U.S. patent application number 12/606748 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-06 for method and gaming device for controlling use of one or more peripheral devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED. Invention is credited to Richard Paul Hayes.
Application Number | 20100113144 12/606748 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42132092 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100113144 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hayes; Richard Paul |
May 6, 2010 |
METHOD AND GAMING DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING USE OF ONE OR MORE
PERIPHERAL DEVICES
Abstract
A method of controlling use of one or more peripheral devices
with an electronic gaming device, the method including: determining
whether at least one peripheral device is authorised for operation
with the electronic gaming device by determining whether there is a
dongle fitted to the electronic gaming device containing an
authorisation of the at least one peripheral device; and at least
partially disabling the operation of any peripheral device for
which it is determined that there is not a dongle fitted to the
electronic gaming device containing an authorisation of the
peripheral device.
Inventors: |
Hayes; Richard Paul;
(Malabar, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HANLEY, FLIGHT & ZIMMERMAN, LLC
150 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 2100
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA
PTY LIMITED
North Ryde
AU
|
Family ID: |
42132092 |
Appl. No.: |
12/606748 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3241 20130101;
G07F 17/3202 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3223
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/29 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 3, 2008 |
AU |
2008905673 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling use of one or more peripheral devices
with an electronic gaming device, the method comprising:
determining whether at least one peripheral device is authorised
for operation with the electronic gaming device by determining
whether there is a dongle fitted to the electronic gaming device
containing an authorisation of the at least one peripheral device;
and at least partially disabling the operation of any peripheral
device for which it is determined that there is not a dongle fitted
to the electronic gaming device containing an authorisation of the
peripheral device.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least partially
disabling operation by disabling the peripheral device.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least partially
disabling operation by preventing or disrupting communication of
the peripheral device with at least one other gaming device
component.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising determining
whether the dongle is valid.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein determining whether the
dongle is valid comprises: obtaining from the dongle a dongle
public key and a dongle signature of the dongle public key
encrypted with a master private key; decrypting the dongle
signature with a master public key; and determining based on a
comparison of the decrypted dongle signature with the dongle public
key whether the dongle is valid.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising determining whether
the authorisation is valid.
7. A method as claimed in claim in claim 1 wherein determining
whether an authorisation exists for a peripheral device comprises
determining whether an authorisation exists for the type or class
of peripheral.
8. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dongle is a smart
card.
9. A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising determining whether a
plurality of peripheral devices are valid.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9 comprising checking a plurality
of dongles.
11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one peripheral
performs a plurality of functions and partially disabling operation
of the peripheral device involve preventing at least one function
from being implemented while allowing another function to be
implemented.
12. An electronic gaming device comprising: a main circuit in data
communication with one or more peripheral devices, the main circuit
arranged to: determine whether at least one peripheral device is
authorised for operation with the electronic gaming device by
determining whether there is a dongle in data communication with
the main circuit containing an authorisation of the at least one
peripheral device; and at least partially disable the operation of
any peripheral device for which it is determined that there is not
a dongle fitted to the electronic gaming device containing an
authorisation of the peripheral device.
13. An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the
main circuit is adapted to have a plurality of dongles connected
thereto whereby peripheral devices can be authorised
independently.
14. An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
main circuit at least partially disables operation by disabling the
peripheral device.
15. An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
main circuit at least partially disables operation by preventing or
disrupting communication of the peripheral device with at least one
other gaming device component.
16. An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
main circuit is arranged to determine whether the dongle is
valid.
17. An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 4, wherein, in
order to determine whether the dongle is valid, the main circuit:
obtains from the dongle a dongle public key and a dongle signature
of the dongle public key encrypted with a master private key;
decrypts the dongle signature with a master public key; and
determines based on a comparison of the decrypted dongle signature
with the dongle public key whether the dongle is valid.
18. An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
main circuit determines whether the authorisation is valid.
19. An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
main circuit determines whether an authorisation exists for a
peripheral device by determining whether an authorisation exists
for the type or class of peripheral.
20. An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the
dongle is a smart card.
21. An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 12, wherein at
least one peripheral performs a plurality of functions and the main
circuit partially disables operation of the peripheral device by
preventing at least one function from being implemented while
allowing another function to be implemented.
22. A method of controlling use of peripheral devices with an
electronic gaming device comprising: providing at least one port to
which at least one gaming peripheral devices can be connected; and
requiring an operator of the electronic gaming device to fit to the
gaming device one or more dongles containing an authorisation for
at least one connected peripheral device in order to enable the
peripheral device to function fully with the gaming device.
23. A method as claimed in claim 13 comprising requiring the
operator to fit to the gaming device one or more dongles containing
authorisations for each peripheral device.
24. A tangible computer readable medium comprising computer program
code which when executed by a processor implements a method of
controlling use of one or more peripheral devices with an
electronic gaming device, the method comprising: determining
whether at least one peripheral device is authorised for operation
with the electronic gaming device by determining whether there is a
dongle fitted to the electronic gaming device containing an
authorisation of the at least one peripheral device; and at least
partially disabling the operation of any peripheral device for
which it is determined that there is not a dongle fitted to the
electronic gaming device containing an authorisation of the
peripheral device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority to
Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2008905673, filed on
Nov. 3, 2008, entitled "A METHOD AND GAMING DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING
USE OF ONE OR MORE PERIPHERAL DEVICES", which is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This invention related to a method and gaming device for
controlling use of one or more peripheral devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the gaming industry, where possible, modular design is
used such that gaming machines are deployed by manufacturers on a
small number of modular gaming platforms--i.e. the physical
apparatus on which game program code will run.
[0004] Accordingly, a significant amount of money is invested in
the development of the gaming platform. Such a gaming platform
needs to be compatible with a number of peripherals including bill
validators, ticket printers and the like. Problems can arise when
unauthorized peripherals are attached to gaming machines.
[0005] Accordingly, we have determined that there is a need to
control the attachment of peripherals to the gaming platform.
SUMMARY
[0006] In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of
controlling use of one or more peripheral devices with an
electronic gaming device, the method including: [0007] determining
whether at least one peripheral device is authorised for operation
with the electronic gaming device by determining whether there is a
dongle fitted to the electronic gaming device containing an
authorisation of the at least one peripheral device; and [0008] at
least partially disabling the operation of any peripheral device
for which it is determined that there is not a dongle fitted to the
electronic gaming device containing an authorisation of the
peripheral device.
[0009] In an embodiment, the method includes at least partially
disabling operation by disabling the peripheral device.
[0010] In an embodiment, the method includes at least partially
disabling operation by preventing or disrupting communication of
the peripheral device with at least one other gaming device
component.
[0011] In an embodiment, the method includes determining whether
the dongle is valid.
[0012] In an embodiment, determining whether the dongle is valid
includes: [0013] obtaining from the dongle a dongle public key and
a dongle signature of the dongle public key encrypted with a master
private key; [0014] decrypting the dongle signature with a master
public key; and [0015] determining based on a comparison of the
decrypted dongle signature with the dongle public key whether the
dongle is valid.
[0016] In an embodiment, the method includes determining whether
the authorisation is valid.
[0017] In an embodiment, determining whether an authorisation
exists for a peripheral device includes determining whether an
authorisation exists for the type or class of peripheral.
[0018] In an embodiment, the dongle is a smart card.
[0019] In an embodiment, the method includes determining whether a
plurality of peripheral devices are valid.
[0020] In an embodiment, the method includes checking a plurality
of dongles.
[0021] In an embodiment, at least one peripheral performs a
plurality of functions and partially disabling operation of the
peripheral device involves preventing at least one function from
being implemented while allowing another function to be
implemented.
[0022] In a second aspect, the invention provides an electronic
gaming device including: [0023] a main circuit in data
communication with one or more peripheral devices, the main circuit
arranged to: [0024] determine whether at least one peripheral
device is authorised for operation with the electronic gaming
device by determining whether there is a dongle in data
communication with the main circuit containing an authorisation of
the at least one peripheral device; and [0025] at least partially
disable the operation of any peripheral device for which it is
determined that there is not a dongle fitted to the electronic
gaming device containing an authorisation of the peripheral
device.
[0026] In an embodiment, the main circuit is adapted to have a
plurality of dongles connected thereto whereby peripheral devices
can be authorised independently.
[0027] In an embodiment, the main circuit at least partially
disables operation by disabling the peripheral device.
[0028] In an embodiment, the main circuit at least partially
disables operation by preventing or disrupting communication of the
peripheral device with at least one other gaming device
component.
[0029] In an embodiment, the main circuit is arranged to determine
whether the dongle is valid.
[0030] In an embodiment, in order to determine whether the dongle
is valid, the main circuit: [0031] obtains from the dongle a dongle
public key and a dongle signature of the dongle public key
encrypted with a master private key; [0032] decrypts the dongle
signature with a master public key; and [0033] determines based on
a comparison of the decrypted dongle signature with the dongle
public key whether the dongle is valid.
[0034] In an embodiment, the main circuit determines whether the
authorisation is valid.
[0035] In an embodiment, the main circuit determines whether an
authorisation exists for a peripheral device by determining whether
an authorisation exists for the type or class of peripheral.
[0036] In an embodiment, the dongle is a smart card.
[0037] In an embodiment, at least one peripheral performs a
plurality of functions and the main circuit partially disables
operation of the peripheral device by preventing at least one
function from being implemented while allowing another function to
be implemented.
[0038] In a third aspect, the invention provides a method of
controlling use of peripheral devices with an electronic gaming
device including: [0039] providing at least one port to which at
least one gaming peripheral devices can be connected; and [0040]
requiring an operator of the electronic gaming device to fit to the
gaming device one or more dongles containing an authorisation for
at least one connected peripheral device in order to enable the
peripheral device to function fully with the gaming device.
[0041] In an embodiment, the method includes requiring the operator
to fit to the gaming device one or more dongles containing
authorisations for each peripheral device.
[0042] In a fourth aspect, the invention provides computer program
code which when executed implements the method of the first
aspect.
[0043] In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a tangible
computer readable medium including the computer program code.
[0044] In a sixth aspect, the invention provides for transmitting
the program code.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] Certain embodiments of the invention will be described, by
way of example, in relation to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0046] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a gaming machine;
[0047] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gaming machine;
[0048] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram; and
[0049] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a Smartcard.
[0050] Features, further aspects, and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description of
embodiments thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings. Also, various embodiments of the aspects
described in the preceding paragraphs will be apparent from the
appended claims, the following description and/or the accompanying
drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present
invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality
shown in the attached drawings.
Detailed Description
[0051] Although the following discloses example methods, systems,
articles of manufacture, and apparatus including, among other
components, software executed on hardware, it should be noted that
such methods and apparatus are merely illustrative and should not
be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any
or all of these hardware and software components could be embodied
exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in
firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or
firmware. Accordingly, while the following describes example
methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus, the
examples provided are not the only way to implement such methods,
systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus.
[0052] When any of the appended apparatus claims are read to cover
a purely software and/or firmware implementation, in at least one
embodiment, at least one of the elements is hereby expressly
defined to include a tangible medium such as a memory, DVD, CD,
etc. storing the software and/or firmware.
[0053] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming device
which provides a gaming platform which is configured to support a
number of peripherals such as displays, input devices (e.g. buttons
or a touch screen), bill valuators, ticket printers etc. Some of
these peripherals form part of base funcitionality whereas others
are provided to provide extended functionality. The embodiment
employs authorisation of one or more peripherals based on tokens
stored on a dongle (that is, an electronic device that must be in
data communication with part of the gaming device (e.g. the main
circuit board) if the relevant peripheral device is to operate or
operate with full functionality). In the embodiment, the dongle
takes the form of a Smartcard. In an embodiment, the main circuit
board of the electronic gaming device is adapted to receive a
plurality of dongles and only one token for an individual
peripheral device is supplied on each dongle so that a dongle for
each peripheral device must be attached.
[0054] The embodiment can be employed for a number of different
reasons. One reason for employing dongles is so that only
compatible and/or authorised peripherals can be used with the
gaming device. In particular, because of the nature of the
commercial and regulatory environment, it is important that gaming
machines do not fail--for example, in a manner which affects the
return to a player or enables undesired access to the gaming
machine or gaming network.
[0055] Accordingly, in one embodiment, a dongle may contain a token
(and hence authorisation) for one or more compatible and/or
authorised gaming peripheral devices. Another reason for using
dongles is so that the supplier of the gaming device can the
control the use of functionality provided by the gaming device. For
example, the main circuit board may provide ticket-in ticket-out
(TITO) functionality if a ticket printer and a ticket reader are
connected, and the gaming device supplier may which to ensure that
third party or after market TITO devices are not fitted to the
gaming machine unless supplied or authorised by the supplier. For
example, a dongle may be used so that any third party suppliers are
required to obtain a dongle containing a relevant token, thus
allowing the supplier to require them to meet appropriate quality
standards and/or levy a fee on the enablement of the functionality
they have developed (or indeed to provide the functionality for
free if this serves their commercial needs).
[0056] An electronic gaming device in the form of gaming machine 10
is illustrated in FIG. 1. The gaming machine 10 has a number of
components which enable a player to interact with the gaming
machine (e.g. to input game instructions, input/output credits, and
watch the game), these are referred to collectively as a "player
interface" and the components will become apparent from the
following description. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12
having a display 14 on which is displayed representations of a game
16 that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming
machine 10 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to
interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play.
The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 which in
this example includes a coin input chute 24A and a bill collector
24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for
example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or
credit card. A reading device may also be provided for the purpose
of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a
loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a
card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of
being read by the reading device.
[0057] A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay
tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images
relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be
provided on a front panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is
mounted beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from
the gaming machine 10.
[0058] The display 14 shown in FIG. 1 is in the form of a video
display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device.
Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid crystal display,
plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the
visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box 26 may
also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may
be of the same type as the display 14, or of a different type.
[0059] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of a
gaming device in the form of a gaming machine 200 relevant to the
embodiment. Other components known to persons skilled in the art
such as hardware meters are not illustrated for clarity of
exposition. The gaming machine 200 has a main circuit in the form
of a main circuit board 210 having a main processor 220 and a main
memory 230. Herein the term "processor" is used to refer
generically to any device that can process instructions and may
include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic
device or other computational device.
[0060] The gaming machine has a plurality of peripheral connected
to the main board 210, some of which will only operate or operate
fully provided a dongle 275 having a valid token corresponding to
the game is connected to the main board 220 by one of slots
265.
[0061] The main circuit board 210 contains a plurality of sockets
265.sub.1 to 265.sub.n (for example 24 sockets) each adapted to
have a Smartcard 275 inserted therein to provide a dongle.
[0062] The processor 220 communicates with a control program on the
Smartcard. In order execute any one of the game programs 235.sub.1
to 235.sub.n an appropriate relevant Smartcard must be attached to
one of the ports 265. The main circuit includes its own control
program 22, typically stored in a BIOS as part of the operating
system of the gaming device and executed during a boot process.
[0063] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the process
may determine what peripherals are attached in a number of
different ways such as polling ports to which peripherals may be
attached. Referring to FIG. 3, once the connected peripherals have
been determined, the method 300 involves determining 310 whether
any peripherals require authorisation. If no peripherals require
authorisation, the process ends 320. If one or more peripherals (or
peripheral functions as described below) require authorisation, the
method involves, for each peripheral, determining 330 whether a
dongle is attached which contains a valid token. If there is not a
valid token, the method involves taking an action to prevent the
peripheral (or a function of the peripheral) from working to
effectively disable the peripheral or part of its functionality. If
the there is a valid token, the peripheral is enabled 350.
[0064] As indicated above, part of the functionality of a
peripheral may be partially enabled, for example, the peripheral
may be able to communicate sufficiently with the processor 220 to
enable the processor to issue an error message if the peripheral is
used. In another example, a peripheral may be capable of performing
multiple functions but only one function may be enabled.
[0065] Referring again to FIG. 2, three peripherals 235, 240, 250
are shown. In one example, a first peripheral 235 may form part of
the base functionality (e.g. a display) but is checked for
compatibility. During the control process, processor checks the
first smart card 275.sub.1 and finds an authorisation token so the
first peripheral is enabled. In contrast, second peripheral relates
to extended functionality (e.g. a player tracking module) but
neither smart card 275.sub.1, 275.sub.2 contains an authorisation
token so it not enabled. Finally, third peripheral 250 capable of
two functions 251, 252 (e.g. a bill validator which is capable of
reading currency bills and tickets for TITO). Function B 252 is not
intended to be enabled and accordingly second smart card 275.sub.2
only contains an authorisation token for function A.
