Download and Data Transfer Gaming Method and System

• US 20120184374A1
• Filed: 03/26/2012
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rupert, Ryan
• Application Number:
  US13/430,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20120184374A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/34 using peer-to-peer connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/358 Adapting the game course according to the network or server load, e.g. for reducing latency due to different connection speeds between clients
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/408 Peer to peer connection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/513 server hierarchy, e.g. local, regional, national or dedicated for different tasks, e.g. authenticating, billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/60 Software deployment
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1063 Discovery through centralising entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1076 Resource dissemination mechanisms or network resource keeping policies for optimal resource availability in the overlay network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/108 characterised by resources being split in blocks or fragments

Abstract

A download and data transfer gaming method and system utilizes a hybrid peer-to-peer, segmented file distribution protocol to vastly improve the download capabilities of a gaming system by improving the upload cost burdened by the download host. The method and system redistributes this cost to the download clients by allowing clients on the gaming system to upload pieces of a file to each other. This method is much more redundant by eliminating the possibility of a client missing a download broadcast. The method alleviates this possibility of missing packets and bad data integrity by using SHA-1 verification of the file pieces. The benefits of the improved bandwidth capabilities enable the download of much larger files, thus enhancing the game play experience.

Claims

1. A method for enabling configuration of a plurality of gaming devices in a network including said gaming devices capable of receiving and transmit data, said method comprising:

configuring a memory to store a data set for distribution;

configuring a server to access said memory and provide over said network an initial distribution of a plurality of different subsets of said data set amongst said plurality of gaming devices wherein no gaming device of said server distribution receives the entire data set;

the plurality of gaming devices transmitting over said network all further distributions of the plurality of different subsets of data only amongst each other until the gaming devices have the entire data set.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising tracking of at least the data distribution to said plurality of gaming devices.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising providing for random distribution of said data subsets by said server.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising configuring said server to prioritize distribution of one or more data subsets over at least one other data subset.

5. The method of claim 4 comprising configuring said server to enable verification of said data subsets.

6. A system for the configuration of a plurality of gaming devices in a network wherein said plurality of gaming devices are configured to receive and transmit data over said network, said system comprising:

a data memory to store a data set for distribution;

a server configured to access said memory and distribute a plurality of different subsets of said data set over said network for receipt amongst said plurality of gaming devices wherein no gaming device of said server distribution receives the entire data set;

said plurality of gaming devices configured to transmit over said network all further distributions of the plurality of different subsets of data only amongst each other until the said plurality of gaming devices have the entire data set.

7. The system of claim 6 comprising said server configured to track said data distribution to said gaming devices.

8. The system of claim 6 comprising said server configured to randomly distribute said data subsets.

9. The system of claim 6 comprising said server configured to prioritize distribution of one or more data subsets over at least one other data subset.

10. The system of claim 6 comprising said server configured to enable verification of said data subsets.