Method for downloading data to gaming devices

• US 20030228912A1
• Filed: 01/28/2003
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Wilder, Richard, Wells, Bill
• Granted Patent: US 7,785,204 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/401 Secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/51 at application loading time, e.g. accepting, rejecting, starting or inhibiting executable software based on integrity or source reliability
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• 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: 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

Memories coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes identification, negotiation, downloading and verification information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. Hardware devices are used to identify gaming terminals or components.

Claims

1. A method for downloading data from a source to a gaming device, wherein said gaming device is subject to governmental regulations, the method comprising;

transmitting first information to said source, identifying at least a first hardware component of said gaming device;

verifying that said data is appropriate for said at least first hardware;

transmitting second information from said source to said gaming device describing at least a first characteristic of said download;

transmitting third information from said gaming device to said source indicating that said gaming device is configured to receive said download;

transmitting said data from said source to said gaming device;

calculating a signature based at least partially on said data and transmitting said signature to said source; and

comparing said signature with a signature available to said source.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first information includes information identifying software stored on said gaming device.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising outputting a message when said first information indicates said data is already stored on said gaming device.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gamine device includes a plurality of circuit boards, and wherein said source is coupled to a first of said circuit boards and wherein said first information identifies hardware on at least a second of said circuit boards.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gaming device includes a plurality of circuit boards which contain a non-programmable memory storing hardware identification information.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data includes data for programming at least a first programmable memory chip.

7. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of transmitting said data from said source to said gaming device uses a serial data transmission protocol.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of calculating a signature comprises calculating a signature based on data stored in a memory, beginning with a random address in said memory.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of calculating a signature comprises calculating a signature using a seed value, wherein said seed value is available to both said source and said gaming terminal.

10. Apparatus for downloading data from a source to a gaming device, wherein said gaming device is subject to governmental regulations, the apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting first information to said source, identifying at least a first hardware component of said gaming device;

means for verifying that said data is appropriate for said at least first hardware;

means for transmitting second information from said source to said gaming device describing at least a first characteristic of said download;

means for transmitting third information from said gaming device to said source indicating that said gaming device is configured to receive said download;

means for transmitting said data from said source to said gaming device;

means for calculating a signature based at least partially on said data and transmitting said signature to said source; and

means for comparing said signature with a signature available to said source.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said first information includes information identifying software stored on said gaming device.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 further comprising means for outputting a message when said first information indicates said data is already stored on said gaming device.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said gaming device includes a plurality of circuit boards, and wherein said source is coupled to a first of said circuit boards and wherein said first information identifies hardware on at least a second of said circuit boards.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said gaming device includes a plurality of circuit boards which contain a non-programmable memory storing hardware identification information.

15. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said data includes data for programming at least a first programmable memory chip.

16. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for transmitting said data from said source to said gaming device uses a serial data transmission protocol.

17. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for calculating a signature comprises means for calculating a signature based on data stored in a memory, beginning with a random address in said memory.

18. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for calculating a signature comprises means for calculating a signature using a seed value, wherein said seed value is available to both said source and said gaming terminal.

19. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for calculating a signature comprises means for calculating a digital signature based on data stored in memory using, a public key encryption decryption algorithm.