US20070281793A1 - Gaming machine with journaling - Google Patents
Gaming machine with journaling Download PDFInfo
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- US20070281793A1 US20070281793A1 US11/576,270 US57627005A US2007281793A1 US 20070281793 A1 US20070281793 A1 US 20070281793A1 US 57627005 A US57627005 A US 57627005A US 2007281793 A1 US2007281793 A1 US 2007281793A1
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- data
- database
- data store
- journal
- gaming machine
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3241—Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to gaming machines, and more particularly to a gaming machine that journals critical data to memory.
- Today's gaming machine typically comprises a computerized system controlling a video display or reels that provide wagering games such as slots, video card games (poker, blackjack etc.), video keno, video bingo, video pachinko and other games typical in the gaming industry.
- wagering games such as slots, video card games (poker, blackjack etc.), video keno, video bingo, video pachinko and other games typical in the gaming industry.
- the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options.
- Players also appreciate the reliability of a gaming machine, as do the casino operators. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining, exciting, and reliable machines available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator.
- RAM Random Access Memory
- RAM is immediately accessible by the processor with no additional software required (as in the case of disk drives).
- the content of this memory is typically critical to the operation of the gaming machine and is continuously changing as it is read and written, as when game play occurs.
- One drawback of RAM is that it is power dependent and does not retain the current state of the computer's operation when power is removed.
- One aspect of the systems and methods includes a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).
- NVRAM non-volatile random access memory
- a data store is maintained on the NVRAM.
- a journal is maintained on the NVRAM.
- a data store manager receives data to be written to the NVRAM.
- the journal is updated to reflect the data to be written, then the data is written to the data store.
- the system checks the journal to see if any data remains to be committed to the data store. If so, the data is written. Normal operation is then resumed.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine embodying the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gaming control system suitable for operating the gaming machine in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the interaction between the control system, a journal, and a data store of a gaming machine according to varying embodiments of the invention
- FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts illustrating methods for providing a journal for a data store on a gaming machine according to various embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary gaming machine 10 , also referred to as a Video Lottery Terminal (VLT), in which embodiments of the invention may be implemented.
- gaming machine 10 is operable to conduct a wagering game such as mechanical or video slots, poker, keno, bingo, or blackjack.
- the gaming machine 10 includes a video display 12 such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma, or other type of video display known in the art.
- a touch screen preferably overlies the display 12 .
- the gaming machine 10 is an “upright” version in which the display 12 is oriented vertically relative to a player.
- the gaming machine may be a “slant-top” version in which the display 12 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player.
- the gaming machine 10 includes a plurality of possible credit receiving mechanisms 14 for receiving credits to be used for placing wagers in the game.
- the credit receiving mechanisms 14 may, for example, include a coin acceptor, a bill acceptor, a ticket reader, and a card reader.
- the bill acceptor and the ticket reader may be combined into a single unit.
- the card reader may, for example, accept magnetic cards and smart (chip) cards coded with money or designating an account containing money.
- the gaming machine 10 includes a user interface comprising a plurality of push-buttons 16 , the above-noted touch screen, and other possible devices.
- the plurality of push-buttons 16 may, for example, include one or more “bet” buttons for wagering, a “play” button for commencing play, a “collect” button for cashing out, a help” button for viewing a help screen, a “pay table” button for viewing the pay table(s), and a “call attendant” button for calling an attendant. Additional game specific buttons may be provided to facilitate play of the specific game executed on the machine.
- the touch screen may define touch keys for implementing many of the same functions as the push-buttons.
- Other possible user interface devices include a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or trackball.
- a processor controls operation of the gaming machine 10 .
- the processor randomly selects a game outcome from a plurality of possible outcomes and causes the display 12 to depict indicia representative of the selected game outcome.
- the processor awards the player with a number of credits associated with the winning outcome.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating the gaming machine 10 .
- Money/credit detector 22 signals a processor 20 when a player has inserted money, tickets, tokens, cards or other mechanism for obtaining credits for plays on the gaming machine through credit mechanisms 14 .
- the player may select any variables associated with the wagering game and place his/her wager to purchase a play of the game.
- the processor 20 In a play of the game, the processor 20 generates at least one random event using a random number generator (RNG) and provides an award to the player for a winning outcome of the random event.
- the random event may be generated by a remote computer using an RNG or pooling schema and then transmitted to the gaming machine.
- the processor 20 operates the display 12 to represent the random event(s) and outcome(s) in a visual form that can be understood by the player.
- the control system may include one or more additional slave control units for operating the display 12 and any secondary displays.
- System memory 24 stores control software, operational instructions and data associated with the gaming machine.
- the system memory 24 comprises a separate read-only memory (ROM) and battery-backed random-access memory (RAM).
- ROM read-only memory
- RAM battery-backed random-access memory
- the system memory 24 may be implemented on any of several alternative types of memory structures or may be implemented on a single memory structure.
- a payoff mechanism 26 is operable in response to instructions from the processor 20 to award a payoff to the player.
- the payoff may, for example, be in the form of a number of credits.
- the number of credits is determined by one or more math tables stored in the system memory 24 .
- NVRAM memory 28 in addition to system memory 24 , provides storage for software and data associated with the gaming machine.
- NVRAM 28 may comprise battery backed RAM, including battery backed SRAM (Static RAM).
- NVRAM 28 may comprise MRAM (magnetoresistive or magnetic RAM).
- MRAM magnetoresistive or magnetic RAM
- MRAM is a non-volatile RAM memory technology that uses magnetic charges to store data instead of electric charges, such as those used in SRAM and DRAM technologies.
- NVRAM 28 may be FRAM (Ferroelectric RAM). MRAM and FRAM are desirable, because they do not require battery backup in order for the memory to retain data. It should be noted that any of these memory types may also be used for general purpose memory 24 .
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram providing further details regarding the interrelationship between the processor 20 , system memory 24 and NVRAM memory 28 components in a gaming machine.
- system memory 24 includes one or more gaming applications 302 executable by processor 20 . During their operation, gaming applications 302 may need to read and write data to system memory 24 and to a data store 306 maintained on NVRAM memory 28 .
- the data stored in data store 306 may include critical data.
- Critical data is generally data that is maintained across reboots or power cycles for the gaming machine.
- Critical data may also include data that must be reported to one or more of the various regulatory agencies that control gaming in a jurisdiction. Examples of critical data may include one or more of the following:
- data store 306 is managed by a data store manager 304 .
- access to data store 306 by applications 302 is through the data store manager, as illustrated by gaming applications 302 . 1 - 302 . 3 .
- data store 306 comprises a file system.
- Data store manager 304 may be a file system component of an operating system.
- data store 306 and data store manager 304 comprise the “ext3” file system running under a Linux operating system.
- data store 306 may be organized as a set of one or more data pools that may be allocated to gaming applications 302 by data store manager 304 .
- data store 306 is a database and data store manager 304 is a database manager.
- data store 306 may be a relational database, a hierarchical database, an object orient database, or an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) database.
- multiple sections of NVRAM 28 may contain different data stores 306 .
- the NVRAM sections 28 and their corresponding data stores 306 may be read-only containing static data, read-write containing dynamic data, or any combination of the two.
- Journal 308 comprises a journal for data store 306 .
- Journal 308 in effect is a staging area where data generated by a gaming application may be stored in data store 306 in a secure manner.
- the operation of data store manager 304 , data store 306 and journal 306 will be further described below with respect of FIGS. 4A and 4B .
- FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts illustrating methods for providing a gaming machine with a journal for use in storing data.
- the methods to be performed by the control system operating environment constitute computer programs made up of computer-executable instructions. Describing the method by reference to a flowchart enables one skilled in the art to develop such programs including such instructions to carry out the method on suitable processors for gaming machines (the processor or processors of the computer executing the instructions from computer-readable media such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard drives, floppy drives or carrier signal over a wireless or wired network).
- the methods illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B are inclusive of acts that may be taken by an operating environment executing an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4A illustrates a method 400 for maintaining a data store on a gaming machine using a journal.
- Method 400 begins by receiving data to be written to a data store (block 402 ).
- the data may be critical data as described above.
- metadata regarding the data may also be written to the journal.
- metadata may include information as to how and where the data is to be written to the data store.
- the metadata will typically be dependent on the underlying structure of the data store (e.g. file system, database, memory pool etc.).
- the data is committed to the data store from the journal (block 406 ).
- the data is committed in an atomic manner.
- the data is written to the data store as a transaction in which all of the data is written or the transaction fails.
- journal is updated to indicate that the data has been committed to the data store (block 408 ).
- the data is removed from the journal.
- the data is marked has having been written, but may not be removed from the journal unless the journal becomes full.
- FIG. 4B illustrates a method 450 for checking a data store having an associated journal according to embodiments of the invention.
- the method begins when the data store system is initialized (block 452 ).
- the data store may be initialized as a result of the system resuming operation after a system reset or a power failure.
- the system scans the journal to determine if any uncommitted data is in the journal (block 454 ). If uncommitted data remains in the journal, the data is committed to the journal (block 456 ). At this point, the data store is in a consistent state and ready for normal operation (block 458 ).
- Systems and methods for providing a gaming machine with a data store journal have been disclosed.
- the systems and methods disclosed provide a reliable mechanism for storing critical data that does not require redundant copies of memory. If power is suddenly interrupted or a machine reset unexpectedly occurs, a given set of data will have either been fully committed to the data store, in which case there is not a problem, or the data will be marked as not yet fully committed, in which case the data store manager can read the journal and resolve any inconsistencies between the journal and the data store.
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/522,446 filed Oct. 2, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and data as described below and in the drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright 2005, WMS Gaming, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
- The present invention relates generally to gaming machines, and more particularly to a gaming machine that journals critical data to memory.
- Today's gaming machine typically comprises a computerized system controlling a video display or reels that provide wagering games such as slots, video card games (poker, blackjack etc.), video keno, video bingo, video pachinko and other games typical in the gaming industry. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Players also appreciate the reliability of a gaming machine, as do the casino operators. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining, exciting, and reliable machines available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator.
- Currently, microprocessor-based gaming machines, as well as most microprocessor-based devices use a direct access data storage mechanism commonly referred to in the industry as Random Access Memory (RAM). RAM is immediately accessible by the processor with no additional software required (as in the case of disk drives). The content of this memory is typically critical to the operation of the gaming machine and is continuously changing as it is read and written, as when game play occurs. One drawback of RAM is that it is power dependent and does not retain the current state of the computer's operation when power is removed.
- In most critical computer applications, this information must be retained through a power cycle. Small batteries are used to maintain power to the RAM when the main power is removed. Oftentimes, gaming regulations require that this battery back-up configuration be deployed to retain game state during a power cycle. The inherent risk in deploying this type of technology rests firmly with the reliability of the batteries used. Failure due to flaws or simple power depletion will render this back-up feature useless.
- In current RAM applications, access and verification is also limited. Since most memory applications only store one copy of the data, special access and addressing are not required. Programs simply read and write to the same address map and always use the same address for a given piece of information, especially critical variables.
- A variety of issues are evident in the methodology and execution of RAM access and use. One issue is that if power to the gaming machine is lost, or if a reset occurs during an update of a critical value, incorrect or incomplete information may be written to memory and any backup copies may not constitute current values.
- Some systems have attempted to mitigate this issue by maintaining duplicate copies of critical data in two separate memory sections. Unfortunately, this leads to increased system costs and potential decrease in system performance due to the need to copy the critical data.
- The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed by the present invention, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
- Systems and methods for operating a gaming machine having a data journal memory are disclosed. One aspect of the systems and methods includes a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). A data store is maintained on the NVRAM. In addition, a journal is maintained on the NVRAM. A data store manager receives data to be written to the NVRAM. The journal is updated to reflect the data to be written, then the data is written to the data store. In the event of a power loss or system reset, the system checks the journal to see if any data remains to be committed to the data store. If so, the data is written. Normal operation is then resumed.
- The present invention describes systems, methods, and computer-readable media of varying scope. In addition to the aspects and advantages of the present invention described in this summary, further aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by reading the detailed description that follows.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine embodying the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gaming control system suitable for operating the gaming machine inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the interaction between the control system, a journal, and a data store of a gaming machine according to varying embodiments of the invention; -
FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts illustrating methods for providing a journal for a data store on a gaming machine according to various embodiments of the invention. - In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the ways used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
- In the Figures, the same reference number is used throughout to refer to an identical component which appears in multiple Figures. Signals and connections may be referred to by the same reference number or label, and the actual meaning will be clear from its use in the context of the description.
