Patent Grant
9799163
The disclosure relates to providing a currency multiplier item in an online game with a value based on a user's assets.
Various techniques for providing awards to users of an online game are known. For example, the provision of static awards to a user of an online game is known. The static award may comprise a value that is independent of a user's assets.
Conventional systems, however, suffer from various drawbacks and inefficiencies relating to providing awards to one or more users of the online game. For example, a static award provided by a conventional system may comprise a multiplier to be applied to an amount previously awarded. Another static award may comprise, for example, a multiplier to be applied to game play credits for a user. Conventional systems may also normalize a multiplier to be applied to an award based on a difficulty of the game played in which the award was provided. Other conventional systems may provide a multiplier for an award based on a user's play in the online game. Conventional systems fail, however, to award prizes that are dependent upon a user's assets or provide multipliers to an award with a value determined based on the user's assets.
One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing currency multiplier items to one or more users of an online game. A user of an online game may obtain a currency multiplier item by purchase, by award, responsive to one or more actions taken in the online game, and/or by other methods. Use of the currency multiplier item may enable the user to adjust the amount of virtual currency in the inventory in the user's user account, wherein the adjustment to the amount of currency is not provided to the first user prior to use of the currency multiplier item.
A system configured to facilitate providing a currency multiplier item to one or more users of an online game may include one or more processors configured to execute compute program modules. The program modules may comprise a space module, a user module, an item management module, and/or other modules.
The space module may be configured to execute an instance of a virtual space. The space module may be configured to implement the instance of the virtual space to facilitate participation by the one or more users in the online game within the virtual space by effectuating presentation of views of the virtual space to the one or more users by one or more client computing platforms.
A user module may be configured to maintain one or more user accounts for the respective one or more users. The one or more user accounts may comprise a first user account for a first user. A first user account may include, for example, an inventory of virtual currency available to the first user for expenditure in the virtual space, one or more virtual items available to the first user for use in the game, and/or other virtual resources of the first user. In some implementations, the inventory may comprise a currency multiplier item available for use by the first user.
An item management module may be configured to facilitate use of virtual items from the inventory of the first user in the virtual space. Use of the currency multiplier item may adjust the amount of virtual currency in the inventory in the first user account. An adjustment to the amount of currency in the inventory of the first user may not be provided to the first user prior to use of the currency multiplier item.
In some implementations, a computer-implemented method may provide currency multiplier items to one or more users of an online game. The computer-implemented method may be implemented in a computer system comprising one or more physical processors. The method may comprise, for example, executing an instance of a virtual space; implementing the instance of the virtual space to effectuate presentation of views of the virtual space to the one or more users by the one or more client computing platforms; maintaining one or more user accounts for the respective one or more users, the one or more user accounts comprising a first user account for a first user, the first user account including an inventory of virtual currency available to the first user for expenditure in the virtual space, and virtual items available to the first user for use in the game, wherein the inventory comprises a currency multiplier item available for use by the first user; and facilitating use of virtual items from the inventory of the first user in the virtual space, wherein use of the currency multiplier item adjusts the amount of virtual currency in the inventory in the first user account, wherein the adjustment to the amount of currency is not provided to the first user prior to use of the currency multiplier item.
In some implementations, a non-transitory electronic storage media may store information related to providing currency multiplier items to one or more users of an online game. The stored information may comprise, for example, a memory configured to store information related to the one or more users of an online game and instructions configured to cause a client computing platform to: execute an instance of a virtual space; implement the instance of the virtual space to effectuate presentation of views of the virtual space to the one or more users by the one or more client computing platforms; maintain one or more user accounts for the respective one or more users, the one or more user accounts comprising a first user account for a first user, the first user account including an inventory of virtual currency available to the first user for expenditure in the virtual space, and virtual items available to the first user for use in the game, wherein the inventory comprises a currency multiplier item available for use by the first user; facilitate use of virtual items from the inventory of the first user in the virtual space, wherein use of the currency multiplier item adjusts the amount of virtual currency in the inventory in the first user account, wherein the adjustment to the amount of currency is not provided to the first user prior to use of the currency multiplier item.
These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the system and/or method disclosed herein, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The server 12 may be configured to execute one or more computer program modules. The computer program modules may include one or more of a space module 18, a user module 20, a store module 22, an item management module 24, and/or other modules.
