GAMING SYSTEM LICENSE MANAGEMENT
First Claim
1. A gaming system, comprising:
- a plurality of gaming units coupled to a data network, each gaming unit having a configuration for executing a game application enabling a player to play a game of chance on the gaming unit, wherein a configuration of the gaming system is defined by the plurality of gaming unit configurations;
means for storing a license parameter paired with a corresponding license parameter value of a license for determining access to the gaming system configuration, the license applicable to the plurality of gaming units;
means, separate from the gaming units and coupled to the data network, for monitoring the plurality of gaming units;
means for comparing a real-time parameter value with the license parameter value, the real-time parameter value determined from a current configuration of the plurality of gaming unit configurations;
means for determining that the gaming system configuration is not in compliance with the license when the real-time parameter exceeds the license parameter value; and
means for preventing reconfiguration of the gaming system configuration without interrupting game play on the gaming units when the gaming system configuration is not in compliance with the license.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming system may include a first gaming unit, a second gaming unit, and a monitoring apparatus operatively coupled to the first and second gaming unit. The monitoring apparatus may include a display terminal and a monitoring apparatus controller operatively coupled to the display terminal. The monitoring apparatus controller may comprise a processor and a memory having encrypted license data representing a license parameter and a corresponding license parameter value stored therein, and may be programed to determine if the encrypted license data is authentic and may be programmed to determine if a configuration of the gaming system is in compliance with the license parameter value of the license parameter.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gaming system, comprising:
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a plurality of gaming units coupled to a data network, each gaming unit having a configuration for executing a game application enabling a player to play a game of chance on the gaming unit, wherein a configuration of the gaming system is defined by the plurality of gaming unit configurations;
means for storing a license parameter paired with a corresponding license parameter value of a license for determining access to the gaming system configuration, the license applicable to the plurality of gaming units;
means, separate from the gaming units and coupled to the data network, for monitoring the plurality of gaming units;
means for comparing a real-time parameter value with the license parameter value, the real-time parameter value determined from a current configuration of the plurality of gaming unit configurations;
means for determining that the gaming system configuration is not in compliance with the license when the real-time parameter exceeds the license parameter value; and
means for preventing reconfiguration of the gaming system configuration without interrupting game play on the gaming units when the gaming system configuration is not in compliance with the license. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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2. A program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for monitoring a plurality of gaming units coupled to a data network in a monitoring apparatus, the monitoring apparatus coupled to the data network and separate from the gaming units, each gaming unit having a configuration for executing a game application enabling a player to play a game of chance on the gaming unit, a configuration of the gaming system defined by the plurality of gaming unit configurations, the method comprising:
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storing a license parameter paired with a corresponding license parameter value of a license for determining access to the gaming system configuration, the license applicable to the plurality of gaming units;
providing a monitoring apparatus separate from the gaming units, the monitoring apparatus coupled to the data network to monitor the plurality of gaming units, the monitoring apparatus including a processor programmed to;
i) compare a real-time parameter value with the license parameter value, the real-time parameter value determined from a current configuration of the plurality of gaming unit configurations, ii) determine that the gaming system configuration is not in compliance with the license when the real-time parameter exceeds the license parameter value, and iii) when the gaming system configuration is not in compliance with the license, prevent reconfiguration of the gaming system configuration without interrupting game play on the gaming units.
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12. A method for monitoring a plurality of gaming units coupled to a data network with a monitoring apparatus, the monitoring apparatus coupled to the data network and separate from the gaming units, each gaming unit having a configuration for executing a game application enabling a player to play a game of chance on the gaming unit, a configuration of the gaming system defined by the plurality of gaming unit configurations, the method comprising:
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storing a license parameter in a memory device;
pairing the license parameter with a corresponding license parameter value of a license for determining access to the gaming system configuration, the license applicable to the plurality of gaming units;
comparing a real-time parameter value with the license parameter value, the real-time parameter value determined from a current configuration of the plurality of gaming unit configurations;
determining that the gaming system configuration is not in compliance with the license when the real-time parameter exceeds the license parameter value; and
preventing reconfiguration of the gaming system configuration without interrupting game play on the gaming units when the gaming system configuration is not in compliance with the license. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification