Verification system and method

Abstract

A verification system has an operational component registry that includes an interface, a memory device, and a processor. Preferably, the interface in the operational component registry communicates the installed identification data from the gaming units to the operational component registry. The memory device preferably stores registered identification data for the gaming units. Preferably, the processor in the operational component registry then analyzes the registered identification data and the installed identification data from the gaming units, after which enablement of the gaming units is determined based upon the examination of the registered identification data and the installed identification data. An operational component registry may also monitor changes, services, requirements, enablement, and productivity of the gaming units or components of the gaming units.

1 . A verification system utilizing an operational component registry, the verification system comprising:
 a memory device, wherein the memory device stores registered identification data for multiple components supposed to be installed on multiple gaming units, wherein the components include hardware components and software components, and each gaming unit includes multiple components with identification data;   an interface that communicates installed identification data for multiple components that are actually installed on the gaming units from the gaming units to the operational component registry; and   a processor that analyzes the registered identification data and the installed identification data of the components installed on the gaming units; and wherein enablement of the gaming units is determined by examining the registered identification data and the installed identification data.   
   
   
       2 . A verification system comprising:
 a memory device that stores registered identification data, wherein the registered identification data comprises identification data for components supposed to be installed on multiple gaming units; and   the memory device stores installed identification data, wherein the installed identification data comprises identification data for multiple components that are actually installed on the gaming units, and each gaming unit includes multiple components with identification data;   wherein the components include hardware components and software components.   
   
   
       3 . A method for verifying components of one or more gaming units using an operational component registry, the method comprising:
 receiving installed identification data at the operational component registry from the selected gaming units as to components actually installed on the selected gaming units, wherein each component includes hardware components and software components, and each gaming unit includes multiple components with identification data; and   examining the installed identification data and registered identification data to determine enablement of the gaming units, wherein the registered identification data includes identification data for components supposed to be installed on the selected gaming units.   
   
   
       4 . A method for verifying and selectively enabling gaming units, the method comprising:
 receiving installed identification data from multiple gaming units at an operational component registry, wherein the operational component registry includes registered identification data for components supposed to be installed on the gaming units and installed identification data for multiple components that are actually installed on the multiple gaming units, and the components include hardware components and software components, and wherein each gaming unit includes multiple components with identification data; and   examining the registered identification data and the installed identification data to determine enablement of the gaming units.   
   
   
       5 . A verification system utilizing an operational component registry, the verification system comprising:
 a memory device that identification data for multiple components supposed to be installed on multiple gaming units, and wherein the components include hardware components and software components, and each gaming unit includes multiple components with identification data; and   the memory device stores identification data for components that are actually installed on the gaming units; and   wherein the components are assigned identification codes and are grouped together into a protected group of component bindings using cryptographic security procedures and the identification codes of the components in the bindings group, and wherein the bindings prevent falsification or repudiation of log entries with respect to any modifications or replacements of components within the binding group.   
   
   
       6 . A method for verifying components of gaming units using an operational component registry, the method comprising:
 providing identification codes to multiple gaming machine system components within multiple gaming units, wherein the components include hardware components and software components, and each gaming unit includes multiple components with identification codes;   binding together gaming machine system components within the gaming unit, including registered identification data and installed identification data, into a protected group of component bindings using cryptographic security procedures and the identification codes of the components in the bindings group, and wherein the bindings prevent falsification or repudiation of log entries with respect to any modifications or replacements of components within the binding group;   receiving installed identification data at the operational component registry from the selected gaming units as to components actually installed on the selected gaming units; and   examining the installed identification data and registered identification data to determine enablement of the gaming units, wherein the registered identification includes identification data for components supposed to be installed on the gaming units.