Patent Abstract:
A device includes a data processor executing program instructions for a wagering game. The program instructions include receiving a wager and a selection set from a player. A selection is received from the player, or randomly chosen, to locate a multi-spot template comprising a pattern of multiple spots on a matrix. An outcome set is selected and the player is rewarded in accordance with a pay table for matches between the selection set and the outcome set. The multi-spot templates are examined for a bonus trigger condition such as all the spots in the multi-spot template containing members of the outcome set. If a bonus trigger condition is fulfilled, a bonus feature is conducted.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/039,278 filed Mar. 2, 2011, entitled “System and Method for Conducting a Wagering Game Having a Multi-Spot Template”, and which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/310,641, filed Mar. 4, 2010. Each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Numbers games are well known in the art. Essentially a numbers game consists of a player selecting one or more numbers from a closed set and placing a wager. The house randomly selects a set of numbers and, if the player&#39;s selection matches the house&#39;s selection, the player is rewarded. 
         [0003]    The most well-known numbers game is “racehorse keno,” referred to in casinos as merely “keno.” Keno uses an eighty number game set, typically the numbers one through eighty. A keno ticket includes a matrix with the eighty numbers of the game set and the player designates a selection set by marking the numbers of the player&#39;s selection set on the keno ticket. Keno tickets may be in paper and/or electronic form. Paper tickets may be punched, daubed, or otherwise marked to identify the player&#39;s selection set. Alternatively, a keno machine may include a display on which a keno ticket is displayed. The player may use a touch-screen, pointer, mouse, button panel, keyboard or keypad, or other input device to input the player&#39;s selection set. The size of the selection set may be decided by the player, although the potential payouts may relate to the size of the selection set and the number of “catches,” i.e. matches between the player&#39;s selection set and a randomly selected outcome set. 
         [0004]    An outcome set is selected from the game set and compared to the player&#39;s selection set. In a typical keno game, the outcome set includes twenty numbers randomly selected from the eighty numbers on a keno board. A number within the player&#39;s selection set is “caught” if the number matches a number within the outcome set. For example, if the player&#39;s selection set includes the five numbers 3, 5, 10, 22, and 73, and the outcome set includes the twenty numbers 1, 5, 8, 13, 15, 19, 22 26, 27, 33, 35, 40, 49, 53, 54, 58, 65, 70, 73, and 78, the player has caught the numbers 5, 22, and 73 since those numbers appear in both the player&#39;s selection set and the randomly selected outcome set. The selection set and the caught numbers determine which, if any, of the player&#39;s wagers are rewarded. 
         [0005]    In conventional keno, players may wager any amount on a keno ticket. Wagers in keno can be generally divided into two groups, spot and way. Spot wagers consist merely of the player selecting individual numbers, or spots, on a keno ticket. If a player catches a predetermined number of spots, the player is rewarded. For example, on a ten-spot keno ticket, the player selects and marks ten numbers. A reward is typically issued if the player catches five or more spots. Typically, the reward increases with the number of spots the player catches. For example, if the player catches five spots, the player may receive his wager back; if the player catches ten spots, the player may be paid at ten thousand to one. 
         [0006]    Way wagers consist of a player selecting groups of numbers, or ways, on a keno ticket. If a player catches a predetermined number of spots, the player is rewarded. Unlike spot wagers, however, the reward in a way wager depends on how the spots the player catches are distributed. For example, on a hi-low way keno ticket, the player selects and marks three groups of four numbers. If a player catches five or more spots, the player is rewarded. However, the size of the reward depends on the distribution of the spots. For example, if the spots are distributed with two in one way, two in another way, and one in yet another way (2-2-1), the player&#39;s wager is returned. Alternatively, if the spots are distributed 3-1-1, the player may be paid at 1.2:1; if the spots are distributed 4-1, the player may be rewarded at 1.4:1. Generally, way wagers are not offered in keno games conducted at an electronic gaming machine. 
