EP1619602B1 - Method for the registration of tickets and corresponding electronic ticket - Google Patents

Abstract

The method for electronic registration of tickets involves bidirectional communication (8,43) initiated in a higher frequency band when tickets have received an alert signal (8,42) via a further highly sensitive receiving module in a lower frequency band. This alert signal involves stamping of the tickets (5,41). This involves the transmission and memorizing of the identity of the space or entitlement of the ticket received from a first receiving module contained in the ticket.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for registering tickets and electronic ticket for carrying out the method according to the preamble of patent claims 1 and 8, respectively.

The present invention is concerned with the registration of objects in a limited space for determining a power to be referred and / or a defined presence. This area is also known as "electronic ticketing" or "fare management". Instead of an object, the term "electronic ticket" or "ticket" is used synonymously in this document. Such a ticket is usually technically a so-called "smart card". In other nomenclature, the term transponder is also used instead of SmartCard.

The document WO 01/03057 A1 discloses a method for detecting objects by means of a transponder, in which a first information unit is transmitted to the transponder in the frequency range of 127 kHz when entering a detection zone and this is thus awakened. Due to the information contained in the first information units, a transmission module present on the transponder is activated directly or delayed in order to transmit a second information unit at least once to a reception unit located in the detection zone.

The method and system for registering tickets disclosed in EP 1 210 693 B1 differs in that a receiving module present on the ticket is "awakened" from a sleep state with a first information unit and periodically activated. From one of the detection zone associated transmitter / receiver unit is over further information units built a bidirectional communication on a higher frequency of eg 868 MHz and registered the respective presence of a ticket as Billettrecord.

EP 0 766 215 B1 proposes a method in which an electronic ticket can be woken up in various stages. For this purpose, first a level detector is provided, with which only wake-up telegrams at a low frequency of e.g. 6.78 MHz of a defined minimum level lead to a first activation. In a further method step, it is checked whether the received wake-up telegram has the predetermined modulation. If this modulation is recognized as correct, another circuit part is activated and u.a. checked on a higher layer the match of an access code with a security code stored on the ticket.

The aforementioned systems described in WO 01/03057 and EP 1 210 693 B1 have the so-called "timing mode" in common: With the awakening and a periodic activation of either the transmission module and / or the reception module present on the ticket, the energy consumption is indeed permanent very much reduced. In many cases, the ticket is awakened, without any subsequent registration or may take place, as is the case with the mere stay of such a ticket carrying accompanying person on a platform. The single timing mode "timing mode" has the serious disadvantage that a significant, if not the largest, amount of battery energy on the ticket has to be used to periodically route the ticket throughout the journey in the agreed time frame to get active shortly ("wake up") and turn on its receiver, eg on the 868 MHz frequency, just to reconnect it To maintain synchronization. A communication to the actual detection takes place only very briefly and usefully only once per journey section.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for the registration of tickets and an electronic ticket for carrying out the method, in which the energy consumption is further minimized and in which the bidirectional communication with the "timing mode" method takes place. that the associated recipients need to be as short as possible ready to receive.

This object is achieved for the method by the measures specified in claim 1 and for the electronic ticket according to the features of claim. 8

By the inventive method, according to which
the bidirectional communication with telegrams in the second frequency band is initiated by a wake-up signal previously received by a second receiver module contained in the ticket in the first frequency band; the activation of the transmitting / receiving module and thus also of the processor module can be limited to those cases in which a telegram actually has to reach the relevant ticket. This minimizes the energy requirements of the ticket and thus significantly increases the autonomy.

A particular advantage of this invention is that on the part of the detection space with respect to transmitting units and further infrastructure such as on-board computer no adaptation in terms of hardware is required. Only the software for controlling the first transmitting unit 31 and the second transmitting / receiving unit 32 needs to be adapted. It can largely parts of the communication software be adopted virtually unchanged on the second frequency band.

By means of the electronic ticket according to the invention, the activation of the transceiver module located on the ticket, such as the processor module, can be limited to those cases in which a telegram actually has to reach the relevant ticket.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment it can be provided to precede the second receiving module with a passive filter or a demodulator, so that this space awakening does not occur because of the high sensitivity of the second receiving module because of any random carrier, but only when the wake-up signal has a defined modulation has, for example Frequency modulation or amplitude modulation (envelope).

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in further claims.

