Prior art

The most relevant prior art for US Patent 10632388 will be identified by searching the USPTO database for the patent and analyzing its cited references.

To search the USPTO database for patent 10632388, I will use the Patent Public Search tool.

The full text of US10632388 contains a "References Cited" section, which lists prior art identified during the patent examination process. This is the authoritative source for the patent's cited prior art.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 10632388

Here is an analysis of the prior art cited in US Patent 10632388, focusing on the most relevant references and their potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102. The determination of which claims are "potentially anticipated" is an initial assessment and would require a more detailed claim-by-claim comparison. Prior art is any evidence that the invention was already known before the effective filing date of the patent application.

1. US 2007/0066398 A1 to Walker et al.

• Full Citation: US 2007/0066398 A1 (Walker et al.)
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: March 22, 2007 / Filed: September 21, 2005
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a system and method for integrating a social networking system with a gaming system. It allows users to manage game-related activities within a social networking environment, including creating and managing games, inviting friends, tracking scores, and sharing game information.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference appears highly relevant to claims involving the integration of video games with social networks, posting game activity to social feeds, and interacting with the game based on social network activity.
  • Claim 1 (Method): Elements such as posting details of game events to a social network feed (block 10), monitoring social interactions (block 11), calculating rewards (block 12), and delivering rewards (block 13) could be anticipated or rendered obvious by Walker et al., especially if it discloses the specific mechanisms for such integration and reward systems. The concept of "initiating or performing game play through the client" (block 9) within a social networking context is also highly relevant.
  • Claim 7 (System): The social network module (313) and its functions, particularly those relating to tracking applications and updating social profiles, seem directly related to the teachings of Walker et al. The promotion/rewards module (309) also has overlap with the game-related activities and score tracking mentioned in Walker et al.

2. US 2009/0124403 A1 to Van Luchene

• Full Citation: US 2009/0124403 A1 (Van Luchene)
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: May 14, 2009 / Filed: November 12, 2007
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a system and method for providing a gaming platform accessible via social networking websites. It focuses on enabling users to play games, interact with friends, and share game results and achievements within the social network environment.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to Walker et al., this reference is highly relevant to the social networking aspects of US10632388.
  • Claim 1 (Method): The claims related to posting game events to a social network feed, receiving social interaction, and generating rewards based on these interactions (blocks 10-13) are potentially anticipated. The broader concept of a "computer-implemented method for managing a video game" where players access games via social networks is central to Van Luchene.
  • Claim 7 (System): The user interface module (301) for facilitating connection with a social network server, the game initiation/operation module (311) within such a context, and the social network module (313) are likely implicated.

3. US 2011/0219324 A1 to Tseng et al.

• Full Citation: US 2011/0219324 A1 (Tseng et al.)
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: September 8, 2011 / Filed: March 8, 2010
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a cross-platform gaming system that allows users to play games across different devices (e.g., mobile phones, PCs, game consoles) and synchronize their game progress and achievements. It also discusses social features.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant to the "platform agnostic" and "continuous visual experience for players across different platforms" aspects of US10632388.
  • Claim 1 (Method): Elements like receiving a game play request from a player's device (block 1), identifying the type of user device (block 2), initiating/performing game play (block 9), receiving gameplay information (block 10), and updating a global database to synchronize information across platforms (block 11) are directly addressed by Tseng et al. The adaptation of game graphics based on device type (block 4) is also highly pertinent.
  • Claim 7 (System): The network interface for communicating with various devices, memory for storing game data, the user interface module (301), and the game initiation/operation module (311) would be relevant if they are broadly construed to cover cross-platform play and synchronization.

4. US 8,118,667 B2 to Van Luchene

• Full Citation: US 8,118,667 B2 (Van Luchene)
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: February 21, 2012 / Filed: May 14, 2009 (Continuation of 2009/0124403 A1)
• Brief Description: This is an issued patent stemming from the previously mentioned US 2009/0124403 A1. It focuses on integrating games with social networks, specifically allowing social network users to play games and interact with their social graph.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): As a direct continuation of US 2009/0124403 A1, its relevance to the social networking and game integration aspects of US10632388 is very high. It would likely anticipate the same elements as the application, particularly those related to social interaction and rewards.
  • Claim 1 (Method): Blocks 10-13, regarding social network posting, interaction, and reward generation, are strongly implicated.
  • Claim 7 (System): The social network module (313) and potentially the user/player status module (307) if "follower" or "bystander" roles are analogous to different levels of interaction within the social game.

5. US 8,430,737 B2 to Van Luchene

• Full Citation: US 8,430,737 B2 (Van Luchene)
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: April 30, 2013 / Filed: February 17, 2012 (Continuation of US 8,118,667 B2)
• Brief Description: Another issued patent in the same family as the previous two Van Luchene references, also focused on integrating a gaming platform with social networking websites.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Due to its common lineage, this patent would have similar relevance to the social networking and game integration aspects of US10632388 as the other Van Luchene references.
  • Claim 1 (Method): Blocks related to social network integration (10-13) are likely implicated.
  • Claim 7 (System): The social network module (313) and related components.

6. US 8,409,002 B2 to Walker et al.

• Full Citation: US 8,409,002 B2 (Walker et al.)
• Publication/Filing Date: Issued: April 2, 2013 / Filed: March 17, 2010 (Continuation of US 2007/0066398 A1)
• Brief Description: This is an issued patent stemming from US 2007/0066398 A1, further detailing systems and methods for integrating social networking with gaming systems.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): As a continuation of the highly relevant US 2007/0066398 A1, this patent shares strong relevance to the social networking and gaming integration aspects of US10632388, likely anticipating similar elements as its parent application.
  • Claim 1 (Method): Blocks involving social network posting, interaction, and rewards (10-13) are key areas of overlap.
  • Claim 7 (System): The social network module (313) and related functionality are likely anticipated.

7. US 2012/0115569 A1 to Cowan et al.

• Full Citation: US 2012/0115569 A1 (Cowan et al.)
• Publication/Filing Date: Published: May 10, 2012 / Filed: November 8, 2011
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a system and method for creating and interacting with a multi-level gaming experience, including allowing players to participate at different levels, such as "leaders" and "followers," and influencing gameplay through social network interactions.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is exceptionally relevant as one of the inventors (Carrie Ann Cowan) is also an inventor on US10632388. It directly addresses the concept of "assigning a status to the player" (block 3 in Claim 1) and "modifying player capabilities based on the assigned status." The description of "leader," "follower," and "bystander" roles, and how social network interactions can influence gameplay, directly aligns with key aspects of US10632388.
  • Claim 1 (Method): Blocks 3 (assigning status), 4 (modifying capabilities/graphics based on device/preference), and 10-13 (social network interaction and rewards) are highly likely to be anticipated. The concept of "branching off for playing a portion of the main game" and seamless integration is also present in US10632388's description and could be related to the multi-level gaming experience described here.
  • Claim 7 (System): The user status module (307) for considering player status, the permissions module (303), and the social network module (313) are directly relevant.

Summary of Potential Anticipation:

The cited prior art, particularly the applications and patents by Van Luchene, Walker et al., and especially Cowan et al. (a co-inventor), disclose many elements of the claims of US10632388. The concepts of integrating gaming with social networks, cross-platform play with synchronized progress, and variable player roles (leader, follower, bystander) with associated capabilities and rewards influenced by social interactions appear to be well-established in this prior art.

For a definitive determination of anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102, a detailed claim chart analysis would be necessary, comparing each limitation of an independent claim of US10632388 against the disclosures of these prior art references. This analysis would assess whether each element of a claim is found, either explicitly or inherently, in a single prior art reference.