Methods for Administering Card Games

Abstract

This invention relates generally to a card game wherein a player selects a new card from a pile of open-faced cards to complete a hand. Preferably, the game is implemented in even rounds of card selection so that the order of players selecting cards is reversed every round. In the most preferred embodiment, the card game follows the basic hand ranking of poker and is implemented in conjunction with a series of bets to increase the size of the pot and the player's excitement.

Claims

1. A method of playing a card game comprising: dealing at least one card face-down to each player from a deck of cards, dividing the remaining cards of the deck into at least two piles; flipping a first pile of cards face-up and spreading them out so that all the cards may be viewed; allowing each player in turn to select a single card from the selection of face-up cards, flipping a second pile of cards face-up and spreading them out so that all the cards may be viewed; allowing each player in the reverse order to select a single card from the second selection of face-up cards, repeating the pile-flipping and card-selection steps until there are no more piles of cards; and comparing the hands of all players to determine the ranking of said hands.

2. The method of claim 1, in which the card game is draw poker

3. The method of claim 1, in which the remaining cards of the deck are divided into four piles.

4. The method of claim 1, in which the remaining cards of the deck are divided into six piles.

5. The method of claim 1, in which two cards are dealt faced-down.

6. The method of claim 1, in which three cards are dealt faced-down.

7. The method of claim 1, in which four cards are dealt faced-down.

8. The method of claim 1, in which five cards are dealt faced-down.

9. The method of claim 1, in which all players submit an ante prior to dealing at least one card face-down to each player from a deck of cards.

10. The method of claim 1, in which all players may pass, bet, raise the bet, match the bet, or fold after the face-down cards have been dealt.

11. The method of claim 1, in which all players may pass, bet, raise the bet, match the bet, or fold after at least one round of open-faced card selection.

12. The method of claim 1, in which a betting minimum and/or maximum is imposed on all players.

13. The method of claim 1, in which a limited number of times a player may pass, bet, raise the bet, match the bet, and/or fold is imposed on all players.

14. A method of playing a card game comprising: dealing one card face-down to each player from a deck of cards, dividing the remaining cards of the deck into an even number of piles; flipping a first pile of cards face-up and spreading them out so that all the cards may be viewed; allowing each player in turn to select a single card from the selection of face-up cards; flipping a second pile of cards face-up and spreading them out so that all the cards may be viewed; allowing each player in the reverse order to select a single card from the second selection of face-up cards, repeating the pile-flipping and card-selection steps until there are no more piles of cards; and comparing the hands of all players to determine the ranking of said hands.

15. The method of claim 14, in which more than one card is dealt faced-down.

16. The method of claim 14, in which all players submit an ante prior to dealing at least one card face-down to each player from a deck of cards.

17. The method of claim 14, in which all players may pass, bet, raise the bet, match the bet, or fold after the face-down cards have been dealt.

18. The method of claim 14, in which all players may pass, bet, raise the bet, match the bet, or fold after at least one round of open-faced card selection.

19. The method of claim 14, in which a betting minimum and/or maximum is imposed on all players.

20. The method of claim 14, in which a limited number of times a player may pass, bet, raise the bet, match the bet, and/or fold is imposed on all players.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] While the disclosure concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming embodiments within the scope of the disclosure, various features and advantages of embodiments encompassed by the disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0055] FIG. 1 represents the first step in a card game in which three players, Players A, B, and C, are each dealt three cards and the remaining cards in the deck are split into two piles, Pile 1 and Pile 2, according to one specific embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 2 represents the second step in the aforementioned card game, wherein Pile 1 is turned over to face-up and spread out so that all the cards may be viewed.

[0057] FIG. 3 represents the third step in the aforementioned card game, wherein the first player to select a card from Pile 1 is Player A.

[0058] FIG. 4 represents the fourth step in the aforementioned card game, wherein the second player to select a card from Pile 1 is Player B

[0059] FIG. 5 represents the fifth step in the aforementioned card game, wherein the third player to select a card from Pile 1 is Player C.

[0060] FIG. 6 represents the sixth step in the aforementioned card game, wherein the unselected cards from Pile 1 are flipped face down and moved to a Dead Pile; and Pile 2 is turned over to face-up and spread out so that all the cards may be viewed.

[0061] FIG. 7 represents the seventh step in the aforementioned card game, wherein the first player to select a card from Pile 2 is Player C.

[0062] FIG. 8 represents the eighth step in the aforementioned card game, wherein the second player to select a card from Pile 2 is Player B.

[0063] FIG. 9 represents the ninth step in the aforementioned card game, wherein the third player to select a card from Pile 2 is Player A.

[0064] FIG. 10 represents the tenth step in the aforementioned card game, wherein the unselected cards from Pile 2 are flipped face down and moved to the Dead Pile; and Players A, B, and C have flipped over their respective face down cards to reveal their complete five-card poker hand.

WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0065] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, one or more specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered merely an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention only to the embodiments described and illustrated.

[0066] Any patent, patent application or other document referred to herein is incorporated by reference into this patent application as part of the present disclosure, but only for purposes of written description and enablement in accordance with 35 U S.C. 112, paragraph 1, and should in no way be used to limit, define, or otherwise construe any term of the present application, unless without such incorporation by reference, no ordinary meaning would have been ascertainable by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Such person of ordinary skill in the art need not have been in any way limited by any embodiments provided in the reference. Conversely, the definitions provided in this application should not be used to limit, define, or otherwise construe any term of any document incorporated herein by reference. The definitions set forth explicitly in this application are controlling notwithstanding the description of particular embodiments that may be incompatible with the definition(s). Any incorporation by reference does not, in and of itself, imply any endorsement of, ratification of or acquiescence in any statements, opinions, arguments or characterizations contained in any incorporated patent, patent application or other document, unless explicitly specified otherwise in this patent application.

[0067] The game of the present invention can be played on a conventional playing card table or any electronic computing device. The game is most preferably played in a casino for gambling purposes. Alternatively, it can be played on a computing device (i.e. a desktop computer or PC, a laptop or other portable computer, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant or PDA, or other such computing devices) as an on-line game over the Internet as part of a Wide Area Network (WAN), as part of a Local Area Network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN) and/or a stand-alone computing device.

[0068] FIG. 1 is a representative of one embodiment of the present invention in which three players are dealt three cards face down and the remaining cards in the deck are divided into two piles. Player A is dealt cards 300, 310, and 320 face down. Player B is dealt cards 400, 410, and 420 face down. Player C is dealt cards 500, 510, and 520 face down. The remaining cards in the deck are divided into a first pile, Pile 1 100, and a second pile, Pile 2 200.

[0069] FIG. 2 is the second step of the aforementioned embodiment in which Pile 1 100 is flipped over to be face up, and spread out so that all of the cards may be viewed by all of the players. Pile 2 200 remains face down. Player A can look at cards 300, 310, and 320, but the remaining players are not allowed to view them. Player B can look at cards 400, 410, and 420, but the remaining players are not allowed to view them. Player C can look at cards 500, 510, and 520, but the remaining players are not allowed to view them. For the purposes of this illustration, cards 300, 310, 320, 400, 410, 420, 500, 510, and 520 remain face down and are only known to the player holding those cards.

[0070] FIG. 3 is the third step in the aforementioned embodiment in which Player A chose one card 330 from Pile 1 100. Any card that is picked from Pile 1 100 remains face up, such as the card 330 chosen by Player A. Pile 2 200 remains face down. For the purposes of this illustration, cards 300, 310, 320, 400, 410, 420, 500, 510, and 520 remain face down and are only known to the player holding those cards.

[0071] FIG. 4 is the fourth step in the aforementioned embodiment in which Player B chose one card 430 from Pile 1 100. Any card that is picked from Pile 1 100 remains face up, such as the card 430 selected by Player B, and the card 330 selected by Player A. Pile 2 200 remains face down. For the purposes of this illustration, cards 300, 310, 320, 400, 410, 420, 500, 510, and 520 remain face down and are only known to the player holding those cards.

[0072] FIG. 5 is the fifth step in the aforementioned embodiment in which Player C chose one card 530 from Pile 1 100. Any card that is picked from Pile 1 100 remains face up, such as the card 530 chosen by Player C, the card 430 selected by Player B, and the card 330 selected by Player A. Pile 2 200 remains face down. For the purposes of this illustration, cards 300, 310, 320, 400, 410, 420, 500, 510, and 520 remain face down and are only known to the player holding those cards.

[0073] FIG. 6 is the sixth step in the aforementioned embodiment in which the unselected cards from Pile 1 are flipped face down and moved to the Dead Pile 600. Pile 2 200 is flipped face up and spread out so that all of the cards may be viewed by all of the players. The cards 330, 430, and 530 selected from Pile 1 remain face up. For the purposes of this illustration, cards 300, 310, 320, 400, 410, 420, 500, 510, and 520 remain face down and are only known to the player holding those cards.

[0074] FIG. 7 is the seventh step in the aforementioned embodiment. It is important to note that the order of card selection has been reversed. The last player to select a card in the first round, Player C, is now the first player to select a card in the second round. Player C selected the card 540 from Pile 2 200. The cards 330, 430, and 530 selected from Pile 1 remain face up. The Dead Pile 600 remains face down. For the purposes of this illustration, cards 300, 310, 320, 400, 410, 420, 500, 510, and 520 remain face down and are only known to the player holding those cards.

[0075] FIG. 8 is the eighth step in the aforementioned embodiment. Even though the order of selection has been reversed in the second round, Player B is the second player to choose a card 440 from Pile 2 200. The cards 330, 430, and 530 selected from Pile 1, as well as the card 540 selected from Pile 2 200, remain face up. The Dead Pile 600 remains face down. For the purposes of this illustration, cards 300, 310, 320, 400, 410, 420, 500, 510, and 520 remain face down and are only known to the player holding those cards.

[0076] FIG. 9 is the ninth step in the aforementioned embodiment. The first player to select a card in the first round, Player A, is now the last player to select a card in the second round. Player A selected the card 340 from Pile 2 200. The cards 330, 430, and 530 selected from Pile 1, as well as the cards 540 and 440 selected from Pile 2 200, remain face up. The Dead Pile 600 remains face down. For the purposes of this illustration, cards 300, 310, 320, 400, 410, 420, 500, 510, and 520 remain face down and are only known to the player holding those cards.

[0077] FIG. 10 is the final step in the aforementioned embodiment in which the unselected cards from Pile 2 are flipped face down and added to the Dead Pile 600. All players have flipped all of their cards face up and compare their respective hands to determine the winner Player B reveals the winning hand with a Flush because her cards 400, 410, 420, 430, and 440 are composed of a single suit. Player C has the second-best hand because his cards 500, 510, 520, 530, and 540 reveal a Straight Player A has the third-best hand because her cards 300, 310, 320, 330, and 340 only reveal Three-Of-A-Kind. According to conventional poker rules, a Flush beats a Straight, and both beat Three-Of-A-Kind.

[0078] The basic rules of this invention can be extrapolated to encompass various embodiments. In one example of the invention, a card game is played with a hand of five cards wherein the highest-ranking hand per conventional poker rules wins. For example, the dealer deals one card face down to each player The remaining unused cards in the deck are then separated into four piles faced-down in front of the dealer. A minimum number of cards must be present in each pile to equal the number of players. Pile 1 is then turned over to face-up and spread out so all the cards may be viewed. Moving left-to-right from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the selection of face-up cards. Every card chosen by a player will remain faced-up in front of the player who selected it. After each player has selected a card, the dealer then collects the unselected cards and turns them face down into a dead pile. These cards are now dead to the game and cannot be used or viewed. The dealer then turns over Pile 2 of cards and spreads them out in full view Moving right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the second selection of face-up cards. In other words, the last player to choose in the initial round now gets to choose first in the subsequent round because the order of selection is reversed. After each player has chosen one card from the second selection of face-up cards, the remaining cards are flipped face down and added to the dead pile. The dealer then turns over the third pile of cards faced-up and spreads them out in full view Moving left-to-right from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the third selection of face-up cards. In other words, the order of selection has reversed again to imitate the first round of selection. The dealer then collects the unselected cards from the third selection of face-up cards, flips them face down, and adds them to the dead pile. The dealer then turns over the fourth and final pile of cards, and spreads them out in full view. Moving right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the fourth selection of face-up cards. In other words, the order of selection has reversed again to imitate the second round of selection. The unselected cards from the fourth selection of faced-up cards are flipped face down and placed in the dead pile. Each player should now have five cards, one faced-down and four faced-up. Whoever has the highest-ranking poker hand wins.

[0079] In a second example of the invention, a card game is played with a hand of five cards wherein the highest-ranking hand per conventional poker rules wins. In this embodiment, the dealer deals three cards face down to each player. The remaining unused cards in the deck are then separated into two piles faced-down in front of the dealer A minimum number of cards must be present in each pile to equal the number of players. Pile 1 is then turned over to face-up and spread out so all the cards may be viewed. Moving left-to-right from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the selection of face-up cards. Every card chosen by a player will remain faced-up in front of the player who selected it. After each player has selected a card, the dealer then collects the unselected cards and turns them face down into a dead pile. The dealer then turns over Pile 2 of cards and spreads them out in full view Moving right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the second selection of face-up cards. In other words, the last player to choose in the initial round now gets to choose first in the subsequent round because the order of selection is reversed. After each player has chosen one card from the second selection of face-up cards, the remaining cards are flipped face down and added to the dead pile. Each player should now have five cards, three faced-down and two faced-up. Whoever has the highest-ranking poker hand wins.

[0080] In a third example of the invention, a card game is played with a hand of six cards wherein the highest-ranking hand per conventional poker rules wins. In this embodiment, the dealer deals two cards face down to each player The remaining unused cards in the deck are then separated into four piles faced-down in front of the dealer A minimum number of cards must be present in each pile to equal the number of players. Pile 1 is then turned over to face-up and spread out so all the cards may be viewed. Moving left-to-right from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the selection of face-up cards. Every card chosen by a player will remain faced-up in front of the player who selected it. After each player has selected a card, the dealer then collects the unselected cards and turns them face down into a dead pile. The dealer then turns over Pile 2 of cards and spreads them out in full view Moving right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the second selection of face-up cards. In other words, the last player to choose in the initial round now gets to choose first in the subsequent round because the order of selection is reversed. After each player has chosen one card from the second selection of face-up cards, the remaining cards are flipped face down and added to the dead pile. The dealer then turns over the third pile of cards faced-up and spreads them out in full view. Moving left-to-right from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the third selection of face-up cards. In other words, the order of selection has reversed again to imitate the first round of selection. The dealer then collects the unselected cards from the third selection of face-up cards, flips them face down, and adds them to the dead pile. The dealer then turns over the fourth and final pile of cards, and spreads them out in full view Moving right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the fourth selection of face-up cards. In other words, the order of selection has reversed again to imitate the second round of selection. The unselected cards from the fourth selection of faced-up cards are flipped face down and placed in the dead pile. Each player should now have six cards, two faced-down and four faced-up. Whoever has the highest-ranking poker hand wins.

[0081] In a fourth example of the invention, a card game is played with a hand of six cards wherein the highest-ranking hand per conventional poker rules wins. In this embodiment, the dealer deals four cards face down to each player. The remaining unused cards in the deck are then separated into two piles faced-down in front of the dealer A minimum number of cards must be present in each pile to equal the number of players. Pile 1 is then turned over to face-up and spread out so all the cards may be viewed. Moving left-to-right from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the selection of face-up cards. Every card chosen by a player will remain faced-up in front of the player who selected it. After each player has selected a card, the dealer then collects the unselected cards and turns them face down into a dead pile. The dealer then turns over Pile 2 of cards and spreads them out in full view Moving right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the second selection of face-up cards. In other words, the last player to choose in the initial round now gets to choose first in the subsequent round because the order of selection is reversed. After each player has chosen one card from the second selection of face-up cards, the remaining cards are flipped face down and added to the dead pile. Each player should now have six cards, four faced-down and two faced-up. Whoever has the highest-ranking poker hand wins.

[0082] In a fifth example of the invention, a card game is played with a hand of seven cards wherein the highest-ranking hand per conventional poker rules wins. In this embodiment, the dealer deals one card face down to each player. The remaining unused cards in the deck are then separated into six piles faced-down in front of the dealer. A minimum number of cards must be present in each pile to equal the number of players. Pile 1 is then turned over to face-up and spread out so all the cards may be viewed. Moving left-to-right from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the selection of face-up cards. Every card chosen by a player will remain faced-up in front of the player who selected it. After each player has selected a card, the dealer then collects the unselected cards and turns them face down into a dead pile. The dealer then turns over Pile 2 of cards and spreads them out in full view Moving right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the second selection of face-up cards. In other words, the last player to choose in the initial round now gets to choose first in the subsequent round because the order of selection is reversed. After each player has chosen one card from the second selection of face-up cards, the remaining cards are flipped face down and added to the dead pile. The dealer then turns over the third pile of cards faced-up and spreads them out in full view Moving left-to-right from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the third selection of face-up cards. In other words, the order of selection has reversed again to imitate the first round of selection. The dealer then collects the unselected cards from the third selection of face-up cards, flips them face down, and adds them to the dead pile. The dealer then turns over the fourth pile of cards, and spreads them out in full view. Moving right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the fourth selection of face-up cards. In other words, the order of selection has reversed again to imitate the second round of selection. The unselected cards from the fourth selection of faced-up cards are flipped face down and placed in the dead pile. The dealer then turns over the fifth pile of cards faced-up and spreads them out in full view Moving left-to-right from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the fifth selection of face-up cards. In other words, the order of selection has reversed again to imitate the first round of selection. The dealer then collects the unselected cards from the fifth selection of face-up cards, flips them face down, and adds them to the dead pile. The dealer then turns over the sixth and final pile of cards, and spreads them out in full view Moving right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the fourth selection of face-up cards. In other words, the order of selection has reversed again to imitate the second round of selection. The unselected cards from the sixth selection of faced-up cards are flipped face down and placed in the dead pile. Each player should now have seven cards, one faced-down and six faced-up. Whoever has the highest-ranking poker hand wins.

[0083] In a sixth example of the invention, a card game is played with a hand of seven cards wherein the highest-ranking hand per conventional poker rules wins. In this embodiment, the dealer deals three cards face down to each player. The remaining unused cards in the deck are then separated into four piles faced-down in front of the dealer. A minimum number of cards must be present in each pile to equal the number of players. Pile 1 is then turned over to face-up and spread out so all the cards may be viewed. Moving left-to-right from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the selection of face-up cards. Every card chosen by a player will remain faced-up in front of the player who selected it. After each player has selected a card, the dealer then collects the unselected cards and turns them face down into a dead pile. The dealer then turns over Pile 2 of cards and spreads them out in full view Moving right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the second selection of face-up cards. In other words, the last player to choose in the initial round now gets to choose first in the subsequent round because the order of selection is reversed. After each player has chosen one card from the second selection of face-up cards, the remaining cards are flipped face down and added to the dead pile. The dealer then turns over the third pile of cards faced-up and spreads them out in full view. Moving left-to-right from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the third selection of face-up cards. In other words, the order of selection has reversed again to imitate the first round of selection. The dealer then collects the unselected cards from the third selection of face-up cards, flips them face down, and adds them to the dead pile. The dealer then turns over the fourth and final pile of cards, and spreads them out in full view. Moving right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the fourth selection of face-up cards. In other words, the order of selection has reversed again to imitate the second round of selection. The unselected cards from the fourth selection of faced-up cards are flipped face down and placed in the dead pile. Each player should now have seven cards, three faced-down and four faced-up. Whoever has the highest-ranking poker hand wins.

