EP0668575A1 - Ticket dispensing apparatus for a machine that prepares and dispenses tickets - Google Patents

Abstract

The ticket machine has a container (20) for rolls (R) of strip material from which the tickets are made. The rolls are rotatable about their axes, which lie parallel to the direction in which the container can travel relative to the machine's printing section, and they are set side by side. The container with the ticket strip rolls is mounted beneath a chamber with a fixed partition (50) which has an aperture for the strip to pass through into the printing section (12) and non-return elements (54) for the roll strip ends. The partition contains a bend to receive the strip end, with the outlet aperture for the strip made in the form of a slit in the bend (52). The container has a series of separate compartments for the ticket strip rolls, each with its own cover (34) giving access to one roll and a detector for the end of a roll. Each cover is equipped with a locking mechanism (32) which prevents it from being opened before the roll in the compartment is finished.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a device for preparing and issuing tickets and in particular transport tickets.

More specifically, the invention relates to a machine which is capable of producing tickets, in particular transport tickets, most often comprising on the one hand printed information, in particular by thermal printing, and preferably on the other hand information recorded on a magnetic strip. Such machines must, in response to information entered by the user concerning for example his destination, class, tariff, prepare a complete ticket and issue it after the payment of the corresponding price, this payment being able to be made by currency or by bank card or other.

Such machines are often installed in public places such as railway stations, metro stations, etc. Furthermore, the number of uses of such a machine per day is high and a malfunction is very damaging. It must therefore be robust and reliable.

In the case of certain transport tickets, for example in the case of coupons used within the framework of the Paris Regional Express Network, the face value of these tickets may be high. It is therefore important that the support material used to produce these tickets cannot be stolen, either by users, or by maintenance workers of these machines in order to produce fraudulent tickets.

It is also understood that, for multi-service machines, it is necessary to use several supports intended for the production of these tickets, for example for the production of tickets for the metropolitan, train tickets or tickets for the Express Network Regional. It is therefore necessary that the same machine can develop these different titles. It is also desirable that such machines be as small as possible to be easily set up in the corresponding public places and to lower their cost.

An object of the invention is to provide a device for developing and issuing tickets which makes it possible to use different types of recording media while limiting the volume of the machine and ensuring effective protection against the risks of theft. of support.

To achieve this goal, the device for producing and issuing tickets comprising means for supplying support material for preparing tickets, means for preparing tickets on said support material and means for issuing tickets, is characterized in that the supply means comprise a receptacle movable in a direction XX ′ with respect to the means for producing tickets to receive n rolls of strips of support material, each roll being able to rotate around an axis YY 'parallel to direction XX', said rollers being arranged side by side so that their axes of rotation are parallel, an enclosure in which said receptacle is mounted, said enclosure comprising a partition substantially parallel to said direction of movement and provided with '' an opening capable of allowing said strip of support material to pass, said opening opening into a volume of said device tif containing said means for generating tickets, n non-return devices integral with said receptacle, each non-return device being able to keep the free end of a strip facing said opening, said non-return means in the active position authorizing only the unwinding of said roll, and means for relative displacement of said receptacle relative to said processing means in direction XX ′ to selectively bring the free end of one of said n strips opposite said opening.

Preferably, said receptacle is mounted mobile in said enclosure which is fixed and said partition is also fixed.

More preferably, said fixed partition comprises a folding defining a space communicating with said enclosure and projecting inside the volume containing the processing means, said space extending in the direction XX 'and being capable of receiving the ends. free of the n strips for all the positions of said receptacle, said opening comprising a notch in said folding, whereby the free end of the strip which is opposite said opening has two faces accessible from the volume containing said processing means.

According to a preferred embodiment, the means for issuing valid tickets comprise a channel for guiding the processed tickets, a receptacle for the valid processed tickets, said receptacle being provided with an external opening to allow users to enter a ticket, a housing communicating with the end of the guide channel and communicating with said receptacle by an outlet opening of reduced size suitable for letting a ticket pass, mobile means mounted in said housing, said movable means comprising a first face and a second face and defining an enclosure for collecting invalid tickets, a passage extending between said first and second faces and capable of containing a ticket and means for closing off the end of said channel and said outlet opening, and means for moving said movable means between a first position in which one end of said passage faces the end of said channel and the other end is not in view of the outlet opening, and the closure means closes said outlet opening, a second position in which said enclosure of collection is opposite the end of said channel and said closure means seal said outlet opening, and a third position in which said closure means blocks the end of said channel and the second end of said passage is opposite said outlet opening.

According to also a preferred mode of implementation, the means for developing titles comprise means for recording magnetic information which comprise
a flywheel mounted pivoting about an axis having a peripheral face;
means for rotating said flywheel in a single direction at constant speed;
a flexible endless belt for driving the support portions;
means for guiding said belt in such a way that the path followed by said belt comprises a part in which it is applied with pressure to a part of the periphery of the peripheral face of the flywheel by which said belt is driven by friction by said flywheel;
means for engaging a first end of a support portion between the part of said belt in contact with the periphery of said flywheel and the peripheral face of said flywheel whereby said portion support is driven by the rotation of said flywheel by pinching between the belt and the peripheral face on the part of its periphery on which said belt is applied, then released beyond said periphery part; and
magnetic recording means arranged opposite the part of the peripheral face of the steering wheel on which said belt is applied.

Another object of the invention is to provide a roll of strip of support material for the production of tickets which is protected against fraud attempts which could commit maintenance workers of the device when reloading the device into rolls to be placed in the storage module.

This object is achieved thanks to specific mentions recorded magnetically on the magnetic strip of the tape and / or printed which are read by the recording module of the device and which are used by this module and / or by the title output module. .

• la figure 1 est une vue simplifiée montrant l'organisation générale du dispositif de délivrance de titres ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de face partielle du compartiment de stockage des rouleaux de support d'enregistrement ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe verticale selon la ligne III de la figure 2 du compartiment de stockage ;
• la figure 4 est une vue partielle du compartiment de stockage montrant le passage de la bande de support du compartiment de stockage au compartiment d'impression ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en élévation de l'ensemble de l'intérieur du compartiment d'enregistrement ;
• la figure 6 est une vue semblable d'enregistrement à celle de la figure 5 mais montrant les organes d'entraînement des différents composants du compartiment d'enregistrement ;
• la figure 7 montre la partie du compartiment d'enregistrement comprenant les moyens de découpe de la bande de support ;
• la figure 8 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 7 montrant les moyens de découpe dans différentes positions ;
• la figure 9 est une vue partielle en élévation du compartiment montrant les moyens d'impression thermique ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne X-X de la figure 9 ;
• la figure 11 est une vue partielle en élévation des moyens de sortie du dispositif de délivrance de titre ; et
• les figures 12a à 12c sont des coupes selon la ligne XII-XII de la figure 11 montrant la partie mobile des moyens de sortie dans trois positions différentes.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear better on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example. The description refers to the appended figures in which:

• Figure 1 is a simplified view showing the general organization of the ticketing device;
• Figure 2 is a partial front view of the storage compartment for the recording medium rolls;
• Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view along line III of Figure 2 of the storage compartment;
• FIG. 4 is a partial view of the storage compartment showing the passage of the support strip from the storage compartment to the printing compartment;
• Figure 5 is an elevational view of the entire interior of the recording compartment;
• Figure 6 is a similar recording view to that of Figure 5 but showing the drive members of the various components of the recording compartment;
• FIG. 7 shows the part of the recording compartment comprising the means for cutting the support strip;
• Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7 showing the cutting means in different positions;
• Figure 9 is a partial elevational view of the compartment showing the thermal printing means;
• Figure 10 is a sectional view along line XX of Figure 9;
• Figure 11 is a partial elevational view of the output means of the ticket issuing device; and
• Figures 12a to 12c are sections along the line XII-XII of Figure 11 showing the movable part of the outlet means in three different positions.

Referring first to Figure 1, we will describe the general organization of the device development and issuance of titles. This device essentially consists of a lower compartment 10 for storing rolls of strips of paper or the like used to produce the transport tickets, an upper compartment 12 comprising the effective means for preparing the ticket, that is to say that is to say essentially magnetic and thermal information recording means for carrying out the particular ticket requested, and associated with an output module 14 which allows on the one hand to control the output of the ticket produced and to avoid certain acts of vandalism. The title development device also includes an interface panel 16 which allows the user on the one hand to select the particular title or titles he wants to obtain and to pay the amount corresponding to obtaining this title and, on the other hand, the attendant to carry out various maintenance operations. Finally, the device comprises a set of electrical and electronic circuits 18 which allows the management of the whole of the ticketing device. They make it possible to control and command the operation of the different parts of the device in response to the actuation of the interface means 16, either that they are actuated by a user to obtain the issue of one or more titles, or that they are operated by the machine maintenance person. FIG. 1 also schematically shows the electrical connections which exist between the different parts of the device and which will be explained later.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 4, we will describe a preferred embodiment of the lower compartment 10 for storing paper rolls for the production of titles. According to the embodiment described, the compartment 10 makes it possible to store four support rollers referenced R1, R2, R3 and R4 in FIG. 2, each roller being able to consist of a type of support of realization of different title or these rollers being able to correspond only to two different types of support, a first roller of a first support type being used when the second roller of the same support type is used up. The support strip comprises a magnetic strip arranged on a first face and a heat-printable surface arranged on the second face. Each roller R1 is placed inside a container B1, B2, B3, B4, these containers themselves being part of a carriage 20 which is suspended, for example by rods 22, 24 secured to the upper partition 26 of the lower compartment. It is understood that thus the carriage 20 can be moved globally inside the compartment 10 in the direction of the arrows F1 or F2, that is to say in a direction which is parallel to the axis XX 'of the different rollers R. Each bin B comprises a movable partition comprising a portion in the form of a portion of cylindrical surface 28, one internal end 30 of which is capable of cooperating with a fixed locking member 32 which will be described later. The portion of cylindrical partition 28 on the front face of the ticket delivery device is extended by a substantially planar part 34, the part 34 ending in an attachment end 36. The assembly of the partition 28, 34 is pivotally mounted around an axis 37 relative to the movable carriage 20. The support rollers R rest freely on the bottom of the cylindrical portion 28 of the partition. Each tray B is completed by two lateral partitions 38 and 40 fixed. It is understood that thus each roller R rests freely on the bottom of a tray B. Thus by pulling on the free end E of the paper strip, the roller is caused to rotate and the tape is unwound.

