Patent Application
20240070407
A portion of the disclosure hereinbelow contains material that is card to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Applicant incorporates by reference the Computer Program Listing Appendix entitled “DBEST-001-US3-Appendix” into this application. This file was created on Nov. 6, 2023, and is 131 KB.
The disclosure is directed to devices, systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing network management of remote cards' handling, and physical manipulation. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to networked devices, systems, methods, and computer programs for physically modifying cards such as, for example, scratch lottery cards and ballot cards.
Current interest in lottery games has resulted in a wide range of publicly promoted games conducted throughout the world. These games take several forms including the well-known scratch card games in which winning numbers are determined by scratching off a covering layer on cards to disclose the winning numbers.
In addition, online drawings and participation has increased the popularity of the whole lottery system to the point where, in certain circumstances, it is possible to buy a lottery subscription with either a random number selected each time, or the same number played at each drawing. Furthermore, regulations are highly variable concerning when and how scratch cards can be validated as winning.
Similarly, election law and security continuously require the combination of electronic voting for fast results, combined with the creation of paper-trail to provide traceability and prevent fraud.
The following disclosure intends to address these requirements.
In one aspect, the invention relates to a networked device for remotely modifying physical cards, comprising: a) a first and a second card holders, the first of which is configured to store a plurality of unmodified cards, and the second of which is configured to receive and store physically modified cards, b) a first and a second card conveyors, configured to convey cards over a conveying platform, between said unmodified card holder and said modified card holder, c) a physical modification module (PMM), which is configured to displace a modifying member, for physically modifying an unmodified card conveyed therethrough over said conveying platform, by removing at least one portion thereof (e.g., while moving perpendicular to the conveying axis of the cards conveyed therethrough) d) an imaging module comprising one or more light modules and a camera (e.g., adapted with one or more charge-coupled devices (CCDs), a complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), or a combination thereof) configured to capture images of cards conveyed on said conveying platform, e) a cleaning module (e.g., a blower, a brush, a suction device), configured to remove physical modification residues from cards during and following their physical modification, and f) a central processing module (CPM) configured to be in communication with one or more controllers of said card holders, card conveyors, physical modification module, imagine module, cleaning module, and with a communication network, wherein said CPM is configured to receive remote requests for modifying one or more selected unmodified cards, to operate said first and a second card conveyors, PMM, imaging module, and cleaning module, for physically modifying the one or more selected unmodified cards, and to capture one or more images of unmodified and modified cards. The CPM may further analyze the one or more captured images and to submit the analysis to a remote computing device. The PMM may comprise adjustment means facilitating its adjustment to different pressure levels applied on a modified card, wherein the adjustable pressure levels enable the PMM to remove ink from the physical card or enable the PMM to remove a scratchable layer from the physical card. The one or more light modules may be configured to irradiate soft light, and optionally be positioned in an angle to prevent reflections from the illuminated cards. The plurality of unmodified cards may be chained to form a single roll (e.g., Z-roll), wherein each card is separated from an adjacent unmodified card by at least one of: a scoring perforation, a machine-readable marker, and a blank gap.
In another aspect the invention relates to a networked computerized card-modifying system, comprising: a) a plurality of networked card modifying terminals, each of which is a networked card modifying device according to claim 1, where he networked card modifying terminals may be configured to provide the analyzed modified card to a manual monitor, b) one or more networked client access terminals comprising: a display; a communication interface adapted for two-way communication with the communication network; a user interface adapted to provide user input; and a processor in communication with the display, configured to receive a user's request to physically modify one or more selected unmodified cards, transmit said request to a backend management server, receive an analysis of the physical modification of the one or more selected cards from said backend management server, and render the analysis results on the display, c) a card issuing entity, and d) a Backend Management Server (BMS) comprising: a management communication interface, adapted for two-way communication with the communication network; a first non-transitory storage device; and a backend processing module (BPM) in communication with each of said plurality of networked card modifying terminals, said one or more networked client access terminals, and said card issuing entity, whereby said BMS is configured to: i) receive one or more requests to physically modify one or more selected unmodified cards, from one or more of said one or more networked client access terminals, ii) locate a predetermined card modifying terminal of said plurality of card modifying terminals for each request, iii) transmit each of said requests to its predetermined card modifying terminal, iv) receive the unmodified card information and modified card analysis from each predetermined card modifying terminal associated to each request, and v) based on the analysis, inform the card issuing entity and the corresponding networked client access terminals. The BMS may be configured to locate a predetermined networked card modifying terminal with the shortest queue for each physical card modification of the unmodified card request and transmit physical card modification instructions to the located predetermined networked card modifying terminal. The predetermined networked card modifying terminal may be further configured to: a) capture an image of the analyzed physically modified card, b) determine if said analyzed card is a winning card, c) if said analyzed card is the winning card, provide the card for manual monitoring, and d) transmit the captured image to the originating networked client access terminal.
