GB1578903A - Term ticket dispensers - Google Patents

Description

(54) TERM TICKET DISPENSERS (71) We, COMPTEURS SCHLUM BERGER a French body corporate 12, Place des Etats-Unis 92120 Montrouge (France) do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention concerns term ticket dispensers and more particularly, parking ticket dispensers which issue tickets whose validity period depends on the sum of money inserted.

Term ticket dispensers are known which issue tickets indicating not only the date but also a time, the off-setting of which in relation to the time of issue of the ticket is a function of the sum of money inserted in the dispenser. Such dispensers are for example, used in parking areas. Principally they include a device for receiving coins and for the assessment of the monetary value of the coins, a device for calculating the time permitted for parking and a device for printing the parking ticket. They also include, on an ancillary basis, a certain number of visualisation devices such as the present time, the time of termination of authorised parking, the sum of money inserted . . . and also safety devices such as the return of the money at the request of the customer.

Prior art dispensers generally include the above-mentioned devices, which enable them to realise the essential functions asked of them. However, these dispensers have a certain number of drawbacks, principally their unreliability and lack of flexibility of use.

The purpose of this invention is therefore that of providing a term ticket dispenser which has very high reliability in operation and also very great flexibility in use.

According to this invention, a term ticket dispenser comprises a differential of a ratio -1, having two input shafts one of which is connected with a timer distribution device, whilst the other shaft is connected to a device giving information on the duration of parking as a function of a sum of money inserted in the dispenser, including visualisation and printout means for showing a certain number of items of information and providing a printout of the said information on the tickets, the device giving information on parking duration as a function of the sum of money inserted comprising a first pulse generator for producing a first series of pulses, the number of which represents the said sum of money, a first counter to count the said first pulses, a second pulse generator for producing a second series of pulses, each of the said pulses representing a given duration, a tariff circuit receiving the second pulses, the said tariff circuit issuing, at its output a number of third pulses representing the number of second pulses received, each of the said third pulses having the same monetary value as that of the said first pulses, a second counter to count the said third pulses, supplied by the said tariff circuit and a comparator for comparing the said first and second counter contents, the comparator providing a control signal for the second pulse generator as long as the contents of the first and second counters, previously set to zero, are not equal so that when the contents of these two counters are equal, the information visualised or to be printed corresponds to the sum of money inserted.

A term ticket dispenser in accordance with this invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a block schematic diagram of the dispenser.

In the figure, there is shown a device 11 for the reception, selection, monetary assessment and counting of the coins which are inserted by the customer in a slot, not shown, on the dispenser. The device 11 is connected by an electric link 12 with a pulse generator 13. The generator 13 provides, at its output 14, pulses Ie, the number of which depends-for each coin inserted-on the monetary value of the said coin. The pulses Ie are applied to a counter 15, the outputs 16 of which are applied on the one hand to a decoding circuit 17 and on the other hand to an input to a comparator 18. The comparator 18 is connected at its second input to the outputs 19 of a counter 20 which counts the pulses Ic supplied on a conductor 21 by a tariff circuit 22, the purpose of which will be explained in detail below.At this stage of the description, it is sufficient to know that the number of pulses supplied by this tariff circuit depends on the duration of parking and the hourly tariff and that each pulse Ic obviously represents a unit of payment of the same value as that represented by pulse Ie supplied by generator 13; accordingly, the numbers contained in counters 15 and 20 represent sums of money, one being the sum of money inserted (counter 15) and the other a sum calculated as a function of a duration and a tariff.

The comparator 18 provides, at its output 23, an advance signal to a motor 24 when the contents of the counter 20 are lower than that of the counter 15. For that purpose, the output signal of the comparator 18 is applied to the motor 24 by means of a control circuit 44 and a conductor 45. The output shaft 25 of the motor 24 is connected to one of the two input shafts of a differential 26 having a ratio The other input shaft of the differential 26 is connected to the output shaft 27 of a motor 28, known as time distribution motor. This motor 28 is controlled by a clock circuit 29 which supplies, on a conductor 30, pulses for the advance of motor 28.Whilst output shaft 25 of motor 24 turns through an angle proportional to the difference between the values of the contents of the counters 15 and 20, the output shaft 27 of the motor 28 turns through an angle proportional to the number of pulses received continuously from clock circuit 29 and therefore adopts an angular position in relation to the elapsed time in such a way as to indicate the time.

This time indication is for example obtained by a time wheel 31, the rotation of which is controlled by the output shaft 32 of the differential 26. The output shaft 32 of the differential 26 has an angular position corres ending to the sum of time information from the input shafts 25 and 27 of said differential and, accordingly, indicates the true time if shaft 25 is in the position known as the zero-reset position which will be defined below.

The output shaft 25 of the motor 24 drives, through a shaft 36 and gear-wheels 37, a disc 33 associated with an optical electronic device 34, the disc 33 and the device 34 being provided to apply to the tariff circuit 22, by means of conductor 35, pulses Id the number of which is proportional to the angle of rotation of the shaft 25. The shaft 36 also drives a wheel 38 known as the term wheel through gear-wheels 39. The circuit 22 provides, at its output 21, a number of pulses Ic which represents the calculated parking price, such price being equal to the sum of money inserted when motor 24 is stopped. As mentioned above, each pulse Ic has the same monetary value as a pulse Ie.

The pulses Ic are also applied through control circuit 40 and two conductors 42 and 43 to a stepping motor 41; this motor 41 drives, by a system of gear-wheels 46, a roller-wheel 47 known as the price wheel, which displays the calculated price corresponding to the sum of money inserted.

The output shaft 53 of the motor 41, the input shafts 25 and 27 and also the output shaft 48 of the differential 26 each drive a system of cams associated with micro contacts, not shown. The cams CDl and CD2 driven by the shaft 25 are used to give information on parking duration; the cams CH1 and CH2 driven by shaft 27 are used to give time information; the cams CS1 and CS2 driven by the output shaft 48 of the differential 26 are used to give information corresponding to end of parking times; finally, the cams CP driven by the shaft 53 are used to give price information.

The information obtained by means of the micro-contacts associated with the cams is applied in the form of electrical signals to the tariff circuit 22. The unit formed by the cams and associated micro-contacts permits the realisation of a programming of the tariff circuit as a function of a certain number of variables. Thus one can change the hourly tariff as a function of the parking duration (cams CDl and CD2), the true time of commencement of parking (cams CH1 and CH2) or the succession of times of end of parking as and when the coins are inserted (cams CSl and CS2), and the sum inserted (cams CP).

On the figure, the various rotating shafts and also the roller wheels are supported by three plates 49, 50 and 54; however, it is clear that this arrangement is on the one hand arbitrary and, on the other hand schematic and it simply has the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the whole of the apparatus without going into detail of realisation, such detail being within the capabilities of a skilled man.

The functions of the dispenser will now be described assuming that counters 15 and 20 have been reset to the zero condition at the end of the preceding operation by a signal RAZ 1 supplied by a ticket printout device, not shown. The introduction into device 11 of coins by the customer initiates the advance of the counter 15 in response to pulses Ie. When the contents of the counter 20 are at zero, the comparator 18 provides a signal to advance the term motor 24, by means of the motor control circuit 44.

The shaft 25 therefore begins to turn and rotates the disc 33; during the course of rotation of the disc, the optical electronic device 34 sends pulses Id, the number of which is proportional to the angle of rotation. These pulses Id are applied to tariff circuit 22 which carries out multiplication of the number of pulses Id by the unit tariff in such a way as to obtain the parking price in one form or another, for example in the form of pulses Ic, each of which represents a unit of payment of the same monetary value as that represented by a pulse Ie.

Pulses Ic are counted by the counter 20, the contents of which are compared, by the comparator 18, with those of the counter 15. The comparator 18 changes state when it detects equality of the contents and thus permits the stoppage of motor 24.

The motor 24 also rotates the term roller-wheel 38 and this wheel therefore stops on the number or numbers indicating the purchased parking duration, such duration depending on the sum of money inserted and on the tariff.