Motor means not shown in the figures allow, as already indicated, the overall movement of the assembly of the carriage 20 in the directions F1 and F2. As will be explained later, these displacements are intended to allow each of the trays and therefore each of the rollers R to face a fixed opening 42 formed in the upper partition 26 of compartment 10 which allows the introduction of the end E of the paper strip inside the compartment 12 for printing titles. These displacement means may consist in providing that the rods 22 and 24 are threaded and that the carriage 20 is suspended by threaded rings cooperating with the rods. Motor means allow the rods to rotate.

If e is called the width of each tray B in the direction of movement and therefore e the width of the opening 42 in this same direction, the distance of movement L1 to the right of the opening 42 is equal to at least 3 times the distance e, while the length of displacement L2 on the other side of the opening 42 is equal to at least 4 times e. We understand that thus by moving the carriage 20, we can bring each tray opposite the opening 42 and we can also move the carriage 20 so that no tray is facing the opening 42. For To reach this position, the carriage 20 must be moved fully in the direction F1.

Maintaining in the closed position of the different tanks, that is to say in the position shown in Figure 3, is achieved in part by a vertical plate 44 secured to the frame of the device. The closing ends 36 of the movable walls of the various tanks are engaged behind the plate 44 thus ensuring their immobilization. However, the plate 44 is provided with a notch 46 which corresponds to the position of the opening 42. When the partition 34 of the container is facing the notch 46, the end 36 of the wall of the container is free. The fixed lock 32 is arranged in relation to the notch 46, that is to say that it acts on the end 30 of the tank which is opposite the opening 42. This lock 32 is electrically controlled by the control circuit 18. It is therefore possible to cause the opening of a container by tilting its movable wall around the axis 36 only if, on the one hand, this container is facing the notch 46 and if, moreover, the control circuits have released the latch 32. This control of the latch 32 only intervenes if the roller contained in the corresponding tray is empty. The advantage of this provision, which is linked to the control of the access to the title support rollers by the maintenance person, will be explained later.

The compartment containing the carriage 20 has a substantially horizontal upper wall 50 which has a folded portion 52 projecting above the partition 50, that is to say inside the printing compartment 12. This folded portion 52 extends in the direction of movement of the carriage. The folded portion 52 is intended to receive the end E of each strip of support paper. As best shown in Figure 2, the opening 42 which has already been discussed is formed in the folded portion 52. It is understood that thus the end E of the reel of the paper roll R disposed in the tray B opposite of the opening 42 has two faces which are free and located inside the upper compartment 12 of the ticket delivery device. As will be explained in more detail later, it is then possible for the means of production of the ticket to grasp the end of the title support strip and to extract the desired length therefrom in order to print it. To guide the end E of the paper strip in the tray B and to ensure the maintenance of its end E inside the folded part 52, a roller is provided, mounted in the carriage 20 and opposite each tray. non-return valve 54 which cooperates with guide plates 56 and 58 of the paper strip. The non-return roller 54 has, as it is understood, the function of preventing the fall of the end of the paper strip E while authorizing the exit of the paper strip from the lower compartment under the effect of a pull. The non-return roller 54 is for example constituted by a cylinder, each end 54a of which is engaged between two guide plates 55 and 57 which widen upwards. An upward pull on the end of the support strip releases the roller 54. On the contrary, a pull on the downward facing strip causes the roller to jam between the guide plates 55 and 57 (Figure 8 clearly shows this provision). A movable contact, for example a spring 59 or any other means, for example optical, makes it possible to detect the end of the strip in the container corresponding to the level of the non-return roller. This information is transmitted to the control circuits 18 of the device. Preferably, the distance between the detector 59 and the axis of the non-return roller is at least equal to the standard length of a ticket.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the support strip is engaged between the roller 54 and the upper end of the guide plate 56 of the strip.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 10, a description will be given of the module 12 for printing or recording the device for producing and issuing tickets, in particular transport tickets. Inside the housing of this compartment, there is essentially a first assembly 60 for driving the end of the paper strip out of the storage area and for cutting the strip in order to isolate it. ci the support portion corresponding to a title, a magnetic recording part 62 consisting essentially of means for driving the cut title and magnetic printing for recording information and finally a part 64 for graphic printing of the title.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 7, there will be described the assembly 60 for driving the support strip and cutting the ticket. The means for extracting the strip from the storage compartment 10 consist essentially of a drive roller 66 mounted opposite a pressure roller 68 which can assume a released position as shown in FIG. 7 or an active position as will be explained later. The rollers 66 and 68 are arranged on either side of the opening 42 formed in the folded portion 52 of the storage housing 10. Thus, the rollers 66 and 68 can act on both sides of the end E of the strip of paper when the corresponding tray has been brought opposite the opening 42. The ticket cutting device consists essentially of a movable blade 69 and a fixed blade 71. These two blades are arranged above the rollers 66 and 68. As best shown in FIG. 8, the drive roller 66 is coupled to a motor member 70 which is controlled by all of the control circuits 18 of the ticket delivery device. The roller 66 is controlled in such a way that its rotation causes the end of the paper strip to move upwards when the roller 68 is in the active position.

