Gaming device identification method and apparatus
US6488585B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 3, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F17/3241
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electronic memory which cannot be modified or erased, such as one-time programmable or add-only (OTP/AO) memory is used for storing direct or indirect indications of characteristics of a gaming terminal or its components. Preferably, a plurality of gaming terminal boards includes memory that has one or more rows of OTP/AO memory for storing information such as memory or board serial numbers, manufacture date, processor speed or type, software or hardware version numbers, and the like. Such information is preferably used in connection with assuring the appropriateness of modifications or configurations of the gaming terminal, such as downloading software or other software modification and/or changes to hardware configuration. OTP/AO information can be used in connection with verifying identity or characteristics of software or hardware, e.g. for warranty purposes. The non-erasable and non-modifiable nature of the information provides assurance that software downloads or other modifications will not be inappropriate because of inadvertent or intentional misidentification of a component.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.