SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY PROCESSING AN INSTANT LOTTERY

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a system (1) designed to implement the automatic processing of coupons for contests or instant lotteries.
The system (1) first of all comprises several detection means (3) of processed coupon data, apt to verify which type of game is implemented on the coupon itself and subsequently to detect the combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols reported on the surface of game of the coupon.
The system (1) further provides several removal means (7) of the film covering the surface of game of the coupon, activated once the type of game is recognized.
The system (1) further comprises a control unit (11) programmed for the recognition of the combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols detected as winning or losing.
Again, the system (1) comprises automatic sorting means (9) for the treated coupons, depending on whether they are winning or losing.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention refers to a system configured to automatically process the coupon of an instant lottery, for example a contest such as a scratch and win.

[0002] The system of the invention proposes to eliminate or at least reduce the risk of not identifying winning coupons by the player user and furthermore realizes an automatic sorting of the coupons in such a way as to enable the correct disposal thereof.

Background

[0003] The instant lotteries or the contests, such as scratch and win, are traditionally implemented on physical media supports. Such supports generally have the structure of a paper coupon. The latter present at least one portion of external surface of game, on which a combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols, which is hidden from sight by a coating film applied in overlap to the surface of game, is reported.

[0004] Billions of coupons are produced every year, which are equal to several tons of paper. Generally, winning coupons are returned to the business operation or to the authority responsible for paying out the winnings, while there are no ad hoc disposal methods for non-winning coupons.

[0005] Therefore, generally, the non-winning coupons are thrown on the ground or in bins destined to the unsorted waste collection, and in any case they are hardly sent to the separate waste collection for recycling.

[0006] The disposal of non-winning coupons is a huge problem, considering the very high number thereof that is produced every year.

[0007] Furthermore, the number of rejection coupons is higher than that of the only non-winning coupons, considered that a not negligible percentage of winning coupons is not correctly identified by the players. In fact, the player may not recognize the winning coupon due to incomplete removal of the film from the playing area, misunderstanding of game mechanisms, or simply distraction.

[0008] Therefore, among the waste coupons to be disposed of, there are also winning coupons, corresponding to uncollected prizes, which should instead be delivered to the financial year or authority responsible for paying out the prizes.

Summary of the invention

[0009] The technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is therefore that of providing a system for the automatic processing of instant lottery coupons which allows to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks with reference to the prior art.

[0010] The aforesaid drawbacks are solved by a system according to the independent claim 1 and by a method according to the independent claim 9.

[0011] Preferred features of the present invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

[0012] The present invention provides a system configured to implement automatically processing of coupons for contests or instant lotteries. The system first of all comprises detection means for the processed coupon data, to verify which type of game is implemented on the coupon itself.

[0013] The system also provides removal means of the film covering the surface of game of the coupon, which can be activated once the type of game is recognized.

[0014] The system further comprises means to detect the combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols reported on the surface of game, and identification means of the combination as winning or losing.

[0015] Again, the system comprises automatic sorting means of the treated coupons, depending on whether they are winners or losers.

[0016] Advantageously, preferred embodiments of the system provide further separation means of the coupons based on the type of game, preferably upstream of the removal means of the film. Such variants of the system of the invention allow groups of coupons that implement the same game to be processed from time to time, to achieve a faster processing speed.

[0017] Advantageously, the invention allows to avoid errors in the identification of the winning coupons. Furthermore, the invention allows to separate the winning coupons from the loser ones in order to direct them into separate collection, allowing them to be recycled.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the invention, the system provides memorizing means for the data of the detected coupons. According to this implementation, the invention, and the corresponding method, allow to elaborate such aggregated data to monitor the rooting stage of the phenomenon of gambling addiction on the territory.

[0019] Other advantages, features and methods of use of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments, presented by way of non-limiting examples.

Brief description of the drawings

[0020] Reference will be made to the attached drawings, wherein:

• Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a system according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 shows a first part of a flow chart which refers to first steps of a method of processing a coupon of instant lottery according to the present invention;
• Figure 3 shows a second and last part of a flow chart which refers to further steps of a method according to the present invention, subsequent to the steps of Figure 2.

[0021] The above Figures are to be merely intended for illustrative and non-limiting purposes.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0022] Initially referring to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of a system according to the present invention is overall denoted by 1.

[0023] The system 1 is configured to automatically process a coupon for an instant lottery or a contest, such as a scratch and win.

[0024] The type of processable coupons using system 1, in accordance with the automatic processing method according to the present invention, requires to bear at least one portion of external surface of game, which is reported in a combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols. This combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols is hidden from sight by a coating film, which is applied in overlap to the surface of game. This coating may be a paint, which can be removed by mechanical abrasion or chemical treatment, for example by applying solvents suitable for the purpose.

[0025] The system 1 may first of all comprise supply means 2 of the coupons to be processed, for example comprising a collection trolley of the coupons to be processed.

[0026] The system 1 further comprises detection means 3, configured to detect: data of weight, dimensions and/or shape of the coupon; coupon data associated with the type of game, such as color and/or presence of specific wordings; and the combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols visible after removing the film from the coupon's surface. For this purpose, the detection means 3 may comprise weight sensors and/or optical sensors, for example a video camera.

[0027] Such sensors may be comprised in a single device or located in different processing stations of the coupon, for example according to a variant of the system 1 comprising a plurality of processing stations of the coupon arranged in succession, according to the various steps of the method implemented, which will be better described below.

[0028] Again, the system 1 comprises removal means 7 of the film from the portion of external surface of game, which may comprise mechanical removal devices (for example via abrasion of the film) or chemical removal devices for the film, comprising e.g. dispensers/applicators of a chemical solvent, depending on the type of film applied to the coupon to be processed.

[0029] Preferably, the system 1 can comprise several removal devices, suitable for implementing both types of film removal, selectively operable depending on the type of coupon processed.

[0030] The 1 system further comprises sorting means 9 of the coupons from which the film was removed, configured to convey the coupons to a first collection module if recognized as winners, or to a second collection module if recognized as losers.

[0031] According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the detection means 3 may be further configured to identify the portion of external surface of the coupon on which the coating film is applied. In association with such detection means 3 movement means 5 of the coupon may be provided.

[0032] The means 5 is configured to vary the arrangement of the coupon with respect to the removal means 7 if the detection means 3 does not detect the presence of at least one portion of external surface covered by the film on the surface of the coupon properly facing the removal means 7, in such a way as to face the surface of game covered by the film towards the removal means 7. In particular, the movement means 5 is configured to rotate or flip the coupon.

[0033] Again, a control unit 11 may be comprised within the system 1, which unit can be physically located in several sub-units in association with each of the means 3, 7, 9 described above. Alternatively, the control unit 11 can be remotely located with respect to the system 1, for example in a control station.

[0034] The control unit 11 is in data communication with the detection means 3, the removal means 7, the sorting means 9 and possible movement means 5, said data communication being carried out preferably in a wireless mode.

[0035] The control unit 11 is further in data communication with a database 13 in which data relating to one or more types of processable coupons is stored by means of the system 1.

[0036] The database 13 can be comprised in the system 1 or it can be remotely located with respect to the system, also realized in cloud. The data stored in the database 13 comprises: data of weight, dimensions and/or shape of the coupon; data associated with the type of game, such as color and/or specific wordings; and combination/s of winning graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols, such data being associated with each of the types of processable coupons by means of the system 1.

[0037] The control unit 11 is programmed in such a way as to process the data detected by the detection means 3 for each processed coupon, performing a comparison between the data detected and the data stored in the database 13.

[0038] The comparison performed by the control unit 11 is aimed at determining whether the detected data of weight, size and/or form of the coupon corresponds to the stored data of weight, size and/or form of a coupon associated with a type of processable coupon.

[0039] Again, the processing further checks whether the detected data associated with the type of game implemented on the processed coupon, such as color and/or presence of specific wordings, corresponds to stored data, such as color and/or presence of specific wordings, associated with a type of game associated with the same type of processable coupon recognized by processing the data of weight, dimensions and/or shape.

[0040] If such checks have positive results, i.e. the processed coupon belongs to one of the types of processable coupons from system 1, the control unit 11 is programmed to command the implementation of said removal means 7. According to preferred implementation methods of the invention, the control unit 11 may be programmed to select a particular removal device comprised among the means 7 (e.g. with mechanical or chemical action), depending on the type of coupon processed.

[0041] Again, preferably, the control unit 11 may be configured to command further separation means 8 of the coupons based on the recognized type of game, preferably located upstream of the removal means 7. Such separation means are configured to convey the coupons to different modules or collection containers, such as trays, grouping them according to the type of game.

[0042] In other words, the control unit 11 controls the actuation of separation means 8 to obtain coupons housed in different containers, depending on the implemented game.

[0043] In this way, it is possible to convey to removal means 7 and then process from time to time the data of groups of coupons from the same container, which implements the same game, with faster processing speed of data detected by part of the control unit 11.

[0044] Indeed, the control unit 11 is further programmed to check if the combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols detected by the detection means 3 corresponds to stored data relating to the winning combination/s of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols associated with the type of processed coupon.

[0045] If such check has a positive result, the control unit 11 further commands the implementation of the sorting means 9, in such a way that such means 9 convey the processed coupon to a first collection module if the check is positive (winning coupon) or to a second collection module if the check is negative (losing coupon).

[0046] According to further implementation variants of the system, the control unit 11 is in data communication with a memory unit 12, in which the coupon data detected during its processing is stored. The memory unit 12 may be external to the system, or comprised within the control unit 11 itself.

[0047] As previously mentioned, the present invention also refers to a method for automatically process coupon for an instant lottery or contest, which coupon bears at least one portion of external surface of game, on which a combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols is reported, in which the surface of game covered by a coating film apt to prevent the view of the combination of graphic or alphanumeric symbols.

[0048] A preferred embodiment of the method, which can be implemented by means of a system according to what has already described, comprises the succession of steps described below, as illustrated by way of example in Figures 2 and 3.

[0049] First of all, first data of the coupon is detected, which comprises data of weight, dimensions and/or shape and data associated with the type of game, such as color and/or presence of specific wordings.

[0050] The first data detected is compared to reference first data relating to each of one or more types of processable coupons by said method, such reference first data comprising data of weight, dimensions and/or shape of the coupon and coupon data associated with the type of game, such as color and/or presence of specific wordings.

[0051] If the detected data corresponds to reference data relating to one of the types of processable coupons, it will proceed to process the coupon, otherwise the process is terminated and the coupon is sent for storage and/or recycling, for example it may be directly conveyed to the second collection module.

[0052] If the data detected corresponds to reference data relating to one of the types of processable coupons, it will proceed with the removal of the film from the portion of the game and with the detection of second data of the coupon, comprising the combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols visible after film removal. The removal can be mechanically or chemically implemented, according to what already described.

[0053] The first and second coupon data detected may be stored to enable a subsequent processing, in order to carry out a statistical study relative to the processed coupons.

[0054] The second data detected is then compared to second reference data comprising the combination/s of the winning graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols associated with the type of processable coupons to which the processed coupon belongs, according to the findings made by the previous checks.

[0055] If the detected second data corresponds to the reference second data, the coupon is sorted to the first collection module of winning coupons; alternatively, if the detected second data does not correspond to the second reference data, the coupon is sorted to the second collection module of losing coupons.

[0056] The present invention has been so far described with reference to preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that there may be other embodiments which refer to the same inventive core, as defined by the scope of protection of the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. System (1) configured to automatically process a coupon for an instant lottery or a contest, which coupon bears at least one portion of external surface of game on which a combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols is reported, on which at least one portion of external surface a coating film apt to prevent the view of such combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols is applied,
said system (1) comprising:

- detection means (3), comprising one or more sensors configured to detect:

• data of weight, dimensions and/or shape of the coupon;

• coupon data associated with the type of game, such as color and/or presence of specific wordings;

• the combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols visible after the removal of the film from the coupon's surface;

- removal means (7) of the film from the portion of external surface;

- sorting means (9) of the coupons from which the film has been removed, configured to convey such coupons to a first collection module if winning, and to a second collection module if losing;

- a control unit (11) in data communication with said detection means (3), said removal means (7) and said sorting means (9),
said control unit (11) being also in data communication with a database (13) in which data relating to each of one or more types of processable coupons by said system (1) is stored,
said data comprising, in association with said each of one or more types of processable coupons:

∘ data of weight, dimensions and/or shape of the coupon;

∘ coupon data associated with the type of game, such as color and/or presence of specific wordings; and

∘ combinations/s of winning graphic and/or alphanumeric symbol/s for each of said types of game,

wherein said control unit (11) is programmed in such a way as to process the data detected by said detection means (3) for each processed coupon, making a comparison between said data detected and said data stored in said database (13) in such a way that:

if said detected data of weight, dimensions and/or shape of the coupon corresponds to stored data of weight, dimensions and /or shape of the coupon associated with a type of processable coupon, and

said detected data associated with the type of game, such as color and/or presence of specific wordings, corresponds to stored data, such as color and/or presence of specific wordings, associated with the same type of processable coupon,

said control unit (11) commands the actuation of said removal means (7) and subsequently further checks whether said combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols detected, visible after the removal of the film from the surface of the coupon, corresponds to a combination/s of winning graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols associated with the same type of processable coupon,

wherein the control unit (11) is further programmed for:

if the check has a positive result, commanding the actuation of said sorting means (9) in such a way as to convey the processed coupon to the first collection module, or

if the check has a negative result, commanding the actuation of said sorting means (9) in such a way as to convey the processed coupon to the second collection module.

2. System (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said detection means (3) is configured to identify the at least one portion of external surface of the coupon on which the coating film is applied,
said system (1) further comprising movement means (5) of the coupon in data communication with said control unit (11) and configured to vary the arrangement of the coupon with respect to said removal means (7) if said detection means (3) does not detect the presence of at least one portion of external surface covered by the film on the surface of the coupon facing said removal means (7), said movement means (5) being in particular configured to rotate or reverse the coupon.

3. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said removal means (7) of the film is means of mechanical removal.

4. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said control unit (11) is in data communication with a memory unit (12) wherein the coupon data detected during the processing is stored.

5. System according to the preceding claim, comprising said memory unit (12).

6. System according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said detection means (3) comprises a camera.

7. System according to any of the preceding claims, comprising supply means (2) of the coupons to be processed and/or further comprising said first collection module and second collection module.

8. System according to any of the preceding claims, comprising separation means (8) of the coupons according to the type of game implemented thereon placed upstream of said removal means (7) of the film, said separation means (8) being configured to convey the coupons to different collection containers depending on the implemented type of game.

9. Method for automatically process a coupon for an instant lottery or a contest, which coupon bears at least a portion of external surface of game on which is reported a combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols, on which at least one portion of external surface a coating film apt to prevent the view of such combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols is applied, said method being implementable by means of a system (1) according to any of the preceding claims and comprising the following steps:

a) detecting first data of the coupon, said first data comprising:

• data of weight, dimensions and/or shape;

• data associated with the type of game, such as colour and/or presence of specific wordings;

b) comparing said detected first data with reference first data relating to each of one or more types of processable coupons by said method,
said reference first data comprising data of weight, dimensions and/or shape of the coupon and coupon data associated with the type of game, such as colour and/or presence of specific wordings; and
if said data detected corresponds to said reference data relating to one of said one or more types of processable coupons, proceed with the next step, otherwise terminating the processing of the coupon;

c) removing the film from such portion of external surface;

d) detecting second data of the coupon comprising the combination of graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols visible after the removal of the film;

e) comparing said detected second data with reference second data comprising combination/s of winning graphic and/or alphanumeric symbols associated with the above one of said one or more types of processable coupons;

f) if said detected second data corresponds to said reference second data, sorting the coupon to a first collection module of winning coupons; or

g) if said detected second data does not correspond to said reference second data, sorting the coupon to a second collection module of losing coupon.

10. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising the step of memorizing said detected first and second data.

Drawing