In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method for remotely modifying physical cards, comprising: a) providing a networked device for remotely modifying physical cards according to claim 1, b) submitting a request to said networked device for modifying at least one selected unmodified card to said networked device, and c) operating said networked device to physically modify said at least one selected unmodified card, clean modification residues therefrom, and capture one or more images thereof.
In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for remotely modifying physical cards in a multi-node network environment, comprising the steps of: a) providing a networked computerized card-modifying system according to claim 16, b) operating one or more networked client access terminals to submit one or more requests for physically modifying at least one selected unmodified card, c) receiving the submitted one or more requests by a BMS of said networked computerized card-modifying system, d) locating a predetermined card modifying terminal of a plurality of card modifying terminals for each of said one or more requests, e) transmitting each of said requests to its predetermined card modifying terminal, f) receiving unmodified card information and modified card analysis from each of said predetermined card modifying terminal associated to each of said requests, and g) based on the analysis, informing the card issuing entity, and the corresponding one or more networked client access terminals. The method may further comprise the steps of: a) capturing an image of the analyzed physically modified card, b) determining whether the analyzed card is a winning card, c) if said analyzed card is the winning card, providing the card for manual monitoring, and d) transmitting the captured image to the originating networked client access terminal. The card issuing entity is a lottery administrating agency. Step (d) of locating a predetermined card modifying terminal, the predetermined card modifying terminal may be determined as the card modifying terminal with the shortest queue for the selected unmodified card of the received request.
For a better understanding of the devices, systems, methods and computer-readable media for remotely, and physically modifying a card while leaving the modified card intact in storage for further review and validation, reference is made to the accompanying examples and figures, in which:
Provided herein are embodiments of devices, systems, methods and, computer-readable media for remotely, and physically modifying a card while leaving the modified card intact in a secured storage for further review, inspection, and validation. More particularly, provided herein are embodiments of a system and methods of remotely, and physically modifying a card while leaving a record of the modified card for inspection and validation and delivering the manipulation results to a user, and/or other third parties.
Therefore, provided herein is a networked device for physically modifying a plurality paper (or other materials) cards (in other words, a slab or film having defined borders), comprising: a physical manipulation module (PMM) 300 (see e.g.,
The device is a computerized networked device forming a node for a multi-node networked computerized card-modifying system (further illustrated and explained in reference to the system diagram of
It should be readily understood by a person skilled in the art that any portion or the entirety of operational data and of information acquired during the operation of device 100, may either be processed/analyzed/stored locally, by one or more specific controllers of components of device 100 (e.g., camera 406 of imaging module 400), or by CPM 600, or remotely (e.g., by a designated computer, mobile device, server, distributed computing system, etc.).
The term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more functions. Also, the term “system” refers to a logical assembly arrangement of multiple devices and is not restricted to an arrangement wherein all of the component devices are in the same housing.
In the context of the disclosure, the term “modified” and/or “physically modified” refers to (and derivatives thereof) of a card refers to any re-shaping, perforating, removal of a portion of the card, erasing ink therefrom, adding marking thereto, forming indentations therein, and the like, whether accomplished with springs, friction, dampeners elements, pins, printing, hole punchers, or other structures, devices, means or methods. As such, modifying such a card may be accomplished by frictional effects, spring mechanisms, dampener mechanisms, servo motors, pneumatic actuators, other devices (and their equivalents) described herein, and any combination of these. Further, the term “card” in the context of the disclosure refers to any flat slab or film sized, configured and adapted to deliver a commercial, public, or commercial message, such as, for example, a lottery scratch card, ticket, photograph, compact disc, bank note, check, greeting card, gift card, election ballot and the like. Additionally, the term “card” should be understood to include any suitable materials, including stiff and flexible materials whether fabricated from paper, cardboard, plastic material, metal, or otherwise. In an embodiment, the unused/unmodified card is at least one of: a scratch-lottery card (SLC), and an election ballot card (EBC).
Following the modification of the card using the systems, devices, method, and computer programs described herein, there may be the need to further treat the cards, for example by cleaning the face of the card from any remnants of the modification. These can be, for example, any ink or card portion removed by punching, erasing, cutting and the like of the card. Accordingly, and in another embodiment, the set of executable instructions are further configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor in the card modifying terminals to: prior to analyzing the modified used card, using the used cards conveyor, conveying the used card to the cleaning module; and cleaning the modified used card. In the context of the disclosure, an unmodified/unused card refers to the card before any modification, while a modified/used card refers to the card after the remote physical modification.
