Electronic casino gaming system with improved play capacity, authentication and security

Abstract

The electronic casino gaming system consists of several system components, including a microprocessor ( 12 ), a main memory unit ( 13 ) that is typically a random access memory, and a system boot ROM ( 14 ). Also included in the electronic casino gaming system are a non-volatile RAM ( 17 ), a mass storage unit ( 18 ), a disk subsystem ( 19 ), and a PCI bus ( 20 ). The disk subsystem ( 19 ) preferably supports SCSI-2 with options of fast and wide. A video subsystem ( 22 ) is also included in the electronic casino gaming system and is coupled to the PCI bus ( 20 ) to provide full color still images and MPEG movies.

1. An electronic gaming system for providing authentication of a data set associated with a casino type game, said system comprising:
 (a) a first storage means for storing a game data set and a game signature comprising an encrypted version of a unique primary abbreviated game bit string computed from said game data set;    (b) a second storage means for storing, 
 an anchor application including a first authentication program capable of determining the validity of said game data set by, 
 computing a complementary abbreviated game bit string from said game data set,  
 decrypting said game signature set to recover said primary abbreviated game bit string,  
 comparing said complementary abbreviated game bit string with said primary abbreviated game bit string to determine whether a match is present, and  
 
 an anchor signature including an encrypted version of a unique primary abbreviated anchor bit string computed from said anchor application;  
   (c) a third storage means for storing a second authentication program capable of determining the validity of said anchor application by, 
 computing a complementary abbreviated anchor bit string from said anchor application,  
 decrypting said anchor signature to recover said primary abbreviated anchor bit string, and  
 comparing said complementary abbreviated anchor bit string with said primary abbreviated anchor bit string to determine whether a match is present; and  
   (d) processing means for enabling said first authentication program to determine the validity of said game data set and for enabling said second authentication program to determine the validity of said anchor application.    
     
     
       2. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a fourth storage means for storing basic input/output system (BIOS) code. 
     
     
       3. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 2  wherein said fourth storage means is an unalterable ROM device. 
     
     
       4. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said third storage means further stores operating system code, operating system drivers, and bootstrap code. 
     
     
       5. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first storage means and said second storage means comprise a single mass storage means. 
     
     
       6. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first storage means is a mass storage memory device. 
     
     
       7. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said third storage means is an unalterable read only memory. 
     
     
       8. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first storage means is a CD ROM. 
     
     
       9. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first storage means is a hard disk drive. 
     
     
       10. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first storage means comprises a network storage system which is remote from the electronic gaming system. 
     
     
       11. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said second storage means comprises a network storage system which is remote from the electronic gaming system. 
     
     
       12. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said game data set is a game-modifying data set for changing game rules parameters of the casino type game. 
     
     
       13. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 12  wherein said game-modifying data set includes a money handler modifying data set for changing money handling parameters of the casino type game. 
     
     
       14. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 12  wherein said game-modifying data sets include a graphics modifying data set for changing graphics parameters of the casino type game. 
     
     
       15. An electronic gaming system as recited in  claim 12  wherein said game-modifying data sets include a sound driver modifying data set for changing sound parameters of the casino type game. 
     
     
       16. A casino gaming apparatus comprising:
   a casino game console;        a video display unit;        a first memory providing an executable space for a processor disposed in said casino game console;        a second memory, disposed in said casino game console, operable to store gaming data relating to a plurality of different casino games, the gaming data relating to a plurality of casino game variations or combinations thereof;        a third memory, being disposed in said casino game console, storing system logic for reading files in a file system stored on the second memory wherein the system logic is authenticated prior to authenticating the gaming data relating to the plurality of different casino games;        a nonvolatile memory disposed in said casino game console operable to store gaming data relating to the play of the plurality of different casino games or relating to the play of the plurality of casino game variations; and        the processor disposed in said casino game console and being operatively coupled to said video display unit, said first memory, said second memory, said third memory and said nonvolatile memory,        said processor operable to cause gaming data relating to the plurality of different casino games, the gaming data relating to the plurality of casino game variations or the combinations thereof, to be authenticated based on at least a comparison of a first hash value generated from the gaming data with a second hash value generated from known gaming data.     
     
