U.S. patent application number 11/005657 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-08 for apparatus and method for enhanced prize gaming ticket.
Invention is credited to Linda Harte-Maxwell, Lyle Scrymgeour.
Application Number | 20060119032 11/005657 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36573309 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060119032 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scrymgeour; Lyle ; et
al. |
June 8, 2006 |
Apparatus and method for enhanced prize gaming ticket
Abstract
An apparatus and method for enhancing a prize awarded to a
player of one or more instant win lottery games on a single gaming
ticket. The apparatus and method determine a final prize multiplier
which varies with each instant win lottery game won or with the
rounds or steps during the play of a single game on the gaming
ticket, thereby increasing a player's level of excitement and
anticipation during the course of game play.
Inventors: |
Scrymgeour; Lyle; (Oakbank,
CA) ; Harte-Maxwell; Linda; (Winnipeg, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POLSTER, LIEDER, WOODRUFF & LUCCHESI
12412 POWERSCOURT DRIVE SUITE 200
ST. LOUIS
MO
63131-3615
US
|
Family ID: |
36573309 |
Appl. No.: |
11/005657 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/138.1 ;
273/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/04 20130101; A63F
3/06 20130101; A63F 3/00063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/138.1 ;
273/139 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/06 20060101
A63F003/06 |
Claims
1. A method for determining a prize awarded to a player for playing
a plurality of games, each having an associated base prize, the
method comprising altering a sum of associated base prizes based on
a total number of games won.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said altering step includes
multiplying said base prize sum by said total number of games
won.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said altering step includes
multiplying each associated base prize by said total number of
games won to determine an enhanced game prize for each game won;
and summing each of said enhanced game prizes to determine said
altered base prize sum.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of games is
an instant win lottery game.
5. A method for determining a final prize amount awarded to a
player for playing a game having a plurality of steps, each of
which awards the player an associated score and an associated base
prize, the method comprising: determining a total of associated
scores and a total of associated base prizes following completion
of said plurality of steps in the game; selecting a prize
multiplier responsive to said total of associated scores; and
multiplying said total of associated base prizes by said selected
prize multiplier to determine the final prize amount.
6. The method of claim 5 for determining a final prize amount where
said selecting step includes comparing said total of associated
scores with at least one predetermined value to select said prize
multiplier.
7. A method for determining a final prize amount awarded to a
player for playing a game having a base prize and a plurality of
steps, each of which awards the player an associated score, the
method comprising: determining a total of associated scores
following completion of said plurality of steps in the game;
selecting a prize multiplier responsive to said total of associated
scores; and multiplying said base prize by said selected prize
multiplier to determine the final prize amount.
8. The method of claim 7 for determining a final prize amount where
said selecting step includes comparing said total of associated
scores with at least one predetermined value to select said prize
multiplier.
9. A method for determining a final prize amount awarded to a
player for playing a game having a plurality of steps, each of
which has at least one associated base prize value, the method
comprising: determining a total of associated base prize values
awarded following completion of said plurality of steps in the
game; selecting a prize multiplier responsive to said total of
associated base prize values; and multiplying said total of
associated base prize values by said selected prize multiplier to
determine the final prize amount.
10. The method of claim 9 for determining a final prize amount
where said selecting step includes comparing said total of
associated base prize values with at least one predetermined value
to select said prize multiplier.
11. A gaming ticket comprising: game indicia defining at least two
instant win lottery games, each of which having associated
therewith a predetermined base prize value; and wherein a final
prize amount associated with the gaming ticket is determined based
on the number of winning instant win lottery games on the
ticket.
12. The gaming ticket according to claim 11 wherein said final
prize amount is determined as a multiple of a sum of said base
prize values awarded for winning instant win lottery games on the
ticket.
13. The gaming ticket according to claim 11 wherein said final
prize amount is determined as a sum of said base prize values
awarded for winning instant win lottery games on the ticket
multiplied by the number of winning instant win lottery games on
the ticket.
14. A gaming ticket comprising: game indicia defining a game
including a plurality of steps, each of which having associated
therewith a determinable score and a predetermined base prize
value; and wherein a final prize amount associated with the gaming
ticket is determined based on a sum of the determinable scores for
each of said plurality of steps and a sum of said predetermined
base prize values.
15. The gaming ticket according to claim 14 wherein said final
prize amount is determined as a multiple of said predetermined base
prize values.
16. The gaming ticket according to claim 15 wherein a multiplier
value for said predetermined base prize values is determined based
on said sum of the determinable scores for each of said plurality
of steps.
17. A gaming ticket comprising: game indicia defining a game having
a base prize value and including a plurality of steps, each of
which having associated therewith a determinable score; and wherein
a final prize amount associated with the gaming ticket is
determined based on a sum of the determinable scores for each of
said plurality of steps and said predetermined base prize
value.
18. The gaming ticket according to claim 17 wherein said final
prize amount is determined as a multiple of said predetermined base
prize value.
19. The gaming ticket according to claim 18 wherein a multiplier
value for said predetermined base prize value is determined based
on said sum of the determinable scores for each of said plurality
of steps.
20. A gaming ticket comprising: game indicia defining a game having
a plurality of steps, each of which having associated therewith a
base prize value; and wherein a final prize amount associated with
the gaming ticket is determined as a multiple of the sum of the
base prize values.
21. The gaming ticket according to claim 20 wherein a multiplier
value for said sum of the base prize values is determined based on
said sum of the base prize values.
22. A method for determining a final prize amount awarded to a
player for playing a game having a plurality of rounds of game
play, the method comprising: for each round of game play,
determining a game round score and an associated game round base
prize; responsive to said game round score exceeding at least one
predetermined qualifying score, increasing said associated game
round base prize; and awarding a final prize amount equal to a sum
of said associated game round base prizes determined for each round
of game play.
23. The method of claim 22 for determining a final prize amount
wherein responsive to said game round score exceeding a first
predetermined qualifying score, said associated game round base
prize is increased by a first amount; and responsive to said game
round score exceeding a second predetermined qualifying score, said
associated game round base prize is increased by a second
amount.
24. The method of claim 22 for determining a final prize amount
wherein said step of increasing said associated game round base
prize includes multiplying said associated game round base prize by
a multiplier value.
25. The method of claim 24 for determining a final prize amount
wherein said multiplier value is selected responsive to said game
round score.
26. A gaming ticket comprising: game indicia defining a game having
a plurality of rounds, each of which having associated therewith a
game round score and a game round base prize value; wherein a game
round prize value for each of said plurality of rounds is
determined as a multiple of said game round base prize value,
responsive to said game round score; and wherein a final prize
amount associated with the gaming ticket is determined as a sum of
said game round prize values.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a gaming ticket for an
instant win lottery game and a method for playing the same, and in
particular, to a gaming ticket including at least two instant win
lottery games or plays in which a prize awarded to a player for
each winning game or play on the gaming ticket is enhanced by a
multiplier value determined from the number of winning games or
plays on the gaming ticket.
[0004] Gaming tickets providing instant win lottery games are well
known and widely practiced. A typical gaming ticket provides a
player with one or more discrete instant win lottery games which
are played to determine if a prize has been won. Often, the instant
win lottery games are variations on commonly played casino card
games or number games, such as Poker, Blackjack, or Roulette. The
gaming ticket face provides a background section, a game play
section, and optionally, an instruction section. The background
section often contains colorful artwork or other indicia intended
to attract a player's attention. The game play section provides
game elements necessary for a player to play the provided games,
while the instruction section may optionally provide the player
with instructions on how to play the provided games and collect any
winnings. The reverse side of the gaming ticket often includes
additional game play or prize collection instructions, as well as
various legal disclaimers and game validation codes associated with
the lottery organization offering the gaming ticket for sale.
[0005] A typical game play section provides a player with the
elements required to play at least one game. Commonly, some or all
of the elements are initially obscured from the player's view by
means of a perforated pull tab or removable obscuring material,
such as a latex ink. Removal of the pull tab or obscuring material
during the game play reveals the hidden indicia, such as a hand of
cards or a set of player's numbers. Depending upon the particular
rules of the game being played, these indicia are utilized to
determine if the player has won or lost the game. For some games, a
win or loss is predetermined, but concealed from the player, at the
time of printing the gaming ticket. The act of revealing the
initially hidden indicia after the purchase of the ticket reveals
the win or loss. For other games, the player's selection or choices
of which game elements to reveal during the course of play may be
utilized to determine a win or loss, adding to the player's
involvement and excitement during the play of the game.
[0006] Prize amount for the individual games on a gaming ticket is
usually predetermined and fixed, and is optionally revealed during
the play of the game by the player. To increase the player's
excitement, a concealed predetermined prize multiplier may be
provided. After revealing all of the winning games on a gaming
ticket, the player reveals the concealed prize multiplier, and
determines the total winning amount for the game ticket by
multiplying the prizes won by the revealed prize multiplier value,
i.e. 2.times., 4.times., 10.times., etc. However, since the
concealed prize multiplier is predetermined, a player may reveal
the concealed prize multiplier value before playing any of the
games on the gaming ticket, and know that any prizes won will be
multiplied by the revealed value.
[0007] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a gaming
ticket on which two or more games or game plays are provided, and
which incorporates a prize enhancing or prize multiplying feature
which enhances the base prize values by a multiple which is unknown
to the player prior to completion of all of the games or plays on
the gaming ticket, and which thereby provides the player with an
increased level of excitement during game play.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Briefly stated, the present invention provides an apparatus
and method for enhancing a total prize awarded to a player of one
or more instant win lottery games on a gaming ticket. The apparatus
and method determine a final prize multiplier which varies with
each game or play won on a single gaming ticket, thereby increasing
the player's level of excitement and anticipation during the course
of play.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a
gaming ticket having a unitary ticket body on which is provided
concealed game play indicia for at least two instant win lottery
games. Each instant win lottery game provides a player with the
possibility of winning an associated base prize amount when the
concealed game play indicia is revealed during game play. The
gaming ticket further includes a set of instructions for
calculating a final prize amount which is equal to the sum of all
associated base prize amounts won, multiplied by the number of
winning instant win lottery games on the gaming ticket.
[0010] A method of the present invention for calculating a final
prize amount awarded to a player of a gaming ticket requires the
initial step of playing at least two instant win lottery games on
the gaming ticket, each of which awards the player with an
associated base prize amount in the event of a win. A final prize
amount awarded to the player of the gaming ticket is calculated to
award the player an amount equal to the total number of instant win
lottery games on the gaming ticket won, multiplied by the total
amount of associated base prizes awarded to the player.
[0011] In a first alternate embodiment, the present invention
provides a gaming ticket having a unitary ticket body on which is
provided concealed game play indicia for at least one instant win
lottery game requiring at least two plays or rounds to complete.
Each play or round of the game provides a player with the
possibility of winning an associated score and a base prize amount
when the concealed game play indicia is revealed during game play.
The gaming ticket further includes a set of instructions for
calculating a final prize, utilizing a multiplier, which is
determined from the sum of the play scores or the total accumulated
base prize amounts.
[0012] A first alternate method of the present invention for
calculating a final prize amount awarded to a player of a gaming
ticket requires the initial step of playing at least two rounds of
an instant win lottery game on a gaming ticket, each of which
awards the player with a score and/or an associated base prize
amount. A final prize amount awarded to the player of the gaming
ticket is determined, utilizing a multiplier, based on either the
total amount of associated base prizes awarded to the player, or on
the player's accumulated score upon completion of game play. The
multiplier is applied to either the total amount of the associated
base prizes, or to a predetermined base prize amount, yielding a
final prize amount.
[0013] In a second alternate embodiment, the present invention
provides a gaming ticket having a unitary ticket body on which is
provided concealed game play indicia for at least one instant win
lottery game requiring at least two plays or rounds to complete.
