Wagering Game Authentication via Serial Number Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wagering game machines face challenges in maintaining player interest due to repetitive content, and there is a need to protect electronic data from unauthorized distribution and execution across multiple machines.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an external authentication device and the use of a serial number associated with a nonvolatile machine-readable medium to provide secure data protection, ensuring that wagering game applications can only be executed on licensed machines through cryptographic operations and serial number verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wagering game content is updated frequently with new games and software, then player interest is maintained, but data security and protection against unauthorized distribution become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame content update capabilityVSAvoiddata security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides game content into separate updateable modules that can be individually licensed and protected. Each game or software component can be updated independently while maintaining security through modular architecture, allowing frequent content updates without compromising overall system security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An authentication device acts as an intermediary between the game content and the wagering game machine. This intermediary verifies licenses and controls access to game software, enabling secure distribution and updating of game content across multiple machines while preventing unauthorized execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If game software is distributed across multiple machines to expand gameplay options, then player engagement increases, but unauthorized copying and execution of games becomes more likely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-machine game distributionVSAvoidunauthorized copying

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication and license verification before allowing game software to be loaded or executed on any machine. The authentication device checks licenses in advance, ensuring that only authorized copies can be distributed and executed, preventing unauthorized copying before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses cryptographic copying protection where game software is distributed in encrypted or licensed formats that can be copied across machines only with proper authentication. The authentication device manages license keys that control legitimate copying and distribution of game content across the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9135413B2Data protection in a wagering game machine

Publication Date: 2015.09.15 LNW GAMING INC

AI summary

In some embodiments, a method includes retrieving a value associated with a nonvolatile machine-readable medium from the nonvolatile machine-readable medium of a wagering game machine. The method also includes retrieving an authentication value from the nonvolatile machine-readable medium. The authentication value is derived from the value. The method includes enabling execution of a wagering game application stored in the nonvolatile machine-readable medium, in response to determining that the authentication value authenticates the wagering game application.