     
       17. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein the gaming data relating to the play of the plurality of different casino games or relating to the play of the plurality of casino game variations stored in the non- volatile memory includes an outcome to a casino game previously played on the casino game console.   
     
     
       18. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein the system logic is a function of an operating system executed on the casino game console. 
     
     
       19. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein said second memory comprises an optical disk. 
     
     
       20. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  further comprising at least one peripheral device coupled to the gaming console including a memory device wherein the processor is operable to authenticate contents of the memory device. 
     
     
       21. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein the second memory comprises a magnetic hard disk. 
     
     
       22. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein said second memory is operable as a read- only memory.   
     
     
       23. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein the second memory is disposed in said casino game console. 
     
     
       24. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein the second memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console. 
     
     
       25. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in said casino game console. 
     
     
       26. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console. 
     
     
       27. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein the video display unit is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console. 
     
     
       28. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  further comprising a video subsystem, operatively coupled to the video display unit and operatively coupled to the processor, adapted for displaying still images, motion video or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       29. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein the processor is operable to generate a game play of the plurality of different casino games, the plurality of casino game variations or the combinations thereof. 
     
     
       30. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a first casino game from the plurality of different casino games, the plurality of casino game variations or the combinations thereof, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to generate a play of the first casino game on the casino gaming apparatus. 
     
     
       31. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  further comprising a sound- generating apparatus operatively coupled to the processor.   
     
     
       32. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 16  further comprising a network interface wherein the network interface is designed to provide a wired connection or a wireless connection to a network. 
     
     
       33. A casino gaming apparatus comprising:
   a casino game console;        a video display unit;        a first memory, providing an executable space for a processor, disposed in said casino game console;        a second memory disposed in said casino game console, said second memory storing gaming data related to a casino game;        a third memory storing an operating system, said third memory being disposed in said casino game console, wherein the operating system is enabled to control access to the second memory and wherein the operating system is authenticated prior to an authentication of the gaming data relating to the casino game stored on the second memory;        a network interface coupled to the casino game console for connecting to a network; and        the processor disposed in said casino game console and being operatively coupled to said video display unit, said first memory, said second memory, said third memory and the network interface;        said processor operable to transfer gaming data relating to a second casino game from a remote storage device connected to the network to a memory disposed on the gaming console;        said processor operable to cause said transferred gaming data relating to the second casino game to be checked based on at least a comparison of a first hash value generated from said transferred gaming data with a second hash value generated from known gaming data, and        said processor operable to cause a remedial action to be taken based on said check performed by said processor.     
     
     
       34. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  wherein the operating system is adapted for reading files on a file system stored on the second memory. 
     
     
       35. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  wherein said second memory comprises an optical disk. 
     
     
       36. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  further comprising at least one peripheral device coupled to the gaming console including a memory device wherein the processor is operable to authenticate contents of the memory device. 
     
     
       37. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  wherein said second memory comprises a magnetic hard disk. 
     
     
       38. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  wherein said second memory is operable as a read- only memory.   
     
     
       39. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  wherein the second memory is disposed in said casino game console. 
     
     
       40. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  wherein the second memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console. 
     
     
       41. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  further comprising a nonvolatile memory operable to store gaming data relating to the play of the casino game. 
     
     
       42. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 41  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in said casino game console. 
     
     
       43. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 41  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console. 
     
     
       44. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  wherein the video display unit is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console. 
     
     
       45. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  further comprising a video subsystem, operatively coupled to the video display unit and operatively coupled to the processor, adapted for displaying still images, motion video or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       46. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  wherein the processor is operable to generate a game play of a plurality of different casino games. 
     
     
       47. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a first casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to generate a play of the first casino game on the casino gaming apparatus. 
     
     
       48. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  further comprising a sound- generating apparatus operatively coupled to the processor.   
     
     
       49. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 33  further comprising a network interface wherein the network interface is designed to provide a wired connection or a wireless connection to a network. 
     
