U.S. patent application number 12/514019 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for portal for wagering games.
This patent application is currently assigned to WMS Gaming Inc.. Invention is credited to Allon Englman, Jeremy Hornik.
Application Number | 20090305776 12/514019 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090305776 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Englman; Allon ; et
al. |
December 10, 2009 |
PORTAL FOR WAGERING GAMES
Abstract
Apparatus, systems, architectures, and methods provide
instrumentality to control adjustment of a feature of a wagering
game and/or a feature of another wagering game to match a fixed
parameter of the combination of the wagering games correlated to a
relationship between a parameter of each of the wagering games.
Inventors: |
Englman; Allon; (Chicago,
IL) ; Hornik; Jeremy; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG & WOESSNER/WMS GAMING
P.O. BOX 2938
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
WMS Gaming Inc.
Waukegan
IL
|
Appl. No.: |
12/514019 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
November 8, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US07/23572 |
371 Date: |
May 7, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60865296 |
Nov 10, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 ;
463/42 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 ;
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: identifying a first wagering game
correlated to a wagering game unit, the first wagering game having
a first parameter; identifying a second wagering game from a
plurality of wagering games, the second wagering game having a
second parameter; and adjusting features of the first wagering
game, features of the second wagering game, or features of the
first wagering game and features of the second wagering game, the
features adjusted to match a fixed parameter of the combination of
the first wagering game and the second wagering game, the parameter
correlated to a relationship between the first parameter and the
second parameter.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes setting the
fixed parameter of the combination to a sum of the first parameter
and the second parameter.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein setting the fixed parameter of
the combination to a sum of the first parameter and the second
parameter includes setting an expected value of the combination to
the sum of an expected value of the first wagering game and an
expected value of the second wagering game.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying a first wagering game
includes obtaining information associated with a base wagering
game.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein adjusting features includes
adjusting a frequency of a payout for the base wagering game.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying a second wagering
game includes obtaining information associated with a selected
bonus wagering game.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein adjusting features includes
adjusting a frequency of a payout for the selected bonus wagering
game.
8. A machine-readable medium having machine-executable instructions
that, when performed by a machine, cause the machine to: identify a
first wagering game having a first parameter, the first wagering
game correlated to a wagering game unit; identify a second wagering
game from a plurality of wagering games, the second wagering game
having a second parameter; and adjust features of the first
wagering game, features of the second wagering game, or features of
the first wagering game and features of the second wagering game,
the features adjusted to match a parameter of the combination of
the first wagering game and the second wagering game, the parameter
correlated to a relationship between the first parameter and the
second parameter.
9. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions
include fixing an expected value of the combination to a sum of an
expected value of the first wagering game and an expected value of
the second wagering game.
10. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein to identify a
first wagering game includes obtaining information associated with
a base wagering game.
11. The machine-readable medium of claim 10, wherein to adjust
features includes adjusting a frequency of a payout for the base
wagering game.
12. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, wherein to identify a
second wagering game includes obtaining information associated with
a selected bonus wagering game.
13. The machine-readable medium of claim 12, wherein to adjust
features includes adjusting a frequency of a payout for the
selected bonus wagering game.
14. An apparatus comprising: a portal to control adjustment of a
feature of a first wagering game, a feature of a second wagering
game, or features of the first wagering game and the second
wagering game, the adjustment matched to a fixed parameter of the
combination of the first wagering game and the second wagering
game, the parameter correlated to a relationship between the first
parameter and the second parameter, the first wagering game and/or
second wagering game being correlated to a wagering game unit
operable to receive a wager.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the portal is configured to
control the adjustment based on fixation of an expected value of
the combination of the first wagering game and the second wagering
game to a sum of an expected value of the first wagering game and
an expected value of the second wagering game.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first wagering game is a
base wagering game and the second wagering game is a bonus wagering
game.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the adjustment includes an
adjustment of a frequency of a payout for the base wagering
game.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the adjustment includes an
adjustment of a frequency of a payout for the bonus wagering
game.
19. A system comprising: a wagering game unit operable to receive a
wager in association with a wagering game; a portal to control
adjustment of a feature of a first wagering game, a feature of a
second wagering game, or features of the first wagering game and
the second wagering game, the adjustment matched to a fixed
parameter of the combination of the first wagering game and the
second wagering game, the parameter correlated to a relationship
between the first parameter and the second parameter; and a
communication structure to couple the wagering game unit to the
portal.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first wagering game is a
base wagering game and the second wagering game is a bonus wagering
game.
21. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication structure
includes a bus.
22. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication structure
includes interfaces to operate with a wireless network.
23. The system of claim 19, wherein the wagering game unit and the
portal are remote from each other.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/865,296 filed Nov. 10,
2006 and entitled "PORTAL FOR WAGERING GAMES", which application is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally
to wagering game systems.
LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER
[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark
Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all
copyright rights whatsoever. Copyright 2006, 2007 WMS Gaming,
Inc.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Wagering game machine makers continually provide new and
entertaining games. One way of increasing entertainment value
associated with casino-style wagering games (e.g., video slots,
video poker, video blackjack, and the like) includes offering a
variety of base games and bonus events. However, despite the
variety of base games and bonus events, players often lose interest
in repetitive wagering gaming content. In order to maintain player
interest, wagering game machine makers frequently update wagering
game content with new game themes, game settings, bonus events,
game software, and other electronic data. Consequently, there is a
need to provide for seamless integration of base wagering games,
bonus wager games, game themes, game settings, game software, and
other electronic data to ensure an attractive gaming
experience.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
wagering game machine architecture.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of features of an embodiment of
an architecture for a wagering game system.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a
portal to couple together two wagering games.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a
portal to couple a base wagering game with a bonus wagering
game.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a
portal to couple a base wagering game with multiple bonus wagering
games.
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of features of an
embodiment of a method for a portal to control adjustment of
features to couple together wagering games.
[0012] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
wagering game network.
[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment of a wagering game
machine.
[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of a wagering game
machine
DESCRIPTION
[0015] Various embodiments of the invention are described by way of
example and not limitation in the following descriptions:
Example Operating Environment
Example Wagering Game Machine Architecture
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
wagering game machine architecture 100 having a wagering game
machine 106. Wagering game machine 106 may be adapted to receive a
wager from a player in association with a wagering game to be
presented to the player. Wagering game machine 106 may include a
central processing unit (CPU) 126, a main memory 128, a wagering
game presentation unit 132, and a portal 134. CPU 126 may be
realized using various forms of a processor and/or a controller.
Main memory 128 may be coupled through a bus 122 or directly to CPU
126 using a communication medium such as a memory bus. A bus may
include command control lines, data lines, address lines, other
communication lines, or combinations thereof.
[0017] From a player's perspective, a wagering game is a game whose
player participation is initiated with the player placing a wager
in some manner, in which the occurrence of an event having some
probability of happening results in an award to the player tied in
some manner to the player's wager. In various wagering games, the
reward may be tied to the player's wager merely by placing the
wager. A wagering game may include a game in which a wager is made
in a different game, but an award is a possible outcome from the
wagering game. A bonus wagering game is such a wagering game whose
play is correlated to a base wagering game. Each wagering game,
whether a base game or bonus game, may include the instrumentality
to control or regulate the play of the wagering game, including the
flow of signals and data within one or more devices. Such
instrumentality may include hardware, software, firmware, or
various combinations thereof. A wagering game may be realized using
one or more units or modules that manage the play of the wagering
game. In an embodiment, such units or modules may be realized using
one or more components of wagering game machine architecture 100 or
similar architecture.
[0018] Wagering game presentation unit 132 may be an independent
unit in wagering game machine 106. Wagering game presentation unit
132 may include a processor and/or controller, memory, or
combinations thereof. An independent wagering game presentation
unit 132 may operate with CPU 126 and/or main memory via bus 122 or
via a direct connection. Wagering game presentation unit 132 may be
realized as integral to main memory 128. Wagering game presentation
unit 132 may be realized having components in CPU 126 and in main
memory 128. In various embodiments, wagering game presentation unit
132 may present, in whole or part, wagering games such as video
poker, video black jack, video slots, video lottery, video role
playing games having wagering content, etc.
[0019] A portal is an instrumentality that may provide personalized
capabilities, provide a pathway to other content, or combinations
thereof. A portal may use distributed applications, different
numbers and types of software based components that couple two or
more applications to enable data transfer between the applications,
hardware to provide services from a number of different sources,
and may be realized on a variety of platforms such as servers,
content management systems, personal computers (PCs), personal
digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, stand-alone wagering game
machines, distributed wager game machines, or combinations thereof.
A portal may include or provide access to subroutine code, code
libraries, application program interfaces such as interpreters
utilizing Java EE.TM., Simple DirectMedia Layer.TM. (SDL) and
DirectX.TM., or combinations thereof. Portal 134 may be realized in
a variety of ways including, but not limited to, arranged as an
independent component, embedded in wagering game presentation unit
132, embedded in main memory 128, distributed among CPU 126 and
wagering game presentation unit 132, distributed among main memory
128 and wagering game presentation unit 132, distributed among CPU
126, main memory 128, and wagering game presentation unit 132,
distributed among different components of wagering game machine
architecture 100, distributed among different components of
wagering game machine architecture 100 and external systems 104, or
various combinations thereof. Portal 134 may be physically exterior
to wagering game machine 106.
[0020] In an embodiment, portal 134 may be adapted to control
adjustment of a feature of a wagering game and/or a feature of
another wagering game to fix a parameter of the combination of the
wagering games correlated to a relationship between a parameter of
each of the wagering games. A feature in a wagering game may also
be a parameter in the wagering game. In addition, a parameter in a
wagering game may also be a feature in the wagering game. Some
features/parameters associated with wagering games may be known or
presented to the player of a wagering game machine. Alternatively,
some features/parameters associated with wagering games may be
unknown to the player of a wagering game machine. For instance, a
set of payouts in a wagering game may be a feature that is
presented to a player, while an average payout of the wagering game
may be a parameter used in the control of the wagering game. The
average payout of the wagering game may or may not be a
feature/parameter that is presented to the player in a wagering
game, depending on the specific wagering game. Payouts may be
handled in terms of a multiplicative scaling of an amount
wagered.
[0021] CPU 126 may be connected to bus 122 to facilitate
communication between the components of wagering game machine 106
and other components and/or systems exterior to wagering game
machine 106. Bus 122 may be configured as an input/output (I/O) bus
122. I/O bus 122 may be connected to a payout mechanism 108,
primary display 110, secondary display 112, value input device 114,
player input device 116, information reader 118, storage unit 130,
or combinations thereof. Player input device 116 may include value
input device 114 to the extent the player input device 116 may be
used to place wagers. I/O bus 122 may also be connected to an
external system interface 124, which may be connected to external
systems 104 (e.g., wagering game networks). Devices, modules, or
systems external to a wagering game machine 106 may be located on a
wagering game network, which may be a local area network (LAN) or a
wide area network (WAN).
[0022] In an embodiment, wagering game machine 106 may include
additional peripheral devices and/or more than one of each
component shown in FIG. 1. For example, in an embodiment, wagering
game machine 106 may include multiple external system interfaces
124 and multiple CPUs 126. In an embodiment, any of the components
may be integrated or subdivided. Additionally, in an embodiment,
the components of wagering game machine 106 may be interconnected
according to any suitable interconnection architecture (e.g.,
directly connected, hypercube, etc.).
