Trusted Cabinet Identification Method
A method of identifying components within a gaming machine cabinet that is linked to a central server over a network is disclosed in which the gaming machine includes a plurality of components to be identified within the cabinet. The method includes storing a unique cabinet identifier and encryption key; generating a digital signature from the encryption key; transmitting the unique cabinet identifier to a component to be identified within the cabinet upon power-up of the component; transmitting the digital signature to the component to confirm origin of the unique cabinet identifier; and enabling components within the gaming machine cabinet to register with a game floor manager system on the central server via the network.
1 . A method of identifying components within a gaming machine cabinet that is linked to a central server over a network, wherein the gaming machine includes a plurality of components to be identified within the cabinet, the method comprising:
storing a unique cabinet identifier and encryption key;
generating a digital signature from the encryption key;
transmitting the unique cabinet identifier to a component to be identified within the cabinet upon power-up of the component;
transmitting the digital signature to the component to confirm origin of the unique cabinet identifier;
enabling components within the gaming machine cabinet to register with a game floor manager system on the central server via the network.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting of the unique cabinet identifier to the component to be identified within the cabinet is transmittable is multiple protocols including USB, RS232, I2C, and Ethernet.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing security functions includes hashing, encryption, digital signature generation, random number generation, or combinations thereof.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the transmitting of the unique cabinet identifier using a trusted cabinet identification device that is secured within the cabinet in a tamper-resistant manner.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising enabling a message to be digitally signed regarding a unique identifier to confirm message origination from the gaming machine.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the digitally signed message is sent to a game floor manager system on the central server to create a trusted connection.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the transmitting of the unique cabinet identifier using a trusted cabinet identification device, wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is only directly connected to a game monitoring unit.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising performing the transmitting of the unique cabinet identifier using a trusted cabinet identification device, wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is indirectly connected to other components to be identified within the cabinet via the game monitoring unit.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the transmitting of the unique cabinet identifier using a trusted cabinet identification device, wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is directly connected to all components to be identified within the cabinet.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the transmitting of the unique cabinet identifier using a trusted cabinet identification device, wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is connected to a controlled access switch that assists the components to be identified within the cabinet with transmission of their corresponding addresses.
11 . A method of identifying components within a gaming machine cabinet that is linked to a central server over a network, wherein the gaming machine includes a plurality of components to be identified within the cabinet, the method comprising:
storing unique identifiers and encryption keys in a security device, wherein the security device performs security functions;
generating a digital signature from the encryption key;
transmitting the unique cabinet identifier to a component to be identified within the cabinet upon power-up of the component using an interface processor, wherein the interface processor is capable of communicating in multiple protocols;
transmitting the digital signature to the component to confirm origin of the unique cabinet identifier; and
enabling components within the gaming machine cabinet to register with a game floor manager system on the central server via the network.
12 . The method of system 11 , wherein the multiple protocols include USB, RS232, I2C, and Ethernet.
13 . The method of system 11 , wherein the security functions includes hashing, encryption, digital signature generation, random number generation, or combinations thereof.
14 . The method of system 11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is secured within the cabinet in a tamper-resistant manner.
15 . The method of system 11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device enables a message to be digitally signed regarding a unique identifier to confirm message origination from the gaming machine.
16 . The method of system 15 , wherein the digitally signed message is sent to a slot floor system on the central server to create a trusted connection.
17 . The method of system 11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is only directly connected to a game monitoring unit.
18 . The method of system 17 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is indirectly connected to other components to be identified within the cabinet via the game monitoring unit.
19 . The method of system 11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is directly connected to all components to be identified within the cabinet.
20 . The method of system 11 , wherein the trusted cabinet identification device is connected to a controlled access switch that assists the components to be identified within the cabinet with transmission of their corresponding addresses.