WO2006040678A1

WO2006040678A1 - Apparatus for instantaneous prize contests, particularly for installation in stores or in vending machines for beverages or foodstuffs

Info

Publication number: WO2006040678A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/003227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claudio Balosetti
Original assignee: Claudio Balosetti
Priority date: 2004-10-14
Filing date: 2005-10-12
Publication date: 2006-04-20
Also published as: ITVC20040004A1

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for prize contests, particularly for installation in stores or in vending machines, characterized in that it comprises: a trigger element (3), which can be activated by a user in order to generate an electrical activation signal; a processing unit, which is connected to the trigger element (3); a random generator of information related to a winning status; and an output device (4), which is connected to the processing unit for the external display of the winning status information; the processing unit being programmed to determine and communicate externally, by means of the output device (4), the winning status on the basis of the activation signal and of the winning status information generated by the random generator. The functionality of a gaming device and vending device is combined within a housing. The vending machine dispenses food or beverages. The system comprises a central or distributed random number generation.

Description

APPARATUS FOR INSTANTANEOUS PRIZE CONTESTS₅

PARTICULARLY FOR INSTALLATION IN STORES OR IN VENDING

MACHINES FORBEVERAGES OR FOODSTUFFS

Field of the invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for instantaneous prize contests, particularly for installation in stores or in vending machines for beverages or foodstuffs in general.

Background of the invention

In the field of prize contests, many systems are known which allow to take part, even electronically, in draws of winning numbers, performed remotely with respect to the contest participant.

These systems for taking part in prize contests have the drawback of requiring the participant to own a personal computer in order to access the

Internet. Ticketing systems are also known for taking part in so-called

"instant" lotteries or contests, in which winning tickets are printed together with non-winning tickets and are distributed with them in various stores.

The winning codes are known beforehand by the participant and are identified as such already in the rules of the contest itself, so that the participant can become immediately aware that he has won.

Among these instant lotteries, one widespread ticketing system, known in the jargon as "scratchcard", differs in that the codes printed on each ticket are covered by a layer of non-transparent material, which can be removed by the participant for example by scratching it off with a coin. However, instant lotteries of the type described above require printing and distributing a very large number of tickets. Moreover, the participant must take part voluntarily in these lotteries by purchasing the corresponding ticket.

Summary of the invention The aim of the present invention is to obviate the drawbacks described above by providing an apparatus for prize contests which allows the user to know that he has won as soon as the participation in the contest by the user is requested.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for prize contests which can be installed in any store and in which participation in a prize contest is associated with a transaction related to the commercial activity of the store.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for prize contests which can be installed in any vending machine for beverages or drinks, and vending machines for foodstuffs or items in general, in which the participation in the prize contest is associated with the purchase of one or more particular beverages, drinks, foodstuffs or items taken from the vending machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide simple operation and immediate knowledge of the result of the contest on the part of the user of the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide marketing information by means of the prize contest apparatus itself.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for prize contests which is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide and at competitive costs.

This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an apparatus for prize contests, particularly for installation in stores or in vending machines, characterized in that it comprises: a trigger element, which can be activated by a user in order to generate an electrical activation signal; a processing unit, which is connected to the trigger element; a random generator of information related to a winning status; and an output device, which is connected to the processing unit for the external display of the winning status information; the processing unit being programmed to determine and communicate externally, by means of the output device, the winning status on the basis of the activation signal and of the winning status information generated by said random generator. Brief description of the drawings Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of the components of the apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a front view of a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a front view of a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a front view of a sixth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a front view of a seventh embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a front view of an eighth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a front view of a ninth embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 is a view of an example of a ticket which can be printed with the apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 12 is a block diagram of an application of the invention. Ways of carrying out the invention

With reference to the Figures cited above, the apparatus for prize contests according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a box 2, which contains a trigger element which can be activated by a user in order to generate an electrical activation signal. The trigger element is preferably a pushbutton 3, which is accommodated within an opening in the front wall of the box and can be activated by pressing on the part of a user who wishes to take part in the contest promoted by means of the apparatus.

