Method and apparatus for gaming device software configuration

• US 20020188940A1
• Filed: 06/08/2001
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: LeMay, Steven G., Breckner, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,155,710 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/175
• 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 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/63 Image based installation; Cloning; Build to order

Abstract

A method and apparatus for packaging, distributing, installing, deleting, or updating gaming software is disclosed. In one embodiment the method and apparatus of the invention identifies a plurality of files, which may exceed hundreds of files, to be distributed, installed, or provided as updates. The plurality of files are selected and processed into a reduced number of files, often a single file. The single file contains all of the plurality of files and is capable of being further processed to restore the plurality of files and the directory structure of the plurality of files. This provides the advantage of having to only perform distribution, tracking, or other related functions on a single file instead of up to hundreds of files at a time. Similar advantages are gained when updating software on a machine because the entire set of software files to be updated may be packaged into a single file and subsequently deleted. Thereafter, a single file may be copied on to the machine and processed to restore files and directory structure of the updated software.

Claims

1. A method for installing a plurality of software files on a gaming device comprising:

specifying a plurality of files to include in an image file;

creating an image file comprised of the plurality of files;

copying the image file to a media accessible from a gaming device;

specifying a mount point for the image file; and

mounting the image file at the mount point to cause the plurality of files to be available for use by the gaming machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of files comprises a game, operating system, general application or multi-media files.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the media comprises a hard disk drive.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein copying comprises copying over a computer network.

5. A method for distributing software files for use in conjunction with a game system comprising:

collecting a first number of software files into a second number of compilation files, wherein the second number is smaller than the first number;

sending the second number of compilation files to a storage media of the game system; and

expanding the compilation files on the storage media of the game system, whereby expanding the compilation files creates at least the first number of software files on the storage media of the game system.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the game system comprises a central computer configured to interface with a plurality of gaming devices.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the compilation files comprises one file created according to the ISO 9660/Joliet file standard.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the first number of software files comprises a plurality of files that together comprise an operating system capable of operating on the game system.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein sending comprises transporting a CD-ROM disc.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein distributing comprises updating software files.

11. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for providing gaming software comprising:

computer program code logic configured as an image file, the image file comprising a file that is packaged to contain the plurality of gaming files, the image file capable of being processed to restore the plurality of package gaming files; and

computer program code logic configured to process the image file to thereby restore the plurality of gaming files packaged as the image file.

12. The computer program code logic of claim 11, further including computer program code logic configured to copy the image file onto a fixed media in a gaming machine.

13. The computer program code logic of claim 11, wherein the image file comprises a Joliet type file or a ISO 9660 type file.

14. The computer program code logic of claim 11, wherein the plurality of gaming files comprise a game involving wagering.

16. The system of claim 15, further including a removable media drive in communication with the processor, the removable media drive configured to write the image file to a removable media.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the computer program logic comprises a hard disk drive having an operating system stored thereon.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the memory comprises flash memory.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein packaging comprises combining the group of update files into a single file.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the single file comprises a file having a configuration based on a format selected of the group consisting of LZH format, ZIP format, and the TAR format.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the reduced number of update files comprises one update file.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein de-packaging comprises mounting the one or more distribution files and the one or more distribution files comprise image files.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein distributing comprises transmitting the one or more distribution files over a network of computers.

15. A system for more efficiently packaging a plurality of software files for use in conjunction with a gaming device comprising:

a memory configured to store a plurality of software files and at least one image file;

computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon, the computer program logic configured to create an image file; and

a processor configured to utilize the computer program product to package the plurality of software files into an image file.

19. A method for updating software on a gaming machine comprising:

selecting a group of files as update files;

packaging the update files into one or more distribution files, the number of distribution files being less than the number of update files;

distributing the one or more distribution files to one or more gaming devices;

copying the one or more distribution files onto a fixed media on the one or more gaming devices; and

de-packaging the one or more distribution files to provide the update files on the fixed media of the one or more gaming devices.