System and method for instant on-line self service quick picks

Abstract

An assembly, of an existing ITVM that has a computer system that communicates with a central host computer system for providing anon-line quick pick functionality. The computer system may also control the ITVM and, communicate with a retailer. Illustratively, the assembly demonstrates simple pressing of one button may select a wager and/or randomly select a game and a number associated with that game, but other embodiments include multiple operations of the buttons. The buttons and displays may be physical static push buttons with static or programmable labels although touch screens or LCD screens may be used. Illustratively, a scanner may be provided that reads a player's card or fob with preloaded information that authorizes the player to wage on the games presented, and also wherein the favorite game and wager of the player may be executed on the machine. A player's hand held device may be enabled to communicate with the assembly.

1 . An assembly for dispensing instant and instant online lottery tickets, the assembly comprising:
 a housing with a front panel;   ticket bins arranged on the front panel, and a slot for collecting selected tickets; wherein a player by pressing a bin, or a button associated with the bin, has the ticket dispensed via the slot;   displays and buttons arranged on the front panel;   a scanner arranged on the front panel;   a communication channel to a retailer or a host;   a computer system within the assembly;   wherein a player by pressing at least one button selects a game and the amount wagered, wherein the game and the wager are communicated to a host computer system that communicates back to the assembly and authorizes the wager.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the displays and buttons comprise:
 a label displaying a particular game; and   one or more buttons indicating an amount wagered, wherein the user by pressing one button selects the game and amount being wagered.   
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the displays and buttons comprise:
 a labeled button indicating a particular game; and   one or more buttons indicating an amount wagered, wherein the user by first pressing the labeled game button and then one of the amount buttons selects the game and the amount wagered.   
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the displays and buttons comprise a display of an amount of money to be wagered; and a random button, wherein pressing the random button selects the amount displayed and, randomly, one of the available games. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the displays and buttons comprise:
 at least one labeled button indicating a particular game; and   a keypad located on the front panel wherein numeric data may be input.   
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a printer, wherein the pressing of a single button randomly selects a game, and randomly selects numbers associated with that game and prints out a corresponding quick pick ticket. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one single button executes an on-line quick pick, where the pressing of the one single button randomly selects a game, and randomly selects one of the instant ticket and dispenses the ticket to the player. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the buttons include physical buttons, touch screen buttons, flat panel buttons, and lighted buttons. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a money accepting mechanism, wherein money is inserted through the front panel. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the displays and operations of the buttons are programmable. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the exercising of a quick pick comprises pressing two buttons. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the exercising of a quick pick comprises pressing one button more than once. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the computer system operates a lottery ticket vending machine. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a scanner that reads a player's card or fob and associates that player's card of fob with an account and favorite games and wagers. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a wireless connection to a player's hand held device wherein the player may select wager amounts and games played. 
   
   
       16 . A method for dispensing instant and instant online lottery tickets, the method comprising the steps of:
 communication to a host computer that a player is pressing at least one button;   selecting a game and an amount of the wager by the pressing of at least one button, wherein the host computer determines the game and the wager; and the host communicating back authorizing the game and wager.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the pressing of the single button executes an on-line quick pick of a randomly selects a game, and randomly selects numbers associated with that game and prints out a corresponding quick pick ticket. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the steps of  claim 16  are controlled by software, wherein the software controls the interfaces including the printer, displays, buttons, and communications channel. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the buttons include physical buttons, touch screen buttons, flat panel buttons, keypads and lighted buttons. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the displays may be integral with the buttons. 
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 16  wherein the displays and operations of the buttons are programmable. 
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 16  wherein the exercising of a quick pick comprises pressing two buttons. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the exercising of a quick pick comprises pressing one button more than once. 
   
   
       24 . An assembly arranged to be retrofitted into a stand-alone lottery ticket vending machine, the stand alone vending machine having a front panel, the assembly comprising:
 a module with an insert front panel that replaces a portion of the front panel of the stand alone vending machine,;   quick pick on-line buttons arranged on the insert front panel;   a communication channel; and   a computer system within the module, the computer system interacting with the communications channel; wherein a player by pressing at least single button on the insert front panel, executes an on-line quick pick of a game and the amount of a wager, wherein the game and the wager are communicated to a host computer system, and wherein the host communicates back to the assembly and authorizes the wager.   
   
   
       25 . A method for integrating an online quick pick vending assembly with a lottery ticket vending machine, the lottery ticket vending machine having a first computer system having a first program running the vending machine, the method comprising the steps of:
 attaching the quick pick assembly to the vending machine;   attaching a printer;   attaching displays and buttons to the quick pick assembly;   exercising a quick pick operation, wherein the player presses at least a single button that selects a game and an amount of a wager;   communicating the game and the wager to a host computer system;   the host communicating back authorizing the wager; and   printing out a corresponding quick pick ticket.