[0023] In an embodiment, any of the components of wagering game
machine 106 (e.g., wagering game presentation unit 132) may include
hardware, firmware, and/or software for performing the operations
described herein. Machine-readable media includes any mechanism
that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a form
readable by a machine (e.g., a wagering game machine, computer,
etc.). For example, tangible machine-readable media includes read
only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk
storage media, optical storage media, flash memory machines, etc.
Machine-readable media also includes any media suitable for
transmitting software over a network.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of features of an embodiment of
an architecture for a wagering game system 200. The wagering game
architecture includes a hardware platform 202, a boot program 204,
an operating system 206, and a game framework 208 that includes one
or more wagering game software components 210. In various
embodiments, hardware platform 202 may include a thin-client,
thick-client, or some intermediate derivation. A thin client may be
a client in client-server architecture networks which has little or
no application logic, such that it depends primarily on a central
server for processing activities. A thin client may use a small
boot image to connect to a network and start up a dedicated web
browser. A thin client may load its operating system (OS) and
software from a server. A thin client may be a client in which no
data is stored and relatively little processing occurs on the
client machine. Thick clients may be full-featured computers that
are connected to a network. A thick client, which may also be
referenced as a heavy client, may be configured as functional
machines, whether configured as a standalone machine or connected
to a network, unlike typical thin clients that may lack hard drives
and other features.
[0025] Hardware platform 202 may also be configured to provide a
virtual client. Boot program 204 may include a basic input/output
system (BIOS) or other initialization program that works in
conjunction with operation system 206 to provide a software
interface to hardware platform 202. Game framework 208 may include
standardized game software components either independent or in
combination with specialized or customized game software components
that are designed for a particular wagering game. In an embodiment,
wagering game software components 210 may include software
operative in connection with hardware platform 202 and operating
system 206 to present wagering games, in whole or part, such as
video poker, video black jack, video slots, video lottery, video
role playing games having wagering content, etc. In an embodiment,
software components 210 may include software operative to accept a
wager from a player. According to an embodiment, game software
components 210 include one or more components to control adjustment
of a feature of a wagering game and/or a feature of another
wagering game to fix a parameter of the combination of the wagering
games correlated to a relationship between a parameter of each of
the wagering games. According to an embodiment, one or more of the
software components 210 may be provided as part of the operating
system 206 or other software used in the wagering game system 200
(e.g., libraries, daemons, common services, etc.).
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a
portal 310 to couple together two wagering games. Portal 310 may
provide instrumentality to control the adjustment of features in a
first wagering game 320, in a second wagering game 330, or in both
the first and second wagering games 320, 330. First wagering game
320 and/or second wagering game 330 may be played in one or more
wagering game machines, examples of which are described herein.
Portal 310 allows attainment of an equilibrium between first
wagering game 320 and second wagering game 330. The adjustment of
features may be based on a fixed parameter for the combination of
the two games. The fixed parameter may be correlated to parameters
of first and second wagering games 320, 330. For example, where
first wagering game 320 and second wagering game 330 are wagering
games that have payout amounts in individual play typically known
by a player, portal 310 may allow these typical payout amounts to
occur in each of the two wagering games when played in combination
by adjusting a frequency of the payouts such that the average
payout of the combination of the two wagering games has a
predetermined value. In an embodiment, portal 310 may provide for
the expected value of first wager game 320 and the expected value
of second wagering game 330 to be the same in combination play as
in individual play with adjustment of other features or parameters
to substantially match a fixed parameter for the combined play. An
expected value (EV) is the average number of credits a pay or
feature pays on average over the long run. It may be calculated as
a percentage of the overall payback of a given game and may be
provided by multiplying the average pay of the feature times its
probability of occurring. First wagering game 320 and second
wagering game 330 may be selected by a player concurrently from a
presentation of wagering games on a screen in a wagering game
machine. Second wagering game 330 may be selected by a player from
a presentation of wagering games in a wagering game machine during
play of first wagering game 320. Second wagering game 330 may be
selected by a player from a presentation of wagering games in a
wagering game machine during the initiation of play in first
wagering game 320.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a
portal 410 to couple together a base wagering game 420 and a bonus
wagering game 430. Portal 410 may provide instrumentality to
control the adjustment of features in base wagering game 420, in
bonus wagering game 430, or in both base wagering game 420 and
bonus wagering game 430. In an embodiment, portal 410 allows any
bonus wagering game in a set of bonus wagering games to be played
with base wagering game 420. Base wagering game 420 and bonus
wagering game 430 may be played in one or more wagering game
machines, examples of which are described herein. Portal 410 allows
a sort of equalization between base wagering game 420 and bonus
wagering game 430. The adjustment of features may be based on a
fixed parameter for the combination of base wagering game 420 and
bonus wagering game 430. The fixed parameter may be correlated to
parameters of base wagering game 420 and bonus wagering game 430.
For example, where base wagering game 420 and bonus wagering game
430 are wagering games that have payout amounts in individual play
typically known by a player, portal 410 may allow these typical
payout amounts to occur in each of base wagering game 420 and bonus
wagering game 430 when played together by adjusting a frequency of
the payout such that the average payout of the combination of base
wagering game 420 and bonus wagering game 430 has a predetermined
value. In an embodiment, portal 410 may provide for the expected
value of base wagering game 420 and the expected value of bonus
wagering game 430 to be the same in combination play as in
individual play with adjustment of other features or parameters to
substantially match a fixed parameter for the combined play. Bonus
wagering game 430 may be selected by a player from a presentation
of bonus wagering games on a screen in a wagering game machine.
Bonus wagering game 430 may be selected by a player from a
presentation of bonus wagering games in a wagering game machine
during initial play and/or subsequent play of base wagering game
420.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a
portal 510 to couple a base wagering game 520 with multiple bonus
wagering games 530-1 . . . 530-N. Portal 510 may provide
instrumentality to control the adjustment of features in base
wagering game 520, in one or more of bonus wagering games 530-1 . .
