Patent Publication Number: US-11651661-B2

Title: Gaming machine and methods of allowing a player to play gaming machines having replaceable reels

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/836,843, filed Aug. 26, 2015, which claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2014224114, filed on Sep. 12, 2014, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     The figures included herein contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of this patent document as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but reserves all copyrights whatsoever in the subject matter presented herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to gaming machines and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for allowing players to play gaming machines having replaceable reels. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gaming machines, such as slot machines, are a cornerstone of the gaming industry. At least some known gaming machines include a video display device to display a reel game that includes a plurality of reels, wherein each reel includes a plurality of symbols. During game play, the gaming machine accepts a wager from a player, the player selects one or more paylines, and the gaming machine spins the reels and sequentially stops each reel to display the generated combination of symbols on the reels. The gaming machine then awards the player an award based on the combination of symbols orientated along the selected payline. 
     At least some known gaming machines display bonus games that include additional free spins, wild symbols, and/or increased award values. However, these known bonus games do not increase the probability of achieving a winning outcome and do not provide the players with a visual indication that the probability of winning has been increased. Over time, the player may become frustrated with known bonus games because of the probability of achieving an award may not be improved and/or the player is not aware that the probability of winning has increased. Accordingly, new features are necessary to appeal to player interest and enhance excitement in order to entice longer play and increased profitability. The present invention is directed to satisfying these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a gaming device for providing an award to a player is provided. The gaming device includes a display device, a user input device configured to generate a signal indicative of a player&#39;s selection input, and a controller that is coupled to the display device and the user input device. The controller is configured to display a game on the display device including a plurality of reels being displayed within a grid. Each of the plurality of reels includes a plurality of symbol positions that are each being displayed with a corresponding symbol. The controller randomly generates a first outcome and spins and stops the plurality of reels to display the first outcome. The controller also detects a triggering condition with the first outcome and responsively selects at least one reel of the plurality of reels and replaces the selected reel with a replacement reel. The replacement reel includes a number of symbol positions being displayed in the grid that is less than a number of symbol positions included with the selected reel. The controller randomly generates a second outcome, spins and stops the plurality of reels including the replacement reel to display the second outcome, and provides an award to the player as a function of the second outcome. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing an award to a player is provided. The method includes receiving a wager from a player and responsively displaying a game on a display device. The game includes a plurality of reels being displayed within a grid. Each of the reels includes a plurality of symbol positions each being displayed with a corresponding symbol. The method includes randomly generating a first outcome and spinning and stopping the plurality of reels to display the first outcome. The method also includes detecting a triggering condition with the first outcome and responsively selecting at least one reel of the plurality of reels and replacing the selected reel with a replacement reel. The selected reel includes a first number of symbol positions. The replacement reel includes a number of symbol positions being displayed in the grid that is less than a number of symbol positions included with the selected reel. The method includes randomly generating a second outcome, spinning and stopping the plurality of reels including the replacement reel to display the second outcome, and providing an award to the player as a function of the second outcome. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon, is provided. The computer-executable instructions cause a processor to display a game on a display device including a plurality of reels being displayed within a grid. Each of the plurality of reels includes a plurality of symbol positions being displayed with a corresponding symbol. The processor randomly generates a first outcome and spins and stops the plurality of reels to display the first outcome. The processor detects a triggering condition with the first outcome and responsively selects at least one reel of the plurality of reels and replaces the selected reel with a replacement reel. The replacement reel includes a number of symbol positions being displayed in the grid that is less than a number of symbol positions included with the selected reel. The processor randomly generates a second outcome, spins and stops the plurality of reels including the replacement reel to display the second outcome, and provides an award to the player as a function of the second outcome. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an exemplary device for use in providing an award to a player, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic representation of a gaming controller that may be used with the gaming device shown in  FIG.  1   , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a flowchart of a method that may be used with the gaming device shown in  FIG.  1    for providing an award to a player, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS.  4 - 6    are exemplary entertaining graphical display of a game screen including a slot-type game that may be displayed on the gaming device shown in  FIG.  1    during the method shown in  FIG.  3   , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS.  7 - 14    are series of graphical displays of the slot game shown in  FIGS.  4 - 6   , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic view of a gaming system that may be used for providing an award to a player, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to the drawings and in operation, the present invention overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of known gaming machines by providing a gaming device that displays a game including a bonus feature event that includes a replacement reel. More specifically, the gaming device displays a game including a plurality of reels, detects a triggering condition in a game outcome, replaces one or more of the reels with the replacement reel that displays fewer symbols than the selected reels, and provides an award based on an outcome that includes the replacement reel. By providing a replacement reel that displays fewer game symbols, the probability of achieving a winning outcome is increased, the player&#39;s expectation for achieving a win is increased, and the enjoyment of the game is improved. Thus, the amount of time that the game is played by patrons of a gaming establishment is thereby increased. 
     In general, the present invention includes a gaming device  10  that is configured to provide a base game that includes a plurality of reels displayed with 3-3-3-6-6 symbol arrangement and includes a bonus feature event that replaces one or more reels with a replacement reel that displays fewer symbols in the symbol arrangement. The gaming device  10  evaluates wins from the left most reel to the right in any positions on adjacent reels. In one embodiment, during the bonus feature event, the gaming device  10  may fuse Reel 4 and Reel 5 together to visually show as 1 reel with 3 large positions (a “3-3-3-3” arrangement shown in  FIGS.  5  and  7   ). In addition, the gaming device  10  may fuse Reel 1, Reel 2 and Reel 3 together to visually show as 1 reel with 1 large position (a “1-6-6” symbol arrangement shown in  FIG.  9   ). In addition, in one embodiment, the gaming device  10  may fuse Reel 1, Reel 2, and Reel 3 together to visually show as 1 reel with 1 large positions and fuse Reel 4 and Reel 5 together to visually show as 1 reel with 3 large positions (a “1-3” symbol arrangement shown in  FIG.  10   ) 
     Primary Game Rules: In one embodiment, the game may include symbols such as SCATTER, WILD, PIC-A, PIC-B, PIC-C, PIC-D, A, K, Q, J, 10 and 9. WILD substitutes for PIC-A, PIC-B, PIC-C, PIC-D, A, K, Q, J and 10. Each reel contains a number of adjacent special positions that may be randomly replaced with one of the following symbols: WILD, PIC-A, PIC-B, PIC-C, PIC-D, A, K, Q, J, and 10. All the symbols have the possibility to appear on every reel. The wins are on adjacent reels from left to right, starting with the leftmost reel. 3, 4, and 5 SCATTER awards 8, 15, and 50 free games respectively. 
     Bonus Feature Event Rules: In one embodiment, the bonus feature event may be triggered by mystery and is chosen before the start of the game. Once triggered, Reel 4 and Reel 5 fuse together to visually show as 1 reel with 3 large positions. Reels 4 and 5 will visually be shown as 1 giant reel that shows 3 giant symbols in the window. Then Reel 1 will synchronize with the new large Reel. Each symbol in the Giant position will be placed into the 4 corresponding primary positions after the reels have stopped. Reel 1 and the new Giant Reel 4 will display the same symbols. 
     During the bonus feature event, the gaming device  10  may generate 3 random numbers that will determine what reel positions will appear on Reel 1, Reel 2 and Reel 3. The top 2 positions on Reel 4 and Reel 5 will display the symbol that appears at the top position on Reel 1. The middle 2 positions on Reel 4 and Reel 5 will display the symbol that appears at the middle position on Reel 1. The bottom 2 positions on Reel 4 and Reel 5 will display the symbol that appears at the bottom position on Reel 1. 
     In one embodiment, Reel 1, Reel 4 and Reel 5 will spin and stop at the same time, while showing exactly the sequence of symbols as it spins and stops. No Giant symbols are used. In another embodiment, current Reel 4 and Reel 5 will be replaced with a new Giant reel. The top position on the new Giant reel will occupy the same space as the top 2 positions on both Reel 4 and Reel 5. The middle position on the new Giant reel will occupy the same space as the middle 2 positions on both Reel 4 and Reel 5. The bottom position on the new Giant reel will occupy the same space as the bottom 2 positions on both Reel 4 and Reel 5. Reel 1 and the new Giant reel will spin and stop at the same time, while showing exactly the sequence of symbols as it spins and stops. Each Giant symbol will transform into 4 smaller symbols that will be placed in the corresponding positions on the previous Reel 4 and Reel 5 
     A selected embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following description of the embodiment of the present invention is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an exemplary gaming device  10  for providing an award to a player, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  2    is a schematic representation of a gaming controller  12  that may be used with the gaming device  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming device  10  includes a display device  14  for displaying a plurality of games, a user input device  16  to enable a player to interface with the gaming device  10 , and a gaming controller  12  that is operatively coupled to the display device  14  and the user input device  16  to enable a player to play games being displayed on the display device  14 . In one embodiment, the gaming device  10  may include a gaming machine installed in a casino. In another embodiment, the gaming device  10  may include a personal computer, laptop, cell phone, smartphone, tablet computer, personal data assistant, and/or any suitable computing device. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming device  10  also includes a cabinet assembly  18  that is configured to support the display device  14 , the user input device  16 , and/or the gaming controller  12  from a gaming stand  20  and/or a supporting surface. The display device  14  and the user input device  16  are each coupled to the cabinet assembly  18  and are each accessible by the player. In one embodiment, the gaming controller  12  is positioned within the cabinet assembly  18 . Alternatively, the gaming controller  12  may be separated from the cabinet assembly  18 , and connected to components of the gaming device  10  through a network such as, for example, a LAN, a WAN, dial-in-connections, cable modems, wireless modems, and/or special high-speed ISDN lines. For example, in one embodiment, the gaming controller  12  may be located remotely with respect to the gaming device  10 , or within one of the gaming device cabinet assembly  18 . 
     The user input device  16  includes a plurality of input buttons  22 , a coin slot  24 , and/or a bill acceptor  26 . The coin slot  24  includes an opening that is configured to receive coins and/or tokens deposited by the player into the gaming device  10 . The gaming controller  12  converts a value of the coins and/or tokens to a corresponding amount of gaming credits that are used by the player to wager on games played on the gaming device  10 . 
     The bill acceptor  26  includes an input and output device that is configured to accept a bill, a ticket, and/or a cash card into the bill acceptor  26  to enable an amount of gaming credits associated with a monetary value of the bills, ticket, and/or cash card to be credited to the gaming device  10 . Moreover, the gaming device  10  may also utilize a cashless wagering system (not shown), such as a ticket in ticket out (TITO) system (not shown). In one embodiment, the bill acceptor  26  also includes a printer (not shown) that is configured to dispense a printed voucher ticket that includes information indicative of an amount of credits and/or money paid out to the player by the gaming device  10  during a gaming session. The voucher ticket may be used at other gaming devices, or redeemed for cash, and/or other items as part of a casino cashless system (not shown). 
     A coin hopper  28  is coupled to the cabinet assembly  18  and is configured to receive a plurality of coins that are dispensed from the gaming device  10 . One or more speakers  30  are installed inside the cabinet assembly  18  to generate voice announcements and/or sound effects associated with game play. The gaming device  10  also includes one or more lighting devices  32  that are configured to blink and/or change brightness and color in specific patterns to produce lighting effects to enhance a visual gaming experience for the player. 