The space module 18 may be configured to implement the instance of the virtual space executed by the computer modules to determine state of the virtual space. The state may then be communicated (e.g., via streaming visual data, via object/position data, and/or other state information) from server 12 to client computing platforms 14 for presentation to users. The state determined and transmitted to a given client computing platform 14 may correspond to a view for a user character being controlled by a user via the given client computing platform 14. The state determined and transmitted to a given client computing platform 14 may correspond to a location in the virtual space. The view described by the state for the given client computing platform may correspond, for example, to the location from which the view is taken, the location the view depicts, and/or other locations, a zoom ratio, a dimensionality of objects, a point-of-view, and/or view parameters of the view. One or more of the view parameters may be selectable by the user.
The instance of the virtual space may comprise a simulated space that is accessible by users via clients (e.g., client computing platforms 14) that present the views of the virtual space to a user. The simulated space may have a topography, express ongoing real-time interaction by one or more users, and/or include one or more objects positioned within the topography that are capable of locomotion within the topography. In some instances, the topography may be a 2-dimensional topography. In other instances, the topography may be a 3-dimensional topography. The topography may include dimensions of the space, and/or surface features of a surface or objects that are “native” to the space. In some instances, the topography may describe a surface (e.g., a ground surface) that runs through at least a substantial portion of the space. In some instances, the topography may describe a volume with one or more bodies positioned therein (e.g., a simulation of gravity-deprived space with one or more celestial bodies positioned therein). The instance executed by the computer modules may be synchronous, asynchronous, and/or semi-synchronous.
The above description of the manner in which state of the virtual space is determined by space module 18 is not intended to be limiting. The space module 18 may be configured to express the virtual space in a more limited, or more rich, manner. For example, views determined for the virtual space representing the state of the instance of the virtual space may be selected from a limited set of graphics depicting an event in a given place within the virtual space. The views may include additional content (e.g., text, audio, pre-stored video content, and/or other content) that describes particulars of the current state of the place, beyond the relatively generic graphics. For example, a view may include a generic battle graphic with a textual description of the opponents to be confronted. Other expressions of individual places within the virtual space are contemplated.
Within the instance(s) of the virtual space executed by space module 18, users may control characters, objects, simulated physical phenomena (e.g., wind, rain, earthquakes, and/or other phenomena), and/or other elements within the virtual space to interact with the virtual space and/or each other. The user characters may include avatars. As used herein, the term “user character” may refer to an object (or group of objects) present in the virtual space that represents an individual user. The user character may be controlled by the user with which it is associated. The user controlled element(s) may move through and interact with the virtual space (e.g., non-user characters in the virtual space, other objects in the virtual space). The user controlled elements controlled by and/or associated with a given user may be created and/or customized by the given user.
The user may have an “inventory” of virtual resources, including, for example, one or more virtual assets, virtual currency, one or more virtual items, and/or other virtual assets that are available for the user to use (e.g., by manipulation of a user character, other user controlled element, and/or other items) within the virtual space. A virtual asset of the user may comprise, for example, a user-controlled element.
A virtual asset may comprise one or more attributes associated with the user-controlled element, where an individual attribute may comprise a value associated with an individual level of one or more sequentially ordered levels of value for the individual attribute.
Virtual currency may be used by the user for expenditure within the virtual space. For example, virtual currency may be used to purchase items within the virtual space, to upgrade a virtual item of the user, to upgrade a level of game play within the virtual space, and/or for other expenditures. In some implementations, virtually currency in an inventory of a user may also be measured to determine whether a user may be eligible for an upgrade, a bonus, and/or other award within the virtual space that takes into account an amount of virtual currency available to the user. Virtual currency may be acquired by a user through one or more of purchase for consideration having a real money value, gift, earned through gameplay, and/or acquired in other ways. Virtual currency may only be exchangeable as consideration in transactions within the game, and/or may be used or consumed outside of transactions.
A virtual item of the user may comprise, for example, a virtual object that may be used by the user within the virtual space. A virtual item may affect a virtual asset of the user, the virtual space in which the online game is played, game logic of the online game, an amount of virtual currency in the inventory of the user, and/or other components of the online game. Examples of virtual items include valuables (money, valuable metals or gems, etc.), weapons, spell components, defense components, armor. wood, stone, herbs, water, ores, animals, monsters, bosses, NPCs, building materials, portions, and/or other virtual objects.
