FR2524675A1 - Ticket fraud reduction system - prints secret coding information on each ticket using microcomputer which codes relevant data - Google Patents

Abstract

The coding information can be of three types. General data is (date of a football match, names of teams, stadium capacity, etc.) stored in a memory (M1). Specific data likely to affect attendance (league positions of teams, other local attractions, etc.) is stored in another memory (M3). Secret coding information (ticket types 1,2,3,...n) is stored in memory (M2). A microcomputer (01) with data entry keyboard (PC) and disk unit (DS1) records the information from memories (M1 and M3) onto a floppy disk (D). The disk (D) is then read (L) into another microcomputer (02) where the information from memory (M2) is added. All the information is then fed via an output device (DS2) to a printing machine (M) which imprints a set of coded symbols onto a ticket strip (S).

Description

 The present invention relates to a method for establishing authorization tickets to attend a show or event of any kind, such as entry tickets, formed by a support material identified by elements determining its appearance. exterior, such as the format, the dimensions, the color, the pattern of its drawings, the writing characters and / or the distribution of these elements on the support, and a system for implementing this method as well as a -dispositiS of memorization of the data relating to the elements of identification of these titles.

 There are already known methods and systems for establishing such authorization titles. According to these, the support material is introduced into a machine for applying identification elements, such as a printer, and this machine applies these elements to the support material.

 These known methods and the systems for their implementation have the major drawback that the authorization titles can be easily imitated, because indeed, in general, their support material is of ordinary nature, for example paper or cardboard, and their external appearance is not complex, that is to say very different, of course to limit the cost prices of these titles.

The imitation of these therefore does not encounter particular technical problems and can be accomplished with relatively modest means. It is easy to understand that the risk of imitation of the titles is all the greater in principle as the general appearance of the titles does not vary during periods of time that are sometimes relatively long apart from certain elements which must be updated title such as for example dates and names. However, the fact that these elements change does not constitute a real obstacle to imitating titles, since the writing and number characters do not generally vary.

The disadvantage lies in the ease of fi nishing authorization tickets to attend a show or event of any kind, inherent in the processes and
Known systems stated above, in particular become obvious and costly in the case of entry tickets for periodic shows, such as sports meetings of football or rugby teams. As part of the program of a sports season, the calendar of which is established before the start of the latter, a relatively large number of matches normally takes place at least every weekend, at different places, in stadiums with capacity welcoming different spectators. However, entry tickets are currently printed at the start of a season for all matches. Since the calendar is published and it is known that entry tickets for meetings taking place at least in one same stadium or a region have the same general aspect, the temptation is great to Sire counterfeit notes, that is to say imitations, and this all the more since the skill and the means necessary for this purpose are of order modest and that the controls at the entrance to the stadiums are of course relatively superficial
Another disadvantage is the disadvantage of the high risk of counterfeit tickets, which is also important. Because tickets are printed long before each match, the total number of tickets and / or tickets per seat category, i.e. - say the places in the stands, in the bends, at half-fare, etc., which have been printed, do not generally correspond to the real demand of the public at the time of the meeting for which they were established
Indeed, this request is anointing of the current placement in their division, the teams and the importance and the stake of the meeting and many other unpredictable factors when printing tickets at the start of the season. Too often a lot of tickets are in excess which constitutes a source of considerable unnecessary costs.

 he present invention aims to eliminate the drawbacks inherent in the methods and systems of eta hlisa * eat titles giving authorization to participation i'fassistep in a show or event, which are known.

 To achieve this aim, the process for establishing authorization titles to attend a show or event of any kind, according to the present invention, is characterized in that it consists, in order to individualize these titles for each event, to define a certain number of types of titles, which are different from each other by the identifying elements determining the external appearance of the titles, to be associated with each type of title thus defined a reference symbol, such as a number or letter, to choose for one event, for which titles must be established, one of said symbols, preferably in secret, and to apply to the support material, the elements for determining the external appearance.

