Method and apparatus for client extension management

Abstract

A poker gaming server supports a plurality of connected poker clients and a plurality of connected operator servers. Each poker client is associated with at least one of the operator servers. The poker gaming server includes a gaming data feed unit that provides a gaming data feed relating to each connected poker client to its respective associated operator servers. A notification unit in the server receives and forwards client notifications to a connected poker client from its associated operator server. The server also includes an authentication unit that authenticates at least one of a plurality of operator specific extension units upon request from a connected poker client.

1 . A system comprising:
 a poker gaming server associated with an online poker game;   at least one poker client connected to the poker gaming server, the poker client configured to participate in the online poker game, wherein the poker client comprises a plug-in; and   a plug-in server associated with the plug-in, wherein the plug-in server is external to the poker gaming server;   wherein the poker gaming server is configured to:
 transmit gaming data about the online poker game to the plug-in server, the gaming data relating to the poker client, 
 receive, from the plug-in server, a client notification destined for the poker client, and 
 forward the client notification to the poker client, 
   wherein the plug-in server is configured to:
 receive the gaming data from the poker gaming server, and 
 in response to receiving the gaming data, transmit the client notification to the poker gaming server, and 
   wherein the poker client is configured to:
 receive the client notification forwarded from the poker gaming server, 
 process the client notification, and 
 in response to the processing of the client notification, communicate directly with the plug-in server when providing functionality of the plug-in. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the poker gaming server is further configured to authenticate a request received from the poker client to access the plug-in at the poker client. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the poker client is further configured to transmit the request to access the plug-in during a start up procedure when the poker client initially connects to the poker gaming server. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the poker gaming server is further configured to maintain a list of plug-ins associated with the plug-in server, and the list identifies the plug-in at the poker client. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the poker gaming server is further configured to maintain and update a list of poker clients connected to the poker gaming server. 
     
     
         6 . A method of extending functionality of a poker gaming server, the poker gaming server being associated with an online poker game with at least one poker client, and the poker client comprising a plug-in, the method comprising:
 the poker gaming server transmitting gaming data about the online poker game to a plug-in server associated with the plug-in, wherein the plug-in server is external to the poker gaming server;   upon receiving the gaming data, the plug-in server transmitting a client notification to the poker gaming server, wherein the client notification is destined for the poker client;   the poker gaming server forwarding the client notification to the poker client;   the poker client processing the client notification; and   the poker client communicating directly with the plug-in server when providing functionality of the plug-in.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 the poker gaming server authenticating a request to access the plug-in, wherein the request is received from the poker client.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the request to access the plug-in is received at the poker gaming server during a start up procedure when the poker client initially connects to the poker gaming server. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 the poker gaming server maintaining a list of plug-ins associated with the plug-in server, wherein the list identifies the plug-in at the poker client.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 the poker gaming server maintaining and updating a list of poker clients connected to the poker gaming server.