Progressive controller

• US 20080090652A1
• Filed: 10/16/2006
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Kuehling, Brian L., Ruckle, Clyde, Hollenbeck, Michael F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,896,741 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine

Abstract

A method and system for configuring a progressive system that insures enhanced operative control and security of the progressive system. The progressive controller provides one or more security keys to access and verify modifications to the progressive configuration. The allocated number of gaming devices connected to the progressive system is authenticated by a dedicated security key. Gaming devices in excess of the allocation are disabled from the progressive system. The security keys are configured with an expiration parameter that requires gaming establishments to remain current with respect to progressive system agreements.

Claims

1. A system for configuring and authenticating a progressive game network comprising:

a first security key;

a second security key;

a progressive controller comprising;

a key interface integrated with the progressive controller, wherein the key interface is configured to receive the first security key or the second security key;

memory having machine readable code stored thereon, the machine readable code configured to

authenticate the first security key or the second security key when the first security key or the second security key is in the key interface; and

if the authentication is successful, then permitting programming of the progressive controller or operation of a predetermined number of game devices associated with the progressive controller based on whether the first security key or the second security key was authenticated.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first security key and the second security key comprise a processor and memory.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first security key comprises a programming key and the second security key comprises a run key.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the run key further comprises an expiration parameter which, when expired, prevents operation of the run key, the progressive controller, or both.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the machine readable code is further configured to, as part of the authentication, perform a calculation on a value sent to the first security key or the second security key and compare a value resulting from the calculation to a value received from the first security key or the second security key.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a gaming machine interface configured to disable one or more aspects of the game device if the authentication is unsuccessful.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the authentication comprises comparing data stored within the security key with data stored within the progressive controller.

8. A system for configuring and authenticating a progressive game network comprising:

at least one security key configured to interface with a progressive controller;

a progressive controller comprising;

at least one key interface configured to receive the at least one security key;

at least one input/output port configured to interface with one or more gaming device interfaces associated with one or more gaming devices;

an authenticator configured to interface with the at least one security key to thereby authenticate the at least one security key and enable operation of the progressive controller if the authentication was successful and disable operation of the progressive controller, gaming device interfaces or both if the authentication was unsuccessful.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the authenticator comprises hardware.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the authenticator comprises software.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the authenticator comprises a combination of hardware and software.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one security key comprises a program key and a run key.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the progressive controller is configured to operate a predetermined number of game devices only if at least one run key is interfacing with the key interface and if the at least one run key authenticates.

14. A method of configuring a progressive system comprising:

receiving a security key into a key interface, wherein the key interface is associated with a progressive controller and the security key is configured to enable configuration of the progressive controller;

interrogating the security key;

if, and only if, the interrogation was successful, then displaying at least one progressive controller parameter modification options;

modifying one or more progressive controller parameters;

storing the modified progressive controller parameters in the progressive controller;

removing the security key from the key interface;

un-displaying the at least one progressive controller parameter modification options.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the interrogating comprises

analyzing data received from the security key.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the interrogating comprises:

generating a first value within the progressive controller;

sending the first value from the progressive controller to the security key;

processing the first value within the security key to generate second value;

processing the first value within the progressive controller to generate a third value; and

comparing the second value to the third value.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the displaying at least one progressive controller parameter modification options comprises displaying one or more menu options for software configuration.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of interrogating repeats one or more times during the displaying and modifying.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein receiving the security key disables operation of the progressive system with respect to a predetermined number of game devices connected thereto.

20. A method of enabling operation of a progressive system comprising:

receiving a security key into a key interface, wherein the key interface is associated with a progressive controller and the security key is configured to enable operation of the progressive controller;

interrogating the security key;

if the interrogation was successful, then enabling operation of a predetermined number of game devices coupled with the progressive system, wherein if the interrogation was unsuccessful, then disabling operation of the progressive system;

operating the progressive system;

intermittently monitoring for the presence of and interrogating the security key while the progressive system is operating;

if the monitoring for and interrogation for the presence of and interrogating the security key while the progressive system is operating was successful, then enabling operation of the progressive system; and

if the monitoring for and interrogation was unsuccessful, then disabling operation of the progressive system.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the interrogating comprises analyzing data received from the security key.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the interrogating comprises:

generating a first value within the progressive controller;

sending the first value from the progressive controller to the security key;

processing the first value within the security key to generate second value;

processing the first value within the progressive controller to generate a third value; and

comparing the second value to the third value.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the second value is encrypted.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of interrogating repeats one or more times during the operation.