US6685567B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process verification
Assignee: International Game Technology
•
Filing: 2001-08-08
•
Granted: 2004-02-03
•
Expires: 2021-08-08
Abstract
Abstract A disclosed gaming machine provides methods and apparatus of verifying the authenticity of gaming software stored in and executed from RAM on the gaming machine. When presenting a game on the gaming machine, a master gaming controller may dynamically load gaming software applications into RAM and dynamically unload gaming software applications from RAM. The authenticity of the gaming software applications temporarily stored in RAM may be verified by using methods to compare it with certified gaming software stored on one or more local or remote file storage devices accessible to the master gaming controller on the gaming machine. The verification process may be used to satisfy gaming regulatory entities within various gaming jurisdictions that require certified gaming software to be operating on the gaming machine at all times as well as to prevent tampering with the gaming machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Warner Cockerille
- 👤 Steven G. LeMay
- 👤 Robert Breckner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:41
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3241
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 76
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of verifying the authenticity of a first gaming software program temporarily stored in RAM of a gaming machine having a master gaming controller for executing said gaming software program, the method comprising: (a) identifying the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM; (b) identifying a second gaming software program stored on a file storage device; (c) selecting the second gaming software program from a list of certified gaming software programs wherein the certified gaming software programs are stored on one or more file storage devices; and (d) comparing at least a first portion of the second gaming software program with a first portion of the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM, wherein the first portion of the gaming software program is a portion of the first gaming software program that does not change during execution of said first gaming software program.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of verifying the authenticity of a first gaming software program temporarily stored in RAM of a gaming machine having a master gaming controller for executing said gaming software program, the method comprising: (a) identifying the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM; (b) identifying a second gaming software program stored on a file storage device; (c) selecting the second gaming software program from a list of certified gaming software programs wherein the certified gaming software programs are stored on one or more file storage devices; and (d) comparing at least a first portion of the second gaming software program with a first portion of the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM, wherein the first portion of the gaming software program is a portion of the first gaming software program that does not change during execution of said first gaming software program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the first gaming software program includes at least a static header of the first gaming software program.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the first gaming software program includes at least executable code of the first gaming software program.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the file storage device is located on the gaming machine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the file storage device is a remote file storage device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the remote file storage device is a game server.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second gaming software program is certified for execution on the gaming machine in one or more gaming jurisdictions by a regulatory entity within each of the gaming jurisdictions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: generating an error condition when the first portion of the second gaming software program does not match the first portion of the first gaming software program stored in RAM.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: comparing a plurality of portions of the second gaming software program with a plurality of portions of the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising: generating an error condition when at least one of the plurality of compared portions of the second gaming software program does not match at least one of the plurality of portions of the first gaming software program stored in RAM.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: identifying an executable file name for the first gaming software program.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising: identifying the second gaming software program using the executable file name.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the second gaming software program includes a substantially identical copy of the executable code of the first gaming software program.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: identifying a memory location in RAM of the first gaming software program.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: identifying the first gaming software program from a directory of processes scheduled for execution on the gaming machine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: presenting a game of chance on the gaming machine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the game of chance is a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a lottery game, a video poker game, a video black jack game, a video card game, a video bingo game, a video keno game, and a video pachinko game.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM is managed using an operating system using a virtual memory system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM is managed using a Unix-based operating system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
176 words
A computer readable medium containing computer-readable instructions for verifying the authenticity of a first gaming software program stored in RAM of a gaming machine having a master gaming controller for executing said gaming software program, said computer readable medium comprising: (a) computer readable code for identifying the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM; (b) computer readable code for identifying a second gaming software program stored on a file storage device; (c) computer readable code for selecting the second gaming software program from a list of certified gaming software programs wherein the certified gaming software programs are stored on one or more file storage devices; and (d) computer readable code for comparing at least a first portion of the second gaming software program with a first portion of the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM, wherein the first portion of the gaming software program is a portion of the first gaming software program that does not change during execution of said first gaming software program.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
176 words
A computer readable medium containing computer-readable instructions for verifying the authenticity of a first gaming software program stored in RAM of a gaming machine having a master gaming controller for executing said gaming software program, said computer readable medium comprising: (a) computer readable code for identifying the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM; (b) computer readable code for identifying a second gaming software program stored on a file storage device; (c) computer readable code for selecting the second gaming software program from a list of certified gaming software programs wherein the certified gaming software programs are stored on one or more file storage devices; and (d) computer readable code for comparing at least a first portion of the second gaming software program with a first portion of the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM, wherein the first portion of the gaming software program is a portion of the first gaming software program that does not change during execution of said first gaming software program.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the first portion of the first gaming software program includes at least a static header of the first gaming software program.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the first portion of the first gaming software program includes at least executable code of the first gaming software program.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the second gaming software program is certified for execution on the gaming machine in one or more gaming jurisdictions by a regulatory entity within each of the gaming jurisdictions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising: computer readable code for generating an error condition when the first portion of the second gaming software program does not match the first portion of the first gaming software program stored in RAM.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising: computer readable code for comparing a plurality of portions of the second gaming software program with a plurality of portions of the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising: computer readable code for generating an error condition when at least one of the plurality of compared portions of the second gaming software program does not match at least one of the plurality of portions of the first gaming software program stored in RAM.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising: identifying an executable file name for the first gaming software program.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising: identifying the second gaming software program using the executable file name.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the second gaming software program includes a substantially identical copy of the executable code of the first gaming software program.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising: identifying a memory location in RAM of the first gaming software program.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising: identifying the first gaming software program from a directory of processes scheduled for execution on the gaming machine.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
131 words
A gaming machine comprising: a master gaming controller that controls a game of chance played on the gaming machine and executes gaming logic, said master gaming controller comprising: (i) one or more logic devices designed or configured to execute a plurality of gaming software programs used to present said game of chance on the gaming machine; (ii) a RAM that stores one or more of the plurality of gaming software programs during execution; and gaming logic for comparing a first portion of a first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM with at least a first portion of a second gaming software program, wherein the second gaming software program is selected from a list of certified gaming software programs stored on one or more file storage devices.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
131 words
A gaming machine comprising: a master gaming controller that controls a game of chance played on the gaming machine and executes gaming logic, said master gaming controller comprising: (i) one or more logic devices designed or configured to execute a plurality of gaming software programs used to present said game of chance on the gaming machine; (ii) a RAM that stores one or more of the plurality of gaming software programs during execution; and gaming logic for comparing a first portion of a first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM with at least a first portion of a second gaming software program, wherein the second gaming software program is selected from a list of certified gaming software programs stored on one or more file storage devices.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
The gaming machine of claim 32 , wherein the second gaming software program is certified for execution on the gaming machine in one or more gaming jurisdictions by a regulatory entity within each of the gaming jurisdictions.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The gaming machine of claim 47 , wherein the second gaming software program is substantially identical copy of the first gaming software program.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The gaming machine of claim 32 , further comprising: a file storage device storing said second gaming software program.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
The gaming machine of claim 35 , wherein the file storage device is selected from the group consisting of a hard drive, a CD-ROM drive, a CD-DVD drive, compact flash, smart media, disk-on-chip and removable media.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The gaming machine of claim 35 , wherein the file storage device is located on the gaming machine.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The gaming machine of claim 35 , wherein the file storage device is remote to the gaming machine.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The gaming machine of claim 32 , further comprising: gaming logic designed to locate the second gaming software program in a file structure with a plurality of file names.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The gaming machine of claim 39 , further comprising: a static memory storage device storing the gaming logic designed to locate the second gaming software program.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
