US 9,067,130 B2Granted

Method and apparatus for awarding the value of winning tickets dispensed by a vending machine

AssigneeDiamond Game Enterprises, Inc.

InventorJames Breslo

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A method is provided of awarding the value of winning tickets dispensed by a vending machine to patrons who purchased the winning tickets. The tickets are preprinted with game content and are associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some predetermined winning tickets. For each winning ticket, the patron selects a ticket redemption option provided by the vending machine to either immediately redeem the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine, or defer immediate redemption. Electronic records are provided in a database for each winning ticket that include an indication of whether the winning ticket was redeemed. The deferral option allows the patron to redeem the value of the winning ticket at a cashier, wherein the electronic records are used by the cashier to assist in the redemption process. The dispensed winning ticket is redeemed in accordance with the first option or the second option without needing to be re-inserted into the vending machine.

Claims46

Dependent claims

A method of awarding a value of winning tickets dispensed by a vending machine to patrons who purchased the winning tickets, wherein the vending machine includes selection buttons that provide a first option to immediately redeem the value of a winning ticket at the vending machine, and a second option to defer immediate redemption of the value of a winning ticket, and wherein the tickets are preprinted with game content and are associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some predetermined winning tickets, for each winning ticket the method comprising:

(a) purchasing a preprinted ticket from the vending machine;
(b) electronically comparing indicia on the purchased ticket with electronic records associated with the deal of tickets to determine if the purchased ticket is a winning ticket;
(c) presenting to a patron the first option to redeem the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine immediately after purchasing the ticket if the ticket is a winning ticket and the second option to defer immediate redemption of the value of a winning ticket so as to allow the patron to select either the first option or the second option;
(d) selecting by the patron via the selection buttons on the vending machine either:
(i) the first option to immediately redeem the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine, or
(ii) the second option to defer immediate redemption of the value of the winning ticket;
(e) providing electronic records in a database for each winning ticket that include an indication of whether the winning ticket was redeemed;
(f) recording in the electronic records in the database for each winning ticket an indication of whether the winning ticket was redeemed;
and
(g) dispensing by the vending machine the purchased winning ticket after selecting the first option or the second option.

7 more elements

A vending machine apparatus including a vending machine that awards a value of winning tickets dispensed therein to patrons who purchased the winning tickets, wherein the tickets are preprinted with game content and are associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some predetermined winning tickets, the vending machine apparatus comprising:

(a) ticket vending apparatus that allows for ticket purchase of pre-printed tickets;
(b) ticket validation apparatus that allows the purchased ticket to be electronically compared with electronic records associated with the deal of tickets to determine if the purchased ticket is a winning ticket;
(c) a first selection button on the vending machine that allows for redemption of the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine immediately after purchasing the ticket if the ticket is a winning ticket;
(d) a second selection button on the vending machine that allows for deferral of redemption of the value of the winning ticket immediately after purchasing the ticket if the ticket is a winning ticket;
(e) electronic records provided in a database for each winning ticket that include an indication of whether the winning ticket was redeemed, wherein the first selection button and the second selection button allow the patrons to select either immediate redemption of the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine or deferral of immediate redemption of the value of the winning ticket;
and
(f) a ticket dispenser that dispenses the purchased winning ticket after selecting the first or the second selection button.

4 more elements

(a) purchasing a preprinted ticket from the vending machine;
(b) electronically comparing indicia on the purchased ticket with electronic records associated with the deal of tickets to determine if the purchased ticket is a winning ticket;
(c) presenting to a patron the first option to redeem the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine immediately after purchasing the ticket if the ticket is a winning ticket and the second option to defer immediate redemption of the value of a winning ticket so as to allow the patron to select either the first option or the second option upon receiving an indication by the vending machine that the ticket is a winner;
(d) selecting by the patron via the selection buttons on the vending machine upon receiving an indication by the vending machine that the ticket is a winner either:
(i) the first option to redeem the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine, or
(ii) the second option to defer redemption of the value of the winning ticket;
(e) providing electronic records in a database for each winning ticket that include an indication of whether the winning ticket was redeemed;
(f) recording in the electronic records in the database for each winning ticket an indication of whether the winning ticket was redeemed;
and
(g) dispensing by the vending machine the purchased winning ticket after selecting the first option or the second option.

7 more elements

(a) ticket vending apparatus that allows for ticket purchase of pre-printed tickets;
(b) ticket validation apparatus that allows the purchased ticket to be electronically compared with electronic records associated with the deal of tickets to determine if the purchased ticket is a winning ticket;
(c) a first selection button on the vending machine that allows for redemption of the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine immediately after purchasing the ticket if the ticket is a winning ticket;
(d) a second selection button on the vending machine that allows for deferral of redemption of the value of the winning ticket immediately after purchasing the ticket if the ticket is a winning ticket;
(e) electronic records provided in a database for each winning ticket that include an indication of whether the respective winning tickets were redeemed, wherein the first selection button and the second selection button allow the patrons to select either immediate redemption of the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine or deferral of immediate redemption;
and
(f) a ticket dispenser that dispenses the purchased winning ticket after selecting the first or the second selection button.

4 more elements

(a) purchasing a preprinted ticket from the vending machine;
(b) electronically comparing indicia on the purchased ticket with electronic records associated with the deal of tickets to determine if the purchased ticket is a winning ticket;
(c) presenting to a patron at the same time the first option to redeem the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine immediately after purchasing the ticket if the ticket is a winning ticket and the second option to defer immediate redemption of the value of a winning ticket so as to allow the patron to select either the first option or the second option;
(d) selecting by the patron via the selection buttons on the vending machine either:
(i) the first option to redeem the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine, or
(ii) the second option to defer redemption of the value of the winning ticket;
and
(e) providing electronic records in a database for winning tickets that includes an indication of whether the winning tickets were redeemed;
(f) recording in the electronic records in the database for each winning ticket an indication of whether the winning ticket was redeemed;
and
(g) dispensing by the vending machine the purchased winning ticket after selecting the first option or the second option.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/718,392Filed 5 Mar 2010 · continuation
Priority: 2 Nov 2004
Published: US 2010/0160026 A124 Jun 2010
Granted: 30 Jun 2015
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

G07F 17/42
Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services: for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing…
A63F 3/06
Board games; Raffle games: lottos or bingo games; Systems, apparatus or devices for checking such games
G07F 17/3241
For games, toys, sports, or amusements: security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance
G07F 17/3246
Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes: involving coins and/or banknotes

Family

Application10/979,729Parent of this continuation · filed 2 Nov 2004
US 2010/0160026 A1Pre-grant publication · published 24 Jun 2010
US 7,695,360 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2006/0094491 A1Published application
US 9,067,130 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.