In order to show the sum of money inserted, pulses Ic are applied to the motor 41, the shaft of which drives the price wheel 47 and each pulse rotates the wheel 47 by a quantity corresponding to a unit of payment.

The motor 24 also drives one of the input shafts of the differential 26, so that the output shaft 32 turns through an angle propostional to the purchased period of parking, assuming that the other input shaft has not turned. This shaft 32 drives the time roller-wheels 31 by a quantity proportional to the period of duration of parking purchased, which has the effect of displaying the time of end of parking because these time wheels display, before the introduction of the coins, the time which it is at the moment of introduction of the coins. It is clear that, if during the insertion of the coins, the true time changes, for example by a minute, the shaft 27 turns and the same applies to the output shaft 32.

The roller-wheels 31, 38 and 47 are used for the display of the magnitudes which they represent and also for the print-out of these magnitudes on a ticket. In the case of display, the wheels, in the form of drums carrying peripheral inscriptions, match slots provided on the front face of the applicance so that the customer can carry out the verifications of use. In the case of print-out, the roller wheels co-operate with a print block, not shown on the figure, and are in the form of drums on the periphery of which appear, in relief, the figures and words necessary for the print out of certain information, such as the parking period, date and day of parking, the time of end of parking and the price paid.

The printing device is not shown on the figure because it is known elsewhere and comprises principally a continuous strip ticket store, an unreeling device to bring a ticket below the printing drums, a strike device to apply the ticket on the drums when the customer presses the "ticket" button provided for that purpose and a device for cutting the ticket after its printing. It is this ticket cutting device which provides the zero reset signal RAZI when the ticket has been cut and can therefore be withdrawn by the customer.

As indicated above, the customer has, on the front face of the dispenser, a ticket button which enables him to initiate the printing and issue of the ticket when all the indications appearing in the display devices are in accordance with his requirements. Should they not be in accordance, for example an error as to the sum of money inserted, or again should he have changed his idea with regard to the parking time, he has a second "return" button, use of which results in the issue of the coins which have been inserted in the device 11.

The TICKET and RETURN buttons result, when they are pressed, in a certain number of zero reset operations. These operations consist in resetting the counters 15 and 20 back to their initial position before the introduction of the coins, that is to say zero, but also in the return of the roller wheels to the initial position, that is to say to zero position for the roller wheels 38 and 47 and the true time position for the roller wheel 31.

The zero reset of the wheels 38 and 47 is achieved by using a signal RAZ2, decoding the zero position of the counter 15, provided by the decoding circuit 17. It will be noted that the RAZ 1 signal is supplied either directly by a micro-contact acting in conjunction with the return button or by a micro-contact operated at the end of the ticket cutting.

The RAZ 2 signal is applied to the motors 24 and 41 and initiates their reversal to their zero position defined by a cam associated with a micro-contact. In the figure, the cam and the microcontact bear reference 51 for the motor 24 and reference 52 for the motor 41. The reversal of the motor 24 also has the effect of the reversal of the output shaft 32 of the differential 26 and therefore the return to the initial condition of the roller wheel 31 which then indicates the true time.

As described above, the electric signals supplied by the micro-contacts associated with the cams CDI, CD2, CSI, CS2, CHl, CH2 and CP are applied to the tariff circuit 22 to permit a modification of the tariff applicable. In the circuit 22, this modification may be realised in different ways which are within the capacity of a skilled person for example by modification of the multiplicator coefficient mentioned above or, what amounts to the same, by modification of the division ratio of a counter. It will therefore be realised that the cams CH1 and CH2 make it possible to modify the tariff as a function of the moment of commencement of the parking for example by establishing a tariff which differs according to whether the purchase of parking time takes place in the morning or in the afternoon.It is also possible to modify the tariff as a function of the parking duration, for example by increasing the tariff in order to obtain a dissuasive effect, by using cams CDl and CD2. By using cams CS and CS2, it is possible to modify the tariff as a function of the particular time of parking and thus provide a nil tariff between 1200 hours and 1400 hours or before 0900 hours and after 1900 hours.

