US20060035698A1 - Gaming device and method - Google Patents
Gaming device and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060035698A1 US20060035698A1 US11/190,771 US19077105A US2006035698A1 US 20060035698 A1 US20060035698 A1 US 20060035698A1 US 19077105 A US19077105 A US 19077105A US 2006035698 A1 US2006035698 A1 US 2006035698A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tickets
- ticket
- machine
- drive
- credit
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
- G07F11/68—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are torn or severed from strips or sheets
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26F—PERFORATING; PUNCHING; CUTTING-OUT; STAMPING-OUT; SEVERING BY MEANS OTHER THAN CUTTING
- B26F3/00—Severing by means other than cutting; Apparatus therefor
- B26F3/002—Precutting and tensioning or breaking
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H35/00—Delivering articles from cutting or line-perforating machines; Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices, e.g. adhesive tape dispensers
- B65H35/10—Delivering articles from cutting or line-perforating machines; Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices, e.g. adhesive tape dispensers from or with devices for breaking partially-cut or perforated webs, e.g. bursters
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
- C09D163/00—Coating compositions based on epoxy resins; Coating compositions based on derivatives of epoxy resins
- C09D163/10—Epoxy resins modified by unsaturated compounds
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09D—COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR
- C09D4/00—Coating compositions, e.g. paints, varnishes or lacquers, based on organic non-macromolecular compounds having at least one polymerisable carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bond ; Coating compositions, based on monomers of macromolecular compounds of groups C09D183/00 - C09D183/16
- C09D4/06—Organic non-macromolecular compounds having at least one polymerisable carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bond in combination with a macromolecular compound other than an unsaturated polymer of groups C09D159/00 - C09D187/00
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03F—PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR
- G03F7/00—Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printing surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
- G03F7/004—Photosensitive materials
- G03F7/027—Non-macromolecular photopolymerisable compounds having carbon-to-carbon double bonds, e.g. ethylenic compounds
- G03F7/028—Non-macromolecular photopolymerisable compounds having carbon-to-carbon double bonds, e.g. ethylenic compounds with photosensitivity-increasing substances, e.g. photoinitiators
- G03F7/031—Organic compounds not covered by group G03F7/029
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C15/00—Generating random numbers; Lottery apparatus
- G07C15/005—Generating random numbers; Lottery apparatus with dispensing of lottery tickets
-
- 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
-
- 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
- G07F17/3244—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
- G07F17/3248—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
-
- 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
- G07F17/3286—Type of games
- G07F17/329—Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/42—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for ticket printing or like apparatus, e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F3/00—Board games; Raffle games
- A63F3/06—Lottos or bingo games; Systems, apparatus or devices for checking such games
- A63F3/065—Tickets or accessories for use therewith
Definitions
- This invention relates to gaming devices and methods, and particularly to gaming ticket or coupon self-service terminals and methods.
- Self-service terminal for selling lottery tickets such as instant-winner or so called “scratch-off” tickets are well known.
- different machines have been provided for vending pull-tab lottery tickets.
- a typical terminal has a touch-screen for operation, and a reader which reads the number selected by hand by the customer from a form provided for the purpose. Alternatively, the customer instructs the terminal to select a random number. In either case, a printer prints a receipt or ticket which bears the selected numbers and a unique transaction serial number in coded form. The reader can be used later, after the drawing, to read the number on the receipt and indicate whether it is a winner.
- winnings from any one of such games are of moderate size, and might consist of one or more additional free tickets.
- the player must bother the clerk of the store in which the machine is located to cash one or more low-value tickets, return to the machine to buy more tickets and so forth. It is time wasting for the clerk to handle these transactions, and annoying to the customer.
- FIG. 1 is perspective view of a gaming device constructed in accordance with present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, partially schematic view of a dispensing mechanism used in the machine shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a side elevation cross sectional view of another dispensing mechanism used in the machine shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, partially schematic side elevation view of the drive and separator unit of the device of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is schematic circuit diagram illustrating the operating system of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective, partially broken—away and partially schematic view of the structure shown in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the helical separator member of the structure shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 .
- FIG. 8 is a front elevation view, partially schematic, taken along line 8 - 8 of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 9 is a schematic side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the dispenser shown in FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another dispensing mechanism of the invention.
- a machine may be produced in which a variety of games can be played.
- the foregoing objects are met by the provision of a self-service ticket vending and issuing machine which accommodates the selling of both instant-winner and pull-tab tickets, and/or lotto or other lottery tickets in a secure, compact, efficient cabinet structure.
- the invention provides for the selling of lotto tickets or tickets in similar games, scratch-off lottery tickets, and pull-tab lottery tickets, all from the same self-service machine.
- a winning ticket from one game can be re-inserted into the machine, where its winning amount is read by a reader, validated and the winning amount is provided as a credit to the player.
- This credit can be used to buy tickets for another totally different game, or for the same game, as desired.
- the combination of games in a single machine is synergistic.
- the module includes a housing, a rotary separator member, input and output drive rollers to move tickets into an inlet, past the separator, and out of the housing through an outlet.
- a drive system preferably is mounted in the housing for driving the drive rollers, and a drive device also is mounted there to drive the separator member.
- Multiple channels side-by-side with one another are’ operated with a single drive system and single separator mechanism spanning all channels.
- a further highly advantageous feature of the invention is the theft-resistant ticket ejector mechanism.
- the ticket After a ticket or a series of tickets has been separated from the rest of a strip, the ticket is first moved away from the separator, while remaining in the housing, and then is ejected out of the housing by moving it in the opposite direction. Then the trailing edge of the ticket exits the machine first.
- This arrangement ensures that no part of the ticket or ticket string extends outside the housing until severance is complete. This prevents thieves from pulling on the ticket end to pull a strip of tickets out of the machine.
- tickets in a strip are moved past a window upwardly, rather than downwardly as in the past. This simplifies the mechanism needed for handling the tickets, and simplifies the loading of tickets in the machine.
- FIG. 1 shows a self-service terminal 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- the machine 10 has a sturdy metal housing 12 , with side walls 14 , front walls 16 and 17 , a top wall 18 and bottom and rear walls (not shown).
- a display unit 20 is supported above the top 18 of the housing to give messages of interest or advertising with lighted displays.
- a second display 21 is provided and to display the credit available to the customer using the machine and other operating instructions.
- the front door is constructed of two separate door panels 19 and 22 .
- Panel 19 is hinged at one side to the housing using internal hinges, and panel 22 is separately hinged. It overlies part of the door 19 so that panel 22 is opened first to allow the door 19 to be opened. The door panel 19 then can be opened and swung to one side to give access to the dispensers and other components inside for easy refilling and servicing.
- a lock 23 in the panel 22 is provided to lock the front door.
- a bill acceptor 24 which typically accepts one dollar, five dollar, ten dollar and twenty dollar bills. The credit resulting from each deposit is added to the amount of credit on the display 21 .
- the gaming machine 10 has three different sections 26 , 28 and 30 .
