UDP broadcast for user interface in a download and configuration gaming method

• US 7,730,198 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Ruppert, Ryan, Atashband, Farshid
• Primary Examiner(s): Najjar; Saleh
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOROBOV, VITALI A
• Application Number:
  US12/113,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20080288639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/223, 709/230, 726/5
• US Class Current: 709/230
• 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: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/00 Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
• 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: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push services, e.g. data channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services independent of the application payload and not provided for in the other groups of this subclass networks security protocols H04L9/40; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A modified form of the UDP multicast protocol is disclosed to implement a one-way notification method between a server and one or more clients. The UDP multicast notification method enables UDP messages to be sent only to registered clients, not broadcasted to all clients. This architecture minimizes network traffic and enhances system security, since only registered clients receive the UDP message. The configuration of the UDP multicast notification method does not require the configuration of network devices in order to support a UDP multicast. Furthermore, any number of the clients may be on a different network domain than the DCM engine.

Claims

1. A method for using a modified form of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) multicast protocol to implement a one-way notification system between a server and one or more clients in a client-server architecture that otherwise allows only client initiated messages, the method comprising:

configuring the UDP multicast notification system without requiring configuration of network devices to support a UDP multicast;

enabling UDP messages to be sent only to registered clients without broadcasting the UDP messages to all clients in the client-server architecture; and

enabling any number of clients to be on a different network domain than the server

wherein the server is a Download and Configuration Management (DCM) engine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the clients are control panel applications.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the control panel applications are installed on control stations.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the control stations are utilized in a casino gaming environment.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the control stations are utilized for downloading and configuration of games and/or game operating systems of connected gaming devices.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the DCM engine communicates with a database containing UDP multicast notification system data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the DCM engine includes DCM engine services, business libraries, and a data access layer.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the DCM engine services include user interface notification processor and a UDP broadcast processor.