Patent ID: 7412559
Filing Date: 2008-08-12
Classification: A63F,G07F

Abstract:
1. A method of allocating non-volatile memory locations on a gaming machine, the method comprising: executing gaming software for generating a play of a wager-based game, said gaming software including a non-volatile memory allocation system wherein the non-volatile memory allocation system is operable to dynamically allocate and de-allocate non-volatile memory locations in a non-volatile memory and wherein the non-volatile allocation system is operable to allow the non-volatile memory locations where critical data is stored to vary over time such that the critical data stored in first non-volatile memory locations at a first time is movable to second non-volatile memory locations at a second time; receiving a wager on an outcome to the wager-based game wherein the wager is associated with an amount of cash or an indicia of credit; determining the outcome to the wager-based game; presenting the outcome to the wager-based game; receiving a request at the non-volatile memory system from a client to allocate a block of non-volatile memory locations in the non-volatile memory; assigning a node to the block of non-volatile memory; creating an NV-RAM node record; assigning a pointer to a heap block; sending a handle corresponding to the block of non-volatile memory to the client; wherein the handle allows the client to subsequently access the non-volatile memory using the non-volatile memory access system; copying critical data generated during the play of the wager-based game that is stored in a first volatile memory location to the block of non-volatile memory wherein the gaming machine is operable to determine whether a transfer of the critical data is complete; and comparing the critical data originally stored in the first volatile memory to a copy of the critical data stored in the non-volatile memory to determine a validity of the copy of the critical data.