A processing unit, connected to the trigger element, and an output device 4, connected to the processing unit for the external display of the winning status information, are installed inside the box 2.

The processing unit is preferably a computer in the memory (for example a hard disk) whereof an operating system and software applications for management of the apparatus, described hereinafter, are installed. The computer can be of the personal type or can be a notebook or a handheld computer suitable for receiving data and audio and is optionally connected to a display or monitor 5, for example of the touch-screen type, and to a loudspeaker 6.

Preferably, the output device 4 is a printer, which comprises a feeder of paper tickets, on which it is possible to print the information 101 regarding the win or non-win and other additional information that the operator of the apparatus wishes to provide to the user or participant, such as for example another code 102 or promotional or marketing information 103 (Figure 11).

A random generator of information related to a winning status is installed or connected to the processing unit.

In particular, the random generator is installed as a software application in the memory or hard disk of the processing unit and is adapted to generate the information related to the winning or non-winning status according to a random pattern, on the basis of an event reported by the processing unit. The generator can also draw a number from a database stored in the processing unit.

As an alternative, or in addition, the random generator is installed remotely with respect to the box 2, as illustrated in Figure 12. In this case, the random generator is a server 7 appropriately preset for drawing the win, and comprises a first communication device for accessing a communications network 8, for example the Internet or an intranet.

The apparatus according to the invention comprises a second communications device, which is installed therein and is connected to the processing unit for accessing said communications network 8. The preferred communications devices are modems of any kind, which can be selected according to the requirements, for example analog modems, ISDN modems, ADSL modems, GPRS modems, or modems using another available technology.

The server 7 is selected so that it can manage a plurality of accesses on the part of a certain number of apparatuses 1 according to the invention, which act as clients.

The processing unit of the apparatus according to the invention is programmed to determine and report externally, by means of the output device 4, the winning status depending on the activation signal generated by the trigger element and on the basis of information related to the winning status generated by the random generator. External communication to the user by means of the output device 4, in particular the printing of the winning status and other additional information on the ticket, occurs as soon as the pushbutton 3 which corresponds to the trigger element is pressed, since the processing unit is capable of processing the received trigger and the information of the random generator in a very short time, which is limited exclusively by the speed of the processor of the processing unit.

If the random generator is installed in a remote server 7, the time is limited only by the capacity of the server and by the connection speed, but is in any case on the order of a few seconds. Therefore, the processing unit is programmed to establish a communications channel with the server by means of the second communications device and the communications network 8 in order to transmit to the server 7 a request signal in response to the reception of the activation signal generated by the trigger element and receive a signal which contains the winning status information generated by the random generator on the server 7.

In turn, the server 7 comprises a computer of its own, which is capable of interacting with the processing units of the apparatuses 1, receiving the signals requesting random generation of winning status information and transmitting, again by means of the first communications device, the signals that contain the generated information.

The operation of the invention is as follows. Following pressure of the pushbutton 3, the processing unit instructs the random generator to generate a winning status ("you have won" or "you have not won") and print it on the paper medium. If the random generator is located remotely with respect to the apparatus 1, the processing unit sends a request for random generation of a winning status via the internal modem and the communications network 8 and stands by for a reply. The server replies to the request and sends to the calling address a reply signal, which contains the winning status information generated randomly by the random generator. The apparatus thus prints the received information.

Figures 3-10 illustrate alternative embodiments of the invention, in which the components described above receive the addition of, or are replaced by, additional components and functions associated with the trigger element and mutually combined in order to customize the apparatus depending on the type or rules of the prize contest or prize-based operation. In the figures, identical numerals designate identical components or components which have an equivalent function.

In particular, the trigger element comprises, in addition to the pushbutton 3, any one among a magnetic card reader, a bar code reader, or a smart card reader, generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

In the embodiments that contain said reader 10, the processing unit is also programmed to process additional activation signals on the basis of the information that arrives from said readers. In particular, these additional activation signals carry the information read by the reader 10. The processing unit of the apparatus is therefore adapted to determine and communicate externally via the output device 4 the winning status also on the basis of the additional information read by the reader 10. For example, if the information read by the reader 10 consists of a number N of "draws", the processing unit is adapted to query N times the random generator of the apparatus in order to obtain N items of information regarding the winning status and print said information on the printer 4. It is thus possible to take part in a plurality of "draws" with a single press of the pushbutton 3 or more generally with a single trigger event. Merely by way of example, the following table indicates three types of prepaid cards (central column) which have a value (left column) which corresponds to a certain number of clicks or trigger events, which are replaced in practice by the generation of a single activation signal, for example of a single press of the pushbutton 3. The processing unit is adapted to multiply the individual click or press of the pushbutton 3 by a number of times which depends on the value of the card.

It is possible to insert or otherwise read, in the reader 10, magnetic cards or bar code cards or chip-cards which, by their very nature, can be customized both according to the affiliate who owns the point of sale or store where the apparatus according to the invention is installed, or as a function of external affiliates who, for example, take part in the same contest and/or own advertising rights printed as additional information 103 on the tickets issued by the apparatus 1.

In additional embodiments, the trigger element of the apparatus comprises a coin-box 11 in addition to, or as a replacement of, the reader 10 (Figures 4 and 5). In such cases, the processing unit is also programmed to process additional activation signals depending on the information that arrives from said coin-box. For example, depending on the amount of money introduced in the coin-box 11, with a single press of the pushbutton 3 the user can take part in a plurality of draws, knowing immediately their outcome by means of the ticket printed by the apparatus as in the preceding cases. Therefore, the processing unit is adapted to multiply the individual click or press of the pushbutton 3 by a number of times which depends on the amount introduced by means of the coin-box.

The reader 10 and the coin-box 11 described above can be replaced with, or accompanied by, a keyboard 12 or 13, which is also associated with the trigger element and connected to the processing unit, as in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 6-10. In this case, the processing unit is programmed to receive and process additional information from the keyboard on the basis of the winning status information. The code entered manually by the user by means of the keyboard is transmitted to the processing unit, which is adapted to interpret the code as soon as the activation signal on the part of the pushbutton 3 is received. For example, the code which can be input manually by means of the keyboard 12 can belong to a plurality of codes which are stored in the processing unit or at the server 7 and allow to perform one or more draws with a single press of the pushbutton 3. The code can be displayed on the display 5 of the apparatus or on the printed ticket at the end of a preceding draw which did not result in a win.

The reported code can also be used subsequently by using it in a different contest system, for example by sending it to the contest operator via SMS or by reporting it to the operator by means of IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems, TTS (Text To Speech) systems, or ASR (Asynchronous Speech Recognition) systems of the type commonly used in 3227

9 contests allowing participation by telephone. The code can also be reported by means of the website of the operator of the contest or of the affiliate or store manager.

So far, the trigger element has been associated with the pushbutton 3. However, in the apparatus according to the invention it can be replaced with equivalent means which allow to achieve the same result, i.e., to send an activation signal to the processing unit. For example, the trigger element can be the display itself 5, if it is of the touchscreen type, so that pressing an area of the display corresponds to the generation of an activation signal for the processing unit, in the sense described above.

As an alternative, or in addition, the trigger element can comprise an external device, which belongs for example to a machine with which the apparatus according to the invention is associated, so that a particular operating situation of the machine is matched by the generation of one or more activation signals in the sense described above.

For example, in a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, the apparatus according to the invention is installed in a vending machine of the self-service type, which comprises a plurality of items or foodstuffs, on display for selection and withdrawal thereof, and comprises a selector for the item or foodstuff to be withdrawn from the machine.