     In one embodiment, the input buttons  22  include a plurality of BET switches  34  for inputting a wager on a game, a plurality of selection switches  36  for selecting a betting line, a payline, and/or card, a MAXBET switch  38  for inputting a maximum wager, a PAYOUT switch  40  for ending a gaming session and dispensing accumulated gaming credits to the player, and a start switch, i.e., a SPIN/DEAL button  42  to initiate an output of a game. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the BET switches  34  include five switches from 1BET to 5BET to enable a player to wager between a minimum bet up to 5× minimum bet. Each selection switch  36  corresponds to a betting line such as, for example, a payline and/or symbol for a reel game, one or more cards for a card game, and/or a symbol for a roulette game, to enable a player to associate a wager with one or more betting lines. The MAXBET switch  38  enables a player to input the maximum bet that a player can spend against one play of a game. The PAYOUT switch  40  enables a player to receive the amount of money and/or credits awarded to the player during a gaming session, which has been credited onto the gaming device  10 . 
     The gaming device  10  also includes a player tracking device  44  that is coupled to the gaming controller  12  for identifying the player and/or a player tracking account that is associated with the player. The player tracking account may include, but is not limited to, gaming credits available to the player for use in playing the gaming device  10 . The player tracking device  44  is configured to communicate player account information between a player tracking controller (not shown) and the gaming device  10 . For example, the player tracking device  44  may be used to track bonus points and/or credits awarded to the player during a gaming session and/or track bonus and/or credits downloaded to the gaming device  10  from the player tracking system. In the illustrated embodiment, the player tracking controller assigns a player status, e.g. a player ranking, based on the player account information. For example, the player tracking information may include, but is not limited to, a frequency in which the player plays a game, the average wager the player makes per play of a game, a total amount wagered by the player over a predefined period of time, and/or any other suitable player tracking information. 
     The player tracking device  44  is coupled to the gaming cabinet assembly  18  and includes a player identification card reader  46 , a data display  48 , and a keypad  50 . The player identification card reader  46  is configured to accept a player tracking card (not shown) inserted by the player, and read information contained on the player tracking card to identify the player account information. The player identification card reader  46  may include, but is not limited to, a barcode reader, a magnetic card reader, and/or a radio frequency identification (RFID) card reader. The keypad  50  is configured to accept a user selection input such as, for example, a unique player personal identification number (PIN) to facilitate enabling the gaming device  10  to identify the player, and access player account information associated with the identified player to be displayed on the data display  48 . In one embodiment, the data display  48  includes a touchscreen panel that includes the keypad  50 . Alternatively, the data display  48  and the keypad  50  may be included in the display device  14 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the display device  14  is configured to display a game  52  on a game screen  54  (shown in  FIGS.  4 - 14   ) including indicia and/or symbols for use in the game  52 , e.g., cards used by a card game, roulette wheel and symbols used in a roulette game, reels used in a reel game and/or any suitable symbols and images for use in displaying a game. The game  52  may include any type of game including, but not limited to, a role-playing game, a puzzle game, a maze-type game, a video slot game, a keno game, a blackjack game, a video poker game, or any type of game which allows a player to make a wager, play a game, and potentially provide the player an award based on an outcome of the game and a paytable. In one embodiment, the display device  14  may include a first display  56  and a second display  58 . Moreover, each display  56  and  58  may be configured to display at least a portion of the game screen  54  and/or game play instructions. In one embodiment, the first display  56 , and/or the second display  58  may include a flat panel display, such as a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode display (LED), an organic light-emitting diode display (OLED), an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode display (AMOLED), a plasma display, and/or any suitable visual output device capable of displaying graphical data and/or text to a user. Alternatively, a single component, such as a touch screen, may function as both the display device  14  and as the user input device  16 . In an alternative embodiment, the first display  56  and/or the second display  58  may include a plurality of mechanical reels displaying a plurality of game symbols. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , in one embodiment, the gaming controller  12  may include a processor, i.e., a central processing unit (CPU)  60 , a credit module  62 , a player selection module  64 , a payout module  66 , a random-number generator (RNG)  68 , a lighting module  70 , a sound module  72 , a display module  74 , a game module  76 , a bonus feature module  78 , a memory device  80 , and a database  82 . The memory device  80  includes a computer readable medium, such as, without limitation, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a diskette, a flash drive, a compact disc, a digital video disc, and/or any suitable device that enables the CPU  60  to store, retrieve, and/or execute instructions and/or data. 
     The CPU  60  executes various programs, and thereby controls other components of the gaming controller  12  according to player instructions and data accepted by the user input device  16 . The CPU  60  in particular executes a game program, and thereby conducts a game in accordance with the embodiments described herein. The memory device  80  stores programs and databases used by the CPU  60 . Moreover, the memory device  80  stores and retrieves information in the database  82  including, but not limited to, wagers, wager amounts, average wagers per game, a game type, awards, type of awards, a number of reels associated with a game, a number of symbols being displayed on each reel, replacement reels, image data for producing game images and/or screens on the display device  14 , and temporarily stores variables, parameters, and the like that are used by the CPU  60 . In addition, the memory device  80  stores indicia, symbol weights, symbol values, paytables, and/or winning combination tables which represent relationships between combinations of random numbers and types of awards. In one embodiment, the memory device  80  utilizes RAM to temporarily store programs and data necessary for the progress of the game, and EPROM to store, in advance, programs and data for controlling basic operation of the gaming device  10 , such as the booting operation thereof. 
     The credit module  62  manages the amount of player&#39;s credits, which is equivalent to the amount of coins and bills counted and validated by the bill acceptor  26 . The player selection module  64  monitors player selections received through the user input device  16 , and accepts various instructions and data that a player enters through the user input device  16 . The payout module  66  converts a player&#39;s credits to coins, bills, or other monetary data by using the coin hopper  28  and/or for use in dispensing a credit voucher via the bill acceptor  26 . 
     The lighting module  70  controls one or more lighting devices  32  to blink and/or change brightness and color in specific patterns in order to produce lighting effects associated with game play. The sound module  72  controls the speakers  30  to output voice announcements and sound effects during game play. 
