Co-processor assisted software authentication system

Abstract

A system and method of using a main processor and a co-processor to authenticate software and execute software reduces processing loads, by distributing processing requirements between authentication and software execution. This system requires less code to perform software authentication, because the software does not need to instruct the main processor to both authenticate and execute the software. In this manner, the co-processor frees up processing capability on the main processor, which can result in improved game play.

1 . A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, the gaming machine including an enhanced authentication system, the gaming machine comprising:
 a media storage device for storing gaming software;   a first processor for executing the gaming software, wherein the first processor is connected to the storage device via a first interface bus; and   a second processor for authenticating the gaming software, wherein the second processor is connected to the storage device via a second interface bus, wherein game software information is transferred to second processor via the second interface bus to authenticate the game software, and wherein authentication results are reported to the first processor to establish access rights to the gaming software by the first processor.   
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the storage device includes a hard drive, CD-ROM, DVD, FLASH memory, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the second processor comprises separate hardware units. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 3 , wherein the separate hardware units include field-programmable gate arrays, complex programmable logic devices, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the storage device stores an authentication program. 
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine of  claim 5 , wherein the authentication program includes a hash function, digital signature, public key, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the game software information comprises the gaming software's length and start address. 
   
   
       8 . The gaming machine of  claim 6 , wherein the game software information comprises a public key. 
   
   
       9 . The gaming machine of  claim 6 , wherein the game software information comprises a digital signature. 
   
   
       10 . The gaming machine of  claim 6 , wherein the game software information comprises a hash function. 
   
   
       11 . A gaming system for conducting wagering games, said gaming system including an enhanced authentication system, the gaming system comprising:
 a central gaming server connected to a gaming network;   one or more gaming machines, wherein each gaming machine is connected to the central gaming server via the gaming network, each gaming machine comprising:
 a media storage device for storing gaming software; 
 a first processor for executing the gaming software, wherein the first processor is connected to the storage device via a first interface bus; and 
 a second processor for authenticating the gaming software, wherein the second processor is connected to the storage device via a second interface bus, wherein game software information is transferred to second processor via the second interface bus to authenticate the game software, and wherein authentication results are reported to the first processor to establish access rights to the gaming software by the first processor. 
   
   
   
       12 . The gaming system of  claim 11 , wherein the storage device includes a hard drive, CD-ROM, DVD, FLASH memory, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       13 . The gaming system of  claim 11 , wherein the second processor comprises separate hardware units. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the separate hardware units include field-programmable gate arrays, complex programmable logic devices, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The gaming system of  claim 11 , wherein the storage device stores an authentication program. 
   
   
       16 . The gaming system of  claim 15 , wherein the authentication program includes a hash function, digital signature, public key, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       17 . The gaming system of  claim 11 , wherein the game software information comprises the gaming software's length and start address. 
   
   
       18 . The gaming system of  claim 16 , wherein the game software information comprises a public key. 
   
   
       19 . The gaming system of  claim 16 , wherein the game software information comprises a digital signature. 
   
   
       20 . The gaming system of  claim 16 , wherein the game software information comprises a hash function. 
   
   
       21 . A gaming system for conducting a wagering game, the gaming machine including an enhanced authentication system, the gaming system comprising:
 a media storage device for storing gaming software;   a first processor for executing the gaming software; and   a second processor for authenticating the gaming software, wherein game software information is transferred to second processor to authenticate the game software, and wherein authentication results are reported to the first processor to establish access rights to the gaming software by the first processor.