. 530-N, or in base wagering game 520 and one or more of bonus
wagering games 530-1 . . . 530-N. Base wagering game 520 and bonus
wagering games 530-1 . . . 530-N may be played in one or more
wagering game machines, examples of which are described herein.
Portal 510 provides for acquiring a balance between base wagering
game 520 and bonus wagering games 530-1 . . . 530-N. The adjustment
of features may be based on a fixed parameter for the combination
of base wagering game 520 and bonus wagering games 530-1 . . .
530-N, where the fixed parameter may be correlated to parameters of
base wagering game 520 and bonus wagering games 530-1 . . . 530-N.
For example, where base wagering game 520 and bonus wagering games
530-1 . . . 530-N have payout amounts in individual play typically
known by a player, portal 510 may allow these typical payout
amounts to occur in each of base wagering game 520 and bonus
wagering games 530-1 . . . 530-N when played together by adjusting
a frequency of the payout such that the average payout of the
combination of base wagering game 520 and bonus wagering games
530-1 . . . 530-N has a predetermined value. In an embodiment,
portal 510 may provide for the expected value of base wagering game
520 and the expected value of each of bonus wagering games 530-1 .
. . 530-N to be the same in combination play as in individual play
with adjustment of other features or parameters to substantially
match a fixed parameter for the combined play. Bonus wagering games
530-1 . . . 530-N may be selected by a player from a presentation
of bonus wagering games on a screen in a wagering game machine.
Bonus wagering games 530-1 . . . 530-N may be selected by a player
from a presentation of bonus wagering games in a wagering game
machine during initial play and/or subsequent play of base wagering
game 520. The features/parameters of bonus wagering games may
reside in a data library at one or more locations in a wagering
game network. Accessibility by a portal to bonus wagering games
and/or their features/parameters in the data library may be may be
dynamically set, that is, changed, modified, controlled or
otherwise regulated in real-time.
[0029] In various embodiments, a portal may be triggered in a
wagering game by the occurrence of an event or selection of the
portal as part of the game play. The triggering event may be the
occurrence of symbols on one or more pay lines or the occurrence of
symbols at random locations on the playing screen of the wagering
game machine. A triggering event in a base wagering game may
initiate access to bonus wagering games. In an embodiment, the
triggering event provides a means for player selection of one or
more bonus games. The bonus wagering games may be displayed on the
playing screen. Alternatively, various options may be displayed
such that the selection of the options generates a bonus game or a
set of bonus games. Such options may include, but are not limited
to, bonus game volatility, bonus game payout, selection of a bonus
game with an associated extra bet, and other options. Volatility is
a measure of how a player experiences the pay back of a particular
game. Some games pay out more often in smaller amounts. This is
known as a low volatility game. Some games pay out less often in
larger amounts. This is known as a high volatility game. Such
selection may be provided through activation of a touch screen,
activation of one or more buttons on a wagering game device or
system, clicking of a computer-like mouse, activation of a screen
display using electromagnetic stimulus wirelessly generated, or
combinations of various selection actions. The data provided to the
portal may be generated as information calculated or derived in
response to a selection event. Upon identification of one or more
bonus wagering games to be played with the base wagering game, a
portal may operate as discussed above with respect to portals 310,
410, and 510 or in a variation of these portals.
[0030] In various embodiments, a portal may use various
features/parameters to provide a balance between a base wagering
game and one or more bonus wagering games. A portal may maintain
one or more features/parameters at substantially fixed values in
operation as a conduit between a base wagering game and one or more
bonus wagering games. Such features/parameters may include, but are
not limited to, the average total payout for the combined play or
the expected value of each wagering game involved in the combined
play. To maintain an equilibrium in the combined play, a portal may
adjust a frequency at which a player may receive a winning event. A
frequency adjustment may be provided in adjusting the game
volatilities by assigning the probabilities in the underlying game
control according to the player selected options. Weighted tables
may be used to provide the probabilities associated with the player
selection options to meet the balancing constraint used by the
portal. An event frequency may be adjusted with the inclusion of a
number of free spins, a number of game ending events, time length
of the bonus game, or combinations thereof. A game ending event or
an event for ending a portion of a game may be realized by the
occurrence of a symbol as the result of a player activated spin or
other player activated event.
[0031] In an embodiment, a portal may provide for the combined play
of two or more wagering games by control of parameters in these
games such that the game play presented to a player on a screen
maintains the game play presentation as if the wagering games were
played individually. The portal may provide such control by
generating a request for an additional wager to transition from one
game to the other game. The additional wager may be used to adjust
for differences in expected value of the wagering games being
played to maintain a substantially fixed expected value for the
combined play. In various embodiments, transitions between games
may include accumulation of credits to be played at a future time,
where the portal controls the storage of information that
correlates a player to an accumulated amount of credits and one or
more wagering games. Credits may be scaled to a monetary unit.
[0032] In an embodiment, a portal and associated wagering games may
be realized within a wagering network. Use of a portal for a
wagering game machine may occur using instrumentality that is
distributed among devices or systems that can communicate with the
wagering game machine from which activation of the portal occurred.
In addition to various embodiments with a portal used in server
based gaming (SBG), such portals may be configured on individual
wagering game machines. In an embodiment, content used by a portal
may be readily movable about a network. In an embodiment, portal
content, including such items as identification of wagering games
that may be coupled by a portal, may be controlled at a
manufacturing stage. In an embodiment, portal content, including
such items as identification of wagering games that may be coupled
by a portal, may be controlled at one or more casinos. In an
embodiment, portal content, including such items as identification
of wagering games that may be coupled by a portal, may be
controlled at a network control location.
