Abstract: An enhanced lottery media representation object such as a ticket, for example, permits a user to access certain desirable features using a communications device. In embodiments of the present invention, an improved physical lottery ticket is provided with one or more icons, such as code elements or graphic patterns, thereupon to enable a user with a properly enabled device to detect, such as by scanning or photographing the icon, or by maintaining the icon within a field of view, one or more of the icons to reveal one or more enhanced experiences via the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating the operation of an instant win lottery game where a bonus indicator provides eligibility for a bonus are disclosed. The holder of an instant win ticket with a bonus indicator can redeem the ticket and receive a bonus including at least one of loyalty points for accumulation and/or redemption, access to one or more bonus games for an opportunity to earn points for accumulation and/or redemption and others.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating one or more base wagering games in an extended format are provided. Outcomes for the base wagering game may be determined, and based on the outcomes, player rankings in the extended play wagering game may be determined.

Abstract: Versatile and comprehensive systems and methods are provided for developing, testing, housing and distributing lottery game offerings, in embodiments of the present invention, a lottery developer network, a game market and a production engine are provided. The lottery developer network supplies a complete development and testing environment to game developers, and the game market provides lottery operators such as government lotteries with access to a vast interactive game library for selection and customization. A game production engine in accordance with the present invention facilitates the rapid selection and implementation of interactive lottery games.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating one or more base wagering games in an extended format are provided. Outcomes for the base wagering game may be determined, and based on the outcomes, player rankings in the extended play wagering game may be determined.

Abstract: The present invention combines aspects of social media with traditional lottery games. In one aspect, the present invention provides lottery game for drawing-based and instant-based games, where the numbers or icons that are traditionally used are replaced by player profiles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ticket dispensing machine and method for housing one or more independently operable and serviceable ticket burster machines for dispensing perforated tickets of all shapes, sizes and thicknesses. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior section of the housing, at least one drawer mounted within the interior section of the housing, at least one ticket burster machine capable of cooperatively engaging a chamber within the drawer and dispensing tickets through an exit flag arrangement, and a moving wall apparatus secured to the housing at a position near the exit flag arrangement of the ticket burster machine, such that tickets leaving the ticket bursting machine are influenced downward by the moving wall apparatus.

Abstract: Templates of known forms are stored in computer system. The templates are digitized pixels on which connected component analyses are performed resulting in a first list of components. Five to ten of those components are selected to create an ordered feature list for each form. The computer system then captures an optical image of a form positioned on the top of a stack of forms. The optical image is digitized and stored in the computer (or processor) system as a captured digital image of pixels. A connected component analysis is performed on the captured digital image that results in a second list of image components. Image components on the second list are compared to those on the first list and then each succeeding feature in one of the ordered feature lists. If the comparison is successful, the form is known and other marks on the form may then be processed. If the comparison is unsuccessful, a new feature list is tried.

Abstract: The present invention provides an independently operable and serviceable ticket burster machine that properly handles perforated tickets of all shapes, sizes and thicknesses. The present invention includes a ticket burster element, an exit sensor with a mechanical flag switch, an inventory flag spanning the entire width of the ticket input slot and having an optical slot switch, a slidable ticket guide, one or more leaf spring arrangements and versatile and durable rollers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for administering an instant win lottery game where one prize may be entry into a future draw raffle game are disclosed. The holder of an instant win ticket with a future draw raffle indicator may redeem the ticket and receive a future draw raffle entry that is eligible for a prize awarded in a raffle drawing. In one alternative, a redeemed ticket with a symbol indicating the instant ticket is eligible for an entry in a bonus raffle game may be entered into a bonus raffle game.

Abstract: Templates of known forms are stored in computer system. The templates are digitized pixels on which connected component analyses are performed resulting in a first list of components. Five to ten of those components are selected to create an ordered feature list for each form. The computer system then captures an optical image of a form positioned on the top of a stack of forms. The optical image is digitized and stored in the computer (or processor) system as a captured digital image of pixels. A connected component analysis is performed on the captured digital image that results in a second list of image components. Image components on the second list are compared to those on the first list and then each succeeding feature in one of the ordered feature lists. If the comparison is successful, the form is known and other marks on the form may then be processed. If the comparison is unsuccessful, a new feature list is tried.

Abstract: A transaction card facilitates typical consumer transactions as well as transactions related to lottery offerings and can incorporate a reader terminal to associate lottery tickets with the transaction instrument. New gaming opportunities tied to the instrument are also facilitated, including a personalized guaranteed prize structure, a personalized and/or localized jackpot and an opportunity for winning additional prizes when making purchases using the instrument. The system according to one embodiment of the present invention provides at least a lottery data processing system for communicating a first funding amount to be applied to a multi-purpose transaction card based on winnings from a lottery offering, and a reader terminal for reading at least a portion of the transaction card, reading indicia on one or more gaming tickets, and associating the one or more gaming tickets with the transaction card.