[0066] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
this provides advantages in configuring gaming machines. However,
Smartcards 275 can be configured to carry tokens for a plurality of
different peripherals. For example, a first dongle can be used for
base funcitionality and additional dongles can be required for
extended functionality.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 4, each Smartcard 275 includes a CPU 410,
a cryptographic accelerator 420, a Smartcard operating system
control program 430, a custom application 440, a table of tokens
450 and a key and signature store 460 which stores a unique private
and public key pair (e.g. RSA) hereafter referred to as "SCPubX,
and SCPrivX" and a signature of SCPubX, (Signature 1) that has been
generated at a previous time by encrypting an encoded SHA-1 hash of
SCPubX with a private RSA master key (MPriv1) in a secure
environment. The table 450 can contain one or a plurality of tokens
(authorisations) depending on the embodiment.
[0068] The electronic gaming device 200 has a control program 222
and a copy of the public master key MPub1 224. This enables the
gaming device to authenticate each token.
[0069] An authentication process 310 involves the Smartcard 275
being authenticated as a valid Smartcard. Each time the electronic
gaming machine 200 is powered on or reset, the control program of
the electronic gaming machine 222 begins execution. At some time
before the electronic gaming device allows the peripherals to
operate, it begins communication with the Smartcard 275. At step
312, the control program 222 requests a key from the Smartcard. The
Smartcard reader interface of the electronic gaming machine is
configured to establish connection with the Smartcard according to
ISO7816.
[0070] The electronic gaming device 200 communicates with the
Smartcard and selects the custom application 440. The electronic
gaming machine 200 authenticates the Smartcard as a genuine
Smartcard by retrieving SCPubX from the Smartcard 275 and Signature
1 from the Smartcard and then decrypts Signature 1 with MPub1 using
the relevant algorithm. The gaming device then determines whether
the decrypted signature matches RSA-1 hash of SCPubX. If it does,
the Smartcard is accepted as authentic if not, an invalid signed
key output is generated and then the Smartcard is powered off.
[0071] The next stage in the process is a verification stage 320.
In this stage, the gaming device attempts to retrieve software
protection tokens for specific peripherals. The control program
makes a licence request by requesting a token with a particular
peripheral ID. This message is sent encrypted with the public key
SCPubX of the Smartcard. The licence request is verified by
decrypting the message and checking the ID against a stored value
to determine if that ID is in the token. A response is which sends
data from the software protection token together with a signature
of the ID by signing the exchanged data with SCPrivX. The EGM 200
then verifies the signed data which then allows the peripheral (or
function) to operate.
[0072] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that this
checking process can also be done periodically during operation of
the gaming device to prevent one smart card being used to boot
plural gaming devices.
[0073] Suitable methods of public key encryption/authentication are
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,643,086 (Alcorn) and 6,722,986 (Lyons
et al.), which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0074] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in some
embodiments, the smart card need not be connected directly to the
gaming device for example, gaming device might be connected to a
server through a network and the server include provision for
attaching smart card tied to specific gaming devices.
[0075] Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the
above description of the gaming system. Persons skilled in the art
will also appreciate that parts of the method could be embodied in
program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of
ways, for example on a tangible computer readable medium, such as a
disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory
103) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it from a
server).
[0076] It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the
invention that many modifications may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention, in particular it will
be apparent that certain features of embodiments of the invention
can be employed to form further embodiments.
[0077] It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to
herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the
prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art
in any country.
[0078] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description
of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due
to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise"
or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an
inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated
features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further
features in various embodiments of the invention.
[0079] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the
invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing
from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The
present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Several embodiments
are described above with reference to the drawings. These drawings
illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement
the systems and methods and programs of the present invention.
However, describing the invention with drawings should not be
construed as imposing on the invention any limitations associated
with features shown in the drawings. It will be understood that the
invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to
all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual
features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of
these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects
of the invention.
[0080] The present invention contemplates methods, systems and
program products on any electronic device and/or machine-readable
media suitable for accomplishing its operations. Certain
embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using an
existing computer processor and/or by a special purpose computer
processor incorporated for this or another purpose or by a
hardwired system, for example.
[0081] Embodiments within the scope of the present invention
include program products comprising machine-readable media for
carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data
structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any
available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or
special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way
of example, such machine-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM,
PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,
magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any
other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program
code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data
structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or
special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When
information is transferred or provided over a network or another
communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a
combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine
properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus,
any such a connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium.
Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of
machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions comprise,
for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose
computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing
machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.
* * * * *