Apparatus and method for receiving and processing a bet
First Claim
1. Apparatus for receiving and processing a bet, comprising:
- (a) first input means for receiving first input data relating to an event on which bets are to be taken;
(b) second input means for receiving second input data relating to an individual bet on said event, said second input means comprising an input portion for receiving a slip having characters thereon;
(c) receipt generating means for generating a receipt for said second input data;
(d) storing means for storing said first and second input data; and
(e) calculating means for calculating the payout value of a bet from said first and second input data;
wherein;
(1) said apparatus further comprises;
electrical imaging means for forming an image of at least part of a slip in or at said input portion and generating an electrical image signal representing said image; and
output means for receiving said electrical image signal and processing the signal to display the image on a display means and/or print a hard copy of said image;
(2) said storing means is arranged to store said electrical image signal together with the respective said second input data; and
(3) said receipt, generating means is arranged either to generate a receipt which comprises said hard copy together with additional identifying information, or to generate a receipt which comprises at least part of said slip, together with additional identifying information.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a betting shop terminal, a betting slip is inserted into a slot, and pressed against a glass plate by means of a hinged plate. A CCD camera generates an electrical image of the betting slip, and stores it in a memory. A thermal printer generates a hard copy of the image of the betting slip, from the stored electrical image signal, together with additional information, to form a receipt for the customer. The additional information comprises a unique serial number, the amount of the stake, and optionally the time of the bet. This information is stored also in the memory, together with the electrical image. The bet can be fully entered at a later time, subsequent to the transaction, by a settler, using the terminal or an alternative terminal. Winning bets are automatically calculated from the entered information and race information received from a remote station. A plurality of such terminals intercommunicate to process shared data. A remote station can receive data relating to bets taken etc., from the terminal over a communication link.
140 Citations
26 Claims
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1. Apparatus for receiving and processing a bet, comprising:
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(a) first input means for receiving first input data relating to an event on which bets are to be taken; (b) second input means for receiving second input data relating to an individual bet on said event, said second input means comprising an input portion for receiving a slip having characters thereon; (c) receipt generating means for generating a receipt for said second input data; (d) storing means for storing said first and second input data; and (e) calculating means for calculating the payout value of a bet from said first and second input data; wherein; (1) said apparatus further comprises; electrical imaging means for forming an image of at least part of a slip in or at said input portion and generating an electrical image signal representing said image; and output means for receiving said electrical image signal and processing the signal to display the image on a display means and/or print a hard copy of said image; (2) said storing means is arranged to store said electrical image signal together with the respective said second input data; and (3) said receipt, generating means is arranged either to generate a receipt which comprises said hard copy together with additional identifying information, or to generate a receipt which comprises at least part of said slip, together with additional identifying information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification