WO2009041825A1 - Method and system for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units having return value - Google Patents

Method and system for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units having return value Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009041825A1
WO2009041825A1 PCT/NO2008/000345 NO2008000345W WO2009041825A1 WO 2009041825 A1 WO2009041825 A1 WO 2009041825A1 NO 2008000345 W NO2008000345 W NO 2008000345W WO 2009041825 A1 WO2009041825 A1 WO 2009041825A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lottery
prize
tickets
vending machine
distribution
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2008/000345
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Anders Jorgensen
Original Assignee
Tomra Systems Asa
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tomra Systems Asa filed Critical Tomra Systems Asa
Publication of WO2009041825A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009041825A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
    • G07F7/0609—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3244—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
    • G07F17/3253—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes involving articles, e.g. paying in bottles, paying out toys
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3286—Type of games
    • G07F17/329—Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units having return value, where the reverse vending machine, for each unit received from a person who inserts one or more such units into the reverse vending machine, identifies the individual unit and determines its assigned return value, and indicates total payable return value, and also gives the person the choice between participating in a lottery with the return value as his/her stake or having the return value paid out.
  • the invention also relates to a system for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units having return value, where the reverse vending machine, for each unit received from a person who inserts one or more such units into the reverse vending machine, has equipment for identifying the individual unit and determining its assigned return value, and for indicating total payable return value, and has a selector panel which gives the person the choice between participating in a lottery with the return value as his/her stake or having the return value paid out.
  • the object of the present invention to provide a method and a system for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units, as stated above.
  • the aforementioned method is characterised, according to the invention, by the features set forth in claim 1.
  • the method also aims to provide back-up solutions if typically uncommon operational failures occur.
  • the aforementioned system is characterised, according to the invention, by the features that are set forth in attached claim 20.
  • the system also aims, especially in readiness for typically uncommon operational failures, to provide back-up solutions.
  • Figs. 1 and 3 show together a simplified flow chart of the course of the lottery during a normal transaction, and for the case where an operational failure occurs.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 show a variant of the combined flow chart according to Figs. 1 and 3, wherein Fig. 2 in addition shows that there is a choice among several lotteries;
  • Fig. 4 shows a simplified block diagram of the reverse vending machine, the lottery database and the distribution point that forms a part of the system described by way of example.
  • the basis of the present invention is that the lottery tickets which participate in the lottery originate from a supply of tickets in a lottery database 1, wherein some of these tickets in the supply, in a lottery draw supervised according to regulations, are allocated different or identical prizes.
  • the obvious advantage of this is that the customer, after depositing the empty packaging units 2; 2' in the reverse vending machine 3, and upon chosen and confirmed participation in the lottery, will immediately be notified of whether there is/are any prize(s) or not.
  • from the lottery database 1 there can be retrieved from a supply therein of numbered lottery tickets an integer number of lottery tickets as numbered tickets, the number of tickets being related to the return value of the returned packaging units.
  • the reverse vending machine 3 can per se be any known type, but fitted with additional equipment enabling the reverse vending machine to be a part of a system also comprising a lottery database and one or more prize distribution points.
  • the reverse vending machine is intended to receive returnable, empty beverage containers 2; 2', as, for example, bottles 2 of glass or plastic, or beverage cans 2' of metal.
  • the reverse vending machine 3 will, for each packaging unit received from a person who inserts one or more such units into the reverse vending machine, identify the individual unit with the aid of a detector station 4 and a processor 5 and determine by means of a return value calculator 6 the assigned return value of the unit 2; 2', indicate the total payable return value, and give the person, by using a selector 7, the choice between taking part in a lottery with the return value as his/her stake or having the return value paid out.
  • a selector 7 there is of course the possibility of taking part in one of a plurality of lotteries, if conditions are in place for several lotteries, as indicated in Fig. 2.
  • lotteries When there is a plurality of lotteries, they may be structured differently, for example, so that one lottery has few but large prizes, i.e., prizes of great value, whilst another lottery has a substantially larger number of prizes but where each prize is of a low value.
  • the method and apparatus are so designed that, when a person chooses via the selector 7 to participate in a lottery, the person's choice is registered in the reverse vending machine. Communication between the reverse vending machine and the lottery database must then be established. This is preferably done either by converting in the reverse vending machine, with the aid of a converter 9, the return value into an integer number (whole number) of lottery tickets and establishing communication between the reverse vending machine 3 and the lottery database 1 with the aid of a communication unit 10, a decision unit 11 and a ticket acquisition unit 12, or by establishing communication between the reverse vending machine 3 and the lottery database 1, and converting in the lottery database, with the aid of a converter 13, the return value into an integer number of lottery tickets. Then, from a supply of numbered lottery tickets in the lottery database 1 there is retrieved such an integer number of lottery tickets as 5 numbered tickets.
