International Game Technology

Bill Wells

Richard Wilder

James T McGlone

Ernest Baragar

Memories coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes identification, negotiation, downloading and verification information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. Hardware devices are used to identify gaming terminals or components.

Method for downloading data to gaming devices

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.

Gaming device identification method and apparatus

A system for electronically downloading and verifying programs directly to printed circuit board components for use in gaming devices is provided. The downloading is preferably based on stored customer orders and provides reduced potential for errors arising by automating some or all features of program selection and by preferably implementing one or more steps of verifying programs for approval or compliance with gaming jurisdiction regulations for a jurisdiction where the gaming device is intended to be used.

Growing community of inventors

Reno, NV, United States of America

Bill Wells