Abstract: A ticket identification system is for a group of tickets of the type which includes a front sheet and a rear sheet and means for bonding the front sheet and the rear sheet together. The tickets are of a group of tickets having different classifications with some having a particular classification to establish an associated value thereof. The ticket identification system includes a normally closed bar code window in the front sheet. There are bar code markings for each ticket on the inward side of the rear sheet under the bar code window. The bar code markings include classification information to indicate the particular classification of each ticket. A ticket identification machine includes a housing and a ticket passageway through which a ticket can be inserted and advanced. A bar code window opening device is in the passageway to open the bar code window and reveal the bar code markings.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispensing system is for improved pull-tab lottery tickets of a type that include a plurality of normally closed windows that can be opened to reveal play symbols thereunder with some of the play symbols being winning symbols. Each of the improved lottery tickets is also provided a normally closed bar code window with bar code markings hidden thereunder which includes ticket information for indicating each of the play symbols as aligned with its respective window. When the ticket is being dispensed, the bar code window is opened and the bar code revealed thereunder is aligned with a bar code reading device to read and store the ticket information. The front panel of the machine includes a plurality of display areas and associated switches that correspond to the windows of the ticket to generate a display symbol in the corresponding display area which indicates the play symbol that is under the selected window of the ticket.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispensing system is for improved pull-tab lottery tickets of a type that include a plurality of normally closed windows that can be opened to reveal play symbols thereunder with some of the play symbols being winning symbols. Each of the improved lottery tickets is also provided a normally closed bar code window with bar code markings hidden thereunder which includes ticket information for indicating each of the play symbols as aligned with its respective window. A lottery ticket dispensing machine includes a ticket storage area and means for initiating the dispensing of the ticket from the storage area toward the front panel of the machine. When the ticket is being dispensed, the bar code window is opened and the bar code revealed thereunder is aligned with a bar code reading device that is operably connected to electronic control circuitry of the machine that receives and stores the ticket information included in the bar code markings of the dispensed ticket.

Abstract: An improved paper and coin currency totalizer is installed on an existing vending machine and utilizes the existing coin receiving channels and the existing movable mechanical release mechanism and reset mechanism. An electronic coin sensor is installed in alignment with the coin receiving channel to produce a coin signal. A box is mounted on the vending machine and includes a paper currency sensor to produce a paper signal. A totalizer control circuit in the box accepts the coin signals and paper signals to determine when the proper amount of currency has been deposited to activate an actuation mechanism installed in the machine to move the release mechanism to the release position to allow a selection. After a selection is made, a reset sensor installed in the machine in alignment with the reset mechanism sends a reset signal to the totalizer control circuit to discontinue the actuation mechanism and to indicate no currency has been deposited.