  • the problem may arise that communication with the lottery database cannot be established, or that there are communication failures which prevent satisfactory communication.
  • the0 converter 9 in the reverse vending machine can convert the return value into an integer number of lottery tickets, after which an attempt is then made to establish communication with the lottery database 1 via the units 10-12, i.e., with a view to retrieving such a number of lottery tickets as numbered tickets from an existing supply of numbered lottery tickets in a lottery database, where at least for some of the lotterys tickets in the supply there are pre-drawn lottery prizes of different or identical value, or it is intended that the draw of any prize tickets should be effected by the drawing means 8, as indicated above.
  • an attempt may be made to establish communication between the reverse vending machine 3 and the lottery database 1 directly via the communication unit 10, decision unit 11 ando acquisition unit 12, i.e., without previous return value conversion in the converter 9, with a view, instead, to effecting conversion of the return value into an integer number of lottery tickets using the converter 13 in the lottery database 1, and then to retrieve such an integer number of lottery tickets as numbered tickets from an existing supply of numbered lottery tickets in the lottery database, where for at least some of the lottery 5 tickets in the supply there are pre-drawn lottery prizes of different or identical value, or where it is intended to allow the retrieval of said integer number of lottery tickets to involve that the tickets simultaneously can participate in a draw by the drawing means 8 for possible immediate allocation of prize tickets.
  • the 5 method and system are so designed that the decision unit 11 registers this situation and ensures that the person is informed that lottery participation is not possible for technical reasons, whereupon a token for payable return value is issued by a return value token printer 15, or that payment of the return value is made directly in that the token printer is connected to or has equipment for such payment.
  • the lottery database with said supply of pre-drawn prize tickets may be in the reverse vending machine, although in a currently preferred embodiment it will be expedient to allow the lottery database to be in a lottery centre external to the reverse vendings machine.
  • the system will ask the person for0 confirmation of his/her choice. This may be done with the aid of a panel 16 on the reverse vending machine, where there is control equipment for such confirmation, an "undo button” and optional card reader or other reading device/input device for registering information related to the person. After received confirmation, the system will perform a further process to communicate with the lottery database 1 and retrieve 5 tickets, and deliver tickets with optional prize information to the system's user, i.e., said person.
  • participation in the lottery will in reality mean that play which is linked to the card's owner is registered, whilst only pressing the confirmation button means thatS there is unregistered play, where the issued token is proof of the lottery participation.
  • the system may, instead of confirmation, receive from the person a request to change the lottery in which he/she wishes to participate, i.e., a partial cancellation of lottery choice, but not participation as such in a lottery.
  • the system will be adapted to ask the person for choice of desired lottery, and to ask the person for confirmation of this choice, and then, after received confirmation, to proceed with the process as outlined above.
  • the panel 16 could perform the functions that are related to such a request to change lottery, and confirmation.
  • the details may be in encrypted format on the token, and that the information can be present on the token in an optically detectable, magnetically detectable or radiofrequency (r.f.) detectable form, or that the information is inputted into a smart card with associated data chip. This may be particularly relevant in the cases where the person has his/her own game card.
  • said transaction details or at least some of them in addition are transferred to at least one specific distribution point 17 for the distribution of a prize or prizes, and that the transaction details transferred to said at least one distribution point contain a distribution authorisation.
  • the distribution point may, for example, be the payment point or check-out, the so-called Point of Sale (POS).
  • Such transaction details may, for example, be transferred from the reverse vending machine 3 to said at least one distribution point 17, or the transaction details are caused to be sent from the lottery database to said at least one distribution point.
  • the last- mentioned may perhaps be particularly appropriate in the cases where the lottery database is in an external lottery centre, but is also appropriate when the database is in the reverse vending machine.
  • the distribution point 17 that distributes the prize or prizes must ensure that distribution transaction notification thereof is sent to other prize distribution points which, for the prize or prizes, are possible but not used, as for example, the point 17' for removal of distribution authorisation for an already distributed prize. This means that if a distribution operation is started at one point (for example, 17), the distribution operation is at the same instant blocked at the other, previously authorised distribution points (for example 17'), as they are no longer authorised to distribute the prize or prizes in question.
  • the numbered tickets retrieved from the supply have ticket numbers that are not sequential one after the other, for example, as the result of a request from the person who is to take part in the lottery, the numbered tickets retrieved from the supply will advantageously have tickets numbers that are sequential one after the other.
  • return value can be related to at least one of: fixed deposit refund value for respective packaging units; and - material-type-based return value for respective packaging units.
  • the lottery chosen by the person contains extra tickets that are allocated and retrieved as a function of return value or number of empty packaging units of at least one particular type or of at least one particular appearance that are deposited in the reverse vending machine.
