Co-processor assisted software authentication method

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 method for authenticating software in a gaming machine having a main processor and a second processor, the method comprising:
 storing software associated with a game on a storage device in the gaming machine;   receiving a command to execute gaming software;   transferring gaming software information to the second processor;   authenticating the software in the gaming machine using the second processor and without using the main processor;   reporting authentication results to the main processor to establish access rights to the gaming software by the first processor; and   enabling access rights to the gaming software by the main processor, in response to receiving positive authentication results.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the storage device includes a hard drive, CD-ROM, DVD, FLASH memory, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second processor comprises separate hardware units. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the separate hardware units include field-programmable gate arrays, complex programmable logic devices, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the storage device stores an authentication program. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the authentication program includes a hash function, digital signature, public key, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game software information comprises the gaming software's length and start address. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the game software information comprises a public key. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the game software information comprises a digital signature. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the game software information comprises a hash function. 
   
   
       11 . A method for authenticating software in an electronic gaming machine having a main processor and a co-processor, the method comprising:
 receiving a command to execute gaming software;   transferring data corresponding to the gaming software from the main processor to the co-processor;   authenticating the gaming software using the co-processor;   executing the authenticated gaming software using the main processor.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein authenticating the gaming software comprises receiving data corresponding to the gaming software at the co-processor and accessing the gaming software in the storage media with the co-processor. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the storage device includes a hard drive, CD-ROM, DVD, FLASH memory, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second processor comprises separate hardware units. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the separate hardware units include field-programmable gate arrays, complex programmable logic devices, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the storage device stores an authentication program. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the authentication program includes a hash function, digital signature, public key, or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the game software information comprises the gaming software's length and start address. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the game software information comprises a public key. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the game software information comprises a digital signature. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the game software information comprises a hash function. 
   
   
       22 . A method for authenticating software in an gaming system having a main processor and a co-processor, the method comprising:
 receiving a command to execute gaming software;   transferring data corresponding to the gaming software from the main processor to the co-processor;   authenticating the gaming software using the co-processor;   executing the authenticated gaming software using the main processor, in response to receiving positive authentication results from the co-processor.