EP2871614A1 - Method for registering e-tickets while excluding e-tickets travelling in parallel - Google Patents

Abstract

e-ticketing systems run the risk of being detected even if a person with an e-ticket moves in parallel to a mode with an integrated e-ticketing system; Example: Parallel driving with a bicycle or a Töff. Such an error detection is detected by the fact that the information on whether the last event was a detection while driving or a wake-up signal is stored on the e-ticket. When the e-ticket is awakened, an error detection is made if the last event is an on-the-run detection. This recognized error detection is transmitted to a background system when it is awakened in order to be able to correct the billing for this e-ticket accordingly.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for registering tickets in a means of transport according to claim 1.

For example, the general functionality and requirements for an e-ticketing system in a public transport vehicle can be found in the sources given in [2] and [3]. Electronic tickets or electronic tickets are also known as e-tickets. In the following, the aforementioned two terms are briefly subsumed under e-ticket. Likewise, vehicles of the OeV - as well as course ships - are subsumed under the term (public) means of transport.

Essentially two different ticketing systems are distinguished:

CiCo check-in / check-out

• Proximity, ISO/IEC 14443,
  Reichweite bis 10cm;
• Vincinity, ISO/IEC 15693, 13.56MHz;
  Reichweite 1 - 1.5m.

A passenger deliberately holds his ticket just before entering and leaving the means of transport or the platform area in front of one of the billing system belonging readers, correctly "transceiver units". The query of the ticket - hereinafter referred to as e-ticket - is done by a near-distance radio link, such as

• Proximity, ISO / IEC 14443,
  Range up to 10cm;
• Vincinity, ISO / IEC 15693, 13.56MHz;
  Range 1 - 1.5m.

BiBo Be-in / Be Out

In more comfortable systems, it is only necessary for the passenger to carry his electronic ticket: the ticket is automatically recorded by the radio within the traveled sections by the reading units installed in the car and the data thus obtained is fed to an automatic billing system. An interaction the user is no longer necessary. It also does not need a check-out process. Thus, the flow of passengers can be accelerated considerably, especially when passengers are getting in / out at the same time.

• Parallelfahrt auf einem Velo oder durch Parallelfahrt zweier Züge
• Betrugsversuche durch temporäres Versorgen des e-Tickets in eine metallene Zigarettenschachtel oder zwischen zwei Lawinenschaufeln in einem Rucksack.

From the Scriptures EP 1 201 693 B1 [1] a BiBo method and a system for detecting electronic tickets (e-ticket) is known. The system disclosed in document [1] is based on the following functionality: For reasons of autonomy, the tickets are in a sleep state. When entering a means of transport, the e-tickets are awakened by a near field, eg 6.78 MHz, and are «stamped» unidirectionally with an ID and timing information. The ID refers to the in-range alarm clock and the timing information to a beginning and the interval or intervals of bidirectional communication between the e-ticket and a transceiver located in the car. The protocol can be used with this system to prevent errors and manipulation, such as

• Parallel travel on a bicycle or by parallel travel of two trains
• Fraud attempts by temporarily storing the e-ticket in a metal cigarette box or between two avalanche shovels in a backpack.

1. i) Parallel fahrende Trams,
2. ii) Parallel fahrende Züge, zB. Bei Spurwechselbetrieb,
3. iii) Velo- oder Töff-Fahrer, der parallel zu einem Tram oder einem Bus fährt.

The correct registration of e-tickets is a crucial prerequisite for the acceptance of such a system. In particular, fee-based error versions must be excluded with almost certain probability. One potential danger is the collection of e-tickets that move in parallel to a means of transport: Examples:

1. i) Parallel trams,
2. ii) Parallel trains, eg. In lane change mode,
3. iii) Bike or Töff driver driving parallel to a tram or bus.

Cases i) and ii) may, from the point of view of an operator, still be regarded as harmless, since a fee-based collection takes place, even if it is incorrect. Case (iii) is serious in so far as the holder of such an e-ticket is liable to pay for a journey which he obviously did not undertake using the means of transport of the respective operator.

• Verfahren zur Registrierung von Billetten für die Feststellung einer definierten Anwesenheit in einem Verkehrsmittel, welche Billette (10) mit einem ersten Empfangsmodul versehen sind und wobei in einer Weckzone des Verkehrsmittels wenigstens eine Sende-/Empfangseinheit für die Kommunikation mit Billetten vorgesehen ist, welches Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
  • A in der Weckzone befindliche Billette empfangen über das erste Empfangsmodul von einer der Weckzone zugeordneten ersten Sendeeinheit eine erste Informationseinheit;
  • B mit einer in der ersten Informationseinheit enthaltenen Information wird ein auf dem Billett enthaltenes zweites Sende-/Empfangsmodul aktiv geschaltet;
  • C zu einem vom Beginn der definierten Anwesenheit bestimmten Zeitpunkt wird zwischen einer einer Erfassungszone zugeordneten zweiten Sende-/Empfangseinheit und dem zweiten Sende-/Empfangsmodul der in der Erfassungszone befindlichen Billetten eine bidirektionale Kommunikation mittels einer zweiten und einer dritten Informationseinheit aufgebaut und die jeweilige Anwesenheit der Billette wenigstens einmal registriert.

