Pass-through live validation device and method

• US 20030130032A1
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: SHFL Entertainment Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Downs, Justin G. III, Jackson, Mark D., Martinek, Michael G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,179,170 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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;

the 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 1 wherein a memory storage element must be directly accessed to enable read out of results of performance of the authentication function.

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

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

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

7. 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.

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 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.

10. The authentication enabling system of claim 4 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.

11. The authentication enabling system of claim 5 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.

12. The authentication enabling system of claim 6 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 1 wherein the at least one intelligence storage medium is read only memory.

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

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

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

17. The authentication enabling system of claim 10 wherein the at least one intelligence storage medium is read only memory.

18. The authentication enabling system of claim 11 wherein the at least one intelligence storage medium is read only memory.

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

20. The authentication enabling system of claim 10 wherein all intelligence storage media within the single housing is read only memory.

21. The authentication enabling system of claim 11 wherein all intelligence storage media within the single housing is read only memory.

22. The authentication enabling system of claim 12 wherein all intelligence storage media within the single housing is read only memory.

23. A gaming apparatus having a reel slot gaming display or a video gaming display comprising a housing containing the authentication enabling system of claim 1 and a game computer.

24. A gaming apparatus having a reel slot gaming display or a video gaming display comprising a housing containing the authentication enabling system of claim 10 and a game computer.

25. A gaming apparatus having a reel slot gaming display or a video gaming display comprising a housing containing the authentication enabling system of claim 11 and a game computer.

26. A gaming apparatus having a reel slot gaming display or a video gaming display comprising a housing containing the authentication enabling system of claim 12 and a game computer.

27. A gaming apparatus having a reel slot gaming display or a video gaming display comprising a housing containing the authentication enabling system of claim 14 and a game computer.

28. A gaming apparatus having a reel slot gaming display or a video gaming display comprising a housing containing the authentication enabling system of claim 15 and a game computer.

29. A gaming apparatus having a reel slot gaming display or a video gaming display comprising a housing containing the authentication enabling system of claim 16 and a game computer.

30. A gaming apparatus having a reel slot gaming display or a video gaming display comprising a housing containing the authentication enabling system of claim 20 and a game computer.

31. A gaming apparatus having a reel slot gaming display or a video gaming display comprising a housing containing the authentication enabling system of claim 21 and a game computer.

32. A gaming apparatus having a reel slot gaming display or a video gaming display comprising a housing containing the authentication enabling system of claim 22 and a game computer.

39. The gaming apparatus of claim 32 wherein verification communication through the external addressable communication port to externally accessible pass through security allows verification communication to storage media with no contemporary verification communication from the game computer to the storage media.

41. The gaming apparatus of claim 39 programmed so that extant verification communication between the externally accessible pass through security and the storage media pauses when game communication is initiated by the game computer to the storage media.

43. The gaming apparatus of claim 41 wherein verification communication that has been paused continues or reinitiates when game communication ceases between the game computer to the storage media.

45. The gaming apparatus of claim 32 wherein a microprocessor is externally connected to the externally accessible communication port, and verification of casino game information is performed on a microprocessor that is externally connected to the external addressable communication port.

33. A gaming apparatus comprising a housing, a game computer, a storage media having at least some casino game information, an external accessible port, and an externally accessible pass through security device that can be accessed through the external accessible port, the externally accessible pass through security device being capable of enabling verification of at least some casino game information.

38. The gaming apparatus of claim 33 wherein the externally accessible pass through security allows communication to storage media and prevents such communication from writing on storage media.

40. The gaming apparatus of claim 33 wherein verification communication through the external addressable communication port to the externally accessible pass through security allows verification communication to storage media with no contemporary verification communication from the game computer to the storage media.

42. The gaming apparatus of claim 40 programmed so that extant verification communication between the externally accessible pass through security and the storage media pauses when game communication is initiated by the game computer to the storage media.

44. The gaming apparatus of claim 42 wherein verification communication that has been paused continues or reinitiates when game communication ceases between the game computer to the storage media.