In an aspect, the proposed networked device 100 can include one or more components (some of which are not shown in
In an aspect, networked device 100 can be configured to, based on instructions received from a remote computing device, physically modify one or more cards, wherein the device 100 can include a central processing module (CPM) (600 of
In an aspect, before undertaking the modification process, PMM (300 of
In an aspect, the proposed network device 100 can include an imaging module (400 of
In another exemplary implementation, and as illustrated schematically in
As illustrated, the pre-scored (or otherwise separated or indexed), card roll (250 of
Further shown in
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning module may comprise one or more cleaning means such as sweeping brushes, suction devices, or the like for disposing undesired modifications residues, to enable uninterrupted operation of moving members of device 100, and the capturing of clear images of modified cards 248′i. The cleaning module may further comprise a collection container for receiving the collected residues.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, in a common use, the CPM 600 is configured to operate device 100 as follows:
Further shown in
Further shown in
Further shown in
In an exemplary aspect, modifying member 304 of the PMM 300 can be configured to, at its distal end, remove a portion of the unmodified/unused card 248i that is received over the conveying platform 302. The conveying platform 302 can be configured to move at least one of the modifying member 304, distal end of the modifying member 304, and/or the unmodified card in X-Y direction. As illustrated in
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, where modifying member 304 is dedicated to scratch cards, modifying member 304 comprises a blade of high hardness and geometrical tip shape designed to avoid excessive scratching of the cards while providing a complete scratching of the desired card areas. In some cases, the areas scratched by modifying member 304 overlap to ensure a complete scratching of the determined area.
With respect to
In an exemplary implementation, driver(s) 504 can be configured to communicate with one or more components of the proposed networked device 100 such as PMM (300 of
In an aspect, processor of the central processing module (CPM) 600 can be configured to receive a request for modifying at least one unmodified card 248i using the unmodified card conveyor 254a. Further, the unmodified card can be conveyed from the unmodified card holder 256a to the PMM 300 which physically modifies the card and. Subsequently, CPM 600 may utilize imaging module 400 to analyze the modified card 248′i. The analysis may be transmitted to a determined remote computer, and the modified card is delivered to the modified cards 248′i holder 256b.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, CPM 600 may utilize common commercially available computing devices, such as a Raspberry Pi computer, to operates as the processor of the system, receive captured images from camera 406, communicate with the network, and to evaluate/analyze unmodified/modified card data. In certain exemplary configurations, commercially available controllers, e.g., one or more Arduino control modules are used as module controllers, such as for controlling the card conveyors 254a and 254b, and electric motors (e.g., of modifying member 304). CPM 600 may be configured to communicate with these control modules for operating device 100 and for centrally collecting and/or processing the collected information. The use of commercially available computing and control components enable cost-effective production and configuration of the proposed network device 100.
In an aspect, imaging module (400 of
In an aspect, once the user (850 of
The MFP 803p in each card modifying terminal further comprises a character and image recognition functionality (OCR/OIR). In the context of the disclosure, the term “optical character recognition” encompasses both optical and digital character recognition, and the use of the term “optical character recognition” or “OCR” encompasses any mechanism for translating images of text, pictures, graphics, etc. into machine-editable text and/or a standard encoding scheme. In other words, OCR refers to the computer-based translation of an image of typewritten text into machine-editable text or a picture of characters into a standard encoding scheme. For example, the OCR engine used in the card modifying terminal(s) is operably coupled to a flatbed scanner which scans text (e.g., of the printed lottery ticket) or a picture (of the scratch-off card modified thus). The system can be further configured to place the card/ticket flush against the scanning face of the scanner, an image generated by the scanner typically exhibits even contrast and illumination, reduced skew and distortion, and high resolution. Accordingly, the OCR engine, forming a portion of the MFP module 803p, easily translates the text/picture in the card and/or ticket into machine-editable text or standard encoding scheme.
Furthermore, using the encoding scheme, the system can be further configured to compare the obtained image to images stored digitally in a database to make sure there are no fraud attempts in trying to cash a winning ticket twice. In one example, the database storing the digital representations of the winning tickets and/or scratch cards (obtained from the MFP module 803p in card modifying terminal(s) 802i) is in communication with BMS 801.
Likewise, both the display module and the processor of the client access terminal 851j may further comprise a user interface module, whereby, “user interface module” broadly refers to any visual, graphical, tactile, audible, sensory, or other means of providing information to and/or receiving information from the user or other entity. For example, a set of instructions which enable presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) on display module of client access terminal 851j to user 850 (see e.g.,
In an embodiment, the computerized, networked card modification devices are used as card modifying terminal(s) in the systems, method and computer programs described herein. It is noted that the system provided herein contemplates the presence of a plurality of card-modifying terminals and client access terminals, all accessing and being accessed simultaneously through the network. The term “network terminal” in the context of the card-modifying terminal(s) and client access terminal(s), refer to any device (for example, client access terminal(s) 851j, and card modifying terminal(s) 802i) that is accessible via an internet protocol (IP) network, such as for example, at least one of: a server, a personal computer, and laptop or notebook, linked to the IP network via a fixed or wireless link or a PDA or a smart phone linked to the IP network via a wireless link, and the term “Network Access Terminal” refers to any device, such as for example a mobile phone, able to be connected to a Mobile Communication Network. The term “terminal” may further include some or all the functionality of, a user equipment (UE), a wireless or wired communication device, a network device, a personal communication device, mobile device, and/or a mobile station. In an embodiment, the network access terminal can be a hotspot, referring to a public access venue, location and/or geographical area in which a wireless access point (WAP) provides wireless network services (e.g. 802.11a/b/g/n based or supported services, WiMax based or supported services, cellular network based or supported services such as via CDMA, HSDPA, GPRS, etc., and other such services) to mobile users through a wireless local area network (WLAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), or the like, using, for example but not limited to, Wi-Fi technology or the like.
As indicated in
Also included in the system implementing the methods provided herein is a backend management server (BMS) 801 comprising: a management communication interface, adapted for two-way communication with the communication network; a first non-transitory storage device; and a backend processing module (BPM) in communication with each card modifying terminal 802i, the client terminal 851j, and the card-issuing entity 810, the BPM further comprising at least one backend processor in communication with a non-transitory storage device having thereon a processor-readable medium with a set of executable instructions configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: receive the unmodified card selection from the client access terminal 851j; locate a predetermined card modifying terminal 802i; transmit the selection to the predetermined card modifying terminal 802i; receive the analysis transmittal from the predetermined card modifying terminal 802i; and based on the analysis, inform the card issuing entity 810. In the context of the systems disclosed, the term “backend management server” is intended to refer broadly to a computing device that includes at least some degree of network management capability over devices and assets on the communication network. For example, backend management server 801 may deploy a management server to configure, manage, and monitor a portion of the communication network, such as, for example, to run an allocation algorithms that determines the card modifying terminal 802i where the queue (assuming multiple requests/terminal) for the physical modification of the selected card is the shortest, meaning execution of the request will return results the fastest; and transmit the request to that terminal. Accordingly, the set of executable instructions of the BPM is further configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: determine the card game selected by the user; allocate the game to the card modifying terminal where the queue for the physical modification of the selected unmodified card is the shortest; and transmit the selected card request to that terminal. An example for such an allocation algorithm is set forth in the Computer Program Listing Appendix in .txt format.
Moreover, the systems provided herein can be configured to use internal database(s), for example, the first non-transitory storage device in communication with the BCM (micro-SQL), to store and/or authenticate users, modified card (and/or winning lottery tickets) images, payments and the like. This Database should be easily synched with main Networking Authentication databases/servers. This feature will allow to provide local Authentication and even Authorization in order to provide advanced level of security and increase the level of reliable secured access to the network. Supported authentication sources for the user can be, for example: lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP), Microsoft Active Directory, Novell eDirectory, OpenLADP or any LDAP compliant server, Cisco ACS, RADIUS (FreeRADIUS, Radiator, etc.), Microsoft NPS, or any RADIUS-compliant server, Local user file (Apache htpasswd format), OAuth2, Facebook, Google, GitHub, LinkedIn, Microsoft Live, Twitter, security assertion markup language (SAML), or a combination comprising the foregoing authentication measures.
In an embodiment, the devices and systems disclosed are used to implement the methods disclosed herein. Accordingly, provided herein is a method of remotely physically scratching a scratch-lottery card (SLC) by a user, implementable in a computerized networked system comprising: a plurality of computerized SLC modifying terminals, each terminal comprising: a physical modification module (PMM) 300; an unmodified SLC holder 256a; an unmodified SLC conveyor 254a; a modified SLC holder 256b; a modified SLC conveyor 254b; an imaging module; a cleaning module such as a blower 258 configured to remove physical modification residues from the modified cards; and a central processing module (CPM) in communication with the PMM 300, the unmodified SLC holder 256a, the unmodified SLC conveyor 254a, potentially the cleaning module such as a blower 258, the modified SLC holder 256b the modified SLC conveyor 254b, and the imaging module, the CPM further comprising: a transceiver 506 in communication with a communication network; and at least one processor in communication with a non-transitory storage device having thereon a processor-readable medium with a set of executable instructions configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: receive a request for remotely scratching at least one unmodified SLC 248i; using the unmodified SLC conveyor 254a, convey the unmodified SLC 248i from the unmodified SLC holder 256a to the PMM 300; scratching the SLC; analyze the scratched SLC by utilizing imaging module 400; transmit the analysis; and provide the analysis to the a client terminal 851j comprising: a display; a communication interface, adapted for two-way communication with the communication network; a user interface, adapted to provide the user's input; and a processor, in communication with the display, the communication interface, and the user interface, the processor being in communication with a non-transitory storage device having thereon a processor-readable medium with an application program interface (API) configured, when executed, to cause the processor to: receive input from the user configured to select the SLC to be remotely scratched; transmit the selected SLC to a backend management server 801; receive an analysis of the selected, remotely scratched SLC; and render the analysis results on the display and to the unmodified SLC issuing entity 810; and a backend management server (BMS) 801 comprising: a management communication interface, adapted for two-way communication with the communication network; a first non-transitory storage device; and a backend processing module (BPM) in communication with each SLC modifying terminal 802i, the client terminal 851j, and the unmodified SLC-issuing entity 810, the BPM further comprising at least one backend processor in communication with a second non-transitory storage device having thereon a processor-readable medium with a set of executable instructions configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: receive the unmodified SLC selection from the client terminal 851j; locate a predetermined SLC modifying terminal 802i; transmit the selection to the predetermined SLC modifying terminal 802i; receive the analysis transmittal from the predetermined SLC modifying terminal PMM 300; and based on the analysis, optionally inform the SLC issuing entity 810, the method comprising: selecting at least one SLC 248i by the user through the client access terminal 851j; transmitting a request to the backend management server 801 by the user access terminal to scratch the selected SLC; the backend management server 801, allocating a predetermined SLC modifying terminal 802i; transmitting the request to the predetermined SLC modifying terminal 802i; and remotely scratching the SLC by the predetermined SLC modifying terminal 802i.
In another embodiment, the method further comprises using the imaging module 400, analyzing the remotely scratched SLC 248′i; based on communication received from the SLC issuing entity 810, determining if the remotely scratched SLC 248′i is a winning SLC; if the SLC is a winning SLC, providing the scratched SLC to a manual monitor; if the manual monitor validates the SLC as a winning SLC, informing at least one of the backend management server 801, the user terminal 851j, and the SLC-issuing entity 810; otherwise reexamining the SLC using a second monitor. It is noted, that in certain jurisdictions it is prohibited to pre-scratch the SLC and upon selection by the user on the client access terminal 851j, merely delivering the user the results of the pre-scratched SLC 248i. Rather, the sequence of steps must be time-stamped in such a way that the request must precede physical scratching of the SLC.
Additionally, the method further comprises determining if the SLC 248′i is a winning SLC, the backend management server 801, receiving a financial instrument corresponding to the enumerated winning of the SLC from the SLC-issuing entity 810: and crediting the user with the winnings. The financial instrument can be a check, a bank note, a wire transfer, or any method affecting payment to the user. Moreover, each SLC scratching terminal 802i, is configured to store the scratched SLC in the scratched SLC holder 256b, while the backend management server 801 stores a captured image of the scratched SLC 248′i (or, if a winner, the financial instrument crediting the user with the winnings) on the first non-transitory storage device (e.g., the database).
In an embodiment, the PMM 300 is configured to remove ink from the SLC 248i in at least one predetermined location on the unmodified SLC 248i and the set of executable instructions of the card modifying terminal 802i is further configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: capture an image of the analyzed modified lottery card 248′i; determine if the modified lottery card 248′i is a winning lottery card; if the modified lottery card 248;i is the winning lottery card, provide the card for manual monitoring; otherwise transmit the captured image to the originating client access terminal 851j. Manual monitoring can be used to independently validate and inspect the card, thus providing an added layer of security to the physical record of the process. In the context of the disclosure, the term “manual monitoring” and its derivative, refers to the inspection and validation of the modified card 248′i by a third party. The third-party monitoring can be either automatic (no human involvement, e.g., through computerized image analysis) or using a representative of any group in the network, for example, at least one of a representative of: the user, the network manager, and the card-issuing entity.
An example of the methods described herein, utilizing the devices, systems and programs disclosed, is illustrated in
In the context of this disclosure, authorization, refers to the process of defining the action(s)/network(s)/service(s) that authenticated users and/or remote devices are entitled to, based on user, device, temporospatial location data, and access profiles. In cases of remote access attempts by the user, access profiling can also depend on access provider, temporospatial location, or their combination. It will be appreciated that different combinations of the above processes may be implemented by a common processing module and/or different intercommunicating modules, using different numbers of steps, or iterations, and having different levels of redundancy and/or parallel processing to provide a selected level of efficiency and/or accuracy.
Once authenticated and registered by the system, and the user profile stored in the first database on the backend management server 801, the user can choose to play the lottery by using a scratch lottery card (SLC) 710 or entering a lottery drawing by purchasing a lottery ticket 750.
Turning now to
Turning now to
Accordingly, following payment 751 by the user, the operation is stored 752 on the BMS 801 database, the necessary forms are filled 753, either automatically by scanning terminal (e.g., SMT) 801i, or by the associated MFP module 803p, and delivered to scanning terminal 754, after which, the physical lottery ticket is printed 755 (locally) and issued 756 to the user (rendered on the user CAT 851j 758, while simultaneously, an image of the issued lottery ticket is scanned and stored 757 by MFP module 803p to the database. A winning query 759 is done by, for example, comparing the image of the stored ticket data obtained in 757 against an image or code scheme obtained from the national lottery provider. If the ticket is determined to be a winner, results are posted 760 to the user's CAT 851j and the user account is credited 761. An example of such a game administration algorithm is provided in the Computer Program Listing Appendix attached in a .txt format.
Also, using the systems, methods and computer-readable medium provided herein, it may be possible to support integration with online billing/payment solution(s) such as Authorize.net, PayPal, Stripe and more. Using this integration, user/client can handle online payments, required, for example, to get proper network access, pay for SLC and collect winnings.
It is therefore possible to implement a profile, which defines the registration workflow that will be used, for example, whether the user is a subscriber or not, whether the numbers played are used consistently or chosen every access, etc. In other words, the user/client can define different portal profiles-based attribute stored on the BMS 801.
In the context of the disclosure, the term “node” refers to a gateway device, a network switch, a network functions virtualization (“NFV”) entity, a software defined network (“SDN”) controller or a combination thereof.
As used herein, the term “processor” is defined as including, but not necessarily being limited to, an instruction execution system such as a computer/processor based system, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a computing device, or a hardware and/or software system that can fetch or obtain the logic from a non-transitory storage medium or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and execute the instructions contained therein. “Processor” can also include any controller, state-machine, microprocessor, cloud-based utility, service or feature, or any other analogue, digital and/or mechanical implementation thereof. In addition, the computer program (software and/or firmware), can comprise program code means for carrying out the steps of the methods described herein, as well as a computer program product comprising program code means stored on a medium that can be read by a computer, such as a hard disk, SATA CD-ROM, DVD, USB memory stick, or a storage medium that can be accessed via a data network, such as the Internet or Intranet, when the computer program product is loaded in the main memory of a computer and is carried out by the computer. Thus, the terms “non-transitory storage medium” and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium” are defined as including, but not necessarily being limited to, any media that can contain, store, or maintain programs, information, and data. Non-transitory storage medium and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may include any one of many physical media such as, for example, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor media.
More specific examples of suitable non-transitory storage medium and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium include, but are not limited to, a magnetic computer diskette such as floppy diskettes or hard drives, magnetic tape, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a flash drive, a compact disc (CD), or a digital video disk (DVD).
Non-transitory storage (Memory) device(s) as used in the methods described herein can be any of various types of non-transient memory devices or storage devices (in other words, memory devices that do not lose the information thereon in the absence of power). The term “memory device” is intended to encompass an installation medium, e.g., a CD-ROM, floppy disks, or tape device or a non-transient memory such as a magnetic media, e.g., a hard drive, optical storage, or ROM, EPROM, FLASH, etc. The memory device may comprise other types of memory as well, or combinations thereof. In addition, the memory medium may be located on a first computer in which the programs are executed, and/or may be located on a second different computer which connects to the first computer over a network, such as the Internet. In the latter instance, the second computer may further provide program instructions to the first computer for execution. The term “memory device” can also include two or more memory devices which may reside in different locations, e.g., in different computers that are connected over a network.
Further, the processor may be operably coupled to the various modules and components with appropriate circuitry. may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, an engine, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to” or “operably coupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more its corresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within another item.
The term “module” is used herein to refer to software computer program code and/or any hardware or circuitry utilized to provide the functionality attributed to the module. Further, the term “module” or “component” can also refer to software objects or routines that are executed on the computing system. The different components, modules, engines, and services described herein may be implemented as objects or processes that execute on the computing system (e.g., as separate threads). Likewise, “BMS” (see e.g.,
Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “loading,” “in communication,” “detecting,” “calculating,” “determining”, “analyzing,” or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as a transistor architecture into other data similarly represented as physical and structural layers.
As may also be used herein, the terms “central processing module” (CPM), “module”, “processing circuit”, and/or “processing unit” may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational instructions (in other words, firmware). The processor, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may have an associated memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of the processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, transient memory, non-transient memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information.
Note that if the processor, module, servers, network switches etc., processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located or may be distributed (e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network). Still further it is noted that, the memory element may store, and processor, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in one or more of
The term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives.
All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. “Combination” is inclusive of blends, mixtures, alloys, reaction products, and the like. The terms “a”, “an” and “the” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity and are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The suffix “(s)” as used herein is intended to include both the singular and the plural of the term that it modifies, thereby including one or more of that term (e.g., the location(s) includes one or more location). Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “an embodiment”, and so forth, when present, means that a particular element (e.g., step, feature, structure, and/or characteristic) described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment described herein, and may or may not be present in other embodiments. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various embodiments.
Accordingly, in an exemplary implementation, provided herein is a networked device for physically modifying a plurality paper cards, comprising: a physical modification module (PMM); an unmodified card holder; an unmodified card conveyor a physically modified card holder; a modified card conveyor; an imaging module; optionally a cleaning module; and a central processing module (CPM) in communication with the PMM, the unmodified card holder, the unmodified card conveyor, potentially the cleaning module, the physically modified card holder the modified card conveyor, and the imaging module, the CPM further comprising: a transceiver in communication with a communication network; and at least one processor in communication with a non-transitory storage device having thereon a processor-readable medium with a set of executable instructions configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: receive a request for modifying at least one unmodified card; using the unmodified card conveyor, convey the unmodified card from the unmodified card holder to the PMM; physically modify the card; analyze the modified card; transmit the analysis; and deliver the modified card to the modified cards holder, wherein (i) the set of executable instructions are further configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: prior to analyzing the modified card, using the modified cards conveyor, conveying the modified card to the cleaning module; and cleaning the modified card, (ii) the unmodified card is at least one of: a lottery scratch card, and a ballot card, wherein (iii) the PMM comprises: a conveying platform a modifying member having a distal end sized and configured to remove a portion of the unmodified card, coupled to the conveying platform, and wherein the conveying platform is configured to move at least one of the modifying member, the distal end of the modifying member, and the unmodified card in an X-Y direction, wherein (iv) the imaging module comprises a charge coupled devices (CCDs), a complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), or a combination comprising one or more of the foregoing, (v) the PMM is configured to remove ink in at least one predetermined location on the card, (vi) the PMM is configured to form an opening in the card at a predetermined location, wherein (vii) the plurality of unmodified cards form a single roll wherein each card is separated from an adjacent card by at least one of: scoring perforation, machine-readable marker, and a blank gap, and wherein (viii) the single roll is adapted to form a Z-fold section.
In another exemplary implementation, provided herein is a networked computerized card-modifying system, comprising: a plurality of computerized card modifying terminals, each terminal comprising: a physical modification module (PMM); an unmodified card holder; an unmodified card conveyor; a physically modified card holder; a modified card conveyor; an imaging module; optionally a cleaning module; and a central processing module (CPM) in communication with the PMM, the unmodified card holder, the unmodified card conveyor, potentially the cleaning module, the physically modified card holder the modified card conveyor, and the imaging module, the CPM further comprising: a transceiver in communication with a communication network; and at least one processor in communication with a non-transitory storage device having thereon a processor-readable medium with a set of executable instructions configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: receive a request for modifying at least one unmodified card; using the unmodified card conveyor, convey the unmodified card from the unmodified card holder to the PMM; physically modify the card; analyze the modified card; transmit the analysis; and convey the modified card to the modified cards holder a client terminal comprising: a display; a communication interface, adapted for two-way communication with the communication network; a user interface, adapted to provide the user input; and a processor, in communication with the display, the communication interface, and the user interface, the processor being in communication with a non-transitory storage device having thereon a processor-readable medium with an application program interface configured, when executed, to cause the processor to: receive input from the user configured to select a card to be remotely physically modified; transmit the selected card to a backend management server; receive an analysis of the physical modification of the selected card; and render the analysis results on the display; the unmodified card issuing entity; and a backend management server comprising: a management communication interface, adapted for two-way communication with the communication network; a first non-transitory storage device; and a backend processing module (BPM) in communication with each card modifying terminal, the client terminal, and the unmodified card-issuing entity, the BPM further comprising at least one backend processor in communication with a non-transitory storage device having thereon a processor-readable medium with a set of executable instructions configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: receive the unmodified card selection from the user terminal; locate a predetermined card modifying terminal; transmit the selection to the predetermined card modifying terminal; receive the analysis transmittal from the predetermined card modifying terminal; and based on the analysis, inform the card issuing entity, wherein (ix) each card modifying terminal is further configured to provide the analyzed modified card to a manual monitor, (x) the unmodified card is at least one of: a lottery scratch card, and a ballot card, (xi) the unmodified card-issuing entity is at least one of: a lottery administrating agency, and an election administering agency, the system further comprising (xii) a plurality of user terminals, wherein (xiii) the set of executable instructions of the BPM is further configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: determine the card modifying terminal where the queue for the physical modification of the selected unmodified card is the shortest; and transmit the selected card request to that terminal, wherein (xiv) the unmodified card is the scratch lottery card, the PMM is configured to remove ink in at least one predetermined location on the unmodified lottery card and the set of executable instructions of the card modifying terminal is further configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: capture an image of the analyzed modified lottery card; determine if the modified lottery card is a winning lottery card; if the modified lottery card is the winning lottery card, provide the card for manual monitoring; otherwise transmit the captured image to the originating user access terminal, wherein (xv) wherein the plurality of unmodified cards form a single roll wherein each card is separated from an adjacent card by at least one of: scoring perforation, machine-readable marker, and a blank gap, and wherein (xvi) the single roll is adapted to form a Z-fold section.
In yet another exemplary implementation, provided herein is a method of remotely physically scratching a scratch-lottery card (SLC) by a user, implementable in a computerized networked system comprising: a plurality of computerized SLC modifying terminals, each terminal comprising: a physical modification module (PMM); an unmodified SLC holder; an unmodified SLC conveyor; a modified SLC holder; a modified SLC conveyor; an imaging module; a cleaning module; and a central processing module (CPM) in communication with the PMM, the unmodified SLC holder, the unmodified SLC conveyor, potentially the cleaning module, the modified SLC holder the modified SLC conveyor, and the imaging module, the CPM further comprising: a transceiver in communication with a communication network; and at least one processor in communication with a non-transitory storage device having thereon a processor-readable medium with a set of executable instructions configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: receive a request for remotely scratching at least one unmodified SLC; using the unmodified SLC conveyor, convey the unmodified SLC from the unmodified SLC holder to the PMM; scratching the SLC; analyze the scratched SLC; transmit the analysis; and provide the analysis to the user a client terminal comprising: a display; a communication interface, adapted for two-way communication with the communication network; a user interface, adapted to provide the user's input; and a processor, in communication with the display, the communication interface, and the user interface, the processor being in communication with a non-transitory storage device having thereon a processor-readable medium with an application program interface (API) configured, when executed, to cause the processor to: receive input from the user configured to select the SLC to be remotely scratched; transmit the selected SLC to a backend management server; receive an analysis of the selected, remotely scratched SLC; and render the analysis results on the display; the unmodified SLC issuing entity; and a backend management server comprising: a management communication interface, adapted for two-way communication with the communication network; a first non-transitory storage device; and a backend processing module (BPM) in communication with each SLC modifying terminal, the client terminal, and the unmodified SLC-issuing entity, the BPM further comprising at least one backend processor in communication with a second non-transitory storage device having thereon a processor-readable medium with a set of executable instructions configured, when executed, to cause the at least one processor to: receive the unmodified SLC selection from the user terminal; locate a predetermined SLC modifying terminal; transmit the selection to the predetermined SLC modifying terminal; receive the analysis transmittal from the predetermined SLC modifying terminal; and based on the analysis, optionally inform the SLC issuing entity, the method comprising: selecting at least one SLC by the user; transmitting a request to the backend management server by the user access terminal to scratch the selected SLC; the backend management server, allocating a predetermined SLC modifying terminal; transmitting the request to the predetermined SLC modifying terminal; and remotely scratching the SLC by the predetermined SLC modifying terminal, wherein the method further comprises (xvii) using the imaging module, analyzing the remotely scratched SLC; determining if the remotely scratched SLC is a winning SLC; if the SLC is a winning SLC, providing the scratched SLC to a manual monitor; if the manual monitor validates the SLC as a winning SLC, informing at least one of the backend management server, the user terminal, and the SLC-issuing entity; otherwise reexamining the SLC using a second monitor, wherein the system further comprises (xvii) a plurality of additional users, each user having an additional user terminal, each comprising: a display; a communication interface, adapted for two-way communication with the communication network; a user interface, adapted to provide the user's input; and a processor, in communication with the display, the communication interface, and the user interface, the processor being in communication with a non-transitory storage device having thereon a processor-readable medium with the application program interface (API), wherein (xviii) the step of allocating the predetermined SLC modifying terminal to each user access terminal comprises: determining where the queue for the scratching of the selected unmodified SLC is the shortest; and transmitting the selected request to that terminal, the method further comprising (xix) if the SLC is a winning SLC, the backend management server, receiving a financial instrument corresponding to the enumerated winning of the SLC from the SLC-issuing entity: and crediting the user with the winnings, (xx) each SLC scratching terminal, further storing the scratched SLC in the scratched SLC holder; the backend management server, storing a captured image of the scratched SLC on the first non-transitory storage device; and if the SLC is a winning SLC, the backend management server storing an image of the financial instrument on the first non-transitory storage device, wherein (xxi) the plurality of unmodified paper cards in the networked system, form a single roll wherein each card is separated from an adjacent card by at least one of: scoring perforation, machine-readable marker, and a blank gap, wherein (xxii) the step of remotely scratching the SLC by the predetermined SLC modifying terminal, is preceded by a step of: using a rotatable transfer drum included in the system, pulling the single roll to a corresponding location in the PMM; using the rotatable transfer drum, pulling the single roll to a corresponding location in at least one of: an imaging module, and a scanning module; and capturing an image of the scanned card, and wherein the method further comprises (xxiii) using the rotatable transfer drum pulling the single cards' role to the modified card holder, forming a Z-folded stack of modified cards.
Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in terms of some embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure herein. Moreover, the described embodiments have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods, programs, devices and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, other combinations, omissions, substitutions and modifications will be apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the disclosure herein.
This application is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/245,184, filed Apr. 30, 2021, which is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/082,066, filed Oct. 28, 2020, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/928,626, filed Oct. 31, 2019, the contents of which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62928626 | Oct 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17245184 | Apr 2021 | US |
| Child | 18387553 | US | |
| Parent | 17082066 | Oct 2020 | US |
| Child | 17245184 | US |
