Abstract: A wireless lottery ticket sales system includes a cellular telephone, a short message service (SMS) gateway and an application server that is in electronic communication with a lottery operator's system. Aspects of the invention provide a new conduit for lottery players to purchase lottery ticket(s) electronically using a cellular telephone or similar wireless handheld device, while the lottery operator can collect proceeds of sales and maintain a non-volatile data record of the lottery ticket, including information such as time and date of purchase, numbers picked and amount paid by the player, confirmation of selected numbers and confirmation of winning numbers. The ticket sales system may comprise a feature for age and/or identity authentication to block out under-aged or otherwise unqualified players. The function of the SMS gateway may comprise receiving and replying to players' SMS messages and forwarding lottery purchases and selections to the application server.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a vehicle hood that includes a housing with a ratchet and pawl mounted to the housing. The ratchet and pawl cooperatively move between a closed position to hold a striker and an open position to release a striker. A secondary catch is pivotally mounted to the same axis as the ratchet and retains the striker in a secondary position upon release of the ratchet. A switch assembly mounted to the housing includes a switch presented towards the ratchet along a common plane. A plug connector for a wiring harness is located on an end of the switch assembly outside of the housing at an angle substantially perpendicular to the striker path on the side of the housing opposite the side adapted to receive the striker. Rotating the ratchet between the open and closed position moves the cam profile, engaging or disengaging the switch assembly.