Method and device for implementing a downloadable software delivery system

• US 8,185,890 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2005
• Issued: 05/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Harris, David, Koury, Mitchell William, Moody, William J., Bolton, Paul W., Amicucci, Phillip Louis, Wall, Robert Lyle, Swenson, Charles Glen
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHILLIP H
• Application Number:
  US11/249,921
• Publication Number:
  US 20060031829A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,414 Days
• Field of Search: 717168-178, 713/190, 713/191
• US Class Current: 717/177
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/63 Image based installation; Cloning; Build to order
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A method and device implementing a downloadable operatively connected to a plurality of gaming machines either by a direct communications link or through the use of one or more site controllers or PCs. Each gaming machine and site controller or PC contains two executable spaces, one of which typically contains the software image currently being implemented by the device. The other executable space is designated to receive from the central system a new software image that will be utilized by the device. The central system transfers a new image to be executed, via packet encrypted communications, to a networked device which stores the image in an executable space, while continuing to run the currently designated image. Upon instruction from the central system, the device switches over to the new image, allowing one or more machines to implement a software upgrade on a continuous basis.

Claims

1. A method of downloading a software image to a device having a memory for player wagering, the method comprising:

providing a first software image in a first memory location of the memory;

executing the first software image from the first memory location to provide a first game of chance on the device;

receiving one or more encrypted encryption keys at the device;

receiving a command from a central system over a communications network to decrypt the one or more encrypted encryption keys;

decrypting the one or more encrypted encryption keys to produce one or more encryption keys;

receiving an encrypted second software image while the first software image is executing;

receiving a command from the central system over the communications network to decrypt the encrypted second software image;

decrypting the encrypted second software image using the one or more encryption keys to produce a second software image; and

storing the second software image to a second memory location of the memory, the second software image executable from the second memory location or a third memory location to provide a second game of chance on the device, the second software image executable in response to a command received from a central system over a communications network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

terminating execution of the first software image at the device; and

executing the second software image from one of the second memory location or the third memory location to provide the second game of chance at the device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the memory is situated internal to the device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the memory is situated external to the device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a gaming machine.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a personal computer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a peripheral device.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising:

storing the second software image at the device while the first software image is executing.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising:

determining an error condition of the second software image; and

executing the first software image when the error condition is determined.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first memory location is a first executable space and wherein the second memory location is a second executable space.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first memory location is a first portion of a single executable space and the second memory location is a second portion of the single executable space.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first memory location is a first executable space and the second memory location is a temporary storage location and wherein the second software image is transferred from the second memory location to the third memory location for execution.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first memory location, the second memory location, the third memory location or combinations thereof are memory locations in one or more non-volatile memory storage devices.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more non-volatile memory storage devices are selected from a group consisting of a FLASH ROM, a DVD, a CD and a battery-backed RAM.

15. A device for executing software images for player wagering, the device comprising:

a memory having a first memory location and a second memory location, the first memory location storing a first software image;

a processor configured to execute the first software image from the first memory location to provide a first game of chance on the device;

a communications interface in communication with a communications network, the communications interface configured to receive, over the communications network;

an encrypted second software image while the first software image is executing;

one or more encrypted encryption keys;

a first command from a central system to decrypt the one or more encrypted encryption keys, and

a second command from the central system to decrypt the encrypted second software image; and

the processor further configured to;

decrypt the one or more encrypted encryption keys to produce one or more encryption keys in response to the receipt of the first command;

decrypt the encrypted second software image using the one or more encryption keys to produce a second software image in response to the receipt of the second command,

store the second software image in the second memory location, and

execute the second software image from the second memory location or a third memory location to provide a second game of chance on the device, the second software image executable responsive to a command to begin using the second software image received from a remote device in communication with the communications network.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the remote device is a central system or a site controller.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the first memory location is a first executable space and wherein the second memory location is a second executable space separate from the first executable space.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the first memory location is a first portion of a single executable space and the second memory location is a second portion of the single executable space.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the first memory location is a first executable space and the second memory location is a temporary storage location and wherein the second software image is transferred from the second memory location to the third memory location for execution.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the first memory location, the second memory location, the third memory location or combinations thereof are memory locations in one or more non-volatile memory storage devices.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the one or more non-volatile memory storage devices are selected from a group consisting of a FLASH ROM, a DVD, a CD and a battery-backed RAM.

22. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is a gaming machine.

23. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is a personal computer.

24. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is a peripheral device.

25. A method of downloading a software image to a device having a memory for player wagering, the method comprising:

providing a first software image in a first memory location of the memory;

executing the first software image from the first memory location to provide a first game of chance on the device;

receiving one or more encrypted encryption keys at the device;

receiving a command from a central system over a communications network to decrypt the one or more encrypted encryption keys;

decrypting the one or more encrypted encryption keys to produce one or more encryption keys;

storing the one or more encryption keys in the memory;

receiving an encrypted second software image while the first software image is executing;

receiving a command from the central system over the communications network to decrypt the encrypted second software image;

decrypting the encrypted second software image using the one or more encryption keys to produce a second software image;

storing the second software image to a second memory location of the memory, the second software image executable from the second memory location or a third memory location to provide a second game of chance on the device, and the second software image executable in response to a command received from the central system over a communications network.