Example Operations
[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of features of an
embodiment of a method for a portal to control adjustment of
features to couple together wagering games. At 610, a first
wagering game is identified. An identification event may include
receiving data or a signal regarding features/parameters of the
first wagering game at a portal. The first wagering game may be
identified by initiating game play in a specific wagering game
machine, by selecting the first wagering game from multiple
wagering games available, or a combination thereof. Such selection
may be provided through activation of a touch screen, activation of
one or more buttons on a wagering game device or system, clicking
of a computer-like mouse, activation of a screen display using
electromagnetic stimulus wirelessly generated, or combinations of
various selection actions. The data provided to the portal may be
generated as information calculated or derived in response to a
selection event. A set of features/parameters may be associated
with the first wagering game.
[0034] At 620, a second wagering game is identified. The second
wagering game may be selected from a list or presentation of
multiple wagering games provided in the first wagering game. The
second wagering game may be selected as the result of a player's
selection of options presented in the first wagering game. Such
options may include, but are not limited to, bonus game volatility,
bonus game payout, selection of a bonus game with an associated
extra bet, and other options. Such selection may be provided
through activation of a touch screen, activation of one or more
buttons on a wagering game device or system, clicking of a
computer-like mouse, activation of a screen display using
electromagnetic stimulus wirelessly generated, or combinations of
various selection actions. The second wagering game may be a bonus
wagering game in a set of bonus wagering games. Multiple bonus
games may be combined with a base wagering game by the portal. The
second wagering game may be another wagering game with an
additional wager correlated to combining play with the first
wagering game. A set of features/parameters may be associated with
the second wagering game.
[0035] At 630, features of the first wagering game, features of the
second wagering game, or features of the first wagering game and
features of the second wagering game may be adjusted to fix a
parameter of the combination of the first wagering game and the
second wagering game. Such a parameter may be correlated to a
relationship between parameters of the first and second wagering
games. The portal may adjust various features to maintain, at a
substantially fixed value, an expected value in each of the
wagering games coupled by the portal. The portal may adjust various
features to maintain, at a substantially fixed value, an average
total payout of the combination of wagering games coupled by the
portal. The portal may adjust the frequency at which a winning
event occurs in the combination of games. The portal may adjust the
frequency at which a winning event occurs in one or more of the
wagering games in the play combination. The portal may adjust the
inclusion of a number of free spins, a number of game ending
events, time length of the bonus game, or combinations thereof in
one or more wagering games in the play combination.
Example Wagering Game Network
[0036] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
wagering game network 700, according to example embodiments of the
invention. Wagering game network 700 may include multiple casinos
712 connected to a communications network 714.
[0037] Each casino 712 may include a local area network 716, which
may include a wireless access point 704, wagering game machines
702, and a wagering game server 706 that may serve wagering games
over the local area network 716. Wireless access point 704 may
control routing on both wireless communication channels and wired
communication channels. Such a wireless access point 704 may be
realized as a router capable of routing signals between and among
wired devices, wireless devices, and devices having wired and
wireless capability. In a non-wireless environment, wireless access
point 704 may be replaced by a routing device. Local area network
716 may include wireless communication links 710 and wired
communication links 708. The wired and wireless communication links
708, 710 may employ any suitable connection technology, such as
Bluetooth, 802.11, Ethernet, public switched telephone networks,
SONET, etc. In an embodiment, the wagering game server 706 may
serve wagering games and/or distribute content to devices located
in other casinos 712 or at other locations on communications
network 714.
[0038] Wagering game machines 702 and wagering game server 706 may
include hardware and machine-readable media including instructions
for performing embodiments of the operations described herein.
[0039] Wagering game machines 702 described herein may take any
suitable form, such as floor standing models, handheld mobile
units, bartop models, workstation-type console models, etc.
Further, wagering game machines 702 may be primarily dedicated for
use in conducting wagering games, or may include non-dedicated
devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants,
personal computers, etc. In an embodiment, the wagering game
network 700 may include other network devices, such as accounting
servers, wide area progressive servers, player tracking servers,
and/or other devices suitable for use in connection with
embodiments of the invention.
[0040] In various embodiments, wagering game machines 702 and
wagering game servers 706 work together such that wagering game
machine 702 may be operated as a thin, thick, or intermediate
client. For example, one or more elements of game play may be
controlled by wagering game machine 702 (client) or the wagering
game server 706 (server). Game play elements may include executable
game code, lookup tables, configuration files, game outcome, audio
or visual representations of the game, game assets or the like. In
a thin-client example, wagering game server 706 may perform
functions such as determining game outcome or managing assets,
while wagering game machine 702 may be used merely to present the
graphical representation of such outcome or asset modification to
the user (e.g., player). In a thick-client example, game outcome
may be determined locally (e.g., at wagering game machine 702) and
then communicated to wagering game server 706 for recording or
managing a player's account.
[0041] Similarly, functionality not directly related to game play
may be controlled by wagering game machine 702 (client) or the
wagering game server 706 (server) in embodiments. For example,
power conservation controls that manage a display screen's light
intensity may be managed centrally (e.g., by wagering game server
706) or locally (e.g., by wagering game machine 702). Other
functionality not directly related to game play may include
presentation of advertising, software or firmware updates, system
quality or security checks, etc.
Example Wireless Environment
[0042] In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering
game machines 702 may communicate using orthogonal frequency
division multiplexed (OFDM) communication signals over a
multicarrier communication channel. The multicarrier communication
channel may be within a predetermined frequency spectrum and may
include multiple orthogonal subcarriers. In some embodiments, the
multicarrier signals may be defined by closely spaced OFDM
subcarriers. Each subcarrier may have a null at substantially a
center frequency of the other subcarriers and/or each subcarrier
may have an integer number of cycles within a symbol period. In
some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering game
machines 702 may communicate in accordance with a broadband
multiple access technique, such as orthogonal frequency division
multiple access (OFDMA). In some embodiments, wireless access point
704 and wagering game machines 702 may communicate using
spread-spectrum signals.
