U.S. Pat. No. 11,478,712

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter related to a system and method for an online gaming platform having a random number generator will now be described more fully hereinafter. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any particular implementations set forth herein; examples are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be implemented as apparatus and methods of use thereof. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Likewise, the term “implementations of the present disclosure” does not require that all implementations of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations and is not intended to be limiting of implementations of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Now referring toFIG. 1which shows an example online gaming platform100embodied as a system. The online gaming platform100is communicable with at least one client computing device130over a network120.FIG. 1shows an example online gaming platform100in communication with three client computing devices130,140, and150. It should be appreciated that the online gaming platform100can be in communication with any suitable number of “n” client computing devices (e.g., 100s, 1000s, etc.). The client computing device can be associated with players participating in online gameplay. The online gaming platform100can be further in communication with at least one database160for storing software associated with the games and with the account information of the players participating in online gameplay. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100can be further in communication to at least one database160to store game activity data of the game play hosted by the online gaming platform. It should be appreciated that although one database160is illustrated inFIG. 1, in some implementations, any suitable number of databases may be utilized by the system. Similarly, the online gaming platform100may include any suitable number of databases to accomplish the system and methods discussed herein. Similarly,FIG. 1shows the online gaming platform embodied as a system. However, one or more modules of the online gaming platform100can also be incorporated into one or more client computing devices. Furthermore, it can be seen inFIG. 1that the gaming platform100may be in communication with the random number engine175connected to a blockchain server through a network. In some implementations, the gaming platform100may be in communication with the random number engine175through network120. In some other implementations, the gaming platform100may be in communication with the random number engine175through network180. In some implementations, network120and network180can be the same. In one implementation, network120and network180can be different.

The network120and/or the network180can be a wired or wireless network. The wired network may include, in some implementations, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), coaxial cable lines, or optical fiber lines. It should be appreciated that any suitable wired network may be utilized. The wireless network may include, in some implementations, BLUETOOTH, Wi-Fi, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), an infrared channel or satellite band. The wireless network may also include any cellular network standards used to communicate among mobile devices, including standards that qualify as 3G, 4G, or 5G. Examples of cellular network standards include AMPS, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, LTE, LTE Advanced, Mobile WiMAX, and WiMAX-Advanced. Cellular network standards may use various channel access methods e.g. FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, or SDMA. It should be appreciated that any suitable wireless network may be utilized. The geographical scope of the networks120/180may vary widely and the networks120/180can be a body area network (BAN), a personal area network (PAN), a local-area network (LAN), e.g. Intranet, a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet. In some implementations, the networks120/180may utilize different techniques and layers or stacks of protocols, including, e.g., the Ethernet protocol, the internet protocol suite (TCP/IP), the ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) technique, the SONET (Synchronous Optical Networking) protocol, or the SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) protocol. In some implementations, the TCP/IP internet protocol suite may include the application layer, transport layer, internet layer (including, e.g., IPv6), or the link layer. The network120may be a type of a broadcast network, a telecommunications network, a data communication network, or a computer network.

In some implementations, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the online gaming platform100may be in communication with a blockchain system via communications network180. One blockchain system is represented inFIG. 1as one or more blockchain nodes190, described more fully hereinbelow.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of the online gaming platform100shown as a server205and random number engine175. It should be appreciated that the online gaming platform100may include one or more servers such as server205. In some implementations, multiple servers can be clustered. In some implementations, multiple servers can be distributed across a geographic region, country, and/or the world. In some implementations, the server resources are cloud based server resources such as found in a Platform as a Service that can scale up or scale down as the more or fewer client computing devices (e.g., client computing devices130,140,150) access the online gaming platform100. In some implementations, the server providing online gaming platform100can also be configured in a LAN environment.

In some implementations, the server205may include one or more processors210and one or more memory220. The memory220may include a gaming engine module230stored on the memory220and executable by the processor210. In some implementations, the gaming engine module230includes program code that when executed, can generate one or more interactive gameplay instances playable on the client computing device130,140, and150. In some implementations, the memory220further includes a virtual currency module240stored on the memory220and executable by the processor210. In some implementations, the virtual currency module240may have program code that when executed, issues and manages virtual currency accounts in addition to performing currency exchange between fiat currency and virtual currency. Further, as shown inFIG. 2, in some implementations, memory220may include ghost module260stored on the memory220and executable by the processor210.

In some implementations, the server205is configured for storing, processing, and providing provably fair games to a player (where the games include and/or utilize random number generation). For this purpose, the server205and the client computing devices may include memory, one or more processors, and one or more communication modules. The processor may be any suitable processor, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and/or the like. The processor may be configured to retrieve data from and/or write data to the memory. The memory may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a memory buffer, a hard drive, a database, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a floppy disk, cloud storage, and/or so forth. It should be appreciated that, in some implementations, more than one memory or a combination of types of memory may be utilized by server205. In one implementation, the server205may include one or more hardware-based modules (e.g., DSP, FPGA, ASIC) and/or software-based modules (e.g., a module of computer code stored in the memory and executed by the processor, a set of processor-readable instructions that may be stored in the memory and executed by the processor) associated with executing an application, such as, for example, an online gaming application.

In some implementations, server205may be connected to one or more databases160(e.g., in memory and/or through a wired and/or a wireless connection) for storing data received from client computing devices connected to the server205via communication network120. The server205may further comprise a User Interface (UI) in communication with the database to facilitate the display of data stored in the database.

