Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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GAMING APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH
OPERATOR-CONFIGURABLE PAYTABLES
The present invention relates to gaming apparatus and methods which permit
gaming operators to configure and/or modify game paytables and in particular
to a system
in which one or more gaming terminals include paytable configuration and
overall
payback analysis software as well as gaming software.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
An important feature of many gaming terminals is the paytable which defines
the
prizes to be awarded for various game outcomes, often as a function of the
size of the
wager (such as the number of coins wagered). The nature of paytables, and the
opportunities for the paytable modifications, are influenced, at least in
part, by the nature
of the game. For example, for many card games, such as typical five card draw
poker,
it is impossible or infeasible to change the nature or relative frequency of
possible card
hands or outcomes. In particular, either because of regulations or because of
player or
user expectations, card electronic card game machines typically cannot provide
a hand
which departs from hands that could be achieved in a physical card game and/or
which
appear with a frequency different from the frequency with which they appear in
a
physical card game. In contrast, games such as an electronic slot machine game
can often
be configured or modified to provide frequencies for outcomes that might
differ from
frequencies that could be achieved using a physical-reel slot machine (e.g.,
using so-
called virtual reel approaches). Accordingly, whereas in an electronic slot
machine the
overall payback percent for a given paytable can be modified by, e.g.,
modifying the
frequency for one or more winning combinations, as well as by multiplying
payout
amounts, a typical electronic draw poker machine cannot be modified to change
the
frequency of which particular winning hands occur and thus overall payback
percentages
can typically be modified only by modifying in the paytable the values of the
prizes
associated with winning hands.
Gaming operations and facilities are typically strictly regulated and such
regulation typically includes requirements that paytables for gaming terminals
must
comply with standards for regulatory approval. Different jurisdictions have
different
requirements for what information must be supplied about a paytable to seek
approval.
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In many situations, it must be shown that the overall payout percentage (i.e.,
the
percentage, averaged over a long period of time, of the amount of wagers which
are
returned to players in the form of prizes) has been accurately determined.
Accurate
knowledge about the overall payout percentage (and/or the hold, which is 100%
minus
the payout percentage and typically represents revenues retained by the casino
or other
gaming operator) is also of interest to the gaming operator and, potentially,
of interest to
players or users of the gaming terminals.
In typical systems, paytables are embodied as information stored
electronically
in gaming terminals (or other electronic devices coupled to gaming terminals),
often as
part of the stored programming and data for which regulatory approval is
required. In
general, it has been typical for the manufacturers of the gaming terminals
(and/or the
electronics or software used in gaming terminals), as opposed to casino
personnel or
other gaming operators, to obtain approval of paytables for gaming terminals
or systems.
It is believed this is at least partially due to the relatively
computationally-intensive
nature of the process of determining overall payback for a given paytable, in
a manner
acceptable to regulatory bodies and/or with a high degree of accuracy,
especially
considering the very large number of possible outcomes for most games.
This situation, however, has sometimes been at odds with a desire of casinos
or
other game operators to have greater flexibility and shorter turn-around time
for
implementing games with different paytables. Thus, the typical scenario, in
the past, has
been for a game operator to consult with gaming terminal manufacturers,
expressing a
desire for a new or modified paytable for a game, for the terminal
manufacturer or
fabricator to perform the extensive calculation needed to determine items such
as overall
payback percentage and the like, for the gaming terminal fabricator to work
with one or
more different regulatory authorities to obtain approval, based on, at least
in part, on such
calculations (and sometimes involving further modifications of the paytable,
with
consultations with the originally-requesting gaming operators and regulatory
authorities
in order to achieve the desired approval) fabrication of the gaming terminal
having the
requested modified paytable and, finally, distribution to gaming operators.
Such a
process has typically been relatively difficult, expensive and time
consumptive with a
relatively large portion of the cost and effort being undertaken by the
fabricator. The
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difficulty and delay involved in such a process has made it infeasible to
provide the type
of flexibility desired by operators who may wish to provide new or modified
paytables
in relatively short time frames, e.g., in response to rapidly changing market
conditions,
player tastes or preferences and the like. Accordingly, it would be useful to
provide a
gaming apparatus, system and method in which operators can directly, and
preferably
relatively rapidly, create and/or obtain regulatory approval for new or
modified paytables,
preferably with little, if any, need made for involvement by the gaming
terminal
manufacturer or fabricator.
One approach is to provide a gaming terminal which has two or more paytables
for a given game, preferably previously approved by one or more gaming
jurisdictions,
which the gaming operator can select among, substantially without the need to
involve,
the gaming operator and with substantially little, if any, need for additional
regulatory
approval (in some cases, requiring only notification, to a regulatory
authority, of which
paytable has been selected). Although this approach can assist in reducing the
time
and/or cost for changing paytables for a given game, flexibility is limited
since there are
only a finite, and relatively small, number of paytables from which the
operator may
select. Typically there is no facility in such systems to allow modification
or changes to
the predefined (and, typically, preapproved) paytables. Accordingly, it would
be useful
to provide a system in which operators, preferably without the need to
substantially
involve gaming terminal manufacturers, can define new or modified paytables,
without
being restricted to selection among a plurality of predefined paytables, such
as having
the facility to change or modify prize amounts, or other values in a paytable,
preferably
providing substantially all information needed to apply for a regulatory
approval of the
new or modified paytable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect, the present invention permits and/or facilitates
gaming
operators modifying or defining a paytable for one or more gaming terminals.
Preferably,
this is implemented by providing software, preferably in one or more gaming
terminals,
which not only allows the definition or modification of paytables, but also
arranges for
carrying-out the above-described computationally-intensive process of
calculating
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information needed to apply for regulatory approval such as calculating
overall payout
and/or hold percentages for the new or modified pay out paytable. Preferably
the
definition or modification of the paytable and the calculation of the overall
payout
percentage or other regulatory information is performed substantially entirely
in the
gaming terminal, i.e., and same device which is used by players for playing
the game.
Those of skill in the art will understand how to program and/or use computers
or
microprocessors to implement processes described herein including calculating
various
values, storing values, tables, arrays and the like, after understanding the
present
disclosure.
In order to implement the invention such that paytable modifications can be
made
at the gaming terminal, the system is preferably configured such that
authentication is
required (such as inserting a key, token, password or code) in order to define
or modify
a paytable.
Preferably, the system is configured to output, in printed form or in
electronic
form, information designed to facilitate the application, to a regulatory
authority, for
approval of a new or modified paytable.
In one aspect, a gaming terminal and method are provided with which allow
casino managers or other game operators to customize paytables, including
poker
paytables. Preferably, the system can verify or assist in verifying that the
paytables
comply with one or more various standards such as regulatory standards, e.g.,
such that
the paytables are legal. In one aspect, paytable verification calculations,
such as
calculations of overall payback or hold percentages, preferably in the manner
acceptable
to regulatory authorities, are performed in the electronic gaming terminal,
e.g., using the
gaming terminal microprocessor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of components of a gaming terminal that can be used
in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a process that can be used in accordance
with
an embodiment of the present invention for planning or modifying the
paytables;
Fig. 3 illustrates a game selection display;
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S
Fig. 4 illustrates a paytable selection display;
Fig. S illustrates a paytable modification or definition display;
Fig. 6 is a flow chart depicting an overall payback percentage calculation
process
useable in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
S Fig. 7 illustrates an array for values that can be used in calculating
overall
payback percentage according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As depicted in Fig. 1, electronic gaming terminals commonly include a
microprocessor 112 coupled to a memory 114 and controlling a display 116,
e.g., for
displaying game results, as well as, typically, other items such as providing
attract
displays, game symbols or images, prize or award displays and the like, and
often
1 S providing displays assisting in set-up or maintenance tasks. Electronic
gaming terminals
typically have other components such as coin or bill acceptors or other wager
acceptors,
card readers, key or button input, touch screen input, bell or light output,
sound output,
coin or other prize output, reel or other mechanical display components and
the like.
Gaming terminals may be stand-alone, although commonly gaming terminals are
coupled
in a network, such as being coupled to one or more cluster controllers,
central computers
and the like. Networking of gaming terminals can be used for uploading or
downloading
information from or to gaming terminals, e.g., for accounting purposes,
maintenance,
updating, implementing mufti-terminal progressive or other mufti-terminal
games and the
like. In some embodiments, gaming terminals may provide ports or connectors
for
2S coupling to other computers such as laptop computers, and/or peripheral
devices such as
printers, "floppy" disks and the like.
