METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTHENTICATING DATA RELATING TO PARTICIPATION IN AN ELECTRONIC GAME

• US 20130005445A1
• Filed: 09/11/2012
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Sammon, Russell P., Friesen, Scott T., Downs, Michael D., Santisi, Steven M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,734,233 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for managing and authenticating usage of features of gaming devices is presented. The methods include tracking and/or accumulating usage data relating to gaming device features, determining an authentication code based on the usage data, outputting the authentication code to an operator for transmission to an interested party, and verifying the authentication code. The present invention allows regulatory agencies and manufacturers of gaming devices to reliably verify the usage of individual features of gaming devices without having to rely upon a casino to report the usage data.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining a measure of usage of a first feature on a first gaming device;

determining a measure of usage of a second feature on the first gaming device;

determining a first payment rate that is associated with a first party;

determining a first payment amount based on the first payment rate and the measure of usage of the first feature;

determining a first code based on the measure of usage of the first feature;

initiating payment of the first payment amount to the first party;

outputting the first code for transmission to the first party;

determining a second payment rate that is associated with a second party;

determining a second payment amount based on the second payment rate and the measure of usage of the second feature;

determining a second code based on the measure of usage of the second feature;

initiating payment of the second payment amount to the second party; and

outputting the second code for transmission to the second party.

2. A method comprising:

enabling a first feature for use on a first gaming device;

determining a measure of profitability of the first gaming device,

wherein the measure of profitability corresponds to use of the first gaming device while the first feature is enabled for use on the first gaming device;

determining a difference between the measure of profitability and a benchmark measure of profitability;

determining whether to disable the first feature based on the difference;

generating an authentication code based on the use of the first gaming device while the first feature is enabled for use on the first gaming device;

outputting the authentication code if the first feature should be disabled based on the difference.