  • one or more particular suppliers of beverages with relevant packaging can use the lottery system to remunerate by ticket draw persons who return to the reverse vending machine very many empty packaging units which are associated with one specific beverage supplier.
  • Such extra tickets may, for example, be related to special prizes, such as goods from the said beverage supplier, or give substantial discount on payment for purchased beverages supplied by said supplier.
  • the prizes In the cases where the prizes have a large monetary value, they will, for example, be distributed by submitting the token or a prize voucher to a central payment point/distribution point, for example, 17, or to the lottery centre 18, i.e., where the token in reality serves as a kind of security or bond with or without personal details, for example, the winner's name and address and possible account for transfer.
  • the prize can be distributed, for example, in the form of goods and/or articles in the shop or the supermarket where the person has deposited the empty packaging units.
  • the prize can be paid/distributed by the check-out point for purchased goods in a grocery and/or off- licence outlet, a so-called POS (Point of Sale).
  • POS Point of Sale
  • a ticket/receipt is handed in at the POS, it will be checked there that the ticket is in fact related to a defined transaction. If this is not the case, the customer will be so informed.
  • the customer for example, has received the ticket/receipt from a reverse vending machine which is not connected to the POS, but, for example, a different POS in an entirely different business activity, or that said POS does not pay out on tickets in a particular lottery.
  • the prize can be distributed by the distribution point 17; 17', for example, a POS. If the prize is large physically or in monetary value, it may be necessary for a prize voucher to be issued instead. If such a prize voucher is issued, the customer will at the same time be informed of where the prize can be collected from and any procedure that must be followed. At the same time as the issuance of the prize voucher, notification is sent to the prize distribution point, which may be such as indicated by 17" in Fig. 3 or be at the actual lottery centre 18. When such a prize voucher is handed in for collection of the prize, it must be valid.
  • Its validity can, for example, be related to the voucher having a specific validity date and by which date the prize must be collected, the prize otherwise going to the lottery's cause, or that the prize must be collected elsewhere than previously stated, in which case the customer will be given new distribution instructions. If the validity date has not been observed, the prize voucher in reality will not be able to result in a prize.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

A method and a system for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units having return value, where the reverse vending machine, for each unit received from a person who inserts one or more such units into the reverse vending machine, identifies the individual unit and determines its assigned return value, and indicates total payable return value, and also gives the person the choice between participating in a lottery with the return value as his/her stake or having the return value paid out. The person's choice of lottery participation causes registration of the person's choice in the reverse vending machine, establishment of successful communication between the reverse vending machine and a lottery database; conversion of the return value into an integer number of lottery tickets; retrieval from a supply of numbered lottery tickets in the lottery database of an integer number of lottery tickets as numbered tickets, where one or more of the tickets retrieved are possible prize tickets, and issuance to the person on the basis of information regarding retrieved and thus allocated tickets of a token containing transaction details. In the event of faulty or absent communication between the reverse vending machine and the lottery database, a substitute token is issued that is related to said return value.

Description

Method and system for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units having return value
The present invention relates to a method for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units having return value, where the reverse vending machine, for each unit received from a person who inserts one or more such units into the reverse vending machine, identifies the individual unit and determines its assigned return value, and indicates total payable return value, and also gives the person the choice between participating in a lottery with the return value as his/her stake or having the return value paid out.
The invention also relates to a system for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units having return value, where the reverse vending machine, for each unit received from a person who inserts one or more such units into the reverse vending machine, has equipment for identifying the individual unit and determining its assigned return value, and for indicating total payable return value, and has a selector panel which gives the person the choice between participating in a lottery with the return value as his/her stake or having the return value paid out.
Systems are previously known in which, in connection with payment of a deposit refund value, it is possible, instead of having a credit note for the deposit refund value amount, to donate the assigned deposit refund value amount to a charitable cause or a non-profit making organisation by activating a selection button.
It is also known from Norwegian Patent No. 319 554 that in connection with payment of the deposit refund value, it is possible, instead of being given a credit note for the return value amount, to participate in a lottery with the assigned return value amount as stake, and to wait for a subsequent lottery draw that is announced via media such as radio broadcasting, television channels, Internet and newspapers. In certain cases, the administration of such a lottery is both costly and cumbersome, and there is a risk that not all the lottery winners will come forward. Therefore, it is an object of present invention to provide a solution that makes it possible to allow the person to participate in an immediate draw for any prizes or prize tickets.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a method and a system for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units, as stated above. The aforementioned method is characterised, according to the invention, by the features set forth in claim 1. The method also aims to provide back-up solutions if typically uncommon operational failures occur.
Additional embodiments of the said method are set forth in attached respective subsidiary claims 2-19.
The aforementioned system is characterised, according to the invention, by the features that are set forth in attached claim 20. The system also aims, especially in readiness for typically uncommon operational failures, to provide back-up solutions.
Additional embodiments of the systems will be apparent from attached respective subsidiary claims 21 -31.
The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawing figures.
Figs. 1 and 3 show together a simplified flow chart of the course of the lottery during a normal transaction, and for the case where an operational failure occurs.
Figs. 2 and 3 show a variant of the combined flow chart according to Figs. 1 and 3, wherein Fig. 2 in addition shows that there is a choice among several lotteries; and
Fig. 4 shows a simplified block diagram of the reverse vending machine, the lottery database and the distribution point that forms a part of the system described by way of example.
The basis of the present invention is that the lottery tickets which participate in the lottery originate from a supply of tickets in a lottery database 1, wherein some of these tickets in the supply, in a lottery draw supervised according to regulations, are allocated different or identical prizes. The obvious advantage of this is that the customer, after depositing the empty packaging units 2; 2' in the reverse vending machine 3, and upon chosen and confirmed participation in the lottery, will immediately be notified of whether there is/are any prize(s) or not. Thus, it is conceived that from the lottery database 1 there can be retrieved from a supply therein of numbered lottery tickets an integer number of lottery tickets as numbered tickets, the number of tickets being related to the return value of the returned packaging units. Although for at least some of the lottery tickets in the supply there may be pre-drawn lottery prizes of different or identical value, which can immediately give a possible prize ticket, it is also conceivable as an alternative that the retrieval of the said whole number of lottery tickets involves simultaneously allowing the tickets to participate in a draw for possible immediate allocation of prize tickets. Such a draw may, for example, take place in a separate ticket/prize drawing means 8.
The reverse vending machine 3 can per se be any known type, but fitted with additional equipment enabling the reverse vending machine to be a part of a system also comprising a lottery database and one or more prize distribution points.
In the preferred embodiment, the reverse vending machine is intended to receive returnable, empty beverage containers 2; 2', as, for example, bottles 2 of glass or plastic, or beverage cans 2' of metal.
The reverse vending machine 3 will, for each packaging unit received from a person who inserts one or more such units into the reverse vending machine, identify the individual unit with the aid of a detector station 4 and a processor 5 and determine by means of a return value calculator 6 the assigned return value of the unit 2; 2', indicate the total payable return value, and give the person, by using a selector 7, the choice between taking part in a lottery with the return value as his/her stake or having the return value paid out. Here, in connection with the use of such a selector 7, there is of course the possibility of taking part in one of a plurality of lotteries, if conditions are in place for several lotteries, as indicated in Fig. 2.
When there is a plurality of lotteries, they may be structured differently, for example, so that one lottery has few but large prizes, i.e., prizes of great value, whilst another lottery has a substantially larger number of prizes but where each prize is of a low value.
The method and apparatus are so designed that, when a person chooses via the selector 7 to participate in a lottery, the person's choice is registered in the reverse vending machine. Communication between the reverse vending machine and the lottery database must then be established. This is preferably done either by converting in the reverse vending machine, with the aid of a converter 9, the return value into an integer number (whole number) of lottery tickets and establishing communication between the reverse vending machine 3 and the lottery database 1 with the aid of a communication unit 10, a decision unit 11 and a ticket acquisition unit 12, or by establishing communication between the reverse vending machine 3 and the lottery database 1, and converting in the lottery database, with the aid of a converter 13, the return value into an integer number of lottery tickets. Then, from a supply of numbered lottery tickets in the lottery database 1 there is retrieved such an integer number of lottery tickets as 5 numbered tickets.
As previously mentioned, there is the possibility that at least some of the lottery tickets in the supply are pre-drawn lottery prizes of different or identical value, or that the retrieval of said whole number of lottery tickets involves simultaneously allowing theo tickets to participate a draw for possible immediate allocation of prize tickets.
Next, with the aid of a printer 14 or other type of token issuer, and on the basis of information regarding retrieved and thus allocated tickets, the person is issued with a token containing transaction details. s
However, the problem may arise that communication with the lottery database cannot be established, or that there are communication failures which prevent satisfactory communication. In this case, where the person's choice of lottery participation via the selector 7 causes registration in the reverse vending machine of the person's choice, the0 converter 9 in the reverse vending machine can convert the return value into an integer number of lottery tickets, after which an attempt is then made to establish communication with the lottery database 1 via the units 10-12, i.e., with a view to retrieving such a number of lottery tickets as numbered tickets from an existing supply of numbered lottery tickets in a lottery database, where at least for some of the lotterys tickets in the supply there are pre-drawn lottery prizes of different or identical value, or it is intended that the draw of any prize tickets should be effected by the drawing means 8, as indicated above. Alternatively, after said registration of choice in the selector 7, an attempt may be made to establish communication between the reverse vending machine 3 and the lottery database 1 directly via the communication unit 10, decision unit 11 ando acquisition unit 12, i.e., without previous return value conversion in the converter 9, with a view, instead, to effecting conversion of the return value into an integer number of lottery tickets using the converter 13 in the lottery database 1, and then to retrieve such an integer number of lottery tickets as numbered tickets from an existing supply of numbered lottery tickets in the lottery database, where for at least some of the lottery5 tickets in the supply there are pre-drawn lottery prizes of different or identical value, or where it is intended to allow the retrieval of said integer number of lottery tickets to involve that the tickets simultaneously can participate in a draw by the drawing means 8 for possible immediate allocation of prize tickets.
In the event of detected faulty or absent communication with the lottery database, the 5 method and system are so designed that the decision unit 11 registers this situation and ensures that the person is informed that lottery participation is not possible for technical reasons, whereupon a token for payable return value is issued by a return value token printer 15, or that payment of the return value is made directly in that the token printer is connected to or has equipment for such payment. 0
Depending somewhat on the actual installation site and the lottery terms and conditions, the lottery database with said supply of pre-drawn prize tickets may be in the reverse vending machine, although in a currently preferred embodiment it will be expedient to allow the lottery database to be in a lottery centre external to the reverse vendings machine.
For games and lotteries, it is as a rule important to have an "undo option". By means of the method and through the structure of the system, it is therefore the case that after registration of the choice to participate in a lottery, the system will ask the person for0 confirmation of his/her choice. This may be done with the aid of a panel 16 on the reverse vending machine, where there is control equipment for such confirmation, an "undo button" and optional card reader or other reading device/input device for registering information related to the person. After received confirmation, the system will perform a further process to communicate with the lottery database 1 and retrieve5 tickets, and deliver tickets with optional prize information to the system's user, i.e., said person. Although such confirmation can be made by pressing on a confirmation button or on a touch screen on said panel 16, it is also conceivable that the person has a game card which on contact or connection with a card reader registers confirmation in this way, and can transfer, for example, to an external lottery centre 18, if such exists,0 information about the identity of the game card, its owner and the owner's prize account, if he/she has one, as pre-registered in the lottery centre, or is registered in the lottery centre when the card is read by the card reader. If such a game card is used by the person, participation in the lottery will in reality mean that play which is linked to the card's owner is registered, whilst only pressing the confirmation button means thatS there is unregistered play, where the issued token is proof of the lottery participation. As mentioned, there may be a possibility of choosing lottery participation in one lottery of a plurality of lotteries. This means that after said registration, the system will, as before, ask the person for confirmation of his/her choice, and after received confirmation will proceed with the procedure for retrieving tickets and dispensing tokens related to such tickets and any prize. Instead of immediately confirming the choice, the system may, instead of confirmation, receive from the person a request to change the lottery in which he/she wishes to participate, i.e., a partial cancellation of lottery choice, but not participation as such in a lottery. In this case, the system will be adapted to ask the person for choice of desired lottery, and to ask the person for confirmation of this choice, and then, after received confirmation, to proceed with the process as outlined above. The panel 16 could perform the functions that are related to such a request to change lottery, and confirmation.
It is of course possible when said token is issued to apply to it a wealth of transaction details, but in general, one, two or three of the examples of transaction details given below will probably be sufficient, i.e., selected from, for example: information that there is a lottery prize with an associated reference code; information that there is no prize for any of the allocated lottery tickets; an indication of whether an allocated lottery ticket or tickets carry a prize or not; an indication of what numbered lottery ticket or tickets carry a prize; type of prize; the monetary value of the prize or prizes; collection deadline for the prize or prizes; - formalities regarding the distribution of the prize or prizes; distribution point or points for the prize or prizes; identification of the reverse vending machine and its location; an indication of received number of return packaging units; an indication of total return value; and - an indication of said integer number of lottery tickets.
It is fully conceivable that at least some of the details may be in encrypted format on the token, and that the information can be present on the token in an optically detectable, magnetically detectable or radiofrequency (r.f.) detectable form, or that the information is inputted into a smart card with associated data chip. This may be particularly relevant in the cases where the person has his/her own game card. For reasons of security, it will be advantageous that said transaction details or at least some of them in addition are transferred to at least one specific distribution point 17 for the distribution of a prize or prizes, and that the transaction details transferred to said at least one distribution point contain a distribution authorisation. The distribution point may, for example, be the payment point or check-out, the so-called Point of Sale (POS). Such transaction details may, for example, be transferred from the reverse vending machine 3 to said at least one distribution point 17, or the transaction details are caused to be sent from the lottery database to said at least one distribution point. The last- mentioned may perhaps be particularly appropriate in the cases where the lottery database is in an external lottery centre, but is also appropriate when the database is in the reverse vending machine.
