00/91/07
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`Customer No. 23932
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`oO
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`f
`EVO
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`“78 9
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`\
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`Patent Application
`Docket No. 47079-00077
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`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`In re patent application of:
`
`Shridhar P. Joshi
`
`For:
`
`Methodof Transferring Gaming Data on a Global Computer Network
`
`
`
`
`BOX PATENT APPLICATION
`Assistant Commissioner
`for Patents
`Washington, D.C. 20231
`gt
`°
`
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING BY EXPRESS MAIL
`"EXPRESS MAIL" Mailing Label No. EL705449427US
`
`Date ofDeposit: October 16, 2000
`I hereby certify that this paper orfee is being deposited with the U.S.
`Postal Service "Express Mail Post Office to Addresscc” service under
`37 CFR 1.10 on the date indicated above and is addressed to the Assistant
`Commissionerfor Patents, Washington, D.C.,20231
`
`Sir:
`
`bepebe
`
`be
`
`PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL LETTER
`
`Transmitted herewith for filing, please find the following:
`
`Specification, claims andabstract ofthe above-referencedpatent application (total of 25 pages)
`
`3 shect(s) of drawing(s) (X_formal/__ informal).
`
`Combined Declaration and Power of Attorney (signed).
`
`An Assignment of the invention to: WMS Gaming Inc.
`
`A verified statement claiming small entity status under 37 CFR 1.9 and 1.27.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement; Form PTO-1449; references, and
`Other (specify):
`Acknowledgment postcard .
`
`This application is a:
`
`Continuation
`Divisional
`Continuation-In-Part
`
`
`
`of prior copendingparentapplication Serial No._filed on _now pending.
`
`Please amend the application to insert the following line in the beginning of the specification:
`
`--This application is a Continuation ofprior application Serial No.
`, how pending.--
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`filed on
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`Patent Owner NexRF Exhibit 2003, Page 1 of 938
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`In the event that a petition to extend time under 37 CFR 1.136 is necessary in the parent
`application to maintain copendencyforthis application,a petition for an extension ofthe necessary time
`to maintain copendency is hereby requested for the parent application and the Commissioner is hereby
`authorized to debit our Account Number 10-0447 for the necessary fees.
`
`Please charge my Deposit Account No. 10-0447 in the amountof $
`
`
`
`
`
`x
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`Xx
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`Check in the amount of $1,358.00 is attached. Please charge any deficiency or credit any
`overpayment to Deposit Account No. 10-0447.
`
`The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge payment of the following fees during the
`pendencyofthis application or credit any overpayment to Deposit Account No. 10-0447.
`
`The filing fee has been calculated as shown below:
`
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`yore[noexrea|pare|oe|
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`Ps|e|eeeetCLAIM(SCLAIM(S)
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`
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`PRESENTED_
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`eeASSIGNMENT
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`
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`RECORDALFEE|gy|
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`
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`The issue fee set in 37 CFR 1.18 at or before mailing of theN
`
`3200 Fountain Place
`1445 Ross Avenue
`Dallas, Texas 75202-2799
`312/425-8512 (Direct)
`312/425-3909 (Fax)
`
`CHICAGO 137572 v t, 47079.00077
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`Patent Owner NexRF Exhibit 2003, Page 2 of 938
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`x
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`Anypatent application processing fees under 37 CFR 1.17 and under 37 CFR 1.20(d).
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`pursuant to 37 CFR 1.311(b). JENKENS & GILCHRIST
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`Patent Owner NexRF Exhibit 2003, Page 2 of 938
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`Customer No. 23932
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`PATENT
`47079-00077
`
`
`
`APPLICATION FOR UNITED STATES LETTERS PATENT
`
`For
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`METHOD OF TRANSFERRING GAMING DATA ON A
`
`GLOBAL COMPUTER NETWORK
`
`
`
`20231.
`
`By
`
`ShridharP. Joshi
`
`NUMBER:
`
`EXPRESS MAIL MAILING LABEL
`EL705449427US
`
`October 16, 2000
`DATE:
`| herebycertify that this paper or fee is being deposited with the United States Postal Service
`“EXPRESS MAIL POST OFFICE TO ADDRESSEE”service under 37 C.F.R. 1.10 on the date
`indicated above and is addressed to: Assistant Commissioner for Patents, Washington D.C.
`
`CHICAGO 137574v1 47079-00077
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`METHOD OF TRANSFERRING GAMING DATA ON A
`GLOBAL COMPUTER NETWORK
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present
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`invention relates generally to gaming machines and, more
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`particularly, to a method of transferring data from a gaming establishmentto a player
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`at a remote site via a global computer network.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like,
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`have been a comerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the
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`popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived
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`likelihood) of winning money andthe intrinsic entertainment value of the machine
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`relative to other available gaming options. Shrewd operators consequently strive to
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`employ the most entertaining and exciting machines available because such machines
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`attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Accordingly, in
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`the competitive gaming machine industry,
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`there is a continuing need for gaming
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`machine manufacturers to produce different methods to attract frequent play by
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`enhancing the entertainment value and excitement associated with the game.
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`Many game players want to be able to play gaming machines much more
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`frequently then they are currently able to do. Such players are often limited because
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`~—of the requisite travel required to attend casinos or other legal gaming establishments
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`located in select portions of the United States.
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`The involvedness, cost and
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`inconvenience of a player being forced to travel to a gaming establishment severely
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`limits the amount of gambling excursions that a player can assume. Furthermore,
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`since these excursions are infrequent, a gaming player is often forced to spend as
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`much time gambling as possible during the excursion because such a player may not
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`have the means to return to the gaming establishment for several months or years.
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`There is continuing need for a gaming player to be able to gamble more frequently or
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`for a shorter period time than is currently available and to be able to do so from a
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`location remote to the gaming establishment.
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`The present invention is directed to satisfying these needs. The foregoing and
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`other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following
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`detailed description.
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`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
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`A remote gaming method comprising a player accessing, via a remote
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`terminal, a gaming site on a global computer network connected to the remote
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`terminal. The player is able to provide via the remote terminal, personal identification
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`information to the gaming site and select, via the remote terminal, a game of chance
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`located at a gaming establishment for remote play. The remote terminal is located
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`outside the gaming establishment. The playerplaces, via the remote terminal, a wager
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`for playing the selected game and receives randomly generated text or graphical
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`outcome data at the remote terminal for the selected game. The outcome data being
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`generated by either a gaming server or a gaming machineat the gaming establishment
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`and is subsequently relayed to the gamingsite.
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`DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
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`While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative
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`forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example and will be
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`described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not
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`intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to
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`cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and
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`scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.
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`The present invention comprises a method by which data can be transferred
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`from a gaming establishment to a gaming player disposed in a remote location from
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`the gaming establishment.
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`Generally,
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`a player
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`accesses
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`the host gaming
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`establishment by use of a global computer network. The host gaming establishment
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`engages in gambling-type activities (e.g., a slot machine play) and reports the
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`outcomesto the remote player.
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`During the 1990’s, global computer networks, such as the World Wide Web
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`accessed through the Internet, became increasingly popular outlets. It is contemplated
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`30~~in accordance with the present invention that other types of global computer networks
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`are available. The Internet is a global communications network built on worldwide
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`data and telephone networks. Computers connected to the Internet can exchange
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`information with any other connected computer. The backbone of the Internet is
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`founded on various sets of major telephone conduits and switches that exist across the
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`world. These communications conduits are designed to move large volumes of data
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`traffic at extremely high rates of speed.
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`Each of the major conduits referred to above terminates at a router, which is a
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`large, fast switch that sorts the large volumes of data. Each router is connected to
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`additional, local routing devices. Local routing devices, called “points of presence”
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`provide local Internet access. For example, an Internet termination router located in
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`Chicago may have point of presence routers connected in, for example, Milwaukee
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`and Indianapolis. A router is able to connect as many point of presence routers as the
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`capacity of the switching systems and the Internet will permit.
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`In addition to point of presence routers, commercial Internet exchanges and
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`global Internet exchanges also connect to the routers. These exchanges transfer data
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`between Internet service providers, both nationally and internationally. When data
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`originates on one U.S. Internet service provider with a destination on another US.
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`long distance provider, the data is first routed to the commercial Internet exchange
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`where it makes the transfer between providers.
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`Personal computers typically connect to a local point of presence router
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`10.
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`+through a local Internet carrier. A local Internet carrier obtains a direct line to the
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`point of presence router and provides a modem or other connection by which a
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`personal computer user achieves Internet access. When the personal computer
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`connects to the modem ofthe local Internet carrier, the local Internet carrier switches
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`the home computer to the point of presence router, which in turn connects the
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`personal computer to the Internet.
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`Another method of connecting computers to the Internet
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`is by direct
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`connection through a local area network (LAN) to the point of presence. Multiple
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`personal computers can be connected to a single LAN, which connects to the point of
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`presence through a leased data line. The computers connected to the LAN receive
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`30=and transmit data to the point of the presence through the LAN.
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`Attached to most LANs are a variety of different servers including the File
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`Server and the Hypertext Transport Protocol (“HTTP”)
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`server. The File Server
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`connects to the LAN and contains the common data files used by the personal
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`computers, the LAN and other servers. An HTTP serveris a particular type of server
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`that processes incoming and outgoing data written according to a certain Internet
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`communication protocol, called hypertext transport protocol.
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`As described above,the Internet is able to interconnect every computer on the
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`Internet with every other computer on the Internet. An Internet site typically includes
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`certain data files (called “web pages” that are a part of the World Wide Web)in its
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`File Server. The Internet site HTTP server makes those pages available to other
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`computers on the Internet. An HTTP Server that makes World Wide Web pages
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`available on the Internet usually includes a so-called “home page,”the starting point
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`for outside users to navigate through the underlying World Wide Web pages serviced
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`by the HTTP Server. These World Wide Web pages are written in a special World
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`Wide Web language called Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”). When a
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`personal computer user wants to view a home page, it can do so by requesting that
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`data over the Internet.
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`In response, the requisite LAN retrieves the web page data
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`from its File Server and instructs its HTTP Server to transmit the data, addressed via
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`the Internet,
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`to the personal computer that requested the information. The data
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`generally travels from the local leased link to the point of presence router near the
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`location of the LAN, through the Internet, through the point of presence router near
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`the requesting personal computer, through the local Internet carrier, and into the
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`modem ofthe requesting personal computer.
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`Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
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`(“TCP/IP”)
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`controls
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`transmission of data on the Internet to provide World Wide Web communication to
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`users. To insure that data is sent to and received by the appropriate receiver on the
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`Internet, every device communicating on the Internet is assigned a unique address
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`called an Internet Protocol (“IP”) address. Elements of the IP address identify the
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`location in the network that a device is connected. Other parts of the IP address
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`identify the specific device. The IP address number has a three-digit element that
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`identifies the state of the resident and an additional seven digits, three of which
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`30.~—identify the local exchange of the resident and four digits that specifically identify the
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`home of the resident. The IP address is presently a thirty-two bit binary address,
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`readily processed by computers, but cumbersome for use by human users.
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`Consequently, the majority of IP addresses are assigned mnemonics to make them
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`more “user friendly.” The mnemonic consists of two parts: a host name and a domain
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`name.
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`It is this representation of the IP address that is commonly used by Internet
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`users to access Web sites. Conventionally within the World Wide Web,
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`the
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`mnemonic “WWW”is used to represent the host name. The remaining portion of the
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`mnemonic represents the domain or network where the host resides. For example,
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`www.uspte.gov,
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`identifies
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`a host named “www”
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`in the domain (network)
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`“uspto.gov”.
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`The standard protocol used by Internet components to address each other and
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`usually is used as a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”). This terminology appears as
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`the opening element in the web site address. For example, http://www.uspto.gov, the
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`Uniform Resource Locator indicates that the request is for “http” formatted data, (i.e.,
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`a web page as opposed to, for example, an electronic mail message). The home page
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`for the data resides on the “www” HTTP server on the “uspto.gov” LAN (or domain).
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`The nameof the file (to be found most likely in the file server supported by the
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`uspto.gov LAN)is “homepage.html.”
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`Once a user has received an “HTML” formatted file corresponding to a web
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`page,
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`the text of the displayed file may prompt the user to request additional
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`information contained in different web page files. The prompts are referred to as
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`“hypertext” and usually show up on a home page(or other web page) in a different
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`color than normal text, thus distinguishing them as hypertext links. Hypertext links in
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`a document allow a reader to jump from one object to another object within the
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`document and to objects outside of the document. Hyperlinks between documents
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`create an informational space with no formal pathways. Hyperlinks may include any
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`kind of hypertext or other hypermedia link connecting one HTML page to another
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`HTML pagein the currently displayed web site or in some external web site. HTML
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`is the computer language used to “compose” and represent information on a web
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`page. By clicking a mouse on the hypertext, the user is automatically “transported”
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`from a current web page to a new web pagelinked to that hypertext.
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`For example, the master list server sends the request to a Domain Name Server
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`(“DNS”) responsible for handling calls to this address.
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`If the DNS recognizes the
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`call, then an affirmation is sent to the master list server that directs the call to the
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`server storing the particular home page. When the hypertext is selected, the browser
`requests a connection to the HTTPserver hosting thefile andit also requests from the
`HTTPserverthefile identified by the URL address. If the HTTP server accepts the
`connection requested by the browser,
`the HTTP server proceeds to transmit the
`requested file back to the browser. Once the browser receives the requestedfile, it
`delivers or presents the contentofthe file to the requesting user.
`Oneof the most popular mediums for browsing the Internet is the World Wide
`Web. The World Wide Webis a client/server application that helps the user access
`various HTML pages available at various Internet sites.
`Its function is to display
`documents and to make links between items of information available. The user then
`chooses which links to follow as the user pursues a course through various World
`Wide Web pages. An Internet World Wide Website refers to an entity connected to
`the Internet that supports World Wide Web communications and/or World Wide Web
`files. A typical web site will include an HTTP server and one or more HTML pages
`(sometimesreferred to as World Wide Web pages).
`A website is usually configured to include a home page and a plurality of
`HTMLpages that may each contain one or more hyperlinks. As a user clicks on one
`hyperlink in the home page, the useris transported to another HTMLpage. Further
`pages may have, for example, a hyperlink that returns the user to the home page or a
`hyperlink that forwards the user to a subsequent page.
`A player can access a global computer network such as the Internet from a
`personal computer.
`It is contemplated in accordance with the present invention that
`other devices, such as a mobile telephone or pager can also access the Internet and
`allow information transfer as will be described with reference to a personal computer.
`The remainderofthis application will refer to, for simplicity, a personal computer by
`which a player transmits and receives information regarding information transfer.
`As shownin FIG. 1, a personal computerpreferably contains a microprocessor
`110 that executes instructions from its Read Only Memory (ROM) and during such
`execution, the microprocessor 110 temporarily stores and accesses information from
`the Random Access Memory (RAM). The microprocessor 110 is also attached to a
`remote video display driver and remote monitor 116. The remote monitor 116
`displays outcome data of one or more slot machines 160, 161, 162 that has been
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`nal
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`received from a casino server 140 via the Internet 120. Also connected to the
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`microprocessor 110 of the personal computer is a mouse 112, keyboard 114 and/or
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`other accessories that a player may use to input information such as play preferences.
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`Assuming that the player has accessed a casino web site 130 that allows interactive
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`5
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`information transfer, the information entered by the player is available to a casino
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`server 140 and one or moreslot machines 160, 161, 162 therein.
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`The remote personal computer and microprocessor 110, as displayed in FIG.
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`1, is communicatively connected to the casino server 140 and attached data storage
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`unit 150 via the casino web site 130. The casino web site 130 is a remote wagering
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`network controlled by the casino server 140.
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`It is contemplated in accordance with
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`the present invention that the web site 130 may be owned and operated by agencies or
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`organizations separate from the casino; however,it is preferable that the casino server
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`140 and the casino web site 130 are in constant communication to allow players
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`access to the outcome information emanating from the slot machines 160, 161, 162
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`within the casino.
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`Atleast one slot machine 160 within the casino communicates outcome data to
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`the casino server 140 for transfer to the casino web site 130 and to the player.
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`Outcome data shall be understood to include information including, but not limited to,
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`all game-related activity such as the position of the reels of a slot machine 160, an
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`indication of whether the player has won orlost and the corresponding amount won or
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`lost. This data is passed from the individual slot machine 160 to the casino server 140
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`and subsequently to the casino web site 130 and player.
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`Each slot machine 160 has unique identifying characteristics that allow the
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`casino server 140 to distinguish the outcome data as being sent from a particular
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`machine and to store and transmit that data with reference to that particular machine.
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`The casino, via its web site 130, asks the player the type of game from which the
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`player wishes to receive information. For example, the player may choose to be
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`connected to a gaming machine such as a video or mechanical slot machine, video
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`blackjack machine, video poker machine, video roulette machine, video keno machine
`
`
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`30.=or a video bingo machine. The slot machines 160, 161, 162 in FIG. 1 may be
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`replaced with any of these other types of gaming machines. After receiving
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`information from the player regarding the type of game desired to be played, the
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`casino website 130 transmits this information to the casino server 140 at the casino.
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`The slot machine 160 generally possesses myriad random gaming events in
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`which a player has the opportunity to place a wager on the outcome of the random
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`event. Each slot machine 160 includes a microprocessor, clock, and an operating
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`system. The microprocessor executes the instructions for playing the slot machine
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`160 and includes a random number generator. Random Access Memory (RAM)
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`temporarily stores information passed on to it by the microprocessor.
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`The slot machine 160 is initiated by inserting a coin or coins, using electronic
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`credit or by other methods commonly knownin the art. The game begins in response
`
`to the player activating a starting device (e.g., by pulling a lever or pushing a button).
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`This activation causes the microprocessor within the slot machine 160 to set the reels
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`in motion and the random number generator randomly selects a number that
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`corresponds to a given outcome. The microprocessor stops the reels to display the
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`symbols corresponding to the selected random number outcome. If the slot machine
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`160 is of the video type, simulated reels are rotated and stopped to place symbols on
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`the reels in visual association with a video display area.
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`In response to the activation of the slot machine 160, the microprocessor’s
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`random number generator generates a random numberthat corresponds to a given
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`outcome.
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`In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a remote
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`player, via the Internet 120 or other global computer network, places a wager on the
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`outcome of this random numbergeneration. The casino then transmits the outcome of
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`the random number generation in either a predetermined format or a format selected
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`by the player.
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`The casino server 140 also has a microprocessor, a clock and an operating
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`system associated therewith. The microprocessor of the server executes instruction of
`a program stored in read-only memory (ROM) and the microprocessor temporarily
`stores information in RAM. In order to communicate with the remote slot machine
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`160, each slot machine 160 is connected to the casino server 140, The server includes
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`30
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`one or more communications ports to connect with each slot machine 160 andalso to
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`the network in order to transmit data to the casino’s web site 130 and eventually to the
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`player. Furthermore, the microprocessor of the casino server 140 is united to a data
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`storage unit 150 comprising a transaction processor 156, a casino player database
`155, a session database 154, remote wagering database 152 and a gaming machine
`database 153.
`In general, the transaction processor 156 manages the contents of the data
`storage unit. The casino player database 155 includes multiple records having
`multiple fields of information related to the identification of each player. Thefields
`within each record include,
`for example, name, social security number, player
`identification number, address, telephone number(s), credit card type, number and
`expiration date, credit balance and other requisite information.
`The session database 154 comprises multiple records, each record relating to a
`remote play session. Onefield in each such record contains the player identification
`number and other fields include the type of slot machine 160 and its identification
`numberto be accessed, the outcome(s), the bet per game,reel positions and payout. It
`is contemplated in accordance with the present invention that a remote player may
`choose multiple slot machines 160, 161, 162 for remote information transfer.
`The remote wagering database 152 includes multiple records, each of which
`correspondsto a different slot machine 160. Each record comprisesfields including
`the terminal location, the player identification for players using the machine, start and
`endtimes for each player and gaming machine type. The information recordedin this
`database 152 is used to determine the amount of time that each slot machine 160 is
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`used.
`
`The gaming machine database 153 also contains information regarding each
`gaming machine. Each slot machine is, as noted above, associated with particular
`identifying information and this information is stored in onefield of the slot machine
`database 153. Other fields include machine type, machine denomination, maximum
`coins allowed, outcome data, and for reel games, reel position and payout. This
`database 153 allows the casino server 140 to easily search and discover the different
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`machines that possess different types of games.
`The general operation of the system according to one embodiment of the
`present invention is discussed in connection with FIGS. 2a, 2b. After accessing the
`Internet 120, at step 205 of FIG. 2a, the player can simply request transfer to a
`casino’s URL address or web site 130, in step 210, in the manner described above.
