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 memory 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 system comprising:
   a remote memory disposed in a location remote from a casino gaming apparatus, said remote memory having gaming data relating to a first casino game stored therein; and        a network that operatively couples said remote memory to said casino gaming apparatus,        the casino gaming apparatus comprising:      a casino game console;        a video display unit;        a main memory, providing an executable space for a processor;        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 authentication the gaming data relating to the casino game stored on the second memory;        a network interface coupled to the gaming console for connecting to the 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 the first casino game from the remote memory to the casino gaming apparatus,        said processor operable to cause said transferred gaming data relating to the first casino game to be authenticated based on at least a comparison of a first hash value generated from said transferred gaming data relating to the first casino game with a second hash value generated from known gaming data.        
     
     
       17. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  wherein said second memory comprises an optical disk.  
     
     
       18. The casino gaming system 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.  
     
     
       19. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  wherein said second memory comprises a magnetic hard disk.  
     
     
       20. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  wherein said second memory is operable as a read- only memory.    
     
     
       21. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  wherein the second memory is disposed in said casino game console.  
     
     
       22. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  wherein the second memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       23. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  further comprising a nonvolatile memory operable to store gaming data relating to the play of the casino game.  
     
     
       24. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 23  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in said casino game console.  
     
     
       25. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 23  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       26. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  wherein the video display unit is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       27. The casino gaming system 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.  
     
     
       28. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  wherein the processor is operable to generate a game play of a plurality of different casino games.  
     
     
       29. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a particular casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to generate a play of the particular casino game on the casino gaming apparatus.  
     
     
       30. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a particular casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to transfer gaming data relating to the particular casino game from the remote memory to the casino gaming apparatus.  
     
     
       31. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  further comprising a sound- generating apparatus operatively coupled to the processor.    
     
     
       32. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  wherein the network interface is designed to provide a wired connection or a wireless connection to a network.  
     
     
       33. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 16  wherein the network comprises a wired link, a wireless link or combinations thereof.  
     
     
       34. A casino gaming system comprising:
   a remote memory disposed in a location remote from a casino gaming apparatus, said remote memory having gaming data relating to a plurality of casino games stored therein, the gaming data relating to the plurality of casino games; and        a network that operatively couples said remote memory to said casino gaming apparatus,        the casino gaming apparatus comprising:      a casino game console;        a video display unit;        a main memory providing an executable space for a processor;        a disk memory having gaming data relating to a casino game stored therein, said disk memory being disposed in said casino game console;        a memory storing second logic for accessing files on a disk memory or the files on the remote memory wherein the system logic is authenticated prior to authenticating the gaming data and wherein said memory is disposed in said casino game console;        a network interface coupled to the gaming console for connecting to the network; and        the processor disposed in said casino game console and being operatively coupled to said video display unit, said main memory, said memory and said disk memory;        said processor operable to cause said gaming data relating to the casino game to be authenticated based on a comparison of at least a hash value generated from said gaming data with a known hash value; and        said processor operable to transfer first gaming data relating to a first casino game from the plurality of casino games stored on the remote memory to the gaming apparatus and to authenticate the first gaming data based on at least a comparison of at least a first hash value generated from said first gaming data with a first known hash value.        
     
     
       35. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 34  wherein said disk memory comprises an optical disk.  
     
     
       36. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 34  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 system as defined in  claim 34  wherein said disk memory comprises a magnetic hard disk.  
     
     
       38. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 34  wherein said disk memory is operable as a read- only memory.    
     
     
       39. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 34  wherein the disk memory is disposed in said casino game console.  
     
     
       40. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 34  wherein the disk memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       41. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 34  further comprising a nonvolatile memory operable to store gaming data relating to the play of the casino game.  
     
     
       42. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 41  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in said casino game console.  
     
     
       43. The casino gaming system 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 system as defined in  claim 34  wherein the video display unit is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       45. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 34  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 system as defined in  claim 34  wherein the processor is operable to generate a game play of a plurality of different casino games.  
     