Any database discussed herein may include relational, hierarchical, graphical, object-oriented structure, flat, noSQL and/or any other database configurations. Common database products that may be used to implement the databases include DB2 by IBM (White Plains, N.Y.), various database products available from Oracle Corporation (Redwood Shores, Calif.), Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Server by Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, Wash.), MySQL, or any other suitable database product. Moreover, the databases may be organized in any suitable manner, for example, as data tables or lookup tables. Database records may be a single file, a series of files, a linked series of data fields, or any other data structure. Association of certain data may be accomplished through any suitable data association technique.

In some implementations, the virtual currency module240further comprises program code that when executed, can cause a processor210to issue credits, tokens, and gifts as virtual currency bundles.

In some implementation, the virtual currency may be purchased using real currency, credit virtual currency, special virtual currency, ordinary virtual currency, and/or the like. In some implementations, virtual currency may be obtained through the online gaming platform100by winning the virtual currency, receiving the virtual currency as a gift, and/or the like.

In some implementations, the online gaming platform100can further comprise a ghost module260for operably coupling the online gaming platform100with other crypto exchange platforms and also third-party crypto exchange platforms. In some implementations, the ghost module260couples the gaming module with the virtual currency module seamlessly to enable the player to play the game straight from his/her exchange or wallet. Thus, in some implementations, the ghost module260seamlessly integrates the cryptocurrency coins generated under diverse types of blockchain technology in the cryptocurrency market (e.g., the Ethereum token ERC20).

In some implementations, the player can play the game and use the exchange straight from their account with the online gaming platform100, thereby eliminating the need for the online gaming platform100to hold the player's funds.

In some implementations, the online gaming platform100may include a digital wallet module. In some implementations, server205may be configured to manage one or more different types of currency (e.g., fiat currency, cryptocurrency, etc.). In some such implementations, a player may deposit funds/currency into a digital wallet associated with the player and maintained in the online gaming platform100. Thus, in some implementations, the online gaming platform100can hold the player's funds/currencies during the game play using the online gaming platform100. The player is at least partially empowered to operate the digital wallet associated with the player.

In some implementations, online gaming platform100communicates with a digital wallet module that can reside on a client computing device (e.g., client computing device130). In some implementations, the digital wallet module can be a standalone application or embedded in a web browser application. In some implementations where the online gaming platform100uses a digital wallet module on a client computing device, the player's funds/currencies usable in the online gaming platform100are not stored in the online gaming platform100, but the player's funds/currencies are stored in the digital wallet associated with the player. Further, in some implementations, the wallet may be encrypted, and the player may be provided with private keys so as to fully empower the player to operate the wallet.

In some implementations, the virtual currency module is configured to generate and store records of one or more transactions. In one implementation, transaction details may be included in a transaction details data structure included as part of the request. For example, the transaction details data structure may be passed in as an argument to a function written a suitable programming language (e.g., the PHP programming language). In some implementations, the transaction details data structure may include a variety of fields such as the unique ID (UID) for a player involved in the transaction, the type or types of virtual currency to be credited, amount of virtual currency to be credited, and/or any other suitable data field).

In some implementations, the online gaming platform100can provide games that are configured to be played with particular currencies, such as Bitcoin™ (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), XRP (Ripple) or any other currency/cryptocurrency type. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100enables the players to play games with uniform cryptocurrency coins. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100enables players to play games with one or more different cryptocurrency coins. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100enables players to play games with one or more different currencies (e.g., fiat and/or cryptocurrencies).

In one implementation, the online gaming platform100is configured to enable players to play in a uniform cryptocurrency of Bitcoin currency. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100enables client computing devices (e.g., client computing devices130,140, etc.) to display an estimate of the Bitcoin currency relative to a fiat currency next to the total available Bitcoin currency for a player at a client computing device. For example, the estimation can be shown in one or more types of real currencies such as Dollar, Euros, Yen, Yuan, or any other currency type (e.g., including cryptocurrency) chosen by the players. In some implementations, while the players are playing a game and betting in Bitcoin, the online gaming platform100may provide an estimation value of the Bitcoin in one or more other currencies. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100displays the game pot in Bitcoin and may also provide an estimated value in one or more selected currencies. In some implementations, the rake (e.g., commission fee taken by the house or dealer) in the game can be taken with Bitcoin currency. In some implementations, as noted above, the dollar currency value relative to Bitcoin can be reset before start of the game (or at some other suitable time) as per the market value. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100maintains Bitcoin value relative to the dollar until the game is finished. That is, in some implementations, online gaming platform100keeps the value of Bitcoin to the US dollar the same during a play of a game, despite potential market fluctuations. In some implementations, online gaming platform100tracks the value of Bitcoin to the US dollar during a play of a game and calculates wager values, pot values, and rake values during the play of the game to keep pace with market fluctuations.

In some implementations, the online gaming platform100enables the player to convert virtual currency into a requested real currency or vice versa. For this purpose, the online gaming platform100may determine a conversion rate between the real currency and the requested virtual currency. The online gaming platform100may determine the conversion rate with one or more third party cryptocurrency exchanges. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100maintains its own cryptocurrency exchange. In some implementations, the conversion rate may be static (e.g., it may be retrieved from a locally stored database). In another example implementation, the conversion rate may be calculated dynamically (e.g., based on information associated at the time of the beginning the game). Accordingly, in some implementations, the present disclosure enables embedding the currency conversion to the online games from a live cryptocurrency exchange market.

In another example implementation of a game played on the online gaming platform100, diverse types of cryptocurrencies can be used for a game (e.g., a poker game). In one example, a first player may use Bitcoins, a second player may use 10 ETH (Ethereum) coins, a third player may use 3000 XRP (Ripple) coins, a fourth player may use 40 LTC (Litecoin) coins, and a fifth player may use 250 EOS coins. The different numbers of coin may reflect the difference in values of the various cryptocurrencies relative to each other. Thus, in some implementations, the online gaming platform100enables players to play in the cryptocurrency of their own choosing. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100calculates relative values of the played cryptocurrencies to one or more other types of other currencies (e.g., fiat currency or cryptocurrency) such as USD, Euros, Yen, Yuan, or any other type of currency chosen by the players. The players bet in their own coin, but the estimation values are illustrated next to the cryptocurrencies. The players are in the game with diverse types of coins having different estimation values relative to other currencies. In some implementations, when the players place wagers/betting, the player may bet in dollar values of their selected currency. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100maintains the game pot in a single currency (e.g., USD).

In some implementations, the online gaming platform100calculates the values of the player's selected currency into an estimated dollar value during the gameplay. When the online gaming platform100determines a winning player, the online gaming platform100may award the game pot to the winning player. The online gaming platform100may convert the game pot's dollar value (or other suitable currency) into the player's selected currency (e.g., LTC, Bitcoin, etc.) and provide the winning player with the game pot in the converted currency. In some implementations, the rake is taken as a percentage of the winner's coins in the converted currency. In some implementations, the rake is taken as a percentage of the game pot's dollar value. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100resets the dollar currency value relative to other currencies at start of the game to the market value and keeps the relative values the same until the gameplay of the game is finished (e.g., when the winner is paid the game pot).

In yet another example implementation where the player can play a game through the online gaming platform100using their own selected currency, the online gaming platform100enables players to play a game from their own cryptocurrency wallets. In some implementations, the players enable access to the player's cryptocurrency wallets using application programming interfaces to push and/or pull cryptocurrency from the player's cryptocurrency wallets for gameplay. In some implementations, when the online gaming platform100awards the game pot to a winning player, the online gaming platform100pays the winning player with the respective currencies of one or more of the players involved in the game and also the rake is paid with the currency of one or more of the players involved in the game. That is, in some implementations, the online gaming platform100does not convert one or more of the currencies to other currencies. For example, if a poker game is played with Bitcoin, XRP, and LTC, the online gaming platform100may award a winning player in Bitcoin, XRP, and LTC (e.g., the currencies used to form the game pot). Similarly, the rake percentage may be taken in Bitcoin, XRP, and LTC. Thus, in some implementations, players play with a currency of their choice (e.g., a game of poker can be played with one or more different currencies). This facilitates playing directly from the player's crypto wallet while seated with other players playing with currency of their choice. In some implementations, the players are responsible for converting any won currencies into a preferred currency. In some implementations, the conversion can be performed through an exchange associated with the online gaming platform100. In some implementations, the players can perform the currency exchange through a third-party exchange. In an example implementation, a first player owns a crypto wallet with Bitcoin currency and plays a game through the online gaming platform100with a second player that owns a different currency such as XRP currency. In the scenario that the first player wins the game, the online gaming platform100awards the game pot with one or more of the coins that were played with. That is, the online gaming platform100pays the first player with Bitcoin currency along with the wagered XRP of the second player. Further, in some implementations, the rake is paid with the currency of one or more of the players involved, which is Bitcoin and XRP currencies.

In some implementations, the online gaming platform100can enable a game to be played with fiat currency and/or cryptocurrency. In some implementations, real/fiat currencies representing different countries can be used for gameplay at a game (e.g., such as a poker game) along with one or more virtual currencies. In some implementations, players may use a virtual wallet with real money or a real wallet with real money along with a virtual wallet with virtual money and participate in the online game in the online gaming platform100. In some implementations, the players can wager/bet in one of a real/fiat currency and one of a virtual currency. When the online gaming platform100awards a game pot to a winning player, the game pot can be awarded in a combination of the real/fiat currency and a virtual currency. Likewise, in some implementations, the rake can be taken in a combination of the real/fiat currency and a virtual currency. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100may convert any of the currencies used to play the game into one or more other currencies before paying out any winnings or while wagers are made at the request of a player.

In some implementations, the online gaming platform100disclosed herein integrates a crypto exchange platform with online poker game, for example, which distinguished the present disclosure from prior art online games with cryptocurrency. The integration of the crypto exchange platform with the online gaming platform as disclosed herein can eliminate the need for the player to buy a particular currency to participate in a game (e.g., host (game industry) coin to play a game) and enables players to play games with the currency of their choice and receive winnings in that same currency coin or another currency of their choice.

In some implementations, all or a portion of the online gaming platform100may be configured as an application in the client computing device. Applications, as used herein, include any set of computing instructions. Applications instruct an electronic device to perform specified functions. Applications typically contain logic and methods for accessing, manipulating, and storing data. Examples of applications include word processors, web browsers, email clients, games (e.g., chess games), and media players. Applications may contain instructions on displaying and formatting data. For example, an application may instruct an electronic device to access certain data and display it in a specified format and/or at a specified time. Applications may be transported via any method suitable for such purpose. For example, the applications may be downloaded to the client computing device via a Web browser or may be transported to the client computing device using a “push” type operation via a network protocol over a cable or wireless infrastructure. Possible means for pushing an application or application reference include, but are not limited to email, embedding in a Web page, part of an RSS feed, a WAP™ Push or a Bluetooth™ Transmission. The system for deploying applications to the client computing device may optionally include a runtime environment for the application. A runtime environment is software that allows a client computing device to execute application code.

In one implementation, virtual currencies are transferred between accounts by utilizing funds held “on-platform” to perform gameplay, and crediting said funds back to an “off-platform” source at the conclusion of a round of gameplay. The virtual currency can be transferred off-platform, directly to a players blockchain wallet. In some implementations, the player is the only individual who possesses the cryptographic keys to this the player's blockchain wallet, and therefore is the sole owner of the funds credited. Also, the mechanism in which this transfer and exchange occurs in performed programmatically using the standards provided by the blockchain technologies that support each of the virtual currencies described such as Litecoin or Ethereum. In some implementations, this allows the exchange and off-platform transfer of virtual currencies to occur seamlessly and substantially in real-time. This can significantly reduce the risk that the players funds are stuck in a centralized system.

Furthermore, these funds can be utilized by the player in any way they see fit. It is no longer dependent on the “platform” once it is transferred “off-platform.” Additionally, because of the use of a virtual currency exchange in the online gaming platform100, the player can select any number of a dozen or more virtual currencies they wish to redeem their funds in, negating any risks of using a single proprietary virtual currency standard.

In some implementations, online gaming platform100includes a random number generator engine175(also referred to herein as random number engine175or RNG server175). In some implementations, random number engine175can be a blockchain-based random number generator that provides a high degree of randomness to online gaming platform100. In some implementations, random number engine175may provide a high degree of randomness by utilizing a multitude of variable inputs (e.g., one or more variable seed values) to create random numbers or values. In some implementations, the random number engine175can utilize a combination of randomly derived seed values (e.g., a player supplied seed value, a platform supplied seed value, and a random value generated from a public blockchain referred herein as a blockhash) to generate random numbers. In some implementations, the random number engine uses cryptography to combine the randomly derived seed values with secure values and subsequently feeds the values into a random number generating algorithm (e.g., an RGA or any other suitable random number generation algorithm) to produce a verifiably random number output.

FIG. 3shows one implementation of a process flow diagram illustrating process flow300for random number engine175. Process flow300begins, in one implementation, when a player that is participating in gameplay on online gaming system100supplies or inputs a random value that may be utilized by random number engine175. The player input random value is referred to hereinafter as a player's seed305. In some implementations, the player's seed305can be input into online gaming system100as any combination of words, characters, symbols, numbers, or values. It should be appreciated that the player's seed305may be input into online gaming system100via any suitable input mechanism allowing player interaction with online gaming system100. In some implementations, a player may input the player's seed when the player initiates a game play or a game play session (e.g., when a player joins a virtual card table for play of a card game; when a player initiates slot machine play, etc.). In some implementations, the player's seed305may be stored in an account associated with the player. For example, in some implementations, a player may create a game play account which may be stored in database160or in any other suitable storage location. Such a player account may store a variety of player data including a player chosen random value which serves as a player's seed305. In some such implementations, the player's seed305may be retrieved from the storage location associated with the player when the player initiates a game play or a game play session. In some implementations, one or more players participating in a game at the virtual card table will provide their respective player's seed305to be run through a hash generating algorithm310to generate a first hash value315. In some implementations, player's seed305for each participating player in a game at the virtual card table is used with the hash generating algorithm310to generate the first hash value315. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100may randomly select one or more player's seed305from the participating players in a game at the virtual card table for use with the hash generating algorithm310to generate the first hash value315. In some implementations, player's seed305represents multiple player seeds from one or more different active games running in the online gaming platform100. In some implementations, player's seed305represents multiple player seeds from one or more different games that are about to start in the online gaming platform100.

In some implementations, a platform seed may be optionally or additionally input by the online gaming system100operator as an additional random value input to random number engine175. In some implementations, the online gaming system100may generate a platform seed for one or more games operated. In some implementations, the online gaming system100operator may specify a unique platform seed for a game operated (e.g., a unique platform seed for a virtual card table operated; a unique platform seed for a virtual slot machine operated; etc.). Although one platform seed is illustrated inFIG. 3, it should be appreciated that two, three, or any suitable number of platform seeds may be utilized. It should further be appreciated that the online gaming operator's platform seed may be predetermined and/or assigned in any suitable manner (e.g., sequential selection from a predetermined listing; randomly generated or determined from, for example, a timing signal, when a platform seed is requested). Because the platform's seed is not known to any online gaming system100player, and because it is highly unlikely that any online gaming system100player or players will know the platform operator's seed(s), process flow300security and integrity are enhanced. In some implementations, the received player's seed(s) and any platform seed(s) may be processed with a hash generating algorithm310to generate a first hash value315(hash1,FIG. 3). In one implementation, the hash generating algorithm310may be a cryptographic function such as a secure hash algorithm (SHA) such as a SHA-256 cryptographic function. It should be appreciated, however, that in other implementations the random number engine module can use any hash generating algorithm, such as but not limited to a message digest algorithm (e.g., MD-5), or other secure hash algorithm (e.g., SHA-3). In some implementations, first hash value315can be published on the online gaming platform100(e.g., saved in memory220, database160, or other suitable memory store location) and simultaneously written into a decentralized public (and immutable) blockchain ledger320. In one implementation, public blockchain320may be Ethereum. It should be appreciated, however, that any suitable public blockchain ledger may be utilized. As can be appreciated, recording the hash value with the blockchain can provide corroborating evidence for future verification and assurance that the player's seed has unlikely been modified. That is, the hash value can provide assurances to players and operators of online gaming system100that the seeds were unlikely to be changed or modified by malfeasance. Furthermore, by recording the hash value with the blockchain, players may be reassured that the player-entered seed introduced variability into the random number generator engine175, and the random variables being supplied by random number engine175are unlikely to be already known.

In some implementations, after the hash value315is written to the blockchain and is processed by a miner (e.g., the blockchain miner validates the hash value315and adds hash value315to the blockchain ledger), the blockchain320creates and returns blockhash325. Blockhash325contains the sum of one or more transactions occurring in the public blockchain320. Blockhash325is truly random because it is can be based upon the sum of the tens of millions of public wallet addresses and transactional information occurring in the public blockchain (e.g., Ethereum or other suitable blockchain). Once created, in some implementations, blockhash325can be combined with the first hash produced by the player's seeds (hash1FIG. 3, 315, 325). The combination of blockhash325and the first hash1may, in some implementations, be subjected to a second secure hash algorithm (SHA) such as a SHA-256 cryptographic function330which produces final hash value335(e.g., hash2). In some implementations, the final hash value335can then be processed with a random number generator algorithm340which produces an output that supplies the online gaming platform100with a one or more random values (e.g., numbers)345. In some implementations, the one or more random values345are subsequently returned to gaming engine module230for use in game play.

Turning toFIG. 4, an example implementation of a method of random number generation using the random number engine175is shown. In some implementations, the random number engine175comprises program code that when executed, can cause a processor210to generate random numbers.

In one implementation, random number engine175receives at least one player's seed from at least one client computing device as illustrated at block410. For example, a player located at client computing device130and joining an online gaming platform100may be prompted to enter a player selected (and known only to the respective player) combination of alphanumeric letters and/or numbers via a keyboard or similar input device (not shown). It should be appreciated that seed values may be received from each player utilizing the online gaming platform100. It should further be appreciated that any suitable biometric data, (e.g., the player's fingerprint that can be converted into a machine readable data such, but not limited to, an alphanumeric or hexadecimal string), may serve to provide the player's seed. The player's alphanumeric character data entry may be forwarded to random number engine175to function as that player's seed value. Similarly, random number engine175may receive at least one online gaming platform100operator's seed(s) (e.g., platform seed) from at least one platform operator (e.g., the platform operator's computer server) as illustrated at block420.

As shown in block430, the at least one player's seed and the at least one platform operator's seed can be, in some implementations, processed with a hash function to obtain a first hash value. As noted hereinabove, any suitable hash function (e.g., SHA-256) may be utilized to create the first hash value from the received seeds.

In some implementations, the first hash value can then be published to a blockchain server, at block440. After publishing, in some implementations, the random number engine175may receive a first blockhash value from a blockchain server, as illustrated at block450. In some implementations, the first blockhash value and the first hash value can then be processed with a second hash function to obtain a final hash value, as illustrated at block460. It should be appreciated that the second hash function may be any suitable hash function and may be the same hash function as the first hash function, or the second hash function may be a different hash function (e.g., SHA-3 or other suitable hash function).

As shown in block470, in some implementations, when the final hash value has been generated, the random number engine can then process the final hash value with a random number generator algorithm to obtain a plurality of random values. In some implementations, the plurality of random values can then be published, as illustrated in block480, to a gaming engine module230for further processing to use in online game play by the online gaming platform100.

It should be appreciated that, in some implementations, the Ethereum blockchain can produce a blockhash approximately every 12 seconds. Although the hash rate may not be frequent enough to supply a new random hash for every round of gameplay occurring in a very busy online gaming platform, it should be appreciated that the same hash value may be used for concurrent rounds of game play within that 12 second window, or until the next blockhash has been produced. Additionally, because multiple random numbers may be generated from the final hash value, gameplay does not have to be delayed. Advantageously, the risk of any player gaining an unfair advantage is minimized since the blockhash from a blockchain can change every 12 seconds. It should be appreciated that the 12 second interval may change when using different blockchain systems. In some implementations, as blockchain systems improve, the delay between generating blockhashes may be minimized.

In some implementations, the system and method of random number generation relies on a public blockchain with sufficient distribution or decentralization. Indeed, a blockchain operated by a single entity could allow the possibility of that entity manipulating the results of any appended block, thereby negating any randomness that would otherwise be possible via use of a public blockchain for random number generation. However, it should be appreciated that a widely distributed and decentralized public blockchain can alleviate malfeasance concerns. It should further be appreciated that in some implementations, the random number engine175may rely on relatively fast transaction time, such that blocks are generated in sufficient volume and frequency to reduce the risk of prediction or collusion. In some implementations, the random number engine175may rely on a blockchain with a relatively low cost to perform transactions so that the cost of utilizing the blockchain technology does not outweigh the economic benefits of its use. In one implementation, the Ethereum blockchain can be a suitable candidate to implement the random number generator and is expected to operate long term. As noted above, other suitable blockchain system can be used in place of Ethereum.

FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate another implementation of a process flow diagram illustrating a process flow500for random number engine175. Process flow500is similar to process flow300, described hereinabove, and where applicable, like processes have been similarly enumerated. To the extent process flow is similar, the descriptions set forth above in relation to process flow300are equally applicable in some implementations of process flow500. Process flow500introduces additional randomness to the random number engine175and additionally provides further technological improvements to the random number generation process. Although process flow500is described as implemented on a virtual game table501(e.g., a virtual poker table a virtual blackjack table), it should be appreciated that the principles described herein are applicable to any game requiring random number generation (e.g., a virtual slot machine; a virtual bingo game; etc.) and implemented via gaming module230.

Turning toFIGS. 5A and 5B, process flow500begins, in one implementation, with a player participating in gameplay on online gaming system100at a virtual gaming table501. The player, upon entry to virtual gaming table501, supplies or inputs a random value that is utilized by random number engine175. The player supplied or input random value is referred to hereinafter as a player's seed502. In some implementations, the player's seed502can be input into online gaming system100as any combination of words, characters, symbols, numbers, or values. It should be appreciated that the player's seed502may be input into online gaming system100via any suitable input mechanism (not shown) allowing player interaction with online gaming system100. In some implementations, a player may input the player's seed when the player initiates a game play or a game play session (e.g., when a player joins a virtual card table for play of a card game; when a player initiates slot machine play, etc.). In some implementations, the player's seed502may be stored in an account associated with the player. For example, in some implementations, player(s) may create a game play account which may be stored in database160or in any other suitable storage location. Such a player account may store a variety of player data including a player chosen random value which serves as a player's seed502. In some such implementations, the player's seed502may be retrieved from the storage location associated with the player when the player initiates a game play or a game play session. In some implementations, one or more players participating in a game at the virtual card table will provide their respective player's seed502to be run through a hash generating algorithm510to generate a first hash value515. In some implementations, player's seed502for each participating player in a game at the virtual card table is used with the hash generating algorithm510to generate the first hash value515. In some implementations, the online gaming platform100may randomly select one or more player's seed502from the participating players in a game at the virtual card table for use with the hash generating algorithm510to generate the first hash value515. In some implementations, player's seed502represents multiple player seeds from one or more different active games running in the online gaming platform100. In some implementations, player's seed502represents multiple player seeds from one or more different games that are about to start in the online gaming platform100.

In some implementations, a table seed504may be optionally or additionally input by the online gaming system100operator as an additional random value input to random number engine175. In some implementations, the online gaming system100may specify a table seed504for one or more tables operated. In some implementations, the online gaming system100operator may specify a unique table seed504for each table operated. That is, in some implementations, as tables are created by gaming engine module230, a predetermined table seed504may be retrieved from a memory or a table seed504may be randomly generated. Although one table seed504is illustrated inFIG. 5A, it should be appreciated that two, three, or any suitable number of table seeds504may be utilized. It should further be appreciated that the table seed504may be predetermined and/or assigned in any suitable manner (e.g., sequential selection from a predetermined listing; randomly generated or determined from, for example, a timing signal, when a table seed504is requested). Because the table's seed504is not known to any online gaming system100player, and because it is highly unlikely that any online gaming system100player or players will know other player's seed(s) or the table's seed(s)504, process flow500security and integrity are enhanced.

In some implementations, the received player's seed(s)502and the table seed(s)504may be processed with a hash generating algorithm510to generate a first hash value515. In one implementation, the hash generating algorithm510may be a secure hash algorithm (SHA) such as a SHA-256 cryptographic function. It should be appreciated, however, that in other implementations, the random number engine module can use any hash generating algorithm, such as but not limited to a message digest algorithm (e.g., MD-5), or other secure hash algorithm (e.g., SHA-3). In some implementations, first hash value515may be published on the platform (e.g., saved in memory220, database160, or other suitable memory store location). Alternatively, or additionally, first hash value515may be published to table hash collection516, illustrated in greater detail inFIG. 5B.

FIG. 5Billustrates table hash collection516. In some implementations, table hash collection516stores one or more hashes517processed from the player's seed(s)502and table seed(s)504. In some implementations, when a new player enters play at table501(e.g., a new player seed is entered), a new first hash value515may be generated. In some implementations, this new first hash value515may be stored as “Hash1” (FIG. 5B) in the group of hashes517. As illustrated inFIG. 5B, the grouping of hashes517may include fifty hash values (e.g., a current first hash value and forty-nine previous hash values). It should be appreciated, however, that in some implementations, a lesser or a greater number of hashes may be included in the grouping of hashes517. It should further be appreciated that the grouping of hashes517may be a processed in first-in-first-out (FIFO) stack or any suitable buffer or storage arrangement with a hash generating algorithm518.

The grouping of hash values517may be, in some implementations, processed with a hash generating algorithm518to generate a second hash value519(e.g., hash2FIG. 5B). In some implementations, the hash generating algorithm518may be a secure hash algorithm (SHA) such as a SHA-256 cryptographic function. As noted hereinabove, in some implementations, any suitable cryptographic function may be utilized to generate the second hash value519. It should be appreciated that, in some implementations, including a plurality of table hashes (e.g., a plurality of the first hash values, as described herein) allows for greater randomization and allows for the availability of sufficient hash values to continue generation of random numbers in the event heavy processing loads delay the generation of a new first hash value at blocks510and515. That is, in some implementations, when processing delays occur, the random number generation can continue based upon the second hash value519which, in turn, is a value produced by processing the grouping of hashes517. In this manner, process500maintains sufficient randomness and security in the event of processing delays and thereby providing a technological improvement to previously known random number generation processes.

Returning toFIG. 5A, the second hash value519(e.g., the output of table hash collection operation516ofFIG. 5B) may be, in some implementations, published in public block chain520, in a similar manner as described above in relation to process flow300ofFIG. 3. In one implementation, public blockchain520may be Ethereum. It should be appreciated, however, that any suitable public blockchain ledger may be utilized. As can be appreciated, recording the second hash value with the blockchain can provide corroborating evidence for future verification and assurance that the player's seed has not been modified. That is, in some implementations, the hash value assures players and operators of online gaming system100that the seeds are unlikely to be changed or modified by malfeasance. Furthermore, by recording the hash value with the blockchain, players may be reassured that the player-entered table seed introduced variability into the random number generator engine175process, and the random variables being supplied by random number engine175are not already known.

In some implementations, after the second hash value519is written to the blockchain520and is processed by a miner (e.g., a blockchain miner validates the hash value519and adds hash value519to the blockchain ledger), the blockchain520creates and returns blockhash525. In some implementations, blockhash525contains the sum of one or more transactions that have occurred on the public blockchain520at the time the blockhash was created. For many public blockchains, the blockhash525is extremely difficult to predict or control because it can be based upon the sum of more than one transaction occurring on the public blockchain at approximately the same time by different, unconnected people, that may be using the public blockchain for different and unrelated purposes. In some implementations, because a public blockchain may include hundreds if not millions of transactions occurring per day by many unknown third parties, it becomes extremely difficult to predict or control the outcome of the blockhash at any given time that a blockhash is generated.

Once created, in some implementations, blockhash525can be grouped with the first hash515produced by the table seeds (hash1FIG. 5A). The grouping of a blockhash525from the public blockchain and the first hash515(e.g., created via cryptographic processing of random player and table seed values) may, in some implementations, be further grouped with a nonce value526. In some implementations, nonce value526adds yet another random factor into process flow500and provides additional randomness to the random number generation process when unforeseeable and/or unpredictable processing delays occur at public blockchain520's ledger. For example, in some implementations, a blockchain system may not update its ledger with the table seed hash519before generating a blockhash525. It should be appreciated that a public blockchain's ledger write times may be longer than suitable for the online gaming platform100as part of the process of generating random numbers (e.g., a public blockchain system may not be able to create enough new blockhashes525based on new table seed hashes519to keep up with the demand of new players or new tables that need generation of random numbers). Consequently, when the public blockchain system generates a blockhash525, such a blockhash may not include the values of table seed hash519. The addition of first hash515and/or the nonce value526serves to ensure sufficient randomness and provides additional technological improvements to ensure continued processing in the event of internal and/or external processing delays. Nonce526may also provide a hedge against the rare occurrence of cryptographic hash collisions created with cryptographic function530(e.g., a situation that results when two distinct inputs into a hash function produce identical outputs). In some implementations, nonce value526may be an index value that is advanced after each processing request. In some implementations, nonce value526may be derived from a date/time stamp. In yet some other implementations, nonce value526may be derived from a pseudo-random number generator or any other suitable source of random value generation.

Returning toFIG. 5A, in some implementations, the online gaming platform100may apply a secure hash algorithm (SHA) such as a SHA-256 cryptographic function530, or other suitable cryptographic function to the grouping of blockhash525, first hash value515, and nonce value526. As can be appreciated, such cryptographic processing can produce a final hash value535. In some implementations, the final hash value535can then be processed with a random number generator algorithm540which produces an output that supplies the online gaming platform100with one or more random values545(e.g., 50 or some other suitable quantity of random numbers). In some implementations, the one or more random values545are subsequently returned to gaming engine module230for use in game play at table501.

Turning toFIGS. 6A and 6B, an example implementation of a method of random number generation using the random number engine175ofFIGS. 5A and 5Bis shown. In some implementations, the random number engine175comprises program code that when executed, can cause a processor210to generate random numbers.

In some implementations, the online gaming platform100receives at least one player's seed (e.g., from one at least one player at virtual gaming table501) as illustrated at block610. For example, a player located at client computing device130and joining a virtual gaming table on online gaming platform100may be prompted to enter a player selected (and known only to the respective player) combination of alphanumeric letters and/or numbers (or other suitable characters) via a keyboard or similar input device. In some implementations, the player's seed may be retrieved by gaming platform100from a stored player account. It should be appreciated that seed values may be received from players or retrieved from a player's account when the player begins a play session at a virtual gaming table of the online gaming platform100, or at any suitable time. It should further be appreciated that any suitable biometric data, (e.g., the player's fingerprint), may serve to provide the player's seed.

In some implementations, the online gaming platform100additionally receives at least one table seed as indicated in block620. As noted hereinabove, in some implementations, the online gaming system100may generate a table seed for one or more tables operated. In some implementations, the online gaming system100operator may specify a table seed for each table operated. In some implementations, as tables are created by gaming engine module230, a predetermined table seed504may be retrieved from a memory or a table seed504may be randomly generated. In one implementation, the virtual gaming table501processes the at least one player's seed and the at least one table seed with a hash function to obtain a first hash value (e.g., a table hash value), as indicated in block630.

Continuing to block633, the online gaming platform100may transfer the first hash value to RNG server175. In some implementations, the RNG server175may store the first hash value in a hash table along with one or more previous first hash values (e.g., one or more previous first hash values created from one or more other tables and players).

As shown in block636, RNG server175may, in some implementations, process one or more of the hash values stored in the hash table with a hash function to obtain a second hash value. As noted hereinabove, any suitable hash function (e.g., SHA-256) may be utilized to create the second hash value from the plurality of hash values stored in the hash table.

In some implementations, the second hash value can then be published to a blockchain server, at block640. For example, the RNG server175may transmit the second hash value to a public blockchain system and request that the second hash value be written to the public blockchain's ledger. When the public blockchain system receives the second hash value, the public blockchain system may write the second hash value to its ledger. In the process, the public blockchain system may update one or more nodes (e.g., servers) that store the ledger with the second hash value.

In some implementations, after transmitting the second hash value to the public blockchain, the RNG server175may request that the public blockchain system transmit a first blockhash value to the RNG server175. In some implementations, the public blockchain system generates the first blockhash value based on one or more transactions recorded on the public blockchain system's ledger. In some implementations, the public blockchain system's ledger may include the second hash value, such that when the public blockchain system generates the requested first blockhash value, the public blockchain system may include the second hash value as part of the transactions used to create the first blockhash value. In some implementations, the RNG server175may receive the first blockhash value the public blockchain server, as illustrated at block650. Method600may continue to block660ofFIG. 6Bas indicated by off-page connector A.

