Abstract: A lottery ticket vending machine including a ticket collection receptacle of its front door that is configured to receive lottery tickets of different sizes and shapes. The ticket collection receptacle includes a first ticket-receipt section, a second ticket-receipt section, and a third ticket-holding-and-access section. The first ticket-receipt section is configured to receive instant lottery tickets from the bursters. The second ticket-receipt section is configured to receive printed lottery tickets (and/or receipts) from the printer. The third ticket-holding-and-access section is configured to hold the received lottery tickets (and receipts) in a manner that does not block receipt of further tickets (and receipts).

Abstract: A fluid flow detecting system and approach incorporating a collar configured to be clamped to a fluid conveyance mechanism, a temperature probe held within temperature sensing range of the fluid conveyance mechanism with the collar, an ambient temperature sensor, and a controller connected to the temperature probe and the ambient temperature sensor. The controller may incorporate a data analytics module to determine fluid flow starts, characteristics of fluid flows and fluid stops from temperatures received from the temperature probe and the ambient temperature sensor. The system may further incorporate a heater in contact with the fluid conveyance mechanism to increase speed and accuracy of determinations of fluid flow starts, characteristics of fluid flows and fluid stops by the data analytics module.

Abstract: A fluid flow detecting system and approach incorporating a collar configured to be clamped to a fluid conveyance mechanism, a temperature probe held within temperature sensing range of the fluid conveyance mechanism with the collar, an ambient temperature sensor, and a controller connected to the temperature probe and the ambient temperature sensor. The controller may incorporate a data analytics module to determine fluid flow starts, characteristics of fluid flows and fluid stops from temperatures received from the temperature probe and the ambient temperature sensor. The system may further incorporate a heater in contact with the fluid conveyance mechanism to increase speed and accuracy of determinations of fluid flow starts, characteristics of fluid flows and fluid stops by the data analytics module.