Method and an apparatus for promoting a product or brand

Abstract

A method of promoting a product or a brand in a retail store, or of promoting customer loyalty comprises the steps of analysing data determined at a point of sale relating to purchases by a customer, e.g. data from a bar-code scanner, to determine whether a customer has purchased a particular product or brand or has purchased products equalling or exceeding a predetermined value and, if this is the case, entitling the customer to participate in a prize/bonus ticket game configured as a game of chance, conducting a game of chance based on a predetermined win table having a specified number of predetermined winning numbers each associated with a bonus or prize and a further number of no win stops, i.e. numbers which are not winning numbers, and in the case of a win, issuing to the customer a ticket which is a winning ticket associated with the product or product range. Also claimed is a method of operating a gaming machine and a method of promoting Internet shopping as well as a ticket dispenser

1 . A method of promoting a product or a brand in a retail store comprising the steps of analysing data determined at a point of sale relating to purchases by a customer, e.g. data from a bar-code scanner, to determine whether a customer has purchased a particular product or brand or has purchased products equalling or exceeding a predetermined value and, if this is the case, entitling the customer to participate in a prize/bonus ticket game configured as a game of chance, conducting a game of chance based on a predetermined win table having a specified number of predetermined winning numbers each associated with a bonus or prize and a further number of no win stops, i.e. numbers which are not winning numbers, and in the case of a win, issuing to the customer a ticket which is a winning ticket associated with the product or product range.  
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , and comprising the further step of operating or emphasizing at least one display or advertisement associated with the product or brand when a winning ticket is issued.  
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , and comprising the further step of operating or emphasizing at least one display or advertisement associated with the product or brand each time or at least sometimes when a particular product or brand is purchased and a prize/bonus ticket game is played.  
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein, when a winning ticket is associated with a small win, the win is issued by the retail store.  
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein, when a winning ticket is associated with a high win, the customer sends the ticket to a company responsible for issuing of the win.  
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the said company compares an identifying code applied to the winning ticket to ensure it is a valid winning ticket.  
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  and comprising the further step of changing the number of no win stops, i.e. the number of non-winning numbers, in a particular time interval, to change the chances of winning the game of chance in order to realise higher or lower promotional activity during that time interval.  
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  and comprising the further step of changing the number of no win stops, i.e. the number of non-winning numbers in dependence on a preset factor, such as a recognition of customer loyalty, e.g. via recognition of a customer loyalty card issued to a customer, to influence the chances of winning the game of chance.  
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the win table comprises a table containing a range of winning numbers and the playing of the game of chance comprises the step of initiating a random number generator to generate a number within the range of numbers including at least some of said winning numbers and comparing the number generated with the table of numbers to see whether it is a winning number or a non-winning number.  
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 9  and comprising the step of changing at least one of the range of numbers which the random number generator can generate and the number of winning numbers to increase the number of non-winning numbers relative to the number of winning numbers whereby to influence the chances of a win.  
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the step of influencing the chances of a win is effected or initiated by one of: 
 a member of staff of the retail store,    a member of staff of the management of a chain of retail stores,    a member of staff of an administrative company managing promotion for the store or chain of stores, optionally via remote access via a computer network,    automatically in response to recognition of some controlling factor, e.g. recognition of a customer loyalty card or recognition of a high purchase, or as a function of date and/or time of day.    
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the game of chance is stored in a chipcard associated with the winning tickets and containing a list of the winning tickets of a pack of winning tickets and comprising the further step of checking for each pack of winning tickets that a code printed on each ticket corresponds to a code stored in the chipcard, whereby to validate the pack of tickets and/or each individual ticket.  
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 12  and comprising the step of accessing the chipcard and/or a controller in the ticket dispenser from a location remote from the ticket dispenser to check whether the chipcard and/or the controller and/or the associated ticket dispenser is operating correctly.  
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 12  and comprising the step of disabling the ticket dispenser and alarming a member of staff of the store or of the controlling company if there is a malfunction or if incorrect tickets are installed.  
     
     
         15 . A method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the controller includes an interface to the ticket dispenser and associated advertising and comprising the further step of accessing the controller from a location remote from the ticket dispenser to check whether the correct advertising is installed for the current promotion.  
     
     
         16 . A method in accordance with  claim 13  and comprising the step of accessing the controller from a location remote from the ticket dispenser to adjust the chances of winning the game of chance.  
     
     
         17 . A method of promoting customer loyalty to a retail store or chain of stores comprising the steps of analysing data determined at a point of sale relating to purchases by a customer, e.g. data from a barcode scanner, to determine whether the customer has purchased a predetermined article or an article having a predetermined value or articles having a total value equal to or exceeding a predetermined value and, if this is the case, entitling the customer to participate in a prize/bonus ticket game configured as a game of chance, conducting a game of chance based on a predetermined win table having a specified number of predetermined winning numbers each associated with a bonus or prize and a further number of no win stops, i.e. numbers which are not winning numbers and, in the case of a win, issuing to the customer a ticket which is a winning ticket entitling the customer to a bonus or prize.  
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , and comprising the further step of operating or emphasizing at least one display or advertisement associated with the product or brand when a winning ticket is issued.  
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , and comprising the further step of operating or emphasizing at least one display or advertisement associated with the product or brand each time or at least sometimes when a particular product or brand is purchased and a prize/bonus ticket game is played.  
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein, when a winning ticket is associated with a small win, the win is issued by the retail store.  
     
     
         21 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein, when a winning ticket is associated with a high win, the customer sends the ticket to a company responsible for issuing of the win.  
     
     
         22 . A method in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the said company compares an identifying code applied to the winning ticket to ensure it is a valid winning ticket.  
     
     
         23 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  and comprising the further step of changing the number of no win stops, i.e. the number of non-winning numbers, in a particular time interval, to change the chances of winning the game of chance in order to realise higher or lower promotional activity during that time interval.  
     
     
         24 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  and comprising the further step of changing the number of no win stops, i.e. the number of non-winning numbers in dependence on a preset factor, such as a recognition of customer loyalty, e.g. via recognition of a customer loyalty card issued to a customer, to influence the chances of winning the game of chance.  
     
     
         25 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the win table comprises a table containing a range of winning numbers and the playing of the game of chance comprises the step of initiating a random number generator to generate a number within the range of numbers including at least some of said winning numbers and comparing the number generated with the table of numbers to see whether it is a winning number or a non-winning number.  
     
     
         26 . A method in accordance with  claim 25  and comprising the step of changing at least one of the range of numbers which the random number generator can generate and the number of winning numbers to increase the number of non-winning numbers relative to the number of winning numbers whereby to influence the chances of a win.  
     
     
         27 . A method in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein the step of influencing the chances of a win is effected or initiated by one of: 
 a member of staff of the retail store,    a member of staff of the management of a chain of retail stores,    a member of staff of an administrative company managing promotion for the store or chain of stores, optionally via remote access via a computer network,    automatically in response to recognition of some controlling factor, e.g. recognition of a customer loyalty card or recognition of a high purchase, or as a function of date or time of purchase.    
     
     
         28 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the game of chance is stored in a chipcard associated with the winning tickets and containing a list of the winning tickets of a pack of winning tickets and comprising the further step of checking for each pack of winning tickets that a code printed on each ticket corresponds to a code stored in the chipcard, whereby to validate the pack of tickets and/or each individual ticket.  
     
     
         29 . A method in accordance with  claim 28  and comprising the step of accessing the chipcard and/or a controller in the ticket dispenser from a location remote from the ticket dispenser to check whether the chipcard and/or the controller and/or the associated ticket dispenser is operating correctly.  
     
     
         30 . A method in accordance with  claim 28  and comprising the step of disabling the ticket dispenser and alarming a member of staff of the store or of the controlling company if there is a malfunction or if incorrect tickets are installed.  
     
