Robotic Ticket Scratching With Live Remote Lottery Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals unable to physically purchase or play lottery tickets due to location constraints or physical limitations are excluded from participating in lottery games, and existing methods do not provide an equivalent engaging experience while complying with regulatory requirements.
Innovation Solution
A network-connected robotic system that allows remote participation in lottery games through a mobile interface, enabling users to select, sign, and scratch tickets virtually, with a robotic arm performing the physical actions and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If lottery tickets are sold only at physical locations within jurisdiction, then regulatory compliance is maintained, but accessibility for remote users is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic system acts as an intermediary between remote users and physical lottery ticket dispensing machines. The robot receives digital instructions from remote users via mobile devices, physically interacts with the ticket machine to purchase and scratch tickets, and returns results to users. This mediator enables remote participation while maintaining compliance with physical location requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of direct human interaction with ticket machines with an automated robotic system. The robot performs physical actions (purchasing, scratching, collecting) that were previously required to be done in-person, substituting human mechanical operations with automated mechanical operations controlled remotely.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical scratching actions are required for gameplay, then game integrity is maintained, but accessibility for users with physical limitations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs the scratching action autonomously based on digital instructions from the user. The robot self-manages the physical scratching process without requiring the user to perform manual scratching actions, while still maintaining the integrity of the physical scratching requirement through the robot's mechanical scratching tool.
3Ease of operation
If one person collects and plays tickets for a group, then coordination is simplified, but group engagement and experience sharing are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system creates a digital copy of the physical gameplay experience by capturing video footage and images of the ticket scratching process in real-time. This visual copy is transmitted to all group members' mobile devices, allowing simultaneous viewing and engagement without requiring one person to manually report results to others.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback by streaming video and results immediately back to all participating users' devices. This instantaneous feedback loop allows all group members to witness the scratching process and results simultaneously, maintaining engagement and experience sharing while keeping coordination simple through automated management.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller is configured to obtain first image data from a camera associated with a ticket processing apparatus; transmit the first image data to an application server; receive, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket processing apparatus; cause the ticket processing apparatus to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.