TWI904501B - Ticket inspection and transportation apparatus and ticket inspection and transportation method - Google Patents

Abstract

A ticket inspection and transportation method, configured to inspect a ticket storage device with a wireless communication ticket, includes transporting the ticket storage device along a transportation path, sensing the ticket located in the ticket storage device on the transportation path via a wireless communication sensor, and controlling an opening and a closing of an entrance gate according to a sensing result of the wireless communication sensor.

Description

Ticket verification conveying equipment and methods

This invention relates to a ticket verification and transmission device and a ticket verification and transmission method, and more particularly to a ticket verification and transmission device and a ticket verification and transmission method for transmitting and verifying tickets.

Currently, most performance events still use traditional paper tickets for ticket verification. This paper ticket system makes it easy for unscrupulous individuals to manipulate ticket prices, leading to scalping and disrupting the overall market. Furthermore, it cannot completely prevent the reuse and counterfeiting of paper tickets.

To address the problems with traditional paper tickets, some businesses have begun using sensor-based ticket data stored on mobile phones for verification. However, current ticket data remains vulnerable to theft, failing to prevent scalping. Therefore, how to prevent tickets from being stolen and passing through the verification process, thus protecting consumers' rights, is one of the problems that developers need to solve.

The present invention provides a ticket verification transmission device and method to prevent tickets from being stolen by malicious individuals and passing through the ticket verification process, thereby protecting consumers' ticket purchase rights.

An embodiment of the present invention discloses a ticket verification and conveying device suitable for verifying a ticket storage device with a wireless communication ticket, and includes a conveying device, a wireless communication sensor, an entrance gate, and a controller. The conveying device is used to convey the ticket storage device along a conveying path. The wireless communication sensor is located on the conveying path. The entrance gate is located next to the conveying device. The controller is electrically connected to the conveying device, the wireless communication sensor, and the entrance gate. The controller is used to cause the wireless communication sensor to sense the wireless communication ticket of the ticket storage device located on the conveying path, and controls the opening and closing of the entrance gate based on the sensing result.

Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a ticket verification and transport method suitable for verifying a ticket storage device with a wireless communication ticket, and includes transporting the ticket storage device along a transport path, sensing the ticket storage device located on the transport path via a wireless communication sensor, and controlling the opening and closing of an entrance gate based on the sensing result of the wireless communication sensor.

According to the ticket verification and transmission equipment and method described in the above embodiment, since the controller enables the wireless communication sensor to detect the wireless communication ticket and controls the opening and closing of the entrance gate based on the detection result, consumers who legally possess tickets can pass through the ticket verification process, while those with scalped tickets are blocked from entering the gate. This prevents tickets from being stolen and used to pass through the verification process, thus protecting consumers' ticket purchase rights. Furthermore, using a transmission device to transport the ticket storage device makes the ticket verification process smoother.

The above description of the contents of this invention and the following description of the embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the principles of this invention, and to provide a further explanation of the scope of the patent application of this invention.

Please refer to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the ticket verification and transmission device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The ticket verification and transmission device 10 of this embodiment is suitable for verifying a ticket storage device 20 containing, for example, a wireless communication ticket 21, which is a Near-field communication (NFC) ticket. Near-field communication refers to a short-range, high-frequency wireless communication technology that enables wireless data transmission between two electronic devices. That is, when the NFC application in the ticket storage device 20 is activated, the data of the wireless communication ticket 21 can be transmitted via signal without displaying the ticket image on the ticket storage device 20. In this way, tickets can be prevented from being stolen by malicious individuals, for example, by screen grabbing. Ticket storage device 20 is, for example, a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone or tablet computer.

The ticket verification and conveying equipment 10 includes a conveyor 11, an entrance gate 12, a retrieval station 13, a wireless communication sensor 14, and a controller 15. The conveyor 11 is, for example, a conveyor belt and has a placement end 111 and a retrieval end 112. The entrance gate 12 is located beside the conveyor 11 and can open and close, for example, as shown by the arrow in Figure 1. The placement end 111 and the retrieval end 112 are located on opposite sides of the entrance gate 12. That is, when a consumer walks from the placement end 111 to the retrieval end 112 to enter and retrieve their ticket storage device 20, they must pass through the entrance gate 12. The retrieval station 13 is located at the retrieval end 112. The conveying device 11 is used to convey the ticket storage device 20 from the receiving end 111 to the retrieval station 13 located at the retrieval end 112 along a conveying path P. The wireless communication sensor 14 is located on the conveying path P and is used to sense the signal of the wireless communication ticket 21.

The controller 15 is electrically connected to the conveyor 11, the wireless communication sensor 14, and the entrance gate 12. The controller 15 causes the wireless communication sensor 14 to detect the wireless communication ticket 21 located in the ticket storage device 20 on the conveyor path P, and controls the opening and closing of the entrance gate 12 based on the detection result. Specifically, if the detection result of the wireless communication sensor 14 matches the preset ticket data, the controller 15 controls the entrance gate 12 to open. If the detection result of the wireless communication sensor 14 does not match the preset ticket data, the controller 15 controls the entrance gate 12 not to open.

In this embodiment, since the controller 15 causes the wireless communication sensor 14 to detect the wireless communication ticket 21, and controls the opening and closing of the entrance gate 12 based on the detection result, consumers who hold tickets through legitimate channels can pass through the ticket verification process, while those with scalped tickets are blocked from entering through the entrance gate 12. This prevents tickets from being stolen and used to pass through the verification process, thus protecting consumers' ticket purchase rights. Furthermore, the ticket storage device 20 is transported via the conveyor 11, making the ticket verification process smoother.

Furthermore, since the storage end 111 and retrieval end 112 of the conveyor device 11 are located on opposite sides of the entrance gate 12, when individuals with scalped tickets are blocked outside the entrance gate 12, their portable electronic devices are trapped inside the retrieval end 112. Therefore, scalpers must request their portable electronic devices from the event organizers. In this way, scalpers can be apprehended and subsequent legal proceedings can be initiated.

In this embodiment, the ticket verification and conveying equipment 10 may also include an alarm device 16. The alarm device 16 is, for example, a buzzer or a light, and is electrically connected to the controller 15. The controller 15 controls the opening and closing of the alarm device 16 based on the sensing result. Specifically, if the sensing result of the wireless communication sensor 14 matches the preset ticket data, the controller 15 controls the entrance gate 12 to open and controls the alarm device 16 to close. If the sensing result of the wireless communication sensor 14 does not match the preset ticket data, the controller 15 controls the entrance gate 12 not to open and controls the alarm device 16 to open.

In this embodiment, the wireless communication ticket 21 is a near-field communication ticket, but it is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the wireless communication ticket 21 may also be a radio-frequency identification (RFID) ticket.

In this embodiment, the conveying device 11 is a conveyor belt, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the conveying device may also be, for example, a conveyor roller, a robotic arm, or other device capable of conveying a ticket storage device.

Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 2 is a plan view of the ticket storage device in Figure 1 passing the verification of the ticket verification and conveying equipment. Figure 3 is a plan view of the ticket storage device in Figure 1 failing the verification of the ticket verification and conveying equipment.

The ticket verification and transmission method performed by the ticket verification and transmission equipment 10 in this embodiment will be described in detail below. When a consumer purchases a ticket from the event organizer, the organizer will transmit the ticket data to the user's ticket storage device 20.

As shown in Figure 1, when a consumer wants to enter the venue to participate in the event, the consumer needs to place the ticket storage device 20 containing the ticket data on the storage end 111 of the conveying device 11 of the ticket verification and conveying device 10 in the ticket verification area 30 next to the ticket verification and conveying device 10 in order to carry out the ticket verification and conveying method.

As shown in Figure 2, firstly, the conveyor 11 transports the ticket storage device 20 from the receiving end 111 along the conveyor path P towards the retrieval table 13 located at the retrieval end 112. That is, the conveyor 11 transports the ticket storage device 20 from the receiving end 111 along direction A to the retrieval table 13 located at the retrieval end 112. Next, the ticket data in the ticket storage device 20 is sensed by the wireless communication sensor 14. Then, the controller 15 controls the opening and closing of the entrance gate 12 based on the sensing result of the wireless communication sensor 14.

In detail, if the wireless communication sensor 14 detects that the ticket data matches the preset information, the controller 15 controls the entrance gate 12 to open in direction B and controls the warning device 16 to close, indicating successful verification. The consumer can then enter to participate in the event and retrieve their portable electronic device from the collection station 13. If the wireless communication sensor 14 detects that the ticket data does not match the preset information, as shown in Figure 3, the controller 15 controls the entrance gate 12 to remain closed and controls the warning device 16 to open to warn of failed ticket verification, indicating verification failure. The consumer cannot enter to participate in the event. In this case, the consumer cannot retrieve their portable electronic device themselves and must request it from the organizer. In this way, those who possess scalped tickets can be identified and subsequent legal proceedings can be initiated.

Please refer to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the ticket verification and conveying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The ticket verification and conveying device 10A of this embodiment is similar to the ticket verification and conveying device 10 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment will be described below, and the similarities will not be repeated. The ticket verification and conveying device 10A of this embodiment includes a conveying device 11A, an entrance gate 12, a retrieval platform 13, a wireless communication sensor 14, a controller 15, a grabbing platform 17, and a non-entry gate 18.

The conveying device 11A includes a first conveyor belt 11A1, a second conveyor belt 11A2, and a third conveyor belt 11A3. The first conveyor belt 11A1 is used to convey the ticket storage device 20 along the conveying path P. A wireless communication sensor 14 is located on the conveying path P. Both the entrance gate 12 and the non-entry gate 18 are located next to the first conveyor belt 11A1 and can be opened and closed, for example, along the arrows in Figure 4.

The second conveyor belt 11A2 connects to one side of the first conveyor belt 11A1, and the conveying direction of the second conveyor belt 11A2 is different from that of the first conveyor belt 11A1. The second conveyor belt 11A2 connects to the retrieval table 13 adjacent to one side of the first conveyor belt 11A1. The third conveyor belt 11A3 connects to the other side of the second conveyor belt 11A2 adjacent to the first conveyor belt 11A1 and to the clamping table 17. That is, the second conveyor belt 11A2 is located between the retrieval table 13 and the clamping table 17. The second conveyor belt 11A2 is used to transport the ticket storage device 20 to the retrieval table 13 or to transport the ticket storage device 20 to the clamping table 17 via the third conveyor belt 11A3.

In this embodiment, the ticket verification conveyor 10A is not equipped with a warning device to indicate whether the ticket verification has been passed, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the ticket verification conveyor may also be equipped with a warning device to indicate whether the ticket verification has been passed.

Please refer to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 5 is a plan view of the ticket storage device in Figure 4 passing the verification of the ticket verification and conveying equipment. Figure 6 is a plan view of the ticket storage device in Figure 4 failing the verification of the ticket verification and conveying equipment.

The ticket verification and transmission method performed by the ticket verification and transmission equipment 10A in this embodiment will be described in detail below. When a consumer purchases a ticket from the event organizer, the organizer will transmit the ticket data to the user's ticket storage device 20.

As shown in Figure 4, when a consumer wants to enter the venue to participate in the event, the consumer needs to place the ticket storage device 20 containing the ticket data on the first conveyor belt 11A1 of the conveyor device 11A of the ticket verification and conveying equipment 10A in the ticket verification area 30 next to the ticket verification and conveying equipment 10A, so as to carry out the ticket verification and conveying method.

First, the first conveyor belt 11A1 transports the ticket storage device 20 along the conveyor path P towards the second conveyor belt 11A2. That is, the first conveyor belt 11A1 transports the ticket storage device 20 to the second conveyor belt 11A2 along direction C. Next, the ticket data in the ticket storage device 20 is sensed by the wireless communication sensor 14. Then, the controller 15 controls the opening and closing of the entrance gate 12 and the non-entry gate 18 based on the sensing result of the wireless communication sensor 14.

In detail, if the wireless communication sensor 14 detects that the ticket data matches the preset information, as shown in Figure 5, the controller 15 controls the entrance gate 12 to open in direction D, indicating successful verification and allowing the consumer to enter and participate in the event. At this time, the second conveyor belt 11A2 transports the ticket storage device 20 to the retrieval station 13 in direction E, allowing the consumer to walk to the retrieval station 13 in direction F to retrieve their portable electronic device. If the wireless communication sensor 14 detects that the ticket data does not match the preset information, as shown in Figure 6, the controller 15 controls the non-entry gate 18 to open in direction G, indicating verification failure and preventing the consumer from entering and participating in the event. At this time, the second conveyor belt 11A2 transports the ticket storage device 20 along direction H to the third conveyor belt 11A3, and the third conveyor belt 11A3 transports the ticket storage device 20 along direction I to the ticket collection station 17. After entering the non-entry gate 18, consumers will be guided along direction J to the service counter 40 located next to the ticket collection station 17. In this way, those holding scalped tickets can be apprehended and subsequent legal proceedings can be initiated.

In the second embodiment, the conveying device 11A of the ticket verification conveying device 10A includes a third conveying belt 11A3 connecting the second conveyor belt 11A2 and the clamping table 17, but is not limited thereto. For other embodiments, please refer to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a plan view of the ticket verification conveying device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The ticket verification conveying device 10B of this embodiment is similar to the ticket verification conveying device 10A of the second embodiment; therefore, the differences between this embodiment and the second embodiment will be described below, and the similarities will not be repeated.

In this embodiment, the conveying device 11B of the ticket verification and conveying equipment 10B includes only a first conveyor belt 11B1 and a second conveyor belt 11B2. The second conveyor belt 11B2 is connected to one side of the first conveyor belt 11B1, and the conveying direction of the second conveyor belt 11B2 is different from the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 11B1. The second conveyor belt 11B2 is connected to the retrieval platform 13 and the clamping platform 17 on opposite sides adjacent to the first conveyor belt 11B1, respectively. That is, the second conveyor belt 11B2 is located between the retrieval platform 13 and the clamping platform 17. The second conveyor belt 11B2 is used to convey the ticket storage device 20 to the retrieval platform 13 or the clamping platform 17. Compared to the second embodiment, this embodiment shortens the path from the non-entry gate 18 to the service counter 40 located next to the buckle station 17.

According to the ticket verification and transmission equipment and method described in the above embodiment, since the controller enables the wireless communication sensor to detect the wireless communication ticket and controls the opening and closing of the entrance gate based on the detection result, consumers who legally possess tickets can pass through the ticket verification process, while those with scalped tickets are blocked from entering the gate. This prevents tickets from being stolen and used to pass through the verification process, thus protecting consumers' ticket purchase rights. Furthermore, using a transmission device to transport the ticket storage device makes the ticket verification process smoother.

Furthermore, by positioning the storage and retrieval ends of the conveyor system on opposite sides of the entrance gate, individuals with scalped tickets who are prevented from entering can retrieve their portable electronic devices from the event organizers, as these devices are trapped inside the gate. This allows for the identification of scalpers and the initiation of subsequent legal proceedings.

Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in similar art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the patent application attached to this specification.

10, 10A, 10B: Ticket verification and conveying equipment 11, 11A, 11B: Conveying device 11A1, 11B1: First conveyor belt 11A2, 11B2: Second conveyor belt 11A3: Third conveyor belt 111: Storage end 112: Retrieval end 12: Entrance gate 13: Retrieval platform 14: Wireless communication sensor 15: Controller 16: Warning device 17: Item holding platform 18: Non-entry gate 20: Ticket storage device 21: Wireless communication ticket 30: Ticket verification area 40: Service counter A~J: Direction P: Conveyor path

Figure 1 is a plan view of the ticket verification and conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of the ticket storage device in Figure 1 passing verification by the ticket verification and conveying device. Figure 3 is a plan view of the ticket storage device in Figure 1 failing verification by the ticket verification and conveying device. Figure 4 is a plan view of the ticket verification and conveying device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a plan view of the ticket storage device in Figure 4 passing verification by the ticket verification and conveying device. Figure 6 is a plan view of the ticket storage device in Figure 4 failing verification by the ticket verification and conveying device. Figure 7 is a plan view of the ticket verification and conveying device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

10: Ticket verification and conveyor equipment

11: Conveying device

111: Storage area

112: Retrieval end

12: Entrance Gate

13: Retrieval Platform

14: Wireless Communication Sensor

15: Controller

16: Warning Device

20: Ticket storage device

21: Wireless Communication Tickets

30: Ticket Check Area

P: Conveyor path

Claims (5)

A ticket verification and conveying device is suitable for verifying a ticket storage device with a wireless communication ticket. The ticket verification and conveying device comprises: a conveying device including a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt, the first conveyor belt being used to convey the ticket storage device along a conveying path, and the second conveyor belt having a conveying direction different from that of the first conveyor belt; a wireless communication sensor located on the conveying path; an entrance gate disposed beside the first conveyor belt; and a controller electrically connected to the conveying device, the wireless communication sensor, and the entrance gate. The system includes: a gate, a controller for inducing the wireless communication sensor to detect the wireless communication ticket of the ticket storage device located on the conveyor path, and controlling the opening and closing of the entrance gate based on the detection result; a non-entry gate located beside the first conveyor belt; a retrieval platform and a clamping platform, with the second conveyor belt positioned between the retrieval platform and the clamping platform to transport the ticket storage device to either the retrieval platform or the clamping platform. The ticket verification and conveying equipment as described in claim 1 further includes an alarm device electrically connected to the controller, and the controller controls the on/off switch of the alarm device based on the sensing result. The ticket verification conveying equipment as described in claim 2, wherein the warning device is a buzzer or a light. The ticket verification and conveying equipment as described in claim 1, wherein the conveying device further includes a third conveyor belt that connects the second conveyor belt and the clamping platform, and is used to convey the ticket storage device to the clamping platform. A ticket verification and transport method is suitable for verifying a ticket storage device with a wireless communication ticket. The method includes: transporting the ticket storage device along a transport path; sensing the ticket storage device located on the transport path via a wireless communication sensor; and controlling the opening and closing of an entrance gate based on the sensing result of the wireless communication sensor, including: if the sensing result of the wireless communication sensor matches preset ticket data, opening the entrance gate and not opening a non-entry gate; and if the sensing result of the wireless communication sensor does not match the preset ticket data, not opening the entrance gate and opening the non-entry gate.