 According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the choice of the reference symbol associated with an event is made at random.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the method for establishing entry tickets for periodic shows, such as sports meetings of football or rugby teams, for which a calendar is established before the start of each season, with a plurality of meetings taking place on the same date and at different places, whose specta tours reception capacity differs from one libü ^ & the other, is characterized in that, to individualize tickets or entry tickets , the general data for each meeting, relating to the show and the places available, is memorized, if necessary when establishing the calendar, with margins of variability or exchangeability between different categories of places, preferably establishes just before the date of the meeting, the specific data for each meeting, relating to the real demand of the public, establishes from general data and specific data a set of do final years for each meeting, associates with each set one of the reference symbols, assigns to each set of final data relating to a meeting the type of ticket or ticket bearing the same reference symbol as this set of data, by comparison of the respective reference symbols and applies to the support material the identification elements relating to the type of ticket thus allocated
According to yet another advantageous characteristic of the method according to the present invention, the final data sets are recorded on a medium such as a floppy disk or a magnetic tape, in a manner which cannot be read by unauthorized persons, and assigned to each set of data. final, relating to a meeting, the corresponding type of ticket, after reading said medium.

The present invention also relates to a system for implementing the method which has just been described.
This system includes a device for supplying support material, a machine for applying to the support material, elements for identifying the external appearance of the authorization tickets to attend a show or event of any kind, and is characterized in that it further comprises a memory for the storage of information relating to the different types of title, a means for selecting, if necessary at random, a type of title from those which are stored in said memory and a machine control device, based on information relating to the type of ticket selected
Advantageously, the selector means comprises a randomizer, triggered by external control.

 The system for implementing the method for establishing entry tickets or tickets for periodic shows such as sports meetings of football or rugby teams advantageously comprises a memory for storing data relating to the identification elements. different types of titles, each identifiable by a reference symbol, a memory for general data relating to each show and its place of performance, a memory for storing specific data for each show, relating to real public demand, a station control for the recording of data in memories, such as a station 8 alphanumeric keyboard and, where appropriate with display or control screen, means for establishing from general and specific data, a set of final data for each performance, means for assigning to each set of final data one of said reference symbols, following the recording of the specific data, a means for comparing the reference symbols associated with the definitive data sets and with the data relating to the elements of identification of the types of ticket, contained in the respective memories, a means for extracting from the two memories data associated with the same reference symbols, and a device for controlling the machine as a function of the data extracted from these two memories.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the memories and the means for assigning symbols
benchmarks, comparators and extractors are part of a computer device.

 According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the computer device comprises a first computer unit which is provided with memories of real and specific data and means for assigning reference symbols and comprises an output device capable of '' recording the final data sets on a medium such as a floppy disk, a magnetic tape or the like, and a second computer unit which is provided with an input and output device capable of reading said recording medium and to control the machine, this second unit comprising the memory of the data relating to the identification elements determining the external appearance of the types of ticket or ticket and the comparator and extractor means.

 The present invention also relates to a memory device for the final data, relating to each encounter, which is characterized in that it comprises a medium on which are recorded, in a manner which cannot be read by unauthorized persons, the said final data, such as a floppy disk or magnetic tape, and in that this support comprises a first recording track which contains data blocks each relating to a meeting and designating the date of the meeting, upe qcb receives, the invited team, and the attnial team to this meeting, and a track reserved for each category of places in the stadium in which the corresponding meeting takes place, a data block is provided in this track for each meeting designating the home team and the number of places to be distributed.

 According to an advantageous characteristic of this memory device, the recorded data are coded so that their reading requires a particular reader.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, characteristics, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the description which follows, made with reference to several appended schematic drawings, given solely by way of example illustrating a single embodiment of the invention and in which
- Figure 1 illustrates in the form of a block diagram the method and the system of its implementation according to the present invention; and
- Figure 2 shows schematically, with cutaway, a memory device of the final data, according to the present invention.

 To highlight the originality and the advantage of the present invention, the method and the system for the implementation thereof will be explained below in their application to the establishment of titles authorizing their owners to attend a sports meeting of two football or rugby teams. it is in particular a meeting which is part of a vast program of a large number of meetings spanning a season and intended, for example, to determine the champion at the end of the season. as part of such a program, periodically, generally at least every weekend, a certain number of such meetings takes place at different places in stadiums including the capacity to accommodate spectators, in number of total seats and / or the number of places per category differs from one stadium to another. In general, in each stadium, there are several categories of seats, such as seats in the stands, in turns, so-called popular seats, half-price seats etc.

 It is well known that the tickets authorizing to attend these meetings, that is to say the entry tickets, are formed by a support made of an appropriate material, generally flexible, based on paper or, where appropriate, in plastic material, which is identified by the application or printing of a certain number of elements determining the external appearance of the support, such as for example the format, the dimensions, the color, the designs or geometric patterns, the characters of letters and numbers, and the distribution of these elements on the support etc.

 It is well known that the calendar of the various meetings planned for the season is established before the start of this one. This calendar is of course published.

The object of the present invention is to make it possible to individualize, by an appropriate choice of elements for identifying the external appearance, the tickets for a meeting or each meeting, for example just before it, without unauthorized persons may be aware of the aspect to have these tickets.

 FIG. 1 therefore illustrates the method and the system making it possible to individualize the entry tickets for a sports meeting of two teams intended to take place in a stadium of a certain capacity for receiving spectators, in accordance with the present invention.

 According to the invention, as is apparent from FIG. 1, after the establishment of the calendar of the different matches, before the start of a season, the general data relating to each match are determined, such as the name of the team which receives, the name of the team which is invited, the date of the meeting and the capacity of the stadium in total number of places and in number of places by category, with PB margin of variability and exchangeability for example between the different categories.

These general data are stored in a first memory M1.This last. is advantageously associated with a first computer 01 or is part of it.

To allow the recording of this general data in the memory MI, the computer 01 is provided with an external control station PC which may include an alpha-numeric keyboard and a display or control screen (not shown).

 According to the invention, a certain number of ticket types 1, 2 ... n are defined, different from each other by the above-mentioned identification elements, intended to determine the external appearance of the tickets for an encounter.

The data relating to the different types of tickets are recorded, before the start of each season, in a memory such as the memory M2 according to FIG. 1, which is associated with a second computer device 02. Each symbol type is assigned a symbol mark such as a number or letter. These symbols are written in memory M2. it should be noted that the content of the M2 memory must be kept secret so that unauthorized persons cannot know the types of ticket
Preferably just before a meeting, the real interest of the public is evaluated, that is to say the total number of tickets and / or the number of tickets by category of places, which are likely to be sold for the meeting. It is easy to understand that this interest of the public is a function of the placement of the two teams which will dispute the meeting, in the respective division, and the importance or the stake of this one as well as other current factors, that is, unpredictable when scheduling. Knowing the real interest of the public, we can define the real or specific data relating to each meeting. These specific data, and advantageously those relating to other matches played on the same date or approximately on the same date, will be recorded in a specific data memory.
M3 which could be associated with the computer device 01, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The recording of data in memory 1 will advantageously be done using the alpha-numeric keypad of the pestedecommand PC.

 From the general data and the specific data recorded respectively in the memories M1 and M3, a set of final data is established for each encounter, by specifying the number of places by categories capable of satisfying the demand of the public, taking advantage of it, if this is necessary, margins of variability contained in the general data.

 After the establishment of the specific data sets for the different meetings, each of these sets is assigned one of the reference symbols which are associated with the types of ticket contained in the memory M2.

This allocation is advantageously done at random, using an appropriate means such as a chance simulator
The functions of establishing the final data sets and of assigning the reference symbols to these sets are performed, according to FIG. 1, by the computer 01.

