Lottery Ticket Pack Side Edge Identification Image
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for identifying and securing lottery ticket packs fail to provide a permanent, unique identification image on the side face that can verify individual tickets for authenticity after they are removed from the pack, particularly for detecting counterfeit tickets.
Innovation Solution
Each lottery ticket in a pack is printed with a unique marking pattern along its side edge, which aligns to form a distinctive identification image on the side face of the pack, and includes a code that identifies the ticket's position within the pack, allowing verification of authenticity through a database or algorithm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a label or card is adhered to the side face of the ticket pack for identification, then the pack can be identified, but the label or card tends to misalign or skew making it difficult to read, or fall off becoming useless
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the identification function with the ticket pack structure itself by printing the identification image directly on the side face of the pack. This eliminates the separate label/card that could misalign or fall off, combining the identification element with the pack's own surface to ensure permanent, reliable identification that cannot be lost or misplaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification image is printed directly onto the side face of the ticket pack during the manufacturing process, before the pack is sealed or distributed. This preliminary action ensures the identification is permanently integrated into the pack structure, preventing subsequent misalignment or detachment issues that would occur with separate labels applied later.
2Reliability
If an identification card or label is placed at the top surface of the stack, then identification is possible, but the vendor must remove the packs from the safe in order to see the top surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the identification image from the top surface (horizontal dimension) to the side face (vertical dimension) of the ticket pack. This dimensional change allows vendors to view the identification image while packs remain stacked in the safe, eliminating the need to remove packs for verification and significantly reducing verification time.
3Reliability
If an overall image is printed on the side of the pack to identify the pack and act as a security measure, then visual indication of pack integrity is provided, but there is no means for identifying counterfeit tickets at a later time when removed from the pack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification system into two components: an overall identification image on the side face for pack-level verification, and individual unique codes printed on each ticket for ticket-level identification. This segmentation allows both pack integrity verification and individual ticket authentication to function independently and effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested identification structure where individual ticket codes are contained within the broader pack identification system. Each ticket carries its own unique code that can be verified individually, while collectively these tickets form the complete pack identification image, creating a nested hierarchy of identification layers.
Data Source
AI summary
A pack of lottery tickets includes a plurality of inter-connected lottery tickets fan-folded into a stack, wherein each lottery ticket comprises a first side edge. A code on each lottery ticket identifies the pack and an order or position of the lottery ticket in the pack. A marking pattern is printed along the first side edge of each of the lottery tickets and includes at least one mark. The pack has a side face defined by the stacked first side edges of the tickets in the stack, wherein the marking pattern on the lottery ticket side edges align so as to form a unique identification image on the side face of the pack. The marking pattern on each lottery ticket is unique to the respective ticket such that each lottery ticket in the pack can be separately authenticated at a later time by comparing its marking pattern to a retrieved or replicated image of the marking pattern based on the pack identification and order of the lottery ticket in the pack provided by the ticket code.