Trusted Cabinet Identification Method

Abstract

A method of identifying components within a gaming machine cabinet that is linked to a central server over a network is disclosed in which the gaming machine includes a plurality of components to be identified within the cabinet. The method includes storing a unique cabinet identifier and encryption key; generating a digital signature from the encryption key; transmitting the unique cabinet identifier to a component to be identified within the cabinet upon power-up of the component; transmitting the digital signature to the component to confirm origin of the unique cabinet identifier; and enabling components within the gaming machine cabinet to register with a game floor manager system on the central server via the network.

1 . A method of identifying components within a gaming machine cabinet that is linked to a central server over a network, wherein the gaming machine includes a plurality of components to be identified within the cabinet, the method comprising:
 storing a unique cabinet identifier and encryption key;   generating a digital signature from the encryption key;   transmitting the unique cabinet identifier to a component to be identified within the cabinet upon power-up of the component;   transmitting the digital signature to the component to confirm origin of the unique cabinet identifier;   enabling components within the gaming machine cabinet to register with a game floor manager system on the central server via the network.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting of the unique cabinet identifier to the component to be identified within the cabinet is transmittable is multiple protocols including USB, RS232, I2C, and Ethernet. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing security functions includes hashing, encryption, digital signature generation, random number generation, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing the transmitting of the unique cabinet identifier using a trusted cabinet identification device that is secured within the cabinet in a tamper-resistant manner. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising enabling a message to be digitally signed regarding a unique identifier to confirm message origination from the gaming machine. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the digitally signed message is sent to a game floor manager system on the central server to create a trusted connection. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing the transmitting of the unique cabinet identifier using a trusted cabinet identification device, wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is only directly connected to a game monitoring unit. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising performing the transmitting of the unique cabinet identifier using a trusted cabinet identification device, wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is indirectly connected to other components to be identified within the cabinet via the game monitoring unit. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing the transmitting of the unique cabinet identifier using a trusted cabinet identification device, wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is directly connected to all components to be identified within the cabinet. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing the transmitting of the unique cabinet identifier using a trusted cabinet identification device, wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is connected to a controlled access switch that assists the components to be identified within the cabinet with transmission of their corresponding addresses. 
   
   
       11 . A method of identifying components within a gaming machine cabinet that is linked to a central server over a network, wherein the gaming machine includes a plurality of components to be identified within the cabinet, the method comprising:
 storing unique identifiers and encryption keys in a security device, wherein the security device performs security functions;   generating a digital signature from the encryption key;   transmitting the unique cabinet identifier to a component to be identified within the cabinet upon power-up of the component using an interface processor, wherein the interface processor is capable of communicating in multiple protocols;   transmitting the digital signature to the component to confirm origin of the unique cabinet identifier; and   enabling components within the gaming machine cabinet to register with a game floor manager system on the central server via the network.   
   
   
       12 . The method of system  11 , wherein the multiple protocols include USB, RS232, I2C, and Ethernet. 
   
   
       13 . The method of system  11 , wherein the security functions includes hashing, encryption, digital signature generation, random number generation, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The method of system  11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is secured within the cabinet in a tamper-resistant manner. 
   
   
       15 . The method of system  11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device enables a message to be digitally signed regarding a unique identifier to confirm message origination from the gaming machine. 
   
   
       16 . The method of system  15 , wherein the digitally signed message is sent to a slot floor system on the central server to create a trusted connection. 
   
   
       17 . The method of system  11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is only directly connected to a game monitoring unit. 
   
   
       18 . The method of system  17 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is indirectly connected to other components to be identified within the cabinet via the game monitoring unit. 
   
   
       19 . The method of system  11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is directly connected to all components to be identified within the cabinet. 
   
   
       20 . The method of system  11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is connected to a controlled access switch that assists the components to be identified within the cabinet with transmission of their corresponding addresses.