FR2833382A1 - METHOD OF ACQUISITION AND VALIDATION OF A TICKET FOR ACCESS TO AN EVENT, A SERVICE, A RESERVATION, OR A TRANSPORT TICKET - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service, a reservation or a transport ticket which consists in: distributing by any material medium said ticket, provided with a specific identification identifying said medium exclusively; validating said medium in connection with a specific event, a specific service or with a specific transport, said validating step consisting in associating with said support the reference(s) concerning the event, the service or the transport concerned.

Description

<Desc / Clms Page number 1>

METHOD OF ACQUIRING AND VALIDATING A TICKET OF ACCESS TO AN EVENT, A SERVICE, A RESERVATION, OR A TICKET OF TRANSPORT.

The invention relates to a method for acquiring and validating an access ticket to all types of events, sports, shows, etc., but also to access a service or a reservation, or even a ticket. It aims more particularly to simplify for the purchaser of such a title the various manipulations and other formalities necessary for its validation and its acquisition.

In the field of events, and generally of leisure, many events require the acquisition of an entry ticket or equivalent in return for the payment of a fixed sum, or simply following an invitation ( trade shows, etc.). Various solutions are proposed to date, and which in general, are not satisfactory.

First of all, and in a traditional way, the ticket or ticket can be purchased directly at the entrance to the place of the event, either some time before it takes place, or even when it is held . In addition to the fact that in this hypothesis, the potential buyer has only one point of sale which can, if necessary be located relatively far from his place of residence, he is dependent on the opening hours of the cash register considered, but also booking problems. In addition, this generates a significant loss of time, regardless of the risk of shortage (lack of available space) or even cancellation of sessions.

We also know the principle of issuing banknotes of the type that cannot be forged, for example coated with a hologram, possibly associated with an additional security device of the barcode type. Such tickets carry the identification of the show or event in question, and are likely to be acquired from specific points of sale and in general, in limited numbers. The centers for issuing such tickets are connected to a central ticket office by any known means such as a terminal.

If certainly, this acquisition method is relatively safe in terms of tampering, on the other hand, it requires a relatively expensive investment in terms of equipment, especially the terminal, and for the purchaser, has the disadvantage of having access than a reduced number of points of sale, traditionally limited to large shopping centers, and therefore requiring a trip to these points of sale, to proceed with the acquisition and purchase of these tickets.

<Desc / Clms Page number 2>

 The implementation of the Internet network has also been proposed. This allows the purchaser to select the event of his choice, and this in an almost unlimited manner, the number of places he requires and the payment of the corresponding price by means of the bank card (number and expiration date). This principle also has the advantage of zero financial investment for the event organizer or the broadcaster.

On the other hand, it is well known that notwithstanding the development of Internet security systems, it is not excluded that the details of bank cards are disseminated to unscrupulous third parties, and moreover and above all, this principle does not allow materialization immediate entry ticket or ticket. In fact, once the various pieces of information have been entered via the Internet at the level of the selected server, the purchaser does not receive the titles by mail, until about two or three days later in the best case, and generates an additional cost for the issuer is not negligible, since such securities are traditionally sent by registered mail.

In fact, the purchaser does not immediately have the tickets or titles in question, which can prove to be prohibitive when he wishes to acquire them within a period very close to the event considered.

Lastly, there is another possibility of acquiring such titles, unfortunately reserved for a reduced public, within the framework of works councils. In this case, such a committee pre-purchases tickets, under special conditions, generally advantageous, but which require a minimum number of tickets, for a predetermined sector.

In addition to the aforementioned drawback that such an acquisition is limited to a small audience, this method of purchase does not provide for the recovery of unsold items, which may in fact generate an additional cost for the works council in question, but above all generates a problem of storing these tickets, otherwise requiring a safe, at the very least an equivalent means. It also involves physical management of the stock by a manager of the Works Council, and finally financial management of the stock.

In summary, whatever the mode of acquisition and validation of tickets or entry or transport tickets, there is to date no satisfactory means both for the organizer or the carrier, and for the purchaser.

<Desc / Clms Page number 3>

 At the same time, there is to date no flexible, efficient and inexpensive means relating to the management and control of access to all types of events, more specifically dedicated to professionals. Indeed, during these fairs, professionals, and in general visitors, traditionally receive invitations from the organizer or exhibitors, which should be presented at the ticket offices to allow access . They can also be informed of the existence of the event in question by means of the usual dissemination vectors, such as advertising, posters, etc. In this case, they can proceed to their pre-registration, thus allowing them to dispense with any entry fee, and as a corollary to receive an access badge by mail, or even to withdraw it at the reception, during the visit. to the event in question. This generates significant personnel and logistics costs for the organizer, in order to be able to respond in a short time to high demand. Whatever the means used, visitors are in any case reduced to queues, in order to receive their badge or entry support.

The object of the invention is to propose a method aiming on the one hand, to simplify these conditions of acquisition and validation, without however altering the unfalsifiable nature of these titles, and to optimize the comfort of the purchaser by not requiring significant travel or long waits, and allowing him to immediately make the titles available, at least during validation. It also aims to improve information for potential customers, and to simplify the promotion of an event.

This method of acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service, a reservation, or a transport ticket consists of: - distributing by any means a physical medium of the ticket in question, coated with a specific identification identifying the medium in question and itself; - to validate this support in relation to a specific event or with a specific transport, this validation step consisting in associating with this support the reference (s) relating to the event in question or to the transport in question.

According to a variant of the invention, more specifically intended for traditional buyers, the validation step also consists in paying the price corresponding to the determined event, to the determined service or to the determined transport to a terminal, by any means any.

<Desc / Clms Page number 4>

 In other words, the present invention consists in issuing on a relatively large scale a medium materializing a ticket or a transport ticket, each medium being identified by a specific identification number, and in validating this medium whatever either in connection with an event determined at a terminal, of simplified type, likely to be accessible from any location.

d'identification, afin de garantir une meilleure sécurité, et par exemple : 'un code barres identifiant le porteur du support ; 'une étiquette inductive, une bande magnétique, une puce, voire même un autre code-barres, identifiant l'événement, le service ou le transport. According to the invention, the specific identification of the support consists of a bar code, a radio frequency label well known in the RFID technique, or even a magnetic strip, or even a smart card, the terminal then obviously being suitable for reading. or the recognition of said specific identification and, where applicable, its validation. Said support can even combine several means

identification, in order to guarantee better security, and for example: a bar code identifying the carrier of the support; '' an inductive label, a magnetic strip, a chip, or even another barcode, identifying the event, service or transport.

Still according to the invention, and more specifically, the identification of the event is carried out by means of a code, in particular alphanumeric or bar code, available either from the organizer of the event, or at the level of the carrier, either at the level of a guide periodically listing the events in question, or even with a distributor of the media in question.

In addition and according to the invention, the terminal can be of any kind, in particular Minitel, Audiotel type, bar code reader, bank card reader, chip card reader, etc.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the purchaser of the ticket receives a confirmation message, materializing in the form of an SMS on a cell phone, either in the form of a fax, or also in the form of an e-mail, this confirmation message being likely to be produced as proof if necessary.

The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which ensue therefrom will emerge more clearly from the examples of embodiment which follow, given by way of indication and not limiting in support of the appended figures.

FIG. 1 represents a simplified block diagram of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention, requiring the payment of a price during the validation phase.

<Desc / Clms Page number 5>

 FIG. 2 represents a simplified block diagram of a second embodiment of the method according to the invention, not requiring the payment of a price during the validation phase.

FIG. 3 represents a simplified block diagram of a third embodiment of the method according to the invention, implementing a differentiated payment, during the validation phase.

First of all, an application of the present invention to the acquisition and validation of an access ticket to an event of the sports, leisure, shows, cinema, etc. type will be described, in accordance with a first embodiment, and in relation to FIG. 1.

It is however understood that this application is in no way limitative of the effective scope of the invention, and that it could be envisaged in particular for access to a service (telephone, Internet, etc.), or a reservation (hotel, car rental, etc.).

In this context, the acquisition of an access ticket, in this case a ticket, first goes through the stage for the potential purchaser, of obtaining material support.

This can be obtained in various ways, such as in particular by direct marketing, by the principle of inserting within a press support, by means of catalogs, by the purchase of guides listing all the leisure or events considered, or even directly at a tobacconist type trader, press distributor, bank counters, post office, point Française des Jeux, etc.

This support can be in various forms, and in particular traditional paper support, but also plastic card, private card such as bank card, electronic wallet, or even reading badge, especially at a distance.

Whatever the mode of acquisition of this support, it can already be understood that this is done without displacement, in any case without significant displacement of the interested user. According to the invention, this ticket or support of all dimensions, and generally of standard dimensions, carries an identification number which is specific to it, in particular in the form of a bar code.

<Desc / Clms Page number 6>

 Obviously, this barcode and in general the barcodes of all the securities issued, at this time without any validity, are listed in a database, managed by the organizer of the event, the event, spectacle, etc ..., and by the transporter, thus already limiting the risk of fraud.

In addition, the support ticket is advantageously provided with a protection making it tamper-proof, and in particular with a hologram.

The subsequent step is for the purchaser of this support to validate it in relation to a show, event, etc., determined. This particular event is itself referenced by a code of its own, and which the purchaser of the ticket can obtain either in the aforementioned guide, listing all the leisure activities and shows, or directly from the merchant distributing now and already standard supports, or even directly with the organizer by simple telephone call or by Minitel, or even by Internet.

The validation step will therefore consist first of all, in associating with the support bar code the reference code of the show or event in question, and in parallel, paying the corresponding price, depending on the precise number of places desired by this bias reserve the buyer by distinguishing where appropriate the number of adults and the number of children.

This validation will materialize by the introduction through a terminal of the Minitel type, bar code reader, etc ..., telephone (Audiotel service) Interactive Television, Automatic Teller Machine, ATM, TPE, code bars of the support ticket, of the reference code of the event in question, and of the number of places thus reserved, in addition to the date and time desired by the user, this validation being completed by the payment of the corresponding price.

This or these information related to the chosen event can be identified by a second barcode, but can also be identified by another means, such as the signal from a radio frequency label, the data written on a magnetic strip or a chip, with which the support is provided.

<Desc / Clms Page number 7>

 In a variant of the invention, the potential acquirer can obtain the identification barcode directly via the Internet. This unique barcode then makes it possible to validate an entry or service for anyone without physical support.

In doing so, the purchaser immediately has his duly validated access permit, allowing him to attend the event in question on the dates and times scheduled.

Advantageously, the organizer of the event in question can provide specific access queues for people who have previously acquired this type of support, like what is currently practiced in cinemas.

In addition, this validation step can be carried out anywhere, and advantageously at the level of the broadcasters of the media in question, and in the most conventional manner at the level of tobacconists, and local press broadcasters.

However, this validation step can also be carried out directly from the purchaser by telephone or Minitel, but also by means of a cell phone.

According to the invention, the support in question can be for single use. In other words, it can only be validated once in relation to a specific event.

In a variant of the invention, it can also be for multiple use, since the only mention actually appearing on the support resides in the bar code which identifies it. It is indeed recalled that the effective validation of this support ticket, and in particular the relation barcode support-code reference of the show is in principle not printed on said support, but is stored in the memory of the central server of the event organized during the validation stage.

It is the reading of the barcode to access the event in question which makes it possible to immediately check internally at the terminal of the place of the event which allows effective access to the bearer of the ticket in question.

In this way, the problem of the dematerialization of the ticket is solved in a simple manner.

<Desc / Clms Page number 8>

Selon ce même principe du support à usage multiple, il peut être envisagé la possibilité d'un badge déjà existant, du genre carte de fidélité munie d'un code-barres unique, d'une quelconque enseigne ayant intégré le concept, ce code-barre, dûment répertorié servant de droit d'entrée.

According to this same principle of the support for multiple use, it is possible to envisage the possibility of an already existing badge, of the kind loyalty card provided with a unique barcode, of any sign having integrated the concept, this code- bar, duly listed, serving as entry fee.

The invention can also be applied to the acquisition of the ticket, but also of ski passes, such as ski lifts.

The principle is strictly identical. The user introduces the support with which he is provided, coated with his specific barcode, and associated at the server center level with the identification number identifying the desired ski lift sector, in relation to the number of purchasers, the date, the duration, the ski area envisaged, at the level of an automatic distributor at the bottom of the slopes of the station considered, connected to the server center of the transporter, which generates the issue of a counter-brand, which then acts as a package for the duration envisaged, and for the number of persons envisaged.

This method thus has many advantages.

First of all for the buyer, he instantly has his access ticket. He also has the possibility of validating it directly from his home or in the immediate vicinity of his home, which the various methods proposed to date did not allow to obtain.

In addition, it has an exhaustive inventory of all the events likely to offer them.

With such support, it also has the possibility of validating a subscription, for example of the Internet type, period by period, either with the broadcaster, merchant or tobacconist type, or directly with the operator, thus offering it the possibility of benefiting ad hoc promotional offers, likely to be offered by this type of operator.

