Patents by Inventor William F. Behm
William F. Behm has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8055901Abstract: A method and system for performing document image correction using a document reader is disclosed. The method includes generating a document image representative of a document having a deformation; decoding an optical pattern embedded in the document from the document image to determine an optical signature for the document; receiving document classification data associated with the optical signature; and applying an image correction technique to the document image based on the document classification data to generate a corrected document image. A document capable of being read by a document reader is also disclosed. The document includes a substrate and an optical pattern embedded on the substrate. The optical pattern is part of a background pattern printed on the substrate. The optical pattern defines an optical signature unique to the particular class of document and is associated with document classification data for the document.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.Inventors: William F. Behm, Charles F. Cassidy, Sten H. Mejenborg
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Patent number: 7819739Abstract: Described is a player activated game system, particularly adapted for playing instant lottery type games, that includes a game device having a computer containing at least one game, an electronic display and a card interface adapted to receive a game card having data that represents a particular game outcome such that connection of the card to the interface can result the game being played by the device with the particular outcome displayed on the display.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Scientific Game International, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth E. Irwin, Jr., Gary R. Streeter, William F. Behm, Mark Tevis
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Publication number: 20100239118Abstract: A method and system for performing document image correction using a document reader is disclosed. The method includes generating a document image representative of a document having a deformation; decoding an optical pattern embedded in the document from the document image to determine an optical signature for the document; receiving document classification data associated with the optical signature; and applying an image correction technique to the document image based on the document classification data to generate a corrected document image. A document capable of being read by a document reader is also disclosed. The document includes a substrate and an optical pattern embedded on the substrate. The optical pattern is part of a background pattern printed on the substrate. The optical pattern defines an optical signature unique to the particular class of document and is associated with document classification data for the document.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: William F. Behm, Charles F. Cassidy, Sten H. Mejenborg
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Publication number: 20100051708Abstract: Security can be provided for lottery tickets having data printed thereon in a bar code or other machine readable media by covering only a portion of the bar code with a scratch-off material. Removing the scratch-off material, or in some cases only a portion of the scratch-off material, can permit machine validation of the lottery tickets. For bar codes having a specified level of redundancy, it is desirable to cover at least enough of the bar code to prevent the machine reading of ticket validation data encoded in the bar code. Also, a lottery ticket can include a bar code printed on the ticket having both inventory and validation data along with a bar code printed on the front of the ticket including the validation data. All or part of the bar code printed on the front of the ticket can be covered by a scratch-off material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: William F. Behm, Fred Finnerty
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Patent number: 7611065Abstract: Security can be provided for lottery tickets having data printed thereon in a bar code or other machine readable media by covering only a portion of the bar code with a scratch-off material. Removing the scratch-off material, or in some cases only a portion of the scratch-off material, can permit machine validation of the lottery tickets. For bar codes having a specified level of redundancy, it is desirable to cover at least enough of the bar code to prevent the machine reading of ticket validation data encoded in the bar code. Also, a lottery ticket can include a bar code printed on the ticket having both inventory and validation data along with a bar code printed on the front of the ticket including the validation data. All or part of the bar code printed on the front of the ticket can be covered by a scratch-off material.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2006Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.Inventors: William F. Behm, Fred Finnerty
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Publication number: 20090163263Abstract: A lottery sales method and related system utilize an in-lane lottery sales computing device that is configured to interface with a point-of-sale terminal and determine when the point-of-sale terminal has identified a code corresponding to a desired lottery product. A request identifying the desired lottery product is transmitted to a lottery central system device used to administer and coordinate the sales of lottery products.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: Scientific Games International, Inc.Inventors: Burbank Herndon, Todd Hopkins, William F. Behm, Janine Whiteman
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Publication number: 20090059316Abstract: Improved scanner designs are provided to improve imaging and reduce errors during the scanning process. Embodiments disclosed include, for example, the use of dual cameras to improve imagery and reduce the scanner enclosure size, synchronized lighting techniques during the scanning sequence, shielded lens for the camera scanner, a scanner enclosed on at least three sides, adjustments to scanner lighting based on the levels of ambient lighting, a combined branding and scanner apparatus, a gimbaled scanner mount, and a tilted platen with stop for document alignment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: Scientific Games International, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth E. Irwin, JR., Sten Mejenborg, Jonathan Holbrook, Burbank Herndon, William F. Behm, Gary R. Streeter
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Patent number: 7322529Abstract: Security can be provided for lottery tickets having data printed thereon in a bar code or other machine readable media by covering only a portion of the bar code with a scratch-off material. Removing the scratch-off material, or in some cases only a portion of the scratch-off material, can permit machine validation of the lottery tickets. For bar codes having a specified level of redundancy, it is desirable to cover at least enough of the bar code to prevent the machine reading of ticket validation data encoded in the bar code. Also, a lottery ticket can include a bar code printed on the ticket having both inventory and validation data along with a bar code printed on the front of the ticket including the validation data. All or part of the bar code printed on the front of the ticket can be covered by a scratch-off material.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.Inventors: William F. Behm, Fred Finnerty
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Patent number: 7073720Abstract: Security can be provided for lottery tickets having data printed thereon in a bar code or other machine readable media by covering only a portion of the bar code with a scratch-off material. Removing the scratch-off material, or in some cases only a portion of the scratch-off material, can permit machine validation of the lottery tickets. For bar codes having a specified level of redundancy, it is desirable to cover at least enough of the bar code to prevent the machine reading of ticket validation data encoded in the bar code. Also, a lottery ticket can include a bar code printed on the ticket having both inventory and validation data along with a bar code printed on the front of the ticket including the validation data. All or part of the bar code printed on the front of the ticket can be covered by a scratch-off material.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Scientific Gaines International, Inc.Inventors: William F. Behm, Fred Finnerty
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Patent number: 6899621Abstract: A system and method of selling pre-printed lottery game tickets, on-line lottery game tickets, or a combination of pre-printed and on-line lottery game tickets in a retail store is disclosed. At least one lottery game token is provided bearing a game identification code thereon for being scanned at a POS terminal provided as a part of an in-store POS network. The scanned identification code is detected by a POS monitor in communication with the POS terminal, the POS monitor determining from the scanned code the type of lottery game to be played. The POS monitor, or a separate ticket controller in communication with the POS monitor, will then issue a dispense ticket command to a ticket dispenser located at the POS terminal for each pre-printed lottery game to be played.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2001Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Inventors: William F. Behm, James C. Kennedy, Jr., Benjamin Eric Mitchell, Edward W. Wahler
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Patent number: 6875105Abstract: A lottery ticket validation system validates a probability lottery ticket that has predetermined play rules and that includes a plurality of player removable material covering play spots that in turn cover play indicia located in predetermined locations on the ticket. In addition, validation data is printed on the ticket in the form of a bar code. The validation system includes a housing, a controller located in the housing, a document channel configured in the housing, a sensor, a data reader, a transport mechanism, a scanning circuit, a memory, a processor, and a stigmatization circuit. The sensor includes an optical detector located in the housing and operatively connected to the controller. The data reader is operatively connected to the controller and is adapted to read the bar code. The transport mechanism is located in the housing and is operatively connected to the controller. The transport mechanism includes at least one roller, a plurality of ticket sensors, and a motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Scientific Games Inc.Inventors: William F. Behm, Mark Bofill, Steven J. Daigle, Kenneth E. Irwin, Jr., Bret Levy, Dan Pallone, Gary R. Streeter, Mark Tevis
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Publication number: 20040227000Abstract: Security can be provided for lottery tickets having data printed thereon in a bar code or other machine readable media by covering only a portion of the bar code with a scratch-off material. Removing the scratch-off material, or in some cases only a portion of the scratch-off material, can permit machine validation of the lottery tickets. For bar codes having a specified level of redundancy, it is desirable to cover at least enough of the bar code to prevent the machine reading of ticket validation data encoded in the bar code. Also, a lottery ticket can include a bar code printed on the ticket having both inventory and validation data along with a bar code printed on the front of the ticket including the validation data. All or part of the bar code printed on the front of the ticket can be covered by a scratch-off material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: William F. Behm, Fred Finnerty
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Patent number: 6736324Abstract: Security can be provide for lottery tickets having data printed thereon in a bar code or other machine readable media by covering only a portion of the bar code with a scratch-off material. Removing the scratch-off material, or in some cases only a portion of the scratch-off material, can permit machine validation of the lottery tickets. For bar codes having a specified level of redundancy, it is desirable to cover at least enough of the bar code so as to prevent the machine reading of ticket validation data encoded in the bar code. Also, a lottery ticket can include a bar code printed on the ticket having both inventory and validation data along with a bar code printed on the front of the ticket including the validation data. All or part of the bar code printed on the front of the ticket can be covered by a scratch-off material.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Scientific Games Inc.Inventors: William F. Behm, Fred Finnerty