     
       47. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 34  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a particular casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to generate a play of the particular casino game on the casino gaming apparatus.  
     
     
       48. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 34  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a particular casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to transfer gaming data relating to the particular casino game from the remote memory to the casino gaming apparatus.  
     
     
       49. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 34  further comprising a sound- generating apparatus operatively coupled to the processor.    
     
     
       50. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 34  wherein the network interface is designed to provide a wired connection or a wireless connection to a network.  
     
     
       51. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 34  wherein the network comprises a wired link, a wireless link or combinations thereof.  
     
     
       52. A casino gaming system comprising:
   a remote memory disposed in a location remote from a casino gaming apparatus, said remote memory having first gaming data relating to a first casino game stored therein; and        a network that operatively couples said remote memory to said casino gaming apparatus,        the casino gaming apparatus comprising:      a casino game console;        a video display unit;        a first memory providing an executable space for a processor said first memory being disposed in said casino game console;        a second memory operable to store gaming data related to a casino game;        a third memory storing an operating system wherein the operating system is authenticated prior to an authentication of the gaming data stored in the second memory;        a network interface coupled to the gaming console for connecting to the network;        at least one peripheral device coupled to the casino game console wherein the peripheral device includes a memory device for storing a fixed data set, a program or combination thereof, and wherein prior to allowing the program or the fixed data set to participate in system operations on the casino gaming apparatus, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to authenticate the fixed data set or the program stored on the memory device; 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 peripheral device,        said processor operable to transfer first gaming data relating to the first casino game from the remote memory to the casino gaming apparatus; and        said processor operable to authenticate said gaming data, said first gaming data, the fixed data or the program.        
     
     
       53. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 52  wherein said second memory comprises an optical disk.  
     
     
       54. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 52  wherein said second memory comprises a magnetic hard disk.  
     
     
       55. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 52  wherein said second memory is operable as a read- only memory.    
     
     
       56. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 52  wherein the second memory is disposed in said casino game console.  
     
     
       57. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 52  wherein the second memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       58. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 52  further comprising a nonvolatile memory operable to store gaming data relating to the play of the casino game.  
     
     
       59. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 58  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in said casino game console.  
     
     
       60. The casino gaming system 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 system as defined in  claim 52  wherein the video display unit is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       62. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 52  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 system as defined in  claim 52  wherein the processor is operable to generate a game play of a plurality of different casino games.  
     
     
       64. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 52  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a particular casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to generate a play of the particular casino game on the casino gaming apparatus.  
     
     
       65. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 52  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a particular casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to transfer gaming data relating to the particular casino game from the remote memory to the casino gaming apparatus.  
     
     
       66. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 52  further comprising a sound- generating apparatus operatively coupled to the processor.    
     
     
       67. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 52  wherein the network interface is designed to provide a wired connection or a wireless connection to a network.  
     
     
       68. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 52  wherein the network comprises a wired link, a wireless link or combinations thereof.  
     
     
       69. A casino gaming system comprising:
   a first remote memory disposed in a location remote from a casino gaming apparatus, said remote memory having a first gaming data relating to a first casino game stored therein;        a second remote memory disposed in a location remote from the casino gaming apparatus, said second remote memory operable to receive and to store information relating to the authentication of gaming data on the casino gaming apparatus;        a network that operatively couples said first remote memory and said second remote to said casino gaming apparatus,        the 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 second gaming data related to a second 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 second gaming data relating to the second casino game stored on the second memory;        a network interface coupled to the gaming console for connecting to the 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 first gaming data relating to the first casino game from the remote memory to the gaming apparatus;        said processor operable to authenticate the first gaming data or the second gaming data; and        said processor operable to send information relating to the authentication of the first gaming data or authentication of the second gaming data to the second remote memory location.        
     
     
       70. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein said second memory comprises an optical disk.  
     
     
       71. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  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.  
     
     
       72. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein said second memory comprises a magnetic hard disk.  
     