In some implementations, the RNG server175may process a grouping of the received first blockhash value, the first hash value, and a nonce value to generate a third hash value, as illustrated at block660. The RNG server175may process the grouping using a suitable hashing function. It should be appreciated that the hashing function may be any suitable hash function and may be the same hash function as the hash function of blocks510and518, or the hash function may be a different hash function (e.g., SHA-3 or other suitable hash function).

As shown in block670, in some implementations, when the third hash value has been generated, the RNG server175can then process the third hash value with a random number generator algorithm to obtain a plurality of random values. In some implementations, the plurality of random values can then be published or transmitted, as indicated via block680, to gaming engine module230for further processing to use in an online game by the online gaming platform100. In some implementations, method600ends with block685.

In some implementations, the game engine module230may be configured to provide a Bad Beat Eligible and Bad Beat Disabled option on a game table in gameplay. In the game of poker, a ‘bad beat’ is a subjective term for a losing hand that appeared, during gameplay, to be a strong poker hand that would likely win. It should be appreciated that during online poker play, a ‘bad beat’ often leads to accusations that the random number generator has been compromised or ‘rigged’ in some manner. It should be appreciated that the system and method for generating random numbers using a public blockchain ledger described herein provides a technological improvement over other random number generation algorithms by providing a high degree of randomness.

In response to the ‘bad beat’ problem, online gaming operators offering poker table games offer either the Bad Beat Eligible poker table that includes eligibility to win a bad beat jackpot or regular poker table (e.g., a Bad Beat Disabled poker table) that does not include eligibility to win a bad beat jackpot. A bad beat jackpot is a prize awarded to a player having a sufficiently strong hand that loses to a stronger hand of another player. Generally, poker games that offer bad beat jackpots have specific hand requirements for how “strong” a losing hand is to receive the bad beat jackpot.

In addition to the technological advantages of the random number generator engine described herein, some implementations include the Bad Beat Eligible and Bad Beat Disabled option on the same game table provided through the online gaming platform100. In some implementations, a Bad Beat Disabled player may have a predetermined symbol indication shown in the user interface of the online gaming platform100that the bad beat jackpot is unavailable to the Bad Beat Disabled player. A Bad Beat Eligible player may have a predetermined symbol indication showing a Bad Beat Eligible status in the user interface indicating that the player has selected to be eligible for a bad beat jackpot.

In some implementations, the online gaming platform100can provide two ways of collecting a Bad Beat ante or rake (e.g., a nominal wager or fee paid by the player to be eligible for a Bad Beat jackpot and utilized to fund the bad beat jackpot) during the gameplay. In some implementations, the Bad Beat Eligible players pay the Bad Beat ante at the beginning of the game. In some other implementations, the Bad Beat Eligible ante is collected from the game pot. For example, in some implementations, the Bad Beat ante is collected from the game pot during the Flop, the Turn and the River with a maximum amount of player antes collected per gameplay rules.

In an example implementation, a Player A can be Bad Beat Eligible, and a Player B can be Bad Beat Disabled. During a poker game play with Player A and Player B, upon the turn card, a bad beat rake of $1.00 dollar may be deducted from the pot, with $0.50 allocated to the Bad Beat Jackpot collection and $0.50 allocated to the Player B who is not participating in the Bad Beat Eligible. Because the Player B is not participating in the bad beat jackpot, the portion of the bad beat rake during the flop, turn or the river, the Player B can be reimbursed for his portion of the bad beat rake. In this manner, individual players can choose whether to participate in the Bad Beat jackpot while playing at the same virtual online poker table in the online gaming platform100.

In some implementations, on the final card shown during gameplay, Player A can hold a Quad 8 (e.g., four cards having a face value of ‘8’) and lose (e.g., Player A received a ‘bad beat’ according to predetermined game rules) against the Player B who may hold a Quad 10 (e.g., four cards having a face value of ‘10’). In some implementations, gaming module230may include a rule that a player that received a ‘bad beat’ (e.g., a loser of the gameplay) gets 50% of a Bad Beat jackpot and winner of the gameplay receives 25% of the Bad Beat jackpot (e.g., when both players are Bad Beat Eligible). However, when the Player A is Bad Beat Eligible and Player B is Bad Beat Disabled, both players do not receive portions of the Bad Beat jackpot. For example, Player A receives 50% of the Bad Beat jackpot for losing under a ‘bad beat’ scenario and Player B does not receive the 25% portion of the Bad Beat jackpot because Player B did not participate in the bad beat jackpot (e.g., Player B is considered Bad Beat Disabled). In some implementations, the online gaming platform100may reserve the 25% of the Bad Beat jackpot that could have been awarded to Player B for the next bad beat jackpot. It should be appreciated that the 50%/25% rates are merely examples and any suitable jackpot award percentages may be used to apportion the Bad Beat jackpot.

Although the random number engine described herein has been described to operate in conjunction with a gaming engine (e.g., to provide wagering games such as casino games, card games, poker games, slot games, blackjack games, roulette games, craps games, lottery games, etc.), it should be appreciated that the random number engine described herein may generate random numbers for any use. Other exemplary applications may include, although are not limited to, cryptography applications such as confidentiality, encryption, authentication, electronic commerce and the like; simulations, statistical analyses, Monte Carlo simulations, auditing, or any other application where secure verifiable randomness is desired.

The online gaming platform disclosed herein can be programmed into a computer readable media. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a special-purpose computer, or a special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular implementations described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Moreover, the various disclosed implementations can be interchangeably used with each other, unless otherwise noted. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only, and is not intended to be limiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to implementations containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

A number of implementations of the invention have been described. Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various forms of the flows shown above may be used, with steps re-ordered, added, or removed. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.