U.S. Pat. No. 7,653,937

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A video game terminal2is shown inFIG. 1having a CD drive4for receiving game software provided on a CD6. The video game terminal2also includes a DALLAS security key8which is required to be inserted in the video game terminal for operating of the game software provided on the CD6. The DALLAS security key8effectively provides control on what video game terminals can operate the game software6provided on the CD. The DALLAS security key or other suitable security key is basically a small device which is electrically connected to the video game terminal and includes security steps necessary for operating of the game software provided on the CD6. Often further country specific or region specific instructions are provided as part of the security device. This provides the terminal with information regarding what portions of the game software on CD6needs to be downloaded.

FIG. 2shows the CD6and the security key device8. These are often sold in combination but the critical component is the security key device8.

FIG. 3shows additional details of the security key device8in this case for programming a US terminal as identified by number10the country designation “US”.

Video game software is essentially freely provided either on CDs or is downloadable from the INTERNET. The security key8is designed to operate the operating software provided with the terminal. For example, often new generation software is introduced yearly and the security key8will operate the most recent game software as well as any updates within the generation. For example, if the new generation software is identified as 4.0, the DALLAS chip8will operate the game software 4.0 as well as updates that may be necessary such as 4.1 or 4.2. Often the software is improved to fix certain problems and/or to introduce other games. This improved software may be available free of charge within the upcoming year. Typically, the security key8will be effective in operating the current generation of the software and any improvements thereto. The security key does not operate future major generation software where a charge for the improved software is required.

The anticipated release of a new generation of the game software such as 5.0 in the example above, poses problems as the manufacturer needs to control the security keys8. This security key is designed to update earlier terminals and as such, it is necessary for the purchaser to return the key to the manufacturer before receiving the new key which will operate the software generation 5.0. The existing key is of value in its ability to update even earlier software and therefore, the return of the key is required.

To overcome the above problems, a different arrangement is proposed. The video game terminals2are sold with the present generation software and with an installed security key8. The installed security key8is capable of running the present generation software provided with the machine as well as the soon to be released next major generation software. Therefore, the security key8will be sold with the video game terminal2such that it can operate the present generation software as well as the next major generation of this software, even through this next major generation may still be in the development stages.

In this way, video game terminals sold within two or three months of the release of the next major generation software are sold with security keys, capable of operating the present generation software as well as the next major generation software. The purchaser can request a copy of the next major generation software once it is released or download this software from the manufacturer. Insertion of the new software in the device with the key8sold with the device remaining unchanged, will allow the terminal to be updated. In this way, there is no requirement to return the security key8to the manufacturer or even replace the key, and the purchaser can exercise his right to update the machine, merely by inserting the next major generation software.

With the above arrangement, there is no requirement to return the security key and there is no requirement by the manufacturer to have a procedure for monitoring the updating process. With this system, there is no risk that the prior security key could be used for updating other video game terminals, as it is still needed in the original terminal.

Basically, the modified security key8is capable of allowing the video game terminal to operate with the existing current game software and preferably any earlier versions of this software, and additionally, to allow the video game terminal to operate with the next major generation software which is anticipated to be released in the near future. In this way, the security key is both backward compatible with earlier generations of software and forward compatible with the next major generation software. With this arrangement, the manufacturer defines the requirements of the security key for the next major generation of the software before release of the software and provides the key with the sale of game terminal with the present software.

This arrangement has been described with respect to the sale of video game terminals and the problem associated with updating of the software used by these video game terminals when an anticipated new generation software is about to be released but not yet available. Although this system is particularly advantageous for this situation, it is also valuable for the sale of the software and the security key for updating of existing terminals. As can be appreciated, an owner of several video game terminals who is considering updating the software is not motivated to complete this step if an anticipated next major generation of software will soon be available. However, the existing software can be sold with the next major generation key. The purchaser can review the next major generation software when it becomes available and update any terminals having the next major generation key. As previously described, the manufacturer controls keys and can make the software freely available. In this way, a purchaser is purchasing the next major generation key and can update the software at whenever he determines it desirable.

The present invention basically recognizes that the next major generation keys can be provided with existing terminals and with existing software, whereby both the terminals and the replacement software include as part thereof, the ability to update to the next generation, without the return of the security key. This provides an effective solution for both the purchasers and the manufacturers.

Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.