Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
APPARATUS FOR VENDING LOTTERY TICKETS
The present invention relates to an apparatus for vending lottery
tickets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ticket vending machines for example those manufactured by Gtech
Corporation of Rhode Island (previously under the name Interlott Technologies
Inc of
Cincinnati, Ohio) Pollard Banknote Limited of Winnipeg Canada (previously
under
the name American Games Inc. of Council Bluffs, Iowa) generally include an
exterior
housing which contains and secures the tickets and payment receptacle and
which
is accessible by customers for actuating switches on the housing for
dispensing
selected lottery tickets.
The lottery tickets are contained within separate containers within the
housing each of which has a dispensing unit operable to dispense a ticket from
a
selected container in response to the actuation of the switches by the
customer.
The control of the dispensing is effected by a control unit within the
housing which is responsive to the actuation of the switches by the customers
and
responsive to the receipt of payment from the customers for dispensing the
tickets.
Instant win lottery tickets can be provided either as scratch-off tickets
or as pull tab (otherwise known as break-open) tickets. While the two above
types
of tickets are different in many respects both in regard to the manner of
manufacture
and in regard to methods of validation and control, the present invention is
intended
to be directed to both types of lottery tickets and the term "lottery ticket"
as used
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
2
herein is intended to cover both types and other types of lottery tickets
which require
dispensing in the same or similar manner as the above types.
Generally lottery tickets of the scratch off type are manufactured in a
continuous strip which is then fan-folded for convenient supply. Generally
break
open type tickets are manufactured in individual ticket pieces which are then
formed
into a stack and dispensed one at a time from the bottom of the stack.
Machines for dispensing scratch off type tickets in fan folded form and
machines for dispensing break open type tickets in stacked form have been
available for many years. The construction, arrangement and operation of these
machines is well known to one skilled in the art and may be reviewed for
further
details.
In addition specific arrangements of dispensing arrangement proposed
for use in a dispenser for the fan folded scratch off tickets are shown in US
Patents
6,714,838 (Scrymgeour) and 6,712,253 (Hargrave) which are commonly owned with
this application. The first of these shows an arrangement for entering data
concerning the book of tickets to be introduced into the machine for
dispensing by
the machine and the second shows a dispensing arrangement for feeding an upper
end of the strip of tickets to a feed system which acts to burst the
perforations
between each ticket and the next as each ticket is dispensed in turn. The
construction and arrangement of these dispensing devices may be reviewed for
further details.
The dispensing machines are generally maintained on the premises of
a retailer so that the retailer is charged with the responsibility of filling
the containers
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
3
as necessary to maintain a continuous supply without shortages which would
potentially reduce sales. It is necessary therefore for the containers to be
refilled on
a periodic basis, either shortly after a container has become empty or in
order to
anticipate the container becoming empty. The service person therefore is
required
to check the inventory of a container and to top up the supply within each
container
which may be empty or approaching empty.
The apparatus includes a control unit which monitors the inventory and
controls the dispensing of the tickets in response to the manual actuation of
the
switches by the customers and in response to the submission of suitable
payment by
the customers.
Furthermore the control unit controls the operation of the dispensing
unit of each container so as to forward the ticket to be dispensed to the
required
dispensing location. In regard to the scratch off type tickets which are
generaily
supplied in a continuous strip, it is generally desirable to effect a bursting
of the
perforations between each ticket and the next so as to allow an individual
ticket to be
dispensed into a chute. This avoids any possibility of a customer improperly
tearing
a ticket or being able to pull an extended number of tickets from the supply.
In order
to effect the bursting action, it is necessary for the dispensing unit to have
information concerning the length of the ticket from its leading edge at the
previous
perforation line to the trailing edge at the next perforation line so as to
move the
perforation line to the bursting position and so as to dispense the ticket. In
regard to
the break open type tickets which are conventionally supplied in individual
ticket
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
4
form, it is also necessary for the control unit to have information concerning
the
length of the ticket in order to ensure that the #icket is properly dispensed.
The marketing of lottery ticket involves generating attractive tickets of
different game types to successfully convince the customer to purchase the
particular game.