The gaming machine of claim 40 , wherein the static memory storage device is selected from the group consisting of an EPROM, a flash memory, a non-volatile memory storage device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
39 words
The gaming machine of claim 40 , further comprising: a list of gaming software file names stored on the static memory storage device wherein the gaming software files on the list are approved for execution on the gaming machine.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
50 words
The gaming machine of claim 32 , wherein the game of chance is a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a lottery game, a video poker game, a video black jack game, a video card game, a video bingo game, a video keno game and a video pachinko game.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The gaming machine of claim 32 , wherein the gaming software programs stored in RAM changes as a function of time.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
180 words
A gaming machine network comprising: a plurality of file storage devices storing gaming software programs; a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine comprising: a master gaming controller that controls a game of chance played on the gaming machine and executes gaming logic, said master gaming controller comprising: (i) one or more logic devices designed or configured to execute a plurality of gaming software programs used to present said game of chance on the gaming machine; (ii) a RAM that stores one or more of the plurality of gaming software programs during execution; gaming logic for comparing a first portion of a first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM with at least a first portion of a second gaming software program stored on at least one of the plurality of file storage devices, wherein the second gaming software program is selected from a list of certified gaming software programs stored on one or more of the file storage devices; and a network allowing communication between the file storage devices and the plurality of gaming machines.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
180 words
A gaming machine network comprising: a plurality of file storage devices storing gaming software programs; a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine comprising: a master gaming controller that controls a game of chance played on the gaming machine and executes gaming logic, said master gaming controller comprising: (i) one or more logic devices designed or configured to execute a plurality of gaming software programs used to present said game of chance on the gaming machine; (ii) a RAM that stores one or more of the plurality of gaming software programs during execution; gaming logic for comparing a first portion of a first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM with at least a first portion of a second gaming software program stored on at least one of the plurality of file storage devices, wherein the second gaming software program is selected from a list of certified gaming software programs stored on one or more of the file storage devices; and a network allowing communication between the file storage devices and the plurality of gaming machines.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The gaming machine network of claim 45 , wherein the network is at least one of the Internet or an intranet.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
38 words
The gaming machine network of claim 45 , wherein the second gaming software program is certified for execution on the gaming machine in one or more gaming jurisdictions by a regulatory entity within each of the gaming jurisdictions.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
30 words
The gaming machine network of claim 45 , further comprising: gaming logic designed to locate the second gaming software program stored on at least one of the file storage devices.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
51 words
The gaming machine network of claim 45 , wherein the game of chance is a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a lottery game, a video poker game, a video black jack game, a video card game, a video bingo game, a video keno game and a video pachinko game.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of verifying the authenticity of a first gaming software program temporarily stored in RAM of a gaming machine having a master gaming controller for executing said gaming software program, the method comprising: (a) identifying the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM; (b) identifying an executable file name for the first gaming software program; (c) identifying a second gaming software program stored on a file storage device, wherein identifying the second gaming software program includes using the executable file name; (d) comparing at least a first portion of the second gaming software program with a first portion of the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM, wherein the first portion of the gaming software program is a portion of the first gaming software program that does not change during execution of said first gaming software program.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of verifying the authenticity of a first gaming software program temporarily stored in RAM of a gaming machine having a master gaming controller for executing said gaming software program, the method comprising: (a) identifying the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM; (b) identifying an executable file name for the first gaming software program; (c) identifying a second gaming software program stored on a file storage device, wherein identifying the second gaming software program includes using the executable file name; (d) comparing at least a first portion of the second gaming software program with a first portion of the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM, wherein the first portion of the gaming software program is a portion of the first gaming software program that does not change during execution of said first gaming software program.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 50 , wherein the first portion of the first gaming software program includes at least a static header of the first gaming software program.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 50 , wherein the first portion of the first gaming software program includes at least executable code of the first gaming software program.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 50 , wherein the file storage device is located on the gaming machine.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 50 , wherein the file storage device is a remote file storage device.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 54 , wherein the remote file storage device is a game server.