Scan based configuration control in a gaming environment

Abstract

Techniques are dis closed for facilitating configuration of a gaming machine, and for facilitating authentication testing of selected components of a gaming machine. In at least one embodiment, configuration of the gaming machine may be effected via the use of a gaming machine configuration device. When the presence of a gaming machine configuration device is detected, configuration indicia stored on the configuration device may be accessed and used to determine at least one configuration parameter relating to configuration of the gaming machine. Configuration or reconfiguration of the gaming machine may then be implemented using the at least one configuration parameter. In at least one embodiment, authentication of the gaming machine component may be effected via the use of a gaming machine authentication device. When the presence of a gaming machine authentication device is detected, authentication information stored on the authentication device may be accessed and used to generate authentication output data relating to the component being authenticated. The authentication output data may then be provided to an external entity for verifying the results of the authentication test.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA [0001] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 187,102 Attorney Docket No. IGT1P080) entitled “SCAN BASED CONFIGURATION CONTROL IN A GAMING ENVIRONMENT” by Parrott et al., filed on Jun. 27, 2002, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to gaming machines such as slot machines and video poker machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to a technique for implementing scan based configuration control in a gaming environment. [0003] Gaming machines are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Many slot and gaming machines now employ processor driven systems that receive input from touchscreens, output information on CRT video displays and printers, drive mechanized assemblies, and communicate with a host of internal devices and external networks. One complication that occurs as a result of this sophistication is that gaming machines...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

One complication that occurs as a result of this sophistication is that gaming machines are no longer available in a configuration that is considered “standard”.

Despite these advantages, however, the Version Chip gaming machine configuration technique also introduces a number of undesirable limitations to the gaming machine configuration process.

For example, the implementing of changes to the gaming machine configuration parameters typically involves changing and / or reprogramming the Version Chip, which typically can only be performed by qualified technicians.

Additionally, the current technique for authenticating a Version Chip typically involves a time-consuming process in which the Version Chip is physically removed from the gaming machine, inserted into a Version Chip authentication device, manually authenticated via the use of a predetermined hash algorithm and randomization seed, removed from the Version Chip authentication device, and reinserted into the gaming machine.

Moreover, the conventional process of manually authenticating a Version Chip increases the risk of introducing human error into the authentication process since a human authenticator is typically required to perform the authentication testing, and to visually compare and verify the matching of the output data from the Version Chip authentication test to expected, predetermined data.

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