Each play or round of the game provides a player with the
possibility of winning a base prize amount when the concealed game
play indicia is revealed during game play. Each play or round of
the game further provides a player with the possibility of
multiplying the base prize amount based upon the outcome of the
play or round of the game. The final prize for the instant win
lottery game is the combined sum of the winnings for each
individual game play or round.
[0014] A second alternate method of the present invention for
calculating a final prize amount awarded to a player of a gaming
ticket requires the initial step of playing at least two rounds of
an instant win lottery game on a gaming ticket, each of which
provides the player with an opportunity to win an associated prize
amount, determined as a multiple of a base prize amount in response
to the outcome of the round. A final prize amount awarded to the
player of the gaming ticket is determined to be the sum of the
associated prize amounts awarded for each round of play of the
instant win lottery game.
[0015] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
the invention as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof
will become more apparent from the reading of the following
description in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In the accompanying drawings which form part of the
specification:
[0017] FIG. 1A illustrates an instant win gaming ticket having
preprinted game indicia and using a prize determination system
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 1B illustrates the instant win gaming ticket of FIG. 1A
with the preprinted game indicia initially concealed from view by a
removable covering;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a preferred
method of the present invention for determining an enhanced prize
amount;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a first
alternate method of the present invention for determining an
enhanced prize amount; and
[0021] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a second
alternate method of the present invention for determining an
enhanced prize amount.
[0022] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] The following detailed description illustrates the invention
by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description
clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the
invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations,
alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is
presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the
invention.
[0024] Turning to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a gaming ticket 10 embodying a
prize enhancing feature of the present invention is shown. The
gaming ticket 10 is preferably of unitary construction, and
includes on a front face 11 an optional background region 12, a
game region 14, a game play instruction region 16. The background
region 12, if present, incorporates various artwork, graphical
representations, and text, such as game titles, logos, potential
prize amounts, and slogans, generally intended to attract a
player's attention, and which form no part of the present
invention.
[0025] As seen in FIG. 1A, the game region 14 provides preprinted
game indicia 18 associated with two or more instant win lottery
games 20. While the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A illustrates game
indicia 18 associated with a set of Blackjack-style instant win
lottery games 20, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that any of a wide variety of instant win lottery game styles may
be utilized with the present invention, and accordingly, that the
game indicia 18 may vary from that shown in FIG. 1A without
deviating from the present invention, provided that the game
indicia 18 for each instant win lottery game 20 provides a player
with sufficient play information 18A to determine if the instant
win lottery game 20 has been won or lost, and a base prize amount
18B awarded in the event of a win.
[0026] Preferably, some or all of the preprinted game indicia 18 on
gaming ticket 10 is concealed from view prior to game play by a
removable medium 24, such as shown in FIG. 1B, as is conventional
in the gaming ticket industry. The removable medium may consist of
a latex ink, a pull tab, or any other means to conceal the
preprinted game indicia 18 from a player's view which is removable
or displaceable to reveal the preprinted game indicia 18 during the
play of an instant win lottery game 20.
[0027] During the course of play of the gaming ticket 10, a player
removes the removable medium 24 from each instant win lottery game
20, and identifies, according to the rules of the game as set forth
in the game play instruction region 16, if each instant win
lottery-game 20 is a winning game. In the example shown in FIGS. 1A
and 1B, an instant win lottery game 20 is identified as a winning
game if the revealed game indicia 18A identified as "YOUR HAND" has
a greater Blackjack value than the revealed game indicia 18A
identified as "DEALER'S HAND." For each instant win lottery game 20
identified as a winning game, the player is awarded the indicated
base prize amount 18B associated with the instant win lottery game
20. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the instant win lottery games
20, identified as "Game 1" and "Game 4" are winning games, awarding
the player base prize amounts 18B of $10.00 and $10.00,
respectively.
