Interactive lottery machine

Abstract

Interactive Lottery Machine. Lottery machine (1) comprising: A support structure (2), A transparent shuffling chamber (20), A system (30) for bringing balls into the shuffling chamber, A system for retrieving balls from the shuffling chamber, A system for physically presenting the retrieved balls (32), A remote control (100) having at least one button (101) that a person can press, the computer system (110) being arranged to receive information sent by the remote control when this button is pressed, and to trigger, in response to receiving this information, at least one of the following actions: starting the drawing process, releasing the balls, triggering the shuffling, triggering the retrieval of a ball present in the shuffling chamber, or moving from one stage of the drawing process to the next. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Interactive lottery machine technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to ball lottery machines. Previous technique

[0002] Ball lottery machines typically include: - a support structure housing equipment necessary for the machine's operation, - a transparent chamber for mixing the balls, positioned above and supported by the support structure, with each ball potentially incorporating an RFID identifier, - a system for bringing the balls into the mixing chamber, - a system for collecting the balls from the mixing chamber during the drawing, - a physical presentation system for the balls taken by the sampling system during the draw, most often a transparent tube in which the drawn balls accumulate one behind the other.

[0003] Akanis Technologies markets machines of this type under the name Mercury MKII.

[0004] Generally, the machine is placed in a dedicated room, under high security, in front of a television camera that broadcasts the draw on a channel. The camera may be equipped with an optical zoom that allows it to take close-up shots of the balls resulting from the draw.

[0005] In some cases, the drawing sequence can be carried out automatically without stopping. The balls are mixed by blowing, then after a pre-programmed time, a sampling system, for example including a suction pump, is activated and the sampling system picks up a ball which is presented in an RFID reading zone. The information can be sent to a TV control room which launches an animation with the correct number, and this animation is displayed as an overlay on each viewer's TV screen.

[0006] Lottery machines can still be used in a mobile format in front of a local audience, particularly when the machine is mounted on a mobile stage. In this case, those present may have difficulty seeing the numbers of the balls drawn, due to their small size and their distance from the machine. A camera transmitting the numbers to a screen is sometimes installed.

[0007] In certain known machines, the screen on which the broadcast is transmitted is a monitor mounted on a separate stand, placed next to the machine at the height of the patch panel. The disadvantage of such an arrangement is that it complicates the machine's installation, as the cables connected to the screen must be concealed to avoid detracting from the overall aesthetics. Furthermore, the screen must be positioned to one side at the rear of the machine so as not to obscure the patch panel, and its visibility from the opposite side is affected by the presence of the patch panel.

[0008] It has also been proposed to fix a rectangular monitor directly onto the front of the support structure, at its upper part. This requires a support structure wider than the screen, making it relatively bulky and difficult to handle.

[0009] Furthermore, the support structure includes actuators that are controlled according to a predefined scenario to perform sequentially, at a minimum, the operations related to the drawing process, namely the introduction of the balls, the shuffling, and the removal of the balls. In known machines, a start instruction is sent to the machine, and the entire drawing process is carried out automatically, according to the machine's pre-programming, without any human intervention. Description of the invention

[0010] There is a need to further improve known ball lottery machines, in particular to make them more attractive.

[0011] There is also a need to facilitate their use in front of a large assembly.

[0012] The invention aims to meet all or part of these needs. Summary of the invention

[0013] The invention thus relates, according to a first aspect, to a lottery machine comprising: - A support structure, comprising a chassis, the support structure housing equipment necessary for the operation of the machine, including actuators, - A computer system, - A transparent chamber for mixing the balls, positioned above and supported by the support structure, - A system for bringing the balls into the mixing chamber, - A system for collecting the balls from the mixing chamber during the drawing, - A system for the physical presentation of the balls collected by the sampling system during the draw,

[0014] the chassis having a rounded shape at least on the sides and receiving flexible display panels to form on the support structure a screen occupying most of its height and extending on its sides, these panels being connected to the computer system, so as to be able to display on the screen at least one animation, in particular an animation showing the result of the draw.

[0015] The computer system is preferably located inside the support structure, but alternatively can be outside of it.

[0016] Thanks to this aspect of the invention, the width of the support structure can be reduced compared to that of a flat screen of equivalent diagonal. The support structure can thus maintain a slim, particularly aesthetically pleasing shape, allowing the mixing chamber to be positioned at a suitable height.

[0017] The proximity of the mixing chamber and the screen, as well as the screen's extension onto the sides of the machine, makes the display particularly immersive, thus enhancing the machine's appeal. It becomes easier to create a visual link between the balls physically moving within the machine and the animation displayed on the screen.

[0018] Furthermore, according to a second aspect of the invention, independent of the first but advantageously combined with it, the invention relates to a lottery machine comprising: - A support structure, the support structure housing equipment necessary for the operation of the machine, including actuators, - A computer system, - A transparent chamber for mixing the balls, positioned above and supported by the support structure, - A system for bringing the balls into the mixing chamber, - A system for collecting the balls from the mixing chamber during the drawing, - A system for the physical presentation of the balls collected by the sampling system during the draw, - A remote control having at least one button that a person can press, the computer system being arranged to receive information sent by the remote control when this button is pressed, and to trigger in response to the receipt of this information at least one of the following actions: • the start of the drawing process, • the release of the balls, • the triggering of the mixing process, • the triggering of the detection of a ball present in the mixing chamber, • the transition from one step of the drawing process to the next step.

[0019] Just as with the first aspect of the invention, the computer system is preferably located inside the support structure but alternatively can be located outside.

[0020] Thanks to the invention, according to this second aspect, the drawing is made more interactive, because the people present can exert a human action on the drawing process, during it.

[0021] This results in greater appeal for the machine. Furthermore, it is possible to prolong the drawing process, thus increasing the suspense. This can also allow more time for displaying animations on the machine's screen, if it has one.

[0022] For each of the first and second aspects above, the machine advantageously presents at least one of the following preferred characteristics: - the computer system and the panels are arranged to display the animation with an image refresh rate greater than or equal to 3840 Hz; this makes it possible to avoid flickering in the event of video transmission; - the computer system is arranged to control the display on the screen, during the draw, of the number of balls remaining to be drawn; - the computer system is arranged to control the display on the screen, during the drawing, of information indicating the current or upcoming stage of the drawing process; - the chassis includes a grid onto which the panels are fixed; this allows for a lightweight chassis, while still providing passages for the cables connecting the panels to the computer system; - the frame includes a steel part and the slabs are fixed by magnetism to this steel part of the frame; this facilitates the installation and replacement of the slabs, if necessary; - the screen height is greater than or equal to 80cm; - the computer system is configured to display an animation on the screen related to the information received from the remote control, - The computer system is configured to display a message on the screen indicating the action awaiting execution, which is triggered by pressing the button on the remote control. - The computer system is configured to display at least one of the following pieces of information on the screen during a maintenance phase: • Number of balls shot, • Scenario of the draw, • Number of draws performed, • Machine operating time, • Number of actions on each actuator; • Information or alert relating to preventive maintenance of the machine, including components to be replaced in preventive maintenance. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, a non-limiting example of its implementation, and upon examination of the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] The figure is a schematic, perspective view of an example machine according to the invention,

[0025] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents in a partial and schematic way the structure of support, without the display panels,

[0026] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates the mounting of the panels on the chassis grid,

[0027] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a block diagram representing the computer system and various peripherals and actuators cooperating with it, and

[0028] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is an example of a drawing scenario. Description of the implementation methods

[0029] The lottery machine 1 according to the invention represented schematically in [Fig.1] comprises a support structure 2, generally in the form of a vertical column, of height H, closed at the top by a hood 11 and surmounted by a mixing chamber 20, for example of a generally spherical shape, made mainly of a transparent material, for example polycarbonate.

[0030] The enclosure 20 is designed to hold balls, each bearing a different number, and preferably each incorporating an RFID chip in which a unique ball identifier is stored. The balls are identical, except for the number and the identifier.

[0031] The enclosure 20 has several loading openings closed by removable hatches, controlled by an actuator 121 housed in the support structure, schematically represented in [Fig.4].

[0032] Loading tubes 30, bent at their lower end, are vertically movable by means of an actuator 122 housed in the support structure. The aforementioned hatches are interposed between the lower end of the tubes and the corresponding openings in the mixing chamber.

[0033] This vertical movement of the tubes 30 allows for better visibility of the mixing sphere by concealing it inside the machine.

[0034] A sampling tube is mobile vertically in the enclosure 20 between a low sampling position and a high release position, under the effect of an actuator 123.

[0035] A presentation system 32 allows the balls successively released from the sampling tube to be collected and presented one after the other. The mixing chamber, the loading tubes, and the presentation system are, for example, identical to those of a machine marketed under the name Mercury MKII by Akanis Technologies.

[0036] An RFID 124 sensor allows the identifiers of the collected balls to be read.

[0037] The sampling tube is connected to a suction pump 125.

[0038] Depending on the models, the machine 1 includes one or two air blowing turbines 126 to blow air into the mixing chamber and mix the balls.

[0039] Figures 2 and 3 show a partial representation of the support structure 2, without the cover 11 which closes it above.

[0040] This has at its base a plinth 13, and on its height a chassis 12 comprising at the front a steel grid, with openings of generally rectangular shape.

[0041] The grid has a central flat portion 12a, and lateral portions 12b curved towards the rear.

[0042] The support structure 2 may include, as illustrated, two side doors 14a and 14b, which allow access to the various equipment contained inside the support structure.

[0043] A post 15 closes the support structure 2 at the rear.

[0044] Flexible display panels 51 are fixed to the grid 12 by any means, and preferably by magnetism.

[0045] These 51 panels are, for example, 240*120 pixel LED panels, and are mounted edge to edge so as to form a screen without visible discontinuity of display.

[0046] The flexibility of the slabs 51 allows them to conform to the rounded shape on the sides of the grid.

[0047] The screen 50 thus formed by the slabs 51 comprises, for example, five horizontal rows of four slabs 51 located above the base 13 and under the hood 11, and extends over a height h which occupies most of the height H of the front face of the support structure 2. Preferably, h > H*0.6, better h > H*0.7, even better h > H*0.8.

[0048] Machine 1 comprises, as illustrated in [Fig. 4], a computer system

[0049] 110, including for example a PC-type microcomputer, connected to the screen 50.

[0050] In addition to the aforementioned actuators 121, 122 and 123, which may be electric cylinders, the sensor 124, the pump 125 and the turbine 126, the machine 1 may include various controllers 127 connected to the actuators, the pump and the turbine, and various sensors, automation systems, electronic control circuits or peripherals 128, chosen to benefit from the desired functions.

[0051] The computer system 110 can communicate with a remote terminal such as a tablet or another PC 130 and receive information from the remote control 100.

[0052] Various video animations can be recorded in a memory of the computer system 110.

[0053] Software executed by the computer system 110 can generate an animation to display the numbers of the balls taken on the screen 50, thanks to knowledge of the RFID identifier detected during the taking.

[0054] The operation of the machine 1 is carried out according to a scenario comprising a step of releasing the balls contained in the loading tubes 30 by opening the hatches, this opening being controlled by the actuator 121.

[0055] Next, the actuator 121 can be actuated in the opposite direction to close the loading openings.

[0056] The loading tubes 30 can then be retracted inside the support structure 2 by the actuator 122.

[0057] Next, the blowing turbine 126 can be started to stir the balls in the stirring chamber 20, in a manner known per se.

[0058] The sampling of a ball is carried out by starting the suction pump 125 connected to the sampling tube, the latter being in a low position inside the mixing chamber 20.

[0059] Suction causes a ball to stick to the end of the sampling tube under the effect of the vacuum. The sampling tube can then be raised by means of the actuator 123, bringing the ball to the level of an extraction circuit located in the upper part, where the ball can be released.

[0060] The RFID identifier of the released ball can be read by the RFID sensor 124, and it can be guided by gravity into the presentation system 32 where it comes to rest.

[0061] The process of collecting the balls can be repeated as many times as there are balls to be extracted, with a vertical back-and-forth movement of the collection tube each time.

[0062] The number of balls taken depends on the rules of the game, and ranges for example from 1 to the total number of balls initially injected into the mixing chamber 20.

[0063] The screen 50 can be used to display different visuals during the draw, for example a specific visual of the lottery organization, an animated visual of the name of the game and / or a visual to focus the spectators' attention on the imminence or the potential amount of the prize.

[0064] The operation of the machine 1 is preferably carried out using the remote control 100 and with the display of various visuals on the screen 50.

[0065] For example, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], a visual is displayed on screen 50 at step 201 to prompt a person to press button 101 on the remote control 100 to initiate the ball retrieval. Upon receiving, at step 202, a signal from the remote control 100 corresponding to the pressing of button 101, the ball retrieval process is initiated. Given the time elapsed between pressing the remote control button, for example at least 0.5 s, and the ball being retrieved, the latter remains entirely random.

[0066] A visual can then be displayed on screen 50 at step 203 during this process to keep the spectators in suspense before the appearance at step 204 of a visual of the ball being drawn. This visual can be displayed in real time on screen 50 with the ball number, as well as the number of balls remaining to be drawn. Steps 201 to 204 can be repeated as many times as there are balls remaining to be drawn.

[0067] Thanks to the high refresh rate of the screen 50, the possible TV control room can directly film the screen with all the animations, without fear of flickering.

[0068] During maintenance operations, the screen 50 can be used to display various information useful for maintenance, stored by the computer system 110, such as: • Number of balls shot, • Scenario of the draw, • Number of draws performed, • Machine operating time, • Number of actions on each actuator, • Information or alert on preventive maintenance to be carried out, for example the change of certain components or the lubrication of certain actuators.

[0069] Of course, the invention is not limited to the example just described.

[0070] In particular, the mixing, loading, and other systems can be modified. sampling and presentation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0071] For example, the ball can be picked up mechanically by a retractable hook-shaped finger which, once deployed inside the sphere, will randomly capture a ball. Rotating this finger in the opposite direction will move the captured ball towards the RFID reading circuit and then towards the extraction circuit. Such a picking system is found, in particular, on the machine models marketed under the names Topaze, Venus, and Electra II, designed and manufactured by Akanis Technologies.

[0072] In one variant, the computer system is remote, not being located inside the machine's support structure. It can be connected to the screen by an HDMI cable, for example.

Claims

Demands

1. Lottery machine (1) comprising: - A support structure (2), the support structure housing equipment necessary for the operation of the machine, including actuators (121, 122, 123), - A computer system (110), - A transparent ball-mixing chamber (20), disposed above and supported by the support structure (2), - A system (30) for bringing the balls into the mixing chamber, - A system for retrieving the balls from the mixing chamber during the draw, - A system for physically presenting the balls retrieved by the retrieval system during the draw, - A remote control (100) having at least one button (101) that a person can press, the computer system (110) being arranged to receive information sent by the remote control when this button is pressed,and to trigger, in response to receiving this information, at least one of the following actions: • starting the drawing process, • releasing the balls, • triggering the mixing, • triggering the capture of a ball present in the mixing chamber, • moving from one stage of the drawing process to the next.

2.

3. Machine according to claim 1, comprising a screen (50). Machine according to the preceding claim, the computer system (110) being arranged to display on the screen (50) an animation related to the information received from the remote control.

4. Machine according to any one of claims 2 and 3, the computer system (110) being arranged to display on the screen (50) a message indicating the action pending execution and whose execution is triggered by pressing the remote control button.

5. Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, the support structure comprising a chassis, the chassis having a rounded shape at least on the sides and receiving flexible display panels (51) to form on the support structure the screen (50), the latter occupying most of the height of the latter and extending on its sides, these panels (51) being connected to the computer system (110).

6. Machine according to claim 5, the computer system and the panels being arranged to display the animation with an image refresh rate greater than or equal to 3840 Hz.

7. Machine according to any one of claims 5 and 6, the frame comprising a grid (12a, 12b) to which the slabs (51) are fixed.

8. Machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7, the frame comprising a steel part (12a, 12b) and the slabs (51) being fixed by magnetism to this steel part of the frame.

9. Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 8, the computer system (110) being arranged to control the display on the screen (50), during the draw, of the number of balls remaining to be drawn.

10. Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 9, the computer system (110) being arranged to control the display on the screen, during the printing, of information indicating the current or upcoming stage of the printing process.

11. Machine according to any one of claims 2 to 10, the height (h) of the screen being greater than or equal to 80cm.

12. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, the computer system (110) being arranged to display on the screen (50), during a maintenance phase, at least one of the following pieces of information: - Quantity of balls drawn, - Draw scenario, - Number of draws performed, - Machine operating time, - Number of actions on each actuator, - Information or alert relating to preventive maintenance, in particular on components to be replaced.

13. 11 Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, the computer system (110) being disposed inside the support structure (2).

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