In this case, the processing unit of the apparatus 1 for prize contests according to the invention is connected to the selector of machine and is programmed to receive an activation signal (which can be interpreted as such by the unit) which corresponds to a particular selection made by the user by means of the selector of the vending machine.

The affiliates of company that owns the system according to the invention can therefore, by means of their vending machines, offer for some products, without a price increase, participation in a prize contest, thus giving an incentive to the customer to select that type of product from the vending machine. Obviously, the advantage also covers all the affiliates that have the apparatus according to the invention installed at one of their points of sale and wish to promote particular products or services. The entry obviously can be offered also for any issue of a sales receipt.

The owner of the system provides the affiliate who participates in the contest with one or more of the apparatuses according to the invention and with promotional material for the point of sale and the prizes offered, reserved for the particular store of the affiliate, in accordance with prize contest laws. In this manner, the prize can be collected immediately by the winner. As an alternative, the prize can be collected at a later time, but the indication of the prize and the instructions for collecting it can be provided immediately by the processing unit by means of the display 5 or can be printed directly on the ticket issued by the apparatus 1.

In practice it has been found that the device according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim, since it allows the user to know he has won as soon as he requests to take part in the contest, safely, rapidly and efficiently.

The apparatus according to the invention can be installed in any store in which participation to a prize contest is associated with a transaction related to the commercial activity of the store. The simplicity and straightforwardness with which the user acts allow to avoid the formalities and duties that often characterize known systems.

The device thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application no. VC2004A000004, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. An apparatus for prize contests, particularly for installation in stores or in vending machines, characterized in that it comprises: a trigger element, which can be activated by a user in order to generate an electrical activation signal; a processing unit, which is connected to said trigger element; a random generator of information related to a winning status; and an output device, which is connected to said processing unit for the external display of said winning status information; said processing unit being programmed to determine and communicate externally, by means of said output device, the winning status on the basis of said activation signal and of the winning status information generated by said random generator.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a box element in which said trigger element, said processing unit and said output device are installed, said random generator being installed within a memory means of the processing unit.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a box in which said trigger element, said processing unit and said output device are installed, said random generator being installed in a server which is located remotely with respect to said apparatus and comprising a first communications device for accessing a communications network, said apparatus comprising a second communications device, which is connected to said processing unit for access to said communications network, said processing unit being programmed to establish a communications channel with said random generator by means of said first and second communications devices and said communications network, in order to transmit to said random generator a request signal in response to said activation signal and receive a signal which contains said winning status information generated by the random generator.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said communications network is of the Internet or intranet type and said first and/or second communications devices are modems.

5. The apparatus according to one or more of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said output device is a printer, which comprises a feeder of paper tickets for printing the winning status information status on one or more of said tickets.

6. The apparatus according to one or more of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said trigger element is a pushbutton which can be activated by being pressed by said user.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said trigger element further comprises a keyboard, said processing unit being programmed to receive and process additional information from said keyboard depending on the content of said winning status information.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said trigger element further comprises any one among a magnetic card reader, a bar code reader, or a smart card reader, said processing unit being programmed to process additional activation signals on the basis of the information that arrives from said readers.

9. The apparatus according to one or more of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said trigger element additionally comprises a coin-box, said processing unit being programmed to process additional activation signals on the basis of the information that arrives from said coin-box.

10. The apparatus according to one or more of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that said processing unit is programmed to send additional information to said output device in order to display said information to the user.

11. The apparatus according to one or more of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that said trigger element is a display of the touch-screen type.

12. A self-service vending machine comprising a plurality of items or foodstuffs on display for selection and withdrawal thereof and a device for selecting the item or foodstuff to be withdrawn from the machine, characterized in that it comprises an apparatus for prize contests according to one or more of claims 1 to 11.

13. The vending machine according to claim 12. characterized in that said selector comprises said trigger element, said activation signal being comprised in a subgroup of signals which can be generated by said selector.