- the first section 26 is the on-line game module, which includes a known lotto play slip reader 34 with an input slot 38 for reading hand-made selections on a lotto play slip, and for reading receipts. Also included is a receipt printer 36 with an outlet slot 40 which issues a receipt or ticket which bears the number selected by the player and a unique transaction serial number in coded form.
- a touch-screen 42 is also included in the on-line game module.
- the user can select a “quick” automatic random selection of numbers made by the machine, in which case the reader is not needed.
- on-line game tickets can be purchased from the machine 10 , and the tickets can be re-inserted into the reader 34 after the drawing to determine whether they are winners.
- the second section 28 of the machine contains eight different ticket dispensers each of which moves a series of scratch-off instant-winner tickets past a window 48 for dispensing.
- the tickets are fastened together in strings or sequences in which the tickets are delineated from one another by perforation lines.
- each dispenser unit is a small display 32 which displays the cost of tickets shown in the window 48 below it.
- each dispenser is a push-button 46 to actuate the dispensing of tickets.
- One push dispenses one separate ticket, and a rapid series of pushes dispenses a string of tickets attached together.
- the third and final group of dispensers 30 includes six dispensers for dispensing pull tab tickets 50 .
- a slot 45 is provided in the wall section 52 of the panel 22 for receiving pull-tab and scratch-off lottery tickets and on-line tickets, if desired.
- a code reader (not shown in FIG. 1 ) reads the code on the tickets to determine whether the ticket is a winner, whether it has been previously cashed (by reference to a central computer or storage system where such information is stored), and, if so, the winning amount.
- winning tickets are pulled into the machine, marked “paid” and captured in a safe box for later accounting and audit needs, and the player is given credit for the winning amount so that he or she can use the credit to buy more tickets or play lotto, or one of the other games that can be housed in the machine 10 .
- the winning tickets that can be thus redeemed includes the winning on-line game tickets (receipts) which are inserted into the reader 34 to be read.
- the windows 48 are shown in FIGS. 2, 3 , and 4 as being vertical, they actually are tilted slightly to the left of vertical by about 10° because the front door of the self-service terminal 10 is tilted by that amount.
- vertical when the term “vertical” is used in this description, it includes directions approximately 10° or more away from vertical.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side-elevation schematic view of one of the ticket dispensers shown in FIG. 1 .
- the tickets are arranged in long fan-folded strips in which the tickets are delineated from one another by perforation lines.
- Such tickets are scratched-off lottery tickets, sometimes referred to as “instant winners”.
- the dispensing mechanism takes advantage of dispensing structures disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/238,682, filed Jan. 26, 1999 and the prior patent applications from which the latter application claims priority and which are identified at the beginning of this patent specification. The disclosures of those applications hereby are incorporated herein by reference.
- a fan-fold stack 56 of tickets formed of a single ticket strip 68 rests on a shelf 54 in the self-service machine housing.
- the strip extends under an idler roller 70 and upwardly towards a drive and separator unit 58 .
- the ticket strip 68 is pulled into the unit 58 where either a single ticket or a sequence of tickets is separated from the remaining tickets in the strip, and is pushed upwardly out of the unit 58 into a theft-resistant ejecting device 60 ( FIG. 4 ).
- the ejecting device includes a curved guide 66 and a pair of driven rollers 62 .
- the leading edge of the ticket or ticket strip hits the deflector 66 and enters the nip of the rollers 62 which pulls the ticket or strip of tickets to the left until the trailing edge clears the upper edge of the guide 66 , and then reverses direction and pushes the ticket or strip through the narrow outlet opening 44 , with the trailing edge first.
- a photo cell detector 35 is located at the upper edge of the guide 66 and detects the trailing edge of the ticket or ticket string.
- the ticket is bent by the guide 66 . As the trailing edge moves past the upper edge of the guide 66 , the tickets snaps into a horizontal orientation and is driven in reverse towards the outlet 44 , and exits the machine trailing edge first.
- the outlet 44 is very narrow, say 0.050 inch.
- a guide structure 29 is provided with converging surfaces which guides the edge of the ticket towards the outlet.
- the wall 52 (actually, a bezel) is shown schematically as being only sheet metal, it actually is a relatively thick polycarbonate plastic material with converging side walls forming a relatively wide inlet opening of over 1 ⁇ 4′′ width at the inlet to the slot 44 .
- the rejecting device 60 thus prevents any part of the tickets from exiting 3 6 from the housing until the separator has separated the tickets from the string. Thus, there is no ticket end extending from the housing upon which a person can pull to withdraw tickets without paying for them.
- This arrangement is highly advantageous as compared with some prior ticket dispensing machines in which every ticket is separated from the strip and is dropped into a receptacle for the customer to remove.
- One advantage is that the ticket cannot become stuck in the passageway to the receptacle.
- Another is that the ticket is delivered in the proper orientation for easy reading by the customer.
- This mechanism is also advantageous relative to such prior art in that it permits the tickets to be issued in strips, as many customers prefer.
- the unit 58 includes a housing 57 with an inlet opening 59 and an outlet opening 61 vertically above the inlet opening.
- the ticket strip 68 passes between a set of input drive rollers 65 , through a separator unit 63 consisting of two extrusions 67 and 67 ′ forming a cylindrical chamber through which the ticket strip passes, and in which a rotatable helical separator member 73 rotates, through a set of output drive rollers 69 , and out of the housing 57 through an outlet opening 61 .
- a drive system is indicated schematically by dashed-line circle 71 in FIG. 4 , and is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic view of a separator and drive mechanism which has only two channels instead of four, for the sake of simplification of the drawings.
- the set of output rollers 69 includes a separate set of idler rollers 81 for each channel, and a drive roller 83 engaged with the idler rollers.
- Each of the four sets of idler rollers is mounted on a common shaft 107 , and each of the drive rollers 83 is secured to a separate common shaft 105 .
- the set of input rollers 65 includes a set of idlers 87 mounted rotatably on a common shaft 87 ( a ), and multiple separate drive rollers 85 mounted rotatably on a separate common shaft 109 .
- a small spur gear 113 is secured to each roller 85 .
- a small spur gear 95 is secured at one end to the shaft 105 and meshes with a large spur gear 111 secured to a drive shaft 79 to rotate the shaft 105 to which each drive roller 83 is secured.
- each of the independent idler rollers 81 rotates freely on a common shaft. Therefore, all of the drive output rollers 83 will rotate when the shaft 79 is rotated.
- a drive motor 77 preferably a stepping motor, is provided and is coupled to the shaft 79 .
- a combination of a large spur gear 97 and an electrically-operated clutch 99 is provided for each channel. Each clutch 99 is separately operable to drivably couple the associated spur gear 97 with the drive shaft 79 .
- the spur gear 97 drives the small spur gear 113 to rotate one of the rollers 85 for one channel to move the ticket strip 68 (show in dashed outline) through the device.
- each ticket or sequence of tickets is detected by photocell detectors 31 and 33 .