[0028] As set forth in the game play instruction region 16, a total
prize amount to be awarded to a player for the gaming ticket 10 is
determined by multiplying the sum of the base prize amounts 18B
awarded to the player for winning instant win lottery games 20 by
the total number of instant win lottery games 20 won on the gaming
ticket 10. The total prize amount P can be expressed mathematically
as: P = W n = 1 W .times. B n Eqn . .times. 1 ##EQU1##
[0029] where W=the total number of instant win lottery games won;
and
[0030] where B.sub.n=the base prize awarded in the n.sup.th instant
win lottery game won.
[0031] A preferred method of the present invention for determining
an enhanced prize for a set of games is illustrated in the
flowchart of FIG. 2. While the method is described in connection
with FIG. 2 in the embodiment of a gaming ticket 10 incorporating a
set of instant win lottery games 20, those of ordinary skill in the
art will recognize that the method is not limited to use with
gaming tickets 10 and instant win lottery games 20, but rather, may
be utilized to determine an enhance prize amount for any of a
variety of games.
[0032] Initially, a player purchases (Box 100) a gaming ticket 10
having at least two discrete instant win lottery games 20. The
player proceeds to play one of the instant win lottery games 20
(Box 102), and determines if the game is a winning game or a losing
game (Box 104). If the game is a losing game, the player then
determines if at least one instant win lottery game 20 remains
un-played on the gaming ticket 10 (Box 106). If at least one
instant win lottery game 20 remains un-played, the player proceeds
to play the instant win lottery game 20 (Box 102).
[0033] Upon determination (Box 104) of a winning instant win
lottery game 20, a count of winning games is incremented (Box 108),
and the base prize amount 18B awarded in connection with the
winning instant win lottery game 20 is added to the player's total
winnings (Box 110). Those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that the count of winning games and the player's total
winnings need not be physically manifested, provided a permanent
record of each winning instant win lottery game 20 and associated
base prize amount 18B is presented on the gaming ticket 10,
enabling the current count of winning games and the player's total
winnings to be easily determined at any point during the play of
the gaming ticket 10.
[0034] A first alternate method of the present invention is
illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 3 for determining an enhanced
prize in connection with a gaming ticket 10 having a game which is
played with a sequence of steps or rounds. Instant win lottery
games having golf themes, wherein a player attains a score upon
revealing game indicia for each "hole" played, or bowling themes
wherein a player attains a score upon revealing game indicia for
each "frame" played are exemplary of games having a sequence of
steps or rounds. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that a wide variety of such games are known, and that the method
and apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the
specific game embodiments described herein.
[0035] Initially, a player purchases the gaming ticket 10 (Box 200)
and proceeds to play the first round or step in the associated game
(Box 202). Upon completion of a single round or step in the
associated game, the player determines an outcome (Box 204) which
includes either obtaining a score for the round of play and/or
obtaining a base prize amount for the round of play. The score or
prize amount obtained in each round or step is combined with the
scores or prizes obtained in previous rounds of play to maintain a
tally of the player's total score and/or total prize winnings
during the play of the game. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that the score count and/or the player's total
winnings need not be physically manifested, provided a permanent
record of the scores obtained each round and/or the associated base
prize amounts is presented on the gaming ticket 10, enabling the
current score and the player's total winnings to be easily
determined at any point during the play of the gaming ticket
10.
[0036] After each game round or step is completed, the player will
determine if any game rounds or steps remain un-played (Box 208),
and proceed to play the next game round or step (Box 202) until all
game rounds or steps have been completed. Upon completion of all of
the game rounds or steps, a prize multiplier value is determined
(Box 210). Preferably, the prize multiplier value is determined
based on the cumulative total of either the player's score count
and/or the player's total winnings falling within predetermined
ranges.
[0037] For example, in a bowling-themed game, the player achieves a
score each "frame" of the game, upon completion of all of the
"frames" in the game, the player's scores for each "frame" are
summed to provide a cumulative score. If the cumulative score is
between 0 and 100, the prize multiplier value is 1.times., for a
cumulative score between 101 and 200, the prize multiplier is
2.times., and for a cumulative score between 201 and 300, the prize
multiplier is 3.times..