Figur 1

Anordnung der fahrzeugseitigen Sender/Empfänger sowie der zugehörigen Zonen;

Figur 2

Prinzipschaltbild eines elektronischen Billettes zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens;

Figur 3

Darstellung des Ablaufs der verschiedenen Phasen.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Showing:

FIG. 1

Arrangement of the vehicle-side transmitter / receiver and the associated zones;

FIG. 2

Block diagram of an electronic Billettes for carrying out the inventive method;

FIG. 3

Presentation of the sequence of the different phases.

FIG. 1 shows a railway carriage 1. Its passenger compartment 3 is accessible to the public via an entrance area 2 through the doors or through a passage area 4. In the respective entrance area 2, a first transmission unit 31 is arranged. This transmitting unit 31 operates on a first frequency band, preferably 6.78 MHz. The frequency of the first frequency band is chosen so that the resulting field is formed in a radius of up to 7 m as a "near field". Near field means that the H field is dominant. The near field is usually defined as r <λ · 0.6, where λ stands for the wavelength. Within this near range, the magnetic field strength H decreases rapidly with the cube of the distance from the transmitter. Thus, a spatially narrow, defined sphere of action can be realized. Preferably centered in the passenger compartment 3, a second transmitting / receiving unit 32 is arranged. In larger vehicles, for example, several such transceiver units 32 may be mounted. The intended for the bidirectional communication with the tickets 10 second frequency band is well above the aforementioned first frequency band, preferably a frequency of 868 MHz is provided. The frequency band around 868 MHz has particularly good propagation characteristics within a vehicle.

A

Beim Einstieg, d.h. wenn ein Billett 10 aus einem Schlafzustand im Haltezustand 5 eines Fahrzeuges 1 in die Eintrittsweckzone 21 kommt, wird das Billett 10 über einen Pegel im ersten Frequenzband von 6.78 MHz geweckt und mit den benötigten Informationen wie Identität der Erfassungszone, Ort des Fahrzeuges und der Zeit versehen. Diese Phase heisst auch «Eintrittsstempelung». Anschliessend gehen die so «gestempelten» Billette 10 wieder in einen Schlafzustand über. Der mit dem Bezugszeichen 21 gekennzeichnete Bereich gemäss der Figur 1 ist definiert durch einen minimalen Pegel, so dass in diesem Bereich 21 die Billette 10 geweckt und mit den vorgenannten Information versorgt werden können.

B1

Nach erfolgter Abfahrt oder nach Beginn eines Leistungsbezuges erfolgt zuerst die Raumweckung 7. Dazu wird von der ersten Sendeeinheit 31 ein Raumweckungssignal 42 ausgesandt und unmittelbar darauffolgend oder auch gleichzeitig über die zweite Sende/Empfangseinheit 32 repetitiv ein Telegramm 44 ausgesandt. Das Telegramm 44 enthält zumindest die Identität und die Timing-Information für die nachfolgende Erfassung im «Timing Mode». Der mit dem Bezugszeichen 22 gekennzeichnete Bereich in der Figur 1 ist definiert durch einen minimalen Pegel, so dass in diesem Bereich 22 die Billette 10 durch ein Signal 42 einer bestimmten Modulation «geweckt» werden. Eine Informationsübertragung auf einer höheren Schicht findet dabei auf dem ersten Frequenzband nicht statt, dies im Gegensatz zur Eintrittsstempelung, siehe dazu vorgängig zum Verfahrensschritt A. Die notwendigen Informationen werden vielmehr gleichzeitig oder unmittelbar anschliessend auf dem zweiten Frequenzband mit den Telegrammen 44 übertragen.

B

Nach dieser Raumweckung 7, B1 befinden sich die Billette im «Timing Mode» mit einem Zeitraster, wie z.B. in EP 1 210 693 B1 beschrieben. Nun kann die eigentliche Erfassung 8 über das zweite Frequenzband stattfinden.

The sequence of the inventive method is apparent from Figure 3, the letters A, B, B1 refer to the method steps according to claim 1:

A

When boarding, ie when a ticket 10 comes from a sleep state in the holding state 5 of a vehicle 1 in the entrance wake zone 21, the ticket is awakened 10 via a level in the first frequency band of 6.78 MHz and with the required information such as identity of the detection zone, location of the vehicle and time. This phase is also called "entry stamping". Subsequently, the "stamped" tickets 10 go back into a sleep state. The region designated by the reference numeral 21 according to FIG. 1 is defined by a minimum level, so that in This area 21, the tickets can be awakened 10 and supplied with the aforementioned information.

B1

After the departure or after the start of a service reference, the space awakening 7 takes place first. For this purpose, a space wake-up signal 42 is emitted by the first transmission unit 31 and a telegram 44 is emitted repetitively or simultaneously simultaneously via the second transmitter / receiver unit 32. The telegram 44 contains at least the identity and the timing information for the subsequent detection in the "timing mode". The region indicated by the reference numeral 22 in FIG. 1 is defined by a minimum level, so that in this region 22 the tickets 10 are "woken up" by a signal 42 of a specific modulation. An information transmission on a higher layer does not take place on the first frequency band, in contrast to the entry stamping, see above for method step A. The necessary information is transmitted at the same time or immediately afterwards on the second frequency band with the telegrams 44.

B

After this room awakening 7, B1 the tickets are in "timing mode" with a time grid, as described for example in EP 1 210 693 B1. Now the actual detection 8 can take place over the second frequency band.

After the detection 8, B, the tickets 10 go directly into the sleep state 9 on. In a subsequent journey section, for example after a stop and any passenger ascent / exit, the aforementioned space awakening 7, B1 and subsequent detection 8, B take place again.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, an additional method step A1 can be provided: For an electronic ticket 10 for carrying out the aforementioned method according to the invention, reference is now made to FIG. 2: For the space awakening 7, the ticket 10 must have a second, highly sensitive and extremely energy-efficient Reception module 12 - also called wake-up receiver 12 - included for 6.78 MHz. This wake-up receiver 12 operates - as the first, already existing receiving module -11 in a keyed mode to save electrical energy. Its on / off duty cycle can be even more extreme than the first, eg 100 times bigger. The second wake-up receiver 12 must be considerably more sensitive than the first receiving module 11, for example by 20 dB. For this, the wake-up receiver 12 does not need to receive any data. It only scans the air for the presence of a 6.78 MHz carrier signal. So that he does not respond to any randomly present, foreign 6.78 MHz signal, a passive filter 12.1 - also called a demodulator - be preceded, which passes only signals that are modulated, for example, with a suitable frequency. If such a signal 42 is detected, this causes the processor 16 to be awakened on the ticket 10 and the 868 MHz receiver 13 to be switched on for a certain time. The ticket 10 then receives a signal continuously repeated by the transmitting / receiving unit 32 with timing information and a reader ID matching that which it had previously on boarding, ie at the entrance stamping 5, into that vehicle regularly via a proper one Received and stored wake-up telegram. If this is the case, the ticket now goes into "timing mode". Otherwise, it goes back to sleep. Before that, however, it must remain in an energy-saving waiting state for a few seconds, because otherwise it would immediately wake up again from the possibly still existing foreign 6.78 MHz signal and turn on its receiving module 12 again. This method turns into a duty Cycle principle for energy savings generated. This waiting time should, for example, be 10 times greater than the time for which the billet 10 would turn on its receiving module 12 again.

For the sake of completeness, the antennas 15.1 and 15.2, a power supply module 18, a battery 19 and for the implementation of the required intelligence, a processor module 16 and a memory module 17 are still listed in Figure 2. To optimize is for the first and the second receiving module 11 and 12 a single antenna 15.1 is provided. The representation of the antennas 15.1 and 15.2 is only a matter of principle, of course, the antenna according to the intended frequency bands in the range of 6.78 MHz or 868 MHz adapted.

By using a maximum allowable transmission level and a much higher reception sensitivity of the second receiving module 12 on the ticket 10 is a much higher range 22 than the usual, for the normal wake deliberately limited to 3m range 21 to achieve. Thus, no additional space awakening antennas in the vehicle 1 are necessary.

For the purposes of the present invention, it is likewise possible to use different frequencies from the same first frequency band for the so-called entry stamping in method step A and the space awakening in method step B1. To reduce the complexity of the components used, however, it is advantageous to provide the identical frequency for the entry stamping and the space awakening.

The invention is by no means limited to use in a vehicle such as railroad cars or buses but can be applied wherever electronic tickets for detecting a defined presence a particularly high Require autonomy. Autonomy in this context means that no battery needs to be replaced for as long as possible or otherwise a maintenance intervention regarding energy supply or interoperability is required. Examples of other applications are: access systems, location systems for persons and goods.

The aforementioned characteristics of the various process steps can be freely combined, in particular, after successful detection in the timing mode, a ticket 10 can return to the sleep state 9 again to be activated by means of space awakening.