In general, the microprocessor 112 executes stored programs, typically stored
in
programmable read only memories (PROM), electronically erasable programmable
read
only memories (EEPROM), flash memory and the like. In some gaming terminals,
some
or all programming or game parameters may be stored on hard drives or other
mass
storage devices preferably configured with one or more secure access
procedures (e.g.
hard drive write-protect circuitry, authorized access and the like).
Programming defines
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one or more games and, typically, one or more paytables for each game
determining or
defining prizes to be paid in response to various game outcomes.
In the procedure depicted in Fig. 2, the gaming terminal can be placed in a
configuration for defining or modifying paytables, beginning with providing
authorization (such as a password or code, a token such as an encoded card, a
key and the
like, or combinations thereof] which will be recognized by the microprocessor
112 as
identifying an authorized game operator 212. In response, the microprocessor
112 will
control the display 116 to show a setup display 214. Many types of setup or
maintenance
displays can be provided. In one embodiment, the system will eventuallyprovide
a game
select display 216 such as a display 312 (Fig. 3) listing some or all of the
games that can
be implemented on the gaming terminal. When the operator inputs a selection,
e.g., via
an input device 118 (which can be a device specific to setup operations or can
be an input
device which is also used during game play, such as a touch screen), the
system will
respond by displaying the paytables which are available for the selected game
218, such
as a paytable option display 412 (Fig. 4). In the illustration of Fig. 4, the
various paytable
options are labeled by the overall payback percentage provided by such
paytable,
although it is possible to provide descriptive names or labels or other
information, if
desired. The operator may select one of the paytables 222, e.g., using input
device 118.
Although, in some embodiments, the operator may choose to implement the
selected
paytable in its current state, i.e., without change or modification,
preferably the operator
may indicate a desire to modify the paytable (i.e. to change values in a
paytable before
the paytable is stored back into the memory 114), may choose to use one of the
paytables
as a basis for creating a new paytable (i.e., storing the modified paytable,
based on the
selected paytable, in addition to storing the original, unmodified selected
paytable), or,
in some embodiments, may have the option to create a new paytable "from
scratch". If
the operator indicates he or she does not wish to customize the paytable 224,
the selected
paytable will be used in subsequent gaming and the setup routine will exit to
enable
normal game play 226.
If the operator indicates an intention to, for example, modify the selected
paytable, aspects of the selected paytable are displayed 228 such as
displaying the current
winning hands of the paytable and payouts associated with the winning hands.
For
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example, in the illustration of Fig. 5, a display 512 shows a selected
paytable (in this
example the "90%" paytable) and for each of the winning hands 514a, b, the
magnitude
of the prize that will be awarded in response to each of said winning hands
514a,b. In the
example illustrated in Fig. 5, the paytable relates to a game in which users
may wager
between 1 and 5 coins, with the amount of the prize, for each winning hand,
depending
on the number of coins wagered.
As noted above, for certain types of games, such as, e.g. five card draw
poker, the
outcomes which are considered "winning" outcomes are established (byregulation
and/or
tradition) and typically cannot be changed by the operator. In other
embodiments, it may
be permitted for an operator to change which outcomes are considered winning
outcomes.
In the illustrated embodiment, the operator may modify the paytable, e.g., by
providing
input through input device 118 indicating a new value desired as one or more
of the prize
values of the paytable 512. For example, when the input device 118 is a touch
screen
device displaying various prize values, an operator may select the value to
modify, by
1 S touching the value. In response, the system will display a (simulated)
numeric key pad
so that the operator can select the desired digits by pressing (simulated)
keys. In other
embodiments, the system may be configured such that the operator is presented
with a
plurality of choices for prize values, which the operator may select among.
In some embodiments, the system may provide instructions or prompt for input
of the prize (or other paytable component) changes 232. Other manners in which
the
system can be configured to assist in entry or modification of paytable values
will be
apparent to those of skill in the art after understanding the present
disclosure. Preferably,
the operator has an option to indicate that he or she has completed making
desired
paytable entries. If desired, the system can perform certain integrity or
regulatory checks.
For example, the system may check the proposed newer or modified paytable to
assure
that there are no instances when a relatively larger prize is provided for a
outcome
having a first frequency, compared to a prize having a smaller frequency of
occurrence.
