Trusted Cabinet Identification System

Abstract

A trusted cabinet identification device is secured within a cabinet of a gaming machine that is linked to a central server over a network. The gaming machine includes a plurality of components to be identified within the cabinet. The trusted cabinet identification device includes an interface processor and a security device. The interface processor communicates unique identifiers and encryption keys to one or more components to be identified within the cabinet. Preferably, the interface processor is capable of communicating in multiple protocols. The security device stores unique identifiers and encryption keys, as well as performing security functions. The trusted cabinet identification device enables components within the gaming cabinet to obtain unique identifiers and encryption keys as needed, and register with the central server over the network.

1 . A trusted cabinet identification device secured within a cabinet of a gaming machine 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 device comprising:
 an interface processor, wherein the interface processor communicates unique identifiers and encryption keys to one or more components to be identified within the cabinet, and wherein the interface processor is capable of communicating in multiple protocols; and   a security device, wherein the security device stores unique identifiers and encryption keys, and wherein the security device performs security functions;   wherein the trusted cabinet identification device enables components within the gaming cabinet to obtain unique identifiers and encryption keys as needed, and register with the central server over the network.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple protocols include USB, RS232, I2C, and Ethernet. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the security functions includes hashing, encryption, digital signature generation, random number generation, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is secured within the cabinet in a tamper-resistant manner. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , 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. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the digitally signed message is sent to a slot floor system on the central server to create a trusted connection. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is only directly connected to a game monitoring unit. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , 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 device of  claim 1 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is directly connected to all components to be identified within the cabinet. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , 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 trusted cabinet identification system associated with a gaming machine that is linked to a central server over a network, wherein the gaming machine includes a plurality of components to be identified within a cabinet of the gaming machine, the system comprising:
 an interface processor, wherein the interface processor communicates unique identifiers and encryption keys to one or more components to be identified within the cabinet, and wherein the interface processor is capable of communicating in multiple protocols; and   a security device, wherein the security device stores unique identifiers and encryption keys, and wherein the security device performs security functions;   wherein the trusted cabinet identification system enables components within the gaming cabinet to obtain unique identifiers and encryption keys as needed, and register with the central server over the network.   
   
   
       12 . The device of system  11 , wherein the multiple protocols include USB, RS232, I2C, and Ethernet. 
   
   
       13 . The device of system  11 , wherein the security functions includes hashing, encryption, digital signature generation, random number generation, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The device of system  11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is secured within the cabinet in a tamper-resistant manner. 
   
   
       15 . The device 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 device 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 device of system  11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is only directly connected to a game monitoring unit. 
   
   
       18 . The device 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 device of system  11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is directly connected to all components to be identified within the cabinet. 
   
   
       20 . The device 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.