     
         31 . A method in accordance with  claim 29 , wherein the controller includes an interface to the ticket dispenser and associated advertising and comprising the further step of accessing the controller from a location remote from the ticket dispenser to check whether the correct advertising is installed for the current promotion.  
     
     
         32 . A method in accordance with  claim 29  and comprising the step of accessing the controller from a location remote from the ticket dispenser to adjust the chances of winning the game of chance.  
     
     
         33 . A ticket dispenser, for example for use in connection with a game of chance, comprising a housing, a space within said housing for receiving a pack of tickets in any form, e.g. in fanfold form or in roll form, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing single tickets taken from said pack of tickets, an electronic control associated with the dispenser comprising stored information relating to said game of chance, a ticket reader for reading identification information stored on said tickets, means for comparing said information with identifying information stored in said electronic control to check whether the pack of tickets is a valid pack and/or whether each ticket is a valid ticket and means for inhibiting said dispensing mechanism if said pack of tickets and/or an individual ticket is not a valid pack of tickets or a valid individual ticket respectively.  
     
     
         34 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 33 , wherein said electronic control includes a chipcard associated with the or each pack of tickets and wherein said information is stored on said chipcard.  
     
     
         35 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein said chipcard contains said stored information relating to said game of chance.  
     
     
         36 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 33 , wherein said electronic control comprises a random number generator for generating a random number in a range associated with said game of chance.  
     
     
         37 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 36 , wherein said random number generator is contained in or controlled via said chipcard.  
     
     
         38 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 36 , wherein means is provided for changing the attributes of said game of chance and/or of said random number generator.  
     
     
         39 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 38 , wherein means are provided for remotely accessing said ticket dispenser to change said attributes, e.g. via a computer network.  
     
     
         40 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 33 , wherein means is provided for operating the ticket dispensing mechanism to issue a ticket only when said game of chance has been won.  
     
     
         41 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 33 , wherein means is provided for initiating a game of chance in response to an input.  
     
     
         42 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 33 , wherein an advertisement is associated with said ticket dispenser.  
     
     
         43 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 42 , wherein means is provided for operating or emphasising said advertisement each time a game of chance is won.  
     
     
         44 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 42 , wherein means is provided for operating or emphasising said advertisement whenever a game of chance is played, or at least sometimes when a game of chance is played.  
     
     
         45 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 42 , wherein said advertisement is combined with said ticket dispenser to form a unit.  
     
     
         46 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 42 , wherein said advertisement is remote from said ticket dispenser.  
     
     
         47 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 42 , wherein said ticket dispenser comprises a vertically extending structure serving as a mount for an interchangeable advertisement.  
     
     
         48 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 47 , wherein said interchangeable advertisement comprises an interchangeable foil bearing the advertisement.  
     
     
         49 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 47 , wherein said interchangeable advertisement comprises one of an interchangeable mask, sculpture and hood capable of placement over said vertically extending structure.  
     
     
         50 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 42 , wherein means is provided for highlighting said advertisement, e.g. by the use of lights or movable elements or by audible means.  
     
     
         51 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 50 , wherein means is provided for operating said highlighting means during specific time periods or whenever a game of chance is won or when a game of chance is played.  
     
     
         52 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 42 , wherein said advertisement is related to a promotional activity underway at the location where the ticket dispenser is situated and wherein means is provided for initiating a game of chance in relation to an event associated with said promotional activity, e.g. purchase of a specific item, or brand of item, or goods or services at a point of sale where said ticket dispenser is located.  
     
     
         53 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 42 , wherein the ticket dispenser is configured to resemble a product being promoted, e.g. in a public house or bar as a beer tap resembling a beer tap associated with a particular make of beer.  
     
     
         54 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 42 , wherein said ticket dispenser is configured as a gaming machine.  
     
     
         55 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 33 , wherein it is adapted to issue lottery tickets in response to a purchase input.  
     
