Patent · US11547928B1 · B1 · US

System and method for robotic ticket scratching via live remote mobile interface

(11) Publication number

US11547928B1

(21) Application number

17/655,996

(22) Filing date

2022-03-22

(30) Priority date

2021-07-27

(43) Publication date

2023-01-10

(45) Date of grant

2023-01-10

(51) IPC

A63F 3/06; G06F 3/04883; G07F 17/32; G07F 17/42

(52) CPC

A63F Card, board, or roulette games; indoor games using small moving playing bodies; video games; games not otherwise provided for: 3/068, 2009/2488, 3/0655
B25J Manipulators; chambers provided with manipulation devices: 11/0055, 9/1697
G05B Control or regulating systems in general; functional elements of such systems; monitoring or testing arrangements for such systems or elements: 2219/45044
G06F Electric digital data processing: 3/04883
G06Q Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes; systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not otherwise provided for: 30/0607, 50/34
G07F Coin-freed or like apparatus: 17/3204, 17/3227, 17/3244, 17/329, 17/42, 9/001, 9/002
H04L Transmission of digital information, e.g. telegraphic communication: 65/61

(73) Assignee

PayRange LLC

(72) Inventors

Paresh K. Patel; Michael Kitchen

(54) Title

System and method for robotic ticket scratching via live remote mobile interface

(57) Abstract

A controller is configured to obtain first image data from a camera associated with a ticket processing apparatus; transmit the first image data to an application server; receive, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket processing apparatus; cause the ticket processing apparatus to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.

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Claims (20)

A system comprising one or more controllers configured to: obtain first image data from a camera associated with a ticket machine; transmit the first image data to an application server; receive, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket machine; cause the ticket machine to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.
The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to: receive user-provided signing data from the application server; and cause a robotic signature device to sign a signature area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided signing data.
The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to: obtain, from a scanning device associated with the ticket machine, an identification code of the ticket; and transmit the identification code to a ticket validation server.
The system of claim 1, further comprising a ticket validation server configured to: determine ticket status data corresponding to a win status or a loss status of the ticket based on an identification code of the ticket; and in accordance with the ticket status data corresponding to a win status of the ticket: transmit a notification to a user device including an amount associated with the win status of the ticket; and cause funds corresponding to the amount associated with the win status to be transferred to a bank account linked to a user account associated with the user device.
The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to: cause a cutting device to separate the ticket from a stream of tickets; and cause a sorting device to store the ticket in accordance with a win status or a loss status of the ticket.
The system of claim 1, further comprising an application server configured to: obtain, from a scanning device, an identification code of the ticket; and link the identification code with a user account associated with a user device.
The system of claim 1, wherein the first image data includes an image of the ticket machine and/or an image of the ticket.
The system of claim 2, wherein the ticket comprises a physical ticket body having two surfaces, the scratching area includes an opaque substance bonded to one of the two surfaces, and the signature area includes a blank portion of one of the two surfaces.
The system of claim 2, wherein the user-provided signing data includes X-Y data obtained from a user interface of a user device, wherein the X-Y data corresponds to two-dimensional user-provided gestures corresponding to signature input at the user interface.
The system of claim 1, wherein: the user-provided scratching command causes the robotic scratching device to begin scratching, or removing the opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket; and the robotic scratching device is configured to scratch, or remove the opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket using a preconfigured or random scratching pattern.
The system of claim 2, wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to obtain, from a second camera associated with the ticket machine, second image data including an image of the signature area of the ticket while the robotic signature device signs the signature area.
The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to obtain, from a second camera associated with the ticket machine, second image data including an image of the scratching area of the ticket while the robotic scratching device scratches the scratching area.
A method, comprising: at a ticket processing system: obtaining first image data from a camera associated with a ticket machine; transmitting the first image data to an application server; receiving, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket machine; causing the ticket machine to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receiving a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and causing a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.
The method of claim 13, further comprising: at the ticket processing system: receiving user-provided signing data from the application server; and causing a robotic signature device to sign a signature area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided signing data.
The method of claim 13, further comprising: at the ticket processing system: obtaining, from a scanning device associated with the ticket machine, an identification code of the ticket; and transmitting the identification code to a ticket validation server.
The method of claim 13, further comprising: at a ticket validation server: determining ticket status data corresponding to a win status or a loss status of the ticket based on an identification code of the ticket; and in accordance with the ticket status data corresponding to a win status of the ticket: transmitting a notification to a user device including an amount associated with the win status of the ticket; and causing funds corresponding to the amount associated with the win status to be transferred to a bank account linked to a user account associated with the user device.
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by a computer system, the one or more programs including instructions for: obtaining first image data from a camera associated with a ticket machine; transmitting the first image data to an application server; receiving, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket machine; causing the ticket machine to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receiving a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and causing a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.
The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for: receiving user-provided signing data from the application server; and causing a robotic signature device to sign a signature area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided signing data.
The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for: obtaining, from a scanning device associated with the ticket machine, an identification code of the ticket; and transmitting the identification code to a ticket validation server.
The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for: causing a cutting device to separate the ticket from a stream of tickets; and causing a sorting device to store the ticket in accordance with a win status or a loss status of the ticket.

