Method for developing gaming programs compatible with a computerized gaming operating system and apparatus

• US 20030069074A1
• Filed: 09/10/2002
• Published: 04/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: SHFL Entertainment Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Jackson, Mark D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,618,317 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6018 where the game content is authored by the player, e.g. level editor or by game device at runtime, e.g. level is created from music data on CD
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/20 Software design
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

The present invention in various embodiments provides a computerized wagering game method and apparatus that features an operating system kernel, a system handler application that loads and executes gaming program shared objects and features nonvolatile storage that facilitates sharing of information between gaming program objects. The system handler of some embodiments further provides an API library of functions callable from the gaming program objects, and facilitates the use of callback functions on change of data stored in nonvolatile storage. The nonvolatile storage also provides a nonvolatile record of the state of the computerized wagering game, providing protection against loss of the game state due to power loss. The system handler application in various embodiments includes a plurality of device handlers, providing an interface to selected hardware and the ability to monitor hardware-related events.

Claims

1. A method of assisting in the development of a computer based wagering gaming application comprising:

providing a gaming operating system comprising a library of at least two software gaming callback functions and/or primary gaming states;

providing an Application Programming Interface enabling communication from a distal intelligence source to the gaming operating system;

communicating with the Application Programming Interface to the functions and/or primary gaming states in the library of the gaming operating system by providing a Makefile or other procedure for building a gaming application, and a configuration file for running the gaming operation system on a proximal computing system;

providing gaming specific data relating to at least one specific gaming application; and

compiling a program specific to at least one gaming application that is compatible with the gaming operating system.

2. The method of assisting in the development of a computer based wagering gaming application according to claim 1 comprising the steps of:

wherein the library of at least two software gaming elements comprises gaming elements selected from the group consisting of random number generator, game initiation sequence, bonus module, video gaming module, audio gaming module, jackpot module, graphics conversion tool, debugging tool, pay-out table module, value-handling module, power-loss recovery module, gaming payout history module, player history module, and user interaction module.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein public and/or private authentication keys are revved and different public and/or private authentication keys is provided to each of at least two different legal jurisdictions.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the computerized wagering game application is developed for an apparatus comprising:

a computerized game controller operable to control the computerized wagering game having a processor, memory, and nonvolatile storage; and

an operating system comprising;

a system handler application which provides gaming related functions and services to game programs; and

an operating system kernel that executes the system handler application.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the system handler application comprises at least one system selected from the group consisting of

a) a plurality of device handlers,

b) software having the ability when executed to:

load a gaming program; and

execute the new gaming program;

c) an API with functions callable from the game program;

d) an event queue;

e) a game personality described in a selected mode; and

f) a combination of an event queue that determines the order of execution of each specified device handler;

an API having a library of functions;

an event queue capable of queuing on a first come, first serve basis; and

an event queue capable of queuing using more than one criteria.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein game data modified by gaming program objects is stored in nonvolatile storage or wherein the system handler and kernel work in communication to hash system handler code and operating system kernel code.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein game data modified by gaming program objects is stored in nonvolatile storage and changing game data in nonvolatile storage causes execution of a corresponding callback function in the system handler application.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the operating system kernel is a Linux operating system kernel having customized proprietary modules and the kernel has at least one modification wherein each modification is selected from the group consisting of:

1) accessing user level code from ROM,

     2) executing from ROM,

     3) zero out unused RAM,

     4) test and/or hash the kernel, and

     5) disabling selected device handlers.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the apparatus contains a machine-readable element with machine-readable instructions thereon, the instructions when executed operable to cause the processor to manage at least one gaming program object via a system handler application and to execute a single gaming program object at any one time, wherein gaming program objects are operable to share game data in nonvolatile storage within the processor in the computerized wagering game system.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein programming directs the gaming apparatus to effect a procedure selected from the group consisting of a) only one gaming program object executes at any one time, b) there are instructions operable when executed to cause a computer to provide functions through an API that comprises a part of the system handler application, and c) when instructions are executed, the instructions are operable to store game data in nonvolatile storage, such that the state of the computerized wagering game system is maintained when the machine loses power.

11. A method wherein after compiling a program specific to at least one gaming application that is compatible with the gaming operating system according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the program specific to at least one gaming application of manages data in the computerized wagering game apparatus via a system handler application comprising:

loading a shared object,

executing the shared object, and

accessing and storing game data in nonvolatile storage.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein managing data further comprises a) unloading the first program object, and loading a second program object or b) executing a corresponding callback function upon alteration of game data in nonvolatile storage.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein after compiling a program specific to at least one gaming application that is compatible with the gaming operating system, a machine-readable memory storage element with instructions thereon has the instructions executed to cause a computer to:

load a first program shared object,

execute a first program shared object,

store gaming data in nonvolatile storage, such that a second program object later loaded can access gaming data variables in nonvolatile storage,

unload the first program shared object from system memory, and

load the second program shared object to system memory so that the second program shared object is accessible to the computer as instructions.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein additional instructions are executed to cause a computer to perform a task selected from the group consisting of a) executing a corresponding callback function upon alteration of game data in the nonvolatile storage;

and b) managing events via the system handler application.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the computerized wagering game application is developed for an apparatus comprising:

a universal operating system stored in a memory storage component that may be operatively inserted along with game identity data into an electronic or electromechanical gaming device having ancillary functions so that the gaming device can effect play of the game provided in the game identity data and the operating system will control at least one ancillary function selected from the group consisting of coin acceptance, credit acceptance, currency acceptance and boot up, the gaming device having at least one system handler application, and the operating system comprising a system handler and an operating system kernel.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one of a plurality of APIs, an operating system kernel customized for gaming purposes, and an event queue.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the apparatus further comprises a system handler comprising a plurality of device handlers or the operating system controls a networked on-line system or control a progressive meter.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the operating system comprises a kernel customized for gaming purposes utilizing a method of operation selected from the group consisting of:

1) accessing user level code from ROM,

     2) executing from ROM,

     3) zero out unused RAM,

     4) test and/or hash the kernel, and

     5) disabling selected device handlers.

20. A method of converting a first game that operates on a first gaming system so that the game operates on a universal gaming system, the method comprising:

removing a first game operating system from the gaming system, the first game operating system including hardware and software;

installing the universal gaming system of claim 15 in place of the game operating system, the universal gaming system including a game program layer, an open operating system, and a game controller for running the game program layer on the open operating system;

providing functional interfaces between the universal gaming system and game devices; and

installing a second game specific program in the game program layer configured to operate with the open operating system.

21. The method of claim 20, comprising at least one step selected from the group consisting of:

a) providing the open operating system with a system application handler, wherein the functional interfaces include a functional interface between the gaming system and the game devices via the system application handler;

b) configuring the system handler application to include one or more device handlers for interfacing with the game devices, wherein at least one of the device handlers operates as a protocol manager between the games device and the open operating system;

c) providing the open operating system to include an operating system kernel that executes the system handler application; and

d) providing the game program layer with at least one gaming program object.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one gaming program object is specific to a type of game played on the universal gaming system.

23. The method of claim 20, comprising at least one step selected from the group consisting of:

changing a type of game played on the universal gaming system by changing game program objects;

configuring the game program layer to operate the game as a slot machine;

operating the slot machine as a mechanical reel-based slot machine; and

configuring the open operating system to include a resource manager for mapping game specific resources.

24. The method of claim 23 including mapping game specific resources by parsing a configuration file, mapping operating system resources based on the configuration file, and storing the resource map in memory.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein mapping operating system resources based on the configuration file includes mapping input/output lines to system resources.

26. The method of claim 22 comprising converting the first gaming system from a cash accepting gaming system to a cashless gaming system, the method including providing the open operating system with a system application handler, wherein the functional interfaces include a functional interface between the gaming system and the game devices accomplished via the system application handler, and configuring the system handler application to include one or more device handlers for interfacing with the game devices, the configuring including installing a card reader device handler, and installing a card reader in communication with the card reader device handler, and optionally including configuring the system handler application to include a ticket printer device handler;

and installing a ticket printer in communication with the ticket printer device handler.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein a slot machine game operating system is removed from the first gaming system and the functional interfaces are between the universal gaming system and slot machine game devices.

28. The method of claim 27 comprising at least one step selected from the group consisting of:

a) providing the open operating system with a system application handler, wherein the functional interfaces include a functional interface between the gaming system and the slot machine game devices via the system application handler;

b) configuring the system handler application to include one or more device handlers for interfacing with the slot machine game devices, wherein at least one of the device handlers operates as a protocol manager between the slot machine games device and the open operating system;

c) configuring an I/O device handler to interface with slot machine input devices and slot machine output devices;

d) providing slot machine input devices that include a mechanical arm, button acceptor and coin acceptor;

e) providing the slot machine with output devices inclusive of slot machine reels, credit displays, and speakers.

29. The method of claim 28, comprising converting the mechanical reel slot machine game having only cash, token, credit balance and currency acceptance capability to a cashless gaming system via the system handler application, the converting including providing a card reader device handler, and installing a card reader in communication with the card reader device handler and optionally providing a ticket printer device handler, and installing a ticket printer in communication with the ticket printer device handler.

35. A gaming system developed for use in a casino by the method of claim 1 comprising:

a game controller configured to operate the gaming system; and

a first nonvolatile memory and a second nonvolatile memory for storing critical gaming information, wherein the first nonvolatile memory and the second nonvolatile memory are configured to communicate with the game controller as a gaming RAID system for redundant storage of critical gaming information. RAID not defined in text,

the gaming system enabling redundant NVRAM storage to be replaceable while operating power for the system is on.

19. A method comprising a) customizing an operating system kernel and b) providing the customized kernel of the operating system into a gaming apparatus, at least one customization being effected to obtain functionality of the gaming apparatus, the customization being a kernel modification for a process selected from the group consisting of:

1) accessing user level code from ROM;

2) executing user level code from ROM;

3) zeroing out unused RAM;

4) testing and/or hashing the kernel; and

5) disabling selected device handlers.

30. A method of configuring a game program layer for a universal gaming system that is configured for a game program layer and an open operating system, the method comprising:

configuring the game program layer on a computer remote from a first non-universal gaming system; and

downloading the game program layer into the universal gaming system and performing at least one sequence comprising

a) defining a game template; and

configuring the game program layer using the game template;

b) storing the game program on a removable media card;

c) providing removable media as flash memory.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the game program is stored on a removable media card and the removable media card is plugged into the gaming system, and then running the game program layer via the open operating system from the removable media card.

32. The method of claim 30 comprising an additional step of preparing the game program layer for authentication by plugging the removable media card into an authenticating system.

33. The method of claim 30 performed as a network based method of providing a game program layer for a universal gaming system configured for remote operation using an open operating system, the method including defining a user interface to communicate between the remote computer and the universal operating system.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the game program layer is configured to use user interface remote from the gaming system or via a web page template at the user interface.