Patent Application
20130310135
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an electronic gaming device. More specifically, the disclosure relates to an electronic gaming device, which provides wagering game options include a two-dimensional option, a three-dimensional option, and/or a combination of both.
The gaming industry has numerous casinos located both worldwide and in the United States. A client of a casino or other gaming entity can gamble via various games of chance. For example, craps, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and electronic games (e.g., a slot machine) where a person may gamble on an outcome.
Reels of an electronic gaming device (e.g., a slot machine) are utilized to display various symbols, which are utilized to determine whether a specific spin/activation of a game has resulted in a winning combination of these symbols. A new way of delivering this game play includes providing wagering game options, which may include a two-dimensional option, a three-dimensional option, and/or a combination of both.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples will be described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures.
Multi-media streams may be obtained for an entertainment event, a wagering event, a promotional event, a promotional offering, an advertisement, a sporting event, any other event, and/or any combination thereof. For example, the entertainment event may be a concert, a show, a television program, a movie, an internet event, and/or any combination thereof. In another example, the wagering event may be a poker tournament, a horse race, a car race, and/or any combination thereof. The advertisement may be an advertisement for the casino, a restaurant, a shop, any other entity, and/or any combination thereof. The sporting event may be a football game, a baseball game, a hockey game, a basketball game, any other sporting event, and/or any combination thereof. All of these multi-media streams may be utilized in combination with the gaming table video streams.
Input device 112 may be mechanical buttons, electronic buttons, mechanical switches, electronic switches, optical switches, a slot pull handle, a keyboard, a keypad, a touch screen, a gesture screen, a joystick, a pointing device (e.g., a mouse), a virtual (on-screen) keyboard, a virtual (on-screen) keypad, biometric sensor, or any combination thereof. Input device 112 may be utilized to make a wager, to modify electronic gaming device 100 (e.g., change sound level, configuration, font, language, etc.), to select a movie or song, to select live multi-media streams, to request services (e.g., drinks, slot attendant, manager, etc.), to select two-dimensional (“2D”) game play, to select three-dimensional (“3D”) game play, to select both two-dimensional and three-dimensional game play, to change the orientation of games in a three-dimensional space, or any combination thereof.
Credit device 114 may be utilized to collect monies and distribute monies (e.g., cash, vouchers, etc.). Credit device 114 may interface with a mobile device to electronically transmit money and/or credits. Credit device 114 may interface with a player's card to exchange player points.
Device interface 116 may be utilized to interface electronic gaming device 100 to a bonus game device, a local area progressive controller, a wide area progressive controller, a progressive sign controller, a peripheral display device, signage, a promotional device, network components, a local network, a wide area network, remote access equipment, a slot monitoring system, a slot player tracking system, or any combination thereof.
Device interface 116 may be utilized to connect a player to electronic gaming device 100 through a mobile device, card, keypad, identification device 118, or any combination thereof. Device interface 116 may include a docking station by which a mobile device is plugged into electronic gaming machine 100. Device interface 116 may include an over the air connection by which a mobile device is connected to electronic gaming machine 100 (e.g. Bluetooth, Near Field technology, and/or Wi-Fi technology). Device interface 116 may include a connection to identification device 118.
Identification device 118 may be utilized to determine an identity of a player. Based on information obtained by identification device 118, electronic gaming device 100 may be reconfigured. For example, the language, sound level, music, placement of multi-media streams, a two-dimensional gaming option may be presented, a three-dimensional gaming option may be presented, and the placement of gaming options may be modified based on player preference data. For example, a player may want to have 3D gaming options only. Therefore, no 2D games would be presented. In another example, the player may only want 2D options. Therefore, no 3D gaming options would be presented.
Identification device 118 may utilize biometrics (e.g. thumb print, retinal scan, or other biometric). Identification device 118 may include a card entry slot for input device 112. Identification device 118 may include a keypad with an assigned pin number for verification. Identification device 118 may include multiple layers of identification for added security. For example, a player could be required to enter a player tracking card, and/or a pin number, and/or a thumb print, or any combination thereof. Based on information obtained by identification device 118, electronic gaming device 100 may be reconfigured. For example, the language, sound level, music, placement of video streams, placement of images, and the placement of gaming options utilized may be modified based on a player's preference data. For example, a player may have selected baseball under the sporting event preferences; the electronic gaming device 100 will then automatically display the current baseball game onto side display screen 108 and/or alternate display screen as set in the player's options.