[0043] In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 may be part
of a communication station, such as wireless local area network
(WLAN) communication station including a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)
communication station, or a WLAN access point (AP). In these
embodiments, wagering game machines 702 may be part of a mobile
station, such as WLAN mobile station or a WiFi mobile station.
[0044] In some other embodiments, wireless access point 704 may be
part of a broadband wireless access (BWA) network communication
station, such as a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
(WiMax) communication station, as wireless access point 704 may be
part of almost any wireless communication device. In these
embodiments, wagering game machines 702 may be part of a BWA
network communication station, such as a WiMax communication
station.
[0045] In some embodiments, any of wagering game machines 702 may
be part of a portable wireless communication device, such as a
personal digital assistant, a laptop or portable computer with
wireless communication capability, a web tablet, a wireless
telephone, a wireless headset, a pager, an instant messaging
device, a digital camera, a television, or other device that may
receive and/or transmit information wirelessly.
[0046] In some embodiments, the frequency spectrums for the
communication signals transmitted and received by wireless access
point 704 and wagering game machines 702 may include a 5 gigahertz
(GHz) frequency spectrum, a 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum, or other
frequency spectrum. In these embodiments, the 5 GHz frequency
spectrum may include frequencies ranging from approximately 4.9 to
5.9 GHz, and the 2.4 GHz spectrum may include frequencies ranging
from approximately 2.3 to 2.5 GHz, but other frequency spectrums
are also equally suitable. In some BWA network embodiments, the
frequency spectrum for the communication signals may include
frequencies between 2 and 11 GHz.
[0047] In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering
game machines 702 may communicate RF signals in accordance with
specific communication standards, such as the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards including
IEEE 802.11(a), 802.11(b), 802.11(g), 802.11 (h) and/or 802.11 (n)
standards and/or proposed specifications for wireless local area
networks, but they may also be suitable to transmit and/or receive
communications in accordance with other techniques and standards.
In some BWA network embodiments, wireless access point 704 and
wagering game machines 702 may communicate RF signals in accordance
with the IEEE 802.16-2004 and the IEEE 802.16(e) standards for
wireless metropolitan area networks (WMANs) including variations
and evolutions thereof. However, they may also be suitable to
transmit and/or receive communications in accordance with other
techniques and standards. For more information with respect to the
IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.16 standards, please refer to "IEEE
Standards for Information Technology--Telecommunications and
Information Exchange between Systems"--Local Area
Networks--Specific Requirements--Part 11 "Wireless LAN Medium
Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY), ISO/IEC 8802-11:
1999", and Metropolitan Area Networks--Specific Requirements--Part
16: "Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems,"
May 2005 and related amendments/versions. In some embodiments,
wireless access point 704 and wagering game machines 702 may
include one or more antennas (not shown). These antennas may
include directional or omnidirectional antennas, including, for
example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop
antennas, microstrip antennas or other types of antennas suitable
for transmission of the RF signals. In some multiple-input,
multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, two or more antennas may be
used. In some embodiments, instead of two or more antennas, a
single antenna with multiple apertures may be used. In these
multiple aperture embodiments, each aperture may be considered a
separate antenna. In some multi-antenna embodiments, each antenna
may be effectively separated to take advantage of spatial diversity
and the different channel characteristics that may result between
each of the antennas and another wireless communication device. In
some multi-antenna embodiments, the antennas of a device may be
separated by up to 1/10 of a wavelength or more.
[0048] In some embodiments, handoffs between different wireless
access points 704 and one of wagering game machines 702 may be
performed based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a signal-to-noise
and interference ratio (SNIR), a bit-error rate (BER), or an energy
per received bit.
[0049] In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering
game machines 702 may communicate in accordance with standards such
as the Pan-European mobile system standard referred to as the
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). In some embodiments,
wireless access point 704 and wagering game machines 702 may also
communicate in accordance with packet radio services such as the
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) packet data communication
service. In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and
wagering game machines 702 may communicate in accordance with the
Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) for the next generation of
GSM, which may, for example, implement communication techniques in
accordance with 2.5G and third generation (3G) wireless standards
(See 3GPP Technical Specification, Version 3.2.0, March 2000, for
example). In some of these embodiments, wireless access point 704
and wagering game machines 702 may provide packet data services
(PDS) utilizing packet data protocols (PDP). In other embodiments,
wireless access point 704 and wagering game machines 702 may
communicate in accordance with other standards or other
air-interfaces including interfaces compatible with the enhanced
data for GSM evolution (EDGE) standards (see 3GPP Technical
Specification, Version 3.2.0, March 2000, for example).
[0050] In other embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering
game machines 702 may communicate in accordance with a short-range
wireless standard, such as the Bluetooth.TM. short-range digital
communication protocol. Bluetooth.TM. wireless technology is a de
facto standard, as well as a specification for small-form factor,
low-cost, short-range radio links between mobile PCs, mobile
phones, and other portable devices. (Bluetooth is a trademark owned
by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.) In other embodiments, wireless access point
704 and wagering game machines 702 may communicate in accordance
with an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication technique where a
carrier frequency is not used. In other embodiments, wireless
access point 704 and wagering game machines 702 may communicate in
accordance with an analog communication technique. In other
embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering game machines
702 may communicate in accordance with an optical communication
technique, such as the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) standard.
In some embodiments, wireless access point 704 and wagering game
machines 702 may communicate in accordance with the Home-RF
standard which may be in accordance with a Home-RF Working Group
(HRFWG) standard.
Example Wagering Game Machines
Example Wagering Game Machine
[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a wagering game machine
800 in which a wagering game generated in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention may be displayed and/or
initiated. Wagering game machine 800 may be used in gaming
establishments, such as casinos. In various embodiments, wagering
game machine 800 may be any type of wagering game machine and may
have varying structures and methods of operation. For example,
wagering game machine 800 may be an electromechanical wagering game
machine configured to play mechanical slots, or it may be an
electronic wagering game machine configured to play video casino
games, such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, roulette,
video role playing games having wagering content, etc.
