Non-volatile memory storing critical data in a gaming machine

Related U.S. Application Data

(63) Continuation of application No. 11/517,743, filed on Sep. 8, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,390,262, which is a continuation of application No. 10/243,104, filed on Sep. 13, 2002, now Pat. No. 7,111,141, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 09/690,931, filed on Oct. 17, 2000, now Pat. No. 6,804,763.

(51) Int. CI.

G06F13/00 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 711/165; 463/24; 463/25;

711/103

(58) Field of Classification Search None

See application file for complete search history.

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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(57) ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus of dynamically storing critical data of a gaming machine by allocating and deallocating memory space in a gaming machine is disclosed. One ormore embodiments describe downloading or removing a new game to a gaming machine such that all existing critical data in NVRAM memory is left intact. In one embodiment, the invention discloses a method and apparatus for dynamically allocating and deallocating memory space to accommodate either permanent or temporary storage in an NV-RAM. A method and apparatus is provided to monitor available memory space and dynamically resize the memory in NV-RAM. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for performing an integrity check of the NV-RAM and determining whether a critical data error has occurred. In one or more embodiments, methods of compacting and shifting contents of an NV-RAM are described to consolidate available memory space or to prevent unauthorized access of NV-RAM memory.

21 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets

DOCUMENTS

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* cited by examiner