Download and Data Transfer Gaming Method and System

Abstract

A download and data transfer gaming method and system utilizes a hybrid peer-to-peer, segmented file distribution protocol to vastly improve the download capabilities of a gaming system by improving the upload cost burdened by the download host. The method and system redistributes this cost to the download clients by allowing clients on the gaming system to upload pieces of a file to each other. This method is much more redundant by eliminating the possibility of a client missing a download broadcast. The method alleviates this possibility of missing packets and bad data integrity by using SHA-1 verification of the file pieces. The benefits of the improved bandwidth capabilities enable the download of much larger files, thus enhancing the game play experience.

1 . A method for enabling configuration of a plurality of gaming devices in a network including said gaming devices capable of receiving and transmit data, said method comprising:
 configuring a memory to store a data set for distribution;   configuring a server to access said memory and provide over said network an initial distribution of a plurality of different subsets of said data set amongst said plurality of gaming devices wherein no gaming device of said server distribution receives the entire data set;   the plurality of gaming devices transmitting over said network all further distributions of the plurality of different subsets of data only amongst each other until the gaming devices have the entire data set.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  comprising tracking of at least the data distribution to said plurality of gaming devices. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  comprising providing for random distribution of said data subsets by said server. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  comprising configuring said server to prioritize distribution of one or more data subsets over at least one other data subset. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  comprising configuring said server to enable verification of said data subsets. 
     
     
         6 . A system for the configuration of a plurality of gaming devices in a network wherein said plurality of gaming devices are configured to receive and transmit data over said network, said system comprising:
 a data memory to store a data set for distribution;   a server configured to access said memory and distribute a plurality of different subsets of said data set over said network for receipt amongst said plurality of gaming devices wherein no gaming device of said server distribution receives the entire data set;   said plurality of gaming devices configured to transmit over said network all further distributions of the plurality of different subsets of data only amongst each other until the said plurality of gaming devices have the entire data set.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  comprising said server configured to track said data distribution to said gaming devices. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6  comprising said server configured to randomly distribute said data subsets. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6  comprising said server configured to prioritize distribution of one or more data subsets over at least one other data subset. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6  comprising said server configured to enable verification of said data subsets.