The document [1] - see patent claim 1 and FIG. 3 - discloses the following method for detecting an e-ticket (called ticket in document [1]):

• Method for registering tickets for the determination of a defined presence in a means of transport, which tickets (10) are provided with a first receiving module and wherein in a wake-up zone of the means of transport at least one transmitting / receiving unit is provided for the communication with tickets, which method following steps include:
  • A tickets located in the wake-up zone receive a first information unit via the first receiving module from a first transmitting unit assigned to the wake-up zone;
  • B with a piece of information contained in the first information unit, a second transceiver module contained on the ticket is switched active;
  • C at a time determined from the beginning of the defined presence, a bidirectional communication is established by means of a second and a third information unit between a second transmission / reception unit assigned to a detection zone and the second transmission / reception module of the tickets located in the detection zone and the respective presence of the Tickets registered at least once.

• Die Billette, die bei Halt eines Fahrzeugs dieses auf dem üblichen Weg (also nicht durch ein Fenster) verlassen und welche Billette korrekt erfasst wurden erhalten nochmals eine erste Informationseinheit,
• diejenigen Billette, die während der Fahrt eingeschlafen sind, z.B. durch einen Betrugsversuch mit dem Metallbüchsentrick, werden so geweckt und können mit dem Schritt E2 doch noch erfasst werden. Dies ermöglicht auch, eine Fehlerfassung aufgrund einer Parallelfahrt durch eine im Billett gespeicherten History von Erfassungen, siehe dazu die Schrift [1], Seite 7, Zeilen 20 bis 30.

In FIG. 3 of document [1] - cf. on page 7, lines 48ff of the document [1] - is the completion of the recording when exiting with the font E1 shown:

• The tickets that leave the vehicle in the usual way (ie not through a window) and which tickets have been correctly recorded at stop of a vehicle get once again a first piece of information,
• those tickets that have fallen asleep while driving, such as a fraud with the metal gangs trick, are awakened and can still be captured with the step E2. This also makes it possible, an error detection due to a parallel drive through a stored in the ticket history of acquisitions, see the font [1], page 7, lines 20 to 30.

Based on this closest prior art according to the document [1], the present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for registering e-tickets in a means of transport, in which e-tickets traveling in parallel to the means of transport do not register in an improved manner become.

This object is achieved by the measures specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in further claims.

The invention will be explained in more detail below. The invention is based on the following method with steps 1 to 4:

Process step 1:

An e-ticket registers only in the immediate vicinity of the entrance area of a vehicle and only during its stop with open doors a wake-up signal that includes at least the time and identity of the vehicle. This corresponds to the normal situation when entering a vehicle with a detection system based on BiBo. Since the alarm station has only a limited range (near field), it is also possible to alarm in the Provide vehicle interior to achieve an improved detection, namely, when a wake-up failed when boarding. It could also be provided that this "supplementary" awakening with a protocol element is stored in the e-ticket for a subsequent evaluation.

Process step 2:

The e-ticket is detected by the BiBo detection system in the vehicle during a very limited time window, while driving non-contestable and then registers itself the collection data record in its own memory.

Process step 3:

The e-ticket registers again only in the immediate vicinity of the entrance area of a vehicle and only during its stop with open doors receivable wake-up signal, i. again at least the time and identity of the vehicle. This corresponds to the normal situation when leaving a BiBo vehicle.

Process step 4:

The e-ticket falls into sleep mode after a period of time without receiving a detection device. Before this action, it is noted whether the last event was a detection or a wake-up signal. If the last event was an entry, this entry in the e-ticket is marked as an error entry.

Later, at the next wake-up / capture cycle, the e-ticket notifies the capture device of the identity of the flagged error capture, which can then be considered in the background system during trip formation and billing in favor of the passenger.
Alternatively, the following method for detecting an error detection is possible: The e-ticket transmits all wake-up signals to the transmitting / receiving unit. The e-ticket stores for all transmitted wake-up signals, whether this alarm signal, ie at least the ID to the transmitting / receiving unit could be transmitted. If this fails, it will be retried later. In this way, the parent accounting system can generate the information as to whether the last event was a capture while driving or a wake-up signal.

• Ein empfangenes Wecksignal bewirkt - abhängig von der vorgenannten Information - eine Rückmeldung, vorzugsweise quasi-instantan, an die Sende-/Empfangseinheit im Fahrzeug. Dies erlaubt, die Fehlerfassung früher zu detektieren und im Abrechnungssystem zugunsten des e-Ticketinhabers bzw. der e-TicketinginhaberIn entsprechend zu korrigieren.

The information that the last event was a capture and no wake-up signal can be used in a progression as follows:

• A received wake-up signal causes - depending on the aforementioned information - a feedback, preferably quasi-instantaneously, to the transmitting / receiving unit in the vehicle. This makes it possible to detect the error detection earlier and to correct it accordingly in the billing system in favor of the e-ticket holder or e-ticketing owner.

The solution to the problem of erroneous detection outside of the moving vehicle is the very high probability that the correct sequence of the sequence described above with the steps 1 to 4 can only take place when the e-ticket actually in the vehicle while driving has found. This statement is based on the following facts:

An unawakened e-ticket can not be registered in the immediate vicinity of the moving vehicle by the detection system.

An "erroneously" awakened at a stop e-ticket, but after leaving the outside of the vehicle remains, after a relatively short time without contact with a detection system in the vehicle back into sleep mode.

Should the alerted e-ticket outside the vehicle still be able to make regular contact with the detection system, it could with little probability keep in contact with the detection system until the detection phase in the vehicle and perform an erroneous detection, eg by the e-ticket, resp. the carrier moves with a bicycle parallel to the BiBo vehicle.

After these events, the e-ticket would very unlikely to stay in constant contact with the acquisition device until the next stop so as not to fall into sleep mode.

Until this very unlikely sequence of events, the described invention could detect and correct the error detection.

Only if the absolutely unlikely event would occur and the e-ticket would register a regular wake-up signal as in an exit, even though the e-ticket is outside the vehicle, the error detection could be hidden. This case is also unlikely because it can not happen unintentionally. This unlikely event could happen, for example, in a police operation in which detectives pursue a wanted person in a transport: detectives are "coincidentally" at the stop Albisriederplatz in Zurich, the e-tickets of these detectives would be awakened by the wake-up zone of a tram line 3, among other things also from the tram in which the searched person is and from which a detective gets off. By pure chance, a camouflaged police vehicle drives up and takes these detectives with them. It follows as long as a parallel drive until police stalwarts are ready for use at another stop, to support the arrest of the wanted person first from a distance. The detectives concerned will then initiate the arrest with other covert forces at the respective stop, and the e-tickets would then be collectively collectible as a regular trip by tram. This far-fetched example is intended to illustrate that with the present invention, an error detection is not impossible, but extremely unlikely and in the present example due to the Evidence (tracking data of police officers) is also uncritical.

List of cited documents

1. [1] EP 1 201 693 B1
   «Method and system for registering tickets» Siemens Transit Telematic Systems AG CH - 8212 Neuhausen
2. [2] «E-Ticketing»
   Siemens Switzerland Ltd, Industry Sector, Mobility Division, Rail Automation www.litra.ch/download.php?file=dcs/users/2/3 20110316 MF dt.pdf and http://www.litra.ch/dcs/users / 2/3 20110316 MF dt.pdf Internal reference: 2012Q25342.
3. [3] «Content and structure of the specifications / customer interface and certification in the VDV core application» Presentation by Dipl.-Ing. Elke Fischer VDV KERN APPLICATIONS GmbH & Co. KG http://www.eticket-deutschland.de/ Internal reference: 2012Q25342.

Claims (5)

Method for registering e-tickets for determining a defined presence in a means of transport, which e-tickets are provided with a first receiving module and wherein at least one transmitting / receiving unit is provided for communication with e-tickets in a wake-up zone of the means of transport, wherein the following process steps are carried out: A e-tickets located in the wake-up zone receive a first information unit via the first receiving module from a first transmitting unit assigned to the wake-up zone, and a second transmitting / receiving module contained on the e-ticket is actively switched with information contained in the first information unit; B at a time determined from the beginning of the defined presence, a bidirectional communication is established by means of a second and a third information unit between a second transmitting / receiving unit assigned to a detection zone and the second transmitting / receiving module of the e-ticket located in the detection zone; Presence of e-tickets registered at least once; C when the e-ticket exits the means of transport this in turn receives a first information unit; characterized by the further method step D the e-ticket falls after a certain time without receiving in a sleep mode, which is previously stored in the e-ticket, whether the last event was a detection while driving or a wake-up signal at the exit; In the case of a renewed execution of method step A, the storage of a detection according to method step D is marked as error detection. Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
In method step E, the marked error entry is forwarded to a higher-order billing system. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the e-ticket has a display means on which an error detection is displayed. Method according to claim 2 or 3,
characterized in that
before method step D, the information as to whether the last event was a detection while driving or a wake-up signal; is received quasi-instantaneously upon receipt of another wake-up signal to the second transmitting / receiving unit. Method according to claim 2 or 3,
characterized in that i) the e-ticket all received wake-up signals are transmitted to the transmitting / receiving unit and checked in the e-ticket, whether these alarm signals could be transmitted and ii) if a wake-up signal could not be transmitted step i) is repeated at a later time; the parent accounting system generates the information as to whether the last event was a capture while driving or a wake-up signal.