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Description  |
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The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for managing
programs for downloading to gaming device components such as during gaming
terminal manufacture or assembly processes.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Many current gaming machines are configured with electronic components,
commonly mounted on one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs). Many such
electronic components use programming or other information stored in
memories. In at least one typical configuration, a gaming terminal or
gaming machine will include a controller board, a communications board or
module, and one or more so-called peripheral boards such as a display
controller board, a currency acceptor board, a coin handler board, and the
like. Typically at least one board, such as the game controller board,
include a processor (microprocessor) or other computer unit which often
operates based on programming or other information (software or firmware)
stored in a memory such as one or more electronically erasable
programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs). Such software or firmware may
be programmed or stored in the memory locations during the manufacturing
or assembly of the gaming device. Additionally, software or firmware may
be provided to replace or supplement the software or firmware in a gaming
device which is in operation (in the field), e.g. features, new games and
the like, and/or to correct programming errors. In either case, the new
firmware or software is transferred or "downloaded" from a source (which
may be, e.g., a computer such as a workstation personal computer, laptop
computer, and the like) to the "target" memory in a particular gaming
device or machine.
Although downloading from one computer to another is, in general, a process
that is currently known, downloading software or firmware to components of
gaming devices presents particular problems not readily addressed by
conventional downloading techniques. One feature applicable to gaming
device downloading is the stringent regulatory oversight and control
exercised by regulatory authorities in many jurisdictions. In many, and
perhaps all, regulated gaming jurisdictions, downloading of software or
firmware to a gaming device should provide some assurance that the new
software or firmware will comply with local regulations for the
jurisdiction where the device will be located.
In the strict regulatory environment for many gaming devices, it is
typically necessary to provide assurance that approved and proper software
is provided in the peripheral and other boards, in addition to that
provided on the game controller board. For example, a gaming regulatory
authority in one jurisdiction may require assurance that, e.g., bill
acceptor software will be appropriate (and approved) for that jurisdiction
(and will not, e.g., run the risk of downloading bill acceptor software
that was approved in a different jurisdiction).
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a program management
system that reduces or eliminates the potential incorrect downloads and/or
verifies jurisdiction approvals for downloaded software.
It is also commonly found that gaming devices occur in a wide variety of
configurations, such as employing numerous different types of processors,
memories, game configurations, versions and types, peripheral hardware and
software and the like. Such differences may not be apparent (or may be
discemable only with difficulty) from a visual inspection of the gaming
device, its components, or its operation. For this reason, when it is
desired to download software to a particular gaming device, it is
typically necessary, in current systems, to manually select a particular
software version for downloading, bearing in mind e.g., the type of
hardware found on particular gaming devices, the items request by one
customer and jurisdictional approvals that have been given to various
software versions, lest the newly-downloaded software is incompatible with
the gaming device or results in operation which is not approved by a
particular jurisdiction. This situation is particularly burdensome in the
context of gaming devices in which it is sometimes necessary or desirable
to load programming in a large number of devices in a relatively short
amount of time.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to reduce or eliminate the
requirement (or the ability) of an operator to manually select which
software is to be loaded on a particular memory or component.
When the manufacture or assembly of gaming devices involves storing or
loading software or firmware into components of the gaming device,
previous approaches have typically used partially or fully manual methods
for such loading of software or firmware. For example, in previous
systems, a technician, typically would use a written purchase order or
work order as a basis for selecting which programs are to be loaded, and
would manually enter the file name or other program information in order
to initiate downloading. EEPROMs which are manually programmed in this
fashion are typically then moved to the production floor where they are
inserted into printed circuit boards (PCB) assemblies. The PCB assemblies
are then inserted or placed in terminals as part of the assembly process.
Such manual loading of software or firmware has a number of disadvantageous
aspects. Such manual loading involves a relatively large investment of
time and effort typically by skilled personnel, and thus results in
relatively high expense. At least partially as a result of the number of
manual steps involved, and particularly those which require matching the
software to components or hardware, there is a relatively high potential
for errors, such as providing gaming devices with the wrong programs,
configured for the wrong customer, provided with incorrect components or
assemblies and the like.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a system which facilitates
fully or partially automatic downloading and management of the programs
for gaming devices.
In a typical situation, there is often a delay of some weeks or months
between the time a customer places an order and the time the gaming device
assembly is completed. Not uncommonly, development may be taking place
with respect to some or all of the software to be used in such gaming
devices. Although it would be desirable, in some regards, to always load a
product with the most recent (and presumably best or most advanced)
versions of a software package, it may be that software improvements made
between the order date and final assembly date have not been approved for
all jurisdictions and, accordingly, in previous systems, it was necessary,
in order to assure loading of the best permissible software version, to
manually check jurisdictional approvals for various versions of available
software, bearing in mind the intended jurisdictional location of a
particular gaming device. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide
a system in which the most recent software version which has been approved
for a particular jurisdiction will be selected automatically (without the
need for manual analysis or selection).
