Robotic Ticket Scratching With Live Remote Lottery Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals unable to physically purchase or play lottery tickets due to geographical constraints or physical limitations are excluded from participating in lottery games, and existing systems do not provide an equivalent level of engagement or compliance with regulatory requirements for remote participation.
Innovation Solution
A network-connected robotic system that allows users to remotely select, sign, and scratch lottery tickets using a mobile interface, with a robotic arm performing the physical actions, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and providing an equivalent gameplay experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
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 is deployed to physical locations to purchase tickets on behalf of remote users, while users interact through a digital interface. This mediator enables remote participation while maintaining compliance with jurisdictional restrictions on physical ticket sales.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the lottery participation process into distinct components: (1) physical ticket purchase by robot at authorized location, (2) digital transmission of ticket data, and (3) remote gameplay by user through application. This segmentation allows each component to operate within its appropriate domain - physical sales remain regulated while digital interaction provides accessibility.
2Reliability
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 mechanical scratching action is replaced with digital interaction through a touchscreen interface. Users simulate scratching by touching or swiping on their device screens, which triggers corresponding actions in the robotic system. This substitution maintains game integrity through verified digital processes while eliminating physical barriers to participation.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical scratching experience is copied into the digital domain through haptic feedback and visual simulation. The robotic system performs actual scratching while transmitting real-time video and haptic sensations to the user's device, creating a faithful digital replica of the physical experience that maintains engagement without requiring physical capability.
3Productivity
If one person collects and plays tickets for a group, then transaction efficiency is improved, but group engagement and experience sharing are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a physical agent for ticket purchase, a communication platform for group interaction, and a gameplay interface for all participants. Each group member receives their own device with dedicated interface, allowing simultaneous engagement while maintaining transactional efficiency through centralized robotic execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback loops where each user's device displays live video feed of the robotic system's actions, instant notifications of results, and synchronized gameplay states. This immediate feedback keeps all group members engaged and informed, transforming a previously passive observer role into an active participatory experience.
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.