     The display module  74  controls the display device  14  to display various images on a graphical interface including the game screen  54  preferably by using computer graphics and image data stored in the memory device  80 . More specifically, the display module  74  controls video reels being displayed with the game  52  and game symbols and images being displayed in the game screen  54  being displayed on the first display  56  and/or the second display  58  by using computer graphics and the image data. In another embodiment, the display device  14  includes a plurality of mechanical reels. The display module  74  may be configured to control a rotation of each of the plurality of mechanical reels to spin and stop each reel to display a game outcome. 
     The RNG  68  generates and outputs random numbers to the CPU  60  preferably at the start of each round of a game. The CPU  60  uses the random numbers to determine an outcome of the games. For example, if the game is a video slot game, the CPU  60  uses the RNG  68  to randomly select an arrangement of symbols to be displayed on video reels. Moreover, the CPU  60  generally uses random numbers generated by the RNG  68  to play the games and to determine whether or not to provide an award to a player. In one embodiment, the CPU  60  may also use the random numbers to determine a stop position of each reel for use in stopping each of a plurality of mechanical reels and/or video reels being displayed in the display device  14  to display the game outcome. The CPU  60  may also receive combinations of random numbers from the RNG  68  and compare the generated combinations with winning combinations stored in the winning combination table to determine if the generated outcome is a winning outcome that is associated with a type of award. In general, the term “award” may be a payout, in terms of credits or money. Thus, the CPU  60  may award a regular payout in response to the outcome of the game  52 . However, it should be noted that the term award may also refer to other types of awards, including, prizes, e.g., meals, show tickets, etc. . . . , as well as in-game award, such as bonus features, free games, and/or free spins, or awarding the player one or more wild symbols or stacked wild symbols in each of the games. 
     The game module  76  includes a game program for use in executing the game  52  being displayed on the display device  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the game  52  is a video slot game. However, it should be noted that the game  52  may be any type of game upon which a player could make a wager including, but not limited to a keno game, a blackjack game, a video poker game, or any type of game that enables the gaming controller  12  to function as described herein. During play of the game  52 , the game module  76  retrieves image data from the database  82  and displays the game  52  on the game screen  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, the game module  76  displays the game  52  including a plurality of reels  84 . Each of the reels  84  includes a plurality of symbol positions  86  that are each displayed with a game symbol  88 . The game module  76  receives one or more wagers from the player via the user input device  16 , responsively generates and outcome of the game  52 , determines if the game outcome is a winning outcome, and provides an award to the player, if any, as a function of game outcome and the wager. Moreover, the game module  76  receives one or more random numbers from the RNG  68 , determines an outcome of the game  52  as a function of the received random numbers, and spins and stops the reels  84  to display the outcome of the game  52  on the display device  14 . 
     The bonus feature module  78  includes a game program for use in executing a bonus feature event  90  (shown in  FIG.  5   ) during the game  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bonus feature module  78  is configured to display the bonus feature event  90  including selecting one or more reels  84  being displayed with the game  52  and replacing the selected reels  84  with a replacement reel  92 , and generating another game outcome including the replacement reel  92 . In one embodiment, the replacement reel  92  includes a number of symbol positions  86  that is less than the number of symbol positions  86  being displayed in the selected reels  84 . Thus reducing the amount of game symbols  88  being displayed during the bonus feature event  90  and increasing the probability of achieving a winning outcome. In addition, the bonus feature module  78  may also split the replacement reel  92  into two or more secondary replacement reels  94  (shown in  FIG.  6   ) that include groups of symbol positions that display the same symbols that were displayed with the replacement reel  92 . For example, in one embodiment, during the bonus feature event  90 , the bonus feature module  78  may select a set of reels  84  displayed during a first outcome of the game  52 , replace the set of reels  84  with the replacement reel  92 , randomly generate a second outcome including the replacement reel  92 , and spin and stop the reels  84  to display the outcome. The bonus feature module  78  may also split the replacement reel  92  into a plurality of secondary replacement reels  94 , and determine a third outcome of the game  52  as a function of the secondary replacement reels  94  and provide an award to the player based on the third game outcome. Each of the secondary replacement reels  94  may include one or more groups  96  of symbol positions  86  that each correspond to one of the symbol positions  86  displayed with the replacement reel  92  such that each symbol position  86  in a group displays the same symbol  88  that was displayed in the corresponding symbol position  86  of the replacement reel  92 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the bonus feature module  78  detects a triggering condition occurring with the game  52  and initiates the bonus feature event  90  in response to detecting the triggering condition. In one embodiment, the triggering condition may be a mystery trigger condition that may occur after any bought game and/or any game outcome initiated based on a wager received from the player. For example, in one embodiment, the gaming controller  12  may randomly select a bonus event number from a predefined range of numbers. Upon receiving a wager from the player, the gaming controller  12  may also randomly select a primary game number from the predefined range of numbers and initiate the bonus feature event if the primary game number matches the bonus event number. At the completion of the bonus feature event, the gaming controller  12  randomly selects another bonus event number from the predefined set of numbers for use in initiating a subsequent bonus feature event. If the primary game number does not match the bonus event number, the gaming controller  12  randomly selects another primary game number when another wager is received from the player. In another embodiment, the gaming controller  12  may detect the triggering condition based on the appearance of one or more predefined game symbols, for example a scatter symbol, and/or a predefined combination of game symbols appearing in one or more game outcomes. In addition, the triggering condition may be detected as a function of the amount of a current wager, a cumulative amount of wagers placed by the player, a level of play, player ranking, and/or any suitable triggering condition that enables the gaming controller  12  to function as described herein. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the bonus feature module  78  includes a reel selection unit  98  and a symbol selection unit  100 . During the bonus feature event  90 , the reel selection unit  98  selects one or more reels  84  to be replaced by the replacement reel  92 . Moreover, the reel selection unit  98  may select one or more sets of reels  84  that are replaced by one or more replacement reels  92 . In one embodiment, the reel selection unit  98  receives a random number from the RNG  68  and randomly selects the reels  84  and/or reel sets as a function of the received random number. In another embodiment, the reel selection unit  98  may select a predefined reel and/or a predefined set of reels to be replaced by the replacement reel  92 . In addition, the reel selection unit  98  may also select the number of secondary replacement reels  94  that are split from the replacement reel  92 . In one embodiment, the reel selection unit  98  may select one or more reels  84  based on the appearance of a triggering symbol on the corresponding reel  84  in an outcome of the game  52 . 
     The symbol selection unit  100  selects the number of symbol positions  86  being displayed with the replacement reel  92  and selects the game symbols  88  that are being displayed in each symbol position  86 . For example, in one embodiment, the symbol selection unit  100  may determine the number of symbol positions  86  being displayed with the replacement reel  92  based on the number of symbol positions  86  being displayed in the selected reels  84 . In another embodiment, the symbol selection unit  100  may randomly select the number of symbol positions  86  being displayed with the replacement reel  92 . In one embodiment, the symbol selection unit  100  may select a second reel  84  and determine the number of symbol positions  86  being displayed with the replacement reel  92  based on the number of symbol positions  86  displayed with the selected second reel  84 . In addition, the symbol selection unit  100  may determine the game symbols  88  being displayed with the second reel  84  including an order in which the game symbols  88  and being displayed, and display the same symbols  88  in corresponding symbol positions  86  of the replacement reel  92  to facilitate synchronizing a display of the selected second reel  84  and the replacement reel  92  during the bonus feature event  90 . 
     The symbol selection unit  100  may also determine a number of symbol positions  86  being displayed on each secondary replacement reel  94  as a function of the number of symbol positions  86  being displayed on the replacement reel  92 . In addition, the symbol selection unit  100  may also randomly select the number of symbol positions  86  being displayed with the secondary replacement reels  94 . 
     In one embodiment, the replacement reel  92  may include at least one run  102  of consecutive special symbol positions  104  (shown in  FIG.  11   ) that each include a similar game symbol  88 . During the bonus feature event  90 , the symbol selection unit  100  may randomly select a game symbol  88  from a predefined set of symbols, and display the selected game symbol  88  in each of the special symbol positions  104  such that each special symbol position  104  displays the selected game symbol  88 . In one embodiment, the symbol selection unit  100  may select a plurality of similar symbols and/or a plurality of associated symbols such as, for example, a set of special symbols included in a category of special symbols, for display in each special symbol position  104 . For example, the predefined set of game symbols may include, but is not limited to, a category of symbols such as, for example, shapes, colors, sounds, items, characters, backgrounds, frames, and/or any category of game symbols that enable the gaming controller  16  to function as described herein. Each symbol category includes a plurality of symbols having predefined characteristics associated with the symbol category. For example, the predefined set of symbols may include a shape category that includes a plurality of symbols that each have a shape associated with the shape category. The symbol selection unit  100  may select one or more symbols indicative of the shapes within the shape category, and display the selected symbols in each of the special symbol positions  104 . Additional details of adjacent special symbol positions, which may be used in the present invention, are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/299,009 to Yoshimi, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,096,869, filed Dec. 9, 2005, titled “Gaming Machine with Runs of Consecutive Identical Symbols”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       FIG.  3    is a flowchart of a method  200  that may be used with the gaming device  10  to provide an award to a player. The method  200  includes a plurality of steps. Each method step may be performed independently of, or in combination with, other method steps. Portions of the method  200  may be performed by any one of, or any combination of, the components of the one or more gaming devices  10 .  FIGS.  4 - 6    are exemplary entertaining graphical display of a game screen  54  including a slot-type game  52  that may be displayed on the gaming device  10  during the method  200 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS.  7 - 14    are series of graphical displays of the slot game  52 , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, in method step  202 , the gaming controller  12  receives a signal indicative of a wager being received by the gaming device  10  and responsively displays the game  52  on the display device  14 . In one embodiment, the game  52  is a video slot game. However, it should be noted that the game  52  may be any type of game upon which a player could make a wager including, but not limited to a keno game, a blackjack game, a video poker game, or any type of game that enables the gaming controller  12  to function as described herein. In addition, in one embodiment, the game  52  may include a slot game being displayed with a plurality of mechanical reels (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller  12  displays the game  52  on the first display  56 . In another embodiment, the gaming controller  12  displays the game  52  on the first display  56  and/or the second display  58 . 
     In method step  204 , the gaming controller  12  randomly generates an outcome of the game  52  and displays the generated game outcome in the game screen  54 . In one embodiment, the gaming controller  12  randomly selects a plurality of game symbols  88  from a predefined set of possible game symbols, and displays the selected game symbols  88  associated with the generated game outcome in the game screen  54 . In another embodiment, the gaming controller  12  randomly selects a stop position associated with each reel  84 , and spins and stops each of the reels  84  based on the corresponding stop position, and determines the game outcome based on the symbols  88  being displayed with the reels in a stopped position. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of game symbols  88  are displayed in a display area  106  that includes a grid  108  having a plurality of cells  110  arranged along a plurality of rows  112  and a plurality of columns  114 . Each cell  110  displays one or more game symbols  88  associated with the game outcome. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller  12  displays the game  52  including a plurality of reels  84 . Each reel  84  includes a plurality of symbol positions  86  that each displays a game symbol  88 . In addition, each reel  84  is displayed in the grid  108  having a height H that is measured along a vertical axis Y, and a width W that is measure along a horizontal axis X. During play of the game  52 , the gaming controller  12  displays each reel  84  with a corresponding column  114 . In additional, the symbol positions  86  of each reel  84  are displayed within a corresponding cell  110  with the reels  84  in a stopped position. During the bonus feature event  90 , the gaming controller  12  may display the replacement reel  92  extending across one or more of the columns  114  and/or display the replacement reel symbol positions  86  across one or more of the cells  110  such that a symbol  88  being displayed within the replacement reel  92  is displayed within adjacent cells  110  and extending across adjacent columns  114  and/or adjacent rows  112 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller  12  displays the game  52  including 5 reels  84  being displayed in a first reel set  116  and a second reel set  118 . The first reel set  116  includes a plurality of first reels  120  such as, for example a 1 st  reel  122 , a 2 nd  reel  124 , and a 3 rd  reel  126 . The second reel set  118  includes a plurality of second reels  128  such as, for example a 4 th  reel  130  and a 5 th  reel  132 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller  12  displays the each first reel  120  with a first number of symbol positions  86  and displays each second reel  128  with a second number of symbol positions  86  that is greater than the first number of symbol positions  86  being displayed with the first reel set  116 . For example, during the game  52 , the gaming controller  12  displays the reels  84  in a “3-3-3-6-6” arrangement that includes the first reel set  116  being displayed with 3 cells  110  per reel  84  and 3 corresponding symbol positions  86 , and the second reel set  118  displayed with 6 cells  110  per reel  84  and 6 corresponding symbol positions  86 . In another embodiments, the gaming controller  12  may display 5 reels  84  each with 3 cells  110  per reel  84 , respectively (a “5×3” arrangement). In addition, other reel arrangements may be used such as, for example, 3-4-3-4-3, 4-5-5-5-4, or 4-5-4-5-4 arrangements or arrangements with the same number of cells per column, such as 3×3, 3×4, 4×5, or 5×5 configurations. The game  52  may also include a plurality of paylines  134  that extend across one or more cells  110  to indicate, to the player, a combination of game symbols  88 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller  12  receives a signal, from the user input device  16 , that is indicative of a player&#39;s selection to initiate a gaming session including a wager amount, and a selection of one or more paylines  134  associated with a predefined set of cells  110  within the display area  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, the game  52  is a multi-line game, i.e., the paylines include horizontal paylines and/or diagonal pay-lines, and/or zig-zag paylines. Moreover, the user input device  16  may allow the player to toggle to increase the bet per payline a credit at a time (up to the maximum bet). The gaming controller  12  randomly generates an outcome of the game  52 , and displays the generated outcome on the game screen  54 . In one embodiment, the gaming controller  12  is configured to rotate, and/or spin each reel  84  to initiate a game play, and stop each reel  84  to display a plurality of game symbols  88  associated with the randomly generated outcome. In addition, the gaming controller  12  is adapted to determine if the generated outcome is a winning outcome as a function of the displayed game symbols  88 , a paytable, a wager, and one or more player selected paylines  134 . More specifically, the gaming controller  12  determines if a combination of symbols  88  arranged along the selected payline  134  is a winning combination. The gaming controller  12  may provide an award in response to the outcome of the game  52 . 
     Each game  52  is generally played in a conventional manner. The player makes a wager, which may be based on a predetermined denomination and a selected number of paylines  134 , the gaming controller  12  randomly generates an outcome for the game  52 , spins the reels  84 , and selectively stops the reels  84  to display a game symbol  88  in each of the display cells  110 . If a predetermined pattern of game symbols  88  is randomly chosen for each cell  110  on a played payline  134 , the player may be awarded a payout based on the payline, the wager, and a predetermined paytable. Moreover, the player may be awarded a payout if the combination of game symbols  88  associated with a selected payline  134  is a winning combination. In addition, a player may receive a bonus feature, bonus games, and/or free games based on the combination of game symbols  88  associated with the selected payline  134  and/or the appearance of one or more special game symbols in the game outcome. Many variations to the above described general play of a slot game fall within the scope of the present invention. Such slot games are well-known in the art, and are therefore not further discussed. 
     In method step  206 , the gaming controller  12  detects the occurrence of a triggering condition during the game  52  and initiates the bonus feature event  90  (shown in  FIGS.  5 - 14   ) in response to detecting the triggering condition. In the illustrated embodiment, the triggering condition is mystery trigger condition that may be detected after any game outcome. The gaming controller  12  may randomly select a bonus feature number from a predefined range of numbers and, upon receiving a wager from the player, the gaming controller  12  randomly selects a game number and detects the triggering condition if the primary game number matches the bonus feature number. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, upon detecting the triggering condition, the gaming controller  12  responsively selects one or more reels  84  and replaces the selected reels  84  with a replacement reel  92 . In one embodiment, the gaming controller  12  may randomly select one or more reels  84  and/or randomly select one or more reel sets to be replaced by the replacement reel  92 . In addition, the gaming controller  12  may detect the appearance of a trigger symbol (not shown) appearing in one or more reels  84  and select the corresponding reel  84  and/or the corresponding reel set  116 / 118  to be replaced by the replacement reel  92 . In one embodiment, the selected reel  84  and/or selected reel set may be a predefined reel  84  and/or a predefined reel set. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the replacement reel  92  includes a number of symbol positions  86  that are displayed in the grid  108  that is less than the number of symbol positions  86  being displayed with the selected reels  84 . In addition, the selected reels  84  are displayed in the grid  108  having a first height H 1  measured along the vertical axis Y. The replacement reel  92  is displayed in the grid  108  having a second height H 2  that is approximately equal to the first height H 1  of the selected reels  84 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, and as shown in  FIGS.  4 - 7   , during the bonus feature event  90 , the gaming controller  12  may select the second reel set  118  including the 4 th  reel  130  and the 5 th  reel  132 , and replace the second reel set  118  with the replacement reel  92 . Moreover, the replacement reel  92  may be displayed with 3 symbol positions  86  that extend across the adjacent columns  114  and the adjacent cells  110  associated with the second reel set  118 . In one embodiment, the gaming controller  12  may randomly generate a second outcome of the game  52 , spin and stop each of the reels  84  including the replacement reel  92  to display the second outcome, and provide an award to the player as a function of the second outcome. By replacing the second reel set  118  of reels  84  with a replacement reel  92  having fewer symbol positions  86  and/or fewer symbols  88 , the probability of achieving a winning outcome is increased during the bonus feature event  90 . 