In addition it is conventional to supply to the customers a selection of
tickets of difFerent prices so the customer may choose particular tickets not
only
based upon the attractiveness of the game but also upon the amount of money
which the customer chooses to pay.
In order to provide the customer with an appealing array of tickets from
which to purchase, the dispensing machine generally although not necessarily
includes a number of containers which can vary depending upon the particular
size
of dispensing machine required for example from 12 dispensing containers up to
24
dispensing containers. Each container generally therefore will be filled with
a
different game for selection by the customers. Generally the game selection
remains constant so that it is necessary only for the service person to
maintain the
containers properly filled by adding into each container a fresh supply of the
tickets
associated with that container. However in addition it also necessary on
occasion to
change the game associated with a respective container when older games are
cancelled and new games are brought in to replace those older games. Lotteries
release 50 to 80 new tickets per year and they want all of them to be in the
ITVM
while on sale in the marketplace, so the service reps will have to "change
out" some
containers or bins every few weeks.
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
The dispensing machine also should provide attractive graphics and
information which assist in informing the customer of the games available and
assist
in completing the sale of such fickets. It is known therefore to provide a
video
screen on the machine which provides information on the tickets available.
5 Commonly such screens are of the "touch screen type so that the customer
makes
a selection and purchase by touching the graphic of the ticket selected. An
example
of a machine of this type which is proposed as one alternative for use with
lottery
tickets is shown in US Patent 5,408,417 (Wilder) issued April 18" 1995.
An early example of a vending machine for lottery tickets which
suggested the incorporation of a screen is that disclosed in US Patent
5,222,624
(Burr) issued June 29th 1993 where there is proposed that the tickets be
displayed
on a screen as an array of the tickets available. This proposal was suggested
in
replacement for the main proposal of the patent where the tickets themselves
are
visible through windows in the front of the housing. The display is thus
limited to the
array of tickets available and even suggests that the ticket of the array
which is
selected for dispensing have the graphic thereof move to simulate the
dispensing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved
machine for vending lottery tickets.
The tickets defined herein can be of the scratch-off type or break open
type as well known to one skilled in the art. Commonly the scratch-off type
tickets
are dispensed from a continuous strip of the tickets connected end to end and
the
break-open tickets from a stack of the tickets. However this is not essential
and the
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
6
system for the dispensing from the containers can be selected as required.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an
apparatus for vending lottery tickets comprising:
a housing arranged for mounting at a location for vending of lottery
tickets, the housing having an exterior surface for access by a purchasing
customer
and a secure interior;
a plurality of dispensing containers mounted within the secure interior,
each arranged to receive a plurality of lottery tickets for dispensing of the
tickets
sequentially;
at least one dispensing device within the secure interior actuable to
dispense the one or more tickets from the containers for receipt of the
dispensed
tickets by the purchasing customer;
a payment receiving device for effecting of a payment for selected
tickets;
a plurality of separate display devices arranged so as to be visible on
the outer surface of the housing in an array, each arranged for displaying
graphics
and information relating to a respective one of a plurality of different
tickets available
for purchase by the purchasing customer;
each display device having associated therewith a respective one of a
plurality of customer actuated purchase switches actuable by the customer to
effect
purchase of the respective one of the plurality of different tickets;
each display device having associated therewith a respective one of a
plurality of customer actuated information switches actuable by the customer;
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
7
a video display screen;
a control unif within the housing including a memory and arranged for:
controlling the dispensing of the respective one of the tickets in
response to the actuation of a selected one of the purchase switches by the
customer and the receipt of payment from the customer; and
displaying from the memory on the video display screen graphic
information relating to a respective one of the tickets in response to the
actuation of
a selected one of the information switches by the customer;
and a control input interface inside the secure interior for operation by
an authorized operator.
The dispensing containers preferably are associated each with a
respective one of a plurality of dispensing devices. However alternative
arrangements may be included where one or more dispensing devices are provided
each associated with more than one of the containers.
Preferably each of the display devices is arranged to provide a static
display of information related to the respective ticket.
Preferably each of the display devices includes a printed card.
However other types of display including a graphic displayed on a screen can
be
used.
Preferably each of the display devices includes a holder for the printed
card.
Preferably each holder includes at least one LED light arranged on the
holder so as to illuminate a front surface of the printed card.
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
8
Preferably each display device includes a transparent window in the
exterior surface of the housing and a support surface for supporting the
printed card
behind the transparent window, the support surface defining a bottom edge and
being inclined upwardly and rearwardly to define a slot at a top edge of the
support
surface into which the printed card can be inserted to rest against the
support
surface and each display device including a row of LED lights above the slot
for
illuminating the printed card.
Preferably each display device includes a display panel actuable to
display a price for the respective ticket alongside the #icket information.
This is
preferably but not neoessarily an LCD display which can be readily changed as
required by the control unit.
Preferably the control unit is arranged such that the graphic display on
the video display screen includes a set of rules for the game related to the
respective ticket.
Preferably the control unit is arranged such that the graphic display on
the video display screen includes a set of odds fior the game related to the
respective ticket.
Preferably the control unit is arranged such that the graphic display on
the video display screen includes advertising material for the game related to
the
respective fiicket.
Preferably the control unit is arranged such that the graphic display on
the video display screen includes a prize structure for the game related to
the
respective ticket.
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
9
Preferably the control unit is arranged such that the graphic display on
the video display screen relates only to the single ticket selected.
Preferably the control unit is arranged such that the graphic display on
the video display screen includes audio related to the respective ticket.
Preferably the housing lncludes a door mounted for hinged pivotal
movement about one edge which can be moved to an open position by an
authorized operator for exposing the secure interior, wherein the control unit
is
arranged such that the control input interface includes a display on the video
display
screen and wherein the video display screen is mounted such that the video
display
screen can be viewed by the customer from the exterior with the door closed
and
can be viewed by the authorized operator with the door open.
Preferably the video display screen is mounted on the door and can be
viewed by the customer from the exterior with the door closed through a
transparent
window in the door and wherein the video display screen is carried on a
mounting
which allows the video display screen to pivot relative to the door to face
inwardly of
the door to be viewed by the authorized operator with the door open. However
other
mounting arrangements may be used which allow the screen to be viewed in one
position by the customer and another position by the authoriized operator for
the dual
use of the screen.
Preferably the control input interface includes a keyboard for easier
and more effective input of the required information by the authorized
operator.
Preferably there is provided a motion sensor on the housing arranged
to detect the presence of a customer approaching the housing and wherein the
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
wherein the control unit is arranged such that the graphic display on the
video
display screen is changed in response to detection of the presence of a
customer by
the motion sensor.
Preferably the control input interface includes a USB port to receive
5 graphic display information from a memory stick. Alternatively, information
for the
info button, or other display info for the video display screen, can be
downloaded via
a telephone line connected to a modem in the machine.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an
apparatus for vending lottery tickets comprising:
10 a housing arranged for mounting at a location for vending of lottery
tickets, the housing having an exterior surface for access by a purchasing
customer
and a secure interior;
a plurality of dispensing containers mounted within the secure interior,
each arranged to receive a plurality of lottery tickets for dispensing of the
tickets
sequentially;
at least one dispensing device within the secure interior actuable to
dispense the one or more tickets from the containers for receipt of the
dispensed
tickets by the purchasing customer;
a payment receiving device for effecting of a payment for selected
tickets;
a plurality of separate display devices arranged so as to be visible on
the outer surface of the housing in an array, each arranged for displaying
graphics
and information relating to a respective one of a plurality of different
tickets available
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
11
for purchase by the purchasing customer;
a control unit within the housing including a memory and arranged for
controlling the dispensing of the respective one of the tickets in response to
the
actuation of a selected one of a plurality of purchase switches by the
customer;
and a control input interFacQ inside the secure interior for operation by
an authorized operator;
wherein each of the display devices includes a holder for a printed
card;
wherein each display device includes a transparent window in the
exterior surface of the housing and a support surface for supporting the
printed card
behind the transparent window;
the support surface defining a bottom edge and being inclined
upwardly and rearwardly to define a slot at a top edge of the support surface
into
which the printed card can be inserted to rest against the support surface;
and wherein each display devioe includes a row of LED lights above
the slot for illuminating the printed card.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an
apparatus for vending lottery tickets comprising:
a housing arranged for mounting at a location for vending of lottery
tickets, the housing having an exterior surface for access by a purchasing
customer
and a secure interior;
a plurality of dispensing containers mounted within the secure interior,
each arranged to receive a plurality of lottery tickets for dispensing of the
tickets
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
12
sequentially;
at least one dispensing device within the secure interior actuable to
dispense the one or more tickets from the containers for receipt of the
dispensed
tickets by the purchasing customer;
a payment receiving device for effecting of a payment for selected
tickets;
a plurality of display devices arranged so as to be visible on the outer
surface of the housing in an array, each arranged for displaying graphics and
information relating to a respective one of a plurality of different tickets
available for
purchase by the purchasing customer;
customer actuated purchase switches actuable by the customer to
effect purchase of the respective one of the plurality of different tickets;
a video display screen;
a control unit within the housing including a memory and arranged for
controlling the dispensing of the respective one of the tickets in response to
the
actuation of a selected one of the purchase switches by the customer and
displaying
from the memory on the video display screen graphic information relating to
the
tickets; and
a control input interface inside the secure interior for operation by an
authorized operator;
wherein the housing includes a door mounted for hinged pivotal
movement about one edge which can be moved to an open position by an
authorized operator for exposing the secure interior,
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
13
wherein the control unit is arranged such that the control input interface
includes a display on the video display screen;
wherein the video display screen is mounted on the door and can be
viewed by the customer from the exterior with the door closed through a
transparent
window in the door and wherein the video display screen is carried on a
mounting
which allows the video display screen to pivot relative to the door to face
inwardly of
the door to be viewed by the authorized operator with the door open.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded view of a vending machine according to the
present invention.
Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the machine of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the front door only of the machine
of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of one row of the array of display
devices of the door of the machine of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view along the lines 5-5 of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view along the lines 6-6 of Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a top plan view of the machine of Figure 1 in the open
position of the door allowing access by the authorized operator to the secure
interior
of the machine_
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
14
parts in the different figures,
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The vending machine is generally indicated at 10 and includes a
housing 11 with a top wall 12, side walls 13 and 14, a rear wall 15 and a
bottom or
base 16 defining an open front face 17. The base sits on the floor or on a
suitable
plinth at a suitable vending location thus presenting the housing to the
potential
customer and to an authorized operator of the machine.
The housing further includes a horizontal support panel 19 which
supports a vending module 20 which is inserted into the housing and supported
by
the panel 19. The module 20 includes a series of containers 21 and a series of
dispensing devices 22. These are arranged in an array of rows and columns. The
dispensing devices are mounted in front of the containers and are arranged to
engage and receive an upper one of a series of tickets stored in the
respective
container for dispensing the ticket for discharge to the customer as required.
At the bottom of the module 20 is located an electrical cabinet 20A
which is mounted in a slide-out drawer and contains the control electronics
for the
dispensing devices and forms a part of the control system for the machine. It
will be
appreciated that the control electronics can be arranged in many different
formats
and constructions as will be well known to one skilled in the art so that the
arrangement shown is one example only.
The arrangement of containers and dispensing devices can be similar
to that disclosed in the above patents of the present assignee and other
arrangements are well known to one skilled in the art so that further
description of
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
these elements is not necessary. In front of the dispensing module 20 is
provided a
dispensing chute 23 which provides a series of openings for receiving the
dispensed
tickets from the dispensing devices 22 in a rear wall 24 of the dispensing
chute. The
chute then provides control surfaces (not shown) which guide the dispensed
tickets
5 downwardly to a bottom mouth 25 which discharges into a receptacle 26
(figure 3)
for supply of the tickets through a slot 27.
The dispensing chute 23 is mounted on hinges 28 and 29 at the right
hand side of the chute which are carried on supports 30 and 31 of the module
20 so
that the dispensing chute 23 can pivot from a closed position over the front
of the
10 module 20 to an open position exposing the front of the module for access
and
service. The dispensing chute includes a suitable latch arrangement which
holds it
in place in the closed position during the normal vending action.
Underneath the panel 19 is provided a storage basket 32 which is
mounted on slides 33 allowing it to be inserted and removed from the
compartment
15 underneath the panel 19. The basket provides storage for materiais to be
used in
the interior of the machine by the authorized operator.
A door 35 is provided which can be moved from a closed position
covering the open front face 17 to an open position allowing acoess to the
interior of
the housing. The door is mounted on brackets 36 and 37 attached to the side of
the
housing 11 which is the left hand side as viewed from the front so that the
hinge for
the door is located opposite the hinge for the dispensing chute 23. A locking
arrangement 38 is mounted on the inside surface of the door 35 and is operable
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
16
through a key slot 39 on the front face to engage and incorporate a suitable
lock
retainer 40 carried on the inside surface of the housing.
With the door 35 locked in place on the open front face 17 of the
housing 11, the interior of the housing is secured so as to be inaccessible to
the
customer and accessible only to the authorized operator having access to the
key
which will unlock and open the front door.
The door as best shown in Figure 2 includes a front flat panel 41 and
right angle flanges 42 at the top, bottom and side edges which extend
rearwardly
from the front panel 41 toward the front face 17 to co-operate with the front
face in
the closing action. The door thus provides a shallow hollow receptacle for the
components carried on the door which are thus contained and protected by the
structure of the door. The rear surface of the door is however open to allow
direct
access to the rear surface by the operator when the door is opened.
The door panel 41 is cut to form a series of openings to receive a
number of components which are presented through the front panel 41 to the
customer to provide an attractive vending appearance to the customer. The
height
of the door is such that the upper edge is approximately at or slightly above
eyQ
height so that the openings in the door are readily accessible to the
customer. An
upper most one of the openings is indicated at 43 and is provided immediately
adjacent a top edge 44 of the door. For convenience of the internal structure,
the
opening 43 is located adjacent the lock side 45 of the door and away from the
hinge
side 46. The opening 43 is generally rectangular with horizontal top and
bottom
edges and vertical side edges and is dimensioned to just receive the front
face of a
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
17
video display screen 47 of a conventional LCD computer display 48 (Figure 3).
The
screen 47 is covered by a transparent panel 49 so that the front sheet 41 and
the
panel 49 provide a closure for the front surface allowing viewing of the
screen 47 but
no access to that screen.
On the front face is provided a further opening 50 which allows
penetration through the front panel of a beam from a motion sensor 51. Below
the
motion sensor 51 is provided an opening 52 at which is located a switch 53
known in
the industry as a "maxim" switch which is used by the player for dispensing a
maximum number of a selected ticket in dependence upon the amount of money
received within the machine. These arrangements are well known and do not need
to be described in more detail.
Below the lock 39 is provided a further opening 54 at which is mounted
a bill acceptor 55 by which a customer can insert payment into the machine
using
paper bills. Below the bill acceptor 55 is provided a coin slot 57 which
provides an
entry into a coin receptor 58 on the rear surface which drops accepted coins
into a
coin box 59 or returns coins to a coin return slot 60 on the front face.
It will be appreciated that each of these elements is of course well
known in the vending industry so that further description is not required.
Also visible in Figure 2 and in the reverse on Figure 3 is the dispensing
slot and dispensing receptacle 26 and 27 which receive the tickets discharged
from
the chute 23 and presents them through the slot 27 to the customer after a
purchase
has been made.
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
18
In the area above the slot 27 and below the bottom edge of the
opening 43 is provided an array of display devices generally indicated at 61.
This
array generally matches the array of the dispensing containers so that the
same
number of display devices is provided as the number of dispensing containers.
In
the embodiment shown, the display devices are arranged in array of rows and
columns where there are six rows and four columns making a total of twenty
four
display devices available to display information relating to particular
tickets. This
array corresponds to the array of four columns and six rows of the dispensing
containers and it will be appreciated that this is a particularly convenient
arrangement to allow the operator to co-ordinate the display of a ticket with
the
associated vending container with a low level of confusion. However the
display
devices do not allow viewing of the dispensing devices themselves but merely a
display on the exterior of the front panel 41 which allows the customer to
view the
tickets available for sale.