[0038] Once the prize multiplier value is determined, the final
prize amount is determined utilizing the prize multiplier (Box
212). Preferably, the player's cumulative total winnings are
multiplied by the determined prize multiplier to calculate the
final prize amount, or alternatively, a predetermined base prize
for the game may be multiplied by the determined prize multiplier
to calculate the final prize amount.
[0039] Turning to FIG. 4, the steps of a second alternate method of
the present invention are shown. Initially, a player purchases the
gaming ticket 10 (Box 300) and proceeds to play the first round or
step in the associated game (Box 302). Upon completion of a single
round or step in the associated game, the player determines an
outcome (Box 304) which includes obtaining a score for the round of
play and obtaining a base prize amount for the round of play.
[0040] For each round of play, the score obtained during that round
of play is compared with at least one predetermined qualification
score to determine if the round score qualifies the player to
receive an increased award for that round of play (Box 306). If the
score does not qualify the player to receive an increased award,
the player's cumulative game score and/or prize total amounts are
incremented by the outcome of the game round (Box 308). If the
player qualifies to receive an increased award, the base prize for
the round of play is multiplied by a predetermined multiplier based
on the qualification score the player received (Box 310) to
determine a game round outcome, and the player's cumulative game
score and/or prize total amounts are then incremented by the
outcome of the game round (Box 308).
[0041] The score and/or prize amounts obtained in each round are
combined with the scores or prizes obtained in previous rounds of
play to maintain a tally of the player's total score and/or total
prize winnings during the play of the game. Those of ordinary skill
in the art will recognize that the score count and/or the player's
total winnings need not be physically manifested, provided a
permanent record of the scores obtained each round and/or the
associated base prize amounts and any predetermined multipliers for
individual rounds is presented on the gaming ticket 10, enabling
the current score and the player's total winnings to be easily
determined at any point during the play of the gaming ticket
10.
[0042] After each game round or step is completed, the player will
determine if any game rounds remain un-played (Box 312), and
proceed to play the next game round or step (Box 302) until all
game rounds or steps have been completed. Upon completion of all of
the game rounds the player's cumulative prize is determined as the
final sum of all of the game round amounts awarded during the play
of the game (Box 314), and is awarded to the player (Box 316).
[0043] For example, in a bowling-themed game, the player achieves a
score each "frame" of the game and is awarded a base prize amount
for each frame as a frame prize. If the player scores a "spare"
during any given frame, the base prize amount associated with that
frame is multiplied by two to determine an increased frame prize
amount. Similarly, if the player scores a "strike" during any given
frame, the base prize amount associated with that frame is
multiplied by three to determine an increased frame prize amount.
Upon completion of all of the "frames" in the game, the player's
scores for each "frame" are optionally summed to provide a
cumulative score, while the frame prizes, including any increase
frame prize amounts are summed to determine a cumulative prize
total for the game, which is awarded to the player.
[0044] The apparatus and methods of the present invention are
intended for use in any of a wide variety of lottery or chance
games, and are not intended to be restricted to any specific
government authorized or sponsored games of chance. Those of
ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the methods of the
present invention may be adapted for use in enhancing the prizes
awarded to players of electronic gambling machines, and hence, in
alternate embodiments the present invention can be embodied in-part
in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for
practicing those processes. The present invention can also be
embodied in the form of computer program code containing
instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes,
CD-ROMs, hard drives, or an other computer readable storage medium,
wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into, and
executed by, an electronic device such as a computer,
micro-processor or logic circuit, the device becomes an apparatus
for practicing the invention.
[0045] The methods of the present invention can also be embodied in
part in the form of computer program code, for example, whether
stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a
computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as
over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via
electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code
is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an
apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented in a
general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments
configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.
[0046] In view of the above, it will be seen that the several
objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous
results are obtained. As various changes could be made in the above
constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *