Method and System for Multiple In-Lane Lottery Ticket Sales at a Retail Establishment

Abstract

A lottery sales method and related system utilize an in-lane lottery sales computing device that is configured to interface with a point-of-sale terminal and determine when the point-of-sale terminal has identified a code corresponding to a desired lottery product. A request identifying the desired lottery product is transmitted to a lottery central system device used to administer and coordinate the sales of lottery products.

1 . A lottery sales system comprising:
 an in-lane lottery sales computing device, the in-lane lottery sales computing device configured to:   interface with a point-of-sale terminal and determine when the point-of-sale terminal has identified a code corresponding to a desired lottery product; and   transmit a request identifying the desired lottery product to a lottery central system device used to administer and coordinate the sales of lottery products.   
   
   
       2 . The lottery sales system set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a printer;
 wherein the in-lane lottery sales computing device is further configured to send data to the printer so as to cause the printer to print the desired lottery product.   
   
   
       3 . The lottery sales system set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a printer;
 wherein the in-lane lottery sales computing device is further configured to send data to the printer so as to cause the printer to print a token which can be redeemed for the desired lottery product.   
   
   
       4 . The lottery sales system set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a lottery central system device interfaced to the in-lane lottery sales computing device via a wireless connection. 
   
   
       5 . The lottery sales system set forth in  claim 4  comprising a plurality of in-lane lottery sales computing devices, each in-lane lottery sales computing device positioned at a respective checkout lane at the same retail location. 
   
   
       6 . A computerized method for providing one or more lottery products, the method comprising:
 interfacing with a point-of-sale terminal;   determining when the point-of-sale terminal has identified a code corresponding to a desired lottery product; and   transmitting a request identifying the desired lottery product to a lottery central system device used to administer and coordinate the sales of lottery products.   
   
   
       7 . The method set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 sending data to a printer so as to cause the printer to print a token redeemable for the desired lottery product.   
   
   
       8 . The method set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 sending data to a printer so as to cause the printer to print the desired lottery product.   
   
   
       9 . The method set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 waiting for confirmation of the request from the lottery central system device;   wherein data is not sent to the printer so as to cause the printer to print the desired lottery product unless the request is confirmed.   
   
   
       10 . The method set forth in  claim 6 , wherein determining when the point-of-sale terminal has identified a code comprises accessing data indicating one or more bar codes or other indicia scanned by a scanner associated with the point-of-sale terminal during a transaction. 
   
   
       11 . The system set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one computer monitor or display positioned in view of the customer as they move through the checkout lane;   wherein the monitor is used to advertise lottery and in some embodiments, non lottery products.