- The description of the various embodiments is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible instance of the invention. Numerous alternatives could be implemented, using combinations of current or future technologies, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
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FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary gaming machine 10, also referred to as a Video Lottery Terminal (VLT), in which embodiments of the invention may be implemented. In some embodiments, gaming machine 10 is operable to conduct a wagering game such as mechanical or video slots, poker, keno, bingo, or blackjack. If based in video, the gaming machine 10 includes avideo display 12 such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma, or other type of video display known in the art. A touch screen preferably overlies thedisplay 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is an “upright” version in which thedisplay 12 is oriented vertically relative to a player. Alternatively, the gaming machine may be a “slant-top” version in which thedisplay 12 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player. - The gaming machine 10 includes a plurality of possible
credit receiving mechanisms 14 for receiving credits to be used for placing wagers in the game. Thecredit receiving mechanisms 14 may, for example, include a coin acceptor, a bill acceptor, a ticket reader, and a card reader. The bill acceptor and the ticket reader may be combined into a single unit. The card reader may, for example, accept magnetic cards and smart (chip) cards coded with money or designating an account containing money. - In some embodiments, the gaming machine 10 includes a user interface comprising a plurality of push-
buttons 16, the above-noted touch screen, and other possible devices. The plurality of push-buttons 16 may, for example, include one or more “bet” buttons for wagering, a “play” button for commencing play, a “collect” button for cashing out, a help” button for viewing a help screen, a “pay table” button for viewing the pay table(s), and a “call attendant” button for calling an attendant. Additional game specific buttons may be provided to facilitate play of the specific game executed on the machine. The touch screen may define touch keys for implementing many of the same functions as the push-buttons. Other possible user interface devices include a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or trackball. - A processor controls operation of the gaming machine 10. In response to receiving a wager and a command to initiate play, the processor randomly selects a game outcome from a plurality of possible outcomes and causes the
display 12 to depict indicia representative of the selected game outcome. In the case of slots for example mechanical or simulated slot reels are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with one or more pay lines. If the selected outcome is one of the winning outcomes defined by a pay table, the processor awards the player with a number of credits associated with the winning outcome. -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating the gaming machine 10. Money/credit detector 22 signals aprocessor 20 when a player has inserted money, tickets, tokens, cards or other mechanism for obtaining credits for plays on the gaming machine throughcredit mechanisms 14. Using abutton panel 16 and/or atouch screen 18, the player may select any variables associated with the wagering game and place his/her wager to purchase a play of the game. In a play of the game, theprocessor 20 generates at least one random event using a random number generator (RNG) and provides an award to the player for a winning outcome of the random event. Alternatively, the random event may be generated by a remote computer using an RNG or pooling schema and then transmitted to the gaming machine. Theprocessor 20 operates thedisplay 12 to represent the random event(s) and outcome(s) in a visual form that can be understood by the player. In addition to theprocessor 20, the control system may include one or more additional slave control units for operating thedisplay 12 and any secondary displays. -
System memory 24 stores control software, operational instructions and data associated with the gaming machine. In one embodiment, thesystem memory 24 comprises a separate read-only memory (ROM) and battery-backed random-access memory (RAM). However, it will be appreciated that thesystem memory 24 may be implemented on any of several alternative types of memory structures or may be implemented on a single memory structure. - A
payoff mechanism 26 is operable in response to instructions from theprocessor 20 to award a payoff to the player. The payoff may, for example, be in the form of a number of credits. The number of credits is determined by one or more math tables stored in thesystem memory 24. -
NVRAM memory 28, in addition tosystem memory 24, provides storage for software and data associated with the gaming machine. - In some embodiments,
NVRAM 28 may comprise battery backed RAM, including battery backed SRAM (Static RAM). In alternative embodiments,NVRAM 28 may comprise MRAM (magnetoresistive or magnetic RAM). Generally speaking, MRAM is a non-volatile RAM memory technology that uses magnetic charges to store data instead of electric charges, such as those used in SRAM and DRAM technologies. In further alternative embodiments,NVRAM 28 may be FRAM (Ferroelectric RAM). MRAM and FRAM are desirable, because they do not require battery backup in order for the memory to retain data. It should be noted that any of these memory types may also be used forgeneral purpose memory 24. -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram providing further details regarding the interrelationship between theprocessor 20,system memory 24 andNVRAM memory 28 components in a gaming machine. In some embodiments,system memory 24 includes one or more gaming applications 302 executable byprocessor 20. During their operation, gaming applications 302 may need to read and write data tosystem memory 24 and to adata store 306 maintained onNVRAM memory 28. - The data stored in
data store 306 may include critical data. Critical data is generally data that is maintained across reboots or power cycles for the gaming machine. Critical data may also include data that must be reported to one or more of the various regulatory agencies that control gaming in a jurisdiction. Examples of critical data may include one or more of the following: -
- Number of winning outcomes
- Payout for the machine
- Wagering details (e.g. number of lines wagered, number coins wagered etc.)
- Coin-in amounts and denominations
- In some embodiments,
data store 306 is managed by adata store manager 304. In these embodiments, access todata store 306 by applications 302 is through the data store manager, as illustrated by gaming applications 302.1-302.3. - In some embodiments,
data store 306 comprises a file system.Data store manager 304 may be a file system component of an operating system. In particular embodiments,data store 306 anddata store manager 304 comprise the “ext3” file system running under a Linux operating system. - In alternative embodiments,
data store 306 may be organized as a set of one or more data pools that may be allocated to gaming applications 302 bydata store manager 304. - In further alternative embodiments,
data store 306 is a database anddata store manager 304 is a database manager. In varying embodiments,data store 306 may be a relational database, a hierarchical database, an object orient database, or an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) database. - In some embodiments, multiple sections of
NVRAM 28 may containdifferent data stores 306. TheNVRAM sections 28 and theircorresponding data stores 306 may be read-only containing static data, read-write containing dynamic data, or any combination of the two. -
Journal 308 comprises a journal fordata store 306.Journal 308 in effect is a staging area where data generated by a gaming application may be stored indata store 306 in a secure manner. The operation ofdata store manager 304,data store 306 andjournal 306 will be further described below with respect ofFIGS. 4A and 4B . -
FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts illustrating methods for providing a gaming machine with a journal for use in storing data. The methods to be performed by the control system operating environment constitute computer programs made up of computer-executable instructions. Describing the method by reference to a flowchart enables one skilled in the art to develop such programs including such instructions to carry out the method on suitable processors for gaming machines (the processor or processors of the computer executing the instructions from computer-readable media such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard drives, floppy drives or carrier signal over a wireless or wired network). The methods illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B are inclusive of acts that may be taken by an operating environment executing an exemplary embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 4A illustrates amethod 400 for maintaining a data store on a gaming machine using a journal.Method 400 begins by receiving data to be written to a data store (block 402). The data may be critical data as described above. - Next, the data is written to a journal (block 404). In addition, metadata regarding the data may also be written to the journal. Such metadata may include information as to how and where the data is to be written to the data store. The metadata will typically be dependent on the underlying structure of the data store (e.g. file system, database, memory pool etc.).
- Next, the data is committed to the data store from the journal (block 406). In some embodiments, the data is committed in an atomic manner. In other words, the data is written to the data store as a transaction in which all of the data is written or the transaction fails.
- Finally, the journal is updated to indicate that the data has been committed to the data store (block 408). In some embodiments, the data is removed from the journal. In alternative embodiments, the data is marked has having been written, but may not be removed from the journal unless the journal becomes full.
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FIG. 4B illustrates amethod 450 for checking a data store having an associated journal according to embodiments of the invention. The method begins when the data store system is initialized (block 452). The data store may be initialized as a result of the system resuming operation after a system reset or a power failure. - Next, the system scans the journal to determine if any uncommitted data is in the journal (block 454). If uncommitted data remains in the journal, the data is committed to the journal (block 456). At this point, the data store is in a consistent state and ready for normal operation (block 458).
- Systems and methods for providing a gaming machine with a data store journal have been disclosed. The systems and methods disclosed provide a reliable mechanism for storing critical data that does not require redundant copies of memory. If power is suddenly interrupted or a machine reset unexpectedly occurs, a given set of data will have either been fully committed to the data store, in which case there is not a problem, or the data will be marked as not yet fully committed, in which case the data store manager can read the journal and resolve any inconsistencies between the journal and the data store.
- Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention.
- The terminology used in this application is meant to include all of these environments. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
Claims (33)
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US9177607B2 (en) | 2012-05-16 | 2015-11-03 | Seagate Technology Llc | Logging disk recovery operations in a non-volatile solid-state memory cache |
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US8142291B2 (en) | 2006-10-18 | 2012-03-27 | Wms Gaming, Inc. | Control of reconfigurable gaming machines |
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US20020147049A1 (en) * | 2001-04-10 | 2002-10-10 | Carter Russell O. | Location based mobile wagering system |
US20030073495A1 (en) * | 2001-10-16 | 2003-04-17 | D'amico Michael H. | Local database gaming system techniques |
US20030176213A1 (en) * | 2002-03-12 | 2003-09-18 | Igt | Virtual gaming peripherals for a gaming machine |
US20030195033A1 (en) * | 2002-04-10 | 2003-10-16 | Gazdic Daniel J. | Gaming software authentication |
US20030224858A1 (en) * | 2001-03-08 | 2003-12-04 | Yoseloff Mark L. | Computerized gaming system, method and apparatus |
-
2005
- 2005-09-30 US US11/576,270 patent/US20070281793A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-09-30 WO PCT/US2005/035310 patent/WO2006039557A2/en active Search and Examination
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US5505449A (en) * | 1993-12-21 | 1996-04-09 | Video Lottery Technologies, Inc. | Video lottery system with improved site controller and validation unit |
US6269382B1 (en) * | 1998-08-31 | 2001-07-31 | Microsoft Corporation | Systems and methods for migration and recall of data from local and remote storage |
US20020115489A1 (en) * | 2000-11-20 | 2002-08-22 | Jordan Kent Wilcoxson | Method and apparatus for interactive real time distributed gaming |
US20030224858A1 (en) * | 2001-03-08 | 2003-12-04 | Yoseloff Mark L. | Computerized gaming system, method and apparatus |
US20020147049A1 (en) * | 2001-04-10 | 2002-10-10 | Carter Russell O. | Location based mobile wagering system |
US20030073495A1 (en) * | 2001-10-16 | 2003-04-17 | D'amico Michael H. | Local database gaming system techniques |
US20030176213A1 (en) * | 2002-03-12 | 2003-09-18 | Igt | Virtual gaming peripherals for a gaming machine |
US20030195033A1 (en) * | 2002-04-10 | 2003-10-16 | Gazdic Daniel J. | Gaming software authentication |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2009102823A1 (en) * | 2008-02-13 | 2009-08-20 | Wms Gaming, Inc. | Processing critical data sets in non-volatile memory |
US20100323786A1 (en) * | 2008-02-13 | 2010-12-23 | Wms Gaming, Inc. | Processing critical data sets in non-volatile memory |
US8715065B2 (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2014-05-06 | Wms Gaming, Inc. | Processing critical data sets in non-volatile memory |
US20100177335A1 (en) * | 2009-01-15 | 2010-07-15 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Image forming apparatus with optional devices and control method thereof |
US9177607B2 (en) | 2012-05-16 | 2015-11-03 | Seagate Technology Llc | Logging disk recovery operations in a non-volatile solid-state memory cache |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2006039557A2 (en) | 2006-04-13 |
WO2006039557A3 (en) | 2006-07-27 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WMS GAMING INC., ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SYLLA, CRAIG J.;REEL/FRAME:019509/0277 Effective date: 20070406 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BALLY GAMING, INC., NEVADA Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:WMS GAMING INC.;REEL/FRAME:036225/0201 Effective date: 20150629 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SG GAMING, INC., NEVADA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:BALLY GAMING, INC.;REEL/FRAME:051642/0103 Effective date: 20200103 |