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 50 , wherein the second gaming software program is certified for execution on the gaming machine in one or more gaming jurisdictions by a regulatory entity within each of the gaming jurisdictions.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 50 , further comprising: generating an error condition when the first portion of the second gaming software program does not match the first portion of the first gaming software program stored in RAM.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 50 , further comprising: comparing a plurality of portions of the second gaming software program with a plurality of portions of the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 58 , further comprising: generating an error condition when at least one of the plurality of compared portions of the second gaming software program does not match at least one of the plurality of portions of the first gaming software program stored in RAM.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 50 , wherein the second gaming software program includes a substantially identical copy of the executable code of the first gaming software program.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 50 , further comprising: identifying a memory location in RAM of the first gaming software program.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 50 , further comprising: identifying the first gaming software program from a directory of processes scheduled for execution on the gaming machine.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 50 , further comprising: selecting the second gaming software program from a list of certified gaming software programs wherein the certified gaming software programs are stored on one or more file storage devices.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 50 , further comprising: presenting a game of chance on the gaming machine.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 50 , wherein the game of chance is a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a lottery game, a video poker game, a video black jack game, a video card game, a video bingo game, a video keno game, and a video pachinko game.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 50 , wherein the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM is managed using an operating system using a virtual memory system.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 50 , wherein the first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM is managed using a Unix-based operating system.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
141 words
A gaming machine comprising: a master gaming controller that controls a game of chance played on the gaming machine and executes gaming logic, said master gaming controller comprising: (i) one or more logic devices designed or configured to execute a plurality of gaming software programs used to present said game of chance on the gaming machine; (ii) a RAM that stores one or more of the plurality of gaming software programs during execution; and gaming logic for: identifying an executable file name for a first gaming software program as currently stored in RAM; identifying a second gaming software program stored on a file storage device using the executable file name; and comparing a first portion of a first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM with at least a first portion of the second gaming software program.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
141 words
A gaming machine comprising: a master gaming controller that controls a game of chance played on the gaming machine and executes gaming logic, said master gaming controller comprising: (i) one or more logic devices designed or configured to execute a plurality of gaming software programs used to present said game of chance on the gaming machine; (ii) a RAM that stores one or more of the plurality of gaming software programs during execution; and gaming logic for: identifying an executable file name for a first gaming software program as currently stored in RAM; identifying a second gaming software program stored on a file storage device using the executable file name; and comparing a first portion of a first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM with at least a first portion of the second gaming software program.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
183 words
A gaming machine network comprising: a plurality of file storage devices storing gaming software programs; a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine comprising: a master gaming controller that controls a game of chance played on the gaming machine, said master gaming controller comprising: (i) one or more logic devices designed or configured to execute a plurality of gaming software programs used to present said game of chance on the gaming machine; (ii) a RAM that stores one or more of the plurality of gaming software programs during execution; gaming logic for: identifying an executable file name for a first gaming software program as currently stored in RAM; identifying a second gaming software program stored on a file storage device using the executable file name; comparing a first portion of a first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM with at least a first portion of a second gaming software program stored on at least one of the plurality of file storage devices; and a network allowing communication between the file storage devices and the plurality of gaming machines.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
183 words
A gaming machine network comprising: a plurality of file storage devices storing gaming software programs; a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine comprising: a master gaming controller that controls a game of chance played on the gaming machine, said master gaming controller comprising: (i) one or more logic devices designed or configured to execute a plurality of gaming software programs used to present said game of chance on the gaming machine; (ii) a RAM that stores one or more of the plurality of gaming software programs during execution; gaming logic for: identifying an executable file name for a first gaming software program as currently stored in RAM; identifying a second gaming software program stored on a file storage device using the executable file name; comparing a first portion of a first gaming software program as currently stored in the gaming machine RAM with at least a first portion of a second gaming software program stored on at least one of the plurality of file storage devices; and a network allowing communication between the file storage devices and the plurality of gaming machines.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-02-02 | 2007-08-04 | 2008-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-02 | 2011-08-04 | 2012-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-02 | 2015-08-04 | 2016-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |