Lottery Ticket Dispenser Calibration via Optical Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lottery ticket dispensers face challenges in reliably separating tickets due to misalignment and interference from ticket particles, leading to improper separation and potential loss of verification information.
Innovation Solution
A lottery ticket dispensing array with a calibration field and a control system that uses light detection to adjust the ticket position relative to a separation device, ensuring precise separation along perforation lines, and a guide plate to maintain alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a proximity detector or sensor is used to detect ticket feed position, then ticket feeding can be automated, but ticket particles block the sensor causing erroneous detection
Solution Approach 1:
An optical intermediary system comprising a light source and optical sensor detects ticket position through non-contact means, preventing particle interference. The optical field acts as a mediator between the ticket and detection system, eliminating the need for direct physical contact that allows particle blocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical proximity detectors with an optical detection system. Instead of using mechanical sensors that can be blocked by particles, the system uses light transmission through the ticket material to detect position, substituting mechanical detection with optical detection.
2Extent of automation
If drive wheels and clutches are used to advance tickets, then automated dispensing is achieved, but tickets skew during feeding losing alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system provides continuous feedback on ticket position and alignment during the feeding process. This feedback allows the control system to make real-time adjustments to drive wheel speed and position, compensating for skewing and maintaining alignment with the separation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the feeding mechanism based on real-time optical detection. The drive system can vary its operation during the feeding process to maintain alignment, transitioning from static predetermined positioning to dynamic adaptive positioning.
3Productivity
If separation blade is aligned with majority of perforation lines, then most tickets separate properly, but manufacturing tolerances cause misalignment with other tickets
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system performs preliminary measurement of each ticket's perforation line position before separation. This allows the system to pre-position the separation blade or pre-adjust the feeding for each individual ticket, compensating for manufacturing variations before the separation action occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation approach from fixed geometric alignment to variable parameter adjustment. Based on optical detection of each ticket's specific perforation line position, the system adjusts separation parameters (blade position or feed distance) to match each ticket's unique characteristics within manufacturing tolerances.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures reliable and cost-effective ticket separation by accurately positioning tickets for separation, reducing errors and increasing the usability of automated dispensers.
Implementation Method 1
A calibration field is provided internal to the housing relative to the slot such that the tickets pass alongside the calibration field in a travel path of the tickets through the slot. The calibration field is defined by one or more slots in a member through which light passes.
Implementation Method 2
A receiver is disposed internal to the housing to receive light that passes through the calibration field
Data Source
AI summary
A lottery ticket dispenser array includes individual ticket bins defined by a respective housing for receipt of a supply of interconnected lottery tickets. Each bin has an electronic drive mechanism that dispenses the lottery tickets through a slot is defined in a back side of each bin housing. A separation device is adjacent the slot. A calibration slot is defined through a member internal to the housing and is located such that the lottery tickets pass alongside the calibration field in a travel path through the slot. A receiver is disposed internal to the housing opposite to the calibration slot to receive light that passes through the slot. The receiver and the drive mechanism are in communication with a control system. Based on a position of a forward edge of a leading ticket in the calibration slot and an amount of light passing through the slot and incident on the receiver, the control system determines an adjustment to a predefined length of the leading ticket to advance in a subsequent dispense cycle.