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`Patent Owner NexRF Exhibit 2003, Page 12 of 938
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`Patent Owner NexRF Exhibit 2003, Page 12 of 938
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`After gaining access to this address/site, a player will, in order to be able to receive
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`information directed from a casino, need to register, as shown at step 215 of FIG. 2a,
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`with the web site 130. One preferred methodof obtaining identification from a player
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`is to create a user identification (“User ID”) number or name and password as
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`commonly performed on many websites. In order to create such a User ID, the web
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`site 130 will preferably require the input of many pieces of information from a
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`registering participant, such as name, address, telephone number, preferred game or
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`games, preferred bet per game, credit card number, type ofcredit card, expiration date
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`and other pertinent information. After receiving this information, the casino website
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`130 notifies the casino server 140 of the player’s desire to obtain a transfer of
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`information. The casino server 140 processes the information, stores the relevant
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`identification information within the casino player database 155 and assigns a User ID
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`and password to the new player. The User ID and password serve as an identification
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`tag for a player to allow the player to easily and repeatedly enter and receive
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`information associated with the casino web site 130 of the present invention. Once
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`the User ID and password are accepted by the Web Administrator, the player is able
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`to access the games.
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`Specifically, after accessing the casino web site 130 (or another authorized site
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`designated to handle logging into a casino or gaming establishment), a player can
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`enter or “log in”to, at step 220, the gaming area by providing, for example, the User
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`ID and password, as described above. After receiving this information, the casino
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`web site 130 will process the information, store the relevant identification information
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`within the casino player database 155 and assign a User ID and password to the new
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`player.
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`The User ID and passwordserve as an identification tag for a player to allow
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`the player to easily and repeatedly enter and receive information associated with the
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`web site 130. Once the User ID and password are accepted, the player is given an
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`option of the type of gameto play, the amount to wager, etc. The player will indicate
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`the preferred options using one or more selection buttons, mouse 112 inputs and/or
`keyboard 114 inputs.
`The player must also provide a means to pay for the
`information to be transferred from the casino to the player via the Internet 120. One
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`preferred method that a player can ensure payment for the information transfer is to
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`arrange an account with the casino or other organization that maintains control over
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`the web site 130. A player wishing to arrange such an account can deposit funds with
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`the casino in person or arrange for a line of credit in the casino account. Each time a
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`player participates in a game by asking for an information transfer, the casino will
`deduct from the casino account the amount of the fee for the game or portion of a
`game that is played. Payouts for winning outcomes can be added to the casino
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`account.
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`It is also contemplated in accordance with the present invention that the
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`session database 154 and remote wagering database 152 can “remember” the amount
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`wagered,
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`lost, and won for a player during a particular gaming session and only
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`removeor add to a casino account, depending on the random outcomes, at the end of a
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`gaming session.
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`AS an initial step in the operation of the present embodiment, the remote
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`player may add fundsto the player’s credit balance. Funds are supplied to the player
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`account via a credit card that the player has previously submitted to the casino.
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`also contemplated in accordance with the present invention that a player can enter a
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`credit card number via input means such as a mouse 112 and/or a keyboard 114 each
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`time that the player begins an information retrieval session.
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`The casino web site 130 transmits the player identifying information at step
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`225 of FIG. 2a to the casino server 140. The casino server 140 accesses the record in
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`the casino player database 155, at step 230, containing the received player
`identification information. The server proceeds to access the credit availability and
`credit information of the player. The microprocessor of the server 140 authenticates
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`the player identification number, which involves searching the casino player database
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`155 for the record having the received player identification numbers.
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`If no record
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`exists in the casino player database 155 having the particular player identification
`number, than the remote player is rejected and play is disallowed. Ifthe casino player
`database 155 identifies a record containing the player identification number,
`the
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`remote player is accepted for remoteplay.
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`the player is then
`information is accessed,
`Once the credit and payment
`30—notified, at step 235 of FIG. 2b, to initiate remote play. Preferably, the remote
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`monitor 116 displays a prompting message requesting that the remote player input the
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`Patent Owner NexRF Exhibit 2003, Page 14 of 938
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`Patent Owner NexRF Exhibit 2003, Page 14 of 938
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`play preferences. Specifically, the casino server 140 transmits a signal to the casino
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`web site 130 that displays, on the remote monitor 116, the prompting message.
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`In order to respond to the prompting message and place a specific wager on
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`the outcome of the random number generation, the player communicates, at step 240,
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`one or more preferences to the