The above examples show that the apparatus forming the subject of the present invention has numerous possibilities without thereby being excessively complex. Furthermore, it is easy and not very costly to modify the programming merely by changing the cams.

In order to prevent the dispenser of the present invention from becoming unservice- able, a certain number of safety devices ensuring good functioning are provided.

One of these safety devices has been described above and consists in the control loop for the motor 24 turning the duration roller-wheel 38 only by an amount depend in on the sum of money inserted (counter 1 and the tariff (circuit 22 and counter 20).

A second safety device consists in the reversal of the motors 24 and 41 as far as the initial position defined by a cam which operates an associated microcontact only on such reversal.

A third safety device is provided in the device for reversing the motor 24 in such a way as to obviate any overrun on the return to the zero position which would result in complete unserviceability of the time rollers.

A fourth safety device is provided for the case where the motor 24 does not stop in the normal direction of rotation and consists of either the cam CD1 or the came CD2; a micro-contact (not shown) associated with the cam stops motor 24.

A fifth safety device is provided so that the dispenser does not accept a sum of money in excess of a certain maximum value or in order to overcome the drawbacks from bad functioning of the device 11, the generator 13 or the counter 15. This fifth device includes principally the decoding circuit 17 which provides a MAX signal when it decodes the maximum value. This MAX signal prevents the issue of the ticket by making the ticket button inoperative.

It will be noted that this decoding circuit 17 can be used to reject other sums of money, for example any sum less than three francs, which compels the customer to introduce at least this value in order to be entitled to park. The same result may be obtained by means of cams such as CP on the output shaft of the motor 41.

The parking ticket distributor shown in the drawing has been described as comprising a motor 24, known as the duration motor associated with an optical-electronic device 33, 34, which provides duration impulses and therefore plays the role of a pulse generator.

It will be realised that this opticalelectronic device can be replaced by an electronic pulse generator, the output pulses of which would be applied to the tariff circuit on motor 24 in order to cause it to advance and to an electronic display device, said generator being controlled by the output signal of the comparator 18.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A term ticket dispenser comprising a differential of a ratio 1, having two input shafts one of which is connected with a timer distribution device, whilst the other shaft is connected to a device giving information on the duration of parking as a function of a sum of money inserted in the dispenser, including visualisation and printout means for showing a certain number of items of information and providing a printout of the said information on the tickets, the device giving information on parking duration as a function of the sum of money inserted comprising a first pulse generator for producing a first series of pulses, the number of which represents the said sum of money, a first counter to count the said first pulses, a second pulse generator for producing a second series of pulses, each of the said pulses representing a given duration, a tariff circuit receiving the second pulses, the said tariff circuit issuing, at its output a number of third pulses representing the number of second pulses received, each of the said third pulses having the same monetary value as that of the said first pulses, a second counter to count the said third pulses supplied by the said tariff circuit and a comparator for comparing the said first and second counter contents, the comparator providing a control signal for the second pulse generator as long as the contents of the first and second counters, previously set to zero, are not equal so that when the contents of these two counters