[0052] Wagering game machine 800 may include a housing 812 having
input devices that may include value input devices 818 and a player
input device 824. For output, wagering game machine 800 may include
a primary display 814 for displaying information about a basic
wagering game. Primary display 814 may also display information
about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. A
progressive wagering game is associated with a progressive award,
which is an award that starts with a base reset amount, in which,
subsequently, a small percentage of each player's bet is added to
this award until a player triggers the pay event, where the reward
resets back to its original amount. A stand alone progressive award
is a progressive award that is for one game only. A local area
progressive award is a progressive award that is linked to games
within a casino. A wide area progressive award is a progressive
award that is linked to an entire gaming jurisdiction, such as an
entire state.
[0053] Wagering game machine 800 also may include a secondary
display 816 for displaying wagering game events, wagering game
outcomes, and/or signage information. While some components of
wagering game machine 800 are described herein, numerous other
elements may exist and may be used in any number or combination to
create varying forms of wagering game machine 800.
[0054] Value input devices 818 may take any suitable form and may
be located on the front of housing 812. Value input devices 818 may
receive currency and/or credits inserted by a player. Value input
devices 818 may include coin acceptors for receiving coin currency
and bill acceptors for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, value
input devices 818 may include ticket readers or barcode scanners
for reading information stored on vouchers, cards, or other
tangible portable storage devices. The vouchers or cards may
authorize access to central accounts, which may transfer money to
wagering game machine 800.
[0055] Player input device 824 may include multiple push buttons on
a button panel 826 for operating wagering game machine 800. In
addition, or alternatively, player input device 824 may include a
touch screen 828 mounted over primary display 814 and/or secondary
display 816.
[0056] The various components of wagering game machine 800 may be
connected directly to, or contained within, housing 812.
Alternatively, some components of the wagering game machine may be
located outside of housing 812, while being communicatively coupled
with wagering game machine 800 using any suitable wired or wireless
communication technology.
[0057] The operation of the basic wagering game may be displayed to
the player on primary display 814. Primary display 814 may also
display a bonus game associated with the basic wagering game.
Primary display 814 may include a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high
resolution liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, light
emitting diodes (LEDs), or any other type of display suitable for
use in wagering game machine 800. Alternatively, primary display
814 may include a number of mechanical reels to display the
outcome. Wagering game machine 800 may be an "upright" version, as
shown in FIG. 8, in which primary display 814 is oriented
vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, wagering game
machine 800 may be a "slant-top" version in which primary display
814 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of
wagering game machine 800. In an embodiment, wagering game machine
800 may exhibit any suitable form factor, such as a free standing
model, bartop model, mobile handheld model, or workstation console
model.
[0058] A player begins playing a basic wagering game by making a
wager via value input device 818. The player may initiate play by
using the player input device's buttons or touch screen 828. The
basic game may include arranging multiple symbols along a pay line
832, which indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Pay
line 832 may be realized as multiple pay lines. Pay line 832 need
not be limited to horizontal lines, but may be arranged in a
variety of ways including diagonal lines, vertical lines, or zigzag
lines. Such outcomes may be randomly selected in response to player
input. One of the outcomes, which may include any variation or
combination of symbols, may trigger a bonus game.
[0059] In some embodiments, wagering game machine 800 may also
include an information reader 852, which may include a card reader,
ticket reader, bar code scanner, RFID transceiver, or computer
readable storage medium interface. In some embodiments, information
reader 852 may be used to award complimentary services, restore
game assets, track player habits, etc.
Example Wagering Game Machine
[0060] FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of a wagering game
machine 900 in which a wagering game generated in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention may be displayed and/or
initiated. Like free standing wagering game machines, in a handheld
or mobile form, wagering game machine 900 may include any suitable
electronic device configured to play video casino games, such as
blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, roulette, and video role
playing games having wagering content. Wagering game machine 900
may include a housing 912 having input devices such as a value
input device 918 and a player input device 924. For output,
wagering game machine 900 may include a primary display 914, a
secondary display 916, one or more speakers 917, one or more
player-accessible ports 919 (e.g., an audio output jack for
headphones, a video headset jack, etc.), and other I/O devices and
ports, which may or may not be player-accessible. Wagering game
machine 900 may include a secondary display 916 that is rotatable
relative to primary display 914. Optional secondary display 916 may
be fixed, movable, and/or detachable/attachable relative to primary
display 914. Either primary display 914 and/or secondary display
916 may be configured to display any portion or feature of a
non-wagering game, wagering game, secondary game, bonus game,
progressive wagering game, group game, shared-experience game or
event, game event, game outcome, scrolling information, text
messaging, emails, alerts or announcements, broadcast information,
subscription information, and wagering game machine status.
[0061] Player-accessible value input device 918 may include, for
example, a slot located on the front, side, or top of housing 912
configured to receive credit from a stored-value card (e.g., casino
card, smart card, debit card, credit card, etc.) inserted by a
player. The player-accessible value input device 918 may also
include a sensor (e.g., an RF sensor) configured to sense a signal
(e.g., an RF signal) output by a transmitter (e.g., an RF
transmitter) carried by a player. The player-accessible value input
device 918 may also, or alternatively, include a ticket reader or
barcode scanner for reading information stored on a credit ticket,
a card, or other tangible portable credit or funds storage device.
The credit ticket or card may also authorize access to a central
account, which may transfer money to wagering game machine 900.
