Gaming device security system: apparatus and method
AssigneeCasino Data Systems
InventorsSteven A. Weiss, Rex R. Carlson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gaming device security system is disclosed which includes two processing areas linked together and communicating critical gaming functions via a security protocol wherein each transmitted gaming function includes a specific encrypted signature to be decoded and validated before being processed by either processing area. The two processing areas include a first processing area having a dynamic RAM and an open architecture design which is expandable without interfering or accessing critical gaming functions and a second "secure" processing area having a non-alterable memory for the storage of critical gaming functions therein.
Claims32
A gaming machine comprising, in combination:
- a first processor having open architecture including internal alterable program storage media, a visual display coupled thereto visually accessible to a player and a communication interface;
- a second processor having a secure processing area and having means for retaining regulatory validation, a static, non-volatile random access memory, a non-alterable read only memory and means for sending encrypted communicating data to said first processor via said communication interface,
- said second processor having means for sensing wagering activity and means for transmitting a random gaming outcome to said first processor to be posted on said visual display,
- said second processor provided with means to bestow credits as a function of said random gaming outcome.
A method for providing security within a gaming machine, the steps including:
- sequestering internal gaming functions of the gaming machine into first and second processing areas,
- providing the first processing area with open architecture player stimulus which is externally alterable via downloading,
- providing the second processing area with encryption means and therefore limited access, providing the second processing area with means to process a response from the player as a function of player response to stimulus delivered to the player from the first processing area,
- having the second processing area drive the first processing area as a result of player response,
- retaining regulatory validation in the limited access second processing area, and
- linking the two processing areas via a security protocol.
A gaming machine having an integrated security system comprising in combination:
- a first processing means having open architecture and operatively coupled to and driving a visual display such that the open architecture can download games from a remote source;
- a second processing means operatively coupled to said first processing means and communicating therewith only via a secure protocol;
- a plurality of inputs coupled to said second processing means and enabled by a player allowing the player to initiate and sustain game play on said gaming machine;
- said second processing means including means for determining random outcomes of game play, means for transmitting said outcomes to said first processing means for updating said visual display and means to retain and secure data for regulatory validation;
- a player memory card including memory storage means on said card removable from said machine and accessible by said second processing means to upload and download information between said second processing means and said player memory card.
A gaming device having an integral security system, comprising in combination:
- a first processor having open architecture;
- a second processor including a non-alterable memory means for storing critical gaming functions therein including means to retain and secure data for regulatory validation;
- a communication link operatively coupled between said first processor and said second processor including means for transmitting encrypted data packets correlative of said critical gaming functions and outcomes between said first and second processors in said machine.
A gaming device, comprising, in combination:
- a security system integral with said device having dual processing areas with a master/slave relationship wherein said master includes a secure processing area including critical gaming functions stored and executed from a non-alterable media by said secure processing area including means to retain the ability for regulatory validation of the secure processing area of the entire system, and
- reconfiguring means in said slave processing area to allow said slave processing area to have an open architecture which is expandable without compromising critical gaming functions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.