         [0007]    One known improvement to electronic keno is the designation of bonus numbers. For example, certain numbers on the keno board (whether or not selected by a player) may be designated as bonus numbers. If a bonus number is caught, a bonus payout or other bonus feature is conducted. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A device for conducting a casino game includes a display and a player interface in communication with a data processor. The player interface includes an input device. Additionally, a data storage device communicates with the data processor. The data storage device stores game graphics, including a game set, a matrix representing a keno card, at least one bonus trigger condition and a bonus feature associated with the bonus trigger condition, and parameters for conducting a game such as pay tables. At least one multi-spot template is stored at the data storage. The multi-spot template is a pattern containing at least two spots that may be placed in the matrix of the keno card. Optionally, the spots of a multi-spot template are adjacent, although in an alternate embodiment, the spots of a multi-spot template are not adjacent. 
         [0009]    The data storage device also stores program instructions executable by the data processor to conduct a game. According to one embodiment, the data processor receives at least one wager and a selection set from a player the player interface. The data processor also receives a selection by the player to locate the multi-spot template within the matrix of the keno card. 
         [0010]    The data processor randomly selects an outcome set and displays the outcome set on the display. Optionally, matches between the outcome set and the player selection set are identified on the display and any reward associated with the matches is issued to the player. Spots in the outcome set that fall within the multi-spot template located by the player are identified on the display. A determination is made whether a bonus trigger condition has been fulfilled. In an optional embodiment, the trigger condition includes all the spots in the multi-spot template being filled by spots in the outcome set. If a bonus trigger condition has been fulfilled, the bonus feature associated with the bonus trigger condition is conducted. The bonus feature may take any form, including a bonus payout, a payout multiplier, free draws or spins, a secondary or bonus game, one or more free games, or any other reward. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, a computer-implemented system conducts a wagering game played by a player. The system includes a memory device capable of storing a game set having a plurality of consecutively numbered spots arranged as a matrix, a multi-spot template having a shape for covering a plurality of spots on the game set, a location of the multi-spot template, and a selection set including a plurality of spots on the game set. The system additionally includes an input device for receiving, from the user, the selection set. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, a method conducts a wagering game with a player on a wagering game system having a game set including a plurality of spots thereon. A selection set comprising a plurality of the spots on the game set is received interactively from the player using an input device of the wagering game system. A position of a multi-spot template having a shape for covering a plurality of spots on the game set is randomly determined via a processor. An outcome set based upon the game set is determined within the wagering game system. The spots of the game set covered by the multi-spot template at the position are compared within the wagering game system to the outcome set to determine a number of template covered outcome set spots and used to determine if a bonus trigger condition is met. A bonus feature is performed if the bonus trigger condition is met. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, a method conducts a wagering game with a player on a wagering game system having a game set including a plurality of spots thereon. A selection set comprising a plurality of the spots on the game set and a position of a multi-spot template having a shape for covering a plurality of spots of the game set are received from the player using an input device of the wagering game system. An outcome set based upon the game set is determined within the wagering game system. The spots of the game set covered by the multi-spot template at the position are compared within the wagering game system to the outcome set to determine a number of template covered outcome set spots and used to determine if a bonus trigger condition is met. A bonus feature is performed if the bonus trigger condition is met. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating one exemplary device for conducting a wagering game, in an embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows the game data of the system of  FIG. 1  in further detail. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows the display device and the input device of  FIG. 1  forming a touch-screen and displaying an exemplary keno card, in an embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows exemplary multi-spot templates that may be positioned by the player within the keno card of  FIG. 3 , and thereby referenced to the game set of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating one exemplary method for conduction a wagering game, in an embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows one exemplary selection set having six spots selected from the keno card of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows exemplary positioning of the templates of  FIG. 4  with reference to numbers of the keno card of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows one exemplary outcome set randomly selected by the processor of  FIG. 1  and based upon the game set of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  shows an exemplary overlay of the outcome set of  FIG. 8  and the selection set of  FIG. 6 , illustrating common spots. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  shows an exemplary overlay of the templates of  FIG. 4  onto the outcome set of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. Referring generally to the figures, the present invention includes a device and method for conducting a wagering game. A device according to an embodiment of the present invention may take any form. For example, a device may take the form of a personal computer, electronic gaming machine, kiosk, handheld device, cellular telephone, or the like. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating one exemplary system  100  for conducting a wagering game. System  100  includes a processor  102 , a memory  104 , a display device  106 , an input device  108 , and an audio device  110 . Audio device  110  is for example an amplifier and at least one speaker or other sound actuator. 
