GB2276266A

GB2276266A - Fare collection system

Info

Publication number: GB2276266A
Application number: GB9404797A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ghazala Shaheen Jamil Malik
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-03-11
Filing date: 1994-03-11
Publication date: 1994-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2014-03-11
Also published as: GB2276266B; GB9404797D0; AU6853094A; WO1995024695A1

Abstract

In a fare collection system for public transport each passenger is provided with a coded card which is read when the passenger starts a journey, and at the end thereof. All data relating to each journey, including possibly additional passengers and luggage details, is fed to a central computer which stores details of all journeys and subsequently bills passengers accordingly. The coded card may be used in conjunction with a portable transmitter which transmits a validating code for the card and if the codes are invalid a photographic image of the passenger is taken.

Description

This device relates to the accurate and precise journey costing for travellers.

Regular and casual passengers today need to travel on a variety of transport systems in order to complete a journey. Each section has to be paid for separately and each operator has to manage the ticket process production, sale, pricing policy and handle the finance.

The use of pre-paid cards involves the need to purchase new ones on expiry or regeneration of codes on the smart cards and they may expire at the wrong time. Credit and bank cards may not always be available to every passenger.

The journey recording device (JR;D) will allow for each journey to be charged precisely with regard to the time of day, starting and finishing points. The cost will be farer for the passenger and the system will provide accurate analysis for the operator to stream line the services. It will allow a just method of sharing costs between different operators for common passengers. The devices may be used by operators using buses, trams, underground, trains, taxis or hire cabs. These devices will enable the operators individually or collectively to centralise the journey cost per passenger per journey.

The technique involves issuing a uniquely identified card to each passenger together with a small portable transmitter see Fig 1. The passenger on starting a journey will supply the JRD with his/her card through the card slot (D) and presses the transmitter switch on the personal transmitter.

The JRD will check the unique card id (passenger id), and the transmitted code against an internal list of invalid cards, record in ram (U) and on the internal backing storage device Q the passenger id, device id, service number, journey point, date, journey start time. If the passenger id is valid price and print a ticket and any information for the passenger on (C), display information for the operator through the operator interface (H) and signal the entry /exit doors interface Q to open.If the passenger id is invalid a message will be displayed for the passenger on (C) and on the operator IO interface (H) with an audible bleep on (C), the camera fI) will be used to take a photographic image of the passenger which will be recorded on the video recorder (V) and on the internal backing storage device Q, both the camera image and the holders image from the card will be displayed for the operator via the operator IO interface(H) and the device will await operator control.The process will be repeated when the passenger finishes the journey and the journey end record will be completed by recording the journey end details in ram (U) and on the backing storage device Q. The devices will be placed at all entrylexit points enabling passengers to embark/disembark from different locations.

Multiple devices on the same vehicle may be connected through the fixed link to other devices interface (F) in order to share information and data. A luggage switch (B) will be used by the passengers to open the doors for longer period and an additional passenger switch (A) will permit additional passengers on the same passenger id. The operator through the operator interface (H) will have access to the device to overcome erroneous or difficult situations. When the doors are open the device will monitor the passage clear detector interface (1)for a signal to close the entry /exit doors through the interface (J).

The device will have a printer, speaker and display unit (C) to indicate help or fault messages to the passenger. Current device and journey details will be displayed through the operators interface (H). The printer will have two rolls of paper one copy for the passenger and one for the record It will also be used to print specific information for specific passenger id's.

The use of a personal transmitter and an identification card is for additional security against lost/stolen transmitters or cards. The use of the camera(s) (15 and video recorder (V) will deter the use of borrowed or stolen cards and prevent vandalism in general.

CARDS (fig 1) The cards can be based on invisible optical or magnetic character recognition or a built in micro chip. Magnetic, optical and micro chip cards can have extensive pre-recorded details on the holder including finger prints. Journey details may be recorded on them as they occur.

However cards with bar codes may be used but recording of data will not be possible. All cards will include a visible or an invisible image of the holder. The card will be submitted to the JRD through the interface (D).

PERSONAL TRANSMrITERS (fig 1) The passenger id will be transmitted to the JRD through a small and easy to carry wireless transmitter possibly located in a key ring, pen, necklace, bracelet, ring or a watch.

Communicating with the JRD through the wireless interface (E).

PROTECTED FUNCTIONS The operator by issuing reserved codes can enter the control module where all operational and communicational parameters and settings will be modifiable through the software switches.

The settings may be saved, ignored or reset to dip switch (Q) values. The operator may also set parameters which will enable the JRD to read the settings from the communication links (F or 0), the smart card interface(D), the removable backing storage device(K), or through the wireless transmissions of setting data packets via the interface (E).The dip switches (Q) will allow permanent hard settings for the device. The settings will revert to the default dip switch (Q) values when the battery (S) is removed.

From the control module the device id may be altered, time out delay before re-transmitting and number of retries before aborting. Wavelength and frequency of operation along with other similar operational data would be adjustable for the wireless interface(E). The type and format of the information to be recorded on the backing storage device (lea) for each journey may be modified. The recording of journeys, settings and other details on the smart card (D) enabled or disabled. The use of personal transmitter enabled/disabled. The device enable function set on/off/timed. The passenger and luggage switches (A & B ) may be enabled/ disabled/ placed under operator control. Ticket printing set on entry/ on exitl entry & exit or off. Internal ticket pricing enabled/disabled.The pricing policy will be adjustable with regard to time, length ofjourney. The camera (I) and (U) may be set on/off/placed under operator control but both will be on if the JRD fails or an invalid card inserted. The devices may be set to be active only at stop points and for a short period thereafter. The card interface (1)) set to process magnetic, optical, chip or bar code based cards.

The communication protocols for any of the interface ports (l),E,F,G,H,J,K,M,N,O,P) such as handshaking, half/ full duplex, synchronous/ asynchronous, baud rate, packets:formats,codes and size, error checking on/off/type, where relevant will be adjustable.

From the control module the operator will be able to down or up load the data, settings and operating software between any of the interfaces manually through selection of options and menus or by setting parameters ensure specific operations automatically at pre set times or upon certain signals from any of the interfaces.

JRD SYSTEM DIAGRAM (fig 2) The system diagram simply indicates the various interfaces which will be required. The design has not been defined further since there are many different internal and external layouts capable of achieving all the functions described herein.

INTERFACE TECHNICALUES AND USAGE This switches is for indicating travel of additional passengers on the same card B. This switches is for opening the doors for a longer period to permit movement of large luggage pieces.

C. The passenger interface with a display for error, help or information messages, a printer and a speaker.

D. The card interface where both ends can serve as entry or exit points.

E. The wireless radio transmission interface will be used to communicate with the host system and to receive passenger id's from personal transmitters.

F. Where more than one such device is installed on a single vehicle this link will be used to allow the devices to communicate for sharing data and information.

G. A signal from the vehicle to indicate current journey point.

H. Operator interface connecting the operators keyboard and monitor to the JED.

I. Signal from the doors to indicate when a passenger has passed through completely and the passage is clear.

J. Signal to the doors to open / close K Removable backing storage device. Magnetic or optical floppy disk to copy data and settings between the host and the JRD's.

L. Internal backing storage device for holding data.

M. Modem interface to permit distance communication between the host and the JRD'S over the telephone network.

N. Printer for local printing of data or device settings.

O. Fixed cable communication interface to permit local on site communication between the host and the JRD'S or with a local portable PC.

P. Additional serial and parallel ports are available to attach supplementary input output devices like monitors/ keyboards/printers/giant display boards.

Q. Dip switches to enforce a permanent adjustment of the hardware and software operational characteristics for the device.

R. Direct power supply input for operation.

S. Battery to permit portable operation and to continue operating in case of power failure. With full automatic recharging from the direct power supply when connected.

T. Camera(s) There may be a plurality of cameras attached to the JRD. These may be obvious or conspicuous. Their operation will be adjustable. They will have a separate power supply and will become active if communication is lost with the JRD.

U. The mother board containing all the rom, eprom, ram, cpu and clock chips connected in an electronic circuit to complete the functions described and communicate with the interfaces specified herein V. Video recording system to capture images from the camera(s) cur). It will have a separate power supply and will begin recording if communication is lost with the JRD.

All the interfaces will be fully programable through software and hardware dip switches (Q) allowing complete adjustments of the operating characteristics and functionality. The devices will normally boot from the rom chips however by setting the software and hardware dip switches (Q) the boot may take place from the internal backing storage device (L) or the removable backing storage device (K). The operator will be able to upgrade the operating system software on the two storage devices (K) and Q to enhance or modify the functions of the devices or insert new rom chips on the mother board (U).

JRD ALGOR1IHM REPEAT read operator input interface (H) for special code if special code then execute control module UNTIL special code is entered or timed out if enable off then repeat read operator input interface (H) for enable code until enable code received or time for operation end if read the operator interface (H) for working parameters service no, time, date...

REPEAT read passenger input interface (D & E) for passenger id if passenger id available then record details on ram (U) and internal backing storage Q check passenger id against list of invalid id's if valid id then If information display required then sound, display, print the information on (C) process ticket pricing and printing If card write enabled then record details on the card (D) process additional passenger/luggage switches (4B) signal doors (d) to open else obtain passenger image , save on (L & V) , display on (H) compare with card image sound and display error message on passenger interface (C) end if end if perform any functions as per software switches or hardware dip switches(Q) or any pre-timed operations process any request from attached JRD'S (F) read operator input interface (H) and act accordingly ... any other processing UNTIL end time or end signal JRD TO HOST COMMUNICATION (fig 3) There is a necessity for communication between the JRD's and the host system in order to modify the operational characteristics of each or every JRD, to transfer data and operating system software between the JRD'S and the host.This communication between the host and the JRD'S can be achieved either through the wireless transmissions interface (E) or alternatively by using any of the following:- I. The physical communication link with the host (0) II. The modem link with the host (M).

m. The smart card interface (D).

IV. The removable backing storage device (K).

Periodically (hourly, daily, weekly) all journey details will be extracted from the JRD machines to a host computer system via the wireless interface (E) or the modem interface (M) or the fixed link (0). Alternatively by copying data and settings to the removable backing storage interface (K) or the smart card interface (D)and taking the card or the removable backing storage media to the host physically for reading. The host system will collate and process the journey details by passenger id together with similar data from any other hosts and the passenger asked to settle the bill weekly or monthly. Details of invalid cards, settings and data will be down loaded to the JRD's on a regular basis using one of the communications techniques above.

The system described herein is a comprehensive system capable of operating in any public transport mode bus, tram, underground, train, taxi, hire cab. The actual application of the system in a specific environment may alter, increase or decrease the number, variety and combination of interfaces and software functions required but still continue to operate and achieve the objectives described herein and fall within the scope of the originality, inventiveness and intellectual property described herein.

The following variations on the design of the JRD's are provided as non-limiting examples.

Where a device is acting as an entry device only it may have doors whereas the accompanying devices acting as exit devices only may have no need for the doors interface (J) and the passage clear signal. The need for the doors interface (d) and the passage clear signal(r) is eliminated completely when the devices are used in a taxi, hire cab or in portable mode.

Similarly if the operating software is re-programmed to monitor the passage clear interface a) and generate an audible and visible alarm for the passenger on the interface (C) and for the operator on the operators io interface (H) when the passage has been used without an accompanying passenger id then the doors interface (J) will be redundant.

When a plurality of the devices are installed on a single vehicle bus, tram or train then one device can act as the master device and the remaining devices may act as subordinate devices.

The devices communicating with one another through (F) in a local network. The physical requirements of the subordinate devices can be minimized by eliminating any redundant interfaces and functions. Further by adding a signal to indicate the number of passengers who have embarked the devices will await the same number of passenger id's and if not inserted within a reasonable time will generate an alarm on the operators io interface (H). In this case the devices may not be situated at the entry/exit points and will not require the doors interface (J) and the passage clear signal(I). The additional passenger switch (A) may be accompanied with another switch to indicate additional child passengers.

When a specific choice for JRD to host communication (O,M,D,K) has been made the remaining communication interfaces may be redundant. A new interface may be added to recognise the fmger print of the user which will be compared with the finger prints on the card and appropriate action taken. In this case the personal transmitters will not be required. The devices may have only one card entry/exit slot (D) instead of two.

Claims

claims

1. The dedicated computer system described is designed to maintain a record of each and every journey made by passengers on a variety of fare paying vehicles bus, tram, train, underground, taxi or hire cab. The system characterised in that it consists of a mother board (U) with a plurality of rom, eprom, ram, clock, cpu chips connected in an electronic circuit board communicating with (A) additional passengers switch, (B) luggage switch, (C) The passenger interface, (D)The card interface, (E)The wireless radio transmission and reception interface, (F) Connection to other JRD, (G) journey point signal, (H) Operator IO interface, a) passage clear signal, (J) Door signal, (K) Removable backing storage device, a) Internal backing storage device, (M) Modem interface, (N) Printer, (O) Fixed cable communication interface, (P) Additional serial and parallel ports, (Q) Dip switches, (R) Direct power supply input for operation, (S) Battery slot, (15 Camera(s), (V) Video recording system.

2. The system according to claim 1 will during it's normal operation receive passenger id's from the interface (D) and the interface (13). Journey details will be written to the internal backing storage device (lea). The passenger identifications will be validated against a list of invalid id's held in ram (U) and on the internal backing storage device (lea). Valid and invalid passenger id's will thereafter be processed as per the programmed hardware and software settings and the operating system software.

3. The system as claimed in the preceding claims will have a series of dip switches (Q) to program or adjust any of the software functions performed and the hardware operational characteristics for any of the interfaces.

4. The system as claimed in the preceding claims will have a software front end, the control module, activated by entering a code which will allow the operator to adjust the software switches controlling the software and hardware functions performed and the operating characteristics for any of the interface. The software switches will over ride the hardware dip switch (Q) settings.

5. The system as claimed in the preceding claims will copy data, settings and the operating system software from the ram and the internal backing storage device (L) to any of the interfaces (E),(F),(K),(M),(N),(P) or perform the reverse operation of copying data, settings and the operating system software from any of the interfaces (E),(F),(K),(M),(N), (P) to the internal backing storage device (L) and the ram (U) under the control of the operator via the control module or at pre set times or upon a particular signal from one of the interfaces as indicated by the software or hardware dip switches(Q).

6. The device described in the preceding claims will boot from the rom chips, the internal backing storage (L) or the removable backing storage(K). The media to use will be indicated by the software and hardware dip switches (Q).