Pass-through live validation device and method

• US 7,179,170 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Downs, Justin G. III, Jackson, Mark D., Martinek, Michael G.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIM T
• Application Number:
  US10/306,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20030130032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,547 Days
• Field of Search: 463/29, 463/40, 463/43
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3206 Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00

Abstract

Hardware, systems, devices, architecture and methods for a wagering game-specific platform features secure storage and verification of game code and/or other data. An external connection securely communicates with a computerized wagering gaming system. Some embodiments of the invention provide the ability to identify game program code as certified or approved. This is provided by use of various electronic devices and elements for encryption, including at least a device that is internally embedded in the gaming device that access digital signatures, encrypted files, encrypted compiled files and hash functions as well as other encryption methods. Such functions are able to be effected, and security and validation is advantageously applied to data loaded into storage media even while the gaming machine is in operation.

Claims

1. An authentication enabling system for an electronic gaming system comprising:

processing intelligence separate from a host gaming computer;

at least one information storage medium communicatively connected to processing intelligence;

said processing intelligence communicatively connected to a gaming computer;

wherein the at least one information storage medium is write protected or read only memory; and

the processing intelligence contains an authentication function to authenticate data on the at least one information storage medium.

2. The authentication enabling system of claim 1 wherein an outlet port is provided on the system to enable read out of results of performance of the authentication function.

3. The authentication enabling system of claim 2 wherein the authentication function is a continuous function.

4. The authentication enabling system of claim 3 wherein both the at least one information storage medium and the processing intelligence are contained within a single housing that does not contain gaming peripherals.

5. The authentication enabling system of claim 4 wherein the at least one information storage medium is read only memory.

6. The authentication enabling system of claim 4 wherein all information storage medium within the single housing is read only memory.

7. The authentication enabling system of claim 3 wherein the at least one information storage medium is read only memory.

8. The authentication enabling system of claim 2 wherein both the at least one information storage medium and the processing intelligence are contained within a single housing that does not contain gaming peripherals.

9. The authentication enabling system of claim 8 wherein the at least one information storage medium is read only memory.

10. The authentication enabling system of claim 1 wherein the processing intelligence further comprises a memory storage element that must be directly accessed to enable read out of authentication function results.

11. The authentication enabling system of claim 10 wherein the authentication function is a continuous function.

12. The authentication enabling system of claim 11 wherein both the at least one information storage medium and the processing intelligence are contained within a single housing that does not contain gaming peripherals.

13. The authentication enabling system of claim 12 wherein the at least one information storage medium is read only memory.

14. The authentication enabling system of claim 12 wherein all information storage medium within the single housing is read only memory.

15. The authentication enabling system of claim 10 wherein both the at least one information storage medium and the processing intelligence are contained within a single housing that does not contain gaming peripherals.

16. The authentication enabling system of claim 1 wherein the authentication function is a continuous function.

17. The authentication enabling system of claim 16 wherein both the at least one information storage medium and the processing intelligence are contained within a single housing that does not contain gaming peripherals.

18. The authentication enabling system of claim 17 wherein the at least one information storage medium is read only memory.

19. The authentication enabling system of claim 17 wherein all information storage medium within the single housing is read only memory.

20. The authentication enabling system of claim 1 wherein both the at least one information storage medium and the processing intelligence are contained within a single housing that does not contain gaming peripherals.

21. The authentication enabling system of claim 20 wherein the at least one information storage medium is read only memory.

22. The authentication enabling system of claim 1 wherein the at least one information storage medium is read only memory.

23. A gaming machine to play a game of chance, comprising:

a first processor;

an external authentication device (EAD) separate from the gaming machine, the EAD having a second processor communicatively connected to the first processor, the second processor configured to perform an authentication function; and

at least one information storage medium in communication with the second processor,

wherein the at least one information storage medium is write protected or read only memory; and

wherein the EAD authenticates and transmits communications from the first processor to the at least one information storage medium.

24. The gaming machine of claim 23, wherein the authentication function is a continuous function.

25. The gaming machine of claim 23, wherein the EAD and the at least one information storage medium is contained within a housing that does not contain gaming peripherals.

26. The gaming machine of claim 23, wherein the EAD is coupled to a communication port of the gaming machine to enable transmission of the authentication function results.

27. The gaming machine of claim 23, further comprising a memory storage element coupled to the second processor, wherein the memory storage element must be directly accessed to enable read out of the authentication function results.

28. The gaming machine of claim 23, wherein the EAD authenticates the data stored on the at least one information storage medium without interfering with the game of chance played on the gaming machine.

29. The gaming machine of claim 23, wherein authenticated communication between the EAD and the at least one information storage medium is paused when the EAD receives additional communication from the first processor for transmission to the at least one information storage medium.

30. The gaming machine of claim 29, wherein the authenticated communication continues or reinitiates when the additional communication from the first processor ceases.

31. The gaming machine of claim 23, further comprises a microprocessor coupled to a communication port of the gaming machine, the microprocessor configured to perform a verification function.

32. The gaming machine of claim 31, wherein the microprocessor is communicatively connected to the EAD to verify data stored on the at least one information storage medium.