     In one embodiment, referring to  FIG.  8   , the gaming controller  12  may randomly select a single reel  84  such as, for example, the 5 th  reel  132 , and replace the 5 th  reel  132  with a replacement reel  92  that is associated with a single column  114  and has 3 symbol positions that extend across the adjacent cells  110  associated with the 5 th  reel  132 . 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  9   , the gaming controller  12  may select the first reel set  116  including the 1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd  reels  122 ,  124 , and  126 , and replace the first reel set  116  with the replacement reel  92 . In addition, the replacement reel  92  may be displayed across each corresponding column  114  of the selected reel set and include a symbol position  86  that extends across each corresponding cell  110  associated with the selected reel set. For example, as shown in  FIG.  9   , the gaming controller  12  may replace the first reel set  116  with a replacement reel  92  that includes a corresponding symbol position  86  that extends across each correspond cell  110  associated with the first reel set  116 . In the illustrated embodiment, the replacement reel  92  is displayed with a single symbol position  86  in a stopped position that extends across each of the columns and each cell displayed with the first reel set  116 , such that a single symbol  88  is displayed in place of the first reel set  116  in the outcome of the bonus feature event  90 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , in one embodiment, the gaming controller  12  may replace the first reel set  116  with a first replacement reel  136  and replace the second reel set  118  with a second replacement reel  138 . Moreover, the second replacement reel  138  includes a number of symbol position  86  that is greater than the number of symbol positions  86  of the first replacement reel  136 . In addition, the second replacement reel  138  includes a number of symbol positions  86  that is equal to the number of symbol positions  86  displayed with the first reel set  116 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  10   , during the bonus feature event  90 , the gaming controller  12  may replace the first reel set  116  being displayed with 3 symbol positions  86  per reel  84  with the first replacement reel  136  including 1 symbol position  86  displayed in the grid  108 , and replace the second reel set  118  being displayed with 6 symbol positions  86  per reel  84  with the second replacement reel  138  that is displayed with 3 symbol positions  86  in the grid  108 . 
     In method step  208 , the gaming controller  12  selects another reel  84  from the plurality of reels  84  and synchronizes the display of the replacement reel  92  with the selected reel  84  such that the replacement reel  92  and the selected reel  84  each display the same symbols  88  in the same order in corresponding symbol position  86 . Moreover, in one embodiment, the gaming controller  12  displays the replacement reel  92  including a number of symbol positions  86  being displayed in the grid  108  that is equal to the number of symbols positions included with the selected reel  84 . In addition, the gaming controller  12  may synchronize a rotation of the replacement reel  92  and the selected reel  84  to display the same symbols  88  (illustrated by the symbol order “K-Q-J”) in the same symbol positions  86  while the replacement reel  92  and the selected reel  84  are spinning. For example, referring to  FIGS.  5  and  7   , in the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller  12  may select the 1 st  reel  122  being displayed with 3 symbol positions  86 , display the replacement reel  92  having 3 symbol positions  86 , and synchronize the display the 1 st  reel  122  and the replacement reel  92  such that the 1 st  reel  122  and the replacement reel  92  are in a mirrored relationship to display the same type of symbols  88  in the same order in the grid  108 . In one embodiment, the gaming controller  12  may synchronize the symbols of the 1 st  reel  122  and the replacement reel  92  during the reel spin. In another embodiment, the gaming controller  12  may synchronize the display of symbols when the reels stop, or before the reels are spun during the bonus feature event  90 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  11   , the gaming controller  12  may display the replacement reel  92  with one or more runs of consecutive special symbol positions  104 , randomly select a game symbol  88 , and display the game symbol  88  in each of the consecutive special symbol positions  104 . In addition, the gaming controller  12  may populate the consecutive special symbol positions  104  with the selected game symbol  88  before, during, or after the replacement reel  92  begins to spin. Moreover, the gaming controller  12  may populate the consecutive special symbol positions  104  with the selected game symbol  88  after the replacement reel  92  is stopped. 
     In method step  210 , the gaming controller  12  randomly generates an outcome of the bonus feature event  90 , spins and stops the reels  84  including the replacement reel  92 , and splits the replacement reel  92  into a plurality of secondary replacement reels  94  to display the generated outcome. Each of the secondary replacement reels  94  includes a number of symbol positions  86  that is greater than the number of symbol positions  86  displayed with the replacement reel  92 . In addition, each secondary replacement reel  94  is displayed with a third height H 3  measured along vertical axis Y that is approximately equal to the height H 2  of the replacement reel  92 . For example, referring to  FIGS.  11  and  12   , in the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller  12  splits the replacement reel  92  into a plurality of secondary replacement reels  94  such that the symbols  88  displayed in the replacement reel  92  are also displayed in each of the secondary replacement reels  94 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller  12  displays each secondary replacement reel  94  with a group  96  of symbol positions  86  that correspond to each of the symbol positions  86  displayed with the replacement reel  92 . In addition, each symbol position  86  in the group  96  is displayed with the same symbol  88  displayed in the corresponding symbol position  86  of the replacement reel  92 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller  12  determines the symbols  88  being displayed in each of the symbol positions  86  of the replacement reel  92  in a first outcome of the bonus feature event  90 , splits the replacement reel  92  into the secondary replacement reels  94 , and displays the replacement reel symbol  88  in each of the groups  96  of symbol positions  86  displayed with the secondary replacement reels  94  to display a second outcome. In one embodiment, gaming controller  12  splits the replacement reel  92  after the replacement reel  92  has stopped. In another embodiment, the gaming controller  12  may split the replacement reel  92  into the secondary replacement reels  94  as the replacement reel  92  is spinning. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  12   , the replacement reel  92  may include a first symbol position  140  and a second symbol position  142  displayed in the grid  108 . Moreover, each secondary replacement reel  94  includes a plurality of groups  96  of symbol positions  86  such as for example a first group  144  and a second group  146 . The first group  144  is associated with the first symbol position  140  and the second group  146  is associated with the second symbol position  142  such that each symbol position  86  in the first group  144  displays a similar symbol  88  being displayed in the first symbol position  140  and each symbol position of the second group  146  displays a similar symbol  88  displayed in the second symbol position  142 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  13   , in one embodiment, the replacement reel  92  may be split into a plurality of secondary replacement reels  94  that display the same symbol in each corresponding symbol position  86 . 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIG.  14   , the gaming controller  12  may split the first replacement reel  136  into a first set  148  of secondary replacement reels  94  and split the second replacement reel  138  into a second set  150  of secondary replacement reels  94 . Each set of secondary replacement reels  94  displaying the same symbols  88  being displayed in the corresponding replacement reels  136  and  138 , respectively. 
     In method step  212 , the gaming controller  12  evaluates the symbols  88  being displayed with the outcome of bonus feature event  90  and provides an award to the player as a function of the displayed symbols  88 . In one embodiment, the gaming controller  12  determines a winning outcome as a function of the combination of symbols  88  defined along an associated payline  134 . In another embodiment, the gaming controller  12  evaluates each symbol combination including each symbol displayed in an adjacent reel  84  from left-to-right, to determine winning outcomes. 
       FIG.  15    is a schematic view of an exemplary gaming system  300 . The gaming system  300  includes a system controller  302  and one or more gaming devices  10  that are coupled to the system controller  302 . In one embodiment, the gaming devices  10  include a gaming machine  304  located in a casino. In another embodiment, the gaming devices  10  may include a personal computer, laptop, cell phone, smartphone, tablet computer, personal data assistant, and/or any suitable computing device that enables a player to connect to system controller  302  via the internet. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the system controller  302  is configured to perform all of the functions of the gaming controller  16  as described herein. The system controller  302  communicates with each gaming device  10  for playing a game  52  and/or the bonus feature event  90  on each gaming device  10  based on user selection input received from each gaming device  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the system controller  302  plays a separate instance of the games on each gaming device  10  such that each player associated with the gaming devices  10  may play a separate instance of the games simultaneously. 
     In one embodiment, the system  300  includes a plurality of gaming machines  304  located in a casino. The gaming machines  304  and the system controller  302  are coupled in communication with a local area network (LAN)  306 . Alternatively, the gaming machines  304  and the system controller  302  may be coupled via a network such as, for example, an Internet link, an intranet, a WAN, dial-in-connections, cable modems, wireless modems, and/or ISDN lines. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming system  300  includes four gaming machines  304 , which in one embodiment as shown in  FIG.  15    are arranged in a bank, i.e., are arranged together, adjacently. It should be noted, however, that the gaming system  300  may include any number of gaming machines  304  that may be arranged in any manner, such as in a circle or along a curved arc, or positioned within separate areas of a casino floor, and/or separate gaming establishments such as different casinos. Furthermore, additional groups of gaming machines  304  may be coupled to the system controller  302 . In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the gaming system  300  may also include a central display  308  that is coupled to the system controller  302  for displaying games played on one or more of the gaming machines  304 . 
     In one embodiment, the system controller  302  may be implemented by one of the gaming controllers  12  associated with a gaming machine  304 . In still another embodiment, the system controller  302  may be located remotely with respect to gaming machines  304 , or within one of the gaming machine cabinet assemblies (shown in  FIG.  1   ). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the system controller  302  may be configured to play separate instances of the primary game  52  on each of the gaming machine  304 . In addition, the system controller  302  may determine if a triggering condition occurs in a game outcome being played at one or more of the gaming machines  304 , and display the bonus feature event  90  on the central display  308  if a triggering event occurs. Alternatively, the system controller  302  may display the bonus feature event  90  at one or more gaming machines  304  based on one or more triggering events occurring in games played at the gaming machines  304 . 
     The above-described systems and methods overcome at least some disadvantages of known gaming machines by providing a gaming device that displays a game including a bonus feature event that includes a replacement reel. More specifically, the gaming device displays a game including a plurality of reels, detects a triggering condition in a game outcome, and replaces one or more of the reels with the replacement reel that displays fewer symbols than the selected reels, and provides an award based on an outcome that includes the replacement reel. By providing a replacement reel that displays fewer game symbols, the probability of achieving a winning outcome is increased, the player&#39;s expectation for achieving a win is increased, and the enjoyment of the game is improved. Thus, the amount of time that the game is played by patrons of a gaming establishment is thereby increased. 
     Exemplary embodiments of a gaming machine, a gaming system, and a method of allowing a player to play a gaming machine are described above in detail. The gaming machine, system, and method are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the gaming machine and/or system and/or steps of the method may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example, the gaming machine may also be used in combination with other gaming systems and methods, and is not limited to practice with only the gaming machine as described herein. Rather, an exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other gaming system applications. 
     A controller, computing device, or computer, such as described herein, includes at least one or more processors or processing units and a system memory. The controller typically also includes at least some form of computer readable media. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology that enables storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media. Those skilled in the art should be familiar with the modulated data signal, which has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media. 
     The order of execution or performance of the operations in the embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations described herein may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention. 
     In some embodiments, a processor, as described herein, includes any programmable system including systems and microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic circuits (PLC), and any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term processor. 
     In some embodiments, a database, as described herein, includes any collection of data including hierarchical databases, relational databases, flat file databases, object-relational databases, object oriented databases, and any other structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term database. Examples of databases include, but are not limited to only including, Oracle® Database, MySQL, IBM® DB2, Microsoft® SQL Server, Sybase®, and PostgreSQL. However, any database may be used that enables the systems and methods described herein. (Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation, Redwood Shores, Calif.; IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.; Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.; and Sybase is a registered trademark of Sybase, Dublin, Calif.) 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Other aspects and features of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. It should also be noted, that the steps and/or functions listed within the appended claims, notwithstanding the order of which steps and/or functions are listed therein, are not limited to any specific order of operation. 
     Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.