Automated ticket cancellation device and process for canceling uniquely numbered tickets

A process for canceling an unplayed uniquely numbered ticket having a control number and an area with thermally reactive coating material disposed thereon, the process comprising:

• inserting the unplayed lottery ticket into a lottery terminal having means for receiving the unplayed lottery ticket therein;
• while the unplayed lottery ticket is inserted in the terminal, automatically activating the thermally reactive coating material of the unplayed lottery ticket for permanently marking the unplayed lottery ticket;
• while the unplayed lottery ticket is inserted in the terminal, following the activating step, imaging the unplayed lottery ticket for detecting the activated thermally reactive coating material and for reading the control number of the unplayed lottery ticket;
• and recording the control number.

A lottery terminal capable of canceling an unplayed uniquely numbered lottery ticket having a control number and an area with chemically reactive coating material disposed thereon, the terminal comprising:

• a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the terminal;
• imaging means for imaging the unplayed lottery ticket when the unplayed lottery ticket is received by the terminal for cancellation;
• memory means for storing data pertinent to the unplayed lottery ticket;
• and
• an automated lottery ticket cancellation device including means for receiving the unplayed lottery ticket therein and a radiant energy source for generating radiant energy, the radiant energy source of the cancellation device automatically permanently marking the unplayed lottery ticket when the unplayed lottery ticket is received by the terminal for cancellation prior to the imaging means imaging.

A process for canceling an unplayed uniquely numbered ticket having a control number and an area with chemically reactive coating material disposed thereon, the process comprising:

• inserting the unplayed lottery ticket into a lottery terminal having means for receiving the unplayed lottery ticket therein;
• while the unplayed lottery ticket is inserted in the terminal, automatically activating the chemically reactive coating material of the lottery ticket for permanently marking the unplayed lottery ticket;
• while the unplayed lottery ticket is inserted in the terminal, following the activating step, imaging the unplayed lottery ticket for detecting the activated chemically reactive coating material and for reading the control number of the lottery ticket;
• and
• recording the control number.

A lottery terminal configured for canceling an unplayed lottery ticket having a reactive area, comprising:

• a controller;
• an imaging device in communication with the controller, the imaging device configured to image the unplayed lottery ticket;
• a memory in communication with the controller and configured to store data pertinent to the unplayed lottery ticket;
• and
• an automated lottery ticket cancellation device in communication with the controller and configured to receive the unplayed lottery ticket and automatically permanently mark the area prior to imaging the unplayed lottery ticket when the unplayed lottery ticket is received by the terminal for cancellation.

A method for canceling an unplayed lottery ticket having a reactive area, said method comprising:

• receiving the unplayed lottery ticket in a lottery terminal;
• while the unplayed lottery ticket is received in the lottery terminal, automatically permanently marking the unplayed lottery ticket by activating the reactive area;
• and
• while the unplayed lottery ticket is received in the lottery terminal, after the permanent marking, imaging the unplayed lottery ticket.

A lottery terminal configured for canceling an unplayed lottery ticket having a reactive area, comprising:

• a controller,
• a ticket receiver in communication with the controller, the ticket receiver configured to receive the unplayed lottery ticket for cancellation;
• and
• an unconditional branding device in communication with the controller, the unconditional branding device configured to automatically cancel the unplayed lottery ticket by permanently branding the reactive area when the unplayed lottery ticket is received for cancellation;
• an imaging device in communication with the controller, the imaging device configured to image the unplayed lottery ticket while the unplayed lottery ticket is received for cancellation by the terminal, after the reactive area has been permanently branded.