List of reference numbers used

1

Railway carriage, vehicle

2

Entrance area, platform

3

cabin

4

Passage area

5

Stop

6

Ride, determination of the defined presence

7

Phase of space awakening on the first frequency band

8th

Phase of bidirectional communication on the second frequency band

9

Sleep mode

10

electronic ticket, transponder, smart card

11

First receiving module for a first frequency band

12

Second receiving module for a first frequency band, wake-up receiver

12.1

Passive filter, demodulator, the second receiving module upstream

13

Transceiver module for a second frequency band

15.1

Antenna for first and second receiving module

15.2

Antenna for transceiver module

16

processor module

17

memory module

18

Power supply module

19

battery

20

Railway carriage

21

Entry zone, entrance wake zone, defined by a first level on a first frequency band

22

Space Awakening Zone defined by a second level on a first frequency band

23

Detection zone, defined by bidirectional communication on a second frequency band

31

First transmitting unit on a first frequency band

32

Second transmitter / receiver unit on a second frequency band

41

Alarm telegram in the entrance wake zone 21 with identity of the detection zone 22

42

Wake-up signal in the space awakening zone 22, possibly with a modulation

43

Bidirectional communication on the second frequency band

44

Telegram, timing mode information and identity of the detection zone 22 transmitted on the second frequency band

List of abbreviations used

λ

Wavelength in [m]

Claims (10)

1. Method for registering tickets (10) for the purpose of determining a service which is to be purchased and/or a defined presence, wherein at least one first transmit unit (31) on a first frequency band and one transmit/receive unit (32) on a second frequency band are provided for the purpose of communicating with tickets (10) in a detection zone (1, 23) and wherein the detection zone (23) is assigned at least one entry zone (21) via which the detection zone (23) can be entered and exited, said method including the following method steps for carrying out the registration that is required in order to determine the purchased service and/or the defined presence:

   A the tickets (10) which pass into the entry zone (21) receive a first information unit (5, 41) via a first receive module (11) from the first transmit unit (31), said first information unit (5, 41) containing an identity which is assigned to the detection zone (1, 23) and being stored on the ticket (10) after reception;

   B at a point in time which is determined by the start (6) of the service that is to be purchased and/or of the defined presence, the respective presence of the tickets (10) is registered at least once via a bidirectional communication (8, 43) between the transmit/receive unit (32) and the tickets (10) which are located in the detection zone (23);

   characterised by the method step

   B1 the bidirectional communication (43) by means of telegrams (43) in the second frequency band is initiated by a prior wakeup signal (7, 42) in the first frequency band, said wakeup signal (7, 42) being received by a second receive module (12) contained in the ticket (10).
2. Method according to claim 1,
   characterised by the method step

   A1 the second receive module (12) is intermittently switched to active in the ticket (10) as a result of receiving the first information unit (5, 41).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the wakeup signal (7, 42) is frequency-modulated or amplitude-modulated.
4. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that
   in method step B1, following or simultaneously with the wakeup signal (7, 42), a telegram (44) for the intermittent activation of the transmit/receive module is transmitted in the second frequency band.
5. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that
   method step B is iterated until all tickets (10) inside the detection zone (1, 23) have been registered.
6. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that
   the identical frequency is used in method steps A and B1.
7. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that
   the tickets switch to a sleep state (9) following method step B.
8. Electronic ticket (10) for performing the method according to one of the claims 1 to 7, which ticket (10) contains:

   - a first receive module (11) in a first frequency band,

   - a transmit/receive module (13) in a second frequency band, wherein the frequencies contained in the first frequency band are lower than those of the second frequency band and such that wakeup telegrams (41) for storing their content on the ticket can be received by means of the first receive module (11),

   characterised in that
   in the first frequency band there is provided a second receive module (12) whose receive sensitivity is higher than that of the first receive module (11) and by means of which at least one wakeup signal (7, 42) can be received, by means of which wakeup signal (7, 42) a bidirectional communication (8) is initiated between the ticket (10) and a transmit/receive unit (32) in the second frequency band.
9. Ticket (10) according to claim 8,
   characterised in that
   a filter (12.1) is connected upstream of the second receive module (12) in order to allow only signals (42) having a predefined modulation to pass through.
10. Ticket (10) according to claim 9,
    characterised in that
    the predefined modulation is a frequency modulation or an amplitude modulation.

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