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Publication number: 20040053011Abstract: A method for forming a document includes the steps of (1) selecting a marking medium that has a pre-determined machine-readable characteristic, and (2) selecting a document substrate that is compatible with the pre-determined machine-readable characteristic of the selected marking medium. An information symbol is secured to the selected document substrate. A security layer which includes the selected marking medium is also affixed to the document substrate so that the security layer is in at least partial register with the information symbol. The method can further include the step of affixing a blocking layer to the document substrate in at least partial register with the information symbol. The blocking layer can be affixed to the document substrate so that blocking layer is intermediate the information symbol and the security layer or so that the security layer is intermediate the information symbol and the blocking layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2002Publication date: March 18, 2004Applicant: Scientific Games Inc.Inventors: William F. Behm, Kenneth E. Irwin, Mark Tevis
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Publication number: 20030042317Abstract: Security can be provide for lottery tickets having data printed thereon in a bar code or other machine readable media by covering only a portion of the bar code with a scratch-off material. Removing the scratch-off material, or in some cases only a portion of the scratch-off material, can permit machine validation of the lottery tickets. For bar codes having a specified level of redundancy, it is desirable to cover at least enough of the bar code so as to prevent the machine reading of ticket validation data encoded in the bar code. Also, a lottery ticket can include a bar code printed on the ticket having both inventory and validation data along with a bar code printed on the front of the ticket including the validation data. All or part of the bar code printed on the front of the ticket can be covered by a scratch-off material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2002Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventors: William F. Behm, Fred Finnerty
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Publication number: 20020119817Abstract: A system and method of selling pre-printed lottery game tickets, on-line lottery game tickets, or a combination of pre-printed and on-line lottery game tickets in a retail store is disclosed. At least one lottery game token is provided bearing a game identification code thereon for being scanned at a POS terminal provided as a part of an in-store POS network. The scanned identification code is detected by a POS monitor in communication with the POS terminal, the POS monitor determining from the scanned code the type of lottery game to be played. The POS monitor, or a separate ticket controller in communication with the POS monitor, will then issue a dispense ticket command to a ticket dispenser located at the POS terminal for each pre-printed lottery game to be played.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: William F. Behm, James C. Kennedy, Benjamin Eric Mitchell, Edward W. Wahler
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Patent number: 6379742Abstract: A method for forming a document includes the steps of (1) selecting a marking medium that has a pre-determined machine-readable characteristic, and (2) selecting a document substrate that is compatible with the pre-determined machine-readable characteristic of the selected marking medium. An information symbol is secured to the selected document substrate. A security layer which includes the selected marking medium is also affixed to the document substrate so that the security layer is in at least partial register with the information symbol. The method can further include the step of affixing a blocking layer to the document substrate in at least partial register with the information symbol. The blocking layer can be affixed to the document substrate so that blocking layer is intermediate the information symbol and the security layer or so that the security layer is intermediate the information symbol and the blocking layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Scientific Games Inc.Inventors: William F. Behm, Kenneth E. Irwin, Jr., Mark Tevis
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Patent number: 5997044Abstract: Information can be retrieved from documents such as game cards and document security can be improved by printing electronic circuits or circuit elements on the ticket. Conductive or semiconductive ink can be printed on the document by using gravure, relief, planographic, letter press or flexographic methods to form the circuit elements. In one lottery ticket embodiment the circuit elements are printed over play indica and under a scratch-off coating so that they are removed when the ticket is played. An electronic verification machine can then be used to determine which portions of the scratch-off coatings covering the play indicia have been removed. A second group of circuit elements can also be printed under the play indicia which improves security by blocking light that may be shined through the ticket and by being tested, along with the first group of circuit elements, for integrity by the electronic verification machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Scientific Games Inc.Inventors: William F. Behm, Kenneth E. Irwin, Jr., Mark C. Tevis
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Patent number: 5667250Abstract: Security of game cards such as instant lottery tickets can be improved by locating a confusion pattern below a primer layer on the game cards substrate and by locating another confusion pattern on a release coat above the game card play indica. Game card security can be further enhanced by using confusion pattern ink that bleeds through the game card in response to the application of various solvents.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1994Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Inventors: William F. Behm, Mark C. Tevis, Bradley W. Walton, Stanley Litman
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Patent number: 5641167Abstract: The playability of an instant bingo game card or similar type game cards can be enhanced by providing for improved marking of numbers on a player card portion of the bingo card. In one approach, a space is provided along side each number in which a mark is printed and a scratch-off coating is applied over the mark. In a second approach, a microencapsulated pressure sensitive dye is applied over each number and by simply rubbing a particular number can be marked.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1994Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Inventors: William F. Behm, Mark C. Tevis