- the drive rollers stop, and a separator drive motor 75 connected through a shaft 89 to the separator member 73 rotates the helical separator member through one revolution and causes one or more tickets to be separated from the strip along a perforated line.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the separator member 73 with two helical blades 55 , one for each of the two channels of the separator mechanism shown in FIG. 6 .
- each helical blade 55 extends outwardly from and around a shaft 73 ( a ) and is secured to the shaft so that [its] the edge of the blade travels through an angle of 180 degrees. The rotation of the shaft causes the tickets to be torn along a perforated line quickly, neatly and reliably.
- the drive motor again drives the drive rollers 83 which causes the ticket or tickets to be driven upwardly to the ejection device 60 , which then ejects the tickets from the machine.
- the drive/separator module 58 shown in FIG. 4 has a separate housing 57 , when used in the self-service terminal shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 57 is not needed and preferably is not used.
- FIGS. 3 and 8 show one embodiment of the pull-tab ticket dispenser of the invention. This dispenser differs from the showing of FIG. 1 primarily in that tickets 138 and 140 are delivered into a chute or receptacle 136 located below the window 48 instead of through an outlet above the window 48 .
- the window 48 and the front of the self-service terminal, as well as a stack 72 of pull-tab tickets are inclined, at a substantial angle (e.g., 10° to 15°) away from vertical.
- the tickets in the stack 72 are stacked on edge with their longest dimension extending vertically (See FIG. 8 ) on a support surface 80 .
- a pusher 78 with an inclined front face 74 is urged towards the left in FIG. 3 by means of a compression spring 47 urging the pusher from the rear and pressing against a solid portion 76 of the dispensing machine.
- the pusher 78 has a vertical extension 146 with a hole 146 ( a ).
- a horizontal guide rod 144 extends above the stack 72 and through the hole 146 ( a ) in the extension 146 . The guide rod 144 guides the pusher 78 in its travels towards and away from the window 48 .
- the ticket stack 72 is urged into contact with an idler roller 120 near the upper edge of the stack, and a drive roller 124 located near the bottom of the stack.
- a second drive roller 126 bearing against a spring-biased idler roller 128 is provided to eject the ticket into the chute 136 .
- rollers 124 and 126 are mounted in a mounting block 122 which has a surface 125 against which the tickets bear during dispensing.
- a known “ticket knife” structure 130 is provided to set the dimensions of the gap between the left edge of the ticket knife and the surface 125 by loosening the screw 131 and moving the knife body to the left or right, and re-tightening the screw.
- a drive motor and clutch system 49 like that shown in FIG. 4 is provided to drive the ticket-dispensing rollers 124 and 126 in each of the six pull-tab channels in the machine.
- Each of the rollers 124 is driven only when one of the six clutches is energized, and the output rollers 126 are driven whenever the drive motor rotates.
- the tickets at the front of the stack slide downwardly under the force of gravity to rest on the downwardly sloping left portion on the “knife” 130 .
- the drive roller 124 grips the front ticket 50 and sends it past the knife 130 into the nip of the rolls 126 , 128 which feed the ticket downwardly.
- the ticket 138 bends slightly when it contacts the chute 136 , and then straightens out, as shown at 140 when it rests, in the chute, ready to be grasped by the customer.
- the pusher plate 78 pushes the stack to the left to bring the next ticket into dispensing position.
- the pusher 78 rides on a wheel 82 which rolls on the surface of the support 80 .
- the wheel also protrudes forwardly of the front surface 74 .
- the force of the pushing spring 47 is concentrated in the vicinity of the wheel 82 and this maximizes the pressure on the roller 124 to give it a good grip on the lead ticket 50 . This helps to ensure that the tickets will be separated from one another if they are stuck together.
- the spring 47 preferably is replaced by one or a pair of “continuous” springs and pulleys which are better adapted for relatively lengthy travel paths, but is shown as a compression spring for the sake of simplicity in the drawings.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the pull-tab dispensing mechanism. It is very similar to the one shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 , except that the positions of the rollers 120 and 126 , 128 are reversed and the ticket knife 130 is at the top of the stack 72 and the tickets are ejected upwardly instead of downwardly. The tickets are driven along a gently curved path 150 through a pair of feed rollers 152 and into the nip of a pair of reversing rollers 154 .
- Rollers 154 drive the ticket first to the right, until the trailing edge of the ticket is detected by a photocell (not shown in FIG. 10 ), at which point the rollers reverse direction and push the ticket to the left along a guide 156 and through the outlet 44 , which is above the window 48 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 8 Another embodiment of the pull-tab ticket dispenser is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 8 .
- a pair of thin elastomeric belts and pulleys are located near the vertical edges of the ticket 50 at 133 . These belts are driven to push the ticket 50 either upwardly or downwardly instead of the rollers 124 , 126 , etc. shown in FIGS. 3, 8 and 10 .
- FIG. 9 Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 9 in which the lead ticket 50 is pushed upwardly through a slot 116 in a short horizontal portion of a recess 114 in the front panel of the self-service terminal.
- the ticket is pushed upwardly and out of the machine along the path 118 directly by the pusher plate 53 , thus reducing the size and complexity of the dispensing mechanism and preventing the bending of the tickets.
- This mechanism can also drive the tickets in a downward direction to dispense the next ticket and drop it into a receptacle.
- the customer is allowed to see the face of the pull tab ticket and watch it move upwardly or downwardly as it is being dispensed from the machine. This adds interests and reassurance to the customer in knowing what he or she is about to receive.
- FIG. 5 shows the on-line game module 26 schematically.
- This module is basically the same as that currently manufactured and sold by G-Tech, Inc. and used in a self-service terminal.
- the equipment 26 includes a card reading device 96 for reading lotto card filled out by hand and inserted into the slot 38 . If the correct fee has been paid, the device 96 reads the markings representing the selected numbers from the card. The card is ejected after reading so that the player can use it in a subsequent drawing.
- a receipt (ticket) is printed by means of a receipt printer 102 using paper from a roll 104 , and the receipt is issued through the outlet opening 40 in the front panel 52 of the housing of the machine.
- this equipment has the feature whereby the printed receipt bears the selected numbers and a unique transaction number in a code readable by the reader 96 .
- the receipt can be inserted into the slot 38 to be read by the reader 96 to determine whether the ticket is a winner, and the display 21 or display of the touch-screen 42 , if used, will give the customer the good or bad news, i.e. win or lose.
- the customer can touch a selected area on the screen and select the “quick-pick” option whereby the machine itself makes a random selection of a number for the customer or by use of the touch-screen the customer may select his/her own numbers.
- a hand-filled out card is not necessary and a receipt is issued by the receipt printer promptly after the number(s) has been selected.
- All of these elements of the unit 26 are integrated into the module housing as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the display 21 displays the amount of credit available corresponding to the amount of cash input to the machine by the customer. As the tickets (including on-line game receipts) are issued, the balance decreases automatically until exhausted.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the control system of the machine shown in the other figures of the drawings.
- the control system includes a microprocessor 84 suitably programmed to perform the following functions.
- Each horizontal row of ticket dispensers in sections 28 and 30 has a control unit 86 consisting of drive motors 75 and 77 , or drive motors or solenoids for the pull-tab dispensers and ejector rollers 62 , etc. clutches 99 ; edge detectors 31 , 33 , 35 , etc.; and push-buttons 46 .
- the microprocessor 84 accepts signals from the push buttons 46 , payment acceptor 24 , and the edge detectors 31 , 33 , 35 , etc. to operate the clutches 99 and the drive motors, to move the tickets, to operate the separator mechanisms, and eject the tickets as described above.
- Separate circuits 86 essentially the same as the one shown are included, each for a separate row of dispensers.
- a keypad 112 is provided inside in the machine for use by service representative to change the price display 32 , if necessary, and otherwise initialize the microprocessor 84 when reloading the machine with tickets, in a well-known manner.
- the message advertising displayed on the overhead display unit 20 is either programmed remotely from a central computer 108 through a modem 106 , or is predetermined by other means such as the key pad 112 .
- the credit available to the customer is displayed on the display unit 21 , and is increased or decreased by the micro-processor.
- a modem 106 conveys information regarding the identification number of the tickets sold, and the winning amount of the ticket, if it is a winner, and other information to a central computer 108 so that the computer 108 is continuously informed as to which tickets have been sold and the winning amounts.
- a connection, indicated at 110 can be made to the world wide web to display information from the lottery system website during times between transactions.
- winners from any of the several games sold in the machine 10 can be exchanged for credit towards the purchase of more tickets from the same machine.
- a bar-code, OCR or other type of reader 39 ( FIG. 5 ) is positioned in the machine behind the slot 45 (see FIG. 1 ).
- the winning ticket is inserted into the slot 45 on a support 43 , and the unique transaction number (ticket number) is read by the reader 39 .
- the micro-processor 84 checks with the central computer 108 to see if the ticket is a winner. If so, the winning amount is posted as a credit towards purchase of plays in the same game or other games, and the ticket is drawn in by a drive roller pair 41 and deposited in a catch-bin 37 where it is retained.
- a printer 101 ( FIG. 5 ) can be provided to mark the ticket “PAID”.
- the ticket is not a winner, it is returned to the customer by reverse rotation of the rollers 41 .
- the reader 96 of the lotto system 26 already is adapted to read the number from the receipt/ticket inserted into the slot 38 .
- the microprocessor 84 simply is enabled to credit the amount of a winning ticket to the credits available to the player when the player presses the “credit” area on the touch screen 42 (see FIG. 1 ).
- the amount of the winnings is credited and displayed on the display 21 , and can be used for purchasing more on-line game or instant winner tickets, as desired.
- the ticket is detected to be a winner and the credit is given to the player, then the ticket is pulled into the machine by drive roller pair 98 and deposited in the bin 100 so that the player will not attempt to cash the same ticket again. Also, a printer 103 can be used to mark the ticket “PAID”. If it is not a winner, it is returned by reversing the direction of rollers 98 .
- the player can conveniently convert the winnings into more tickets.
- the result is higher ticket sales, lower labor usage, and better convenience for the player and the store owner.
- the invention is not limited to a machine that plays only three games; rather, the invention applies to machines offering at least two, and more than three games as well.
- a player may cash out winning credits displayed on display 21 by pressing a “Payout” button either on the touch-screen or else where.
- the system Upon receipt of the Payout signal the system will print, via printer 102 , a Payout ticket which the customer will present to the retailer for payment in the same manner as the payment for a winning ticket. The same can be done using the printer 101 for the tickets it prints.
- Additional games similar to lotto can be played in the machine instead of or in addition to lotto.
- keno, “pick three”, “pick four” and other such games also can be played using the on-line game equipment 26 .
- Another variation of the invention is one in which non-completed lottery tickets each having a blank region adapted for receiving printed information necessary to complete the ticket can be dispensed from the machine rather than completed tickets.
- Such tickets are those, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,510.
- the non-completed ticket is inserted into the terminal or dispensed from a fan-fold pack or rolls, and the central computer 108 supplies information to the terminal to complete the ticket, and a printer prints the information on the ticket blank.
- the completed ticket then can be played and cashed in the manner described above, or by a clerk, if it is a winner.
Abstract
A gaming machine is provided for playing several types of games. For example, scratch-off and pull-tab tickets, or scratch-off, pull-tab and lotto tickets can be sold from the same machine. The winnings from one game can be used to create credits in the machine for buying tickets in a different game from the same machine. Preferably, all instant-winner tickets move past transparent windows so they can be seen while being dispensed. A separate/drive module is provided which can be used in a number of different configurations. It has a rotary helical separator member which spans multiple channels to separate tickets in any of the channels. A single drive source in the housing rotates the separate drives in each channel. Preferably, tickets in strips move upwardly past the windows to simplify the dispensing mechanism and the loading of tickets in the machine. An ejector mechanism which reverses the direction of movement of separated tickets to inhibit theft also is provided.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/385,336, filed Aug. 30, 1999. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/385,336 is a continuation-in-part of abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/060,423, filed on Apr. 14, 1998, of abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/128,406, filed Aug. 3, 1998, and of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/238,682, filed Jan. 26, 1999. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/238,682 issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,077.
- 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 patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
- This invention relates to gaming devices and methods, and particularly to gaming ticket or coupon self-service terminals and methods.
- Self-service terminal for selling lottery tickets such as instant-winner or so called “scratch-off” tickets are well known. In addition, different machines have been provided for vending pull-tab lottery tickets.
- Other self-service terminals for playing so called “ion-line” games, (e.g. Lotto, Keno, Numbers) also have been provided. A typical terminal has a touch-screen for operation, and a reader which reads the number selected by hand by the customer from a form provided for the purpose. Alternatively, the customer instructs the terminal to select a random number. In either case, a printer prints a receipt or ticket which bears the selected numbers and a unique transaction serial number in coded form. The reader can be used later, after the drawing, to read the number on the receipt and indicate whether it is a winner.
- Quite often, winnings from any one of such games are of moderate size, and might consist of one or more additional free tickets. In such cases, the player must bother the clerk of the store in which the machine is located to cash one or more low-value tickets, return to the machine to buy more tickets and so forth. It is time wasting for the clerk to handle these transactions, and annoying to the customer.
- One of the continuing problems with all gaming ticket or coupon self-service terminals is keeping customer's interest.
-
FIG. 1 is perspective view of a gaming device constructed in accordance with present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, partially schematic view of a dispensing mechanism used in the machine shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a side elevation cross sectional view of another dispensing mechanism used in the machine shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, partially schematic side elevation view of the drive and separator unit of the device ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is schematic circuit diagram illustrating the operating system of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective, partially broken—away and partially schematic view of the structure shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the helical separator member of the structure shown inFIGS. 4 and 6 . -
FIG. 8 is a front elevation view, partially schematic, taken along line 8-8 ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 9 is a schematic side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the dispenser shown inFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another dispensing mechanism of the invention. - It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming device and method which may alleviate the problems discussed above.