In typical systems currently used, there is little or no record keeping
with respect to hardware or software components that are used in
particular gaming devices. As a result, for purposes such as repair,
maintenance, warranty and the like, current systems often require
expensive and time-consuming manual identification of such hardware or
software components. Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a program
management system which included the potential to produce and maintain
databases identifying hardware and/or software components associated with
particular gaming devices, preferably in a manner which is substantially
automatic (i.e. without requiring manual entry into the database of
component identification information).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for reliably and securely loading
programming or other information, in the manufacture or assembly of one or
more gaming devices. In one embodiment, the system provides links between
the computer systems of various departments, including but not limited to
Engineering, Product Assurance (jurisdiction approvals) and Production,
e.g. to allow communication and verification of information maintained in
databases of the different departments. Orders for programming are
automatically validated to, among other items, assure proper development
within Engineering and jurisdictional compliance and approval within
Product Compliance. Validated orders are sent to production. The system
automatically selects the proper software to download, so as to produce a
gaming device configured to comply both with a customer's order and to
assure jurisdictional approval. Preferably, following download, the gaming
device or components are queried to verify the board contents (and the
jurisdictional approval) prior to shipping the gaming device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming device of a type which may be
programmed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a process according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process according to one embodiment of the
present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a gaming device manufacturing and assembly
system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention can be used in connection with many types of gaming
devices. FIG. 1 provides an illustration in block diagram form of one such
gaming device. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a gaming device (or gaming
terminal) 112a includes a game controller board 122 which will typically
include, among other items, a microprocessor and a memory such as an
EEPROM storing programming and/or other information for controlling
operation of the controller board 122. In one embodiment, the processor
1110a is an Intel Multimedia/Super Computer processor model 80960,
although the invention can be used in connection with computing devices
having other types of processors and in connection with gaming terminals
which are controlled by devices other than microprocessors such as ASICs.
Typically the hardware and software of the game controller board 122 will
contain the information defining the type of game and making
determinations of the win/loss local outcome (as opposed to, e.g., a
progressive win/loss outcome) for the gaming device 112a. Because of the
central role of the game controller board 122 in determining any monetary
payout, it is particularly important to assure the presence of the correct
software for the game controller board to avoid improper or incorrect
payouts and to assure compliance with local regulatory authorities.
Although it is possible to combine numerous functions onto a given board,
typically numerous boards will be provided in a gaming device for forming
a plurality of functions. In the depicted embodiment, the game controller
board communicates with a communications board 124 which provides
information to and, receives the information from a local controller
and/or central computer, for purposes such as monitoring use and
performance, assuring compliance, performing accounting and similar
functions, and facilitating implementation of progressive or other
multi-terminal based games or prizes. In one embodiment, the
communications board 124 includes one or more ports by which a laptop or
other computer may be coupled to the gaming device 112a. In the embodiment
of FIG. 1, a plurality of peripheral boards 128a-d communicate with the
game controller board 122 and control various peripheral devices for
performing various functions such as bill acceptor functions 132a, coin
handling functions 134a, 132b, video functions 132c and audio output
functions 132d. In many configurations, some or all of the peripheral and
other boards 128a-d, 124 will contain flash memory, EEPROMs or other
devices for storing software or firmware for running on microprocessors or
other computing devices on such boards. In the depicted embodiment, each
gaming device includes a processor, one or more memories and a
communications module 124.
FIG. 4 depicts a system usable in subassembly or final assembly
downloading, e.g., in a gaming device manufacturing environment. FIG. 4
includes a plurality of computers such as workstation computers, network
server computers, and/or PC-type computers coupled by network lines such
as fiber optic lines 452 in a manner well-known to those of skill in
computer network technologies.
At various stages in employing the system of FIG. 4, programming data or
other information is stored in a number of different storage systems such
as databases (typically providing storage on hard drives or other
well-known storage media). In the depicted embodiment, during program
design process, information is held in an engineering database 454.
Software and firmware engineers use and modify such information via
computers 456, 458 having at least indirect access to engineering database
454. Preferably, programs or other data which are still in the development
phase are restricted to the engineering database 454 and are not stored in
other databases. At some point, engineering will release the program or
other information to product assurance 462 which, after review, will
submit the programming or data (e.g. via writing on a CD 464) to a gaming
jurisdiction for approval. After the program or data is approved by the
gaming jurisdiction, the program is copied to a production download server
466 and, preferably, stored in a "released" database 468. Information
about the approved program is provided to a customer order system 472 and
other systems such as engineering 474a and product assurance 474b.
Although released programs may be provided in various forms such as on CD
ROM 476 (via a CD duplicator 476b), FIG. 4 also illustrates a system for
downloading programming data or other information as part of a gaming
device assembly or fabrication system. The programming or data may be
loaded onto boards or other subassemblies 478, e.g. via a translator/power
assembly 482 and download terminal 484 or may be loaded into one or more
gaming devices 486a,b, e.g. via connection to a communication board for
downloading, in turn, to target peripheral devices or other subassemblies
within the gaming devices 486a, 486b, e.g. via a download terminal 488.
In the strict regulatory environment for many gaming devices, it is
typically necessary to provide assurance that only approved and proper
software and data is used in the gaming devices, including peripheral and
other boards (in addition to that provided on, e.g., the game controller
board). Depending on the nature of the download, it will be advantageous,
in performing assembly line downloading, to recognize or distinguish
different boards, e.g. to obtain information regarding characteristics of
the board and/or its identity or history.
In the environment of the system of FIG. 4, a host device such as the
download terminal 484 connects directly to the subassembly or through a
test box 482 that provides the physical connection and power. A download
terminal 488 can also be used to download information to boards which have
already been assembled into gaming devices 486a,b (which, provide physical
connection and power and thus can be used for downloading without a test
box 482). The host device 484, 488 can be network-connected as depicted or
can be a standalone device. In a standalone configuration, the program
information can be stored on a CD ROM 476a or other storage medium. The
depicted download system can be used on the production floor as depicted
or at a service bench, e.g. for repair purposes. Preferably the download
media 492a, 492b are configured to facilitate downloading of information
and can thus be configured or optimized to achieve relatively high rates
of data transfer.
In order to facilitate security in downloading information, preferably so
as to achieve approval for such downloading by gaming regulatory bodies, a
downloading process as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be used. During
program design/revision processes, the data (programs and the like) are
held in the engineering database 454. As depicted in FIG. 2, following
program design, the program is released to product assurance 214, at which
time it is moved to the product assurance database 455. The software is
then submitted to one or more gaming jurisdictions 216 for approval. After
approval 218, the program accompanying scripted file or other data is
copied to the production download server 466 and information about the
data is entered into a customer order system 472, 224. At this point, the
system is in a state such that the newly-developed and approved software
can be loaded, as needed, in accordance with particular customer orders.
FIG. 3 depicts a process for loading software in response to customer
orders. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, a customer order system 472
outputs an order for programming 312 such as an order for a quantity of a
specific assembly (a particular type of PCB) to be programmed. Preferably,
the order includes a programming request and jurisdictional usage
information. The order output by the customer order system 472 is verified
by the production download server 466 to determine whether it is a valid
order 314. Preferably, validation 314 includes at least a check to
determine whether the programming that has been requested is programming
that has been approved for a jurisdiction which is in accordance with the
use location for the gaming device specified in the customer order. If the
order is not valid, an error message or other error indicator is output
316 for handling by an error handling routine or for manual analysis or
intervention. If the order is valid, it is then sent 318 to the production
floor 484-486. In the process depicted in FIG. 3, the production download
server 466 will then provide a manufacturing order schedule, e.g. a
schedule for a day or shift, which will then be sent 322 to one or more
download terminals 484, 488. Preferably the download terminals 484, 488
outputs a display showing the orders for a day's production which may be
arranged in a number of manners such as by assembly number, program
number, manufacturing order number and the like 324.
As noted above, software may be downloaded to particular assemblies (PCBs)
using an assembly connector 478 or may be downloaded to components already
installed in gaming devices 486a, 486b or both. In either case, an
operator connects at least one and preferably several assemblies or gaming
devices e.g. via connectors 478 and/or cables 492b, 326. In some
configurations, it will be desirable to obtain component identification
information such as that stored on add-only/one-time programmable (AO/OTP)
memory or memory portions coupled to or associated with assemblies,
components or gaming devices 328.
After the components or gaming devices are coupled and identification
information is optionally obtained, the operator selects 332, preferably
from a menu on the download terminal screen, the item or items that are to
be downloaded. In contrast with previous methods, it is not necessary for
the operator to identify or input a particular file name or other
indicator.