[0062] Still other player-accessible value input devices 918 may
make use of touch keys 930 on the touch-screen display (e.g.,
primary display 914 and/or secondary display 916) or player input
devices 924. In an embodiment, upon entry of player identification
information and secondary authorization information (e.g., a
password, PIN number, stored value card number, predefined key
sequences, etc.), the player may be permitted to access a player's
account. As an optional security feature, wagering game machine 900
may be configured to permit a player to only access an account the
player has specifically set up for wagering game machine 900. Other
conventional security features may also be utilized, for example,
to prevent unauthorized access to a player's account, to minimize
an impact of any unauthorized access to a player's account, or to
prevent unauthorized access to any personal information or funds
temporarily stored on wagering game machine 900.
[0063] Player-accessible value input device 918 may itself include
or utilize a biometric player information reader which permits the
player to access available funds on a player's account, either
alone or in combination with another of the aforementioned
player-accessible value input devices 918. In an embodiment where
player-accessible value input device 918 includes a biometric
player information reader, transactions may be authorized by a
biometric reading from the biometric device, which may include
multiple biometric readings. Such transactions may include, for
example, an input of value to wagering game machine 900, a transfer
of value from a player account or source to an account associated
with wagering game machine 900, or the execution of another
transaction.
[0064] Alternatively, to enhance security, a transaction may be
optionally enabled only by a two-step process in which a secondary
source confirms the identity indicated by a primary source. For
example, player-accessible value input device 918 may include a
biometric player information reader that may use a confirmatory
entry from another biometric player information reader 952, or from
another source, such as a credit card, debit card, player ID card,
fob key, PIN number, password, hotel room key, etc. Thus, a
transaction may be enabled by, for example, a combination of the
personal identification input (e.g., biometric input) with a secret
PIN number, or a combination of a biometric input with a fob input,
or a combination of a fob input with a PIN number, or a combination
of a credit card input with a biometric input. Any two independent
sources of identity, one of which is secure or personal to the
player (e.g., biometric readings, PIN number, password, etc.) may
be utilized to provide enhanced security prior to the electronic
transfer of any funds. Value input device 918 may be provided
remotely from wagering game machine 900.
[0065] Player input device 924 may include multiple push buttons on
a button panel for operating wagering game machine 900. In
addition, or alternatively, player input device 924 may include a
touch screen mounted to a primary display 914 and/or secondary
display 916. The touch screen may be matched to a display screen
having one or more selectable touch keys 930 selectable by a user's
touching of the associated area of the screen using a finger or a
tool, such as a stylus pointer. A player enables a desired function
either by touching the touch screen at an appropriate touch key 930
or by pressing an appropriate push button on the button panel.
Touch keys 930 may be used to implement the same functions as push
buttons. Alternatively, push buttons 932 may provide inputs for
operating one part of the game, while touch keys 930 may allow for
input needed for another part of the game. The various components
of wagering game machine 900 may be connected directly to, or
contained within, housing 912 or may be located outside housing 912
and connected to housing 912 via a variety of wired (tethered) or
wireless connection methods. Thus, wagering game machine 900 may be
configured as a single unit or as multiple interconnected (e.g.,
wireless connections) parts, which may be arranged to suit a
player's preferences.
[0066] The operation of the basic wagering game on wagering game
machine 900 may be displayed to the player on primary display 914.
Primary display 914 may also display one or more bonus games
associated with the basic wagering game. Primary display 914 may
take the form of a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED,
or any other type of display suitable for use in wagering game
machine 900. The size of primary display 914 may vary from, for
example, about a 2-3'' display to a 15'' or 17'' display. In some
embodiments, primary display 914 is a 7''-10'' display. However,
primary display 914 is not limited to the above sizes. In an
embodiment, the size of the primary display may be increased.
Optionally, coatings or removable films or sheets may be applied to
the display to provide desired characteristics (e.g., anti-scratch,
anti-glare, bacterially-resistant and anti-microbial films, etc.).
In various embodiments, primary display 914 and/or secondary
display 916 may have a 16:9 aspect ratio or other aspect ratio
(e.g., 4:3). Primary display 914 and/or secondary display 916 may
also each have different resolutions, different color schemes, and
different aspect ratios.
[0067] As with free standing embodiments, a player begins play of
the basic wagering game on wagering game machine 900 by making a
wager (e.g., via value input device 918 or an assignment of credits
stored on the handheld gaming machine via touch screen keys 930,
player input device 924, or buttons 932) on wagering game machine
900. In various embodiments, a wagering game may include multiple
symbols arranged in an array and may include at least one pay line
928 that indicates one or more outcomes of the wagering game. Pay
line 928 may be realized as multiple pay lines. Pay line 928 may be
horizontal lines or may be arranged in a variety of ways, including
diagonal lines, vertical lines, or zigzag lines. Such outcomes may
be randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the
player. One or more randomly selected outcomes may be a start-bonus
outcome, which may include any variations of symbols or symbol
combinations triggering a bonus game.
[0068] In various embodiments, player-accessible value input device
918 of wagering game machine 900 may double as a player information
reader 952 that allows for identification of a player by reading a
card with information indicating the player's identity (e.g.,
reading a player's credit card, player ID card, smart card, etc.).
Player information reader 952 may alternatively or also include a
bar code scanner, RFID transceiver or computer readable storage
medium interface. In an embodiment, player information reader 952
may include a biometric sensing device.
[0069] In the above detailed description, reference may be made to
specific examples by way of drawings and illustrations. It is to be
understood that the above description is intended to be
illustrative, and not restrictive, and that the phraseology or
terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and
not of limitation. These examples are described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice embodiments
of the inventive subject matter, and serve to illustrate how the
inventive subject matter may be applied to various purposes or
embodiments. Other embodiments may be included within the inventive
subject matter, as logical, mechanical, electrical, and other
changes may be made to the example embodiments described herein.
The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as
some embodiments may be combined with one or more other embodiments
to form new embodiments. Features or limitations of various
embodiments described herein do not limit the inventive subject
matter as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its
elements, operation, and application are not limiting as a whole,
but serve only to define these example embodiments. The above
detailed description does not, therefore, limit embodiments of the
invention.
* * * * *