GB2254721A - Ticket dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A ticket dispensing machine arranged to dispense different sorts of tickets comprises means for reading coded information on a token, means such as a keyboard for selecting the tickets required once the token has been accepted by the apparatus and means for recording the purchases made in association with each token.

Description

TICKETING SYSTEM The invention relates to a ticketing system, especially for use with a game where there are a number of players who have to purchase tickets for different purposes all associated with the game. One specific example is in playing Bingo at a public hall, and for convenience the invention will be described in relation to that use, although the invention is suitable for use with other games.

Usually each player at a Bingo session has a membership card. That record is used by the promoters of the game for promotions associated with the game e.g. despatch of mailshots, newsletters, free tickets. In one specific example, the procedure at the Bingo hall is as follows:1. Customers pay entry fee at main door and enter the hall.

2. Customers can insert membership cards into a card reader to record their attendance.

3. A queue is then formed where early session books are purchased from a single employee who sells tickets for the early session for cash.

4. The participants then move onto a second employee who sells main session tickets while a third employee handles the cash for the main session.

5. For those wishing to buy tickets in the "Golden Flyer" (a game of chance) a fourth employee sells the tickets and handles the cash.

6. A fifth employee sells tickets for the "National Game" (a game of chance available to members at all the establishments throughout the country at that session), handing out the tickets and taking the cash. The manager records the sold tickets serial numbers onto a computer which is then downloaded via a modem to the National Game headquarters. (Failure to register ticket sales at the head-quarters in good time will exclude that club from the National Game that day causing considerable bad feelings between customers and club.) 7. Another employee sells tickets for the late session.

8. All the tickets have been purchased so the participants now return to their seats, having queued for an average of 25 minutes. The queue length is between 70 and 110 people.

The last few participants will only have a couple of minutes before games commence which does not allow them time to spend playing the amusement machines or purchasing drinks or perhaps going to the lavatory.

It is one object of the invention to provide apparatus and method for performing these steps in a simpler faster way, which reduces the risk of errors, of fraud (which is especially prevalent where cash transactions are involved) and which records more usable data.

According to the invention in one aspect there is provided apparatus for the purpose specified, the apparatus comprising: - means for reading coded information on a token - a supply of tickets, each for a different purpose - means for selecting and purchasing tickets the means being enabled after the reading means has read and accepted a token, and - means for recording the tickets selected according to each token read Typically the token will be in the form of a card, rather like a credit card, and which carries the membership number. The card may carry a magnetic stripe or a printed code, which may then be read magnetically or optically or in any other suitable way.

The means for selecting tickets may be a keypad arranged to identify the tickets to be selected. These will typically be any one or more of early session play tickets main session play tickets late session play tickets competition entry tickets When the tickets have been selected, the means is arranged to display to the purchaser a total payment required. The means includes a coin or note receiving slot or the like to receive payment. The means then dispenses the tickets and coin change, if appropriate.

The apparatus preferably includes a printer arranged to print (in visible and/or coded form) the individual membership number on each ticket purchased.

The apparatus preferably includes a data storage system arranged to record each token accepted and read and each transaction made for tat token. That data can then be presented in printed form or on a visual display unit, for future use by the promoter.

Preferably the card reader and ticket dispensers are housed in one cabinet which is wall mounted on a similar basis to soft drinks/food vending machines.

In use, members will approach the machine (or, to reduce queuing times even further, any of a number of machines) and insert membership card. Amounts of early, main, late sessions, flyers and National Game tickets required are then entered on the keypad. The cost of purchase is then displayed on a VDU or alpha numeric display. If accepted, the correct amount to tender is inserted via coin/note acceptors. The tickets ordered are then dispensed.The customers membership number would be printed on each of the tickets and serial numbers for the tickets, particularly in the case of National Game tickets, are recorded ready for downloading automatically to National Game HQ. At the time of download, all National Game ticket sales would be disallowed by the machine though tickets for the other games may still be purchased.

The machine(s) may be connected to a large public display within the game hall so the game prizes are continuously being updated as tickets are sold.

The tickets within the machine may be stored in a number of different ways. They may be stacked one on top of another, or supplied in a drum or magazine for ease of loading.

Additional features may be possible subject to authorisation of the British Gaming Board Association. For example, a random feature may be present to play a tune and illuminate a series of lights indicating that the participants order is issued free of charge. The machine could also be made to accept fruit machine tokens as payment (or part payment) for the tickets.

The invention offers several advantages in addition to the saving of time, and reduced risk of fraud. Because of the data retrieval, club owners have access to much more information: total amounts of each type of ticket sold, most sold tickets (and least popular.?), and total of each style of ticket sold to each individual member. Not only would he be able to point out to his customers that they have not attended for a while he could also mention that they might like to try the National Game, if they had not done so.

Claims (12)

1. Apparatus for use in dispensing tickets of different types the apparatus comprising: - means for reading coded information on a token - a supply of tickets, each for a different purpose - means for selecting and purchasing tickets the means being enabled after the reading means has read and accepted a token, and - means for recording the tickets selected according to each token read.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the token is in the form of a card.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the token carries a magnetic stripe or a printed code.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, wherein the means for selecting tickets comprises a keypad arranged to identify the tickets to be selected.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the tickets comprise: early session play tickets main session play tickets late session play tickets competition entry tickets

6. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, including means arranged to display to the purchaser a total payment required.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, including a printer arranged to print (in visible and/or coded form) the individual members'nip number on each ticket purchased.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim; including a data storage system arranged to record each token accepted and read and each transaction made for that token.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, housed in one cabinet.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, including a random feature to play a tune and illuminate a series of lights indicating that the participants order is issued free of charge.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, arranged to accept fruit machine tokens as payment (or part payment) for the tickets.

12. Apparatus for use in dispensing tickets, substantially as described.