Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for activating and dispensing lottery tickets at a retail establishment. For each pack of lottery tickets delivered to the retail establishment, a pack code unique to the pack is scanned and transmitted to a central lottery server. At the central lottery server, the lottery tickets within the ticket packs associated with the pack codes are electronically activated to a ready for sale status in a database. At the retail establishment, a unique ticket code provided on each lottery ticket is scanned at a time of sale of the individual lottery ticket and transmitted to the central lottery server wherein it is confirmed that the ticket code is associated with a lottery ticket previously flagged as ready for sale and, if so, the individual ticket is flagged as sold in the same or a different database.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array includes a plurality of interconnected bins, wherein the bins include a housing having a bottom and an open top. A drawer is slidable into and out of the housing and includes an open top and a ticket compartment configured for receipt of a stack of the interconnected lottery tickets. A component section adjacent in the drawer is configured to automatically dispense the lottery tickets through a dispense slot upon receipt of a dispense command. Spaced-apart ticket guides are configured on an outer side of the bin bottom so as to extend through the open top and into the ticket compartment of the adjacent lower bin in the array. The ticket guides are configured to engage along at least side edges of the interconnected lottery tickets as they are dispensed or retracted relative to the ticket compartment.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array includes a plurality of separate bins, each bin having a housing with a back side. A circuit board fixed to the back side of the housing to supply power and control functions to the bin. The circuit boards of adjacent bins are rigidly interconnected via complimentary electronic connectors. At each bin, the circuit board is mounted to the back side of the housing with a defined relative degree of movement between the circuit board and the housing in at least a first direction. The rigidly interconnected circuit boards define a rigid structure and one or more of the bins are movable relative to the rigid structure such that the array absorbs misalignment, movement, and size variations between the bins without disconnection of the electronic connectors between the bins.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser system includes a physical dispenser array having a plurality of separate bins for receipt of a supply of interconnected lottery tickets. A control system is in communication with a drive mechanism in each bin to initiate a dispense sequence upon receipt of a ticket dispense command. A central lottery server is in communication with the control system. An electronic display device is in communication with the central lottery server and is configured to present a virtual dispenser array with bin positions that mimics the physical dispenser array. The central lottery server transmits lottery ticket images to the electronic display device that correspond to the lottery tickets in the physical dispenser array and bin position assignments for the lottery ticket images in the virtual dispenser array.

Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for dispensing lottery tickets at retail establishments. A lottery ticket terminal is in communication with a retail POS register and accepts a request for purchase of a particular lottery ticket selected from a plurality of different lottery tickets. A dispenser array is in communication with the terminal and includes a plurality of separate bins having a different respective lottery tickets stored. The lottery tickets have a machine readable code printed thereon and each bin includes a scanner disposed to read the code as the tickets are dispensed from the bin by an electronic drive mechanism. The lottery ticket terminal transmits a purchase signal for dispensing a particular lottery ticket that is routed to the respective bin containing the particular lottery ticket. The bin transmits a signal that is routed to a central lottery server for each lottery ticket dispensed from the bin, the signal identifying the lottery ticket from the scanned code.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array includes a plurality of interconnected bins, wherein the bins include a housing having a bottom and an open top. A drawer is slidable into and out of the housing and includes an open top and a ticket compartment configured for receipt of a stack of the interconnected lottery tickets. A component section adjacent in the drawer is configured to automatically dispense the lottery tickets through a dispense slot upon receipt of a dispense command. Spaced-apart ticket guides are configured on an outer side of the bin bottom so as to extend through the open top and into the ticket compartment of the adjacent lower bin in the array. The ticket guides are configured to engage along at least side edges of the interconnected lottery tickets as they are dispensed or retracted relative to the ticket compartment.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array includes a plurality of separate bins, each bin having a housing with a back side. A circuit board fixed to the back side of the housing to supply power and control functions to the bin. The circuit boards of adjacent bins are rigidly interconnected via complimentary electronic connectors. At each bin, the circuit board is mounted to the back side of the housing with a defined relative degree of movement between the circuit board and the housing in at least a first direction. The rigidly interconnected circuit boards define a rigid structure and one or more of the bins are movable relative to the rigid structure such that the array absorbs misalignment, movement, and size variations between the bins without disconnection of the electronic connectors between the bins.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for producing a perforation line between adjacent lottery tickets in an automated production line wherein a substrate having lottery tickets printed thereon is conveyed through a perforation station in the production line. A perforation machine in the line is controlled to define a perforation line between the adjacent lottery tickets. The controlling process includes inputting control variables into a controller associated with the perforation machine, the control variables relating to conditions that determine a desired perforation profile of the perforation line. The controller programs the perforation machine with a specific perforation profile for the perforation line that is generated based on the entered control variables, and changes the perforation profile upon inputting of different values for the control variables.

Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for dispensing lottery tickets at a retail establishment. Lottery tickets are provided for purchase from a dispenser array in the retail establishment, the dispenser array including a plurality of separate bins having a pack of different respective lottery tickets stored therein. The dispenser array is in communication with a central lottery server. Upon loading of a ticket pack into the bins, a code associated with the ticket pack is scanned and transmitted to the central lottery server. With the central lottery server, a total minimum winning prize amount of the lottery tickets in the pack associated with each bin is determined, and a message is generated and transmitted as a function of this minimum total prize amount of the lottery tickets in all of the bins in the array, with the message being displayed to consumers at the retail establishment.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser system includes a physical dispenser array having a plurality of separate bins for receipt of a supply of interconnected lottery tickets. A control system is in communication with a drive mechanism in each bin to initiate a dispense sequence upon receipt of a ticket dispense command. A central lottery server is in communication with the control system. An electronic display device is in communication with the central lottery server and is configured to present a virtual dispenser array with bin positions that mimics the physical dispenser array. The central lottery server transmits lottery ticket images to the electronic display device that correspond to the lottery tickets in the physical dispenser array and bin position assignments for the lottery ticket images in the virtual dispenser array.

Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for dispensing lottery tickets at a retail establishment. Lottery tickets are provided for purchase from a dispenser array in the retail establishment, the dispenser array including a plurality of separate bins having a pack of different respective lottery tickets stored therein. The dispenser array is in communication with a central lottery server. Upon loading of a ticket pack into the bins, a code associated with the ticket pack is scanned and transmitted to the central lottery server. With the central lottery server, a total minimum winning prize amount of the lottery tickets in the pack associated with each bin is determined, and a message is generated and transmitted as a function of this minimum total prize amount of the lottery tickets in all of the bins in the array, with the message being displayed to consumers at the retail establishment.

Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for activating and dispensing lottery tickets at a retail establishment. For each pack of lottery tickets delivered to the retail establishment, a pack code unique to the pack is scanned and transmitted to a central lottery server. At the central lottery server, the lottery tickets within the ticket packs associated with the pack codes are electronically activated to a ready for sale status in a database. At the retail establishment, a unique ticket code provided on each lottery ticket is scanned at a time of sale of the individual lottery ticket and transmitted to the central lottery server wherein it is confirmed that the ticket code is associated with a lottery ticket previously flagged as ready for sale and, if so, the individual ticket is flagged as sold in the same or a different database.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for producing a perforation line between adjacent lottery tickets in an automated production line wherein a substrate having lottery tickets printed thereon is conveyed through a perforation station in the production line. A perforation machine in the line is controlled to define a perforation line between the adjacent lottery tickets. The controlling process includes inputting control variables into a controller associated with the perforation machine, the control variables relating to conditions that determine a desired perforation profile of the perforation line. The controller programs the perforation machine with a specific perforation profile for the perforation line that is generated based on the entered control variables, and changes the perforation profile upon inputting of different values for the control variables.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser system includes a physical dispenser array having a plurality of separate bins for receipt of a supply of interconnected lottery tickets. A control system is in communication with a drive mechanism in each bin to initiate a dispense sequence upon receipt of a ticket dispense command. A central lottery server is in communication with the control system. An electronic display device is in communication with the central lottery server and is configured to present a virtual dispenser array with bin positions that mimics the physical dispenser array. The central lottery server transmits lottery ticket images to the electronic display device that correspond to the lottery tickets in the physical dispenser array and bin position assignments for the lottery ticket images in the virtual dispenser array.

Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for dispensing lottery tickets at a retail establishment. Lottery tickets are provided for purchase from a dispenser array in the retail establishment, the dispenser array including a plurality of separate bins having a pack of different respective lottery tickets stored therein. The dispenser array is in communication with a central lottery server. Upon loading of a ticket pack into the bins, a code associated with the ticket pack is scanned and transmitted to the central lottery server. With the central lottery server, a total minimum winning prize amount of the lottery tickets in the pack associated with each bin is determined, and a message is generated and transmitted as a function of this minimum total prize amount of the lottery tickets in all of the bins in the array, with the message being displayed to consumers at the retail establishment.

Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for activating and dispensing lottery tickets at a retail establishment. For each pack of lottery tickets delivered to the retail establishment, a pack code unique to the pack is scanned and transmitted to a central lottery server that activates the lottery tickets within the ticket pack to a ready for sale status in a database. At the retail establishment, a unique ticket code provided on each lottery ticket is scanned at a time of sale of the ticket and transmitted to the central server that confirms that the ticket as previously flagged as ready for sale and, if so, the ticket is flagged as sold in the database. At defined time intervals, accountability and billing information is provided from the central server to a central retail server based on individual lottery tickets flagged as activated and sold during the defined time periods.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for producing a perforation line between adjacent lottery tickets in an automated production line wherein a substrate having lottery tickets printed thereon is conveyed through a perforation station in the production line. A perforation machine in the line is controlled to define a perforation line between the adjacent lottery tickets. The controlling process includes inputting control variables into a controller associated with the perforation machine, the control variables relating to conditions that determine a desired perforation profile of the perforation line. The controller programs the perforation machine with a specific perforation profile for the perforation line that is generated based on the entered control variables, and changes the perforation profile upon inputting of different values for the control variables.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for producing a perforation line between adjacent lottery tickets in an automated production line wherein a substrate having lottery tickets printed thereon is conveyed through a perforation station in the production line prior to being folded into a Z-fold pattern for subsequent packaging. A perforation machine in the line is controlled by a controller for defining the perforation lines, wherein the control process includes determining the perforation lines that correspond to fold lines in the Z-fold pattern and, for these perforation lines, programming the perforation machine to generate a second perforation profile that is different from a first perforation profile of non-fold perforation lines that lie between the fold lines in the Z-fold pattern. The second perforation profile is specifically tailored to produce a stronger perforation line to compensate for weakness induced in the perforation line from being folded.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array includes a plurality of separate bins, with each bin defined by a housing having a defined first internal space for receipt of a supply of interconnected lottery tickets. Each bin has an electronic ticket drive mechanism a control system in communication with the drive mechanism to initiate a dispense sequence upon receipt of a ticket dispense command. The control system is furthered configured to generate a bin ID signal upon a lottery ticket being dispensed from the bin. A central lottery server receives the bin ID signals and is configured to randomly determine a select one of the bins within the dispenser array to associate with a bonus prize and, for each dispense sequence, to compare the received bin ID signal to the select bin to determine if the bin associated with the dispense cycle corresponds to the selected bonus bin.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array includes a plurality of separate bins, with each bin defined by a housing having a defined first internal space for receipt of a supply of interconnected lottery tickets. Each bin has an electronic ticket drive mechanism and a scanner disposed to read a sequential number code as the lottery tickets are dispensed from the bin. A control system is in communication with each scanner. Each bin includes a first electronic display at a front side thereof. The control system is configured for receipt of a scan signal from the scanner and, at the end of a ticket dispense cycle, to determine the lottery ticket number of a next lottery ticket to be dispensed from the bin and to transmit the next lottery number to the first electronic display.