         [0026]    Display device  106  may represent one or more of a liquid-crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), plasma, light emitting diode (LED), or other display medium that may be controlled electronically. It is noted that display device  106  may communicate with processor  102  directly or via an intermediate controller, such as a video card or the like. Input device  108  may represent one or more of input buttons, keyboard, keypad, joystick, mouse, pointer, graphical pad, and other devices that allow a player to input information into system  100 . In one embodiment, display device  106  and input device  108  form a touch screen interface  120 . Input device  108  may function to receive financial information from the player and display device  106  may display rewards to the player. For example, a player may “log in” to system  100  and access stored credits. 
         [0027]    Memory  104  may represent one or more of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory, magnetic storage (e.g., a hard disk drive), and optical storage (e.g., CDROM and/or DVD drive). Memory  104  is illustratively shown storing software  130  that comprises machine readable instructions, that when executed by processor  102 , allow system  100  to conduct a wagering game with the player. Memory  104  may also store graphical images, animations, and other visual files for display on display device  106  and may store audio data and files for producing sound using audio device  110 . In one embodiment, memory  104  stores animation data that includes audio information and is played on both display device  106  and audio device  110 . 
         [0028]    Optionally, system  100  may include a network interface  112  for interfacing with one or more servers, and/or other gaming devices. Network interface  112  may represent one or both of a wired network Interface (e.g., Ethernet) and a wireless network interface (e.g., WiFi). System  100  may also include a financial interface  114  for receiving and distributing finances. Financial interface  114  may represent one or more of a card reader/writer, a coin receiver, a bill receiver, and a payout device. For example, the player may insert coins and bank notes to buy credits for playing system  100 , and may receive one or more of coins, tokens, and receipts for winnings earned from system  100 . Memory  104  also stores game data  132  that represents data, stored as one or more files and/or tables, for conducting the wagering game of system  100 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows game data  132  of  FIG. 1  in greater detail.  FIGS. 1 and 2  are best viewed together with the following description. In a conventional game of keno, a game set consists of eighty numbers (usually the numbers one through eighty, inclusive), also referred to as ‘spots’ herein. Accordingly, game data  132  within memory  104  may include a game set  202  that has an array of eighty sequentially numbered spots. A player selects a defined number (e.g., 20) of spots to form a selection set  212 , also stored within game data  132 , with which to play the wagering game. System  100  generates an outcome set  216  that includes a defined number (e.g., 20) of randomly selected unique spots from game set  202 . Pay table  204  defines payouts by system  100  based upon possible matches (e.g., a number of spots common to both sets) between selection set  212  and outcome set  216 . Other sizes and ranges of numbers for game set  202  and outcome set  216  may be used without departing from the scope hereof. For example, in a game based upon Bingo, game set  202  may include the numbers one through seventy-five. 
         [0030]    Game data  132  also includes multi-spot templates  210  that may be selected for play by the player and positioned within game set  202  such as to define one or more template locations  214 . As discussed in greater detail below, game data  132  may define at least one bonus trigger condition  206  and at least one bonus feature  208  associated with bonus trigger condition  206 . Multi-spot templates and template locations are described in further detail below. Game data  132  includes one or more pay tables  204  that correlate outcomes in the wagering game with rewards to be issued to the player. 
         [0031]    Display device  106  may display one or more of game set  202 , selection set  212 , outcome set  216 , and one or more of multi-spot templates  210 . The functions of the selection set  212 , outcome set  216 , and multi-spot templates  210  are described in greater detail below. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  shows display device  106  having a graphical representation of a keno card  302  formed as an array of ten columns of eight rows of spots numbered consecutively as shown, a pay table area  304  that displays payout values for particular number matches, and a plurality of control “buttons.” Keno card  302  is a graphical representation of game set  202 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , display  106  is overlaid by input device  108  to form a touch-screen  300 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows exemplary multi-spot templates  210 ( 1 - 4 ) that may be positioned by the player within keno card  302  of  FIG. 3 , and thereby referenced to game set  202  of  FIG. 2 . Template  210 ( 1 ) is formed to cover five spots of keno card  302 ; template  210 ( 2 ) is formed to cover four spots of keno card  302 ; template  210 ( 3 ) is formed to cover three spots of keno card  302 ; and template  210 ( 4 ) is formed to cover two spots of keno card  302 . The player may interactively position one or more templates  210  on keno card  302 . In one example, the player positions template  210 ( 1 ) to cover spots numbered 41, 42, 43, 52, and 62. In another example, the player positions template  210 ( 3 ) to cover spots 53, 63, and 73. The location of each template  210  selected and positioned by the player is stored within template locations  214  of game data  132 . 
         [0034]    Where the player has positioned one or more templates  210  within keno card  302 , once outcome set  216  has been determined, system  100  evaluates each positioned template  210  against outcome set  216  to determine one or more of a reward and whether a bonus trigger condition  206  has been met. 
         [0035]    Although four pre-defined templates  210  are shown in  FIG. 4 , templates  210  consist of any number of spots in any configuration, and spots need not be adjacent to one another as shown. Multi-spot templates  210  may be placed on keno card  302  independently on one another and independently of numbers selected for selection set  212 . In one embodiment, system  100  prohibits overlaying of templates  210  on other templates. In another embodiment, system  100  prohibits overlaying of templates  210  on number selected for selection set  212 . In another embodiment, templates  210  are automatically placed within keno card  302  by processor  102  and the positions of templates  210  may or may not be displayed on keno card  302 . In one example, processor  102  displays automatically positioned templates  210  on keno card  302  after the current game ends. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating one exemplary method  500  for conducting a wagering game on system  100  of  FIG. 1 . Method  500  is for example implemented as instructions that are executable by processor  102  and stored as software  130  within memory  104  of system  100 . 
         [0037]    In step  502 , method  500  determines the number of credits available to the player with which to conduct the wagering game. In one example of step  502 , processor  102  determines that the player has sufficient credits stored within memory  104  to conduct the current wagering game. In another example of step  502 , the player inserts a wager (e.g., a bill, coin, ticket, or the like) into financial interface  114  and system  100  stores and displays a total number of credits available to the player. In another example of step  502 , the player inserts a magnetic card into a reader of financial interface  114 , wherein financial interface  114  determines pre-stored credits of the card and transfers these credits to system  100  where they are stored within memory  104  and displayed on display device  106 . In another example, the player inserts an electronic card into financial interface  114 , which reads the card and determines an identity of the player, wherein processor  102  retrieves a financial value from a financial server connected to system  100  via network interface  112  and applies the financial value purchase credits that are then displayed on display device  106 . The financial server may represent a store of credits registered to the player. 
         [0038]    In step  504 , method  500  receives a wager from the player. In one example of step  504 , system  100  receives player input via input device  108  indicating a number of credits to wager on the current game. In another example of step  504 , the player operates input device  108  to increase and decrease the number of credits to wager on the current game. In another example of step  504 , the player selects a “Max Bet” button  306  to set the number of credits to wager on the current game. 
         [0039]    In step  506 , method  500  receives a selection set  212  from the player. In one example of step  506 , the player interactively selects desired spots from keno card  302  using the touch-screen formed by display device  106  and input device  108 .  FIG. 6  shows one exemplary selection set  212  having six spots (shown in heavy outline) numbered 19, 30, 49, 70, 78, and 80, selected from keno card  302 . The player may select number of selection set  212  by touching the touch-screen in a location associated with the desired spot. In another example of step  506 , the player elects, using input device  108  and/or financial interface  114 , to use a previously stored (e.g., within memory  104  and/or on an inserted card) selection set. The number of spots in the selection set (e.g., the quantity of selections received from the player) may be fixed or may vary. In one example, the size of selection set  212  is determined by the player and a desired wager. In another example, the player may enter a desired quantity of spots for selection set  212  and pay table  204  is automatically selected based upon the quantity entered into selection set  212 . In this example, pay table  204  is displayed upon display device  106  such that the player may see how potential payout changes as selections are made for the selection set. 
         [0040]    In another example of step  506 , the player indicates, via input device  108 , that a random selection set (e.g., generated by processor  102 ) is requested. In another example, the player indicates, via input device  108 , that the selection set of the previous game should be retrieved from memory  104  and used again. Once selected by the player, indication of selection set  212  may be imposed onto keno card  302  of display device  106 . In one example, indication of selection set  212  is shown on display device  106  by one or more of reversing, changing colors, outlining, tagging, or other similar indication methods, of the spots (i.e., numbers) contained in selection set  212 . Other methods of indicating selection set  212  on keno card  302  may be used without departing from the scope hereof. 
         [0041]    In step  508 , method  500  receives location of at least one multi-spot template from the player. In one example of step  508 , the player selects and positions template  210 ( 1 ) within keno card  302  on display device  106 . The player may position template  210 ( 1 ), once selected, using input device  108  (e.g., by touching the touch-screen formed by display device  106  and input device  108 ) wherein system  100  indicates position of template  210 ( 1 ) on keno card  302  by one or more of outline, tagging, overlaying, and other like methods. In one example of operation, the player selects each multi-spot template  210  from a menu displayed by processor  102  on display device  106 , and, using input device  110 , positions (e.g., by dragging the selected template using touchscreen  120 ) the selected template onto keno card  302 . Template  210 , during positioning by the player, may be displayed in green to indicate a valid position on keno card  302 , and in red to indicate an invalid position on keno card  302 . Wherein, when the player releases (e.g., by lifting the finger from touchscreen  120 ) the selected multi-spot template  210  at a valid position, the multi-spot template remains in that position, and when the player releases the selected multi-spot template  210  at an invalid position, the multi-spot template returns to the menu for re-selection.  FIG. 7  shows exemplary positioning of templates  210 ( 1 ),  210 ( 2 ),  210 ( 3 ), and  210 ( 4 ) with reference to numbers of keno card  302 ,  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, no additional wager is required for using one or more multi-spot templates  210 . In an alternate embodiment, a supplemental, side, or bonus wager may be required from the player before selecting and positioning the one or more multi-spot templates  210 . 
         [0042]    In an alternate embodiment, step  508  is omitted and each multi-spot template  210  is positioned randomly within keno card  302  by processor  102  (e.g., by executing a pseudo random number generator of software  130 ) and displayed on display device  108 . Whether positioned by the player, or positioned randomly by processor  102 , the multi-spot templates  210  are hereafter similarly processed. 
         [0043]    In step  510 , method  500  receives a start indication from the player. In one example of step  510 , the player selects a start button  308  using input device  108  to indicate that the wagering game should begin. In one embodiment, the wagering game begins automatically when the player selects a max bet button  306 . In step  512 , method  500  selects an outcome set.  FIG. 8  shows one exemplary outcome set  216  that is randomly selected by processor  102  based upon game set  202 . For example, software  130  may include a pseudo random number generator that upon execution by processor  102 , randomly select spots of game set  202  to form outcome set  216 . 
         [0044]    In step  514 , method  500  compares the selected set to the outcome set to determine common spots. In one example of step  514 ,  FIG. 9  shows an overlay  900  of outcome set  216  and selection set  212  to illustrate common spots numbered  70  and  80 . Spots that are common to both selection set  212  and outcome set  216  may be identified to the player on keno card  302  displayed by display device  106  using one or more of outlining, tagging, inverting, flashing, or other similar methods. In another example of step  514 , spots common to both selection set  212  and outcome set  216  are shown with an animation of a coin over the spots where the numbers seventy and eighty would appear on keno card  302  of display device  106 . 
         [0045]    In step  516 , method  500  compares spots identified by the one or more located templates to the outcome set to determine common template spots. In one example of step  516 ,  FIG. 10  shows an overlay  1000  of templates  210  onto outcome set  216  illustrating common spots numbered 52 within template  210 ( 1 ), 24 within template  210 ( 2 ), 73 within template  210 ( 3 ), and 8 and 9 within template  210 ( 4 ). 
         [0046]    Step  518  is a decision. If, in step  518 , method  500  determines that the determined common template spots of step  516  trigger a bonus condition, method  500  continues with step  520 ; otherwise, method  500  continues with step  522 . In one embodiment, each multi-spot template  210  is associated with the same bonus trigger condition. In another embodiment, each multi-spot template  210  is associated with a different bonus trigger condition. In one example, a bonus trigger condition  206  includes multiple spots within one or more multi-spot template  210  that are common with the outcome set  216 . In another example, bonus trigger condition  206  includes all spots within a multi-spot template  210  also being within outcome set  216 , as in the case of spot number 8 and 9 of template  210 ( 4 ) as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0047]    In step  520 , method  500  conducts bonus feature  208 . In one example of step  520 , bonus feature  208  represents one or more of free games, free picks, bonus payouts, payout multipliers, secondary or bonus games, or the like. A free pick is for example a randomly selected addition to the outcome set. In one embodiment, selection set  212  and templates  210  are evaluated against only the free pick spots and any additional award calculated. Thus, after the bonus feature is conducted, outcome set  216  may include twenty-five numbers (i.e., twenty numbers of the original outcome set  216  plus five “free picks” awarded through the bonus feature  208 ). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the free picks are cumulative and method  500  returns to step  514 , such that steps  514  through  516  are repeated when a bonus features is conducted. Selection set  212  and templates  210  are then re-evaluated against the expanded outcome set  216  and any additional award calculated. 
         [0048]    In one embodiment, each multi-spot template  210  is associated with a different bonus feature  208 . For example, two-spot template  210 ( 4 ) may be associated with five free picks; three-spot template  210 ( 3 ) may be associated with ten free picks; four-spot template  210 ( 2 ) may be associated with fifteen free picks; and five-spot template  210 ( 1 ) may be associated with twenty free picks, and so on. 
         [0049]    Bonus feature  208  may result in a cascading or recursive effect where each bonus feature conducted causes further bonus trigger conditions  206  to be triggered. For example, if the free picks from bonus feature  208  triggered by two-spot template  210 ( 4 ) resulted in outcome set  216  including all the spots contained within three-spot template  210 ( 3 ), bonus feature  208  associated with three-spot template  210 ( 3 ) is then conducted. 
         [0050]    When no, or no further, bonus trigger conditions  206  are met, in step  522 , method  500  pays any award due to the player based upon pay table and determined common spots and common template spots. In one example of step  522 , processor  102  looks up the determined common spots (i.e., the number of matches between selection set  212  and outcome set  216 ) within pay table  204  and credits the player with the specified, if any, credits. In another example, the award is determined from pay table  204  and is issued through financial interface  114  in the form of one or more of coins, bills, tickets, or the like. In another example of step  522 , the reward is determined from pay table  204  and added to a register of stored credits of the player. These stored credits may be cashed out from system  100  in some tangible form upon selection by the player. Method  500  then terminates. 
         [0051]    System  100  may include other bonus features without departing from the scope hereof. In one embodiment, one or more bonus number are automatically selected at random by processor  102 , and optionally shown on keno card  302  of display device  106 . In an alternate embodiment, the player may select one or more bonus numbers using input device  108 . Upon generation of outcome set  216 , correspondence between the bonus numbers and outcome set  216  may provide payout multipliers or the like. For example, spot number  65  may be selected as a two-times multiplier bonus number and displayed as “2×” within keno card  302 . 
         [0052]    Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6