Security for gaming devices
First Claim
1. A method of providing secure communications in a gaming machine comprising:
- providing an authorized first circuit for connection within the gaming machine, the first circuit being a modular secure circuit whereby data stored in the first circuit is protected by security features, the first circuit containing at least one key for use in a cryptographic function;
providing a main controller board in the gaming machine containing a processor and a memory circuit for carrying out a game program;
using the at least one key in the first circuit for decrypting data generated in the gaming machine;
carrying out the game program to play a game on the gaming machine if the at least one key stored in the first circuit is a proper key; and
preventing carrying out of the game program if it is detected that the first circuit does not contain the proper at least one key.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A secure smart card or other secure modular memory device is plugged into (or otherwise connected to) a port of a game controller board internal to a gaming machine. The smart card is programmed to detect an encrypted “challenge” message from the host CPU and output an encrypted “response.” If the host CPU determines that the response has the expected properties, then the host CPU verifies that the game program is authentic (i.e., the game program is accurate and authorized for use by that particular gaming machine and customer), and the game can be played. The challenge/request exchange may be performed before every game is played on the machine or at any other time. If the response is improper, then the host CPU will issue a halt command to halt play of the game. By controlling access to the properly programmed smart card, gaming machines cannot run unauthorized copies of the game program. Various other security features are disclosed for protecting communications and data within the gaming machine, such as erasing secure memories if tampering is detected and requiring that an authorized secure smart card be connected to each one of multiple game boards in a single gaming machine for accurate secure communications between boards.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of providing secure communications in a gaming machine comprising:
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providing an authorized first circuit for connection within the gaming machine, the first circuit being a modular secure circuit whereby data stored in the first circuit is protected by security features, the first circuit containing at least one key for use in a cryptographic function;
providing a main controller board in the gaming machine containing a processor and a memory circuit for carrying out a game program;
using the at least one key in the first circuit for decrypting data generated in the gaming machine;
carrying out the game program to play a game on the gaming machine if the at least one key stored in the first circuit is a proper key; and
preventing carrying out of the game program if it is detected that the first circuit does not contain the proper at least one key. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A gaming machine for carrying out a game and granting an award to a player for one or more particular outcomes comprising:
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a first controller board having a host processing system for carrying out a program;
a memory for storing the program for carrying out a game on the gaming machine; and
a modular, secure first circuit in communication with the host processing system, the first circuit being a secure circuit whereby data stored in the first circuit is protected by security features, the first circuit containing at least one key for use in a cryptographic function;
the host processing system for carrying out the program to play a game on the gaming machine if the at least one key stored in the first circuit is a proper key and for preventing carrying out of the game program if it is detected that the at least one key stored in the first circuit is not a proper key. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of preventing unauthorized use of gaming software in gaming machines comprising:
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providing an authorized first circuit for connection within a gaming machine, the first circuit being a modular secure circuit whereby data stored in the first circuit is protected by security features, the first circuit for communicating with a host processing system internal to the gaming machine to establish that the first circuit is an authorized first circuit;
providing gaming software in the gaming machine, run by the host processing system, for carrying out a game played by the gaming machine, the gaming software preventing carrying out of the game unless the authorized first circuit is installed in the gaming machine; and
controlling distribution of the authorized first circuit such that a gaming machine running an unauthorized copy of the game program will not be able to carry out the game without an authorized first circuit. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification