Patent ID: 7467404
Filing Date: 2008-12-16
Classification: A63F,G06F,G07F

Abstract:
1. A method for distributing software licenses onto a gaming machine, the method comprising: providing a first electronic key having a memory, a unique serial number and a SHA engine; providing a gaming machine having a data vault housed within a cabinet of the gaming machine, wherein the data vault is a secondary electronic key comprising a memory, a unique serial number and a SHA engine, and wherein the data vault serves as a SHA coprocessor, and the data vault stores a system wide authentication secret; interfacing with the first electronic key via an electronic key receptor operatively connected to the gaming machine, wherein the first electronic key stores information including a unique secret authentication key and an encrypted license count, and wherein the encrypted license count represents the number of licenses available for authorizing the installation of the gaming software onto the gaming machine; authenticating the first electronic key by requesting the first electronic key and the data vault to each calculate a message authentication code and then comparing the resulting calculated message authentication codes; accessing and decrypting the encrypted license count stored on the first electronic key, if the first electronic key is authenticated; and if the license count is greater than zero, distributing a license from the first electronic key to the data vault located in the gaming machine, wherein distributing the license includes decreasing the license count on the first electronic key by one and increasing the license count on the data vault by one.