The system can verify there are no instances in which, for a given winning
outcome, a
larger prize is awarded for a first number of coins-bet compared to the prize
for a larger
number of coins-bet. The system may provide certain data validity checks (in
some cases
without the need for performing the detailed overall payout percentage
calculation
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described below), e.g. identifying that the paytable is not likely to provide
overall
payback within certain thresholds (such as providing an overall payback which
is not
within a regulatory-allowed range and/or which provides a negative hold (i.e.,
a overall
payback percentage in excess of 100%). Preferably, if the proposed paytable
passes such
integrity checks (if any), the system (preferably automatically) begins
calculating
information that may be needed or desired for applying for regulatory approval
and/or to
assure that payback percentages fall within a range defined by the casino or
other game
operator, e.g. to assist in deciding whether to implement the proposed
paytable, such as
by calculating the overall payout (and/or hold) percentage 234, e.g., using a
procedure
similar to that depicted in Fig. 6. By "automatic," in this context, it is
meant that the
system can perform the calculations without the need for further substantive
information
(i.e., substantive information other than defining or modifying entries in the
paytable),
although the system may prompt for, or require, input of non-substantive
information
(information not logically required for conducting the computations such as
entry of a
proposed name or identifier for the paytable, entry of a request to commence
computations and the like).
In the particular embodiment depicted in Fig. 6, calculation is described with
respect to a five card draw poker game, although those of skill in the art
will understand
how to provide for appropriate calculations for at least some other types of
games. In the
embodiment depicted in Fig. 6, all possible pre-draw poker hands are retrieved
from
memory (or, if desired, or calculated) 612. For five card draw poker, this
will involve a
list of all possible ways to select five cards out of 52 cards. Depending on
implementation, the system can be configured to consider, as unique, only
combinatorically unique hands, or can be configured to consider, as unique,
all hands
including those possible hands which differ only in the order of the cards. In
either case,
the number of possible hands is large, such as approaching three million. In a
combinatorics sense, the number of hands possible pre-draw hands can be
expressed by
n!
(1)
where n = number of cards in the deck
r = number of cards in a hand
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In response to a pre-draw hand, a player may choose to discard, and receive
"replacement" draw cards, for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 of the pre-draw cards.
Typically, the
game is configured to precisely simulate physical cards and accordingly none
of the
drawn cards can be a card which was in the pre-draw hand (or can be one of the
previous
"replacement" cards). However, for each of the (large number of) pre-draw
hands, there
is a large number of ways to form a post-draw hand. In a combinatorics sense,
the
possible number of post-draw hands can be expressed as
n~ ' (n r)~ ( )
1+~ 2
n! (n- r)! k=, k! (n- r - k)!
This represents a number which is so large that it may be infeasible and not
cost-
effective, to store all possible post-draw hands in table form. However, it is
believed that
some regulatory jurisdiction require the express specification of all possible
outcomes (as
opposed to, e.g., calculating on the basis of a stored table of percentages of
frequencies
of various winning outcomes) to apply for and/or achieve regulatory approval.
Accordingly, in at least one embodiment of the invention, the post-draw
possible hands
are calculated (rather than stored) 614.
In one embodiment, in order to calculate the overall payback percentage,
payback-
related information is calculated, and stored, e.g., in an array 712 (Fig. 7)
for each
number of possible discard/draw cards, for each possible pre-draw hand. The
winnings,
in this manner, are calculated under the proposed customized (modified or new)
paytable
616. In general, regulatory authorities require calculation in which the
payback
percentage assumes that the plays and winning outcomes are random. Thus, the
system,
in one embodiment, will include a calculation of the various post-draw hands
that can
result, even when the pre-draw hand is, e.g. a royal flush (where it is highly
unlikely the
player will discard any cards). In one embodiment, the present invention can
be
configured to also perform a calculation (e.g., for use by the casino operator
in evaluating
whether the casino operator wishes to implement a particular paytable) which
takes into
account factors such as the low probability that a player will discard any
cards from a pre-
draw hand which is a royal flush or similar desirable hand, and the like.
Accordingly, in
one embodiment the system may include a step (e.g., for providing results to
be used by
the game operator, rather than by the regulatory authority) which multiplies
expected
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winnings by a weighting factor to account for probable player behavior 618
such as by
multiplying all post-draw winnings arising from non-zero draws based on a
royal flush
(or similar desirable) pre-draw hand by a low or zero value or weighting
factor).
A number of ways of calculating the overall payback percentage can be used. In
5 the example illustrated in Fig. 6, the system calculates 622 a sum of the
winnings for all
the considered post-draw hands, on a per-wager basis (e.g., divided by the
number or
value of coins wagered), divided by the number of post-draw hands. As will be
clear to
those of skill in the art after understanding the present disclosure, because
of the very
large numbers involved (e.g., as expressed in Equation 2), care must be taken
to assure
10 that sufficient accuracy is retained (such as avoiding, or accounting for,
storage or
calculations involving very large or very small numbers, to avoid rounding
errors,
truncation, and the like). Additionally, because of the relatively large
number of
computations that are needed, e.g., in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 6,
preferably the
system is configured to perform the calculations efficiently (e.g., using
array processing,
vector or pipeline processing and similar programming techniques) so that the
calculations can be performed in a reasonable amount of time. In one
embodiment, the
calculations 234 are performed, e.g., using the microprocessor 112, in less
than about 1
hour, preferably less than about 20 minutes, more preferably less than about
10 minutes.
After performing the calculations 234, the results are preferably screened to
identify whether the proposed paytable meets various criteria such as overall
payout
limitations or other parameters, e.g., set by regulatory jurisdictions 236,
casino operators
or the like. Other tests or comparisons can be made such as data integrity
tests and the
like, if desired. Preferably, if the proposed paytable violates certain,
preferably
predefined, limits or tests, the system displays the violation and prompts
for, or in some
embodiments, suggests, additional paytable revisions 238 with the thus-revised
proposed
paytables being, again, subj ected to the described calculation 234. If
desired, the system
may prompt the operator to input a name or label for the new paytable and save
the new
paytable, e.g., to memory 114 preferably adding the new paytable to a list of
available
paytable options 242 so that it can be displayed (e.g., in a display similar
to display 412)
in a fashion permitting the operator to select the new paytable.
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Preferably, the system will output information, e.g., using output device 122
(such
as printing, recording on magnetic disk and the like) which can be used for
applying for
or obtaining regulatory approval for the new paytable 244. It is also possible
to
implement embodiments of the invention in which approval is requested or
provided (at
least partially) electronically. For example, approval may be requested by
communicating the paytable and related information to a remote (host) computer
(e.g. a
computer of a regulatory agency), where approval can be made. For example
information
can be sent across a network (e.g. a local area network, a wide area network,
a satellite
link, a secure Internet link and the like) to a system designated by a
regulatory agency for
approving changes. If approved an authorization can be sent back to authorize
and/or
enable use of the change.
In one embodiment, the information defining the new paytable is output 246
(and/or stored in a fashion for later output or transfer, such as by recording
on magnetic
disk and the like). In this way, preferably after the new paytable has
received regulatory
approval, the new paytable may be loaded into a plurality of other gaming
terminals (e.g.,
without the need for performing manual paytable modification or entry steps
232, in each
and every terminal where the new paytable is to be implemented. However, in
other
embodiments it may be desired to require manual entry of paytable information
232
and/or calculation 234 in each terminal before a paytable is modified or
added, e.g., to
more securely assure regulatory compliance and/or in situations where it is
more likely
that paytables will be individualized to each terminal.
In some embodiments, the newly-defined paytable will be locked (marked as
unavailable for use) at least until such time as information is stored in the
terminal
unlocking the paytable and/or indicating that regulatory approval has been
achieved. For
example, locking and/or unlocking 248 can assist in avoiding inadvertent
and/or
unauthorized implementation of a paytable (e.g. prior to regulatory approval).
In any
case, after the paytable is available, e.g. in one or more paytable option
displays 412, an
operator may select a new paytable 252, before returning the terminal to
enable normal
play 226.
In light of the above description a number of advantages of the invention can
be
seen. The invention makes it practical and feasible for operators to modify or
define
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paytables for games, including draw poker and other card games, substantially
without
the need to involve the game apparatus manufacturer or fabricator. The present
invention
can be configured to provide the calculation and output used or needed for
applying for
and/or obtaining regulatory approval for new paytables. The present invention
can
provide for automatic calculation, e.g., such that the new paytable can be
defined by the
operator having only knowledge of paytable definitions, and without the need
for
operator knowledge of programming, probabilities, combinatorics and the like.
The
present invention is preferably provided in gaming terminals so that a game
operator can
modify or design paytables by using substantially only the gaming terminal,
without the
need to purchase or use other computers or facilities. By arranging to have
the
computationally intensive calculations performed using the computers of the
casino or
other gaming operator, and preferably using the gaming terminal itself (as
opposed to
using computers of, e.g., the gaming terminal manufacturer or fabricator), the
burden of
such computations is distributed, and is born by the gaming operator rather
than the
apparatus manufacturer. By configuring a system in which the overall payback
percentage or similar calculations are performed substantially automatically
in response
to input of a new or modified paytable, i.e., without requiring programming,
other data
or parameter input or calculation or any other substantive steps, other than
entering or
modifying values in a paytable, it becomes feasible for the steps to be
performed by the
operator, who thus does not need to have specialized knowledge of probability,
combinatorics and/or computer programming.
A number of variations and modifications of the invention can be used. Some
features of the invention can be used without using others. For example, it is
possible to
implement configurations in which a gaming terminal apparatus allows the
creation or
modification of paytable data but in which some or all calculations for
regulatory
approval are not performed in the gaming terminal (such as being performed on
other
computers or at other locations). The present invention can be implemented
using
procedures which are different from, or have more steps or fewer steps or
performs steps
in different order, from those described above. For example, a procedure can
prompt for
a paytable name 242 prior to calculating overall payout 234. Although one
fashion of
calculating overall payout percentages has been described (e.g., Fig. 6).
Other manners
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of making such calculation will be clear to those of skill in the art after
understanding the
present disclosure. Although embodiments have been described in which the
definition
of a paytable or modification, and/or calculation of overall payback
percentages or other
regulatory information are performed within the gaming terminal, it is
possible, either
S during such definition calculation, or at a different time, to perform some
or all of these
calculations in other computers, such as computers networked to the gaming
terminal or
which may otherwise be coupled to or communicate with the gaming terminal for
performing one or both of these functions. Although the invention has been
described
in connection with a draw poker game, the invention can be used in connection
with
paytables for other games including 21, rummy or other card games, and/or in
connection
with non-card games such as keno, roulette, wheel of fortune or other wheel
games, slot
machine games, and the like. In some embodiments, the system can be configured
to
assist in entering paytable values such as by automatically inserting certain
calculated or
default values. For example, in one embodiment, the system may be configured
such
that, by default, a change in a prize value with respect to a given number of
coins that (for
a particular winning outcome) will automatically insert value changes for the
other coins-
bet positions (for the same winning outcome) such as so as to maintain the
same
magnitude proportion of prizes among the various coins-bet categories (for the
particular
winning outcome). Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented to
provide
a computer system providing verification of paytables and, e.g. transferring
that
information to the gaming terminal. Additionally, paytable information can be
sent from
a gaming terminal or other local (e.g. casino) site to a host (e.g. remote)
computer for
verification and/or authorization before the paytable is (or can be) enabled
on the gaming
terminal. In some embodiments, once a paytable has been verified, the system
can
provide for secure replication of the verified paytable for distribution to a
plurality of
gaming terminals.
The present invention, in various embodiments, includes components, methods,
processes, systems andlor apparatus substantially as depicted and described
herein,
including various embodiments, subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Those of
skill in
the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after
understanding the
present disclosure. The present invention, in various embodiments, includes
providing
CA 02384385 2002-03-08
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14
devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described
herein or in
various embodiments hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have
been
used in previous devices or processes, e.g. for improving performance,
achieving ease
and\or reducing cost of implementation. The present invention includes items
which are
novel, and terminology adapted from previous and/or analogous technologies,
for
convenience in describing novel items or processes, do not necessarily retain
all aspects
of conventional usage of such terminology.
The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the
invention to the
form or forms disclosed herein. Although the description of the invention has
included
description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and
modifications, other
variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g. as
may be within
the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present
disclosure.
It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the
extent
permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures,
functions,
ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate,
interchangeable and/or
equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and
without
intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
