Coupon validation terminal

A coupon validation system for interpreting coupons presented thereto, each of said coupons incorporating a bar code having a range of validation dates and a message code, said system comprising:

• a) a real time clock for maintaining a current time and date record;
• b) means for storing one or more winning number codes;
• c) means for receiving a coupon presented to said system and in response reading said bar code;
• and
• d) means for comparing said range of validation dates with said current time and date record and in the event said current time and date record is not within said range of validation dates then rejecting said coupon, and in the event said current time and date record is within said range of validation dates then comparing said one or more winning number codes with said message code and in the event they are equal generating a message for indicating that said coupon is a winner, and in the event said one or more winning number codes and said message code are not equal then generating an alternative message for indicating that said coupon is not a winner,
• further comprising a printer for overprinting said bar code in the event said coupon is rejected, and for printing a message on said coupon for indicating that a prize has been won in the event said coupon is a winner.

A coupon validation system for interpreting coupons presented thereto, each of said coupons incorporating a bar code having a range of validation dates and a message code, said system comprising:

• a) a real time clock for maintaining a current time and date record;
• b) means for storing one or more winning number codes;
• c) means for receiving a coupon presented to said system and in response reading said bar code;
• and
• d) means for comparing said range of validation dates with said current time and date record and in the event said current time and date record is not within said range of validation dates then rejecting said coupon, and in the event said current time and date record is within said range of validation dates then comparing said one or more winning number codes with said message code and in the event they are equal generating a message for indicating that said coupon is a winner, and in the event said one or more winning number codes and said message code are not equal then generating an alternative message for indicating that said coupon is not a winner,
• further comprising a voice synthesizer for generating a rejection audio message in the event said coupon is rejected and generating a try again message in the event said coupon is not a winner.

A coupon validation system for interpreting coupons presented thereto, each of said coupons incorporating a bar code having a range of validation dates and a message code, said system comprising:

• a) a real time clock for maintaining a current time and date record;
• b) means for storing one or more winning number codes;
• c) means for receiving a coupon presented to said system and in response reading said bar code;
• and
• d) means for comparing said range of validation dates with said current time and date record and in the event said current time and date record is not within said range of validation dates then rejecting said coupon, and in the event said current time and date record is within said range of validation dates then comparing said one or more winning number codes with said message code and in the event they are equal generating a message for indicating that said coupon is a winner, and in the event said one or more winning number codes and said message code are not equal then generating an alternative message for indicating that said coupon is not a winner,
• wherein said means for receiving further comprises:
• e) optodetector means for detecting an edge of said coupon;
• f) means for feeding said coupon to a predetermined position responsive to said detected edge;
• g) a bar code scanner oriented over said bar code when said coupon is at said predetermined position;
• and
• h) means for moving said bar code scanner across said bar code for reading said bar code.

A coupon validation system for interpreting coupons presented thereto, each of said coupons incorporating a bar code having a range of validation dates and a message code, said system comprising:

• a) a real time clock for maintaining a current time and date record;
• b) means for storing one or more winning number codes;
• c) means for receiving a coupon presented to said system and in response reading said bar code;
• and
• d) means for comparing said range of validation dates with said current time and date record and in the event said current time and date record is not within said range of validation dates then rejecting said coupon, and in the event said current time and date record is within said range of validation dates then comparing said one or more winning number codes with said message code and in the event they are equal generating a message for indicating that said coupon is a winner, and in the event said one or more winning number codes and said message code are not equal then generating an alternative message for indicating that said coupon is not a winner,
• further comprising a visual display for generating prompt messages to inform a user as to the status and operation of said system.

A scanner for detecting a bar code disposed on an article, comprising:

• a) optodetector means for detecting an edge of said article;
• b) means for feeding said article to a predetermined position responsive to said detected edge;
• c) a movable emitter/sensor oriented over said bar code when said article is at said predetermined position;
• and
• d) means for moving said emitter/sensor across said bar code for reading said bar code,
• wherein said optodetector means further comprises a first optodetector for detecting said edge of said article at a first position and in response generating a first control signal to said means for feeding to initiate movement of said article into said scanner, and a second optodetector for detecting said edge at said predetermined position and generating a further control signal to said means for feeding in order to arrest movement of said article at said predetermined position.