As FIGS. 6 and 8 show better, the movement of the pressure roller 68 as well as the movement of the movable blade 69 are controlled by the same motor member 72 visible in FIG. 6. The latter drives a cam 74 on which is fixed a lever 76 cooperating with the control end 78 of the blade 69. The roller 68 is mounted at a first end of a lever arm 80 articulated around an axis 82 integral with the frame. The second end 84 of the lever 80 cooperates with the cam 74. It is understood that the rotation of the cam 74 in the direction S1 causes the blade 69 to move into its position shown in FIG. 7, that is to say in its active position, and that, on the other hand, the cam causes the spacing of the pressure roller 68 due to the reverser constituted by the lever 80. On the contrary, the rotation of the cam in the direction S2 causes the blade 69 to be withdrawn and putting the roller 68 in its active position. Figure 8 shows the roller 68 and the blade 69 in their two extreme positions I and II. More precisely, when it is rotated in the direction S1 which causes the active movement of the movable blade 69, the cam 74 acts on the lever 80 to cause the separation of the roller 68 only when the blade is close to its end of race, that is to say when the cutting has already taken place. Thus, the support strip is pinched between the rollers 66 and 68 during the entire cutting phase.

As also seen in Figures 7 and 8, there is provided a member 84 for lifting the blade 69 when the latter is in the position shown in Figure 7. This lifting is made possible due to the non-rigid connection between the control end of the blade 69 and the lever 76. The advantage of this lifting is as follows. The end E of each of the strips is held in the folded zone 52 of the partition 50 by the non-return roller 54. The free edge of this end has been defined by the cut made by the movable blade 69. During the movements of the carriage 20 the blade 69 is held in its raised position (above the cutting plane). This prevents the free edges of the ends of the strips from striking the blade 69, which could occur if it was not in the raised position. Above the cutting area are provided two plates 88 and 90 which define a vertical neck for the passage of the previously cut title.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 5, we will describe the magnetic recording assembly 62. This essentially comprises a flywheel 92 pivotally mounted around a horizontal axis 95 integral with the frame of the compartment 12. This flywheel therefore comprises a cylindrical side wall 94. The assembly 62 also includes an endless belt 96 whose path is defined by rollers 98, 100, 102 and 104 mounted mad on horizontal axes integral with the frame. These rollers are arranged in such a way that, over a portion of its path, the belt is applied with pressure against a part corresponding substantially to 180 ° to the peripheral face 94 of the flywheel. This result is obtained in particular by the position of the rollers 98 arranged near the inlet of the chute 88, 90 and by the roller 104 disposed near a second outlet chute defined by the plates 106 and 108. It is understood that , when a title cut by the blade 69 is present in the entry area A, its leading end is pinched between the peripheral face 94 of the flywheel and the belt 96. Preferably, a spring 109 secured to the cam 74 and therefore movable therewith, is arranged opposite a part of the drive belt 96 above the cutting means. In its active position, the spring 109 tends to press the cut title against the belt 96. This allows or facilitates the engagement of the front edge of the title between the belt 96 and the handwheel 92 in the pinching zone A. As will be explained subsequently, the flywheel is rotated at a constant speed. It is also understood that, by the friction between the belt 96 and the periphery of the flywheel 92, the belt is itself driven in displacement along the path defined by the rollers 98 to 104 in synchronism with the flywheel. The title is pinched between the belt 96 and the steering wheel and thus follows the path between the entry point A and the exit point D.

Opposite the portion of the periphery G corresponding to the contact between the belt and the flywheel is mounted a magnetic writing head 110 and preferably a magnetic reading head 112. The writing head 110 is mounted on the end of an elastic arm 114 whose end 114a is fixed. The mounting is such that the distance f between the active face of the print head in its rest position and the periphery of the flywheel is less than the thickness of the ticket but that this distance f is not zero. It is understood that, during the passage of the ticket between the print head 110 and the periphery of the flywheel, the ticket causes a limited bending of the arm 114, which ensures contact between the magnetic track of the title and the writing head during the entire passage of the title in front of this head. The read head 112 is mounted in the same way at the end of the elastic arm 116 for exactly the same reasons.

The flywheel 94 has a very significant weight compared to that of the title. In addition, the title is very effectively pinched between the steering wheel and the belt. The effort resulting from the lifting of the reading head 112 by the front edge of the title does not cause any disturbance of the speed of rotation of the steering wheel and therefore of the speed of movement of the title in front of the magnetic writing head 110.

The detectors 120 are arranged in such a way that when they detect the arrival of the free edge of the strip, the distance between this detection point and the movable blade 69 is equal to the length of a ticket. This detection causes the stop of the drive roller 66 and the control of the movement of the movable blade 69 to cut the ticket. More specifically, the detection signal is applied to the control circuits 18 of the ticket delivery device. These circuits use software which makes it possible to introduce an adjustable time delay between the moment of detection and the moment of the command to stop the drive roller 66. The position of the detectors 120 takes account of this time delay.

In addition, during the initial start-up of the device, the attendant can modify this time delay to adapt it to the effective characteristics of the device so that the length of the ticket is correct.

The detectors 120 are also used to control the magnetic writing head when they detect the rear edge of the ticket. In fact, the detection signal is transmitted to the control circuits 18 of the device which introduce an adjustable delay between detection and control of the magnetic writing head. The time delay is fixed during the initial start-up of the device. Adaptable timers allow you to get rid of delicate mechanical adjustments.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 9 and 10, we will describe the thermal printing assembly 64. The thermal head 126 is disposed at the outlet of the chute formed by the plates 106 and 108. The active end 126a of the thermal head is mounted on the module frame via a spring leaf 128 as shown in Figure 10. The thermal head 126 which is either direct thermal printing, or possibly thermal transfer printing cooperates with a pressure roller 128 disposed opposite the active part of the thermal head. The roller 128 is preferably made using an elastomeric material. Thus during the passage of the title between the roller 128 and the thermal head 126, the title causes by its thickness a slight shrinkage of the thermal head 126 thus compressing the spring leaf 128. The resulting pressure causes localized crushing of the roller d 130. This gives very good contact between the print head and the title area to be printed.

As shown in FIG. 10, a reduced spacing f 'is maintained between the thermal head 126 and the periphery of the printing roller 130. This spacing f' is less than the thickness of the ticket to be printed. To maintain this spacing f ', it is advantageous to provide mechanical stops such as 132 which are integral with the flanges on which the roller is mounted.

In addition, optical detectors 134 are preferably provided in zone D corresponding to the end of the drive of the ticket by the cooperation of the flywheel and of the belt 96. When the detectors 134 detect the exit edge of the ticket , the control circuit 18 of the device then causes the activation of the thermal printing head 126. Preferably, as in the case of the magnetic writing head, an adaptable time delay is introduced by the control circuits 18 of the device .

Preferably also, the distance between the movable knife 69 and the point A in FIG. 5 and the distance between the point B in FIG. 5 and the thermal printing roller are close to the standard length of a title.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the drive of the various mobile members of the printing module. A motor 140 controls the driving of the flywheel 94 by means of a belt 142. This same motor controls the driving of the printing roller 130 by means of a gear train 144, 146 and 148.

Preferably, the various members of the recording module are mounted on two vertical plates parallel to each other and parallel to the plane of FIGS. 5 to 9.

As regards the recording module 12, it should be noted that it is normally locked on the module 10 for storing the rolls R, by means not shown in the figures. Unlocking the recording module 12 is only possible if beforehand the carriage 20 has been put in the position in which no tray B is opposite the opening 42. Compared to FIG. 2, this position is that in which the carriage 20 is fully pushed in the direction F1. Thus, when the recording module 12 is removed, no end of the support strip appears in the opening 42 which is then accessible to the attendant.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, we will describe a preferred embodiment of the output assembly of the ticketing device. This assembly is essentially constituted in a known manner by a bowl 160 which opens to the outside of the device through an opening 162 allowing the user to enter the (or) title (s) developed (s). According to the invention, there is between the channel 164 through which the titles produced and the bowl 160 a movable member 166 which fulfills a triple function. On the one hand, it protects the device against attempts at vandalism or fraud. On the other hand, it allows the collection and storage of invalid titles. Finally, it allows the temporary storage of valid tickets during the payment phase of the tickets before their final delivery to the user.

According to the mode shown in Figures 11 and 12, the movable member 166 is constituted by a cylinder portion 168 which is pivotally mounted about an axis ZZ 'orthogonal to the direction of exit of the tickets. The rotation of the cylinder portion 168 can be carried out by a motor 170 connected to the axis 172 of the cylindrical part 168 by toothed wheels 174. If we now refer more particularly to FIG. 12a, we see that a portion of wall corresponding to a cylindrical sector 176 leaves only a reduced opening 178 between the bowl itself 160 and the housing 180 in which the part 168 is mounted. The part 168 firstly defines a receptacle 182 for invalid tickets, this receptacle comprising a bottom 182a and a second open end 182b. The part 168 also defines a passage 184 which extends from one face to the other of the cylindrical part. Finally, this part has a solid shutter portion 186.

The operation of the output device 14 is as follows. In the absence of a title issue, the part 168 occupies the position shown in FIG. 12a, that is to say that the passage 184 is in the extension of the channel 164, the second end of the channel is closed by the wall 176 and the opening 178 is closed by the part 186 of this part. In this position, the valid processed tickets can accumulate inside the passage 184. When the payment has been made and verified and that all the requested tickets are stored in the passage 184, the control circuits 18 of the device activate the motor 170 to bring the part 168 into the position shown in FIG. 12b, that is to say that the part 168 has made a rotation which brings the lower end of the passage 184 opposite the opening 176 , 178 whereby the accumulated titles descend into the bowl 160 where the user can enter them. In the case where the ticket produced has been detected as invalid, the control circuits 18 of the device control the motor 170 to bring the part 166 to the position shown in FIG. 12c. In other words, the open end 182b of the receptacle for the invalid ticket 182 is brought opposite the channel 164. The invalid ticket is thus collected in the receptacle 182 where it is definitively blocked until the next maintenance operation.

It goes without saying that the diameter D of the cylindrical piece 166 is slightly greater than the length of a ticket and that the width of the passage 184 is determined to allow the maximum number of tickets that can be ordered simultaneously to be received simultaneously.

It should also be emphasized that, except during the brief period of time when the cylindrical part 166 is in the position shown in FIG. 12b and which corresponds to the final delivery of the tickets, the opening 178 is always closed by the part 186 of the rotating part. We understand that, thanks to this provision, a fraudster can not attempt without it being visible to close the exit of the securities in order to collect them later fraudulently.

After having described in detail a preferred embodiment of the device for issuing tickets, we will describe below the operating mode and the mode of use.

With regard to the storage module for rolls of support strips, the organization according to the preferred mode of implementation aims to avoid as much as possible that a maintenance person can steal part of 'a roller or a roller. According to the preferred embodiment, the carriage comprises four rollers, two rollers belonging to a first type and the other two rollers belonging to a second type. The principle of reloading is that a roll can only be changed when it is completely finished. This result is obtained on the one hand by the presence of latches 32 which do not allow the opening of a container by pivoting of the wall 28, 34 unless the control circuits 18 have detected that the roller is finished and have unlocked the lock 32. In addition, this security is reinforced by the fact that, in order to be able to open the container, the attendant must first bring the carriage into a position such that the container to be changed is opposite the notch 46 of the closing plate 44. In addition, various systems for identifying the start of a roll and recording the registration number of the loader ensures that the new roll in place is complete.

For the establishment of the roller, it is understood that it suffices for the attendant to engage the free end of the roller between the slides 56 and 58 and to bring the end E of the strip inside the housing constituted by the folded strip 52. The non-return roller 54 maintains the end of the strip in this position.

With regard to the recording module 12, its operation follows clearly from the description which has been given in connection with FIGS. 5 to 10. When the user has introduced the information relating to the interface means 16 in the title or in the plurality of titles which it wishes to obtain, the control circuit of the device causes the activation of the means of displacement of the carriage 20 in order to bring it initially in a position such that the started roller corresponding to the desired title is opposite the slot of the opening 42. Next, the control circuit controls the activation of the motor 71, which causes the drive of the roller 66, the counter roller 68 also being in the active position and the blade 69 in the retracted position. The roller 66 causes the extraction of the end of the strip which is engaged between the guide plates 88 and 90 until the detector 120 detects the front end of the strip. As has already been explained, this detection controls the stopping of the motor 71 and the activation of the motor 72 in order to initially control the movement of the blade 69 in order to obtain the cutting of the ticket and, at the end of phase, the spacing of the counter-roller 68. The front edge of the ticket thus cut is pinched in the zone A between the belt 96 and the periphery 94 of the flywheel 92. This causes the movement of the cut ticket until its rear edge is detected by the detectors 120, which then activates the activation of the magnetic writing head 110. The title continuing its rotation on the steering wheel 92 passes in front of the reading head 112 which verifies that the magnetic information has been correctly registered. In addition, the distance between the detector 120 and the writing head is such that it makes it possible to verify that the length of the title is correct. According to a preferred embodiment, partially random magnetic information can be recorded on the magnetic strip and read by the read head 112 to ensure that no fraudulent sampling has been carried out on the tape. If the title length is incorrect or if the magnetic information is incorrect, an error signal is transmitted to the control circuit 18 of the device, which will cause the invalid title to be picked up.

In the next step, the ticket is gradually released from the steering wheel 92 and when the detectors 134 detect the rear edge of the ticket, the thermal print head 126 is controlled to print the information corresponding to the selected ticket. Finally, the ticket via channel 164 arrives opposite the rotary member 166 which is placed either in the position of FIG. 12a if the ticket is valid, or in the position of FIG. 12c if the ticket is invalid. If the title is valid, it is retained in passage 184 until all the titles ordered have been prepared and temporarily stored in passage 184. When all of the titles have been brought in passage 184 and that the user has paid the amount corresponding to the desired title, the control circuits 18 cause the activation of the motor 170 to bring the rotary part 166 into the position shown in FIG. 12b, the titles then falling into the bowl 160.

With regard to security, it should be observed that, in the recording module 12, the title throughout its journey between the drive roller 66 and its passage in front of the thermal printing head 128 is entirely guided either by the two sets of plates 88, 90 and 106, 108, or by the cooperation of the flywheel 92 and the belt 96. It is thus impossible for an attendant to set up in the recording module a part which would allow divert the title from its normal route in order to later recover it fraudulently.

It should also be emphasized that, thanks to the regularity of the drive of the title by the flywheel, the writing and the reading of the magnetic information can be done during a single displacement of the title in only one direction which is the general sense to move the title in the recording module. This arrangement increases operational safety and allows continuous driving of the flywheel, which avoids many causes of failure.

It should also be remembered that, when the maintenance person has to separate the recording module from the storage module of the rollers, this separation can only be carried out in a situation such that no end of the support strip protrudes from the inside the recording module, which prevents the attendant from fraudulently removing a portion of the support strip.

It goes without saying that one could envisage many variants of the device for developing and issuing titles described above. In particular the movable part 166 of the ticket output device which is rotary could be replaced by a part fulfilling the same functions but with linear displacement. It would then take the form of a drawer fulfilling the three functions set out above.

Likewise, instead of providing that the carriage 20 is movable relative to the recording printing module 12, it could be provided that the carriage is fixed and that it is inside the module recording 12 the means of cutting the ticket, driving the ticket and magnetic and thermal recording of the which are movable to occupy a position opposite the trolley tray containing the roll of support tape to be used.

It is also understood that in the magnetic recording module 62, provision could be made for the flywheel to be mounted to rotate freely on an axis and for the endless belt 96 to be driven by a motor in a single direction and at constant speed. . The flywheel 92 would then be rotated by the friction between the belt and the periphery of the flywheel.

Finally, it should be noted that the means of supplying the title support according to the invention have been described by way of example in connection with a ticket-issuing machine which includes specific recording means and ticket-issuing means. also special. It goes without saying that these support supply means could be used with a recording module different from that which has been described, for example with only thermal printing, and with an output module also different from that which has been described. In particular, the retention of invalid tickets could be done inside the recording module using a referral device of conventional type.

In order to further improve the security of implementation of the device for the production and issuance of tickets and more particularly to better protect the blank strip of support for tickets against theft attempts by maintenance workers of the device, the invention also relates to the implementation of the following positions:

Each roll of carrier material strip is initially enclosed in a transparent sealed envelope. This allows any attempted theft to be detected before the roll is placed in the device.

In order to prevent theft of the beginning of the strip when it is placed in its storage bin, the initial end of the strip bears a specific mark and possibly a strip number made during the manufacture of the strip. When the device is restarted after loading the roll into the corresponding tray, the first title drawn, which corresponds to the initial strip portion, is printed in a specific manner. The thermal printer, for example, is ordered in this initial phase for printing identification information for the attendant, who must be identified in order to gain access to the interior of the machine, for example, by reading an identification card,
the number of the recharged machine, the number of the recharged bin, the date, etc. The attendant keeps this coupon as proof of the regularity of the recharging.

Another provision is provided to prevent the removal of a portion of the strip and the bonding of the initial part of the strip in order to mask this fraudulent withdrawal. For this, the magnetic strip of the strip is pre-encoded by continuous increasing or decreasing sequences of numbers from O to N, the value of N being randomly variable. The step between the recording of two successive numbers is such that the length of strip corresponding to the development of a title comprises several numbers.

In this case, the recording module of the device comprises an additional magnetic reading head 113 mounted opposite the part of the flywheel 92 on which the ticket is driven. This head is arranged before the writing head in the direction of movement of the title. This read head reads the series of numbers printed on the magnetic strip of the title and erases them as they are read, which makes it possible to encode by the head 110. If these numbers do not follow each other or if the discontinuity detected does not correspond to a change from N to O or from O to N, there is fraud and the machine is, for example, broken down.

Finally, to prevent a strip from being changed in a tray while it still has a length greater than that of a title, the following provision is advantageously provided:

It is very difficult to realize a machine which allows the total consumption of the support tape reel. There may be a media length greater than the length of a title but which would be detected by the tape detector as a "finished" tape. To prevent the attendant from recovering this remaining length, provision is made to mark the effective end of the strip over a sufficient length (for example less than the length of a title and of the order of 50 mm) so that this portion tape is unusable. On the other hand, the last title extracted from a tape (operation which causes the end of tape detector 59 to operate) which may include a marked part, is systematically encoded and printed during its passage in front of the writing head 110 of such that it is invalid. Consequently, the corresponding ticket will be sequestered in the housing 182 of the output assembly 16. More precisely, the length of the marked part depends on the distance between point A and the knife mobile, the distance between the mobile knife and the non-return roller and the position of the end of strip detector 59.

It is understood that such a roll of title support strip having the characteristics described above is specially well suited for use in a device for producing and issuing titles described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 12. It will however be Obviously, such a roller could be used in other ticket issuing devices provided that these devices include the means for detecting and exploiting specific security information carried by this roller.

Claims (22)

