Non-volatile memory management technique implemented in a gaming machine

• US 20070207854A1
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Wolf, Bryan, Stockdale, James, Nelson, Dwayne, LeMay, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,951,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/08 in hierarchically structured memory systems, e.g. virtual memory systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/12 Replacement control
• 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 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to different techniques for managing the storage of accumulated information in selected non-volatile memory sources at a gaming machine. In one implementation of the present invention relates to a technique for automatically and dynamically swapping critical data and/or other game related information between the non-volatile RAM and the alternate storage (e.g., disk drive) of a gaming machine as new games are activated and/or existing games are deactivated at the gaming machine.

Claims

1. A method for managing non-volatile memory resources at a gaming machine, the gaming machine being configured or designed to receive a wager on a game of chance, the gaming machine including a first non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine, the gaming machine including a second non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine, the method comprising:

receiving a game activation request to activate or add a first game at the gaming machine;

generating, in response to the game activation request, a memory allocation request for allocating a first portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source;

determining whether there is sufficient memory space available at the first non-volatile memory source for allocating the first portion of memory space;

automatically identifying for de-allocation, a second game at the gaming machine in response to a determination that there is insufficient memory space available at the first non-volatile memory source for allocating the first portion of memory space, wherein the second game has associated therewith a first existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source; and

automatically initiating at least one procedure for de-allocating the first existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source in response to a determination that there is insufficient memory space available at the first non-volatile memory source for allocating the first portion of memory space.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

identifying a second existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source which is to be preserved during the de-allocation of the first existing allocated portion of memory space; and

de-allocating the first existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source while preserving the second existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first portion of memory space is operable for storing accumulated information associated with the first game.

4. The method of claim 1:

wherein the first portion of memory space is operable for storing accumulated information associated with the first game; and

wherein the accumulated information comprises critical data generated during plays of the first game.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating, in response to said game activation instructions, the memory allocation request for allocating the first portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source;

wherein the first portion of memory space is adaptable for storing accumulated information associated with the first game; and

wherein the accumulated information comprises one or more of;

game history information, security information, accounting information, player tracking information, wide area progressive information, game state information, game usage information, game transactional information, game meter information, bonus of game information, and player input information.

6. The method of claim 1:

wherein the first non-volatile memory source corresponds to non-volatile RAM; and

wherein the second non-volatile memory source corresponds to disk drive memory.

7. A method for managing non-volatile memory resources at a gaming machine, the gaming machine being configured or designed to receive a wager on a game of chance, the gaming machine including a first non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine, the gaming machine including a second non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine, the method comprising:

receiving a memory allocation request for allocating a first portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source, wherein the memory allocation request relates to a first game which is to be activated at the gaming machine;

allocating the first portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source for storing accumulated information associated with the first game;

determining whether first game accumulated information relating to the first game is stored at the second non-volatile memory source; and

populating the allocated first portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source with at least a portion of the first game accumulated information retrieved from the second non-volatile memory source.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

identifying an available portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source for allocating the first portion of memory space relating to the first game;

identifying an existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source which includes accumulated information associated with a second game at the gaming machine; and

allocating the available portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source for storing accumulated information associated with the first game while preserving the information stored in the existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source.

9. The method of claim 7:

wherein the first non-volatile memory source corresponds to non-volatile RAM; and

wherein the second non-volatile memory source corresponds to disk drive memory.

10. A method for managing non-volatile memory resources at a gaming machine, the gaming machine being configured or designed to receive a wager on a game of chance, the gaming machine including a first non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine, the gaming machine including a second non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine, the method comprising:

receiving a first memory de-allocation request for de-allocating a first allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source, wherein the first allocated portion of memory space includes first game accumulated information relating to a first game at the gaming machine;

copying a first portion of the first game accumulated information to a second allocated portion of memory space at the second non-volatile memory source in response to the first memory de-allocation request; and

de-allocating the first allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

allocating the second allocated portion of memory space at the second non-volatile memory source;

wherein the second allocated portion of memory space is adapted to store first game accumulated information relating to gaming machine activity associated with the first game.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

identifying a second existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source which is to be preserved during the de-allocation of the first existing allocated portion of memory space; and

de-allocating the first existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source while preserving the second existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving a first game removal request for deactivating a first game at the gaming machine; and

generating the first memory de-allocation request in response to the first game removal request.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the first game accumulated information comprises critical data generated during plays of the first game at the gaming machine.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the first game accumulated information comprises one or more of:

game history information, security information, accounting information, player tracking information, wide area progressive information, game state information, game usage information, game transactional information, game meter information, bonus of game information, and player input information.

16. The method of claim 10:

wherein the first non-volatile memory source corresponds to non-volatile RAM; and

wherein the second non-volatile memory source corresponds to disk drive memory.

17. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

generating a first portion of converted first game accumulated information, wherein said generating includes converting the first portion of the first game accumulated information into a format which is able to be interpreted during at least one time period when game code relating to the first game is unavailable for access; and

storing the first portion of the first game accumulated information at the second allocated portion of memory space at the second non-volatile memory source.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein the second allocated portion of memory space at the second non-volatile memory source has associated therewith a memory access reference parameter usable for accessing information stored at the second allocated portion of memory space, the method further comprising:

updating information stored at the first allocated portion of memory space to include pointer information relating to the memory access reference parameter.

19. A method for managing non-volatile memory resources at a gaming machine, the gaming machine being configured or designed to receive a wager on a game of chance, the gaming machine including a first non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine, the gaming machine including a second non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine, the method comprising:

receiving a first data access request for accessing a first portion of accumulated information relating to a first game;

accessing the first portion of accumulated information at the first non-volatile memory source in response to a determination that the first portion of accumulated information is stored at the first non-volatile memory source; and

accessing the first portion of accumulated information at the second non-volatile memory source in response to a determination that the first portion of accumulated information is stored at the second non-volatile memory source.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

determining whether the first portion of accumulated information is stored at the first non-volatile memory source.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

determining whether the first portion of accumulated information is stored at the first non-volatile memory source or the second non-volatile memory source.

22. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

accessing information stored at the first non-volatile memory source in order to determine whether the first portion of accumulated information is stored at a first non-volatile memory source;

identifying first memory access reference parameter at the first non-volatile memory source, the first memory access reference parameter including information for accessing data stored at the second non-volatile memory source relating to the first portion of accumulated information.

23. The method of claim 19:

wherein the first non-volatile memory source corresponds to non-volatile RAM; and

wherein the second non-volatile memory source corresponds to disk drive memory.

24. A gaming machine configured or designed to receive a wager on a game of chance, the gaming machine comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one interface;

a first non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine; and

a second non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine;

the gaming machine being adapted to;

receive a memory allocation request for allocating a first portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source;

determine whether there is sufficient memory space available at the first non-volatile memory source for allocating the first portion of memory space; and

automatically initiate at least one procedure for de-allocating an existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source in response to a determination that there is insufficient memory space available at the first non-volatile memory source for allocating the first portion of memory space.

25. The gaming machine of claim 24 being further configured or designed to:

identify a first existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source for de-allocation;

identify a second existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source which is to be preserved during the de-allocation of the first existing allocated portion of memory space; and

de-allocate the first existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source while preserving the second existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source.

26. The gaming machine of claim 24 wherein the memory allocation request relates to a first game which is to be added, mounted or activated at the gaming machine.

27. The gaming machine of claim 24 being further configured or designed to:

generate, in response to said game activation instructions, the memory allocation request for allocating the first portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source;

wherein the first portion of memory space is adaptable for storing accumulated information associated with the first game.

28. The gaming machine of claim 24, being further configured or designed to:

generate, in response to said game activation instructions, the memory allocation request for allocating the first portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source;

wherein the first portion of memory space is adaptable for storing accumulated information associated with the first game; and

wherein the accumulated information comprises critical data generated during plays of the first game.

29. The gaming machine of claim 24, being further configured or designed to:

generate, in response to said game activation instructions, the memory allocation request for allocating the first portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source;

wherein the first portion of memory space is adaptable for storing accumulated information associated with the first game; and

wherein the accumulated information comprises one or more of;

game history information, security information, accounting information, player tracking information, wide area progressive information, game state information, game usage information, game transactional information, game meter information, bonus of game information, and player input information.

30. The gaming machine of claim 24:

wherein the first non-volatile memory source corresponds to non-volatile RAM; and

wherein the second non-volatile memory source corresponds to disk drive memory.

32. The gaming machine of claim 24 being further configured or designed to:

identify an available portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source for allocating the first portion of memory space relating to the first game;

identify an existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source which includes accumulated information associated with a second game at the gaming machine; and

allocate the available portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source for storing accumulated information associated with the first game while preserving the information stored in the existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source.

31. A gaming machine configured or designed to receive a wager on a game of chance, the gaming machine comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one interface;

a first non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine; and

a second non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine;

the gaming machine being adapted to;

receive a memory allocation request for allocating a first portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source, wherein the memory allocation request relates to a first game which is to be activated at the gaming machine;

allocate the first portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source for storing accumulated information associated with the first game;

determine whether first game accumulated information relating to the first game is stored at the second non-volatile memory source; and

populate the allocated first portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source with at least a portion of the first game accumulated information retrieved from the second non-volatile memory source.

33. The gaming machine of claim 31:

wherein the first non-volatile memory source corresponds to non-volatile RAM; and

wherein the second non-volatile memory source corresponds to disk drive memory.

34. A gaming machine configured or designed to receive a wager on a game of chance, the gaming machine comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one interface;

a first non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine; and

a second non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine;

the gaming machine being adapted to;

receive a first memory de-allocation request for de-allocating a first allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source, wherein the first allocated portion of memory space includes first game accumulated information relating to a first game at the gaming machine;

copy a first portion of the first game accumulated information to a second allocated portion of memory space at the second non-volatile memory source in response to the first memory de-allocation request; and

de-allocate the first allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source.

35. The gaming machine of claim 34 being further configured or designed to:

allocate the second allocated portion of memory space at the second non-volatile memory source;

wherein the second allocated portion of memory space is adapted to store first game accumulated information relating to gaming machine activity associated with the first game.

36. The gaming machine of claim 34 being further configured or designed to:

identify a second existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source which is to be preserved during the de-allocation of the first existing allocated portion of memory space; and

de-allocating the first existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source while preserving the second existing allocated portion of memory space at the first non-volatile memory source.

37. The gaming machine of claim 34 being further configured or designed to:

receive a first game removal request for deactivating a first game at the gaming machine; and

generate the first memory de-allocation request in response to the first game removal request.

38. The gaming machine of claim 34 wherein the first game accumulated information comprises critical data generated during plays of the first game at the gaming machine.

39. The gaming machine of claim 34 wherein the first game accumulated information comprises one or more of:

game history information, security information, accounting information, player tracking information, wide area progressive information, game state information, game usage information, game transactional information, game meter information, bonus of game information, and player input information.

40. The gaming machine of claim 34:

wherein the first non-volatile memory source corresponds to non-volatile RAM; and

wherein the second non-volatile memory source corresponds to disk drive memory.

41. The gaming machine of claim 34 being further configured or designed to:

convert the first portion of the first game accumulated information into generate a first portion of converted first game accumulated information, wherein the first portion of converted first game accumulated information is able to be interpreted during at least one time period when game code relating to the first game is unavailable for access; and

store the first portion of the first game accumulated information at the second allocated portion of memory space at the second non-volatile memory source.

42. The gaming machine of claim 34 wherein the second allocated portion of memory space at the second non-volatile memory source has associated therewith a memory access reference parameter usable for accessing information stored at the second allocated portion of memory space, the gaming machine being further configured or designed to:

update information stored at the first allocated portion of memory space to include pointer information relating to the memory access reference parameter.

43. A gaming machine configured or designed to receive a wager on a game of chance, the gaming machine comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one interface;

a first non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine; and

a second non-volatile memory source adapted to store accumulated information relating to activities at the gaming machine;

the gaming machine being adapted to;

receive a first data access request for accessing a first portion of accumulated information relating to a first game;

access the first portion of accumulated information at the first non-volatile memory source in response to a determination that the first portion of accumulated information is stored at the first non-volatile memory source; and

access the first portion of accumulated information at the second non-volatile memory source in response to a determination that the first portion of accumulated information is stored at the second non-volatile memory source.

44. The gaming machine of claim 43 being further configured or designed to:

determine whether the first portion of accumulated information is stored at the first non-volatile memory source.

45. The gaming machine of claim 43 being further configured or designed to:

determine whether the first portion of accumulated information is stored at the first non-volatile memory source or the second non-volatile memory source.

46. The gaming machine of claim 43 being further configured or designed to:

access information stored at the first non-volatile memory source in order to determine whether the first portion of accumulated information is stored at a first non-volatile memory source;

identify first memory access reference parameter at the first non-volatile memory source, the first memory access reference parameter including information for accessing data stored at the second non-volatile memory source relating to the first portion of accumulated information.

47. The gaming machine of claim 43:

wherein the first non-volatile memory source corresponds to non-volatile RAM; and

wherein the second non-volatile memory source corresponds to disk drive memory.