Abstract: Templates of known forms are stored in computer system. The templates are digitized pixels on which connected component analyses are performed resulting in a first list of components. Five to ten of those components are selected to create an ordered feature list for each form. The computer system then captures an optical image of a form positioned on the top of a stack of forms. The optical image is digitized and stored in the computer (or processor) system as a captured digital image of pixels. A connected component analysis is performed on the captured digital image that results in a second list of image components. Image components on the second list are compared to those on the first list and then each succeeding feature in one of the ordered feature lists. If the comparison is successful, the form is known and other marks on the form may then be processed. If the comparison is unsuccessful, a new feature list is tried.

Abstract: A transaction card facilitates typical consumer transactions as well as transactions related to lottery offerings and can incorporate a reader terminal to associate lottery tickets with the transaction instrument. New gaming opportunities tied to the instrument are also facilitated, including a personalized guaranteed prize structure, a personalized and/or localized jackpot and an opportunity for winning additional prizes when making purchases using the instrument. The system according to one embodiment of the present invention provides at least a lottery data processing system for communicating a first funding amount to be applied to a multi-purpose transaction card based on winnings from a lottery offering, and a reader terminal for reading at least a portion of the transaction card, reading indicia on one or more gaming tickets, and associating the one or more gaming tickets with the transaction card.

Abstract: An optical reader of a form is discussed where the form has a stored known boundary or boundaries. When the boundaries in a captured image do not match those of the stored known boundaries, it may be determined that an obstruction exists that will interfere with a correct reading of the form. The boundary may be printed, blank, and may include quiet areas, or combinations thereof in stored known patterns. A captured image of the form is compared to retrieved, stored boundary information and differences are noted. The differences may be thresholded to determine if an obstruction exists. If an obstruction is detected, the operator may be signaled, and the location may be displayed or highlighted. The form may be discarded or obstruction may be cleared and the form may be re-processed.

Abstract: A system and process for reading forms using a curvature distortion correction scheme is disclosed. A model image of a known form is partitioned into sectors defined by at least three alignment marks, and a transfer or correction function for each sector is generated by comparing the locations of alignment marks on a captured unread image of a form to those on a model image. The transfer function is then applied to the other marks within the sector to calculate a correct location of the marks. Each sector is sized to reasonably ensure curvature distortions are handled such that all the marks on a form are properly found and interpreted. Errors may be checked and, if they persist, smaller sectors may be defined and employed, if available.

Abstract: Credit vouchers from a wagering game machine can be authenticated. This may be accomplished by receiving credit information at a server, the credit information including information indicating a player's balance at the wagering game machine. A security key may be created for the credit voucher. A secured document token may be created by encrypting a document token including the credit information with the security key. This document token may sent to a server which supplies a credit response. A modified security key may be created by combining the credit response with the security key. The credit voucher may be provided, the credit vouchers including the credit information, the credit response and the modified security key.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating optical reader systems employs a target with areas comprising linear gray scale levels. The gray scale levels include the darkest and the lightest scenes. The gray scale levels are illuminated by an array of LEDs and the light reflected from target impacts photo-transistors. The photo-transistors are biased in their linear ranges and the target is scanned while the LED drive current is changed. The photo-transistor responses to the different gray scale levels at the different LED drive currents are analyzed, and the LED rive current that produces a linear output from the photo-transistors over the gray scale dynamic range is selected. Several video channels may be used and their offsets and gains are normalized. Black offsets and black to white gain correction functions are generated for balancing or correcting each pixel. The correction functions may be applied by a processor for later raw image data of scenes scanned by the optical reader.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and applying quality factors (QFs) to an optical reader. After an optical reader is calibrated, a mid-range gray scale level is selected and scanned. The reader outputs digital numbers (DNs) that are generated for all the pixels that will be responding to the reading of a document. A histogram of the DNs is generated and characteristics of the histogram distribution are calculated and used as QFs. For example, the standard deviation of the histogram may serve as a QF, where a lower standard deviation is preferred. Thresholds and standards may be developed from experience that indicate the operating condition of the reader. The QFs, thus, may be used during manufacturing and for field servicing of the reader.

Abstract: A versatile and highly reliable lottery communications system employs point-of-sale terminals that can be adapted to a plurality of network technologies and service providers. The point-of-sale terminals are provided with at least two network-agnostic connecting devices to enable fast configuration regardless of the intended deployment environment. The point-of-sale terminals can be adapted to connect with multiple wireless networks at the same time, multiple wireline networks at the same time, and/or at least one wireless network and at least one wireline network at the same time, with failover and fallback programming to ensure maximum uptime for lottery operators and retail distributors.