Linkedin Corporation

Zynga Inc.

Cisco Technology, Inc.

Other

Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Mark Pincus

Paul J Martino

Brian Lawler

Elliot Loh

Matthew Adam Ocko

Carl Eric Schiermeyer

Michael Arieh Luxton

Tim Terence Trampedach

Harsimran Singh

Stephen Henry Schoettler

A method for a computer system includes receiving a first user communication, determining a first group of users, determining a target number of users, determining whether the first group of users includes the target number of users, and if not, providing the communication to the first group of users, determining a hierarchal mapping of groups of users in response to user memberships, determining a second group of users from the hierarchal mapping, determining a plurality of social network relationship factors for the second group of users with respect to the first user, and providing the communication to at least a subset of users in the second group of users in response to the first plurality of social network relationship factors.

Methods and apparatus for targeting communications using social network metrics

Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for limiting transfer of virtual currency in an online game. One method includes an operation for receiving, at a server, a purchase order for virtual currency from a first player. The purchase order is made with legal currency, and the virtual currency is usable within a computer-implemented gambling game. Further, the method includes operations for using a particular type of virtual currency available in an account of the first player to purchase a virtual item and a beneficiary is selected for crediting the virtual item. Account of the first player is adjusted to reflect the purchase of the virtual item and the account of the beneficiary is updated to credit the virtual item.

Limiting transfer of virtual currency in a multiuser online game

Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for limiting transfer of virtual currency in an online game. One method includes an operation for receiving, at a server, a purchase order for virtual currency from a first player. The purchase order is made with legal currency, and the virtual currency is usable within a computer-implemented gambling game. Further, the method includes operations for crediting an account of the first player with virtual currency, and for enabling the first player to make transfers of the virtual currency to other players. The transfers of virtual currency from the first player to other players are then limited, such as by limiting the amount, the frequency, or the recipients of the transfers.

A method for a computer system includes determining a first social distance for a first user with respect to a second user, determining a second social distance for a third user with respect to the second user, determining a first qualitative rating associated with the first user, determining a second qualitative rating associated with the second user, determining a first trust-metric for the first user in response to the first social distance and the first qualitative rating, determining a second trust-metric for the third user in response to the second social distance and the second qualitative rating, and prioritizing a first listing from the first user over a second listing from the third user for the second user, in response to the first trust-metric and the second trust-metric.

Methods and apparatus for integrating social network metrics and reputation data

In various embodiments, virtual currency is used within a multiplayer online game in a restricted manner.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Mark Pincus