Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Field Of The Invention
The present invention is directed to documents having an enhanced security
system for protecting against fraudulent tampering thereof. The documents are
constructed so that they are readable and analyzable by an optical detector.
In a
particular embodiment of the invention, the document is an instant scratch-off
lottery
ticket having a first security system printed beneath the scratch-off layer
and an
optional second security system printed above the scratch-off layer each
system
employing layers having different reflectance values and at least one of the
systems
having an encoded pattern.
Background Of The Invention
Instant scratch-off lottery tickets are well known and comprise a significant
industry in the United States and elsewhere. These games have become an
important source of revenue for national, state and local governments
throughout
the world.
Scratch-off lottery tickets are generally divided into several categories;
those
in the broadest category comprise "instant" lottery games and those of more
recent
development which comprise "probability" games.
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Instant lottery games played with instant scratch-off lottery tickets have
game
data (i.e. information which determines if a prize has been won) covered by a
scratch-off layer which hides the game data from view. The purchaser of the
lottery
ticket removes the entire scratch-off layer to expose all of the game data. If
the
game data meets certain criteria to establish a winner, then the purchaser of
the
ticket wins a set prize. Since the purchaser of the ticket is permitted to
expose all of
the game data, it necessarily follows that not every such lottery ticket has
"winning"
game data thereon.
Probability game type lottery tickets also include a scratch-off layer which
hides game data from view. However, the probability game ticket permits the
ticket
purchaser to expose only a portion of the game data according to the rules of
the
game. Thus, the purchaser is permitted to remove only a portion of the scratch-
ofF
layer. Probability game tickets therefore can be printed with winning game
data on
each ticket because it is the purchaser's selective removal of a portion of
the
scratch-off layer which determines if a prize has been won. Thus each ticket
is a
potential winner which is decided in major part by the selected portions of
the
scratch-off layer that are removed by the purchaser to expose selected
portions of
the game data.
Both instant and probability game scratch-off tickets may be read by a ticket
validating machine. Such machines evaluate a ticket to determine if the ticket
is a
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valid ticket and whether or not it is a winning ticket. Therefore, validating
machines
must be accurate. They also must provide a rapid evaluation of the ticket to
handle
the volume of tickets typically sold by a retail establishment without undue
inconvenience to the seller and purchaser of the ticket.
The fraudulent tampering of lottery tickets is a continuing problem for the
lottery industry. Over the years significant efforts have been made to provide
lottery
tickets with various means for preventing or at least deter-ing fraudulent
tampering.
Fraudulent tampering schemes involving lottery game tickets are often carried
out by
persons authorized to handle the tickets prior to their official sale. Such
persons
may be for example, employees of a game ticket manufacturer, employees of a
ticket distributer, convenience or grocery store sales clerks, or store
owners. Such
people who come into contact with lottery tickets have been known to employ
various techniques to determine the game data appearing on the ticket. Thus,
by
engaging in a fraudulent tampering scheme to observe hidden data, the
perpetrator
can invade tickets before they are sold, select the winning tickets and leave
behind
the losing tickets of an instant scratch-off lottery ticket type game.
The problem of fraudulent tampering of lottery tickets is enhanced when a
probability type game is employed. Since every ticket is potentially a winning
ticket,
the perpetrators of fraudulent tampering know that successful tampering
schemes
will necessarily produce a winning ticket. Thus, the perpetrator will seek to
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determine which portions of the scratch-off layer must be removed to provide a
winning ticket. Because each ticket is a potential vuinning ticket, the
perpetrators of
such schemes know that invasion of the scratch-off layer will produce a
winning
ticket. Therefore, the commercial success of probability type lottery games is
significantly dependent on the development of anti-tampering measures which at
least substantially eliminate fraudulent schemes for determining the game data
beneath the scratch-off layer.
There is therefore a need in the industry of security documents and especially
scratch-off lottery type games for heightened security against fraudulent
detection of
game data beneath a scratch-off layer.
It would be a further advance in the art to provide a document having the
enhanced security system which is machine readable and can be rapidly read by
a
validating machine to instantly determine whether a fraudulent tampering
scheme
has been perpetuated on a particular lottery ticket.
It would be a still further advance in the art to provide a probability game
ticket in which each ticket can be rapidly analyzed to determine if no more
than the
proper number of scratch-off areas have been removed, and that each properly
removed scratch-off area has the proper game data.
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It would be a still further advance in the art to provide a process by which a
lottery ticket with the enhanced security system may be rapidly read and
analyzed to
determine if it is a valid ticket.
It would be another advance in the art to provide a method by which such
S tickets having an enhanced security system can be produced.
Summary Of The Invention
The present invention is generally directed to a document with an enhanced
security system in which fraudulent tampering of the document by trying to
observe
information beneath a scratch-off layer is at least substantially prevented.
The document prepared in accordance with the present invention provides
the ability to determine whether a ticket has been tampered with by physical,
chemical and other means. In particular, the document of the present invention
can
be successfully analyzed to detect unauthorized penetration or removal of the
scratch-off layer to improperly reveal game data.
In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a document
comprising:
a) a substrate;
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b) an encoded game data portion imaged on the substrate, said encoded
game data portion comprising;
1 ) a base layer comprising ink having a first reflectance value as
measured by the reflectance of a given wavelength of light,
2) a second layer comprising ink having a second reflectance
value different than the first reflectance value as measured by the
reflectance of said
given wavelength of light, said base and second layers defining a game data
region
and a non-game data region with at least one of said regions having an encoded
pattern of symbols associated therewith; and
c) a scratch-off layer over said encoded game data portion.
In an optional further aspect of the present invention, the lottery ticket
includes a separate security system printed over the scratch-off layer which
has an
encoded pattern of symbols associated therewith.
Brief Description Of The DrawincL
i5 The following drawings in which like reference characters indicate like
parts
are illustrative of embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit
the
invention as encompassed by the claims forming part of the Application.
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Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a scratch-off lottery ticket
in
accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a top view of the play area of a lottery ticket of the present
invention with the scratch-off layer removed;
Figure 3A is a schematic view of a subcell within a cell of the play area of a
lottery ticket with an encoded pattern in a first orientation thereon;
Figure 3B is a schematic view similar to Figure 3A with the encoded pattern
having a second different rotational orientation;
Figure 3C is a schematic view of a group of subcells as shown in Figure 3A
formed into a cell;
Figure 4 is a top view of the play area of a lottery ticket shown in Figure 2
with
the scratch-off layer present and an overprinting layer thereon; and
Figure 5 is a top of the play area of the lottery ticket as shown in Figure 4
with
the scratch-ofF layer removed from one of the cells.
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Detailed Description Of The Invention
The present invention is generally directed to a document, especially a
scratch-off lottery ticket which has an encoded game data portion imaged on
the
substrate to provide an effective means for accurately and rapidly detecting
fraudulent schemes for improperly determining the game data located beneath a
scratch-off layer. The present invention provides for automatic determination
of the
integrity of the scratch-off layer and recognition of the game data associated
encoded pattern by an optical detection system.
As used herein the term "game data portion" shall mean the area of the
document that contains game data. The game data portion may be divided into
two
regions, one region which is the actual symbols or icons used to indicate a
prize or
play symbol and a second or background region (i.e. non-game data region),
typically surrounding the game data. The game data portion is covered by a
scratch-off layer. The term "encoded game data portion" shall mean that the
game
data region, the non-game data region or both have a series of symbols in the
form
of a detectable pattern which can be read and analyzed by a validating
machine,
typically employing an optical detection system.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, an encoded game data portion
is printed on the substrate which includes a base layer comprising ink having
a first
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reflectance value as measured by the reflectance of a given wavelength of
light and
a second layer comprised of an ink having a second reflectance value which is
different than the first reflectance value. The difference in reflectance
values can be
detected and analyzed by a validating machine to determine if the ticket is
valid or
not. The game data provided by the base layer is overprinted with a second
layer in
an encoded pattern which can be detected by a validating machine to determine
authenticity.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an embodiment of a scratch-off lottery
ticket in accordance with the present invention. The lottery ticket 2
generally
comprises a substrate 4 which may be made from paper, paperboard, foil
laminated
to paperboard or the like. For purposes of the present description, the
substrate will
be in the form of a foil laminated paperboard typically made of aluminum.
Substrate
4 has a bottom surface (i.e. made of paper or paperboard) which typically has
thereon a bar code printing layer 6, a printed layer containing rules of the
game, etc.
designated by the numeral 8 and other optional layers 10 such as a varnish or
related material used in the scratch-off lottery ticket industry.
Above the surface of the substrate 4 (i.e. in the case of foil laminated
tickets,
the foil side of the ticket) is a printed layer 12 typically comprised of
colorful graphics
indicating the theme and/or name of the game. The graphics layer can be
printed
on the substrate by such methods as screen printing, flexographic printing,
offset
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printing, gravure printing, letterpress printing, and the like. Other layers
conventionally employed in scratch-off type lottery tickets such as varnish
and
lacquer containing layers may also be used where appropriate as would be
apparent
to those skilled in the lottery ticket art.
Of particular importance to the claimed invention is the area of the ticket
known as the play area designated by the numeral 14. The play area can
comprise
all or a portion of the top side of the lottery ticket. With regard to the
present
invention, the play area 14 may comprise two regions 16 and 18. Region 16
includes game data, typically in the form of icons or symbols providing
information
as to the type of prize that may be won. The second region 18 includes
protective
varnishes, one or more scratch-off layers and one or more layers generally
referred
to as overprinting layers. The region 16 as explained in detail hereinafter,
contains a
first system for combating fraudulent tampering of the lottery ticket. The
second
region 18 may contain an optional second system for combating fraudulent
schemes
for detecting the particular game data located beneath the scratch-off layer.
The
systems for combating fraudulent tampering are desirably machine readable by
an
optical detection system as described hereinafter.
The first region 16 includes at least one base layer 20 which is printed with
an
ink having a first reflectance value as measured by the reflectance of a given
wavelength of light. As used herein the term "reflectance" shall mean the
fraction of
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the total radiant flux incident upon a surface that is reflected and that
varies
according to the wavelength distribution of the incident radiation.
The preferred given wavelength of light is red light having a range of
wavelengths within the red visible spectrum. Other wavelengths of light (e.g.
white
light) may be employed. In a preferred form of the invention, the reflectance
value of
the base layer 20 is from about 23 to 43% reflectance. In a preferred form of
the
invention, the percentage of reflectance of the base layer 20 is about 33%.
This
means that 33% of red light from a source when contacted with the. base layer
20
will be reflected from the surface of the base layer. The light reflected is
detectable
by a validating machine.
The first region 16 further includes a second layer 22. The second layer is
comprised of an ink having a second reflectance value (e.g. from about 0 to
10%
reflectance preferably 0% reflectance) which is different than the first
reflectance
value of the base layer 20, based on the same given wavelength of light (e.g.
red
light). The difference of the reflectance values between the two layers 20, 22
must
be detectable by a validating machine and preferably by an optical detector
system
contained therein. In other words, it is necessary for the validating machine
to be
able to differentiate between the base layer and the second layer when the
lottery
ticket is placed into operable contact with the optical detecting device,
typically
contained within the validating machine.
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The game data in the play area is formed by the base layer 20 and the
second layer 22. Because the respective layers have different reflectance
values,
each layer is distinguishable from the other layer by the human eye. The game
data
can therefore be formed by applying the base layer 20 as a continuous coating
and
printing the second layer 22 thereover in a pattern that allows the base layer
20 to
be seen as game data {e.g. a letter or a number). Alternatively, the base
layer 20
can be applied only in the form of the game data and the second layer can be
placed around the game data to provide the necessary contrast. 1n a further
embodiment the second layer 22 can be printed as the game data over the base
layer 20. The cooperation of the two layers therefore provides the play area
with
game data in the color of one of the layers 20, 22 which is observable because
of
the contrast with the other of said layers.
The play area includes at least one game data associated encoded pattern.
The term "game data associated pattern" means that the play area contains a
pattern of symbols which can be detected by a validating machine and typically
by
an optical detecting device contained within the validating machine. If the
proper
pattern of symbols is present, the validating machine will view the document
as a
valid document. If the pattern of symbols has been altered or removed, the
pattern
will not be detected by the validating machine and the document will be viewed
as
invalid.
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The encoded pattern of symbols can be formed in the play area in the same
way the game data is formed by the manner in which the base layer and second
layer are applied to the substrate. Thus, the encoded pattern can be formed on
the
game data and/or the area in proximity to the game data (i.e. the non-game
data
region). Furthermore, the pattern of symbols can be formed by the base layer
or the
second layer or both as described in detail hereinafter.
By way of example and hereinafter describing a first embodiment of the
invention Figure 2 shows the play area 14 of a lottery ticket in accordance
with the
present invention. The play area 14 is divided into a series of game data
containing
cells 24 with each cell containing game data 26 in the form of numbers 5 to 10
and
letters J, Q, K and A and a background or non-game data region 28.
The game data region 26 is provided in one exemplary method of the present
invention by first printing each cell 24 containing game data with a base
layer 20 in
the form of an ink having a first reflectance value. An example of an ink
useful for
the base layer is one which is ink jet receptive of a desired color such as
PMS-375
which is a reference color known in the printing industry. A second layer 22
of ink
selected from other PMS references is then printed over the base layer 20 in a
manner which forms the game data region 26 and the non-game data region 28 of
the cell 24.
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The play area 14 and particularly each cell 24 contains an encoded pattern of
symbols as explained hereinafter which can appear in the game data region 26
and/or the non-game data region 28. As shown specifically in Figure 2, the
identified symbols appear as "dots" and are identified by numeral 33 present
in the
game data region 26 and by numeral 35 in the non-game data region 28.
The symbols 33 appearing in the game data region 26 are formed by printing
the symbols in the ink forming the second layer 22 on top of the ink forming
the base
layer 20. Thus, as shown in Figure 3A the symbols 33 (e.g. dots) appear dark
relatively to the lighter game data. The symbols 35 appearing in the non-game
data
region 28 are formed by printing the second layer over the base layer in a
discontinuous manner to leave the pattern of dots in the color of the base
layer.
Thus, in the non-game data region 28, the dots appear from the base layer as
lighter
than the overlying, darker second layer.
It will be understood that the symbols can be printed on the game data region
26, the non-game data region 28 or in both regions as specifically shown in
Figure 2.
The symbols 33, 35 (e.g. dots) are arranged in a pattern that can be detected
by a validating machine (i.e. an encoded pattern). The pattern of the symbols
33, 35
is sufficient if it can be detected by the validating machine preferably by an
optical
detecting device contained therein so fraudulent manipulation of the base
layer 20
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or the second layer 22 will affect the pattern causing the validating machine
to
differentiate a ticket that has been tampered with and one that has not.
The pattern of symbols which is selected for the document should be one that
is not readily recognized by casual observance. Patterns of symbols can be
developed for example by dividing each cell 24 of the play area 14 into a
plurality of
subcells as shown in Figure 3C. Each subcell as shown in Figures 3A and 3B
comprises a grid of spaces. Some of the spaces will show ink corresponding to
the
base layer and some corresponding to the second layer according to the
selected
pattern of symbols. The spaces which are filled with one of the inks thereby
forming
the "dots" can be selected such that the dots are in a machine readable
pattern.
Referring to Figure 3A, there is shown a subcell 37 containing, for example,
twenty-five spaces 38. As shown specifically in Figure 3A symbols 33, if the
subcell
37 is from the game data region 26, or symbols 35 if the subcell 37 is from
the non-
game data region 28, are identified as part of an encoded pattern. As shown
specifically in Figure 3A, three symbols 33, 35 form the encoded pattern from
all of
the symbols that may be contained within an individual subcell 37. If this
particular
arrangement of three symbols is detected, regardless of the rotational
orientation
then the validating machine will accept the ticket as valid.
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The orientation of the symbols 33, 35 as specifically shown in Figure 3A can
be rotated in a plane about an axis perpendicular to the plane of rotation to
have the
appearance as shown in Figure 3B (i.e. the pattern of symbols may be rotated
and
still be read by the validating machine). Although the untrained eye may view
the
pattern in Figure 3B as different than that of Figure 3A, nonetheless, the
validating
machine can interpret the arrangement of the three symbols in Figure 3B to be
the
equivalent of the arrangement of Figure 3A. On the other hand, if the
particular
arrangement, regardless of orientation, is not shown, the validating machine
will
interpret the ticket as an invalid ticket.
The pattern of symbols described with reference to Figures 3A - 3B is of the
type that is both uniform and complimentary. The pattern is uniform because
the
same subcell arrangement of symbols as shown in Figure 3A is employed
throughout the cell, differing only by the orientation of the pattern in a
plane about an
axis perpendicular to the plane of orientation as shown for example in Figure
3B.
The pattern, as shown best in Figure 3C, is complimentary because the same
pattern exists both in the game data region 26 and the non-game data region
28.
It will be understood that other patterns may be employed including patterns
which are uniform but not complimentary, complimentary but not uniform or
neither
uniform or complimentary. For example, a pattern of symbols (e.g. dots) may be
applied to only the game data region while a non-game data region has a
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continuous coating of the base and/or second layers of ink. The pattern of
symbols
may be applied to only the non-game data region leaving the game data region
with
only, for example, a continuous coating of the base layer.
The pattern of symbols within any one region 26, 28 need not be uniform.
For example, the less than all of the subcells within a region may be provided
with
the pattern of symbols. Thus, some of the subcells will contain the pattern
and
some will not (e.g. those cells that do not contain the pattern may contain a
random
arrangement of symbols or may contain a separate and distinct pattern of
symbols).
Referring again to Figure 2, it can be seen that the symbols 33, 35 arranged
in the cells 24 of the game ticket can be employed as an effective anti-
tampering
system. If the arrangement of symbols 33, 35 regardless of the pattern
selected is
disrupted because of tampering, the validating machine will interpret the
ticket as an
invalid ticket and any prize can be refused.
Thus, the anti-tampering system disclosed with reference to Figures 1-3C
enable the detection of fraudulent schemes to tamper with tickets by first
providing
two layers of inks defining the game data having different reflectance values
which
can be detected by a validating machine. If the position of the two ink layers
(i.e. the
base layer and the second layer) in any one of the cells is altered, the
alteration can
be detected by the validating machine and the ticket will be rendered invalid.
The
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second anti-tampering system also employs the symbols in an encoded pattern
arranged in at least some of the cells. If the encoded pattern such as that
shown
with reference to Figures 3A-3C is altered or disrupted, this will be viewed
as an
invalid ticket by the validating machine.
As previously indicated with reference to Figure 1; the lottery ticket of the
present invention includes a scratch-off layer covering the game data. As
shown
specifically in Figure 1, the game data portion 16 comprised of the base layer
20 and
second layer 22 is typically covered with one or more varnish layers (three
layers are
shown in Figure 1 ) which are designated as layers 40, 42 and 44 in Figure 1.
By
way of example, two of the layers can contain a clear varnish material
customarily
used as a protective layer for lottery tickets. The upper most layer 44 is
preferably
an ultraviolet cured release layer typically made from free radical acrylates
which
protects the ticket from fraudulent tampering especially by chemical means.
More
specifically, the ultraviolet cured release layer provides a solid, physical
barrier
against penetration by common chemicals such as solvents and the like. The
ultraviolet cured release layer is also known to facilitate removal of the
scratch-off
layer because it provides a smooth surface upon which the scratch-off layer is
applied.
AgairS referring to Figure 1, a scratch-off system designated by the numeral
46 provides an opaque covering for the game data so that the purchaser cannot
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view the game data without removing the scratch-off system 46. By way of
example, the scratch-off system 46 includes at least one layer of an opaque
latex
typically a black latex opaque coating 48 and at least one, preferably more
than one
white opaque latex coating 50. As shown specifically in Figure 1, three layers
of the
white opaque coating are shown.
The black latex opaque coating 48 prevents viewing of the game data while
the white latex opaque coating 50 provides a foundation for the overprinting
of
various other layers including ink layers as described in detail hereinafter.
In
accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided
an
optional second security system applied above the scratch-off system 46. The
second system is comprised of at least two different ink layers including a
base layer
with an ink having a third reflectance value as measured by the reflectance of
a
given wavelength of light and a second layer comprising an ink having a fourth
reflectance value different than the third reflectance value. The base layer
and/or
the second layer may contain an encoded pattern of symbols.
The formation of the encoded pattern of symbols can be achieved in the
second security system by printing the second layer over the base layer or by
reversing the arrangement of layers. Thus, the symbols (e.g. dots) may be in
the
color of the base layer or the second layer.
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An embodiment of a second security system 60 is shown in Figure 1. The
system 60 is comprised of two layers 62 and 64. The base layer or lower layer
62
comprises an ink having a reflectance value which is preferably different than
the
reflectance values of layers 20 and 22 previously described and is different
than the
reflectance value of the upper, second layer 64. The reflectance value of the
base
layer 62 is preferably from about 90 to 100% reflectance (based on the
reflectance
of red light) as previously described in connection with the first security
system, most
preferably about 100% reflectance. The base layer 62 is printed over the white
latex
layers 50 to completely cover the cells 24 of the play area 14 of the ticket
as
previously described.
The upper layer 64 is printed in an ink having a different reflectance value
than the underlying layer 62. Preferably, the reflectance value of the layer
64 is
lower than the layer 62 and is from about 57 to 77% reflectance (based on the
reflectance of red light), most preferably about 67% reflectance.
The second layer 64 is printed over the base layer 62 in a manner such that
an encoded pattern of symbols 66 is provided as shown in Figure 4. There is
provided a base layer 62 having overprinted thereon a second layer 64 in which
the
second layer is imprinted in a manner that symbols 66 in the color of the
first layer
appear on the ticket in an encoded pattern. The symbols 66 can be in any form
such as in the form of dots as shown in Figure 4.
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The pattern of symbols can be formed in the same way as previously
described for the first security system including a uniform pattern, a
complimentary
pattern, neither uniform or complimentary or both uniform and complimentary.
The
symbols 66 are arranged in a pattern in a manner which enables decoding by a
validating machine typically containing an optical detection system so that if
the
pattern of the symbols is altered in one or more cells of the ticket, the
validating
machine can detect the tampering and indicate that the ticket is invalid.
The second anti-tampering system 60 which appears above the scratch-off
layer system 46 and therefore is visible to the purchaser of the ticket before
the
ticket is played provides at least two measures of security. First, a ticket
at the time
of the purchase will have all of the cells of the ticket emitting a first
reflectance value
corresponding to one of the layers 62, 64 of the second security system 60 and
a
second reflectance value corresponding to the encoded pattern of symbols from
the
other of said layers 62, 64. If the scratch-off system 46 is penetrated to
observe
game data therebelow, the validating machine will detect a change in the
reflectance
pattern because at least some of the reflectance from layers 22 and or 20 will
be
present. The validating machine will be able to differentiate between the four
layers
20, 22, 62 and 64 because of their respective different reflectance values and
if the
expected reflectance values are not present the ticket can be declared
invalid. In
addition, if the encoded pattern of symbols 66 appearing in one or more of the
cells
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of the game area is altered or disrupted, the validating machine will be able
to detect
this alteration and render the ticket invalid.
In a typical probability game ticket, the purchaser is requested to remove the
opaque latex layers in less than all of the cells in the game area. As
specifically
shown in Figure 5, and for purposes of illustration only, the opaque latex
system
remains intact except for a single cell appearing in the top left hand corner
of the
game area. This particular cell has the latex system properly removed to
expose
game data in the form of the number "6". If any one of the other cells was
scratched
contrary to the rules of the game, that scratch could be detected by the
validating
machine because the reflectance values of at least one of the layers 20, 22
would
be detected in that cell when only the layers 62 and 64 should be detected.
If as shown in Figure 5, there was an attempt to change the game data
appearing in the properly exposed cell, such tampering could be detected by
the
encoded pattern of symbols appearing in the first security system as
previously
described in connection with Figure 2.
Accordingly, documents employing a scratch-off layer system and especially
lottery tickets for probability games exhibit enhanced security by the
employment of
at least the first security system of the present invention described with
reference to
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Figures 1-3C and especially good results are obtained by the incorporation of
both
security systems encompassed by Figures 1-5.
The detection of the layers 20, 22, 62 and 64 based on different reflectance
values can be accomplished by conventional means through the employment of an
optical detection system including a light source (e.g. for red light from a
red LED)
which is transmitted into the path of the lottery ticket within a validating
machine.
Light rays which are reflected from the ticket will be detected by an image
sensor
(e.g. single element photodetector) which will read portions of the ticket
(i.e. pixels)
with a typical definition of 330 dpi (dots per inch). The pattern read will be
compared
to a stored pattern for that ticket. The optical detection system will select
the desired
stored pattern based on the reading of a bar code appearing typically on the
backside of the ticket.
The optical detection system typically differentiates reflectance on a scale
of
0 to 255, with 0 being black and 255 being white. Thus, 67% reflectance will
be
indicated on the above scale as having a value of about 164. 33% reflectance
will
be indicated on the above scale as having a value of about 82.
Some efforts at fraudulently tampering with lottery tickets seek to "repair"
the
ticket so that the validating machine is tricked into reading the ticket as a
valid ticket.
To address this problem, there is provided in a preferred form of the
invention at
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least one layer 70 which is invisible to the human eye but sensitive to a
detectable
wavelength of light such as near infrared. If attempts are made to replace the
scratch-off layers by any other similar printed layers or photocopies of these
scratch-off layers are placed over the game area (cell). The absence of this
near
infrared reflectance layer will be detected by the validating machine. The
layer 70
is preferably made from a near-infrared flourescent dye and is formulated into
a
printing varnish to be applied over at least the scratch-off layer of the
ticket.
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