Secure server-based gaming platform

• US 20060019749A1
• Filed: 06/23/2005
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Virtgame Corp. (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Merati, Bruce, Edwards, Roberto
• Application Number:
  US11/165,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20060019749A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• 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 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00

Abstract

A secure gaming system or platform. Client monitors accept user input and displaying game status and outcomes. No game processing or decisions occur at the client monitors. A game server is coupled to and remote from the client monitors, and comprises a processor for executing game programs based on user input supplied by the client monitor. The game server returns game outcomes to the client monitor for display. All game processing and intelligence takes place at the game server. A database logs all game outcomes, events and user input as provided by the game server. An audit server replays all games executed by the game server based on the events and user input provided by the game server, and compares the results with the database logs and game outcomes independently supplied to the audit server by the client monitor to verify and ensure the integrity of gaming activity.

Claims

1. A secure gaming system comprising:

at least one client monitor for accepting user input and displaying game status and outcomes, wherein no game processing or decisions occur at the client monitor;

a game server coupled to and remote from the client monitor, the game server comprising a processor for executing game programs based on user input supplied by the client monitor, the game server returning game outcomes to the client monitor for display;

a database that logs all game outcomes, events and user input as provided by the game server; and

an audit server that replays all games executed by the game server based on the events and user input provided by the game server, and compares the results with the database logs and game outcomes independently supplied to the audit server by the client monitor to verify and ensure the integrity of gaming activity.

2. A secure gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a separate RNG for each client monitor resides on the game server.

3. A secure gaming system as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising software for constantly monitoring system integrity, residing on the game server and audit server.

4. A secure gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein multiple game programs are stored on the game server, and are selected and executed based on the user input.

5. A secure gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the client monitor comprises a web browser for displaying content from the game server.

6. A secure gaming system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the client monitor further comprises a proxy server for relaying the user input to the game server, for receiving responses from the game server, and for mirroring the responses to the audit server.

7. A secure gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audit server and the game server exchange heartbeats, wherein the client monitor and game server exchange heartbeats, and wherein the client monitor provides a heartbeat to the audit server.