Gaming device security system: apparatus and method

• US 6,364,769 B1
• Filed: 05/22/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Incorporated (Aristocrat Leisure Limited)
• Original Assignee: Casino Data Systems (Aristocrat Leisure Limited)
• Inventors: Weiss, Steven A., Carlson, Rex R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin-Wallace, Valencia
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOTALING, JOHN M
• Application Number:
  US09/577,016
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/20, 463/25, 463/29, 463/40-43
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00

Abstract

A gaming device security system is disclosed which includes two processing areas linked together and communicating critical gaming functions via a security protocol wherein each transmitted gaming function includes a specific encrypted signature to be decoded and validated before being processed by either processing area. The two processing areas include a first processing area having a dynamic RAM and an open architecture design which is expandable without interfering or accessing critical gaming functions and a second “secure” processing area having a non-alterable memory for the storage of critical gaming functions therein.

Claims

1. A gaming machine, comprising, in combination:

a first processor having open architecture to allow reception of game formats, a visual display and a communication interface;

a second processor sending encrypted communicating data with said first processor via said communicating interface, said second processor having closed architecture which precludes access to critical gaming functions and programs;

said second processor having means for sensing wagering activity and means for transmitting a random gaming outcome to said first processor to be animated on said visual display;

said second processor provided with means to bestow credits as a function of the random gaming outcome.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said second processor includes a non-alterable memory means for said storing critical gaming functions therein.

3. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein said second processor includes a random access memory for storing accounting and gaming outcome information therein.

4. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein said non-alterable memory means includes an interface to couple with an external program validation device.

5. The gaming machine of claim 4 wherein said random access memory of said second processor includes means for interfacing with an external device validation process for directly validating the outcome of any game.

6. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said second processor includes a random number generator for determining the random gaming output.

7. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said first processor includes an alterable program storage media for storing interactive multi-media gaming functions downloaded from a remote source without interfering with critical gaming programs and functions stored in the second processing area.

8. A method for providing gaming security, the steps including:

sequestering gaming functions into two processing areas within one gaming machine, and

linking the two processing areas via a security protocol, one said processing area having open architecture, the other said processing area having closed architecture.

9. The method of claim 8 including forming said two processing area into a first processing area and a second processing area,

providing the first processing area with player stimulus,

providing the second processing area with a response from the player as a function of player stimulus, and having the second processing area drive the first processing area as a result of player response.

10. A gaming device security system operatively coupled to at least one gaming machine, the system comprising, in combination:

a first processing means operatively coupled to and driving a visual display and having open architecture;

a second processing means having closed architecture operatively coupled to said first processing means and communicating therewith only via a secure protocol;

a plurality of inputs enabled by a player allowing the player to initiate and sustain game play on at least the one gaming machine;

said second processing means including means for determining random outcomes of game play and means for transmitting said outcomes to said first processing means for updating said visual display;

a player memory card including memory storage means on said card removable from and accessible by said second processing means to upload and download information between said second processing means and said player memory card reflective of status of an ongoing game, whereby a player can discontinue play by storing game information on said memory card and subsequently resume play in progress by refreshing said second processor means in said system.

11. A gaming device security system, comprising in combination:

a first processor having open architecture;

a second processor having closed architecture including a non-alterable memory means for storing critical gaming functions therein;

a communication link operatively coupled to said first processor and said second processor for transmitting encrypted data packets correlative of said critical gaming functions and outcomes.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said encrypted data packets include an encrypted data message and a unique identification signature to be validated upon receipt.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said unique identification signature includes at least one leading bit and at least one trailing bit attached to ends of said data message.

14. The system of claim 13 further including means for checking said leading and said trailing bits of each data packet for validity of the identification signature.

15. The system of claim 14 further including means for validating each data message of each data packet.

16. A gaming device for use by a player comprising:

a visual display accessible to a player;

a first processing area having an open architecture with respect to application programming and including a microprocessor and an alterable storage media capable of being externally alterable without affecting a key game function of determining a random game outcome, said first processing area coupled to and driving said visual display;

a second processing area having a closed architecture including a non-alterable media for performing said key gaming function of determining a random game outcome, said non-alterable media being secure so as to retain the ability for regulatory validation;

an electrical path connecting said first and second processing areas for communication of said random game outcome.

17. The gaming device of claim 16 wherein said first processing area includes display software for determining visual graphics on said visual display;

and

wherein said first processing area is externally alterable via downloading of display software from a source distinct from said second processor.

18. The gaming device of claim 16 wherein said second processing area includes a microprocessor.

19. The gaming device of claim 16 wherein said second processing area includes a non-volatile random access memory.

20. The gaming device of claim 19 wherein said non-volatile random access memory stores game outcome information.

21. The gaming device of claim 16 wherein said second processing area includes a random number generator for determining said random game outcome.

22. The gaming device of claim 16 further including an interface for connection with an external validation device.

23. The gaming device of claim 16 wherein said second processing area senses wagering activity.

24. The gaming device of claim 17 wherein said second processing area bestows credits as a function of said random game outcome.

25. The gaming device of claim 16 wherein said gaming device is configured as a slot machine.

26. The gaming device of claim 16 wherein said electrical path is a communication link.

27. The gaming device of claim 26 wherein said communication link is a serial communication link.

28. The gaming device of claim 16 wherein said gaming device is connectable to an external validation device;

and

wherein said non-alterable media is capable of validation by the external validation device.