Patent GB-1259091-A (GB)
IPC: G07F17/42
Filed: 1967-08-18
Abstract: 1,259,091. Betting slip issuing machine. HOLTRONICS Ltd. 18 Nov., 1968 [18 Aug., 1967], No. 38140/67. Headings G4T and G4V. A betting slip issuing machine comprises electrical signal responsive means for receiving a plurality of variable items of information including a money item, means for automatically recording the items on a ticket, a receptacle for money, means for automatically determining the amount of money inserted in the receptacle, means for automatically comparing the money item with the amount of money inserted, and means for issuing a completed ticket which cannot operate until the required amount of money has been inserted. The items of information dialled or keyed into the machine are stored in registers 29 and displayed on a panel 9 for checking by the customer, and printing wheels 16 are set to print the betting slip after coins inserted at 17 have been checked against the amount of the bet. A pulse train corresponding to, say, a particular race number, is transmitted from a dial 1 operated by the customer via a circuit 3 connected to a relay 11 stepping a reversible counter 12 which identifies the item being dialled, to a sequentially operated electromechanical rotary switch 4 the wiper 5 of which is connected to one of a number of registers corresponding to different items of betting information. The registers are connected by marking multiples 28 to the panel 9 which displays the dialled digit by means of edge-lit glass or perspex plates having bevelled information characters ground therein which reflect the light forward. A binary pick-up 10 is arranged adjacent the display 9 for beaming the equivalent binary digits back to a photo-electric camera 26 for transmission to a central totalizator via leads 27. After the race number has been dialled, received in the appropriate register, and displayed, the counter 12 steps, and a time delay device 14 illuminates an instruction strip 15 "Check recorded item". If after the delay the item has not been cancelled, the register sets up the stored digit on a print wheel 16 and moves the wiper 5 to the next register ready to receive the next dialled item. Where an item of information may comprise either one or two digits the sequence control automatically steps on if a second digit is not dialled within two seconds of the first. If during the delay a cancel key 13 is operated, the counter 12 is returned to normal and the register homed ready for insertion of a replacement item. After the remaining items of betting information, e.g. "type of bet" (win or place), stake, etc. have been similarly dialled, an "insert coin" instruction is illuminated and an "accept" solenoid operates to enable a coin box 17 to accept coins. Coins inserted at 17 are counted, compared at 22 with the dialled stake calculated by arithmetic means 20, and a variable value printer 24 set. A pulse from the coin box 17 actuates the printer to print the dialled items together with the date, time of day and a serial number and issue the betting slip. The time of day stamp is operated after dialling is complete and before or after coin insertion, and is controlled by a manually adjustable mains driven clock, which may be switched on and off independently of the machine. The printers may operate sequentially or simultaneously and may be set by the registers sequentially or simultaneously. The registers may be omitted and the printers set direct by the dial. The items may be given numerical codes or may be uncoded. The betting slips are printed from a roll or a concertina stack by a parallel input printer incorporating a paper clamp. A "machine empty" indicator disables the machine when the supply of paper is exhausted. At any time during dialling, a "push to reset" buttom may be operated which returns the sequence control 12 to the start position, homes the registers 29 zeroes the printers 16 and extinguishes any "lock out" signal (see below). The display panel 9 may be arranged to display all the dialled items at once, or only sequentially. If the latter, an instructional sequence display (30), Fig. 1 (not shown), is provided which illuminates an instruction appropriate to the item about to be dialled, e.g. "Dial Race" in a colour corresponding to the colour displayed on the panel 9 for this item. The instruction is extinguished when the item has been dialled and re-illuminates with the next instruction, and so on, under control of the sequence control. An external "lock out" signal broadcast to terminate betting on a particular race, e.g. at the start of the race, is received by a "lock out" detector in the machine which if that race is dialled, disables the dial, illuminates an "OFF" indicator and resets the machine to its initial state. Operation of a key switch by an official in conjunction with a dialled "9" with the sequence control in the "dial race" position closes a relay (fcr 1), Fig. 3 (not shown), whereby the machine issues a betting slip without insertion of money. A dialled "8" under the same conditions enables two items of pre-set information e.g. racecourse code numbers, to be dialled in to memory switches (RCS1), (RCS2) with the sequence control in the "race number" and "type of bet" positions respectively. Withdrawal of the key re-isolates the now pre-set memory switches (RCS1), (RCS2) from the dial. The whole machine is enclosed in a security cover removable using a key, and comprises a removable lockable serial numbered coin box with a self contained electrically operated counter which is connected into the coin counting circuit as the box is inserted.