- In an embodiment of the present invention, a machine may be produced in which a variety of games can be played.
- In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a gaming device and method in which several types of gaming tickets can be dispensed from a single terminal.
- It also is an object of the invention to facilitate the cashing of winning tickets in such games, and particularly to cash the winning tickets and use them in the same machine for credit toward purchases of other tickets.
- Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide mechanisms for dispensing tickets in a variety of different enclosures with a certain degree of commonality of parts so as to minimize manufacturing costs.
- It is another object of the invention to provide such a device and method in which the tickets are issued with a minimum of opportunities for theft.
- It also is an object of the invention to avoid dropping the tickets to be issued into a collecting receptacle, and thus avoiding blockage of the path to such a receptacle.
- In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects are met by the provision of a self-service ticket vending and issuing machine which accommodates the selling of both instant-winner and pull-tab tickets, and/or lotto or other lottery tickets in a secure, compact, efficient cabinet structure.
- In particular, the invention provides for the selling of lotto tickets or tickets in similar games, scratch-off lottery tickets, and pull-tab lottery tickets, all from the same self-service machine.
- Also, in accordance with the present invention, a winning ticket from one game can be re-inserted into the machine, where its winning amount is read by a reader, validated and the winning amount is provided as a credit to the player. This credit can be used to buy tickets for another totally different game, or for the same game, as desired. The combination of games in a single machine is synergistic.
- When a customer has a moderate sized winning from one game, his conversion of those winnings into other tickets is greatly facilitated so as to maximize ticket sales. Also, the store clerk's time is used less, thus freeing him or her to perform other tasks. The customer is better served because converting winners of moderate size into additional tickets is made easier and faster.
- Another feature of the invention is the provision of a drive/separator module which can be used in a plurality of different locations and dispensing units with only minor variations. The module includes a housing, a rotary separator member, input and output drive rollers to move tickets into an inlet, past the separator, and out of the housing through an outlet.
- A drive system preferably is mounted in the housing for driving the drive rollers, and a drive device also is mounted there to drive the separator member.
- Multiple channels side-by-side with one another are’ operated with a single drive system and single separator mechanism spanning all channels.
- A further highly advantageous feature of the invention is the theft-resistant ticket ejector mechanism.
- After a ticket or a series of tickets has been separated from the rest of a strip, the ticket is first moved away from the separator, while remaining in the housing, and then is ejected out of the housing by moving it in the opposite direction. Then the trailing edge of the ticket exits the machine first.
- This arrangement ensures that no part of the ticket or ticket string extends outside the housing until severance is complete. This prevents thieves from pulling on the ticket end to pull a strip of tickets out of the machine.
- In another advantageous feature of the invention, tickets in a strip are moved past a window upwardly, rather than downwardly as in the past. This simplifies the mechanism needed for handling the tickets, and simplifies the loading of tickets in the machine.
-
FIG. 1 shows a self-service terminal 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Themachine 10 has asturdy metal housing 12, withside walls 14,front walls top wall 18 and bottom and rear walls (not shown). - A
display unit 20 is supported above the top 18 of the housing to give messages of interest or advertising with lighted displays. Asecond display 21 is provided and to display the credit available to the customer using the machine and other operating instructions. - The front door is constructed of two
separate door panels Panel 19 is hinged at one side to the housing using internal hinges, andpanel 22 is separately hinged. It overlies part of thedoor 19 so thatpanel 22 is opened first to allow thedoor 19 to be opened. Thedoor panel 19 then can be opened and swung to one side to give access to the dispensers and other components inside for easy refilling and servicing. Alock 23 in thepanel 22 is provided to lock the front door. - Mounted in the
panel 22 is abill acceptor 24 which typically accepts one dollar, five dollar, ten dollar and twenty dollar bills. The credit resulting from each deposit is added to the amount of credit on thedisplay 21. - The
gaming machine 10 has threedifferent sections - The
first section 26 is the on-line game module, which includes a known lottoplay slip reader 34 with aninput slot 38 for reading hand-made selections on a lotto play slip, and for reading receipts. Also included is areceipt printer 36 with anoutlet slot 40 which issues a receipt or ticket which bears the number selected by the player and a unique transaction serial number in coded form. - Also included in the on-line game module is a touch-
screen 42. By touching thescreen 42 the user can select a “quick” automatic random selection of numbers made by the machine, in which case the reader is not needed. - Thus, on-line game tickets can be purchased from the
machine 10, and the tickets can be re-inserted into thereader 34 after the drawing to determine whether they are winners. - The
second section 28 of the machine contains eight different ticket dispensers each of which moves a series of scratch-off instant-winner tickets past awindow 48 for dispensing. The tickets are fastened together in strings or sequences in which the tickets are delineated from one another by perforation lines. - Above each dispenser unit is a
small display 32 which displays the cost of tickets shown in thewindow 48 below it. - Also provided just above each dispenser is a push-
button 46 to actuate the dispensing of tickets. One push dispenses one separate ticket, and a rapid series of pushes dispenses a string of tickets attached together. - The third and final group of
dispensers 30 includes six dispensers for dispensingpull tab tickets 50. - All of the tickets which are dispensed from
sections narrow slots 44 located above thedisplays 32. - Preferably, a
slot 45 is provided in thewall section 52 of thepanel 22 for receiving pull-tab and scratch-off lottery tickets and on-line tickets, if desired. A code reader (not shown inFIG. 1 ) reads the code on the tickets to determine whether the ticket is a winner, whether it has been previously cashed (by reference to a central computer or storage system where such information is stored), and, if so, the winning amount. Such winning tickets are pulled into the machine, marked “paid” and captured in a safe box for later accounting and audit needs, and the player is given credit for the winning amount so that he or she can use the credit to buy more tickets or play lotto, or one of the other games that can be housed in themachine 10. - The winning tickets that can be thus redeemed includes the winning on-line game tickets (receipts) which are inserted into the
reader 34 to be read. - It should be noted that, although the
windows 48 are shown inFIGS. 2, 3 , and 4 as being vertical, they actually are tilted slightly to the left of vertical by about 10° because the front door of the self-service terminal 10 is tilted by that amount. Thus, when the term “vertical” is used in this description, it includes directions approximately 10° or more away from vertical. -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side-elevation schematic view of one of the ticket dispensers shown inFIG. 1 . The tickets are arranged in long fan-folded strips in which the tickets are delineated from one another by perforation lines. Typically, such tickets are scratched-off lottery tickets, sometimes referred to as “instant winners”. - The dispensing mechanism takes advantage of dispensing structures disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/238,682, filed Jan. 26, 1999 and the prior patent applications from which the latter application claims priority and which are identified at the beginning of this patent specification. The disclosures of those applications hereby are incorporated herein by reference.
- In particular, a
fan-fold stack 56 of tickets formed of asingle ticket strip 68 rests on ashelf 54 in the self-service machine housing. The strip extends under anidler roller 70 and upwardly towards a drive andseparator unit 58. - The
ticket strip 68 is pulled into theunit 58 where either a single ticket or a sequence of tickets is separated from the remaining tickets in the strip, and is pushed upwardly out of theunit 58 into a theft-resistant ejecting device 60 (FIG. 4 ). - The ejecting device includes a
curved guide 66 and a pair of drivenrollers 62. The leading edge of the ticket or ticket strip hits thedeflector 66 and enters the nip of therollers 62 which pulls the ticket or strip of tickets to the left until the trailing edge clears the upper edge of theguide 66, and then reverses direction and pushes the ticket or strip through thenarrow outlet opening 44, with the trailing edge first. - A
photo cell detector 35 is located at the upper edge of theguide 66 and detects the trailing edge of the ticket or ticket string. - The ticket is bent by the
guide 66. As the trailing edge moves past the upper edge of theguide 66, the tickets snaps into a horizontal orientation and is driven in reverse towards theoutlet 44, and exits the machine trailing edge first. - The
outlet 44 is very narrow, say 0.050 inch. To ensure that the ticket is guided through the slot, aguide structure 29 is provided with converging surfaces which guides the edge of the ticket towards the outlet. Also, although the wall 52 (actually, a bezel) is shown schematically as being only sheet metal, it actually is a relatively thick polycarbonate plastic material with converging side walls forming a relatively wide inlet opening of over ¼″ width at the inlet to theslot 44. - The rejecting
device 60 thus prevents any part of the tickets from exiting 3 6 from the housing until the separator has separated the tickets from the string. Thus, there is no ticket end extending from the housing upon which a person can pull to withdraw tickets without paying for them. - This arrangement is highly advantageous as compared with some prior ticket dispensing machines in which every ticket is separated from the strip and is dropped into a receptacle for the customer to remove. One advantage is that the ticket cannot become stuck in the passageway to the receptacle. Another is that the ticket is delivered in the proper orientation for easy reading by the customer.
- This mechanism is also advantageous relative to such prior art in that it permits the tickets to be issued in strips, as many customers prefer.
- The drive and separating
module 58 is shown and described in greater detail in the foregoing copending U.S. patent applications, and particularly in Ser. No. 09/238,682, filed Jan. 26, 1999. However, a summary of the disclosure will be presented here for the sake of completeness in this specification. - Referring now to
FIGS. 4 and 6 , and first toFIG. 4 , theunit 58 includes ahousing 57 with aninlet opening 59 and anoutlet opening 61 vertically above the inlet opening. - The
ticket strip 68 passes between a set ofinput drive rollers 65, through aseparator unit 63 consisting of twoextrusions helical separator member 73 rotates, through a set ofoutput drive rollers 69, and out of thehousing 57 through anoutlet opening 61. - A drive system is indicated schematically by dashed-
line circle 71 inFIG. 4 , and is shown in greater detail inFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic view of a separator and drive mechanism which has only two channels instead of four, for the sake of simplification of the drawings. - The set of
output rollers 69 includes a separate set ofidler rollers 81 for each channel, and adrive roller 83 engaged with the idler rollers. Each of the four sets of idler rollers is mounted on acommon shaft 107, and each of thedrive rollers 83 is secured to a separatecommon shaft 105. - Similarly, the set of
input rollers 65 includes a set ofidlers 87 mounted rotatably on a common shaft 87(a), and multipleseparate drive rollers 85 mounted rotatably on a separatecommon shaft 109. Asmall spur gear 113 is secured to eachroller 85. - A
small spur gear 95 is secured at one end to theshaft 105 and meshes with alarge spur gear 111 secured to adrive shaft 79 to rotate theshaft 105 to which each driveroller 83 is secured. Similarly, each of theindependent idler rollers 81 rotates freely on a common shaft. Therefore, all of thedrive output rollers 83 will rotate when theshaft 79 is rotated. - A
drive motor 77, preferably a stepping motor, is provided and is coupled to theshaft 79. A combination of alarge spur gear 97 and an electrically-operatedclutch 99 is provided for each channel. Each clutch 99 is separately operable to drivably couple the associatedspur gear 97 with thedrive shaft 79. - When one of the clutches is so operated, the
spur gear 97 drives thesmall spur gear 113 to rotate one of therollers 85 for one channel to move the ticket strip 68 (show in dashed outline) through the device. - The leading edge of each ticket or sequence of tickets is detected by
photocell detectors motor 77, that the ticket strip is in a proper position for the separation of one or more tickets from the strip, the drive rollers stop, and aseparator drive motor 75 connected through ashaft 89 to theseparator member 73 rotates the helical separator member through one revolution and causes one or more tickets to be separated from the strip along a perforated line. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing theseparator member 73 with twohelical blades 55, one for each of the two channels of the separator mechanism shown inFIG. 6 . As it is more fully described in the foregoing copending U.S. patent applications, eachhelical blade 55 extends outwardly from and around a shaft 73(a) and is secured to the shaft so that [its] the edge of the blade travels through an angle of 180 degrees. The rotation of the shaft causes the tickets to be torn along a perforated line quickly, neatly and reliably. - When the separation operation has been completed, the drive motor again drives the
drive rollers 83 which causes the ticket or tickets to be driven upwardly to theejection device 60, which then ejects the tickets from the machine. - It should be understood that, although the drive/
separator module 58 shown inFIG. 4 has aseparate housing 57, when used in the self-service terminal shown inFIG. 1 , thehousing 57 is not needed and preferably is not used. - It is notable that four channels, six channels and even more can be driven with a single drive motor and a single separator motor, thus significantly reducing the complexity, size and cost as compared with prior separator systems.
-
FIGS. 3 and 8 show one embodiment of the pull-tab ticket dispenser of the invention. This dispenser differs from the showing ofFIG. 1 primarily in thattickets receptacle 136 located below thewindow 48 instead of through an outlet above thewindow 48. - The
window 48 and the front of the self-service terminal, as well as astack 72 of pull-tab tickets are inclined, at a substantial angle (e.g., 10° to 15°) away from vertical. - The tickets in the
stack 72 are stacked on edge with their longest dimension extending vertically (SeeFIG. 8 ) on asupport surface 80. Apusher 78 with aninclined front face 74 is urged towards the left inFIG. 3 by means of acompression spring 47 urging the pusher from the rear and pressing against asolid portion 76 of the dispensing machine. Thepusher 78 has avertical extension 146 with a hole 146(a). Ahorizontal guide rod 144 extends above thestack 72 and through the hole 146(a) in theextension 146. Theguide rod 144 guides thepusher 78 in its travels towards and away from thewindow 48. - The
ticket stack 72 is urged into contact with anidler roller 120 near the upper edge of the stack, and adrive roller 124 located near the bottom of the stack. - A
second drive roller 126 bearing against a spring-biasedidler roller 128 is provided to eject the ticket into thechute 136. - The
rollers mounting block 122 which has asurface 125 against which the tickets bear during dispensing. A known “ticket knife”structure 130 is provided to set the dimensions of the gap between the left edge of the ticket knife and thesurface 125 by loosening thescrew 131 and moving the knife body to the left or right, and re-tightening the screw. A drive motor andclutch system 49 like that shown inFIG. 4 is provided to drive the ticket-dispensingrollers rollers 124 is driven only when one of the six clutches is energized, and theoutput rollers 126 are driven whenever the drive motor rotates. - Operation of the dispenser of
FIGS. 3 and 8 is as follows: - The tickets at the front of the stack slide downwardly under the force of gravity to rest on the downwardly sloping left portion on the “knife” 130.
- When one of the clutches for one of the channels is energized, the
drive roller 124 grips thefront ticket 50 and sends it past theknife 130 into the nip of therolls - The
ticket 138 bends slightly when it contacts thechute 136, and then straightens out, as shown at 140 when it rests, in the chute, ready to be grasped by the customer. - The
pusher plate 78 pushes the stack to the left to bring the next ticket into dispensing position. - The
pusher 78 rides on awheel 82 which rolls on the surface of thesupport 80. The wheel also protrudes forwardly of thefront surface 74. Thus, the force of the pushingspring 47 is concentrated in the vicinity of thewheel 82 and this maximizes the pressure on theroller 124 to give it a good grip on thelead ticket 50. This helps to ensure that the tickets will be separated from one another if they are stuck together. - The
spring 47 preferably is replaced by one or a pair of “continuous” springs and pulleys which are better adapted for relatively lengthy travel paths, but is shown as a compression spring for the sake of simplicity in the drawings. -
FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the pull-tab dispensing mechanism. It is very similar to the one shown inFIGS. 3 and 8 , except that the positions of therollers ticket knife 130 is at the top of thestack 72 and the tickets are ejected upwardly instead of downwardly. The tickets are driven along a gentlycurved path 150 through a pair offeed rollers 152 and into the nip of a pair of reversingrollers 154. -
Rollers 154 drive the ticket first to the right, until the trailing edge of the ticket is detected by a photocell (not shown inFIG. 10 ), at which point the rollers reverse direction and push the ticket to the left along aguide 156 and through theoutlet 44, which is above thewindow 48, as shown inFIG. 1 . - Another embodiment of the pull-tab ticket dispenser is illustrated diagrammatically in
FIG. 8 . A pair of thin elastomeric belts and pulleys are located near the vertical edges of theticket 50 at 133. These belts are driven to push theticket 50 either upwardly or downwardly instead of therollers FIGS. 3, 8 and 10. - Another alternative embodiment is shown in
FIG. 9 in which thelead ticket 50 is pushed upwardly through aslot 116 in a short horizontal portion of arecess 114 in the front panel of the self-service terminal. The ticket is pushed upwardly and out of the machine along thepath 118 directly by thepusher plate 53, thus reducing the size and complexity of the dispensing mechanism and preventing the bending of the tickets. - This mechanism can also drive the tickets in a downward direction to dispense the next ticket and drop it into a receptacle.
- With all of the foregoing mechanisms, the customer is allowed to see the face of the pull tab ticket and watch it move upwardly or downwardly as it is being dispensed from the machine. This adds interests and reassurance to the customer in knowing what he or she is about to receive.
-
FIG. 5 shows the on-line game module 26 schematically. This module is basically the same as that currently manufactured and sold by G-Tech, Inc. and used in a self-service terminal. Theequipment 26 includes acard reading device 96 for reading lotto card filled out by hand and inserted into theslot 38. If the correct fee has been paid, thedevice 96 reads the markings representing the selected numbers from the card. The card is ejected after reading so that the player can use it in a subsequent drawing. - A receipt (ticket) is printed by means of a
receipt printer 102 using paper from aroll 104, and the receipt is issued through the outlet opening 40 in thefront panel 52 of the housing of the machine. - As it is well-known, this equipment has the feature whereby the printed receipt bears the selected numbers and a unique transaction number in a code readable by the
reader 96. At a later time, after the drawing, the receipt can be inserted into theslot 38 to be read by thereader 96 to determine whether the ticket is a winner, and thedisplay 21 or display of the touch-screen 42, if used, will give the customer the good or bad news, i.e. win or lose. - As noted above, and as it is shown in
FIG. 1 , the customer can touch a selected area on the screen and select the “quick-pick” option whereby the machine itself makes a random selection of a number for the customer or by use of the touch-screen the customer may select his/her own numbers. In this case, a hand-filled out card is not necessary and a receipt is issued by the receipt printer promptly after the number(s) has been selected. - All of these elements of the
unit 26 are integrated into the module housing as shown inFIG. 1 . - The
display 21 displays the amount of credit available corresponding to the amount of cash input to the machine by the customer. As the tickets (including on-line game receipts) are issued, the balance decreases automatically until exhausted. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the control system of the machine shown in the other figures of the drawings. - The control system includes a
microprocessor 84 suitably programmed to perform the following functions. - Each horizontal row of ticket dispensers in
sections 28 and 30 (FIG. 1 ) has acontrol unit 86 consisting ofdrive motors ejector rollers 62, etc.clutches 99;edge detectors buttons 46. Themicroprocessor 84 accepts signals from thepush buttons 46,payment acceptor 24, and theedge detectors clutches 99 and the drive motors, to move the tickets, to operate the separator mechanisms, and eject the tickets as described above.Separate circuits 86 essentially the same as the one shown are included, each for a separate row of dispensers. - A
keypad 112 is provided inside in the machine for use by service representative to change theprice display 32, if necessary, and otherwise initialize themicroprocessor 84 when reloading the machine with tickets, in a well-known manner. - The message advertising displayed on the
overhead display unit 20 is either programmed remotely from acentral computer 108 through amodem 106, or is predetermined by other means such as thekey pad 112. The credit available to the customer is displayed on thedisplay unit 21, and is increased or decreased by the micro-processor. - As is it well known in the art, a
modem 106 conveys information regarding the identification number of the tickets sold, and the winning amount of the ticket, if it is a winner, and other information to acentral computer 108 so that thecomputer 108 is continuously informed as to which tickets have been sold and the winning amounts. - A connection, indicated at 110, can be made to the world wide web to display information from the lottery system website during times between transactions.