     
       50. A casino gaming apparatus comprising:
   a casino game console;        a video display unit;        a first memory providing an executable space for a processor disposed in said casino game console;        a second memory disposed in said casino game console, said second memory storing gaming data related to a casino game;        a third memory storing an operating system enabled to control a loading of the gaming data related to the casino game from the first memory to the second memory wherein the operating system is authenticated prior to an authentication of the gaming data related to the casino game; and        the processor disposed in said casino game console and being operatively coupled to said video display unit, said first memory, said second memory, and the third memory;        said processor operable to cause an authentication of the operating system or the gaming data related to the casino game using one - way hashing functions; and        said processor operable to cause a remedial action to be taken based on said authentication.     
     
     
       51. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  wherein the operating system is adapted for reading files on a file system stored on the second memory. 
     
     
       52. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  wherein said second memory comprises an optical disk. 
     
     
       53. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  further comprising at least one peripheral device coupled to the gaming console including a memory device wherein the processor is operable to authenticate contents of the memory device. 
     
     
       54. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  wherein said second memory comprises a magnetic hard disk. 
     
     
       55. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  wherein said second memory is operable as a read- only memory.   
     
     
       56. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  wherein the second memory is disposed in said casino game console. 
     
     
       57. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  wherein the second memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console. 
     
     
       58. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  further comprising a nonvolatile memory operable to store gaming data relating to the play of the casino game. 
     
     
       59. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 58  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in said casino game console. 
     
     
       60. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 58  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console. 
     
     
       61. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  wherein the video display unit is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console. 
     
     
       62. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  further comprising a video subsystem, operatively coupled to the video display unit and operatively coupled to the processor, adapted for displaying still images, motion video or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       63. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  wherein the processor is operable to generate a game play of a plurality of different casino games. 
     
     
       64. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a first casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to generate a play of the first casino game on the casino gaming apparatus. 
     
     
       65. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  further comprising a sound- generating apparatus operatively coupled to the processor.   
     
     
       66. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 50  wherein the network interface is designed to provide a wired connection or a wireless connection to the network. 
     
     
       67. A casino gaming apparatus comprising:
   a casino game console;        a video display unit;        a first memory providing an executable space for a processor disposed in said casino game console;        a second memory disposed in said casino game console, said second memory having gaming data relating to a casino game stored therein;        a third memory, being disposed in said casino game console, storing system logic for reading files in a file system stored on the second memory;        the processor disposed in said casino game console and being operatively coupled to said video display unit, said first memory, said second memory, and said third memory;        said processor operable to i )  cause data relating to the system logic to be authenticated based on a comparison of a hash value generated from the data relating to the system logic and a known hash value and ii )  to cause the gaming data relating to the casino game to be authenticated based on a comparison of a first hash value generated from the gaming data transferred to the first memory with a known first hash value;        wherein the system logic is authenticated prior to authenticating the gaming data relating to the casino game stored on the second memory.     
     
     
       68. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  wherein the system logic is a component of an operating system. 
     
     
       69. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  wherein said second memory comprises an optical disk. 
     
     
       70. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  further comprising at least one peripheral device coupled to the gaming console including a memory device wherein the processor is operable to authenticate contents of the memory device. 
     
     
       71. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  wherein said second memory comprises a magnetic hard disk. 
     
     
       72. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  wherein said second memory is operable as a read- only memory.   
     
     
       73. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  wherein the second memory is disposed in said casino game console. 
     
     
       74. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  wherein the second memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console. 
     
     
       75. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  further comprising a nonvolatile memory operable to store gaming data relating to the play of the casino game. 
     
     
       76. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 75  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in said casino game console. 
     
     
       77. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 75  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console. 
     
     
       78. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  wherein the video display unit is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console. 
     
     
       79. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  further comprising a video subsystem, operatively coupled to the video display unit and operatively coupled to the processor, adapted for displaying still images, motion video or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       80. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  wherein the processor is operable to generate a game play of a plurality of different casino games. 
     
     
       81. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a first casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to generate a play of the first casino game on the casino gaming apparatus. 
     
     
       82. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  further comprising a sound- generating apparatus operatively coupled to the processor.   
     
     
       83. The casino gaming apparatus as defined in  claim 67  further comprising a network interface wherein the network interface is designed to provide a wired connection or a wireless connection to a network.