# US 8,771,081 B2 · Display of notifications to members of a gaming group > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,081 B2 - Document ID: US8771081B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/539,255 - Filed: 2012-06-29 - Published: 2012-10-25 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 1998-03-31 - Assignees: Zynga Inc. - Applicants: Jay S. Walker; James A. Jorasch; Daniel E. Tedesco; Stephen C. Tulley; Geoffrey M. Gelman; David F. Zucker; Steven M. Santisi - Inventors: Jay S. Walker; James A. Jorasch; Daniel E. Tedesco; Stephen C. Tulley; Geoffrey M. Gelman; David F. Zucker; Steven M. Santisi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771081B2 ## CPC - G07F 17/3258: {Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots} - G07F 17/32: for games, toys, sports, or amusements - G07F 17/3227: {Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters} - G07F 17/323: {wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions} - G07F 17/3244: {Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes} - G07F 17/3262: {Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played} - G07F 17/3269: {Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine} - G07F 17/3272: {Games involving multiple players} - G07F 17/3274: {wherein the players cooperate, e.g. team-play} - G07F 17/3276: {wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament} - G07F 17/3281: {wherein game attributes are transferred between players, e.g. points, weapons, avatars} - G07F 17/34: depending on the stopping of moving members {in a mechanical slot machine}, e.g. "fruit" machines - H04L 51/04: Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM] - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Methods for providing notification during an online casino game is provided. One method includes detecting a first gameplay session of the online casino game, the first gameplay session associated with a first user. The method then detects a second gameplay session of the online casino game. The second gameplay session is associated with a second user, and at least part of the second gameplay session occurring simultaneously with the first gameplay session. The method then determines whether the first user and the second user are members of a common group. If so, then the method displays a message to the first user during the first gameplay session. The message to the first user identifying the second user. The methods provided herein provide for social interaction during online game play and social friend interactions that facilitate or advance game play in an online environment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for providing notification during an online casino game, comprising: initiating a first gameplay session of the online casino game, the first gameplay session associated with a first user and defined by gambling activity by the first user; initiating a second gameplay session of the online casino game, the second gameplay session associated with a second user and defined by gambling activity by the second user independent of the gambling activity by the first user, the gambling activity by the second user being not linked to group gameplay, at least part of the second gameplay session occurring simultaneously with the first gameplay session; in response to initiating the second gameplay session, determining, by a server, whether the first user and the second user are members of a common group having a group gaming objective, and if so, then displaying a message to the first user during the first gameplay session, the message to the first user identifying availability of the second user to establish a group gameplay session defined to link the gambling activity by the first user and the gambling activity by the second user so that outcomes of the gambling activity by the first and second users will be combined to achieve the group gaming objective, the method being executed by a processor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the message identifies availability of the second user for a chat session. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the message includes an avatar associated with the second user. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a message to the second user during the second gameplay session, the message to the second user identifying the first user. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a first device is associated with the first user, and wherein a second device is associated with the second user; and wherein one or more of the first device or the second device is selected from a cellular phone, a hand-held computer, a touchscreen device, or a personal digital assistant. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the first user and the second user are members of a common group includes accessing a group database, the group database members of one or more groups, each of the one or more groups being registered for linked gameplay between the members of the group. ### Claim 7 A method for providing notification during an online casino game, comprising: initiating a first gameplay session of the online casino game, the first gameplay session associated with a first user and defined by gambling activity by the first user, the gambling activity by the first user being not linked to group gameplay; initiating a second gameplay session of the online casino game, the second gameplay session associated with a second user and defined by gambling activity by the second user independent of the gambling activity by the first user, the gambling activity by the second user being not linked to group gameplay, at least part of the second gameplay session occurring simultaneously with the first gameplay session; in response to initiating the second gameplay session, determining, by a server, whether the first user and the second user are members of a common group having a group gaming objective, and if so, then forwarding a message to the first user during the first gameplay session, the message to the first user identifying availability of the second user to establish a group gameplay session defined to link the gambling activity by the first user and the gambling activity by the second user so that outcomes of the gambling activity by the first and second users will be combined to achieve the group gaming objective, the method being executed by a processor; wherein a first device is associated with the first user, and wherein a second device is associated with the second user; and wherein one or more of the first device or the second device is selected from a computer, or a cellular phone, or a hand-held computer, or a touchscreen device, or a personal digital assistant. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the message identifies availability of the second user for a chat session. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the message includes an avatar associated with the second user. ### Claim 10 A method for providing a notification to a friend during an online casino game, comprising: initiating a first gameplay session of the online casino game, the first gameplay session associated with a first user and defined by gambling activity by the first user, the gambling activity by the first user being not linked to group gameplay; initiating a second gameplay session of the online casino game, the second gameplay session associated with a second user and defined by gambling activity by the second user independent of the gambling activity by the first user, the gambling activity by the second user being not linked to group gameplay, at least part of the second gameplay session occurring simultaneously with the first gameplay session; in response to initiating the second gameplay session, determining, by a server, whether the first user and the second user are members of a common group having a group gaming objective, and if so, then forwarding a message to the first user during the first gameplay session, the message to the first user identifying availability of the second user to establish a group gameplay session defined to link the gambling activity by the first user and the gambling activity by the second user so that outcomes of the gambling activity by the first and second users will be combined to achieve the group gaming objective, the method being executed by a processor; a first device is associated with the first user, and wherein a second device is associated with the second user, and one or more of the first device or the second device is selected from a computer, or a cellular phone, or a hand-held computer, or a touchscreen device, or a personal digital assistant, the message includes an avatar image associated with the second user. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the message identifies availability of the second user for a chat session. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the message includes an avatar associated with the second user.