Patent ID: 8827802
Filing Date: 2014-09-09
Classification: G06F,G07F

Abstract:
1. A method of protecting game program code of an electronic gaming machine (EGM) comprising: determining prior to execution of the game program code whether there is a dongle in data communication with the EGM that contains a valid game token corresponding to the game program code; taking at least one protective action if a valid game token is determined not to be contained in the dongle; periodically altering a counter on the dongle associated with the game token wherein the game token remains valid until the counter reaches a predetermined value to thereby control the lifetime of the game token; monitoring an amount of time the EGM has been in data communication with the dongle determined to contain a valid game token; and in response to the monitored amount of time being greater than a. predetermined amount of time, tying the dongle to the EGM, said tying including writing identification information of the EGM into the dongle.