Methods and apparatus for managing network linked gambling video games

• US 8,512,117 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2012
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Fincham, Magdalena M., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Tulley, Stephen C., Tedesco, Daniel E., Tedesco, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): McClellan, James S
• Application Number:
  US13/569,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20120302328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 378 Days
• Field of Search: 463/13, 463/16, 463/20, 463/26, 463/29, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/13
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/008 adapted for being playable on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for team play in video games is provided. One method includes receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first networked machine and joining a second player of a second networked machine to a team. The method further enables transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked machines during play of the gambling game. The method debits an account of a player using the networked machine that transferred the currency and credits an account of a player that that received the currency. The method further enables wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency, and the method is executed by at least one processor.

Claims

1. A method for team play in video games, comprising:

receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first networked machine;

joining a second player of a second networked machine to a team;

enabling transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked machines during play of the gambling game;

debiting an account of a player using the networked machine that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency;

enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency;

displaying an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked machine;

displaying an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked machine;

wherein the avatars of the first player and the second player provide hints regarding game position, the method being executed by at least one processor.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

assigning the team to compete with another team of players;

monitoring win progress of each of the teams; and

assigning a prize to the team that accumulates a higher win total.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the gambling game is a poker game managed by at least one networked server.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

receiving a request to add additional players to the team, the request being in response to detecting selection of join team play from a graphical user interface.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

receiving a request to search a server to identify other teams to join.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

receiving a request to add additional players to the team, the request being in response to detecting selection of join team play from a graphical user interface.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

receiving a request to search a server to identify other teams to join.

18. Non-transitory computer readable media having program instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

10. A method for team play in video games, comprising:

receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first networked machine;

joining a second player of a second networked machine to a team;

enabling transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked machines during play of the gambling game;

debiting an account of a player using the networked machine that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency;

enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency; and

processing data to forward to one of the first or second players to identify a likelihood of bluffing during the gambling game, the method being executed by at least one processor.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the likelihood of bluffing is computed by a bluff meter that graphically indicates the likelihood of an opponent bluffing during game play.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the likelihood is computed from statistics of prior game play.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising,

receiving a request to add additional players to the team, the request being in response to detecting selection of join team play from a graphical user interface.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising,

receiving a request to search a server to identify other teams to join.

19. Non-transitory computer readable media having program instructions for performing the method of claim 10.

16. A method for team play in video games, comprising:

receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first networked machine;

joining a second player of a second networked machine to a team;

enabling transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked machines during play of the gambling game;

debiting an account of a player using the networked machine that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency;

enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency;

generating bonus conditions for particular other teams that are available for joining; and

receiving a request from the first player or the second player to join a new team associated with a bonus condition and enabling leaving of the team, the method being executed by at least one processor.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

20. Non-transitory computer readable media having program instructions for performing the method of claim 16.