First display screen 102 may be a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a cathode ray tube display (“CRT”), organic light-emitting diode display (“OLED”), plasma display panel (“PDP”), electroluminescent display (“ELD”), a light-emitting diode display (“LED”), or any other display technology. First display screen 102 may be used for displaying primary games or secondary (bonus) games, advertising, player attractions, electronic gaming device 100 configuration parameters and settings, game history, accounting meters, events, alarms, or any combination thereof. Second display screen 104, third display screen 106, side display screen 108, and any other screen may utilize the same technology as first display screen 102 and/or any combination of technologies.
First display screen 102 may also be virtually combined with second display screen 104. Likewise second display screen 104 may also be virtually combined with third display screen 106. First display screen 102 may be virtually combined with both second display screen 104 and third display screen 106. Any combination thereof may be formed.
For example, a single large image could be partially displayed on second display screen 104 and partially displayed on third display screen 106, so that when both display screens are put together they complete one image. Electronic gaming device 100 may stream or play prerecorded multi-media 110, and the media may be displayed on first display screen 102.
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Electronic gaming system 200 may include video/multi-media server 202, which may be coupled to network 224 via a network link 214. Network 224 may be the internet, a private network, or a network cloud. One or more video streams may be received at video/multimedia server 202 from other electronic gaming devices 100. Video/multi-media server 202 may transmit one or more of these video streams to a mobile phone 230, electronic gaming device 100, a remote electronic gaming device at a different location in the same property 216, a remote electronic gaming device at a different location 218, a laptop 222, and/or any other remote electronic device 218. Video server 202 may transmit these video streams via network link 214 and/or network 224.
For example, a remote gaming device at the same location may be a casino with multiple casino floors, a casino which allows wagering activities to take place from the room, a casino which may allow wagering activities to take place from the pool area, etc. In another example, the remote devices may be at another location, such a progressive link to another casino, or a casino corporation, which owns many different casinos (e.g. MGM, Caesars, etc.).
Gaming server 204 may generate gaming outcomes. Gaming server 204 may provide electronic gaming device 100 with game play content. Gaming server 204 may provide electronic gaming device 100 with game play math and/or outcomes.
Player tracking server 206 may track a player's betting activity, a player's preferences (e.g., language, font, sound level, drinks, etc.). Based on data obtained by player tracking server 206, a player may be eligible for gaming rewards (e.g. free play), promotions, and/or other awards (e.g., complimentary food, drinks, lodging, concerts, etc.).
Voucher server 208 may generate a voucher, which may include data relating to gaming. Further, the voucher may include payline structure option selections.
Authentication server 210 may determine the validity of vouchers, player's identity, and/or an outcome for a gaming event.
Accounting server 212 may compile, track, and/or monitor cash flows, voucher transactions, winning vouchers, losing vouchers, and/or other transaction data. Transaction data may include the number of wagers, the size of these wagers, the date and time for these wagers, the identity of the players making these wagers, and/or the frequency of the wagers. Accounting server 212 may generate tax information relating to these wagers. Accounting server 212 may generate profit/loss reports for player's tracked outcomes.
Network connection 214 may be used for communication between dedicated servers, thin clients, thick clients, back-office accounting systems, etc.
Laptop computer 222 and/or any other electronic device (e.g., mobile phone 230, electronic gaming device 100, etc.) may be used for downloading new gaming device applications or gaming device related firmware through remote access.
Laptop computer 222 and/or any other electronic device (e.g., mobile phone 230, electronic gaming device 100, etc.) may be used for uploading accounting information (such as cashable credits, non-cashable credits, coin in, coin out, bill in, voucher in, voucher out, etc.).
Network 224 may be a local area network, a casino premises network, a wide area network, a virtual private network, an enterprise private network, the Internet, or any combination thereof. Hardware components such as network interface cards, repeaters and hubs, bridges, switches, routers, and firewalls, or any combination thereof may also be part of network 224.
Processor 302 may execute program instructions of memory 304 and use memory 304 for data storage. Processor 302 may also include a numeric co-processor, or a graphics processing unit (or units) for accelerated video encoding and decoding, or any combination thereof.