Each display device comprises a holder 62 for a printed card which
displays basic information conoerning the ticket to be vended. Underneath the
printed card at the holder 62 is provided a visual display 63 in the form of a
suitable
digital display element such as LCD at which the price of the associated
ticket can
be displayed in numerical terms. Alongside the display 63 is provided a pair
of
switches 64 and 65 which are simple depress switches which can be actuated by
the
customer when the customer has made a selection of a ticket in which the
customer
has some interest. The two switches 64 and 65 are marked "info" and
"purchaseA.
Switches are mounted one beside the other immediately accessible without any
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
19
confusion as to which display they relate and with the operation of the switch
clearly
marked on the front face of the switch.
On the rear of the door is mounted a computer console generally
indicated at 66 which is connected by a suitable control wiring to the various
components including the display screen 48, the bill acceptor 55, the coin
receptacle
58, the switches 63 and 64 and the dispensing units 22. The computer console
also
is connected to a keyboard 67 by which the authorized operator can input
informafion into the computer system. In addition there is provided a printer
68
which can print paper receipts for inventory control. In addition there is
provided a
bar code reader 69 which is connected to the computer console for input of
data
from bar codes provided on game set up cards as described in more detail in
the
above patent of the present assignees, the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference. The game set up cards are located on the front face of
the
dispensing devices 22 so as to be associated with and identify the respective
dispensing device and its associated container.
Yet further there is provided a USB port 70 which provides an input
into the computer. This is conveniently mounted on the electrical cabinet 20A
as
shown but can be positioned at any convenient location at or adjacent the
dispensing containers. Thus the video display, the keyboard, the printer, the
bar
code reader and the USB port all form part of a control input interPace
located inside
the secure interior for operation by the authorized operator when loading
refill packs
of tickets or when loading new games including new ticket packs.
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
The video display screen 48 is mounted on a swinging bracket 71
which is hinged to the rear of the display screen at a coupling 72 and is
hinged to the
inside flange of the door at a support 73. This allows the video display
screen to be
moved from a dispensing position in which the front surface of the screen is
5 presented at the opening 43 to a position in which the screen 47 faces
inside the
door. This position is shown in Figure 7 in which a loading and service
position of
the machine is shown in which the housing 11 has the front face 17 exposed by
opening of the door 35 and by opening of the dispensing chute 23. In this
position
the operator can stand in front of the front face 17 and between the door 35
and the
10 dispensing chute 23 and can access the interface within the machine. Thus
the
screen 48 is shown at a position facing the operator in front of the open face
17 with
the operator able to active the keyboard 67 presented at a suitable location
on the
inside of the door 35. The keyboard 67 is mounted on hinges 67A which allow it
to
be folded downwardly to a flat position against the rear surface of the door
or pivoted
15 so it is inclined upwardly and outwardly in the conventional orientation of
a keyboard.
Thus, with the door open, the authorized operator can enter tickets into the
containers and suitable arranged for them to be dispensed at the required
locations
by the dispensers from the particular containers.
As set forth in the above patent, data relating to the tickets can be
20 input into the computer using the input interface so that the computer acts
as a
control unit controlling the dispensing of the tickets when the customer makes
a
selection. The control unit provides the necessary data for dispensing
particuiar
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
21
tickets of a particular length and arrangement thus controlling the dispensing
units in
dependence upon the data input into the control unit relating to those
tickets.
The keyboard and the full size screen which form of a conventional PC
allow the operator to input the necessary data quickly and easily using
techniques
are well known to persons familiar with a computer.
When the loading is complete the video screen is returned to its initial
position presented at the opening 43 and the dispensing chute 23 and the door
35
are closed thus again securing the interior.
The control unit defined by the computer then acts to control the
operation of the dispensing machine.
The control unit acts therefore to display on the screen 47 a generic
message relating to the lottery which is generally a static graphic. However,
on
detection of the presence of a person in the vicinity of the machine as
detected by
the motion sensor 51, the control unit is activated to apply onto the video
screen a
moving graphic which provides an initial incentive for the customer to apply
attention
to the machine. The initial moving graphic is generally not related to any
particular
ticket but is simply an initial advertisement which can include audio
broadcast
through speakers 47A and 47B mounted on the front face 41 of the door adjacent
the screen 47. The video and the audio required for the advertisement are
stored irt
a memory module or hard drive in the computer.
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
22
Once the attention of the customers attracted to the machine, the
customer has the option of selecting from any one of the tickets in the array
of
disclosed tickets. The array discloses basic information relating to the
ticket
including basic graphics of relatively small size which are displayed on the
printed
card presented at the windows forming the array. In addition the price is
displayed
on the LCD display 63.
In the event that the customer wishes to purchase a ticket, this
purchase can be simply effected by the customer depressing the purchase button
65
immediately adjacent the ticket concerned. The system is very simple and thus
is
not in any way intimidating since the person merely views the ticket concerned
and
presses the button immediately adjacent to it without any necessity for
interacting
with any complex technology.
In the event that the customer wishes to obtain more information
concerning the ticket, the customer can depress the second button 64 which is
again
immediately adjacent the ticket concerned. In this case the control unit
accesses
information relating to that ticket and displays the information on the video
display
screen.
As the video display screen is relatively large in comparison with the
size of the individual windows, much more information can be displayed on a
video
display screen. This can include a series of graphics which present the
following
information.
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
23
A set of rules for the game.
A set of odds for the prizes on the game.
Advertising material for the game concerned.
A prize structure for the game concemed.
The information displayed relates only to the single ticket concerned so
that the customer is not in anyway confused. The advertising material and any
of
the other graphics can include audio. The advertising material can be similar
to or
identical to television or other promotional material which will therefore be
familiar to
the customer from advertising campaigns.
The vending system is very effective in that it maintains a low level of
complexity for the customer, it provides information relating to each of the
tickets
concemed in a relatively simple stationary graphic form and in addition it
provides
the abiiiiy of the customer to access much more information on a video screen
which
therefore allows high intensity and highly attractive graphics to be used.
The provision of the USB port in the machine allows the operator,
when loading a new game, to load into the memory of the computer the graphics
necessary for the display screen using a commercially available memory stick
which
carries those graphics. Thus the machine can be quickly configured for
different or
new games and yet provides highly effective sales material to the customer,
should
the customer so desire. In the alternative, the customer can simply activate
the
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
24
immediate purchase using the purchase button or the maxim button if the
customer
is already decided upon the purchase to be made.
Turning now to Figures 4, 5 and 6, there is shown an assembly which
forms one row of the display devices for insertion into the openings forming
the array
61 on the front panel 41 of the door. Thus the structure is formed to define a
single
row of the elements of the array and a series of the rows are provided for
mounting
one above the other to complete the full array. Thus the structure forms a
base
panel 75 formed from a plastic sheet which is molded to form a generally flat
portion
which is placed against and held in contact with the inside surface of the
door. As
best shown in Figure 6, the door panel 41 includes an opening 76 closed by a
window 77. The sheet 75 is fastened behind the surface of the wall 41. The
sheet
75 carries a support surface 78 which has a bottom edge 79 connected to the
sheet
75 and is inclined upwardly and outwardly to a top edge 80 spaced away from
the
sheet 75. This provides a mouth or slot 81 into which a printed card can be
simply
dropped by the operator from the interior of the door so that the bottom edge
of the
card drops to the bottom edge of the support surface 78 and the rear surface
of the
card lies against the surface 78. The height of the card is matched to the
height of
the surface and of course the width of the card is matched to the width of the
window
78.
The sheet 75 also carries a circuit board in the forrn of a strip across
the top of the mouth 81 with the circuit board providing a series of LEDs 82
positioned across the top of the slot 81. These LEDs thus provide illumination
which
CA 02522369 2008-01-21
2''J
is directed downwardly in front of the printed card lying against the surface
78. AS
shown in Figure 4, there are four such LEDs for each window. The LEDs
themselves are not visible since they are behind the sheet 75 but the LEDs
provide
their ii[umination onto the printed card to provide an attractive appearance.
The sheet 75 also carries a further circuit board 84 which defines an
LCD display. This is located alongside the switches 64 and 65 and below the
window 76. It will be appreciated that the door surface 41 is cut to define
further
openings 85, 86 and 87 which cooperate with the LCD display 63 and the
switches
64 and 65 so that these can be presented at the surface for viewing by the
operator.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described
above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be
made
therein, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications
which
may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