Finally, when the support is provided with a chip card, it can be recharged by the same principle.

<Desc / Clms Page number 9>

 With regard to the organizer, and generally the supplier, the latter no longer has the drawbacks linked to the setting up of direct debits and payments.

It is also possible to target customers already provided with the support, leading to customer loyalty without knowing them, simply through their actual consumption, and thus allowing them to orient the promotional offers that they are likely to offer. .

In addition, it also has through this, the possibility of communicating on any type of support, such as magazine, newspaper, etc ..., thus resulting in very precise targeting and great finesse.

In addition, the costs related to the sale and distribution of the media are much lower, even if the number of tickets actually issued may be greater.

In addition, given the pre-booking likely to result from the implementation of the method according to the invention, he has a more precise idea of the flow of visitors that he is likely to welcome, and as a corollary to set up the appropriate logistics.

This acquisition principle drastically simplifies security at the fund level.

In addition, given the large number of potential buyers of these pre-reservations, it is also possible to simplify the organization by putting fewer hostesses, fewer terminals for tickets at the event level considered.

Finally, with regard to the entity collecting the funds, and in particular the local merchant, the tobacconist, etc., it offers an additional service, therefore likely to generate added value for its customers, therefore to itself. , through indirect sales likely to result, thus increasing its profitability.

According to another embodiment of the invention, more particularly described in relation to Figure 2, the purchaser of the title is more of the professional type. In this case, it is likely to receive an invitation from the organizer of an event, and in particular a fair, or even an exhibitor at said fair. On receipt of

<Desc / Clms Page number 10>

 this invitation, he is asked to pre-register, by any means at his convenience, and in particular by fax, mail, Internet, or even simply by telephone. Once this pre-registration has been received from the organizer or the exhibitor, a badge bearing an identification means and in particular a barcode is then sent to it, this medium having been validated by the issuer, and by the organizer.

When the professional presents himself at the entrance of the fair or the event, the simple reading of the badge by an appropriate terminal, of the type of that previously described authorizes him access to said event.

According to this method, pre-registration therefore generates validation of the access ticket, without requiring any travel by the person concerned.

In doing so, exhibitors can be equipped with a simple barcode reading device, and / or a reader of other means of identification, in order to allow them to enter the number into memory, and by entering the contact details of visitors, and therefore potential customers.

In addition, this method makes it possible to make the various places of the event more secure, since all of the wandering people, visitors, exhibitors, logistics carry a badge in accordance with the invention. This also makes it possible to reduce the financial losses inherent in fraud.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, more particularly described in relation to fig 3, a certain number of targeted customers receive for a given exhibition or event site, or by a given organizer, a universal badge, coated a means of identification which is specific to it, and in particular a barcode. This code therefore precisely identifies the purchaser or the customer. As a corollary, during the holding of each show, event, show, manifestation, said potential buyer is informed by any means of the holding of these events.

If he is interested in holding the next event, or announced events, he validates his badge in relation to this or these events. This validation is carried out by entering the code of the badge in question, the wearer no longer having to systematically re-enter all of the professional information concerning him, thereby generating comfort and saving time.

<Desc / Clms Page number 11>

This validation first allows him to access the event in question.

However, this event can be associated with several services, in addition to simple access. We can, for example, cite access to the car park, participation in one or more forums, conferences, training courses, congresses, in addition to simple catering services.

In other words, during validation, it becomes possible to distinguish free services from paid services. Payment is made when the badge is validated in connection with one or more of the above events, either with a distributor or directly online by bank card. This validation induces the issue of an invoice, if applicable, sent to the purchaser by mail. It can also be accompanied by a confirmation message by SMS, e-mail, telephone, etc.

In addition, according to the same principle, it is possible for the purchaser of the medium to reserve not only several options, but also to reserve his access to the event in question for several days. For example, as part of the Cannes International Film Festival, when validating his badge, he can book different sessions over several days, thanks to multiple and successive choices (tree structure).

When the buyer in question arrives at the entrance to the event in question, various counter-marks are given to him, functions of the services that he actually required during validation.

In the event that said purchaser has not validated his badge in relation to the event (s) considered, he nevertheless has the option of appearing at the entrance of it or these, and to validate their universal badge on a machine with payment by bank card.

In other words, this particular embodiment of the invention allows by means of a single universal badge, carrying the barcode representative of the single badge, and starting from its holder, to have access to an unlimited number of 'events in the broad sense, these are identified by an event barcode.

As an example, a universal badge could be designed as a subscription to the first division football season, that is to say, allowing access to all the league matches played at home. The validation of this badge is materialized by the only payment of the price. As a corollary, the holder of said badge

<Desc / Clms Page number 12>

 could be able to access other types of matches, such as the French Cup, European Championship, etc., by validating their badge according to the process previously described in relation to these so-called exceptional events>.

According to another example, the method of the invention can be implemented in connection with the transport of parcel-messaging. In this case, the badge takes the form of an advantageously self-adhesive label, coated with the user's own barcode. The validation of this label is carried out on the server of the messaging service for example by means of its simple telephone number in relation to the number of the barcode and the date of effective validation, even by the Minitel, the audiotel services or even Internet.

The user receives a periodic invoice, listing the various operations carried out during the determined period.

In addition, the user can monitor the correct delivery of packages by logging into the server and identifying himself with his only telephone number and the barcode number entered during validation by Minitel, Audiotel or the Internet.

We can therefore see the very great simplicity of implementing this method, in addition to its reliability.

Claims (13)

 CLAIMS 1. Method of acquisition and validation of an access ticket to an event, to a service or to a reservation, or of a transport ticket characterized in that it consists: - to distribute by any means a physical medium of the title in question, coated with a specific identification identifying the medium in question and itself; - to validate this support in relation to a specific event, a specific service or with a specific transport, this validation step consisting in associating with this support the reference (s) relating to the event, the service or the transportation in question. 2. Method of acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service or a reservation, or a transport ticket according to claim 1, characterized in that the validation step is carried out at an appropriate terminal, intended to materialize on the support the reference (s) relating to the event, service or transport in question. 3. Method of acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service or a reservation, or a transport ticket according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that l The validation step is also accompanied by the payment of the corresponding price for the event, service or transport determined at a terminal, by any means whatsoever. 4. Method of acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service or a reservation, or a transport ticket according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that l the specific identification of the support consists of a bar code, a radio frequency label, a magnetic strip, a smart card, the terminal then being suitable for reading or recognizing said specific identification and, where appropriate, for its validation. 5. Method for acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service or a reservation, or a transport ticket according to claim 4, characterized in that the support combines several means of in order to guarantee better security. <Desc / Clms Page number 14>  6. Method for acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service or a reservation, or a transport ticket according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the support coated with its specific identification is provided with a protection making it tamper-proof, and in particular a hologram. 7. Method for acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service or a reservation, or a transport ticket according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the identification of the event is carried out using a code, in particular an alphanumeric or bar code, available either from the event organizer, or at the level of the service provider, or at the level of the transporter, or at the level a guide periodically listing the events in question, or even from a distributor of the media in question. 8. Method of acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service or a reservation, or a transport ticket according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that l the validation step also consists in associating with the support not only the reference (s) relating to the event in question or the transport in question, but also the number of people considered by access or transport, by possibly differentiating the number of adults and children. 9. Method of acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service or a reservation, or a transport ticket according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the validation terminal is connected to the host of the event organizer, service provider or transporter, said terminal consisting of a barcode reader, bank card reader, Minitel, landline or cell phone. 10. Method of acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service or a reservation, or a transport ticket according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the support consists of a badge or equivalent universal means, assigned to a single user, coated with a specific means of identification, barcode type, capable of receiving another identification relating to one or more events, service or transport, said badge or equivalent means being infinitely reusable by its holder. <Desc / CRUD Page number 15> 11. Method of acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service or a reservation, or a transport ticket according to claim 10, characterized in that the identification associated with said badge or universal means of identification being likely to include data related to one or more free accesses, services or transportations, and data relating to one or more expensive accesses, services or transportations. 12. Method of acquiring and validating an access ticket to an event, a service or a reservation, or a transport ticket according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the buyer of the title receives a confirmation message, materializing in the form of an SMS on a cell phone, in the form of a fax, in the form of an e-mail, or in the form of a letter , this confirmation message being likely to be produced as proof if necessary. 13. Method of acquisition and validation of a transport ticket according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the delivery of the actual transport ticket or proof of access or expensive services is presented under the form of a counter-mark or equivalent, by introducing the validated support at the level of an automatic distributor connected to the server center of the transporter.