Description

The present application relates to the field of network-connected robotic devices configured to interact with government-regulated lottery ticket dispensing machines.

Sales of lottery tickets (also referred to as scratch tickets or scratchers) are typically regulated by state or other governmental agencies, which require that tickets be sold at physical locations (e.g., points of sale) within their jurisdictions. As such, those who wish to participate in a preferred lottery game but cannot be present at one of these physical locations (e.g., due to a vacation, disability, or lack of convenient store location) may be prevented or discouraged from purchasing desired lottery tickets. Due to the nature of the lottery, many players prefer to purchase the same tickets and play the same numbers every lottery cycle, so the prospect of missing a particular lottery cycle can be disappointing.

In addition, lottery scratch tickets typically require physical actions as part of the gameplay. In some instances, tickets must be scratched off in order to reveal underlying information (e.g., numbers, shapes, patterns, and so forth) that is required to determine whether the ticket is a winner, and if so, what the prize for that ticket is. As a result, those with circumstances that make it difficult to physically play (e.g., due to a condition making it difficult to scratch the ticket) may be discouraged from playing.

Citations (6)

US20050199713A1
US20070010311A1
US20140095225A1
US20180108004A1
US20180012453A1
US9997025B2

Record as JSON

{
  "publication_number": "US11547928B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "System and method for robotic ticket scratching via live remote mobile interface",
  "abstract": "A controller is configured to obtain first image data from a camera associated with a ticket processing apparatus; transmit the first image data to an application server; receive, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket processing apparatus; cause the ticket processing apparatus to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system comprising one or more controllers configured to: obtain first image data from a camera associated with a ticket machine; transmit the first image data to an application server; receive, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket machine; cause the ticket machine to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to: receive user-provided signing data from the application server; and cause a robotic signature device to sign a signature area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided signing data.",
    "3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to: obtain, from a scanning device associated with the ticket machine, an identification code of the ticket; and transmit the identification code to a ticket validation server.",
    "4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a ticket validation server configured to: determine ticket status data corresponding to a win status or a loss status of the ticket based on an identification code of the ticket; and in accordance with the ticket status data corresponding to a win status of the ticket: transmit a notification to a user device including an amount associated with the win status of the ticket; and cause funds corresponding to the amount associated with the win status to be transferred to a bank account linked to a user account associated with the user device.",
    "5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to: cause a cutting device to separate the ticket from a stream of tickets; and cause a sorting device to store the ticket in accordance with a win status or a loss status of the ticket.",
    "6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an application server configured to: obtain, from a scanning device, an identification code of the ticket; and link the identification code with a user account associated with a user device.",
    "7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first image data includes an image of the ticket machine and/or an image of the ticket.",
    "8. The system of claim 2, wherein the ticket comprises a physical ticket body having two surfaces, the scratching area includes an opaque substance bonded to one of the two surfaces, and the signature area includes a blank portion of one of the two surfaces.",
    "9. The system of claim 2, wherein the user-provided signing data includes X-Y data obtained from a user interface of a user device, wherein the X-Y data corresponds to two-dimensional user-provided gestures corresponding to signature input at the user interface.",
    "10. The system of claim 1, wherein: the user-provided scratching command causes the robotic scratching device to begin scratching, or removing the opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket; and the robotic scratching device is configured to scratch, or remove the opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket using a preconfigured or random scratching pattern.",
    "11. The system of claim 2, wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to obtain, from a second camera associated with the ticket machine, second image data including an image of the signature area of the ticket while the robotic signature device signs the signature area.",
    "12. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to obtain, from a second camera associated with the ticket machine, second image data including an image of the scratching area of the ticket while the robotic scratching device scratches the scratching area.",
    "13. A method, comprising: at a ticket processing system: obtaining first image data from a camera associated with a ticket machine; transmitting the first image data to an application server; receiving, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket machine; causing the ticket machine to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receiving a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and causing a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.",
    "14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: at the ticket processing system: receiving user-provided signing data from the application server; and causing a robotic signature device to sign a signature area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided signing data.",
    "15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: at the ticket processing system: obtaining, from a scanning device associated with the ticket machine, an identification code of the ticket; and transmitting the identification code to a ticket validation server.",
    "16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: at a ticket validation server: determining ticket status data corresponding to a win status or a loss status of the ticket based on an identification code of the ticket; and in accordance with the ticket status data corresponding to a win status of the ticket: transmitting a notification to a user device including an amount associated with the win status of the ticket; and causing funds corresponding to the amount associated with the win status to be transferred to a bank account linked to a user account associated with the user device.",
    "17. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by a computer system, the one or more programs including instructions for: obtaining first image data from a camera associated with a ticket machine; transmitting the first image data to an application server; receiving, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket machine; causing the ticket machine to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receiving a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and causing a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.",
    "18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for: receiving user-provided signing data from the application server; and causing a robotic signature device to sign a signature area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided signing data.",
    "19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for: obtaining, from a scanning device associated with the ticket machine, an identification code of the ticket; and transmitting the identification code to a ticket validation server.",
    "20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for: causing a cutting device to separate the ticket from a stream of tickets; and causing a sorting device to store the ticket in accordance with a win status or a loss status of the ticket."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present application relates to the field of network-connected robotic devices configured to interact with government-regulated lottery ticket dispensing machines.\n\nSales of lottery tickets (also referred to as scratch tickets or scratchers) are typically regulated by state or other governmental agencies, which require that tickets be sold at physical locations (e.g., points of sale) within their jurisdictions. As such, those who wish to participate in a preferred lottery game but cannot be present at one of these physical locations (e.g., due to a vacation, disability, or lack of convenient store location) may be prevented or discouraged from purchasing desired lottery tickets. Due to the nature of the lottery, many players prefer to purchase the same tickets and play the same numbers every lottery cycle, so the prospect of missing a particular lottery cycle can be disappointing.\n\nIn addition, lottery scratch tickets typically require physical actions as part of the gameplay. In some instances, tickets must be scratched off in order to reveal underlying information (e.g., numbers, shapes, patterns, and so forth) that is required to determine whether the ticket is a winner, and if so, what the prize for that ticket is. As a result, those with circumstances that make it difficult to physically play (e.g., due to a condition making it difficult to scratch the ticket) may be discouraged from playing.",
  "cpc": [
    "A63F 3/068",
    "A63F 2009/2488",
    "A63F 3/0655",
    "B25J 11/0055",
    "B25J 9/1697",
    "G05B 2219/45044",
    "G06F 3/04883",
    "G06Q 30/0607",
    "G06Q 50/34",
    "G07F 17/3204",
    "G07F 17/3227",
    "G07F 17/3244",
    "G07F 17/329",
    "G07F 17/42",
    "G07F 9/001",
    "G07F 9/002",
    "H04L 65/61"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A63F 3/06",
    "G06F 3/04883",
    "G07F 17/32",
    "G07F 17/42"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "PayRange LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Paresh K. Patel",
    "Michael Kitchen"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2022-03-22",
  "publication_date": "2023-01-10",
  "grant_date": "2023-01-10",
  "priority_date": "2021-07-27",
  "application_number": "US-202217655996-A",
  "family_id": "80781850",
  "cited_by_count": 5,
  "citations": [
    "US20050199713A1",
    "US20070010311A1",
    "US20140095225A1",
    "US20180108004A1",
    "US20180012453A1",
    "US9997025B2"
  ]
}

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