Preferably, this selection is performed automatically by the download
terminal or download server. Such automatic selection is performed
preferably by determining the configuration of the gaming device which has
been ordered by the customer and automatically selecting the software
appropriate for such configuration. For example, if the customer had
ordered a blackjack-style gaming device with a bill acceptor, and card
reader, the download computer will determine on the basis of this order
that it will be necessary at least to download blackjack gaming software
onto a controller board, bill acceptor software onto a bill acceptor
board, and card reader software onto a card reader board. The download
computer will select, from among the various blackjack, bill acceptor and
card reader software available, that software which is appropriate, namely
the software which is the most recent version of the selected software
which has been approved for the jurisdiction for which that gaming device
has been ordered and which is otherwise appropriate (such as being
compatible with the particular type of microprocessor or other hardware
that will be used in the gaming device).
In many situations, it is anticipated that several devices with similar
configurations may be requested such that the download terminal, as a
result of this process, may display, e.g., eight identical bill acceptor
downloads or the like. In one embodiment, simultaneous download to a
plurality of devices is enabled or facilitated when all such devices are
to receive the same software. Accordingly, in these configurations,
preferably the operator will couple a plurality of boards or gaming
devices which may be programmed at the same time. Upon selection of the
items to download, the system will automatically download the appropriate
software or other information to the connected assemblies or gaming
devices.
Downloading can be performed in a number of fashions, including that
described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/172,786 (Attorney File No:
3735-923) for "METHOD FOR DOWNLOADING DATA TO GAMING DEVICES". In one
embodiment, a gaming identification apparatus and system can be used in
accordance with that described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/172,787 Attorney File No. 3735-924 for "GAMING DEVICE IDENTIFICATION
METHOD AND APPARATUS" filed on even date herewith and incorporated herein
by reference).
Many types of data transfer can be used including serial and parallel
transfer. In one embodiment, the data is transmitted in a block fashion,
i.e., by transmitting a predetermined number of bits of the information
(such as 1024 bits) from the source to the gaming device, and then
checking for errors in the block. As will be well-known to those of skill
in the art, other block lengths can also be used. In one embodiment,
verification or other checking is performed to assist in detecting data
transmission or other errors. A number of well-known verification or error
detection schemes can be used, such as a CRC. One type of CRC check is
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No: 08/348,268, filed Nov. 30,
1994, for "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VERIFYING THE CONTENTS OF A STORAGE
DEVICE" (incorporated herein by reference). This or other verification or
error checking schemes can be adapted for use in the present invention in
a manner that will be apparent to those of skill in the art, after
understanding the present disclosure.
If there are errors detected in the block of information (using, e.g. a
cyclic redundancy check error detection routine, or other error detection
routines well-known to those of skill in the art), the procedure may
retransmit the block.
Following such a final CRC check, the download terminals 484, 488 are
provided with information verifying the successful download 334. The
display of orders for this work shift is modified to reflect an indication
of the successful downloads 336 to permit operators to distinguish those
downloads that have been completed from those that remain still to be
done.
Preferably, the download terminals 484, 488 will output commands to print
labels 338 identifying the items that have been downloaded which are then
affixed to the appropriate components (boards). Labels can include
information such as component or assembly number, program number or
version, date of downloading and other relevant manufacturing information.
In some configurations, AO/OTP memory, or other types of memory, residing
on the board are programmed or written-to in order to store information
indicating the software version that has been downloaded, serial number,
manufacturing date, downloading date, or similar information, e.g.
regarding the characteristics of the component or terminal 342.
By proceeding in this manner, gaming devices are provided which may be at
least partially automatically programmed in a manner which provides a high
degree of confidence that the programming complies with both the orders
placed by customers and regulations governing gaming devices in the
jurisdiction for which the gaming devices are intended.
In a typical situation, there will be some amount of delay between the
completion of gaming device manufacture or assembly and the time in which
the gaming devices are shipped to customers. Preferably, before the time
the devices are shipped to customers, the devices, via connections 492b to
a download terminal 488 or similar terminal are queried, automatically, to
obtain information on the software residing on the gaming devices as a
result of a previous download process. The identity of the software
obtained as a result of such queries is then compared with information
e.g. on the customer order computer 472 or download server 466 to verify,
e.g. prior to shipping, that the software which is present conforms to the
order placed by the customer to whom the device will be shipped and/or
with the regulatory requirements for the jurisdiction where the gaming
device will be located 344. Preferably, at some point before the gaming
device is shipped, information about the configuration of the gaming
device (such as the software versions which are present, the hardware
configuration of the gaming device, gaming device or component
identification or serial numbers and the like) are stored in a database
e.g. for use in future repairs, warranty work updates, or the like. This
information may be information which is obtained in the course of
performing the initial download or information obtained at a later query
346.
In light of the above description a number of advantages of the present
invention can be seen. The present invention makes it feasible to reduce
or eliminate the need f | | |
