that the second virtual object supports the first game action, and, responsive thereto, performing the game action on the second virtual object;

detecting that the game pointer is located over a third one of the multiple virtual objects, the third virtual object supporting the second game action; and

determining that the third virtual object does not support the first game action, and, responsive thereto, performing no game action on the third virtual object during the game action sweep mode, such that game state information remains unchanged responsive to movement of the game pointer over the third virtual object during the game action sweep mode.

8. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein detecting activation of a selection input comprises:

receiving an indication of the activation of the selection input based on receipt of contact on a touch screen under which the virtual game environment is displayed.

9. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 8 , further comprising:

detecting the deactivation of the selection input in response to receiving an indication of a termination of the contact on the touch screen.

10. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein detecting activation of a selection input while a game pointer is located over a first virtual object in a virtual game environment comprises:

determining a placement of the contact on the touch screen is within a threshold distance from a display location of the first virtual object.

11. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 7 , wherein performing the game action on the first virtual object comprises:

updating the state of the first virtual object to reflect a first performance of the first game action on the first virtual object; and

wherein performing the first game action on the second virtual object comprises:

updating a state of the second virtual object to reflect a second performance of the first game action on the second virtual object.

12. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein performing no game action on the third virtual object comprises maintaining a current state of the third virtual object.

13. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

a memory device holding an instruction set executable on the processor to cause the computer system to perform operations comprising:

generating a game user interface that displays a virtual game environment in which is located multiple virtual objects that includes one or more objects that support a first game action and one or more objects that support a second, different game action;

detecting activation of a selection input while a game pointer is located over a first one of the multiple virtual objects;

determining that the first virtual object supports the first game action;

performing the first game action on the first virtual object; and

activating a game action sweep mode to occur until a deactivation of the selection input, the game action sweep mode comprising:

detecting that the game pointer is located over a second one of the multiple virtual objects, the first virtual object comprising a different type of object than the second virtual object;

determining that the second virtual object supports the first game action, and, responsive thereto, performing the game action on the second virtual object;

detecting that the game pointer is located over a third one of the multiple virtual objects, the third virtual object supporting the second game action; and

determining that the third virtual object does not support the first game action, and, responsive thereto, performing no game action on the third virtual object during the game action sweep mode, such that game state information remains unchanged responsive to movement of the game pointer over the third virtual object during the game action sweep mode.

14. The computer system of claim 13 , wherein detecting activation of a selection input comprises:

receiving an indication of the activation of the selection input based on receipt of contact on a touch screen under which the virtual game environment is displayed.

15. The computer system of claim 14 , further comprising:

detecting the deactivation of the selection input in response to receiving an indication of a termination of the contact on the touch screen.

16. The computer system of claim 15 , wherein detecting activation of a selection input while a game pointer is located over a first virtual object in a virtual game environment comprises:

determining a placement of the contact on the touch screen is within a threshold distance from a display location of the first virtual object.

17. The computer system of claim 13 , wherein performing the first game action on the first virtual object comprises:

updating the state of the first virtual object to reflect a first performance of the first game action on the first virtual object; and

wherein performing the first game action on the second virtual object comprises:

updating a state of the second virtual object to reflect a second performance of the first game action on the second virtual object.

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 Jul 16, 2014
From: OMI, GREG; MCCARTHY, MICHAEL; GORKIN, TRAVIS
To: ZYNGA INC.
Reel/Frame 033325/0366 →