     
         56 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 33  provided with a plurality of outputs for dispensing at least one of the following items: 
 a) a winning ticket in relation to a game of chance initiated in connection with a promotional activity, e.g. the purchase of a particular item, or an item of a particular brand,  
 b) a lottery ticket following purchase of the same, e.g. by insertion of a coin or in response to an input from a cashier at a cash till,  
 c) a winning ticket in response to a game of chance initiated by a customer, e.g. by insertion of a coin or in response to an input from a cashier at a cash till.  
 
     
     
         57 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 33  in combination with a point of sale including a cash till, a bar scanner for scanning bar codes on items purchased by a customer and means for transmitting information between the cash till and/or the bar scanner and the ticket dispenser.  
     
     
         58 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 57 , wherein said means for transmitting information comprises a data network, an electronic interface for a radio or an infrared link.  
     
     
         59 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 57 , wherein a conveyor belt is provided alongside the cash till for conveying items purchased by a customer past a cashier seated at the cash till, wherein said ticket dispenser is provided behind said cashier when said cashier is seated at said cash till and optionally at a position in line with said conveyor belt, and wherein access to the inside of the housing is provided through a region corresponding to the front and/or rear of the ticket dispenser in the upright operating position.  
     
     
         60 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 33  and adapted to contain, for each ticket dispensing mechanism, at least first and second packs of tickets, said dispensing mechanism being adapted to automatically change over from said first pack of tickets to said second pack of tickets.  
     
     
         61 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 33 , wherein said ticket dispensing mechanism comprises a carousel carrying a plurality of packs of tickets each movable into a ticket feeding position adjacent said dispensing mechanism.  
     
     
         62 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 60 , wherein each said pack of tickets comprises a continuous web of tickets, wherein a conveyor roll is provided in said ticket dispenser and extends transversely to a web conveying direction, wherein a first wall means is provided at one side of said conveyor roll and defines with said conveyor roll a first passage for conveying a first web of tickets belonging to said first pack of tickets, wherein a second wall is provided at an opposite side of said conveyor roll and defines with said conveyor roll a second passage for conveying a second web of tickets belonging to said second pack of tickets, actuating means for pressing a selected one of said first wall means and said second wall means towards said conveying roll to clamp the respective said web therebetween for conveying movement in said conveying direction and means for driving said conveyor roll in a first direction when said first web is to be conveyed and in a second direction when said second web is to be conveyed to produce in each case conveying movement of a selected one of said first and second webs in said conveying direction.  
     
     
         63 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 62  and comprising a code reader provided in said ticket dispenser proximate to said conveyor roll for reading codes provided on said first and second webs.  
     
     
         64 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 63 , wherein said code reader is provided downstream of said conveyor roll with respect to said direction of conveying movement.  
     
     
         65 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 62  including means disposed downstream of said conveyor roll in said direction of conveying movement for bending a conveyed ticket at a leading end of one of said first and second webs to and fro about a line of intended separation from said web, to weaken a connection between said leading ticket and said web prior to issuing said leading ticket from said dispenser through a dispensing slot for removal by a person at a dispensing position.  
     
     
         66 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 65 , wherein said bending mechanism comprises a transport roller for transporting said leading ticket into a dispensing slot, means for pivoting said bending mechanism to and fro about an axis and into said dispensing position and means for actuating said transport roller when said bending mechanism is in said dispensing position to dispense said leading ticket through said dispensing slot.  
     
     
         67 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 66  and including a separating wheel for pressing against said weakened connection and for movement transverse to said direction of conveying movement of said web to break said web along said weakened connection.  
     
     
         68 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 66 , wherein an ejecting roller is mounted adjacent said dispensing slot to eject said leading ticket through said dispensing slot.  
     
     
         69 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 62 , wherein said first and second webs of tickets are present in fanfold form and are provided in said dispenser housing on either side of a vertical plane and are disposed above said conveying roll in an operating position of said ticket dispenser.  
     
     
         70 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 69 , wherein said ticket dispenser comprises a first portion resembling an open mouth in cross-section with said tickets being dispensed through said open mouth.  
     
     
         71 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 62 , wherein a respective spring loaded clamping plate is provided for each said web upstream of said conveyor roll for clamping each said web against the respective one of said first and second wall means.  
     
     
         72 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 62 , wherein said actuating means comprises a respective solenoid operated plunger for moving each said wall means.  
     
     
         73 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 62 , wherein a plurality of housing sections of similar design are provided adjacent each other and are each designed to receive respective first and second packs of tickets, wherein said conveyor roll extends through all said adjacent sections and is drivable to convey a ticket from any one of said packs of tickets, a specific ticket being selected by actuation of a said actuating means associated with said ticket to bring said ticket into conveying contact with said conveyor roll.  
     
     
         74 . A ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 33  and including a receiver for receiving a communication transmitted by wireless means, e.g. a radio link, a short-range radio link or an infrared link from a transmitter disposed remote from said ticket dispenser.  
     
     
         75 . A method of operating a gaming machine comprising the following steps: 
 providing a set of winning numbers,    triggering a random number generator to generate a random number in a range greater than and including all or at least some of said winning numbers,    checking whether a random number generated by said random number generator corresponds to a winning number and, if this is the case,    issuing a ticket which is a winning ticket with the details of the win printed on the ticket.    
     
     
         76 . A method of playing a game in accordance with  claim 75 , wherein said random number generator is triggered to generate a random number in response to any one of the following inputs: 
 recognition of the purchase of a specific product by a customer    recognition of the purchase of a specific brand by a customer    recognition of a purchase equalling or exceeding a specific amount by a customer    an authorisation given by an operator of the game    in response to the insertion of a coin by a patron    in response to insertion of a game authorisation card by a patron.    
     
     
         77 . A method in accordance with  claim 75 , wherein said method further comprises the steps of preprinting the level of each win on each ticket of a sequence of tickets.  
     
     
         78 . A method in accordance with  claim 75 , including the step of printing the level of the win on each ticket of a sequence of tickets after a game has been won and prior to issue of the ticket.  
     
     
         79 . A method in accordance with  claim 78 , wherein the levels of possible wins are predefined and stored in a chipcard associated with the game of chance.  
     
     
         80 . A method in accordance with  claim 75 , including the step of preprinting identification codes on each ticket and checking that each ticket bears a valid identification code prior to issuing a said ticket.  
     
     
         81 . A method in accordance with  claim 77  and comprising the step of covering over the pre-printed information concerning the level of each win on each ticket so that it is illegible prior to issue of the ticket and removal of the cover.  
     
     
         82 . A method of promoting Internet shopping comprising the steps of: 
 presenting a customer making a purchase via the Internet of either a service or a product with the opportunity to participate in a game of chance, either as a result of the purchase or at an additional charge,    conducting a game of chance,    advising the customer whether he has won or lost and, in the event of a win,    transferring the win to the customer.    
     
     
         83 . A method in accordance with  claim 82 , wherein the step of transferring the win to the customer can comprise one of the following: 
 reducing the charge for a purchase he has made,    physically sending the customer a prize,    operating a printer provided by the customer to print a voucher permitting redemption of a prize,    providing an account for the customer with an entry permitting a rebate against a future purchase.    
     
     
         84 . A method in accordance with  claim 82  and comprising the further step of displaying the operation of a ticket dispenser in accordance with  claim 33 .  
     
     
         85 . A method in accordance with  claim 84 , wherein the step of displaying the operation of a ticket dispenser comprises the provision on a screen of the purchaser of a representation of a ticket dispenser used at a point of sale.  
     
     
         86 . A method in accordance with  claim 85  and including the step of displaying on a purchaser's screen the issue of a winning ticket from a ticket dispenser used at an actual point of sale.  
     
     
         87 . A method in accordance with  claim 82  and comprising the step of displaying on a customer's screen a winning ticket capable of being stored or printed by the customer.  
     
     
         88 . A method in accordance with  claim 87 , in which the ticket is a covered ticket and the customer is given the possibility of uncovering the ticket.  
     
     
         89 . A method in accordance with  claim 88 , in which the winning ticket resembles a scratch ticket and the customer is provided with an electronic scraper for scratching said ticket.