46. The gaming apparatus of claim 33 wherein a microprocessor is externally connected to the externally accessible communication port, and verification of casino game information is performed on a microprocessor that is externally connected to the external addressable communication port.

34. A gaming apparatus comprising a housing, a game computer having memory, a storage media having at least some casino game information, an externally accessible communication port, and communicatively between the game computer and the storage media an externally accessible pass through security device that can be accessed through the externally accessible port, the externally accessible pass through security being capable of enabling verification of casino game information.

35. The gaming apparatus of claim 34 wherein the game computer communicates with storage media through the externally accessible pass through security and the EAPTSD allows communication through the externally accessible communication port to or from the storage media while preventing external communication to the game computer.

36. The gaming apparatus of claim 35 wherein the externally accessible pass through security prevents communication through the externally accessible communication port from writing on the storage media.

37. The gaming apparatus of claim 34 wherein the externally accessible pass through security allows communication to storage media with approval of the communication content.

47. The gaming apparatus of claim 36 wherein a microprocessor is externally connected to the externally accessible communication port, and verification of casino game information is performed on a microprocessor that is externally connected to the externally accessible communication port.

48. A method of verifying casino gaming data in a computer-based gaming apparatus comprising connecting a computer communication device to an external communication port on a casino gaming apparatus so that the computer communication device is in communication with a) a security device inside of the gaming apparatus that authenticates data on information storage media within the apparatus and is distinct from a game computer and the information storage media in the gaming apparatus, and the computer communication device authenticates casino gaming data in storage media.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the security device continuously authenticates casino gaming data in storage media.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein while the computer communication device is in communication with storage media and the gaming computer communicates with storage media, communication between the computer communication device and the storage media pauses or ceases.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein when communication between the gaming computer and the storage media ceases, communication between the computer communication device and the storage media begins or continues.

52. The method of claim 48 wherein the computer communication device is in communication with an security device inside of the gaming apparatus that is distinct from a game computer and storage media in the gaming apparatus and the security device is in communication with the storage media.

53. The method of claim 48 wherein the computer communication device is in communication with the security device inside of the gaming apparatus that is distinct from a game computer and storage media in the gaming apparatus and the security device is in communication with the storage media and the security device is not in communication with the gaming computer.

54. The method of claim 48 wherein the computer communication device is in communication with a security device inside of the gaming apparatus while the gaming apparatus is powered up.

55. The method of claim 48 wherein the computer communication device is in communication with a security device inside of the gaming apparatus while the gaming apparatus is executing a casino game.

56. The method of claim 48 wherein after an external source downloads information through the processing intelligence to the storage media, the processing intelligence authenticates casino gaming data in storage media.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the external source comprises a casino controlled source of information.

58. A method of verifying casino gaming data in a computer-based gaming apparatus comprising connecting a computer communication device to an external communication port on a casino gaming apparatus so that the computer communication device is in communication with a security device inside of the gaming apparatus that is distinct from a game computer and storage media in the gaming apparatus, and the security device verifies casino gaming data in storage media.

59. The method of claim 58 wherein the security device communications verification of casino gaming data to the computer communication device.

60. The method of claim 58 wherein while the computer communication device is exchanging verification information with the security device storage media and the gaming computer communicates with storage media, communication between the computer communication device and the storage media pauses or ceases.

61. The method of claim 58 wherein the computer communication device is in communication with the security device and the security device is in communication with the storage media and the security device is not in communication with the gaming computer.

62. The method of claim 58 wherein the computer communication device is in communication with the security device inside of the gaming apparatus while the gaming apparatus is powered up.

63. The method of claim 58 wherein the computer communication device is in communication with the security device inside of the gaming apparatus while the gaming apparatus is executing a casino game.

64. A method of authentication of data within a gaming machine during operation, comprising:

providing a gaming machine with a host computer, a security device comprising separate intelligence and associated memory, and at least one storage media for storing gaming data; and

while the gaming machine is in operation, verifying the data in the storage media by executing a verification program on the separate intelligence.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein a verification method used to verify the data in the storage media is zero knowledge proofs.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein host computer functions are not altered by execution of the verification program, unless the data cannot be verified.