Processor 302 may include communication interfaces for communicating with electronic gaming device 100, electronic gaming system 200, and user interfaces to enable communication with all gaming elements. For example, processor 302 may interface with memory 304 to access a player's mobile device through device interface 322 to display content onto display 318. Processor 302 may generate a voucher based on a wager confirmation, which may be received by an input device, a server, a mobile device, and/or any combination thereof. A voucher device may generate, print, transmit, or receive a voucher. Memory 304 may include communication interfaces for communicating with electronic gaming device 100, electronic gaming system 200, and user interfaces to enable communication with all gaming elements. For example, the information stored on memory 304 may be printed out onto a voucher by printer 308 and/or video or pictures captured by camera 312 may be saved and stored on memory 304. Memory 304 may include a confirmation module, which may authenticate a value of a voucher and/or the validity of the voucher. The processor may determine the value of the voucher based on generated voucher data and data in the confirmation module. Electronic gaming device 100 may include a player preference input device. The player preference input device may modify a game configuration. The modification may be based on data from the identification device.
Memory 304 may be non-volatile semiconductor memory such as read-only memory (“ROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), flash memory (“NVRAM”), or Nano-RAM (carbon nanotube random access memory), and/or any combination thereof.
Memory 304 may also be volatile semiconductor memory such as dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) or static random access memory (“SRAM”), and/or any combination thereof.
Memory 304 may also be a data storage device such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive such as CD, DVD, or Blu-ray, a solid state drive, a memory stick, a CompactFlash card, a USB flash drive, a Multimedia Card, an xD-Picture Card, or any combination thereof.
Memory 304 may be used to store read-only program instructions for execution by processor 302, for the read-write storage for global variables and static variables, read-write storage for uninitialized data, read-write storage for dynamically allocated memory, and for the read-write storage of the data structure known as “the stack”, or any combination thereof.
Memory 304 may be used to store the read-only pay table information for which symbol combinations on a given payline that result in a win (payout) are established for games of chance such as slot games and video poker.
Memory 304 may be used to store accounting information (such as cashable electronic promotion in, non-cashable electronic promotion out, coin in, coin out, bill in, voucher in, voucher out, electronic funds transfer in, etc.).
Memory 304 may be used to record error conditions on an electronic gaming device 100 such as door open; coin jam; ticket print failure; ticket (paper) jam; program error; reel tilt; etc. or any combination thereof.
Memory 304 may also be used to record the complete history for the most recent game played plus some number of prior games as determined by the regulating authority.
Smart card reader 306 may allow electronic gaming device 100 to access and read information provided by the player or technician, which may be used for setting of player preferences and/or providing maintenance information. For example, smart card reader 306 may provide an interface between a smart card (inserted by the player) and identification device 324 to verify the identity of a player.
Printer 308 may be used for printing slot machine payout receipts, slot machine wagering vouchers, non-gaming coupons, slot machine coupon (i.e., a wagering instrument with a fixed waging value that can only be used for non-cashable credits), drink tokens, comps, or any combination thereof.
Electronic gaming device 100 may include a jackpot controller 310, which may allow electronic gaming device 100 to interface with other electronic gaming devices either directly or through electronic gaming system 200 to accumulate a shared jackpot.
Camera 312 may allow electronic gaming device 100 to take images of a player or a player's surroundings. For example, when a player sits down at the machine their picture may be taken to include their image into the game play. A picture of a player may be an actual image as taken by camera 312. A picture of a player may be a computerized caricature of image taken by camera 312. The image obtained by camera 312 may be used in connection with identification device 324 using facial recognition. Camera 312 may allow electronic gaming device 100 to record video. The video may be stored on memory 304 or stored remotely via electronic gaming system 200. Video obtained by camera 312 may then be used as part of game play, or may be used for security purposes. For example, a camera located on electronic gaming device 100 may capture video of a potential illegal activity (e.g. tampering with the machine, crime in the vicinity, underage players, etc.).
Network interface 314 may allow electronic gaming device 100 to communicate with video server 202, gaming server 204, player tracking server 206, voucher server 208, authentication server 210, and/or accounting server 212.
Input device 316 may be mechanical buttons, electronic buttons, a touch screen, or any combination thereof. Input device 316 may be utilized to make a wager, to make an offer to buy or sell a voucher, to determine a voucher's worth, to cash in a voucher, to modify electronic gaming device 100 (e.g., change sound level, configuration, font, language, etc.), to select a movie or music, to select live video streams (e.g. sporting event 1, sporting event 2, sporting event 3), to request services (e.g., drinks, manager, etc.), or any combination thereof.
Display 318 may show video streams from one or more content sources. Display 318 may encompass first display screen 102, second display screen 104, third display screen 106, side display screen 108, and/or another screen used for displaying video content.
Credit device 320 may be utilized to collect monies and distribute monies (e.g., cash, vouchers, etc.). Credit device 320 may interface with processor to allow for game play to take place. Processor 302 may determine any payouts, display configurations, animation, and/or any other functions associated with game play. Credit device 320 may interface with display 318 to display the amount of available credits for the player to use for wagering purposes. Credit device 320 may interface via device interface 322 with a mobile device to electronically transmit money and/or credits. Credit device 320 may interface with a player's pre-established account, which may be stored on electronic gaming system 200, to electronically transmit money and/or credit. For example, a player may have a credit card or other mag-stripe card on file with the location for which money and/or credits can be directly applied when the player is done. Credit device 320 may interface with a player's card to exchange player points.
Electronic gaming device 100 may include a device interface 322 that a user may employ with their mobile device (e.g. smart phone) to receive information from and/or transmit information to electronic gaming device 100 (e.g., watch a movie, listen to music, obtain verbal betting options, verification of identification, transmit credits, etc.).
Identification device 324 may be utilized to allow electronic gaming device 100 to determine an identity of a player. Based on information obtained by identification device 324, electronic gaming device 100 may be reconfigured. For example, the language, sound level, music, placement of video streams, placement of images, placement of gaming options, and/or the tables utilized may be modified based on player preference data.
For example, a player may have selected a specific baseball team (e.g., Atlanta Braves) under the sporting event preferences, the electronic gaming device 100 will then automatically (or via player input) display the current baseball game (e.g., Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies) onto side display screen 108 and/or alternate display screen as set in the player's options.
A voucher device 326 may generate, print, transmit, or receive a voucher. The voucher may represent a wagering option, a wagering structure, a wagering timeline, a value of wager, a payout potential, a payout, or any other wagering data. A voucher may represent an award, which may be used for other locations inside of the gaming establishment. For example, the voucher may be a coupon for the local buffet or a concert ticket.
Validation module 402 may utilize data received from voucher device 326 to confirm the validity of the voucher.
Voucher module 404 may store data relating to generated vouchers, redeemed vouchers, bought vouchers, and/or sold vouchers.
Reporting module 406 may generate reports related to a performance of electronic gaming device 100, electronic gaming system 200, video streams, gaming objects, credit device 114, and/or identification device 118.
Maintenance module 408 may track any maintenance that is implemented on electronic gaming device 100 and/or electronic gaming system 200. Maintenance module 408 may schedule preventative maintenance and/or request a service call based on a device error.
Player tracking preferences module 410 may compile and track data associated with a player's preferences.
2D evaluation module 412 may be utilized to evaluate the symbol combinations to determine a 2D payout.
3D evaluation module 414 may be utilized to evaluate the symbol combinations to determine a 3D payout. 2D evaluation module 412 may be utilized in combination with 3D evaluation module 414. Further, 2D evaluation module 412 and 3D evaluation module 414 may be combined into a single module.
Game plane module 416 may be utilized to determine which reels are active and/or inactive, which paylines are active and/or inactive, which XYZ planes are active and/or inactive, which symbol sets are active and/or inactive, and/or any combination thereof.
A player may make an additional wager for the ability to select 3D reels and/or paylines. The ability of the player to select 3D reels and/or paylines may be provided as an award. The ability of players to select 3D reels and/or paylines may be in the base game. The ability of the player to select 3D reels and/or paylines may be part of a bonus game. The ability of the player to select 3D reels and/or paylines may be combined in any structure.
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The player may select the number of paylines via input device 112. The number of paylines may range from one to some maximum. Slot games may have 1, 3, 5, 9, 20, or more paylines in various embodiments. The player may make a wager 1408 via input device 112 and electronic gaming device 100 may pull random numbers from a random number generator.
In one embodiment, all the necessary random numbers are draw prior to animating (spinning) the reels while in another embodiment, one random number is drawn then the individual reel is animated (spun) and stopped; this continues in left-to-right order, until the last reel has stopped animating (spinning).
Electronic gaming device 100 may utilize processor 302 and the pay table stored in memory 304 to evaluate the game outcome. The game may be presented to the player on first display screen 102, and/or the second display screen 104, and/or the third display screen 106, and/or any other display, and/or any combination thereof. This may be followed by presenting the win or loss outcome of the game evaluation on first display screen 102, and/or the second display screen 104, and/or the third display screen 106, and/or any other display, and/or or any combination thereof.
The system and/or method may support a plurality of slot games inter-related in a virtual three-dimensional space, according to one embodiment. The system and/or method may display the game planes selected by the player, electronic gaming device 100, and/or electronic gaming system 200 on first display screen 102, and/or second display screen 104, and/or third display screen 106, or any other display, and/or any combination thereof.
These three-dimensional games may have themes, such as, Star Trek™, Star Wars™, etc.
In an example, an electronic gaming device may include a first plurality of reels. The first plurality of reels may include a first set of symbols. The first plurality of reels may be located in a first xyz plane. The electronic gaming device may include a second plurality of reels. The second plurality of reels may include a second set of symbols. The second plurality of reels may be located in a second xyz plane. The electronic gaming device may include a third plurality of reels (up to an nth number of reels). The third plurality of reels may include a third set of symbols (up to an nth number of sets). The first set of symbols, the second set of symbols, the third set of symbols, the nth set of symbols may be the same set of symbols, different set of symbols, and/or any combination thereof. For example, all the set of symbols (e.g., cherries, bars, stars) may be the same. In another example, the first set of symbols may have cherries, bars, and stars, which are not present on any other plurality of reels. In another example, the first set of symbols and the second set of symbols may be the same while the third set of symbols is not the same as first set of symbols and the second set of symbols. In another example, the plurality of reels may have some symbols that are the same while other symbols are different. For example, the wild symbols are the same for all of the plurality of reels while the other symbols are not the same on the plurality of reels.
In another example, the electronic gaming device may include a memory. The memory may include a three-dimensional payline module. The three-dimensional payline module may include a plurality of three-dimensional payline structures. The electronic gaming device may include a processor, which may determine a three-dimensional payout based on one or more three-dimensional payline structures.
In another embodiment, the memory may include a non-three-dimensional payline module. The non-three-dimensional payline module may include a plurality of non-three-dimensional payline structures.
In an example, the processor may determine a payout based on one or more non-three-dimensional payline structures. The processor may determine a three-dimensional payout based on one or more three-dimensional payline structures utilizing the third plurality of reels. The processor may determine a payout based on one or more non-three-dimensional payline structures utilizing the third plurality of reels.
In an embodiment, the processor may activate at least one reel from at least one of the first plurality of reels, the second plurality of reels, the third plurality of reels, and the nth plurality of reels. An activation of one reel from at least one of the first plurality of reels, the second plurality of reels, the third plurality of reels, and the nth plurality of reels may be based on input received from a player, the electronic gaming device, and/or the electronic gaming system.
In another example, the processor may determine a three-dimensional payout based on an activation of one reel from at least one of the first plurality of reels, the second plurality of reels, the third plurality of reels, and the nth plurality of reels.
In another embodiment, a method of providing gaming play may include displaying a first plurality of reels in a first xyz plane. The method may include displaying a second plurality of reels in a second xyz plane. The method may include displaying a third plurality of reels in a third xyz plane. The method may include displaying an nth plurality of reels in any one of the planes. The method may include determining a three-dimensional payout based on data from the first plurality of reels, the second plurality of reels, the third plurality of reels, and the nth plurality of reels.
In another example, the method may include determining a non-three-dimensional payout based on data from the first plurality of reels, the second plurality of reels, the third plurality of reels, and the nth plurality of reels.
In an example, the method may include activating at least one reel from at least one of the first plurality of reels, the second plurality of reels, the third plurality of reels, and the nth plurality of reels. The method may also include determining a three-dimensional payout based on an activation of one reel from at least one of the first plurality of reels, the second plurality of reels, the third plurality of reels, and the nth plurality of reels.
In another embodiment, an electronic gaming system may include a server. The server may include a server memory and a server processor. The server processor may display a first plurality of reels, a second plurality of reels, a third plurality of reels, and an nth plurality of reels in a first plane (e.g., a first xyz plane), a second plane (e.g., a second xyz plane), and/or a third plane (e.g., a third xyz plane).
In another example, the server memory may include a three-dimensional payline module. The three-dimensional payline module may include a plurality of three-dimensional payline structures. The server processor may determine a three-dimensional payout based on one or more three-dimensional payline structures.
In an example, the server memory may include a non-three-dimensional payline module. The non-three-dimensional payline module may include a plurality of non-three-dimensional payline structures.
Gaming system may be a “state-based” system. A state-based system stores and maintains the system's current state in a non-volatile memory. Therefore, if a power failure or other malfunction occurs, the gaming system will return to the gaming system's state before the power failure or other malfunction occurred when the gaming system is powered up.
State-based gaming systems may have various functions (e.g., wagering, payline selections, reel selections, game play, bonus game play, evaluation of game play, game play result, steps of graphical representations, etc.) of the game. Each function may define a state. Further, the gaming system may store game histories, which may be utilized to reconstruct previous game plays.
A state-based system is different than a Personal Computer (“PC”) because a PC is not a state-based machine. A state-based system has different software and hardware design requirements as compared to a PC system.
The gaming system may include random number generators, authentication procedures, authentication keys, and operating system kernels. These devices, modules, software, and/or procedures may allow a gaming authority to track, verify, supervise, and manage the gaming system's codes and data.
A gaming system may include state-based software architecture, state-based supporting hardware, watchdog timers, voltage monitoring systems, trust memory, gaming system designed communication interfaces, and security monitoring.
For regulatory purposes, the gaming system may be designed to prevent the gaming system's owner from misusing (e.g., cheating) via the gaming system. The gaming system may be designed to be static and monolithic.
In one example, the instructions coded in the gaming system are non-changeable (e.g., static) and are approved by a gaming authority and installation of the codes are supervised by the gaming authority. Any change in the system may require approval from the gaming authority. Further, a gaming system may have a procedure/device to validate the code and prevent the code from being utilized if the code is invalid. The hardware and software configurations are designed to comply with the gaming authorities' requirements.
As used herein, the term “mobile device” refers to a device that may from time to time have a position that changes. Such changes in position may comprise of changes to direction, distance, and/or orientation. In particular examples, a mobile device may comprise of a cellular telephone, wireless communication device, user equipment, laptop computer, other personal communication system (“PCS”) device, personal digital assistant (“PDA”), personal audio device (“PAD”), portable navigational device, or other portable communication device. A mobile device may also comprise of a processor or computing platform adapted to perform functions controlled by machine-readable instructions.
The methodologies described herein may be implemented by various means depending upon applications according to particular examples. For example, such methodologies may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or combinations thereof. In a hardware implementation, for example, a processing unit may be implemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), digital signal processors (“DSPs”), digital signal processing devices (“DSPDs”), programmable logic devices (“PLDs”), field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other devices units designed to perform the functions described herein, or combinations thereof.
Some portions of the detailed description included herein are presented in terms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on binary digital signals stored within a memory of a specific apparatus or a special purpose computing device or platform. In the context of this particular specification, the term specific apparatus or the like includes a general purpose computer once it is programmed to perform particular operations pursuant to instructions from program software. Algorithmic descriptions or symbolic representations are examples of techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is considered to be a self-consistent sequence of operations or similar signal processing leading to a desired result. In this context, operations or processing involve physical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, although not necessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared or otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, data, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, numerals, or the like. It should be understood, however, that all of these or similar terms are to be associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the discussion herein, it is appreciated that throughout this specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining” or the like refer to actions or processes of a specific apparatus, such as a special purpose computer or a similar special purpose electronic computing device. In the context of this specification, therefore, a special purpose computer or a similar special purpose electronic computing device is capable of manipulating or transforming signals, typically represented as physical electronic or magnetic quantities within memories, registers, or other information storage devices, transmission devices, or display devices of the special purpose computer or similar special purpose electronic computing device.
Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “an example,” “embodiment,” and/or “another example” should be considered to mean that the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more examples.
While there has been illustrated and described what are presently considered to be example features, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from the disclosed subject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the central concept described herein. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter not be limited to the particular examples disclosed.