     
       73. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein said second memory is operable as a read- only memory.    
     
     
       74. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein the second memory is disposed in said casino game console.  
     
     
       75. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein the second memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       76. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  further comprising a nonvolatile memory operable to store gaming data relating to the play of the casino game.  
     
     
       77. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 76  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in said casino game console.  
     
     
       78. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 76  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       79. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein the video display unit is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       80. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  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.  
     
     
       81. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein the processor is operable to generate a game play of a plurality of different casino games.  
     
     
       82. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a particular casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to generate a play of the particular casino game on the casino gaming apparatus.  
     
     
       83. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a particular casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to transfer gaming data relating to the particular casino game from the remote memory to the casino gaming apparatus.  
     
     
       84. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  further comprising a sound- generating apparatus operatively coupled to the processor.    
     
     
       85. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein the network interface is designed to provide a wired connection or a wireless connection to a network.  
     
     
       86. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein the network comprises a wired link, a wireless link or combinations thereof.  
     
     
       87. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein the second remote memory location is controlled by a regulatory body.  
     
     
       88. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein the regulatory body is a gaming commission.  
     
     
       89. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein the second remote memory is controlled by a gaming machine operator.  
     
     
       90. A casino gaming system comprising:
   a remote memory disposed in a location remote from a casino gaming apparatus, said remote memory having first gaming data relating to a first casino game stored therein; and        a network that operatively couples said remote memory to said casino gaming apparatus,        the 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 storing second gaming data related to a second casino game;        a third memory storing an operating system adapted to control access to the second memory wherein the operating system is authenticated prior to the authentication of the first gaming data and the second gaming data;        a network interface coupled to the gaming console for connecting to the 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 first gaming data relating to the first casino game from the remote memory to the gaming apparatus; and        said processor operable to authenticate the first gaming data or the authenticate the second gaming data.        
     
     
       91. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein said second memory comprises an optical disk.  
     
     
       92. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  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.  
     
     
       93. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein said second memory comprises a magnetic hard disk.  
     
     
       94. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein said second memory is operable as a read- only memory.    
     
     
       95. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein the second memory is disposed in said casino game console.  
     
     
       96. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  wherein the second memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       97. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 69  further comprising a nonvolatile memory operable to store gaming data relating to the play of the casino game.  
     
     
       98. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 97  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in said casino game console.  
     
     
       99. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 97  wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       100. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  wherein the video display unit is disposed in a remote location separate from said casino game console.  
     
     
       101. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  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.  
     
     
       102. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  wherein the processor is operable to generate a game play of a plurality of different casino games.  
     
     
       103. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a particular casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to generate a play of the particular casino game on the casino gaming apparatus.  
     
     
       104. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  wherein in response to receiving a selection of a particular casino game from a plurality of different casino games, the casino gaming apparatus is operable to transfer gaming data relating to the particular casino game from the remote memory to the casino gaming apparatus.  
     
     
       105. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  further comprising a sound- generating apparatus operatively coupled to the processor.    
     
     
       106. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  wherein the network interface is designed to provide a wired connection or a wireless connection to a network.  
     
     
       107. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  wherein the network comprises a wired link, a wireless link or combinations thereof.  
     
     
       108. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  wherein the second remote memory location is controlled by a regulatory body.  
     
     
       109. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  wherein the regulatory body is a gaming commission.  
     
     
       110. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  wherein the second remote memory is controlled by a gaming machine operator.  
     
     
       111. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  further comprising a fourth memory disposed in said casino game console and coupled to said processor wherein the fourth memory stores a boot code for the gaming apparatus.  
     
     
       112. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  wherein the fourth memory is an unalterable memory separate from the first memory, the second memory and the third memory.  
     
     
       113. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  wherein the fourth memory is designed or configured to prevent a bypassing of authentication routine used to the authenticate, operating system, the first gaming data and the second gaming data.  
     
     
       114. The casino gaming system as defined in  claim 90  wherein the fourth memory stores a secure loader program.