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. with the cams CDI, CD2, CSI, CS2, CHl, CH2 and CP are applied to the tariff circuit 22 to permit a modification of the tariff applicable. In the circuit 22, this modification may be realised in different ways which are within the capacity of a skilled person for example by modification of the multiplicator coefficient mentioned above or, what amounts to the same, by modification of the division ratio of a counter. It will therefore be realised that the cams CH1 and CH2 make it possible to modify the tariff as a function of the moment of commencement of the parking for example by establishing a tariff which differs according to whether the purchase of parking time takes place in the morning or in the afternoon.It is also possible to modify the tariff as a function of the parking duration, for example by increasing the tariff in order to obtain a dissuasive effect, by using cams CDl and CD2. By using cams CS and CS2, it is possible to modify the tariff as a function of the particular time of parking and thus provide a nil tariff between 1200 hours and 1400 hours or before 0900 hours and after 1900 hours. The above examples show that the apparatus forming the subject of the present invention has numerous possibilities without thereby being excessively complex. Furthermore, it is easy and not very costly to modify the programming merely by changing the cams. In order to prevent the dispenser of the present invention from becoming unservice- able, a certain number of safety devices ensuring good functioning are provided. One of these safety devices has been described above and consists in the control loop for the motor 24 turning the duration roller-wheel 38 only by an amount depend in on the sum of money inserted (counter 1 and the tariff (circuit 22 and counter 20). A second safety device consists in the reversal of the motors 24 and 41 as far as the initial position defined by a cam which operates an associated microcontact only on such reversal. A third safety device is provided in the device for reversing the motor 24 in such a way as to obviate any overrun on the return to the zero position which would result in complete unserviceability of the time rollers. A fourth safety device is provided for the case where the motor 24 does not stop in the normal direction of rotation and consists of either the cam CD1 or the came CD2; a micro-contact (not shown) associated with the cam stops motor 24. A fifth safety device is provided so that the dispenser does not accept a sum of money in excess of a certain maximum value or in order to overcome the drawbacks from bad functioning of the device 11, the generator 13 or the counter 15. This fifth device includes principally the decoding circuit 17 which provides a MAX signal when it decodes the maximum value. This MAX signal prevents the issue of the ticket by making the ticket button inoperative. It will be noted that this decoding circuit 17 can be used to reject other sums of money, for example any sum less than three francs, which compels the customer to introduce at least this value in order to be entitled to park. The same result may be obtained by means of cams such as CP on the output shaft of the motor 41. The parking ticket distributor shown in the drawing has been described as comprising a motor 24, known as the duration motor associated with an optical-electronic device 33, 34, which provides duration impulses and therefore plays the role of a pulse generator. It will be realised that this opticalelectronic device can be replaced by an electronic pulse generator, the output pulses of which would be applied to the tariff circuit on motor 24 in order to cause it to advance and to an electronic display device, said generator being controlled by the output signal of the comparator 18. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A term ticket dispenser comprising a differential of a ratio 1, having two input shafts one of which is connected with a timer distribution device, whilst the other shaft is connected to a device giving information on the duration of parking as a function of a sum of money inserted in the dispenser, including visualisation and printout means for showing a certain number of items of information and providing a printout of the said information on the tickets, the device giving information on parking duration as a function of the sum of money inserted comprising a first pulse generator for producing a first series of pulses, the number of which represents the said sum of money, a first counter to count the said first pulses, a second pulse generator for producing a second series of pulses, each of the said pulses representing a given duration, a tariff circuit receiving the second pulses, the said tariff circuit issuing, at its output a number of third pulses representing the number of second pulses received, each of the said third pulses having the same monetary value as that of the said first pulses, a second counter to count the said third pulses supplied by the said tariff circuit and a comparator for comparing the said first and second counter contents, the comparator providing a control signal for the second pulse generator as long as the contents of the first and second counters, previously set to zero, are not equal so that when the contents of these two counters

are equal, the information visualised or to be printed corresponds to the sum of money inserted.

2. A term ticket dispenser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the device for the visualisation and printout of the information of the sum of money inserted includes a motor, the rotation of which is controlled by the tariff circuit output pulses.

3. A term ticket dispenser in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the second pulse generator comprises a motor the shaft of which is associated with an opticalelectronic device which supplies the duration pulses, the rotation of the said motor being controlled by the signal supplied by the comparator.

4. A term ticket dispenser in accordance with any one of the foregoing claims, wherein cams associated with micro contacts are located on the input and output shafts of the differential and also on the shaft of the motor controlling the device for visualisation of the prices in such a way as to provide electrical signals to be applied to the tariff circuit in order to modify the unit tariff.

5. A term ticket dispenser in accordance with any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the visualisation and display device consists of roller wheels.

6. A term ticket dispenser in accordance with claim 3, wherein the shaft of the motor associated with the optical electrical device is connected to said other input shaft of the differential.

7. A term ticket dispenser substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.