The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 31, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 14, 1999
John R. Kelly, San Jose, CA (US);
Bruce McLoughlin, Santa Clara, CA (US);
IGT, Reno, NV (US);
Abstract
A random number generator seeding method and apparatus which includes the provision of an RNG seed register and means for capturing a current count number from one or more fast running counters contained within the apparatus upon the occurrence of an act or acts by an apparatus operator as he performs the normal set-up and initialization function. In the preferred embodiment means are provided for sensing particular acts of the operator, and upon detection of each such “event”, one or more of the counters within the system are read and the count value is appended to previously captured counter values until the desired seed length is obtained. At this time, the RNG is said to be seeded, the initialization phase is completed and the apparatus may be made available to players to commence game play or other use of the apparatus.