Method and apparatus for securing networked gaming devices

Abstract

Embodiments are described for a system operating a plurality of gaming devices. A central gaming computer having a trusted node daughterboard having operational software is configured to be loaded on a gaming computer, a network coupled to the central gaming computer, and a plurality of gaming computers coupled to the network with each of the plurality of gaming computers including an operational node motherboard operable to load operational software sent from the central gaming computer to affect a change in gameplay in the gaming computer. Upon completion of desired computer processing on the operational node, the trusted node causes the operational node to reboot to remove the pre-boot data and the operating system software from the operational node such that no rewrite functions are performed on the operational node.

1 . A system for operating a plurality of gaming devices comprising:
 a central gaming computer having a trusted node daughterboard having operational software configured to be loaded on a gaming computer;   a network coupled to the central gaming computer; and   a plurality of gaming computers coupled to the network with each of the plurality of gaming computers including an operational node motherboard operable to load operational software sent from the central gaming computer to affect a change in gameplay in the gaming computer.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the trusted node of the central gaming computer includes pre-boot data configured to be loaded on an operational node of a gaming computer. 
     
     
         3 . A method for remotely controlling one of a plurality of gaming computers from a central gaming computer with each gaming computer having an operational node and the central gaming computer having a trusted node connected via a network to an operational node of each gaming computer, the method comprising the steps of:
 sending a power up signal from the trusted node in the central gaming computer to a operational node in one of the plurality of gaming computers when it is desired to affect a change in a parameter of game play in the gaming computer;   requesting from the central gaming computer trusted node pre-boot data from an operational node in an gaming computer; and   sending pre-boot data from the central computer trusted node to a gaming device operational node.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further including the steps of:
 sending operating system software from the central gaming computer trusted node to a selected operational node of a gaming computer; and   loading the sent operating system software sent from the central gaming computer trusted node on a selected operational node of a gaming device.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further including the step of upon completion of the desired computer processing on the operational node, the trusted node causes the operational node to reboot to remove the pre-boot data and the operating system software from the operational node such that no rewrite functions are performed on the operational node. 
     
     
         6 . A system for securing a networked gaming computer environment, the system comprising a trusted daughterboard provided in a central gaming computer coupled to a respective operational motherboard provided in each of a plurality of gaming devices coupled to the central gaming computer via the network wherein the trusted daughterboard is operative to reset each operational motherboard into a trusted state. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the trusted daughterboard of the central gaming computer is operative to manage the state of each operational motherboard in each of the plurality of gaming computers. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the trusted daughterboard of the central gaming computer is operative to manage the state of the operational motherboard using bootstrapped information. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the operational motherboard of each of the plurality of gaming computers and the trusted daughterboard of the central gaming computer are coupled via a gigabit Ethernet interface. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the operational motherboard of each of the plurality of gaming computers includes an x86 processor system. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the operational motherboard of each of the plurality of gaming computers is coupled to an IP KVM component for receiving input commands and sending output signals. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the operational motherboard of each of the plurality of gaming computers further includes a BIOS capable of netbooting and bootstrapping data. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the operational motherboard of each of the plurality of gaming computers further includes net firmware and a boot store wherein the BIOS and the net firmware are coupled to the boot store. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the boot store is in operative communication with the trusted daughterboard of the central gaming computer. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein a gigabit Ethernet connects the boot store to the trusted daughterboard of the central gaming computer. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  further including a Gigabit Ethernet switch coupled intermediate the trusted daughterboard of the central gaming computer, the operational motherboard of each gaming computer and an IP KVM component coupled to the operational motherboard of each of the plurality of gaming computers.