GB2152720A - Automated system for conducting transit fare transactions - Google Patents

Abstract

An automated system for conducting a transit fare transaction includes a ticket acceptor 18 which, during a fare transaction, receives the ticket 22 moved manually in the direction of arrow 23, reads, 10, the fare information stored on it, and writes, 12, and verifies, 16, cancelled fare information on it. During the transaction, a processor 24 calculates a cancelled fare value on the basis of the read fare information and a predetermined transaction value. A transaction may include a route transfer, a zone transfer, or a peak hour ride by a patron having a special fare ticket. The processor also includes a routine which prevents a predetermined type of ticket from being used to conduct more than one transaction with the same acceptor within a predetermined period of time. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Automated system for conducting transit fare transactions BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to systems for conducting transit fare transactions with a transportation system patron who holds a fare ticket having transit fare information stored thereon. More particularly, the system is in the field of automated transit fare ticket processing systems which are used on transportation system vehicles.

In the prior art, transit fare transaction systems, transportation system patrons who board a transportation system vehicle such as a bus typically conduct a fare transaction either with an operator of the vehicle, such as a bus driver, or with a ticket processing system which is located at an entrance to a controlled zone wherefrom the patron can board the vehicle. The operatorcontrolled system reduces the total time which the operator can devote to operating the vehicle, and therefore reduces the overall efficiency of the transportation system because the vehicle takes longer to move between stops. Moreover, safety of the passengers can be placed at risk if the operator attempts to conduct fare transactions while he is also operating the vehicle. In addition, as fares increase, the operator is required to handle more cash, which raises security risks.Often, flash passes are issued in order to reduce the operator's involvement with cash, however these passes must be inspected by the operator, which consumes time, and they are easily counterfeited.

Typical transit fare transaction systems of the second type involve large aggregations of modularized equipments which physically capture the fare ticket from the control of the patron in order to process the fare information which it holds. Such systems are characterized in having a large number of moving parts which reduce the operational reliability of the systems.

Moreover, they can cause consternation and confusion to a patron who must detect the reemergence of his fare ticket from the processing apparatus. Typical of such systems is the modularized ticket handling system disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,357,530.

It would, therefore, be advantageous to provide a system which can conduct fare transactions with patrons without involving the vehicle operator, without requiring large amounts of equipment or space, and without removing a fare ticket from the patron's possession.

The general object of the present invention therefore is to provide an improved system for conducting transit fare transactions which is automated and requires no action on the part of a transit system operator in order to conduct a fare transaction.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a system which conducts a transit fare transaction with a patron who is not required to surrender physical control of his fare ticket.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a system which automatically conducts a plurality of transit fare transactions onboard a transportation vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the invention by an automated transit fare processing system which conducts fare transactions with transportation system patrons by utilizing fare information stored on fare tickets carried by the patrons. The system includes a ticket acceptor which receives a fare ticket held by a patron while conducting a fare transaction. The acceptor includes a sensor which reads the fare information on the fare ticket and provides a read signal representive of the read fare information, and further includes a sensor for writing output fare information on the ticket in response to a write signal which is representative of the output fare information. The acceptor also includes a sensor for verifying the written information.An output indicator is included on the acceptor for indicating the content of the output information in response to an output signal representative of the information. A processor is also provided which is responsive to the read signal for calculating a cancelled fare value on the basis of fare value information which is included in the read fare information and a predetermined fare transaction value. When the cancelled fare value is calculated, the processor provides write and output signals representative of the output information, including the cancelled fare value, which is written by the write sensor and indicated on the output indicator and which includes the cancelled fare value. The processor also includes storage means for storing a plurality of predetermined transaction values.

By provision of the processing means which can calculate cancelled fare values on the basis of a plurality of predetermined transaction values, the system of the invention dispenses with the need for involving a transportation system operator in the transaction. Further, the apparatus engages in a fare transaction with the patron while the patron is holding his fare ticket, which prevents confusion as to the precise location of the ticket at any time. Finally, since the apparatus of the invention embraces a limited number of functional parts, it can be packaged in a compact form which is suitable for installation on a transportation vehicle.

The objects and embodiments of the invention will best be understood by referring to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating major functional components of the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an illustration of the system of the invention in an exemplary operational environment on a bus.

Figure 3A is a representation of a passenger fare ticket which is used to carry fare information and with which the system of the invention conducts a fare transaction.

Figure 3B illustrates the arrangement of a plurality of fixed and variable data fields which make up the fare information carried on the ticket of Fig. 3A.

Figure 4 is a block diagram which illustrates the functions of and flow of signals between the major electronic blocks which make up the system of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating in greater detail the read and verify amplification circuit of the system of the invention.

Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating the arrangement of a part of RAM storage space which is internal to the processor used in the system of the invention.

Figure 7 is a state diagram illustrating the progression of states assumed by the system of the invention during a fare transaction.

Figure 8 is a flow chart of the major functions that are performed by the system of the invention while reading data from a fare ticket.

Figure 9 is a flow diagram of the major functions that are performed by the system of the invention while processing information read from a fare ticket during a transaction.

Figure 10 is a flow diagram of the major functions that are performed by the system of the invention in writing information onto a fare ticket and verifying that information.

Figure 11 illustrates statistical accumulators contained in a RAM external to the system processor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment of the system of the invention which automatically conducts transit fare transactions is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, wherein a device for reading information (read head) 10 is positioned relative to a device for writing information (write head) 1 2, a photosensor 14, and another device for reading information (verify head) 16. The heads 10. 12 and 16 and the photosensor 1 4 are positioned on a ticket acceptor chassis 1 8 which includes a channel 20 along which the devices 10-16 are positioned. The channel 20 is adapted to accept and slidably guide the edge of a transit fare ticket 22, the other edge of which is held by a patron, past the devices 10-16 in the direction indicated by the arrow 23.The ticket is propelled in the channel solely by the sliding or swiping motion imparted by the patron who retains physical control or possession of the ticket during an entire transaction.

The transit fare ticket 22 carries transit fare information, (which is described in greater detail hereinbelow), which is detected by the read head 1 0. The read head 10 provides a read signal representative of the information on the ticket 22 to a processor system 24. The processor system 24 responds to the information represented by the read signal, processes the information, and provides a write signal representative of the processed information to the write head 1 2 which is thereby enabled to write the processed information onto the fare ticket 22.After it has verified the written information, the processor system 24 provides an output signal representative of the output information to output indicators, including a visible display 27 and a speaker 28, which provide, to the patron, output indications respecting a fare transaction. All of the read, write, process and verify operations required for a transaction are completed during the single swipe by a patron of his ticket in the channel 20. The system can be powered, for example, by the on-board electrical system of the bus.

The ticket acceptor, processor system, and output indicators are all contained within a single housing 25, illustrated in Fig. 2, which can be located, for example, adjacent to and behind the driver's seat on a transportation vehicle such as a bus. Alternatively, the acceptor housing can be located on the entry handrail of the bus so that the transaction is completed before the patron passes the driver. This permits fare transactions to be conducted at the point of entry to the vehicle and provides the convenience of placing the point of conducting a transaction near the bus driver. Then, in the event that a patron requires assistance in conducting a transaction or is directed by a voice message output by the speaker 28 to contact him, the patron will be near the driver. The proximity of the acceptor to the driver also permits the driver to hear the audio message provided to the patron.

As is shown in Fig. 2, the ticket acceptor 25 includes a cover 29 which fits over the read, write, and verify heads and the photosensor assembly. The cover includes a slide-through channel 30, aligned with the channel 20, which permits a patron to manually swipe the edge of a fare ticket past the heads when he boards the bus; this constitutes the sole activity required of the patron in conducting a fare transaction. Manifestly, since the channel 30 is open, the patron is enabled to retain possession of his ticket during the transaction.

A control panel 31 permits the operator to adjust the fare transaction procedures performed by the processor 24 and to monitor the output information made available to the patron by the display 27. The panel is located on the control panel (not shown) in the operator's cockpit of the vehicle.

A variety of modes may be used to store information on the transit fare ticket 22. For example, the information can be in the form of a strip of material whose optical properties can be selectively varied. Preferably, the information is magnetically encoded on the transit fare ticket 22 in the format illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B. In the preferred mode, a strip of magnetic recording material 32 is positioned near and in alignment with the bottom edge 33 of the fare ticket 22. Transit fare information is stored in the strip 32 by means of flux changes which assume a pattern representative of the stored information.

In the preferred embodiment, the read and verify heads 10 and 1 6 comprise a pair of magnetic read heads, while the write head 1 2 comprises a magnetic write head. During a transaction, the transit fare ticket 22 is swiped by a patron through the acceptor channel 20 with the ticket edge 33 in the bottom of the channel which aligns the magnetic strip 32 with the read head 10, the write head 12, and the verify head 1 6. This alignment must be maintained while the ticket 22 is swiped in the direction of the arrow 23 in order to insure that the verify head 1 6 will correctly detect the data written into the magnetic strip 32 by the write head 1 2. This alignment can be interrupted, for example, when the ticket is skewed in the channel 20 as illustrated in Fig. 3A, where the fare ticket 22 is skewed by some angle ssS from the channel 20.

Techniques for modulating, reading, writing, and verifying magnetic data on the magnetic strip of hand-propelled ticket are well known in the art and can be understood by reference to U. S. Patent No. 4,173,026 and U. S. Patent No.4,184,179, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Preferably, in the system of the invention, the F2F coding technique, which is explained in the incorporated U. S. patents, is utilized to store information in the magnetic strip 32. Moreover, reference to the incorporated patents will establish that the F2F technique is one of a family of self-clocking codes which permit the read, write, and verify operations to be synchronized to the speed with which an encoded fare ticket is swiped through the acceptor of this invention.

In Fig. 4, the encoded transit fare is read from the magnetic strip 32 by the read head 1 0.

Conventionally, the F2F-coded information comprises north flux changes (NFC), alternating with south flux changes (SFC) which are detected and amplified by a read head amplifier 34. The amplified north and south flux changes are provided to a microprocessor 36 through utility ports P34P3s. The microprocessor 36 provides write data signals from a utility port P10 to a write head amplifier 38 which causes the write head 1 2 to write the output information in F2F format onto the magnetic strip of the transit fare ticket. The verify head 1 6 is connected to the read head amplifier 34 so that the information written by the write head 1 2 can be verified by the microprocessor 36.

The photosensor 1 4 includes a ligh-emitting diode (LED) 40 which is placed on one side of the channel 20 and which is oriented to illuminate a conventional photodiode 42 which is located on the other side of the channel 20, opposite the LED 40. A sensor amplifier 44 includes conventional biasing circuitry for maintaining the light output of the LED 40 at a predetermined level.The sensor amplifier 44 further includes conventional amplification circuitry for amplifying the current output by the photodiode 42 and for providing a VERIFY signal to the microprocessor 36 when a transit fare ticket is present in the channel 20 between the write head 1 2 and the verify head 1 6. The VERIFY signal will assume one polarity (negative, for example) when a ticket is present in the channel 20 and completely blocks the LED 40 from the field of view of the photodetector 42. At any other time when the photodetector 42 is able to detect output from the LED 40, the VERIFY signal assumes the opposite polarity.Thus, the photosensor 1 4 is able to detect when the edge of a fare ticket is not resting against the edge of the channel 20 and is out of alignment with regard to the write head 1 2 and the verify head 1 6. In the preferred embodiment, the photodetector 42 will be illuminated by the LED 40 whenever cp, is greater than or equal to 1'.

The processor 36 has an address port A which drives a conventional address bus 45. In order to expand the addressing capacity of the processor 36, a conventional address decoder 46 is connected to a data bus 48, which is connected to the processor 36 at its data port D. The output Q of the address decoder 46 is connected, together with the address bus 45, to the address A inputs of an EPROM 50, a RAM 52, and an EEPROM 54. The EPROM 50, RAM 52 and EEPROM 54 are all connected through their respective data ports D to the data bus 48. The EPROM 50 is enabled to place data on the data bus 48 by an output enable (O/E) signal from the PROM enable (PSEN) port of the processor 36. Similarly, the RAM 52 and EEPROM 54 are enabled to place data on the data bus 48 by means of a signal provided by the processor 36 through its read enable (RD) port.The RAM 52 accepts data from the data bus 48 when the processor 36 provides a signal from its write enable (WR) port.

The EPROM 50 is used to store the processor program and a plurality of predetermined output messages in digitized form, which are explained later in more detail. The RAM 52 provides storage space in which transaction statistics are stored. Tabularized fare information which is used to calculate transaction costs is stored in the EEPROM 54.

The display panel 27 has five 7-segment LED indicators and obtains display data from the utility port P,5 when the processor 36 assumes a display output mode, explained in greater detail hereinbelow. A display clock signal is also provided to the display 27 by the processor 36 through utility port P14 to synchronize the transfer of display data. Output indications are also provided in the form of audible output information through a voice message apparatus which includes a conventional voice synthesizer 56 connected to provide an analog voice signal to an amplifier 57 which drives the speaker 28. The voice synthesizer 56 receives digitized voice message signals from the data bus 48 through a conventional l/O (input/output) expander 58.

The I/O expander 58 is conventionally connected to the data bus 48 and to the RD and WR ports of the processor 36. Voice message data is staged through the I/O expander to the voice synthesizer 56 on utility ports PA. As is typical. the 1/0 expander 58 includes a counter which is used conventionally to synchronize I/O operations. The counter is enabled to count by the provision of a clock signal on its input port (CTR,N) and its output is available on the counter output port (CTRouT). The output of the counter is provided. for a purpose described later, to the processor 36 on its utility port P17.

The system of the invention further includes a typical programmable timekeeper 60 to keep time from a selected starting point which is provided on the data bus 48 to the data (D) terminal of the timekeeper. The timekeeper 60 includes a conventional clock circuit which oscillates at a selectable frequency and whose output is available from the CLK port of the timekeeper. This clock is used to operate the counter contained in the I/O expander 58. The timekeeper 60 can be conventionally programmed to provide current day/time information from its data port D.

When the timekeeper 60 provides the day/time information, it also provides an interrupt signal from its interrupt port (IRO) which is fed to a utility port P33 of the processor 36. Thus, the timekeeper 60 can be programmed through the processor 36 to begin timekeeping from a specific day/time point, and can be further programmed to periodically notify the processor 36 when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. When the predetermined amount has elapsed, the timekeeper 60 provides the current day/time information on the data bus 48 and outputs an interrupt signal to the microprocessor 36, which enables the microprocessor to interrupt its programming and to update day/time information which is used in a manner explained below for the fare transactions conducted by the system of the invention.

The microprocessor 36 can be conventionally controlled or queried from the cockpit control panel 31 including a 5-element LED display and a plurality of switches which can be placed into predetermined positions by the driver of a transportation vehicle wherein the system of the invention is located to prompt the microprocessor 36 to provide certain information over the data bus 48 and through the I/O expander 58. Alternatively, the operator can place the switches of the control panel to a predetermined configuration which is indicated by a remote command indication signal provided to the microprocessor 36 through its utility port P,3. Upon receiving the remote command indication, the microprocessor can conventionally control the I/O expander 58 so that the microprocessor 36 can obtain the switch information from the control panel 30 over the data bus 48.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, the internal structure of the microprocessor 36 includes an internal random access memory (RAM), part of whose storage space comprises a read buffer register and a write buffer register. The read buffer register is used to store the data which is read by the read head 10 from a transit fare ticket. The write buffer register provides the memory space necessary to assemble the information which is to be written by the write head 1 2 onto a fare ticket.

In operation, when a patron of a transportation system initiates a transaction by swiping his fare ticket through the fare ticket receiver, the read head 10 reads the encoded information which is contained in the magnetic strip of the ticket and provides electrical signals which are indicative of that information to the microprocessor 36. The decoded information is obtained through the read amplifier 34, which is illustrated in greater detail in Fig. 5. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the read head 10 provides a differential input to an amplifier 62 having automatic gain control (AGC). The signals from the read head are differentially amplified through the AGC amplifier 62 and differentiated through the filter section indicated by 63. The output of the filter section 63, which is a spike having a polarity corresponding to the polarity of flux transitions detected by the read head 10, is fed to an operational amplifier 64 through its non-inverting input. The differentiated flux change signal is then fed to an operational amplifier 66 which inverts the signal and feeds it to an inverting operational amplifier 70. The first inverted impulse signal is also fed to an inverting operational amplifier 68. Both of the operational amplifiers 68 and 70 are configured as peak detectors whose thresholds are established by the diodes 71 and 72, respectively. The outputs of the peak detecting amplifiers 68 and 70 are fed to flip flops 74 and 76, respectively, which function as flux change latches. The flip flop 74 effectively latches north flux changes (NFC), while the flip flop 76 latches south flux changes (SFC).These latches are both reset by a reflux latch reset signal from utility port P,5 of the microprocessor 36. The automatic gain control signal for the AGC amplifier 62 is provided through the diodes 78 and 79 which rectify the differentiated flux transition signals, with the diode 78 rectifying flux transaction signals of one polarity, while the diode 79 rectifies transition signals of the opposite polarity. Flux changes detected by the verify head 1 6 are also fed through the circuity described above to the microprocessor 36 for verification of data written onto fare tickets through the write head 12.

The circuit of Fig. 5 enables the microprocessor 36 to read and verify the transit fare information which is contained on the magnetic strip of a fare ticket. Preferably, the information stored on the magnetic strip comprises a first series of data fields which comprise fixed data which is not altered during a transaction with the system of the invention, and a series of variable data fields which may be altered during a transaction. The data fields are represented in Fig. 3B and listed in Tabie 1.

TABLE I FARE TICKET DATA FIELD FUNCTIONS FIELD FUNCTION F1-F2 FIXED FIELD TIMING AND SYNCH F3 FARE TYPE F4 FARE TICKET SERIAL NUMBER F5 EXPIRATION DATE F6 REDUCED FARE INCREMENT F7 TICKET USE RULES F8-F10 PARITY CODING AND FIELD TAIL Fl 1-Fl 2 VARIABLE FIELD TIMING AND SYNCH F13 ZONE ENTERED F14 FARE SUBSCRIPTION VALUE (RIDES OR VALUE) F15, F16 ROUTE DESIGNATIONS (FOR TRANSFERS) F17 DATE AND TIME OF LAST USE F18 NUMBER OF TRANSFERS F19-F21 PARITY CODING AND FIELD TAIL In Table 1, the first of the fixed data fields, (F1-F2) are timing and synchronizing fields which synchronize the reading of data into the microprocessor 36 and identify the beginning ("header") of the fixed data fields.The fixed field F3 identifies the type of fare which the fare ticket holder has purchased. For example, this can include: a regular fare; a special pass; an employee pass; a senior citizen's or schoolchild's fare; or a fare limited to express transportation routes. The data field F4 contains a serial number which is unique to the fare ticket upon which it is entered and is used to identify that particular ticket in all transactions. The field F5 holds the expiration date of the ticket. The data fields F6-7 are used for purposes not germane to this embodiment. The fixed data fields F8-10 comprise parity coding information and a predetermined code indicating the end ("tail") of the fixed data field sequence.

In the variable data fields, F11-12 comprise a timing and synchronization sequence which resynchronizes the read or verify timing of the microprocessor 36 and identifies the beginning ("header") of the variable data field sequence. Data field F13 contains information identifying the last transportation zone entered by the ticket holder. The data field F14 contains the current magnitude of the transit fare subscription value. This can represent, for example, a number of rides to which the patron is entitled in the transportation system, or it can indicate a current monetary value. The fields F15-16 contain transportation route designations.For example, a first route number can indicate the first route boarded by the patron on a particular day or portion of a particular day and the second designation can indicate the last transportation route boarded. The field F17 indicates the date and time of last use of the ticket, and field F18 indicates the number of times which a patron, during a given time period, has made transfers between transit routes. Finally, the fields F18-21 contain parity coding information and a predetermined code indicating the end ("tail") of the variable data field.

In operation, when the patron swipes his ticket through the ticket receiving apparatus, the read head 10 provides the data to the microprocessor 36 which is programmed to store the data in the read buffer register located in the internal RAM of the microprocessor 36. This storage is synchronized by the F2F coding format of the data stored on the ticket.

As explained hereinbelow, when data is entered into the read buffer register, the microproces sor 36 processes the data and the variable data field based upon data contained in that and the fixed data fields and assembles data in the write buffer register located in the internal RAM of the microprocessor 36. The write buffer register has sufficient capacity to store all of the variable data fields including those whose contents are altered during the transaction. Preferably, the variable data fields whose contents are altered are fields F13-18.

In the system of the invention, the read, write, and verify heads are spaced so that, before the fixed data fields are detected by the verify head 1 6. all of the data in the magnetic strip is read by the read head 10 and entered into the read buffer register. the data is processed in the performance of a transaction, and output data indicating the result of the transaction is entered into the write buffer register. When the fixed data timing and synchronization fields are detected by the verify head 16, the executive program causes the contents of the write buffer register to be sequentially provided to the write amplifier 38 so that data can be written by the write head 1 2 into the variable data fields in the space provided in the fare ticket.Therefore, it should be evident to one skilled in the art that the distance between the verify head 1 6 and the write head 1 2 should be precisely the distance occupied by the fixed data fields on the magnetic strip of the fare ticket. Reference to the incorporated U S. Patent No. 4,1 73.026 will provide an understanding of how the verify and write heads operate in synchronism to write the variable field data.

As illustrated in Fig. 7. the controlling program of the microprocessor 36 can be understood as a structured, prioritized sequence of program states. State 1 constitutes an UNINITIALIZED state from which the system of the invention transitions when a transportation vehicle operator.

a bus driver for example, enters information which includes date and time data to initialize the programmable timekeeper 60 with the current calendar and time information and to enable it to periodically provide updated calendar and time data. Preferably, the timekeeper 60 is programmed to provide current calendar and chronology information to the microprocessor 36 once every six minutes. The operator also provides information respecting the route over which the vehicle will be operating, periods of peak ridership ("peak periods") for that route during which special and discount fares will not be accepted, the zone in which the route originates, and any updating of the fare tables stored in the EEPROM 54. Data which is appropriate to initialize the operation of the executive routine is also entered.Preferably. except for updated fare information, all initialization data is stored in the internal RAM of the microprocessor 36.

When the executive routine is initialized and the information respecting the transportation route is taken in by the microprocessor 36, the operating program enters an IDLE state from which it exits whenever data is read from a fare ticket.

The READ state illustrated in Fig. 8 is entered when the microprocessor 36. while in the IDLE state, detects a north flux change (NFC) signal at utility port P3l. Upon detecting the flux change, the microprocessor 36 decodes the flux change and conducts all READ operations in synchronism with the detected flux change signals which the read amplifier 34 provides to the utility ports P34 and P35. In using the flux change signals to decode the fare information stored on the magnetic strip of the fare ticket, the microprocessor 36 first synchronizes itself by means of the fixed timing and synchronization fields and identifies the sequence of fixed data fields by means of the fixed data field header.

When the microprocessor 36 is synchronized to reception of data from the read amplifier 34, it starts the timer in the I/O expander 58 to count one second of time. The one second of time is established as a time out interval (TOUT) during which the READ and WRITE/VERIFY sequences initiated by swiping the fare ticket must be completed. Should the TOUT timer count down one second before the end of a READ or a WRITE/VERIFY sequence of operations, the microprocessor operation will exit from the sequence and provide a voice message to the patron indicating that he should re-initiate the transaction by swiping his ticket again.This is accomplished in the system of the invention by programming the microprocessor 36 to address a section of storage in the EPROM 50 which contains digitized representations of preselected voice messages, and to select therefrom a voice message representation which urges the patron to "TRY AGAIN". The microprocessor 36 is further programmed to stage the selected message through the l/O expander 57 to the voice synthesizer 58 which converts the digital representa tion to an analog signal which is amplified by the amplifier 59 and output through the microphone 28. Upon hearing the message, the patron can once again swipe his fare ticket through the fare ticket receiver in order to re-initiate the transaction.

Returning once again to the READ routine illustrated in Fig. 8, once the microprocessor is synchronized it begins to enter data into the read storage buffer. If the read storage buffer is filled with the fixed and variable data fields before one second elapses, the contents are evaluated according to a parity error algorithm and, if no error is detected, the microprocessor 36 enters a PROCESS state as illustrated in Fig. 7. Should a parity error by detected, the microprocessor 36 will select and output an appropriate voice message urging the patron to swipe his ticket again. In the system of the invent;on, an error file is maintained in the external RAM 52 into which the serial number of a fare ticket for which a parity error has been detected will be entered.Then, in the event that a parity error is detected more than once for the same fare ticket, the microprocessor 36 can be programmed to select a voice message which instructs the patron to contact the transportation vehicle operator. In the event of a parity error detection during the READ state, the microprocessor 36 transitions to the IDLE state once the voice message has been output by the system. This is illustrated in Fig. 7 by the transition line from the VOICE MESSAGE state to the IDLE state.

Once the read buffer register is full and no error is detected, the executive program of the microprocessor 36 transitions from the READ state to the PROCESS state as illustrated in Fig. 7.

In the PROCESS state routine, which is illustrated in Fig. 9, the microprocessor 36 first compares the ticket expiration date contained in fixed data field F5 with the current date which has been provided by the timekeeper 60 in the timekeepers last update interruption period. If this examination indicates that the fare ticket has expired, the program exits from the process state and the microprocessor 36 causes a voice message to be output which informs the patron of the expiration of his ticket. For example, the message may consist of "YOUR TICKET HAS EXPIRED".

If the ticket is current, the process routine will examine the type of the fare which is indicated by the fixed data field F3 to determine whether it is valid for usage in the current time period, zone, or route. In the system of the invention, if the ticket is of a type issued to senior citizens or school children for use during non-peak traffic periods, the previous date/time update will be examined together with the peak period entered by the transportation vehicle operator when he initializes the system. If such a limited fare patron attempts to board the transportation vehicle during a defined peak period, the microprocessor 36 will cause a voice message to be output indicating to the patron that his fare ticket is invalid for use during this period on this route or in this zone.

If the ticket type is valid for current usage, the PROCESS routine next implements an antipassback feature which prevents certain ticket types being used more than once within a predetermined amount of time. This feature can be used to prevent more than one patron from boaring a bus at the same time by using the same non-transferable fare ticket. To implement the anti-passback feature, the PROCESS routine will first examine the type of fare, and if the ticket is determined to be a non-transferable one, will examine the date and time information in the variable field F17 to determine the elapsed time between the last use and the current one. If the difference falls within a predetermined amount of time, the transaction will be aborted and an appropriate voice message provided. For example, the message can consist of: "UNAUTHO RIZED FARE USE".

If the anti-passback restriction is not violated, the process routine then selects a fare table which is stored in E EPROM 54 at an address based upon the ticket type, the current usage, and the zone or route of operation. Next, a transfer sub-routine will be called to determine whether the current value contained in the data field F14 should be cancelled by the value of one ride. If the patron is making an allowed transfer from one transportation route to another, the current fare subscription value will not be cancelled. Otherwise, the value will be cancelled.

In the transfer sub-routine of the invention, when a patron's fare ticket is read, a ride or value will be deducted unless the following criteria are met: (1) no more than a predetermined amount of time has elapsed from the date and time contained in variable data field F17: (2) the routes designated in variable data fields F15 and 1 6 are different from the route entered in the initialization routine and are routes from which a transfer to the entered route is permitted; (3) the number of transfers contained in data field F18 is fewer than a predetermined allowable number of transfers; and (4) the patron is not holding a fare ticket which is invalid for making transfers at the predetermined route peak hour period.If the transfer is a valid one, then the current fare subscription value will not be cancelled and the PROCESS routine will go to point B. If, on the other hand, a permissible transfer is not being made, the PROCESS routine will calculate a cancelled fare value by deducting the transaction value extracted from the fare table selected from the EEPROM 54. The cancelled fare value is calculated by subtracting the transaction value from the fare subscription value contained in variable data field F14.

Preferably, the fare subscription value can comprise a number of rides or a monetary value. For example, the fare subscription value can indicate a number of bus rides, or alternatively, a total amount of money. The cancelled fare value is calculated by deducting from the current amount in field F14 either a predetermined number of rides or a predetermined value, either of which would be obtained from the appropriate fare table.

In another embodiment, the cancelled fare can be calculated by deducting a fare value based upon the number of zones across which the patron has travelled. In this embodiment, the patron will swipe his ticket through the ticket acceptor upon entering the transportation system. When the patron enters, the zone wherein he entered the system will be written into variable data field F13. Then, upon exiting from the transportation system, the patron will again swipe his ticket and the subscription value will be cancelled by first determining a fare value based upon the entry and exit zones and then subtracting that value from the fare subscription value contained in variable data field F14. As the transportation vehicle crosses from one zone to another, the current zone of operation can be updated by the transportation vehicle operator through the control panel 30. For example, every time the transportation vehicle enters a zone, the zone can be indicated by a setting of the switch in the control panel, which is passed through the I/O expander 58 to the microprocessor 36.

After the cancelled fare value has been calculated, the microprocessor 36 updates the variable data fields contained in the read buffer register and enters the updated fields into the write buffer register. Preferably, this updating will include entry of the cancelled fare value into variable data field F14. Data fields F15, 1 6 and 1 8 will be updated according to results obtained by the performance of the transfer algorithm. The results are based upon the elapsed time which is measured from the date and time of the last use contained in the variable data field F17 and the current time indicated by the programmable timekeeper 60.If the elapsed time is greater than the predetermined amount of time, then the current route designated during the initialization routine is entered into data field F15 as the first designated route. If the transaction involves a route transfer and this is the first route transfer occurring after elapse of the predetermined amount of time, then a "1" '' is entered into the data field F18 and the route designated in the initialization routine is placed into data field F16 as the last route entered. If less than the predetermined amount of time has elapsed, the current route is entered into data field F16 as the last route entered and the number of transfers contained in data field F18 is incremented by 1.

When the variable data fields have been updated and entered into the write buffer register during the PROCESS routine, a process complete (PROC COMP) flag is set in the program of microprocessor 36 which then awaits the first detection of a flux change by the verify head 1 6 which will occur when the data field F1 passes by the head.

As indicated in Fig. 10, when the first flux change of data field F1 is detected while the PROC COMP flag is set, the state of the VERIFY signal is sampled. When the negative state of the VERIFY (VERIFY) signal is detected, indicating that the farecard has been moved between the write and verify heads, and thus that the verify head is active, the WRITE state is entered and the TOUT timer is again set. If the first flux change following PROC COMP is detected while VERIFY is in its positive state, the program will exit the routine, provide an appropriate voice message, "TRY AGAIN" for example, and return to the IDLE state.Further, provision is made to interrupt the routine of Fig. 10 whenever the VERIFY signal becomes positive, which will indicate that the fare ticket is skewed and that the magnetic strip is not aligned with the write head 1 2. In addition, if the routine is not completed within the one second time period which is initiated in the TOUT counter during the READ routine, the program will exit the Fig. 10 routine, provide the appropriate voice message and return to the executive program.

With the conjunction of the setting of the PROC COMP flag, the VERIFY signal, and the first detection thereafter of a flux change, the microprocessor program enters the WRITE state and starts the TOUT 1 second timer.

At the time that the first flux change of the data field F1 is detected by the verify head 1 6 while the PROC COMP flag is set, the variable data field F11 is opposite the write head 1 2. At this time, the microprocessor 36 utilizes the data on the farecard in fixed field F1-F2 to synchronize its WRITE operations and identify the fixed data field header. Thereafter, the verify head 16 provides the flux changes by which the processor synchronizes WRITE and VERIFY operations to the speed with which the fare ticket is swiped. Since the corresponding variable synchronizing and header data fields have passed by the write head 12, the contents of the write buffer register can now be written into the appropriate variable data field locations on the magnetic strip of the fare ticket which is being swiped.

The information which is written from the write buffer register onto the magnetic strip of the fare ticket comprises the data in the data fields which have been updated during the preceding PROCESS routine. When the appropriate variable data has been written onto the fare ticket, the microprocessor 36 sets a WRITE DONE flag, exits from the WRITE state, and calls the routine for the VERIFY state.

As indicated in Fig. 10, if a skewed ticket is detected or the one second time-out period set at the beginning of the WRITE sequence elapses before the completion of the VERIFY routine, the program will exit the routine, provide an appropriate voice message to the patron, and return to the IDLE state.

The initial task performed by the VERIFY routine is the identification of variable data fields Fl 1 and F12 which re-synchronize the microprocessor 36 with the swiping speed of the fare ticket and identify the variable data field header. When the header code has been identified, the data which has been written onto the fare ticket in the variable data fields is detected by the verify head 1 6 and provided by the read amplifier 34 to the microprocessor 36 in the sequence in which it was written into the variable data field locations by the write head 1 2. The VERIFY routine employs a continuous sequential checking routine which compares each piece of information which has been written into the variable data fields Fl 1 -F21 of the farecard with the corresponding contents of the write buffer register.In the event that information which is read from the farecard's variable data fields does not correlate with the corresponding information held in the write buffer register, the contents of an error stack in the external RAM 52 will be inspected for an entry corresponding to the fare ticket serial number held in the read buffer register. If the serial number is held in the error stack, a voice message will be provided directing the patron to report to the transportation vehicle operator. If the serial number is not in the error stack, it will be entered thereinto, and the patron will be directed to swipe his ticket once again in an effort to successfully complete a transaction.

If the information contained in the variable data fields on the fare ticket corresponds with the information held in the write buffer register, the microprocessor 36 outputs the information held in variable data field F14 of the write buffer register in binary code to the 5 character LED display 27 so that the patron can read the subscription value remaining on his fare ticket. The output information is also provided to the display on the control panel 31 for the driver's inspection. Then, all read, processing, and write flags are reset, the read and write buffer registers are cleared, and the microprocessor program proceeds to the IDLE state.

In the system of the invention, a section of the external RAM 52 provides one or more statistical accumulators, each of which is dedicated, for each route travelled by the transportation vehicle, to compilation of statistics for the transactions conducted while servicing the route.

This may be done, for example, to develop statistics enumerating the number of transactions conducted and types of fares encountered during the progress of a city bus from one end to another of a designated route. The layout and structure of the accumulators is illustrated in Fig.

11. The statistical accumulator for the designated route is updated at the end of a transaction, when an error is detected in a READ or a VERIFY operation, or when the elapse of the time-out period truncates a routine. In each accumulator, a data storage stack is identified for each fare class. As explained above, the fare class is contained in the fixed data field F3 of each fare ticket. Within each fare class, statistics are accumulated respecting, for example, the number of transactions completed, the number of valid transfers allowed, and the total fare collected or the total rides deducted.In addition, error and time-out registers are provided to accumulate the total number of error and time-out truncations which have occurred in the READ, PROCESS, WRITE, and VERIFY states, and an error stack provides a location for storing the serial numbers which have been obtained from the read buffer register during error transactions.

In the system of the invention, the contents of the accumulators are transferred to a remote data storage device such as a magnetic tape recorder, when the microprocessor 36 is prompted by an appropriate input command. This command is provided by a specialized audit readout command ticket, identical to a fare ticket in all respects expect that its data fields notify the microprocessor that an audit request, as opposed to a fare transaction, is to be executed. In executing an audit readout command, the microprocessor 36 operates the external RAM 52 with a read operation directed to the storage locations containing the statistical accumulators.

The accumulated statistical data is transferred from the RAM 52 through the I/O expander 58.

Preferably, the remote storage device is plugged to the PB ports of the expander, after the remote control panel 31 has been disconnected, to provide access to the data bus 48.

Although the selection of parts to implement the system of the invention may be left to the designer, certain electronic components are presently available to provide some of the specialized functions discussed above. For example, the processor 36 can include one of the Intel 8051 class of processors, programmed, as directed in the appropriate User's Manual, to implement to the procedures described above. The I/O expander 58 can be an Intel 8155, while the timekeeper 60 can comprise a Motorola MC 146818. An appropriate voice synthesizer is available from Texas Instruments under the part number TMS 5220NL. The write amplifier 38 is fully described in U. S. Patent No. 4,173,026, incorporated above by reference.

Manifestly, many modification and variations are possible in light of the above teachings, and it is therefore understood that the system of the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims (16)

1. An automated transit fare processing system for conducting fare transactions with patrons by utilizing fare information stored on fare tickets, said system comprising: means for receiving a fare ticket held by a patron to conduct a fare transaction while permitting said patron to retain possession and control of said fare ticket; means for reading fare information from said fare ticket and for providing a read signal representative of said read fare information; means for writing output fare information into said ticket in response to a write signal representative of said output fare information and for verifying said written information; output means for providing messages to said patron indicating said output information in response to an output signal representative of said output information; and processing means responsive to said read signal for calculating a cancelled fare value on the basis of fare value information included in said read fare information and a predetermined fare transaction value and for providing write and output signals representative of said output information including said cancelled fare value, said processing means including means for storing a plurality of predetermined transaction values.

2. The system of Claim 1 wherein said fare information includes one or more predetermined fare categories, and said plurality of transaction values includes at least one group of transaction values associated with a respective one of said fare categories.

3. The system of Claim 1 wherein said fare value information is representative of a first number of transactions and said cancelled fare value represents a remaining number of transactions produced by said calculation.

4. The system of Claim 1 wherein said fare value information is representative of a first monetary value and said cancelled fare value is representative of a remaining monetary value produced by said calculation.

5. The system of Claim 1 wherein said fare ticket is held by a patron travelling on a transportation system which spans a plurality of transportation routes, said transaction includes a transfer of said patron in said transportation system between at least two of said routes, and said processing means includes means for calculating said cancelled fare value based upon said transfer between said routes.

6. The system of Claim 1 wherein said fare ticket is held by a patron travelling in a transportation system which spans a plurality of transportation zones and said plurality of transaction values includes one or more groups of transaction values, each associated with a respective pair of transportation zone.

7. The system of Claim 1 wherein said fare information includes information identifying said fare ticket and said processing means includes means for preventing said identified ticket being used to conduct another fare transaction within a predetermined time of said transaction.

8. The system of Claim 1 wherein said receiving means further includes channel means for maintaining said fare ticket in a predetermined sliding alignment with said writing and verifying means while said output information is being written onto said ticket and while said output information is being verified and sensor means for stopping said transaction when said ticket is not in said predetermined alignment.

9. The system of Claim 8 wherein said sensor means provides a misalignment signal when said fare ticket is not in said predetermined alignment and said processor means includes means responsive to said misalignment signal for preventing said write signal being provided and for providing an output signal representative of information indicating that another transaction should be conducted by said patron.

10. The system of Claim 1 wherein said processor means further includes means for performing a predetermined series of operations based upon said fare information, said operations including information error detection, ticket validity detection and fare category detection.

11. The system of Claim 1 wherein all said means are contained within a single acceptor housing located adjacent to the point of entry into a transportation vehicle.

1 2. The system of Claim 11 wherein said receiving means includes a slide-through acceptor which permits said patron to slide an edge of said ticket through said receiving means.

1 3. The system of Claim 1 2 wherein said output means includes a speaker mounted in said housing for providing an audible message to said patron indicating said output information.

14. The system of Claim 1 2 wherein said output means includes a visual display mounted in said housing for providing a visual message to said patron indicating said cancelled fare value.

1 5. The system of Claim 1 2 wherein said reading, writing, and verifying all occur while said patron is sliding said ticket through said slide-through acceptor.

16. Automatic ticket processing apparatus comprising: a ticket receptacle for receiving a fare ticket in an accessible location; a device for reading fare information from the ticket while the ticket is in the receptacle; processing means responsive to the fare information read from the ticket for calculating a cancelled fare value and for generating output fare information including the cancelled fare value; and a device for writing the output fare information onto the ticket while it is in the receptacle.

1 7. An automated transit fare processing system constructed and arranged substantially as herein described and shown in the drawings.