PACKAGE MANAGER SERVICE IN GAMING SYSTEM

• US 20080154916A1
• Filed: 11/09/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Atashband, Farshid
• Granted Patent: US 9,111,078 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/33 using certificates
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2109 Game systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2119 Authenticating web pages, e.g. with suspicious links
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user

Abstract

A slot management system includes a download and configuration server-based sub-system and method for use with game devices, systems, and methods. The slot machine management system is provided to enable users to monitor, control, and modify game devices and other related activities.

Claims

1. A gaming system, comprising:

distribution point means for storing a package of gaming machine instructions to be distributed;

storage means for storing state information pertaining to said package of gaming machine instructions;

package manager means for maintaining said state information stored in said storage means and for managing operation pertaining to storing said package in said distribution point means; and

means for updating said package manager means by replacing at least a current authentication portion of said package manager means with a new copy of said authentication portion according to a download interval.

2. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said distribution point means includes at least one server.

3. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said storage means includes at least one database means for storing said state information in fields respectively corresponding to each package.

4. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said package manager means includes:

for said maintaining said state information;

package monitor means for monitoring and updating said state information in said storage means; and

for said managing operation pertaining to storing said package;

copy manager means adapted to be called by said package monitor means for controlling copy of said package to or removal of said package from said distribution point means, and verify package means adapted to be called by said package monitor means for verifying authenticity of said package.

5. The gaming system of claim 4 wherein said package manager means is a service, and wherein at least one of said package monitor means, copy manager means, or verify package means is a class of said service.

6. The gaming system of claim 4 wherein said means for updating includes said copy manager means.

7. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said package manager means queries said storage means for said state information according to a query interval, and wherein said package manager means updates said state information before, during, and after performing at least one of a copying, removing, or verifying said package.

8. The gaming system of claim 1, further comprising user interface means for presenting said state information stored in said storage means.

9. An apparatus for a gaming environment, the apparatus comprising:

a package manager unit having;

a first element to monitor and update state information pertaining to a package of gaming machine instructions to be distributed;

a second element operatively coupled to said first element and responsive to said first element to control storage of said package in a distribution point; and

a third element operatively coupled to said first element and responsive to said first element to verify authenticity of said package,

wherein at least a current portion of said third element is adapted to be updated with a new copy of said portion according to a download interval.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a host device in which said package manager unit is installed.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said host device is a control station computer adapted to operate in a network, said control station computer having a user interface adapted to present at least some of said state information.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said package manager unit is a service, and wherein at least one of said first, second, and third elements is a class of said service.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first element is adapted to monitor said state information by generation of a query for said state information according to a query interval, and wherein said first element is adapted to update said state information before, during, and after copy/removal of said package by said second element or verification of said package by said third element.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said package monitor unit is a single software module encoded on a computer-readable medium and executable by a processor.

15. A method for a gaming environment, the method comprising:

providing a distribution point of a package of gaming machine instructions to be distributed;

storing state information pertaining to said package of gaming machine instructions; and

querying and updating said stored state information, and managing operation pertaining to storing said package in said distribution point.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising replacing at least a current portion of an element performing authentication of said package with a new copy of said portion according to a download interval.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein querying said stored state information includes issuing a query for said stored state information according to a query interval, and wherein updating said stored state information includes updating said stored state information before, during, and after copy of said package to or removal from said package from said distribution point.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein managing operation pertaining to storing said package includes verifying authenticity of said package stored in said distribution point.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said querying and said updating are performed by a service, and wherein said managing operation includes said service calling at least one class to perform an operation.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising presenting at least some of said state information on a user interface of a control station computer.

21. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a computer-readable medium encoded with instructions that are executable by a processor to manage a package of gaming machine instructions in a gaming environment, by;

querying stored state information pertaining to said package according to a query interval;

controlling operations pertaining to storing of said package at a distribution point, including controlling verification of authenticity of said stored package;

updating said stored state information in response to performing said operations; and

replacing, a current version of at least some authentication instructions for said verification, with a copy of said authentication instructions according to a download interval.

22. The article of manufacture of claim 21 wherein the instructions to update the stored state information include instructions to update the stored state information before, during, and after copy, removal, and verification operations for said package.

23. The article of manufacture of claim 21 wherein the instructions to control operations include instructions to have a service class adapted to monitor said state information call at least one other service class adapted to perform storage-related operations.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 21 wherein the computer-readable medium is further encoded with instructions that are executable by said processor to manage the package, by:

controlling presentation of at least some of said state information on a user interface of a control station computer.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 21 wherein the computer-readable medium is further encoded with instructions that are executable by said processor to manage the package, by:

controlling removal of said package from said distribution point if said package fails said verification, so as to prevent distribution of said package to at least one gaming machine from said distribution point.