The users may participate in the instance of the virtual space by controlling one or more of the available user controlled elements in the virtual space. Control may be exercised through control inputs and/or commands input by the users through client computing platforms 14. The users may interact with each other through communications exchanged within the virtual space. Such communications may include one or more of textual chat, instant messages, private messages, voice communications, and/or other communications. Communications may be received and entered by the users via their respective client computing platforms 14. Communications may be routed to and from the appropriate users through server 12 (e.g., through space module 18).
The user module 20 may be configured to access and/or manage one or more user accounts and/or user information associated with users of the system 10. The one or more user accounts and/or user information may include information stored by server 12, one or more of the client computing platforms 14, and/or other storage locations. The user accounts may include, for example, information identifying users (e.g., a username or handle, a number, an identifier, and/or other identifying information) within the virtual space, security login information (e.g., a login code or password), virtual space account information, subscription information, virtual currency account information (e.g., related to currency held in credit for a user), relationship information (e.g., information related to relationships between users in the virtual space), information related to an inventory of virtual assets, virtual currency, virtual items, and/or other virtual resources of users, virtual space usage information, demographic information associated with users, interaction history among users in the virtual space, information stated by users, purchase information of users, browsing history of users, a client computing platform identification associated with a user, a phone number associated with a user, and/or other information related to users.
The user accounts may include at least a first user account for a first user and a second user account for a second user. The first user account may comprise, for example, information related to an inventory of virtual resources of the first user. The inventory of virtual resources may comprise, for example, one or more virtual assets, virtual currency, one or more virtual items, and/or other virtual resources of the first user. In some implementations, the one or more virtual items in the inventory may comprise a currency multiplier item available for use.
In some implementations, a currency multiplier item of a user may comprise an indicator that indicates that the currency multiplier item is to be applied to an entire amount of virtual currency of the user. In some implementations, the currency multiplier item may indicate a percentage of virtual currency, a stochastically determined random amount, and/or other amount of virtual currency of the user to which the currency multiplier item is to be applied. The currency multiplier item may comprise a multiplier that comprises a number by which the virtual currency of the user is to be multiplied. Upon use and/or consumption of the currency multiplier item, the amount of virtual currency in the inventory of the user may be adjusted to be an amount resulting from the multiplication of the existing amount of virtual currency prior to use of the currency multiplier item by the multiplier of the currency multiplier item. The multiplier may be an integer, a number less than one, a fraction, and/or any other number. In some implementations, the currency multiplier item may be a negative number, such that application of the currency multiplier item may require the user to forfeit other virtual resources with a value equivalent to an amount of the application of the currency multiplier to the amount of virtual currency to which the currency multiplier is applied. In some implementations, the multiplier may be stochastically determined such that the amount of virtual currency to which the currency multiplier item is applied is stochastically adjusted. In some implementations, the multiplier may be determined based on a monetization value of the user in the online game.
Store module 22 may be configured to present a store interface to the users of the game space. The store interface may present offers to users to purchase one or more virtual items. The store module 22 may enable a user to purchase virtual items for a respective plurality of costs. In some implementations, the store module 22 may present one or more currency multiplier items for purchase by a user. In some implementations, a cost of a currency multiplier item may be a percentage of an amount of virtual currency in an inventory of a user.
In some implementations, a cost of the first currency multiplier item may not be relative to an amount of the multiplier of the first currency multiplier item. For example, a first currency multiplier item available for purchase may be associated with a first multiplier and a second currency multiplier item available for purchase may be associated with a second multiplier greater than the first multiplier. A first cost of the first currency multiplier item may be same or less than a cost of the second currency multiplier item. Accordingly, a user may not be aware of an amount by which a currency multiplier item may affect a virtual currency of the user based solely on a cost of the currency multiplier item.
In some implementations, a currency multiplier item available for purchase may indicate whether the currency multiplier item is pre-associated with a multiplier or whether the currency multiplier item may be applied to stochastically adjust a virtual currency of a user. In some implementations, a currency multiplier item may not indicate whether the whether the currency multiplier item is pre-associated with a multiplier or whether the currency multiplier item may be applied to stochastically adjust a virtual currency of a user.
In some implementations, a user may obtain a currency multiplier item by purchase via the store interface presented by the store module 22.
In some implementations, the currency multiplier item may be obtained by a user during game play. For example, a user may obtain the currency multiplier item as a prize in the game. The user may obtain the currency multiplier item for achieving a subsequent level in game play. In some examples, the user may obtain the currency multiplier item for achieving the subsequent level in game play while maintaining a predetermined level of virtual assets. In another example, the user may obtain the currency multiplier item based on a relationship, affiliation, and/or other association of the user in the game space. In yet another example, the user may obtain the currency multiplier item as a bonus item after purchasing a predetermined number of items and/or spending a predetermined amount of virtual currency via the store interface presented by the store module 22.
In some implementations, the user may obtain the currency multiplier item based on the game logic of the online game. The game logic may comprise, for example, a decision tree including one or more of: information relating to a plurality of actions available to the user based on the game state, information relating to a plurality of consequences associated with the plurality of respective actions available and based on the game state, a plurality of requirements associated with the plurality of respective actions and based on the game state, and/or other information related to the online game.
In some implementations, the currency multiplier item may be obtained based upon a monetization level of the user in the online game. For example, responsive to a user having a monetization level in the online game above a predetermined threshold (e.g., a threshold set by a game administrator and/or other predetermined threshold), the currency multiplier item may become available to be obtained in the game by a method described herein and/or another method of obtaining the currency multiplier item in the online game.
In some implementations, one or more currency multiplier items of different attributes may be available. Currency multiplier items of different attributes may comprise, for example, a currency multiplier item with an integer multiplier, a currency multiplier item with a negative multiplier, a currency multiplier item with different amounts of virtual currency to which the item is applied, a currency multiplier item configured to stochastically adjust virtual currency, and/or other attributes. The availability of a currency multiplier item of a particular type may depend upon a level of skill of the user in the game, a level of game play of the user, an existing amount of virtual currency of the user, game logic of the online game, monetization level of the user, and/or other characteristics of the user in the online game.
In some implementations, the currency multiplier item may be applied to one or more virtual items available to the user. The currency multiplier item may be applied to one or more virtual items by adding additional virtual items to the inventory of the user. For example, responsive to the currency multiplier comprising a multiplier, use of the currency multiplier item may cause an amount of a first virtual item in the inventory to be multiplied by the multiplier.
An item management module 24 may be configured to facilitate use of virtual items from the inventory of the user in the virtual space. Use of the currency multiplier item may adjust the amount of virtual currency in the inventory in the user account. An adjustment to the amount of currency in the inventory of the user may not be provided to the user prior to use of the currency multiplier item. In some implementations, the item management module 24 may be configured to remove the currency multiplier item from the inventory of the user responsive to the use of the currency multiplier item. For example, the item management module 24 may be configured to consumer the currency multiplier item responsive to use of the currency multiplier item by removing the currency multiplier item from the inventory of the user.
The item management module 24 may be configured to apply the currency multiplier to an amount of virtual currency indicated by the indicator of the currency multiplier item. As indicated above, the amount of virtual currency may be an entire amount of virtual currency of the user, a percentage of virtual currency, a stochastically determined amount of virtual currency, and/or another amount of virtual currency to which the currency multiplier item is to be applied.
The item management module 24 may be configured to adjust the amount of virtual currency of the user by a multiplier of the currency multiplier item, responsive to the currency multiplier item comprising the multiplier. Upon use and consumption of the currency multiplier item, the item management module 24 may be configured to adjust the amount of virtual currency in the inventory of the user to be an amount resulting from the multiplication of the existing amount of virtual currency prior to use of the currency multiplier item by the multiplier of the currency multiplier item. As mentioned above, the multiplier may be an integer, a number less than one, a fraction, a negative number, and/or any other number.
In some implementations, the multiplier may be stochastically determined such that the item management module 24 may stochastically adjust the amount of virtual currency to which the currency multiplier item is applied. For example, upon activation of the currency multiplier item, the item management module 24 may be configured to stochastically determine the multiplier of the currency multiplier item. The item management module 24 may be configured to determine the multiplier based on one or more of: a monetization level of the user in the online game, a level of game play of the user, a skill level of the user, a length of time the user has been playing the game, whether the currency multiplier was awarded to the user, random selection, and/or other criteria.
In some implementations, the item management module 24 may be configured to stochastically determine the multiplier by multiplying the multiplier determined based on one or more of the criteria by a random number. For example, for an individual criteria (or a combination of one or more categories), the item management module 24 may determine a set of potential multipliers based on that criteria. In another example, the set of potential multipliers may be a set of pre-defined numbers. The pre-defined numbers may be set, for example, by a game administrator.
The item management module 24 may obtain individual probabilities for the individual potential multipliers in the set of potential multipliers. The item management module 24 may select a multiplier from the set of potential multipliers based on the probabilities associated with the respective individual probabilities. In some implementations, the item management module 24 may select the multiplier from the set of potential multipliers based on the respective associated probabilities and/or based on a randomly generated number. For example, the item management module 24 may multiply the probability associated with an individual potential multiplier by a randomly generated number. In some implementations, a different random number may be generated for each potential multiplier in the set of potential multipliers. The item management module 24 may select a potential multiplier based on the multiplication of the probability associated with the potential multiplier and the randomly generated number.
In some implementations, the item management module 24 may stochastically determine criteria to use in determining multipliers. The criteria may be associated with respective criteria numbers. The criteria numbers may be randomly assigned integers, may be assigned based on priority of the criteria, may be set by a game administrator, and/or may otherwise be assigned. A number of criteria to be selected may be determined by a game administrator, may be obtained from storage 30, and/or may otherwise be determined. The item management module 24 may stochastically select one or more criteria in a manner similar to the selection of the potential multiplier for the currency multiplier item.
In some implementations, the item management module 24 may apply the currency multiplier item to one or more virtual items available to the user, responsive to the currency multiplier indicating that the item is to applied to one or more virtual items. In some implementations, the one or more virtual items may be predetermined. In some implementations, responsive to the currency multiplier indicating that one or more items may be selected, the item management module 24 may receive, from the user, information relating to respective one or more virtual items in the inventory of the user to which the currency multiplier item is to be applied. The item management module 24 may be configured to apply the currency multiplier item to one or more virtual items by adding additional virtual items to the inventory of the user. For example, responsive to the currency multiplier comprising a multiplier, use of the currency multiplier item may cause the item management module 24 to adjust an amount of a first virtual item in the inventory such that it is multiplied by the multiplier.
In some implementations, the server 12, client computing platforms 14, and/or other components of the system 10 may be operatively linked via one or more electronic communication links. For example, such electronic communication links may be established, at least in part, via a network such as the Internet and/or other networks. It will be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting, and that the scope of this disclosure includes implementations in which servers 12, client computing platforms 14, and/or other components of the system 10 may be operatively linked via some other communication media.
A given client computing platform 14 may include one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The computer program modules may be configured to enable an expert or user associated with the given client computing platform 14 to interface with system 10 and/or other components of the system 10, and/or provide other functionality attributed herein to client computing platforms 14. By way of non-limiting example, the given client computing platform 14 may include one or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet computing platform, a NetBook, a Smartphone, a gaming console, and/or other computing platforms.
The server 12 may include electronic storage 30, one or more processors 16, and/or other components. The server 12 may include communication lines, or ports to enable the exchange of information with a network and/or other computing platforms. Illustration of server 12 in
Electronic storage 30 may comprise electronic storage media that electronically stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic storage 30 may include one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with server 12 and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to server 12 via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage 30 may include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media. The electronic storage 30 may include one or more virtual storage resources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual private network, and/or other virtual storage resources). Electronic storage 30 may store software algorithms, information determined by processor 16, information received from server 12, information received from client computing platforms 14 and/or other information that enables server 12 to function as described herein.
Processor(s) 16 is configured to provide information processing capabilities in server 12. As such, processor 16 may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although processor 16 is shown in
It should be appreciated that although modules 18, 20, 22, 24, and/or other modules are illustrated in
In some embodiments, method 40 may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method 40 in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method 40.
At an operation 42, an instance of a virtual space may be executed. In some implementations, operation 42 may be performed by a space module the same as or similar to space module 16 (shown in
At an operation 44, the executed instance of the virtual space may be implemented to determine view information. The view information may define views to be presented to users via client computing platforms. In some implementations, operation 44 may be performed by a space module the same as or similar to space module 16 (shown in
At an operation 46, user accounts may be maintained, wherein a user account may include an inventory of virtual currency and virtual items available for the user. The inventory for the user may comprise a currency multiplier item available for use by the user. In some implementations, operation 46 may be performed by a user module the same as or similar to user module 18 (shown in
At operation 48, use of virtual items from the inventory may be facilitated. For example, use of the currency multiplier item may adjust the amount of virtual currency in the inventory of the user account, where the adjustment may not be provided to the user prior to use of the currency multiplier item. In some implementations, operation 48 may be performed by an item management module the same as or similar to item management module 24 (shown in
Although the system(s) and/or method(s) of this disclosure have been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.
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| 20060063587 | Manzo | Mar 2006 | A1 |
| 20060116196 | Vancura | Jun 2006 | A1 |
| 20060155597 | Gleason | Jul 2006 | A1 |
| 20060200370 | Ratliff | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20060287029 | Yoshinobu | Dec 2006 | A1 |
| 20070077988 | Friedman | Apr 2007 | A1 |
| 20070129139 | Nguyen | Jun 2007 | A1 |
| 20070281285 | Jayaweera | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| 20080009344 | Graham | Jan 2008 | A1 |
| 20080032787 | Low | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080058092 | Schwartz et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
| 20080113706 | OHalloran | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080113815 | Weingardt | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080124353 | Brodeur | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080154798 | Valz | Jun 2008 | A1 |
| 20080176625 | Kelly | Jul 2008 | A1 |
| 20080194318 | Kralicky | Aug 2008 | A1 |
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| 20080248867 | Englman | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20080275786 | Gluck | Nov 2008 | A1 |
| 20080300045 | Ratcliff | Dec 2008 | A1 |
| 20080318668 | Ching | Dec 2008 | A1 |
| 20090011812 | Katz | Jan 2009 | A1 |
| 20090017886 | McGucken | Jan 2009 | A1 |
| 20090036199 | Myus | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20090048918 | Dawson | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20090061982 | Brito | Mar 2009 | A1 |
| 20090124353 | Collette et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
| 20090204907 | Finn | Aug 2009 | A1 |
| 20090210301 | Porter | Aug 2009 | A1 |
| 20090234710 | Belgaied Hassine | Sep 2009 | A1 |
| 20100004048 | Brito | Jan 2010 | A1 |
| 20100035689 | Altshuler | Feb 2010 | A1 |
| 20100041472 | Gagner | Feb 2010 | A1 |
| 20100041481 | Smedley | Feb 2010 | A1 |
| 20100050088 | Neustaedter | Feb 2010 | A1 |
| 20100094841 | Bardwil | Apr 2010 | A1 |
| 20100174593 | Cao | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20100198653 | Bromenshenkel | Aug 2010 | A1 |
| 20100227675 | Luxton | Sep 2010 | A1 |
| 20100228606 | Walker | Sep 2010 | A1 |
| 20100240444 | Friedman | Sep 2010 | A1 |
| 20100241491 | Eglen | Sep 2010 | A1 |
| 20100241492 | Eglen | Sep 2010 | A1 |
| 20110092271 | Nguyen | Apr 2011 | A1 |
| 20110092273 | Cerbini | Apr 2011 | A1 |
| 20110113353 | Koh | May 2011 | A1 |
| 20110118002 | Aoki | May 2011 | A1 |
| 20110145040 | Zahn | Jun 2011 | A1 |
| 20110151957 | Falciglia | Jun 2011 | A1 |
| 20110218033 | Englman et al. | Sep 2011 | A1 |
| 20110256921 | Pacey | Oct 2011 | A1 |
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| 20110275438 | Hardy | Nov 2011 | A9 |
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| 20110300923 | Van Luchene | Dec 2011 | A1 |
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| 20120034973 | Frank | Feb 2012 | A1 |
| 20120040743 | Auterio | Feb 2012 | A1 |
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| 20120042282 | Wong | Feb 2012 | A1 |
| 20120047002 | Patel | Feb 2012 | A1 |
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| 20120289315 | Van Luchene | Nov 2012 | A1 |
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| 20120289346 | Van Luchene | Nov 2012 | A1 |
| 20120295699 | Reiche | Nov 2012 | A1 |
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| 20130005437 | Bethke | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130005438 | Ocko | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130005466 | Mahajan | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130005473 | Bethke | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130005480 | Bethke | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130006736 | Bethke | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130012304 | Cartwright | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130013404 | Suprock | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130013459 | Kerr | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130072278 | Salazar | Mar 2013 | A1 |
| 20130079087 | Brosnan | Mar 2013 | A1 |
| 20130090173 | Kislyi | Apr 2013 | A1 |
| 20130095914 | Allen | Apr 2013 | A1 |
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| 20140038679 | Snow | Feb 2014 | A1 |
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| 20140067544 | Klish | Mar 2014 | A1 |
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| 20140089048 | Bruich | Mar 2014 | A1 |
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| 20150011286 | Kim | Jan 2015 | A1 |
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| 1020130137431 | Dec 2013 | KR |
| 0226333 | Jan 2002 | WO |
| 2013013281 | Jan 2013 | WO |
| 2013116904 | Jan 2013 | WO |
| 2015013373 | Jan 2015 | WO |
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| 2015179450 | Nov 2015 | WO |
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