Device for producing and issuing tickets comprising means for supplying support material for preparing tickets, means for preparing tickets on said support material and means for issuing tickets, characterized in that the means supply comprises a receptacle (20) movable in a direction XX 'relative to said means for generating tickets to receive n rolls (R) of strips of support material, each roll being able to rotate about an axis YY' parallel to direction XX ', said rollers being arranged side by side so that their axes of rotation are parallel, an enclosure in which said receptacle is mounted, said enclosure comprising a fixed partition (50) substantially parallel to said direction of movement and provided with an opening (42) capable of allowing said strip of support material to pass, said opening opening into a volume (12) of said d device containing said means for producing tickets, n non-return devices (54) integral with said receptacle, each non-return device being capable of holding the free end (E) of a strip (R) opposite said opening , said non-return means in the active position authorizing only the unwinding of said roller, and means for relative displacement of said receptacle relative to said processing means in direction XX ′ to selectively bring the free end of one of said n bands opposite said opening. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said receptacle is mounted mobile in said enclosure which is fixed and in that said partition is also fixed. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said fixed partition (50) comprises a folding (52) defining a space communicating with said enclosure and projecting inside the volume (12) containing the production means, said space extending in the direction XX 'and being capable of receiving the free ends (E) of the n strips (R) for all the positions of said receptacle (20), said opening comprising a notch (42) in said folding (52), whereby the free end of the strip which is opposite said opening has two faces accessible from the volume containing said processing means. Device according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said movable receptacle (20) comprises n housings (B), each housing being able to receive a roll of tape (R), each housing comprising closing means mobile (34) capable of taking a first open position to give access to the interior of the housing and a second closed position. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that each housing (B) comprises means (57) for detecting the end of the roller (R) which it contains. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises fixed locking means (32) capable of maintaining in the closed position the closing means (28,34) of the housing (B) brings opposite said opening (42) and means (18) for authorizing unlocking only if the roller contained in the corresponding housing (B) is empty. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that each closing means (28, 34) of a housing comprises a mechanical locking means (44, 36) which can only be released if the corresponding housing (B) has been brought opposite said opening (42) formed in said fixed partition. Device according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, characterized in that each housing (B) has a dimension (e) in the direction X, X 'and in that the dimension L2 in the direction XX' of the said enclosure arranged a first side of said opening (42) is at least substantially equal to (n-1) e and the dimension L1 in the direction XX 'of said enclosure disposed on a second side of said opening (42) is substantially equal to (n-1) e, whereby each housing can be brought opposite said opening (42). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said dimension L2 is substantially equal to n x e, whereby said receptacle (20) can be brought into a position where no housing is opposite said opening (42). Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the said means for producing tickets (12) are arranged in a housing removable from said enclosure, said housing being locked to said enclosure by locking means, said locking means can only be unlocked if said movable receptacle (20) is brought into a position such that none of said housings (B) of the receptacle is not opposite said opening (42). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises means for checking whether an elaborated title is valid or not valid and in that the means for issuing valid titles comprise a channel for guiding the titles developed, a receptacle for valid processed titles, said receptacle being provided with an external opening to allow users to enter a title, a housing communicating with the end of the guide channel and communicating with said receptacle by an outlet opening of reduced size suitable for letting a ticket pass, mobile means mounted in said housing, said mobile means comprising a first face and a second face and defining an enclosure for collecting invalid tickets, a passage extending between said first and second faces and able to contain a ticket and means for closing the end of said channel and said outlet opening, and d es for moving said movable means between a first position in which one end of said passage is opposite the end of said channel and the other end is not opposite the outlet opening, and the means for obturation closes said outlet opening, a second position in which said collecting enclosure faces the end of said channel and said obturation means obturates said outlet opening, and a third position in which said obturation means obstructs the end of said channel and the second end of said passage is opposite said outlet opening. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the means for producing titles comprise means for writing magnetic information on the titles, said magnetic writing means comprising
a flywheel mounted pivoting about an axis having a peripheral face;
means for rotating said flywheel in a single direction at constant speed;
a flexible endless belt for driving the support portions;
means for guiding said belt in such a way that the path followed by said belt comprises a part in which it is applied with pressure to a part of the periphery of the peripheral face of the flywheel by which said belt is driven by friction by said flywheel;
means for engaging a first end of a support portion between the part of said belt in contact with the periphery of said flywheel and the peripheral face of said flywheel by which said support portion is driven by the rotation of said flywheel by pinching between the belt and the peripheral face on the part of its periphery on which said belt is applied, then released beyond said periphery part; and
magnetic recording means arranged opposite the part of the peripheral face of the steering wheel on which said belt is applied. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises means for recording identification information of a maintenance worker, in that the initial end portion of each roll of tape (R) comprises a specific mark, and in that said means for developing titles (12) include means (126) for printing on said initial end portion said attendant identification information and identification information of the device and means (69,70) for cutting said initial end portion from the strip, whereby a device loading coupon is obtained. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that said strip (R) comprises a magnetic recording track, in that said magnetic track comprises over its entire length a plurality of sequences of consecutive whole numbers from O to Ni or from Ni to O, with variable i, the numbers Ni being pseudo-random, and each strip length corresponding to a title comprising at least two numbers, and in that the means for producing titles (12) include means (113) for detect a discontinuity in the succession of numbers read, this discontinuity being different from a transition O to Ni or Ni to O. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said movable receptacle comprises n detectors (59) at the end of the support strip, each detector being mounted upstream from one of the n non-return means. Device according to claims 12 and 15, characterized in that the end portion of each strip of support material comprises a marked end portion of predetermined length and in that, in response to the activation of the find eb ande detector (59), said magnetic information recording means are controlled to write information on the invalidation of the ticket being produced. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises means (120) for detecting the front edge of a ticket being produced, and means (18) for controlling the stopping of the means of driving (66, 68) the end of a strip of support material, in response to said detection, said control means comprising software means for introducing an adaptable time delay. Device according to any one of claims 12 and 17, characterized in that it further comprises means (120) for detecting the rear edge of a ticket being produced, and means (18) for controlling the activating the magnetic recording means (110) in response to said detection, said control means comprising software means for introducing an adaptable time delay. Device according to any one of claims 12, 17 and 18, characterized in that it further comprises means (134) for detecting the rear edge of a ticket being produced and means (18) for controlling the thermal printing means (126, 130) in response to said detection, said control means comprising software means for introducing an adaptable time delay. Roll of support material strip for a device for producing and issuing tickets comprising means for preparing tickets including means (69,70) for cutting the strip of support material along the length of a title means for recording identification information of a maintenance person of said device and means for printing said identification information on the end portion initial of said strip, characterized in that said initial end portion of the strip bears a specific mark. Tape roll according to claim 20 for a device for producing and issuing tickets, further comprising magnetic reading means (113), characterized in that said strip (R) has a magnetic strip over its entire length and in that that on said magnetic stripe are recorded sequences of consecutive whole numbers from O to Ni or from Ni to O, the i being variable, the numbers Ni being pseudo-random, each length of strip corresponding to the length of a title comprising at minus two numbers. Roll of support material strip according to any one of claims 20 and 21, characterized in that the end portion of the strip comprises a marked end zone whose length is predetermined.

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