 Within the framework of the method of the system represented, the final assemblies, with their respective reference symbols are recorded in a memory device such as a floppy disk D, by means of a device of output devices DS1 associated with the computer 01. The diskette D forming the memory of the definitive data sets, each accompanied by a reference symbol is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 and will be described later. It is important that the information recorded on the floppy disk is not detectable or unreadable for people not authorized to know this information. The next step to record the floppy disk is to read it by a reader device such as the L drive. belonging to the input circuit device of the computer 02. Then, each set of final data recorded on the floppy is assigned the type of ticket 1, 2 .... n which carries the same reference symbol as this set, by comparing the reference symbol of the latter successively with the reference symbols contained in the memory M2. -After identification of the appropriate type of banknotes, the data relating to the identification elements which characterize this type of banknote are extracted from the memory M2. The comparison and extraction operations are carried out in the example represented by the computer 02 which transfers the data extadSes etdiEnitives to its output circuit device DS2 which controls the device of the machine for making banknotes from a strip of an appropriate support material S, such as a strip of paper which is unwound from a roller R.

 re machine dsusitS includes a machine M for applying the identification elements to the tape of support material, such as for example an offset press, a machine for cutting MD tickets in the strip of support material S and a binder machine ML intended to make bundles L from tickets T. it should be noted that the application or printing machine M receives from the output device DS2 the information relating to the elements for identifying the tickets, the number of tickets to print and number them, while the DS2 device sends to the cutting machine MD the information relating to the dimensions of the banknotes when knurling them and to the number of banknotes and to the binding machine the orders concerning the number of banknotes and the information needed for the package.

Referring to Figure 2, we will describe
after the device for memorizing the final data established from the general and specific data contained in the memories M1 and M3 and accompanied by the appropriate reference symbols. This storage device is advantageously formed by a floppy disk or magnetic tape -L.

 According to FIG. 2, this diskette or magnetic tape comprises a first recording track -p1 which contains data blocks BD each relating to a meeting and designating in zones Z1 to Z4 respectively the team which receives the date of the meeting , ièqnp'e tée and the symbol-marker assigned to this meeting and tracks P2, P3 ......

each reserved for a category of seats of the stadium in which the corresponding match takes place, in each track being provided a data block per match designating in zones Z5, Z6 the receiving team and the number of places for which tickets must be established; it is possible to record or encode the information contained on the floppy disk in such a way that it cannot be detected or decoded by unauthorized persons or requires for reading a particular reader not accessible to persons other than those authorized to know the contents of the diskette.

 It emerges from the description which has just been made of the method, the system and the storage device according to the present invention, that the latter makes it possible to keep secret until the moment of printing the entry tickets. external appearance that these will present. This eliminates any risk of establishing counterfeit notes, that is to say imitations. In addition, since the final data for each meeting is not established until shortly before the date of the meeting, it is possible to take into account the real interest of the public and thus avoid the number of tickets established or significantly different from the number of tickets actually sold.

 it should be noted that various modifications can be made to the method, to the system and to the storage device of the invention, without departing from the scope of the present invention. it would thus be possible to also change the reference symbols assigned to the different types of title. Of course, it is not necessary to use two different computers. Indeed, instead of providing the second computer 02 which forms a kind of interface for the machine device, it would suffice to provide only one computer adapted to perform all of the functions. In addition, the computer or computers could be replaced by any other device capable of performing the various operations of the method according to the present invention.

Of course, instead of a relatively complex system like that illustrated in FIG. 1, one could provide simpler systems and methods, limited only essentially to the computer -02 with the memory
M2 of the different types of titles. Thus, when it is a question of establishing, for any show or event, authorization titles to attend to these, we give with the help of a signal control station which would result in triggering in the computer the means simulator of chance. This one would then choose one of the types of title
We could also replace the floppy disk by any other means of transmitting the final data, such as for example a target or by a telephone line. Indeed, the two computers could be placed in different places more or less distant from each other. The final data could be stored in a memory of the computer 01. This means that the present invention also covers the use of teleprinting within the framework of the method and of the general system according to the invention.

Claims (14)

 1. Method for establishing authorization tickets to attend a show or event of any kind, such as entrance tickets, formed by a support material identified by elements determining its external appearance, such as format, dimensions, color, geometric patterns, characters of numbers and letters or the like, according to which the support material is introduced into a machine for applying identification elements, such as a printer, and applied by this machine these elements to the support material, characterized in that it consists, to individualize these authorization titles for an event, to define a certain number of type of title, which are different from each other by said elements 'identifica tionasociate with each type of title thus defined a reference symbol, such as number or letter, to be chosen for an event for which titles must be established, one of said symbols, preferably s ecret, and to apply to the support material the elements identifying the type of title awarded  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the allocation of the reference symbol associated with an event is done at random.  3. Method according to one of claims I or 2, for the establishment of entry tickets for periodic shows such as sports matches of football or rugby team, for which a calendar is established before the start of each season, with a plurality of matches taking place at the same period and at different places, whose capacity to accommodate spectators, in total number of places and / or in number of places per category differ little from the other , characterized in that, when necessary, when storing the calendar, the general data relating to each reason and to the places available are stored instead of its course, with preferably the margins of variability or exchangeability between the different categories of places , preferably establishes X shortly before the date of the meetings, the specific data for each meeting, relating to the real demand of the public, established on the basis of general data and data specific a set of final data for each meeting, associates with each set one of the aforementioned reference symbols, assigns to each set of final data relating to an encounter the type of ticket or ticket bearing the same reference symbol as this set, by comparison respective reference symbols and has the identification elements relating to the type of ticket thus allocated applied to the manner of support.  4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attribution of the reference symbols to the title types is variable.  5. System for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a device for supplying support material, a machine for applying to the support material, elements for identifying the external appearance of the tickets. authorization, characterized in that it comprises a memory (M2) for the storage of information relating to the different types of titles (1,2 ..... n), a means for the avanigeusmentauhasan selection; X tyw of title among those stored in said memory (M1) and a device for controlling the machine (M) according to information relating to the type of title selected  6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that each type of title (1 to n) is identifiable in the memory (M2) by an appropriate reference symbol.  7. System according to claim 5 or 6 characterized in that the selector means (01) comprises a random simulator, triggered by external control.  8. System for implementing the method according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a memory (M2) for storing data relating to the identification elements of the different types of title each identifiable by a reference symbol, a memory (M1) of general data, relating to each meeting and its place of development, a memory (M3) for storing specific data of each meeting, relating to the real demand of the public, means (01) for establishing at from the general and specific data, a set of definitive data for each performance, means (01) for assigning to each set of definite data said symbols - benchmarks, a means for comparing the benchmark symbols associated with the definitive data sets and relative data to the elements for identifying the types of banknotes contained in the memory (M2), an extractor means (02) from the memory (M2), data associated with the same reference symbol, and a d control device (DS2) of the machine (M) according to the extracted and final data.  9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the memories (M1, M2, M3) and the means of allocation, comparison and extraction form part of a computer device (01.02).  10. System according to claim 10, characterized in that the computer device (01, 02) comprises a first computer (01) which is provided with memories (M1, M2) of the real and specific data and of the means of allocation of the symbols -marks and includes an output device device (BS1) capable of recording the sets of final data on a medium (D) such as a floppy disk, a magnetic tape or the like, and a second computer (02) which is provided with an input and output device (L) capable of reading said recording medium (D) and of controlling the machine (M), this second computer (02) comprising the memory (M2) of the data relating to the identification elements determining the external appearance of the types of ticket or ticket and the comparator and extractor means.  11. Memory device for the final data, relating to each encounter, according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a support (D) on which are recorded, in a manner unreadable by unauthorized persons, said final data, such than a floppy disk or magnetic tape, and in that this support (D) comprises a first recording track (D1) which contains data blocks (BD) each relating to a meeting and drawing the receiving team, the 'invited team and the reference symbol assigned to this meeting (zone 1, 2, 3) and a track (P2, P3) reserved for each category of placing' of the stadium in which the corresponding meeting takes place, a data block ( BD) planned in this track for each meeting designated the receiving team and the number of places to distribute (zone 4 and 5)  12. System according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the reference symbols assigned to the types of ticket in the memory (M2) are variable.  13. Sys + th according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a device, such as a computer, for the establishment of definitezesdata and a device such as a computer for the allocation of types of title to the data definitive, the two devices being connected by any appropriate means such as a target or the telephone network.  14. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the assembly for establishing the elements to be applied by the machine is connected to the control device (DS2) by a target or the telephone network.