To prevent an attempt to collect the same prize at the same time from several distribution points, for example, by using copied or counterfeit extra tokens, it is important that the distribution point making the distribution of the prize or prizes sends distribution transaction notification thereof to the lottery database as proof of distribution; cf. Fig. 3. At the same time, the distribution point 17 that distributes the prize or prizes must ensure that distribution transaction notification thereof is sent to other prize distribution points which, for the prize or prizes, are possible but not used, as for example, the point 17' for removal of distribution authorisation for an already distributed prize. This means that if a distribution operation is started at one point (for example, 17), the distribution operation is at the same instant blocked at the other, previously authorised distribution points (for example 17'), as they are no longer authorised to distribute the prize or prizes in question.
Although it is conceivable that the numbered tickets retrieved from the supply have ticket numbers that are not sequential one after the other, for example, as the result of a request from the person who is to take part in the lottery, the numbered tickets retrieved from the supply will advantageously have tickets numbers that are sequential one after the other.
With regard to the definition of return value, such return value can be related to at least one of: fixed deposit refund value for respective packaging units; and - material-type-based return value for respective packaging units. It is also conceivable that the lottery chosen by the person contains extra tickets that are allocated and retrieved as a function of return value or number of empty packaging units of at least one particular type or of at least one particular appearance that are deposited in the reverse vending machine. This means that one or more particular suppliers of beverages with relevant packaging can use the lottery system to remunerate by ticket draw persons who return to the reverse vending machine very many empty packaging units which are associated with one specific beverage supplier. Such extra tickets may, for example, be related to special prizes, such as goods from the said beverage supplier, or give substantial discount on payment for purchased beverages supplied by said supplier.
For optimal counteraction of fraud with the system, it will be expedient to use encrypted data transfer for communication between two or more functional units, for example, the reverse vending machine 3, the distribution point 17, the distribution points 17; 17', the lottery database 1 and the lottery centre 18.
In the cases where the prizes have a large monetary value, they will, for example, be distributed by submitting the token or a prize voucher to a central payment point/distribution point, for example, 17, or to the lottery centre 18, i.e., where the token in reality serves as a kind of security or bond with or without personal details, for example, the winner's name and address and possible account for transfer. In other cases, the prize can be distributed, for example, in the form of goods and/or articles in the shop or the supermarket where the person has deposited the empty packaging units. In such cases where the prize represents a fairly small sum of money, the prize can be paid/distributed by the check-out point for purchased goods in a grocery and/or off- licence outlet, a so-called POS (Point of Sale).
As indicated in Fig. 3, as a by no means limiting example of the invention, it is conceivable that if a ticket/receipt is handed in at the POS, it will be checked there that the ticket is in fact related to a defined transaction. If this is not the case, the customer will be so informed. Such a situation would be conceivable if the customer, for example, has received the ticket/receipt from a reverse vending machine which is not connected to the POS, but, for example, a different POS in an entirely different business activity, or that said POS does not pay out on tickets in a particular lottery.
If the ticket/receipt is in order, the prize can be distributed by the distribution point 17; 17', for example, a POS. If the prize is large physically or in monetary value, it may be necessary for a prize voucher to be issued instead. If such a prize voucher is issued, the customer will at the same time be informed of where the prize can be collected from and any procedure that must be followed. At the same time as the issuance of the prize voucher, notification is sent to the prize distribution point, which may be such as indicated by 17" in Fig. 3 or be at the actual lottery centre 18. When such a prize voucher is handed in for collection of the prize, it must be valid. Its validity can, for example, be related to the voucher having a specific validity date and by which date the prize must be collected, the prize otherwise going to the lottery's cause, or that the prize must be collected elsewhere than previously stated, in which case the customer will be given new distribution instructions. If the validity date has not been observed, the prize voucher in reality will not be able to result in a prize.

Claims

P a t e n t c l a i m s
1.
A method for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units which have return value, where the reverse vending machine, for each unit received from a person who inserts one or more units into the reverse vending machine, identifies the individual unit and determines its assigned return value, and indicates total payable return value, and also gives the person the choice between participating in a lottery with the return value as his/her stake or having the return value paid out, characterised in - that the person's choice of lottery participation causes:
- a) registration in the reverse vending machine of the person's choice;
- b) return value conversion and/or attempt to establish communication between the reverse vending machine and a lottery database; and either - c) on established successful communication:
- cl) retrieval from a supply of numbered lottery tickets in the lottery database of an integer number of lottery tickets as numbered tickets; and
- c2) issuance to the person on the basis of information regarding retrieved and thus allocated tickets of a token containing transaction details; or
- d) on detected faulty or absent communication with the lottery database:
- dl) information to be given to the person that lottery participation is not possible for technical reasons; and
- d2) issuance of a token for payable return value, or direct payment of the return value.
2.
A method as disclosed in claim 1 , where the communication is successful, characterised in - that said conversion of the return value is a conversion into an integer number of lottery tickets and is carried out either in the return vending machine or in the lottery database; and
- that for at least some of the lottery tickets retrieved from the supply there are predrawn lottery prizes of different or identical value, or where the retrieval of said whole number of lottery tickets involves simultaneously allowing the tickets to participate in a draw for possible immediate allocation of prize tickets.
3.
A method as disclosed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in
- that the lottery database is in the reverse vending machine.
4.
A method as disclosed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that
- the lottery database is in a lottery centre external to the reverse vending machine.
5.
A method as disclosed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in
- that step a) comprises after said registration al) asking the person for confirmation of his/her choice; and a2) after received confirmation proceeding to step b).
6. A method as disclosed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in
- that the person's choice of lottery participation comprises choosing participation in one lottery of a plurality of lotteries; and - that step a) comprises after said registration: al) asking the person for confirmation of his/her choice; and a2) after received confirmation proceeding to step b); or al) asking the person for confirmation of his/her choice; a2) instead of confirmation, receiving a request from the person of a change of lottery in which he/she wishes to participate; a3) asking the person for his/her choice of desired lottery; a4) asking the person for confirmation of the choice; and a5) after received confirmation proceeding to step b).
7.
A method as disclosed in any one of claims 1-6, and where communication is successful, characterised in
- that said transaction details included at least one of the following - information regarding whether there is a prize or not; information that there is a lottery prize with an associated reference code; information that there is no prize for any of the allocated lottery tickets; an indication of whether an allocated lottery ticket or tickets carry a prize or not; an indication of what numbered lottery ticket or tickets carry a prize; type of prize; - the monetary value of the prize or prizes; deadline for collection of the prize or prizes; formalities regarding distribution of the prize or prizes; distribution point or points for the prize or prizes; identification of the reverse vending machine and its location; - an indication of received number of return packaging units; an indication of total return value; and an indication of said integer number of lottery tickets.
8. A method as indicated in claim 1 or 7, characterised in
- that said transaction details in addition are transferred to at least one specific distribution point for distribution of a prize or prizes, and that the transaction details transferred to the distribution point include a distribution authorisation.
9.
A method as indicated in claim 8, characterised in
- that the transaction details are transferred frorri the reverse vending machine to said at least one distribution point.
10.
A method as indicated in claim 8, characterised in that
- that transaction details are sent from the lottery database to said at least one distribution point.
1 1.
A method as disclosed in any one of claims 8-10, characterised in
- that the distribution point which effects distribution of the prize or prizes sends distribution transaction notification thereof to the lottery database as proof of distribution.
12.
A method as disclosed in any one of claims 8-11, characterised in - that the distribution point that effects distribution of the prize or prizes ensures that distribution transaction notification thereof is sent to other prize distribution points which, for the prize or prizes, are possible but not used, for removal of distribution authorisation for already distributed prize or prizes.
13.
A method as disclosed in any one of claims 1 or 7-12, characterised in
- that the numbered tickets retrieved from the supply have ticket numbers that are not sequential one after the other.
14.
A method as disclosed in any one of claims 1 or 7-12, characterised in
- that the numbered tickets from the supply have ticket numbers that are sequential one after the other.
15.
A method as disclosed in any one of claims 1-14, characterised in
- that said return value is related to at least one of:
- fixed deposit refund value for respective packaging units; and - material-type-based return value for respective packaging units.
16.
A method as disclosed in any one of claims 1-5, characterised in
- that the lottery selected by the person contains extra tickets that are allocated and retrieved as a function of return value or number of empty packaging units of at least one specific type or at least one specific appearance.
17.
A method as disclosed in claim 16, characterised in - that said extra tickets are related to special prizes.
18.
A method as disclosed in any one of claims 1-17, characterised in
- that encrypted data transfer is used for communication between two or more of: the reverse vending machine, the distribution point, the distribution points, the lottery database and the lottery centre.
19.
A method as disclosed in any one of claims 1-18, characterised in
- that as distribution point there is used the payment point for purchased goods in a grocery and/or off-licence outlet.
5
20.
A system for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units which have return value, where the reverse vending machine, for each unit received from a person who inserts one or more units into the reverse vending machine, has equipment forQ identifying the individual unit and determining its return value, and indicating total payable return value, and also a selector panel which gives the person the choice between participating in a lottery with the return value as his/her stake or having the return value paid out, characterised by
- a registering means in the reverse vending machine for registering the person's choices of lottery participation;
- a communication unit adapted to establish communication between the reverse vending machine and a lottery database; and
- a converter in the reverse vending machine or the lottery database for converting the return value into an integer number of lottery tickets; Q - an acquisition unit adapted, on established successful communication between the reverse vending machine and the lottery database, to retrieve to the reverse vending machine lottery ticket data concerning such an integer number of lottery tickets as numbered tickets from a supply of numbered lottery tickets in the lottery database, where for at least some of the lottery tickets in the supply there are pre-drawn lotterys prizes of different or identical value, or that it is intended to allow the retrieval of said whole number of lottery tickets to involve that the tickets simultaneously can participate in a draw for optional immediate allocation of prize tickets;
- a decision unit which, on faulty or absent communication between the reverse vending machine and the lottery database, is adapted to inform the person that lottery 0 participation is not possible for technical reasons;
- a token issuer designed upon successful communication, to issue a token with transaction details concerning the lottery participation, or in the event of faulty or absent communication, to issue a token with transaction details related to at least one of the following: 5 - payable return value for inserted packaging units; number of inserted packaging units; identification of the reverse vending machine and its location; and disrupted lottery participation.
21.
A system as disclosed in claim 20, characterised in - that the lottery database is in the reverse vending machine.
22.
A system as disclosed in claim 20, characterised in that
- the lottery database is in a lottery centre external to the reverse vending machine.
23.
A system as disclosed in any one of claims 20-22, characterised in
- that the selection panel has activating means for at least one of choice of participation in a lottery; - choice of participation in a specific lottery of a plurality of available lotteries; change of chosen participation in one lottery to the choice of participation in another lottery; and final confirmation of selected lottery.
24.
A system as disclosed in any one of claims 20-23, wherein said communication is established and successful, characterised in
- that said transaction details comprise at least one of the following: - information regarding whether there is a prize or not; information that there is a lottery prize with an associated reference code; information that there is no prize for any of the allocated lottery tickets; an indication of whether an allocated lottery ticket or tickets carry a prize or not; - an indication of what numbered lottery ticket or tickets carry a prize; type of prize; the monetary value of the prize' or prizes; deadline for collection of the prize or prizes; formalities regarding distribution of the prize or prizes; - distribution point or points for the prize or prizes; identification of the reverse vending machine and its location; an indication of received number of return packaging units; an indication of total return value; and an indication of said integer number of lottery tickets.
25. A system as disclosed in claim 20, characterised in
- that the system includes at least one distribution point, and that said communication unit is adapted to ensure that transaction details in addition are transferred to the at least one specific distribution point for distribution of a prize or prizes, and that the transaction details transferred to the distribution point contain a distribution authorisation.
26.
A system as disclosed in claim 25, characterised in
- that the transfer of transaction details is effected from the external lottery database to said at least one distribution point.
27.
A system as disclosed in any one of claims 24-26, characterised in
- that the distribution point which effects distribution of the prize or prizes is adapted to send distribution transaction notification thereof to the lottery database as proof of distribution.
28.
A system as disclosed in any one of claims 24-27, characterised in
- that the distribution point which effects distribution of the prize or prizes is adapted to ensure that distribution transaction notification thereof is sent to other prize distribution points which, for the prize or prizes, are possible but not used, for removal of distribution authorisation for already distributed prizes.
29.
A system as disclosed in any one or claims 20-28, characterised in
- that encrypted data transfer is used for communication between two or more of: the reverse vending machine, the registering means, the converter, the communication unit, the decision unit, the token issuer, the distribution point, the distribution points, the lottery database and the lottery centre.
30.
A system as disclosed in any one of claims 20-29, characterised in
- that as distribution point there is used the payment point for purchased goods in a grocery and/or off-licence outlet.
31.
A system as disclosed in claim 20, characterised in
- that the decision unit is so designed that on detected faulty or absent communication between the communication unit and the lottery database it is adapted to output information that lottery participation is not possible for technical reasons, and on successful communication between the communication unit and the lottery database is adapted to not issue such output.
PCT/NO2008/000345 2007-09-28 2008-09-26 Method and system for handling in a reverse vending machine empty packaging units having return value WO2009041825A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20074932A NO328810B1 (en) 2007-09-28 2007-09-28 Process and system for handling in the vending machine of empty packaging units that have a return value
NO20074932 2007-09-28

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EP3866127A1 (en) 2020-02-14 2021-08-18 Tomra Systems ASA Express mode processing
EP3886062A1 (en) 2020-03-23 2021-09-29 Tomra Systems ASA Rvm (reverse vending machine) infeed indicator

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