[0084] In a seventh example of the invention, a card game is played with a hand of seven cards wherein the highest-ranking hand per conventional poker rules wins. In this embodiment, the dealer deals five cards face down to each player. The remaining unused cards in the deck are then separated into two piles faced-down in front of the dealer A minimum number of cards must be present in each pile to equal the number of players. Pile 1 is then turned over to face-up and spread out so all the cards may be viewed. Moving left-to-right from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the selection of face-up cards. Every card chosen by a player will remain faced-up in front of the player who selected it. After each player has selected a card, the dealer then collects the unselected cards and turns them face down into a dead pile. The dealer then turns over Pile 2 of cards and spreads them out in full view. Moving right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer, each player will choose one card from the second selection of face-up cards. In other words, the last player to choose in the initial round now gets to choose first in the subsequent round because the order of selection is reversed. After each player has chosen one card from the second selection of face-up cards, the remaining cards are flipped face down and added to the dead pile. Each player should now have seven cards, five faced-down and two faced-up. Whoever has the highest-ranking poker hand wins.

[0085] Various elements can be added to these examples by incorporating the act of wagering on the outcome of the game. For example, each player may place a bet of a predetermined amount, or ante, before any cards are dealt. The ante is basically an entrance fee for each player to receive an initial hand of cards. This single bet may constitute the entirety of all wagers in a single round of play

[0086] In addition to the ante, or in lieu of the ante, an optional round of betting can be incorporated after the face down cards have been dealt. This round of betting may take place before or after the players inspect their face down cards. A typical round of betting can involve an initial player who chooses not to bet, followed by a player (either moving left-to-right or right-to-left from the perspective of the dealer) who chooses to place a bet, followed by a third player who must match the bet or fold, etc. until every player has either matched the bet or folded. There are a number of reasons as to why a player may want to pass, bet, raise the bet, match the bet, or fold his or her hand after viewing the face down cards. In addition, there are a number of reasons as to why a player may want to pass, bet, raise the bet, match the bet, or fold after witnessing another player's willingness to pass, bet, raise the bet, match the bet, or fold.

[0087] Another optional round of betting can be incorporated after the dealer clears away unselected cards into the dead pile. Based on the specific embodiment of the present invention at play, the game could offer multiple rounds of betting based purely on the number of rounds required for the players to select a card and complete their hands.

[0088] Furthermore, the rules of wagering may vary In one embodiment, betting limits may be incorporated into the game. For example, a minimum or a maximum ante may be imposed. In another example, a betting limit may place a minimum or a maximum on the amount of money that is wagered per round. Another embodiment may place a minimum or a maximum on the amount a bet may be raised. In another embodiment, a limit may be placed on the number of times a bet is raised in a single round of wagering.

[0089] Numerous embodiments and examples are described in the present application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only The words embodiment and example can be used interchangeably, as can the definitions of each word. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The disclosed invention is widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention may be practiced with various modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical, software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features of the disclosed invention may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0090] Though an embodiment may be disclosed as including several features, other embodiments of the invention may include fewer than all such features. Thus, for example, a claim may be directed to less than the entire set of features in a disclosed embodiment, and such claim would not be interpreted as requiring features beyond those features that the claim expressly recites.

[0091] No embodiment of method steps or product elements described in the present application constitutes the invention claimed herein, or is essential to the invention claimed herein, or is coextensive with the invention claimed herein, except where it is either expressly stated to be so in this specification or (with respect to a claim and the invention defined by that claim) expressly recited in that claim.

[0092] Any preambles of the claims that recite anything other than a statutory class shall be interpreted to recite purposes, benefits and possible uses of the claimed invention, and such preambles shall not be construed to limit the claimed invention.

[0093] The present disclosure is not a literal description of all embodiments of the invention. Also, the present disclosure is not a listing of features of the invention that must be present in all embodiments.

[0094] All disclosed embodiments are not necessarily covered by the claims (even including all pending, amended, issued and canceled claims). In addition, a disclosed embodiment may be (but need not necessarily be) covered by several claims. Accordingly, where a claim (regardless of whether pending, amended, issued or canceled) is directed to a particular embodiment, such is not evidence that the scope of other claims do not also cover that embodiment.