- In accordance with one feature of the present invention, winners from any of the several games sold in the
machine 10 can be exchanged for credit towards the purchase of more tickets from the same machine. - In general, the way this is accomplished is that a bar-code, OCR or other type of reader 39 (
FIG. 5 ) is positioned in the machine behind the slot 45 (seeFIG. 1 ). The winning ticket is inserted into theslot 45 on asupport 43, and the unique transaction number (ticket number) is read by thereader 39. The micro-processor 84 checks with thecentral computer 108 to see if the ticket is a winner. If so, the winning amount is posted as a credit towards purchase of plays in the same game or other games, and the ticket is drawn in by adrive roller pair 41 and deposited in a catch-bin 37 where it is retained. Also, a printer 101 (FIG. 5 ) can be provided to mark the ticket “PAID”. - If the ticket is not a winner, it is returned to the customer by reverse rotation of the
rollers 41. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , thereader 96 of thelotto system 26 already is adapted to read the number from the receipt/ticket inserted into theslot 38. Themicroprocessor 84 simply is enabled to credit the amount of a winning ticket to the credits available to the player when the player presses the “credit” area on the touch screen 42 (seeFIG. 1 ). The amount of the winnings is credited and displayed on thedisplay 21, and can be used for purchasing more on-line game or instant winner tickets, as desired. - If the ticket is detected to be a winner and the credit is given to the player, then the ticket is pulled into the machine by
drive roller pair 98 and deposited in thebin 100 so that the player will not attempt to cash the same ticket again. Also, aprinter 103 can be used to mark the ticket “PAID”. If it is not a winner, it is returned by reversing the direction ofrollers 98. - Instead of the player having to bother a clerk to give the player another free ticket, or two dollars or five dollars cash for a winning ticket, and then return to the machine to buy more tickets, if he or she so desires, the player can conveniently convert the winnings into more tickets. The result is higher ticket sales, lower labor usage, and better convenience for the player and the store owner.
- If the amount of winnings for the ticket exceeds a certain maximum level, say twenty dollars, the player still will be required to cash the ticket through the clerk. Of course, this upper limit can be adjusted as necessary, as long as the upper limit of the amount of credit that can be displayed on the
display 21 is sufficiently high. - It should be understood that the invention is not limited to a machine that plays only three games; rather, the invention applies to machines offering at least two, and more than three games as well.
- Also, a player may cash out winning credits displayed on
display 21 by pressing a “Payout” button either on the touch-screen or else where. Upon receipt of the Payout signal the system will print, viaprinter 102, a Payout ticket which the customer will present to the retailer for payment in the same manner as the payment for a winning ticket. The same can be done using theprinter 101 for the tickets it prints. - Additional games similar to lotto can be played in the machine instead of or in addition to lotto. For example, keno, “pick three”, “pick four” and other such games also can be played using the on-
line game equipment 26. - Another variation of the invention is one in which non-completed lottery tickets each having a blank region adapted for receiving printed information necessary to complete the ticket can be dispensed from the machine rather than completed tickets. Such tickets are those, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,510.
- In this case, the non-completed ticket is inserted into the terminal or dispensed from a fan-fold pack or rolls, and the
central computer 108 supplies information to the terminal to complete the ticket, and a printer prints the information on the ticket blank. The completed ticket then can be played and cashed in the manner described above, or by a clerk, if it is a winner. - The above description of the invention is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes or modifications in the embodiments described may occur to those skilled in the art. These can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, while the embodiments of this invention have been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the embodiments of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and following claims.
Claims (1)
1. A multi-game ticket self-service terminal, comprising:
a housing for storing a plurality of different types of game tickets, said types including tickets stored in strips in which individual tickets are delineated from one another by lines of weakness, and lottery tickets bearing numbers for use in a drawing to determine a winner;
means for selectively dispensing said tickets in response to the receipt of credits;
a currency acceptor device mounted in said housing to accept currency and produce a corresponding credit;
detector means for detecting the amount of winnings a winning ticket is worth; and
credit means for making a credit in the amount of such worth available for use in buying from said terminal tickets of a type different from said winning ticket.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/190,771 US20060035698A1 (en) | 1998-04-14 | 2005-07-26 | Gaming device and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/060,426 US6348744B1 (en) | 1998-04-14 | 1998-04-14 | Integrated power management module |
US09/128,406 US20010049986A1 (en) | 1998-08-03 | 1998-08-03 | Ticket dispenser, vending machine and method |
US09/238,682 US6726077B2 (en) | 1998-04-14 | 1999-01-26 | Ticket dispensing modules and method |
US09/385,336 US6932258B1 (en) | 1998-04-14 | 1999-08-30 | Gaming device and method |
US11/190,771 US20060035698A1 (en) | 1998-04-14 | 2005-07-26 | Gaming device and method |
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US09/385,336 Continuation-In-Part US6932258B1 (en) | 1998-04-14 | 1999-08-30 | Gaming device and method |
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US20060035698A1 true US20060035698A1 (en) | 2006-02-16 |
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US11/190,771 Abandoned US20060035698A1 (en) | 1998-04-14 | 2005-07-26 | Gaming device and method |
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Cited By (7)
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US20060081674A1 (en) * | 1998-04-14 | 2006-04-20 | Roberts Brian J | Ticket dispensing device, installation and displays |
US20090247287A1 (en) * | 2008-03-27 | 2009-10-01 | George Voutes | System and method for instant on-line self service quick picks |
US20090247281A1 (en) * | 2008-03-27 | 2009-10-01 | George Voutes | System and method for instant on-line self service quick picks |
US8147309B2 (en) | 2006-08-10 | 2012-04-03 | Gtech Rhode Island Corporation | System and method for providing a table poker wagering game |
US20140008407A1 (en) * | 2010-10-08 | 2014-01-09 | Gtech Corporation | Perforated Ticket Dispensing Machine |
US10427029B2 (en) * | 2017-12-15 | 2019-10-01 | Scientific Games International, Inc. | Smart bin lottery ticket dispenser with modular printer bin |
DE102011005871B4 (en) | 2010-09-02 | 2019-12-24 | Adp Gauselmann Gmbh | Holding device for a display means on a coin-operated amusement machine |
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US5944354A (en) * | 1998-03-17 | 1999-08-31 | Feola; John | Method and apparatus for preventing fraud with instant game tickets |
US6726077B2 (en) * | 1998-04-14 | 2004-04-27 | Gtech Corporation | Ticket dispensing modules and method |
US20030157979A1 (en) * | 1998-09-22 | 2003-08-21 | Anchor Gaming | Methods and apparatus for providing tickets from gaming devices and/or lottery terminals which are not dependent on a player's success on the underlying game |
US6450887B1 (en) * | 1998-10-29 | 2002-09-17 | Racetech L.L.C. | Methods and apparatus for parimutuel historical gaming |
US20040229671A1 (en) * | 1999-04-30 | 2004-11-18 | Andrew Stronach | Wagering system with automated entry system |
US6714838B2 (en) * | 2002-04-29 | 2004-03-30 | Pollard Banknote Limited | Dispensing lottery tickets |
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US20060081674A1 (en) * | 1998-04-14 | 2006-04-20 | Roberts Brian J | Ticket dispensing device, installation and displays |
US7850257B2 (en) * | 1998-04-14 | 2010-12-14 | Roberts Brian J | Ticket dispensing device, installation and displays |
US8147309B2 (en) | 2006-08-10 | 2012-04-03 | Gtech Rhode Island Corporation | System and method for providing a table poker wagering game |
US20090247287A1 (en) * | 2008-03-27 | 2009-10-01 | George Voutes | System and method for instant on-line self service quick picks |
US20090247281A1 (en) * | 2008-03-27 | 2009-10-01 | George Voutes | System and method for instant on-line self service quick picks |
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US20140008407A1 (en) * | 2010-10-08 | 2014-01-09 | Gtech Corporation | Perforated Ticket Dispensing Machine |
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