Abstract: A gaming system includes a modular network services manager (NSM) component which controls communication for network components and network-based services of a gaming machine coupled to an internal communication network coupled to an external communications network. The NSM provides a single external network address for the wagering gaming machine network-based services (e.g., operating system, player interface/overlay graphical user interface, video combining, audio control, printing, touchscreen, bill validation, etc.). The NSM provides internal and external network communications (i.e.

Abstract: A wagering game system includes a game controller configured to determine an eligibility threshold trigger for an n-th unit prize and add, for each connected wagering game machine, a set of discrete eligibility units to a discrete eligibility units counter responsive to an input wager at the respective wagering game machine. The game controller evaluates a subset of the set of discrete eligibility units at a selected wagering game machine against the eligibility threshold trigger to determine if the eligibility threshold trigger is satisfied by that wagering game machine and to subtract the subset of the discrete eligibility units from the discrete eligibility units counter at the selected wagering game machine. The game controller evaluates the subset of discrete eligibility units against the eligibility threshold trigger and awards the n-th unit prize if the discrete eligibility units in the subset of discrete eligibility units satisfies the eligibility threshold trigger.

Abstract: A wagering game system includes a game controller configured to determine an eligibility threshold trigger for an n-th unit prize and add, for each connected wagering game machine, a set of discrete eligibility units to a discrete eligibility units counter responsive to an input wager at the respective wagering game machine. The game controller evaluates a subset of the set of discrete eligibility units at a selected wagering game machine against the eligibility threshold trigger to determine if the eligibility threshold trigger is satisfied by that wagering game machine and to subtract the subset of the discrete eligibility units from the discrete eligibility units counter at the selected wagering game machine. The game controller evaluates the subset of discrete eligibility units against the eligibility threshold trigger and awards the n-th unit prize if the discrete eligibility units in the subset of discrete eligibility units satisfies the eligibility threshold trigger.

Abstract: Systems and methods for trusted initialization of wagering game machines are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, from a wagering game machine, a request for an operating system image that includes a first component for booting the wagering game machine. The method can also include transmitting the operating system image to the wagering game machine, wherein the operating system image also includes a second component for procuring software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine. Additionally, the method can include receiving a request for the software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine and transmitting the software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes two persistent random access memory sections. Critical data written to one memory section is copied to the other. Systems and methods for managing the two memory sections may include a transaction engine executable on a gaming machine processor. Alternatively, the transaction engine may execute or on a memory controller implemented as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit, a separate processor, or programmable logic. A transaction state may be used to determine which of the copies in the two memory sections is valid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a gaming machine having a data journal memory are disclosed. One aspect of the systems and methods includes a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). A data store is maintained on the NVRAM. In addition, a journal is maintained on the NVRAM. A data store manager receives data to be written to the NVRAM. The journal is updated to reflect the data to be written, then the data is written to the data store. In the event of a power loss or system reset, the system checks the journal to see if any data remains to be committed to the data store. If so, the data is written. Normal operation is then resumed.

Abstract: A method for run-time authentication of memory contents of a gaming machine includes the acts of conducting a wagering game on the gaming machine and, during the conducting step, authenticating a high capacity memory in a first authentication cycle. The high capacity memory contains program code for operating a wagering game at the gaming machine and the first authentication cycle includes the acts of reading data from the high capacity memory, generating first authentication data corresponding to the data files, and verifying the first authentication data. The method also includes, during the conducting step, authenticating at least one other memory in the gaming machine in a second authentication cycle, including processing second authentication data of a data file within the at least one other memory.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system has a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a secure user identification module comprising a biometric identification element, wherein the secure user identification module is removable from the wagering game system such that it may be retained by a game player. In a further embodiment, the secure user identification module is operable to store monetary value.

Abstract: A method of preparing memory contents of a gaming machine for subsequent authentication and a method of authenticating the prepared memory contents are disclosed. A first memory stores a game data set and a first authentication code generated from the game data set. The game data set includes game data files and second authentication codes generated from the respective data files. A second memory stores an authentication program for authenticating the first memory's contents, as well as a third authentication code generated from the second memory's contents. To authenticate the memory contents, the second memory's contents are first authenticated and, if deemed authentic, the game data set as a whole and each data file in the first memory are authenticated. The authentication process involves generating fresh authentication codes using the authentication program and comparing the fresh codes with appropriate ones of the stored authentication codes.

Abstract: Systems and methods receive and analyze game history data to discover relationships in the data. The relationships may then be used to determine which game components are downloaded to a gaming machine or which actions are performed for a particular player. The game components may include banner content, advertising content, denomination data, pay table, language data, video content, audio content, episodic game data, and wagering game software.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a gaming machine that is protected from the introduction of rogue code. One aspect of the systems and methods includes disabling a user access feature, such as a login or network access feature of an operating system executing on the gaming machine. A further aspect of the systems and methods includes removing debuggers and debugging information from an operating system or application executing on the gaming machine.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a multi-core processor having multiple processor cores, the multiple processor cores each operable to execute any thread executing in the multi-core processor. In further embodiments, the multiple processor cores and an operating system facilitate symmetric multiprocessing, parallel processing, or hyperthreading.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered. The system also comprises an interface to receive a nonvolatile storage device, which is operable to mount and unmount one or more hot pluggable mass storage devices. In a further embodiment, the interface is operable to prohibit write caching data to be written to the nonvolatile storage device, and to restrict mounting nonvolatile storage devices to authorized users.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a user interface to control the download of gaming configuration elements to one or more wagering game machines. The gaming configuration elements may include banner content, advertising content, denomination data, pay table, language data, video content, audio content, episodic game data, wagering game software, operating system software, device driver software and device firmware.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for gaming-related communications in a hierarchical multi-tiered system are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes transmitting a master configuration from a central operations of a hierarchical multi-tiered system to a local gaming site having one or more gaming components. The method also includes receiving a selected configuration for one or more of the gaming components based on the master configuration. The method includes downloading the selected configuration to the one or more of the gaming components through the hierarchical multi-tiered system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method of monitoring behavior of a group of casino game players. The method includes identifying a group of casino game players for profiling; profiling the game players based upon their actions in a gaming establishment; and providing options for game play and service to the game players based upon their profile.

Abstract: Software is download to a gaming device as a background operation while the gaming application runs in the foreground. An authorization operation may be completed before the download operation to prevent unauthorized installation of software. New games, software updates, and advertising content can be downloaded to the gaming machine in a background operation.