Network interface, gaming system and gaming device

Abstract

An example gaming device and network interface device adapted to connect a gaming device to a network are provided. The network interface device includes a data handler and a firewall. The data handler has processing and memory resources, and is adapted to perform data handling functions for transferring data between a network and a gaming device controller. The firewall is adapted to inhibit transfer of at least some unauthorised data received from the network to the gaming device controller.

1 . A network interface device adapted to connect a gaming device to a network, the network interface device comprising:
 a data handler having processing and memory resources, the data handler being adapted to perform data handling functions for transferring data between a network and a gaming device controller; and   a firewall adapted to inhibit transfer of at least some unauthorised data received from the network to the gaming device controller.   
   
   
       2 . A network interface device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the firewall uses processing and memory resources which are independent of the gaming device controller. 
   
   
       3 . A network interface device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the firewall is implemented as a function of the data handler. 
   
   
       4 . A network interface device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the data handler is implemented using one or more of a digital signal processor, micro-controller, microprocessor, microcomputer or FPGA. 
   
   
       5 . A network interface device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the firewall determines whether to allow or deny data transfer based on fire wall rules. 
   
   
       6 . A network interface device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the data handler is programmable to update firewall rules. 
   
   
       7 . A network interface device as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first data port adapted for establishing a data connection with a network; and   a second data port for establishing a data connection with a controller of a gaming device.   
   
   
       8 . A network interface device as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the first data port is an Ethernet port. 
   
   
       9 . A network interface device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the second data port is a serial data port. 
   
   
       10 . A network interface as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the data handler is further adapted to convert packetized data received from the network to serial data for outputting to the device controller. 
   
   
       11 . A network interface device as claimed in  claim 7  implemented as a network interface card adapted for installation into a gaming device. 
   
   
       12 . A network interface device as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the network interface card is an Ethernet card. 
   
   
       13 . A network interface device as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the gaming device for which the network interface card is adapted is any one or more of a gaming machine, a gaming server, a game controller, a game tournament controller, a bonus server, a player interface module or a player tracking module. 
   
   
       14 . A gaming device comprising:
 a controller adapted to execute game functions; and   a network interface comprising:
 a data handler having processing resources independent of the controller, the data handler being adapted to perform data handling functions for transferring of data between the network and the controller, and 
 a firewall adapted to inhibit transfer of at least some unauthorised data received from the network to the controller. 
   
   
   
       15 . A gaming device as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the firewall is implemented using processing and memory resources which are independent of the controller. 
   
   
       16 . A gaming device as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the firewall is implemented as a function of the data handler. 
   
   
       17 . A gaming device as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the data handler is implemented using one or more of a digital signal processor, micro-controller, microprocessor, microcomputer or FPGA. 
   
   
       18 . A gaming device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the firewall determines whether to allow or deny data transfer based on fire wall rules. 
   
   
       19 . A gaming device as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the data handler is programmable to update firewall rules. 
   
   
       20 . A gaming device as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the network interface further comprises:
 a first data port adapted for establishing a data connection with a network; and   a second data port for establishing a data connection with the controller.   
   
   
       21 . A gaming device as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the first data port is an Ethernet port. 
   
   
       22 . A gaming device as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the second data port is a serial data port. 
   
   
       23 . A gaming device as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the network interface is a network interface card. 
   
   
       24 . A gaming device as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the network interface card is an Ethernet card. 
   
   
       25 . A gaming device as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the gaming device is a gaming machine, a gaming server, a game controller, a game tournament controller, a bonus server, a player interface module or a player tracking module. 
   
   
       26 . A networked gaming system comprising:
 one or more gaming devices connected for data communication via a network, wherein at least one gaming devices comprises:
 a controller adapted to execute game functions; and 
 a network interface comprising:
 a data handler having processing resources independent of the controller, the data handler being adapted to perform data handling functions for transferring of data between the network and the controller, and 
 a firewall adapted to inhibit transfer of at least some unauthorised data received from the network to the controller. 
 
   
   
   
       27 . A networked gaming system as claimed in  claim 26  wherein each gaming device connected via the network includes a network interface having a firewall. 
   
   
       28 . A method of enhancing security in a networked gaming system, the method comprising providing a firewall adapted to operate during reception of data from a network to inhibit at least some unauthorised data being transferred to a gaming device controller. 
   
   
       29 . A method as claimed in  claim 28  further comprising the step of providing a gaming device with a network interface card having data handling processing resources independent of processing resources used by the gaming device for executing gaming functions, wherein the data handling processing resources are used for:
 receiving data from the network;   applying firewall rules to inhibit or allow data; and   transferring any allowed data to the gaming device controller.   
   
   
       30 . A method as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the network interface card is an Ethernet card. 
   
   
       31 . A method as claimed in  claim 29  further comprising the step of updating firewall rules. 
   
   
       32 . A computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions which when executed by a processor of a network interface card cause the processor to implement a method of enhancing security in a networked gaming system, the method comprising providing a firewall adapted to operate during reception of data from a network to inhibit at least some unauthorised data being transferred to a gaming device controller. 
   
   
       33 . A processor device for a network interface programmed with instructions which when executed cause the processor device to implement a method of enhancing security in a networked gaming system, the method comprising providing a firewall adapted to operate during reception of data from a network to inhibit at least some unauthorised data being transferred to a gaming device controller.