Methods and apparatus for negotiating communications within a gaming network

Abstract

A gaming system may include a gaming security arbiter, and first and second network gaming devices, each including a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The arbiter controller may be configured to receive a request from the first network gaming device for a communication session between the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device, to provide a first encryption key to the first network gaming device and to provide a second encryption key to a second network gaming device. The first controller may transmit the request to the gaming security arbiter, receive the first encryption key, encrypt a message using the first encryption key and transmit the encrypted message to the second network gaming device. The second controller may be configured to receive the second encryption key, receive the encrypted message and decrypt the encrypted message using the second encryption key.

1 . A gaming security arbiter operatively coupled to a first network gaming device and a second network gaming device, the gaming security arbiter configured to:
 receive a request from the first network gaming device, said first network gaming device comprising a first network gaming device controller, the request comprising a request for a communication session between the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device, said second network gaming device comprising a second network gaming device controller, wherein:
 the first network gaming device controller is configured to (i) transmit a request to the gaming security arbiter for a communication session with the second network gaming device, (ii) receive a first encryption key from the gaming security arbiter, (iii) create an encrypted message from a message content using the first encryption key, and (iv) transmit the encrypted message to the second network gaming device; 
 the second network gaming device controller is configured to (i) receive a second encryption key from the gaming security arbiter, (ii) receive the encrypted message from the first network gaming device, and (iii) decrypt the encrypted message using the second encryption key, and 
 at least one of the first network gaming device controller and the second network gaming device controller is configured to request, according to a security level relating to the message content, a respective encryption key, the first network gaming device controller being configured to encrypt the message content according to the security level; 
   provide a first encryption to the first network gaming device;   provide a second encryption key to the second network gaming device;   communicate with the first network gaming device and a host;   determine encryption methods supported by the host and by the first network gaming device;   select an encryption method supported by both the first network gaming device and the host; and   select the first and second encryption keys based on both the supported methods and the security level related to the message content.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to establish a secure communication channel with each of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to verify the authenticity of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 3 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to:
 provide the first encryption key to the first network gaming device in response to verifying the authenticity of the first network gaming device; and   provide the second encryption key to the second network gaming device in response to verifying the authenticity of the second network gaming device.   
     
     
         5 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to:
 provide the first encryption key to the first network gaming device in response to the request; and   provide the second encryption key to the second network gaming device in response to the request.   
     
     
         6 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to provide the first and second encryption keys according to at least one of the following: a communication type relating to the communication session or a security level relating to the communication session. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to encrypt the first and second encryption keys. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to select the second network gaming device in response to the request. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to:
 receive services data from at least one of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device, said services data relating to one or more services provided by at least one of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device; and   select the second network gaming device based on the services data.   
     
     
         10 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to
 receive resource data from at least one of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device, said resource data relating to one or more resources provided by at least one of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device; and   select the second network gaming device based on the resources data.   
     
     
         11 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to:
 receive capabilities data from at least one of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device, said capabilities data relating to one or more capabilities of at least one of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device; and   select the second network gaming device based on the capabilities data.   
     
     
         12 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 11 , wherein said capabilities data comprises one or more of the following: an encryption capability, a compression capability and a data format capability. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to:
 receive gaming function data from at least one of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device, said gaming function data relating to a gaming function capable of being performed by at least one of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device; and   to select the second network gaming device based on the gaming function data.   
     
     
         14 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to determine parameters for the communication session and transmit said communication parameters to the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 41 , wherein the communication parameters relate to one or more of the following: encryption, authentication, compression, a communication channel or data format. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to:
 receive data regarding one or more approved network gaming devices for the first network gaming device; and   prevent the first network gaming device from communicating with the second network gaming device if the one or more approved network gaming devices does not comprise the second network gaming device.   
     
     
         17 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to:
 receive data regarding one or more unapproved network gaming devices for the first network gaming device; and   prevent the first network gaming device from communicating with the second network gaming device if the one or more unapproved network gaming devices comprises the second network gaming device.   
     
     
         18 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to receive data to communicatively disconnect at least one of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device from a gaming system. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to provide the first network gaming device with data regarding one or more network gaming devices, wherein the one or more network gaming devices comprises the second network gaming device. 
     
     
         20 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 19 , wherein the data regarding the one or more network gaming devices comprises at least one of the following: services, resources, capabilities or gaming functions. 
     
     
         21 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to provide the first network gaming device with a plurality of encryption keys, wherein said plurality of encryption keys comprises the first encryption key. 
     
     
         22 . The gaming security arbiter of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming security arbiter is configured to:
 receive a request for confirmation of the authenticity of the second network gaming device from the first network gaming device; and   provide confirmation of the authenticity of the first network gaming device to the second network gaming device.   
     
     
         23 . A gaming security method performed by a gaming security arbiter, said method comprising:
 receiving a request at the gaming security arbiter from a first network gaming device, said first network gaming device comprising a first network gaming device controller, the request comprising a request for a communication session between the first network gaming device and a second network gaming device, the second network gaming device comprising a second first network gaming device controller, wherein:
 the first network gaming device controller is configured to (i) transmit a request to the gaming security arbiter for a communication session with the second network gaming device, (ii) receive a first encryption key from the gaming security arbiter, (iii) create an encrypted message from a message content using the first encryption key, and (iv) transmit the encrypted message to the second network gaming device; 
 the second network gaming device controller configured to (i) receive a second encryption key from the gaming security arbiter, (ii) receive the encrypted message from the first network gaming device, and (iii) decrypt the encrypted message using the second encryption key, and 
 at least one of the first network gaming device controller and the second network gaming device controller is configured to request, according to a security level relating to the message content, a respective encryption key, the first network gaming device controller being configured to encrypt the message content according to the security level; 
   providing a first encryption key from the gaming security arbiter to the first network gaming device; and   providing a second encryption key from the gaming security arbiter to the second network gaming device, wherein the arbiter controller is further configured to:
 communicate with the first network gaming device and a host; 
 determine encryption methods supported by the host and by the first network gaming device; 
 select an encryption method supported by both the first network gaming device and the host, and 
 select the first and second encryption keys based on both the supported methods and the security level related to the message content. 
   
     
     
         24 . The gaming security method of  claim 23 , further comprising establishing a secure communication channel between the gaming security arbiter and each of the first network gaming devices and the second network gaming device. 
     
     
         25 . The gaming security method of  claim 23 , further comprising authenticating the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device. 
     
     
         26 . The gaming security method of  claim 25 , wherein:
 providing the first encryption key comprises providing the first encryption key to the first network gaming device in response to verifying the authenticity of the first network gaming device; and   providing the second encryption key comprises providing the second encryption key to the second network gaming device in response to verifying the authenticity of the second network gaming device.   
     
     
         27 . The gaming security method of  claim 23 , wherein:
 providing the first encryption key comprises providing the first encryption key from the gaming security arbiter to the first network gaming device in response to the request; and   providing the second encryption key comprises providing the second encryption key from the gaming security arbiter to the second network gaming device in response to the request.   
     
     
         28 . The gaming security method of  claim 23 , further comprising selecting the second network gaming device in response to the request. 
     
     
         29 . The gaming security method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 receiving data from at least one of the first and second network gaming devices, said received data relating to one or more of the following: services data relating to one or more services provided by at least one of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device, resources data relating to one or more resources provided by at least one of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device, capabilities data relating to capabilities of at least one of the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device; and   selecting the second network gaming device based upon the received data.   
     
     
         30 . The gaming security method of  claim 23 , further comprising determining parameters for the communication session, and transmitting said communication parameters to the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device. 
     
     
         31 . The gaming security method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 receiving a request for confirmation of the authenticity of the first network gaming device from the second network gaming device; and   providing confirmation of the authenticity of the first network gaming device to the second network gaming device.   
     
     
         32 . A gaming apparatus, comprising:
 a display unit; a value input device; a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being programmed to cause said display unit to generate a game display relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo,   said controller being configured as a first network gaming device controller, operatively coupled to a second network gaming device and a gaming security arbiter, the gaming security arbiter configured to:   receive a request from the first network gaming device, the request comprising a request for a communication session between the first network gaming device and the second network gaming device, said second network gaming device comprising a second network gaming device controller, wherein:
 the first network gaming device controller is configured to (i) transmit a request to the gaming security arbiter for a communication session with the second network gaming device, (ii) receive a first encryption key from the gaming security arbiter, (iii) create an encrypted message from a message content using the first encryption key, and (iv) transmit the encrypted message to the second network gaming device; 
 the second network gaming device controller is configured to (i) receive a second encryption key from the gaming security arbiter, (ii) receive the encrypted message from the first network gaming device, and (iii) decrypt the encrypted message using the second encryption key, and 
 at least one of the first network gaming device controller and the second network gaming device controller is configured to request, according to a security level relating to the message content, a respective encryption key, the first network gaming device controller being configured to encrypt the message content according to the security level; 
   provide a first encryption to the first network gaming device;   provide a second encryption key to the second network gaming device;   communicate with the first network gaming device and a host;   determine encryption methods supported by the host and by the first network gaming device;   select an encryption method supported by both the first network gaming device and the host; and   select the first and second encryption keys based on both the supported methods and the security level related to the message content.   
     
     
         33 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said display unit comprises a video display unit that is capable of generating video images. 
     
     
         34 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33 , wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards to be displayed if said game comprises video poker, wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels to be displayed if said game comprises video slots, wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards to be displayed if said game comprises video blackjack, wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers to be displayed if said game comprises video keno, wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a bingo grid to be displayed if said game comprises video bingo. 
     
     
         35 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said display unit comprises at least one mechanical slot machine reel. 
     
     
         36 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said controller is programmed to establish a secure communication channel with said gaming security arbiter. 
     
     
         37 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said controller is programmed to provide a verification of authenticity to said gaming security arbiter. 
     
     
         38 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said controller is programmed to receive a second encryption key from said gaming security arbiter, wherein said controller is programmed to receive a second encrypted message from a second network gaming device, wherein said controller is programmed to decrypt said second encrypted message with said second encryption key. 
     
     
         39 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said controller is programmed to receive a second message from a second network gaming device, wherein said controller is programmed to request confirmation of the authenticity of said second network gaming device from said gaming security arbiter, wherein said controller is programmed to receive confirmation of the authenticity of said second network gaming device from the network security arbiter. 
     
     
         40 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said controller is programmed to transmit data to said gaming security arbiter, said data relating to one or more of the following: an encryption key requested by said gaming apparatus, a security level relating to said first message, a communication type relating to said first message, a service requested by said gaming apparatus, a service provided by said gaming apparatus, a resource requested by said gaming apparatus, a resource provided by said gaming apparatus, a capability requested by said gaming apparatus, a capability provided by said gaming apparatus or a gaming function, wherein said controller is programmed to transmit said first message to said first network gaming device based on said data. 
     
     
         41 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said controller is programmed to receive communication parameters from said gaming security arbiter, wherein said controller is programmed to communicate with said first network gaming device in accordance with said communication parameters. 
     
     
         42 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said controller is programmed to receive data regarding one or more network gaming devices, wherein said controller is programmed to select said first network gaming device from said one or more network gaming devices based on said data. 
     
     
         43 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said controller is programmed to receive a plurality of encryption keys from said gaming security arbiter, wherein said controller is programmed to select said first encryption key from said plurality of encryption keys. 
     
     
         44 . A gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 32 , wherein said controller is programmed to include an encryption key identification identifying said first encryption key with said first encrypted message. 
     
     
         45 . A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined in  claim 32 , said gaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a network of gaming apparatuses. 
     
     
         46 . A gaming system as defined in  claim 45 , wherein said gaming apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.