WO2005091228A1

WO2005091228A1 - Mobile ticketing system

Info

Publication number: WO2005091228A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/000423
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Lloyd; Andrew Parker; Christian Singleton
Original assignee: Mobile Recharge Solutions Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-03-24
Filing date: 2005-03-23
Publication date: 2005-09-29

Abstract

A mobile ticket dispenser (10) comprises a ticket issuer (66) configured to electronically dispense a ticket, a mobile telephone network interface (58) and a ticket inventory controller (50) configured to maintain an inventory of tickets available to be dispensed. The ticket inventory controller is also configured to receive tickets from a repository of tickets (24) by contacting the repository, requesting tickets according to inventory levels and electronically receiving tickets via the interface.

Description

MOBILE TICKETING SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ticket dispenser that is mobile and therefore does not rely on landline telephone infrastructure.

BACKGROUND

The term "ticket" is to be construed as equivalent to a voucher or token redeemable for a good or service. Often this will take the form of a recorded code that unlocks access to the good or service, such as a prepaid mobile telephone service. Other forms of ticket may be used, as will be described below.

It is known to dispense tickets with digital vouchers including mobile telephone recharge PINs from fixed systems which rely on downloading a set number of tickets to the dispensing station. A dispensing station telephones through to a central repository of tickets via a land telephone line to replenish stocks. The existing system is locked in place due to it depending on the land telephone line. This results in ticket dispensing usually being one of a number of revenue sources from the location because the turnover at a single location from ticket dispensing alone is of low profitability.

The present invention seeks among other things to provide mobility to a ticket dispensing unit.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile ticket dispenser comprising: a ticket issuer configured to electronically dispense a ticket; a mobile telephone network interface; and a ticket inventory controller configured to maintain an inventory of tickets available to be dispensed and configured to receive tickets from a repository of tickets by contacting the repository, requesting tickets according to inventory levels and electronically receiving tickets via the interface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a ticket dispensing system comprising: a ticket repository connected to a mobile telephone network to receive requests for tickets and electronically provide tickets via the mobile telephone network; and a mobile ticket issuing unit comprising a ticket dispenser configured to electronically dispense a ticket; a mobile telephone network interface; and a ticket inventory controller configured to maintain an inventory of tickets available to be dispensed and configured to receive tickets from the ticket repository by contacting the repository, requesting tickets according to inventory levels and electronically receiving tickets via the interface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination mobile ticket dispenser and telephone call unit comprising: a mobile telephone network interface engine; an audio interface configured to operate as a telephone connectable to a mobile telephone network using the interface engine; a ticket dispenser configured to electronically dispense a ticket; and a controller configured to maintain an inventory of tickets available to be dispensed, wherein the controller is configured to receive tickets from a repository of tickets by contacting the repository, requesting tickets according to inventory levels and electronically receiving tickets via the interface engine and wherein the controller is configured to control and/or record the duration of a telephone call made using the audio interface .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile public telephone call unit comprising: a mobile telephone network interface engine; an audio interface configured to operate as a telephone connectable to a mobile telephone network using the interface engine; and a controller configured to control the duration of a telephone call made using the audio interface according to an amount prepaid for use of the call unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile public telephone call unit comprising: a mobile telephone network interface engine; an audio interface configured to operate as a telephone connectable to a mobile telephone network using the interface engine; and a controller configured to record the duration of a telephone call made using the audio interface for charging the user for the use of the call unit according to the duration of use.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of conducting business comprising the steps of: providing a mobile unit capable of dispensing tickets; moving to a suitable location to sell tickets; and operating the unit to dispense tickets to customers. Preferably the unit is remotely recharged with tickets as stored ticket numbers become low.

Preferably the method further comprises moving to another suitable location to sell tickets dispensed by the unit. Preferably method further comprises providing a public phone box incorporated into the unit at the location.

Preferably the call rate of the public phone box may be varied. Preferably the call rate is varied depending on the location of the mobile unit. It may also be varied depending on time. Preferably it may also be varied depending on the identity of a vendor using the unit. Preferably the call rate may be varied due to the call type.

DESCRIPTION OF DIAGRAMS

In order to provide a better understanding, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only, in relation to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic system structure diagram of a preferred embodiment of a mobile ticketing system; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a method of using the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a dispensing unit according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figure 1 a mobile ticketing system 10 includes a backend data facility 12 and one or more mobile vending units 14. The mobile vending unit 14 is arranged to connect to a mobile telephone network 16. The mobile telephone network 16, also known as a cellular network, may be for example a CDMA, GSM or GPRS network. The network 16 is used to dial into the backend facility 12. A phone call is routed from the mobile network 16 to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 18 so that the phone call is received by modem rack 20 of the backend facility 12. Alternatively the call may be internal to the mobile network or be routed to another cellular network. The mobile vending unit 14 is then able to communicate with an application server 22 of the backend facility 12 via the telephone connection through networks 16 and 18. This enables the mobile vending unit 14 to be completely mobile within the range of the mobile telephone network 16. The application server 22 communicates with an SQL server pool 24 to access database information.

A secondary backend hosting facility 34 may be provided if the primary hosting backend facility 12 goes down. In this case the phone call from the PSTN 18 or cellular network is diverted to a second modem rack 36 of the secondary facility 34. Redundant server 34 receives the call and communicates with the mobile vending unit 14.

Referring to Figure 3, the mobile vending unit 14 includes a controller 50 in the form of a microprocessor which controls the operation of a display 52, modem 56, mobile phone network interface 58 and telephone handset interface 62. The mobile network interface 58 or GSM/GPRS engine is connected to an antenna 60 to transmit and receive high frequency radio signals to and from the mobile telephone network 16. The modem 56 may be for example a Sony

Ericsson GM47 model modem. An alternative suitable modem may be used instead. Keypad 54 provides an input from a vendor or user to the microprocessor 50. The telephone handset interface 62 is connected to an external telephone handset 54, although an internal microphone and speaker may be provided within the unit 14. The external handset 64 may be connected via a RJ11 or RJ45 interface. The interface 62 operates as an analogue to digital converter to convert sound received by the handset microphone into a digital signal and also operates as a digital to analogue converter to drive the speaker with a digital signal from the microprocessor 50. A further interface may be provided to support an external smart card reader. The microprocessor 50 may be connected to an external printer 66. Although the printer may instead be built into the unit 14. The microprocessor 50 can control the storage of ticket data in storage unit 55, which may be for example a hard disk drive or flash RAM.

Referring to Figure 2 the mobile vending unit 14 is able to perform two functions. These functions may be provided independently or simultaneously. The first function is the vending of access code activation tickets. Examples of these tickets include prepaid amounts of wireless airtime, internet access, electricity, sporting, theatre and events ticketing, local, interstate and national prepaid telephone access. The second function is to provide a mobile public telephone box. The advantage of providing both of systems is that an income stream from the public call box and the ticket vending can be provided at the same time at a location convenient to a vendor and all from the same device 14.

The retail vendor on behalf of the merchant 74 sells tickets to customers 72. The tickets- may be printed using printer 66. In addition the vendor sells access to the public telephone using handset 64. In Figure 2 an external dialling unit and display is built into the external dialler 64. Revenue generated by the merchant 74 is deposited into a bank 64 by the merchant as payment for stock of tickets sold to customers 72. A ticket may only be dispensed after a pass code is entered which provides security for issuing of tickets. The printer provides the physical ticket with access code information printed thereon that the customer can take away and use it as a physical voucher/ticket to activate the service paid for.

Each sale of a ticket from the mobile vending unit 14 accumulates sales data in the storage 55 which is periodically able to be reported to the backend facility 22.

Relatively low numbers of stock of tickets need to be electronically stored in the mobile unit 14. When a particular stock item gets low the unit will be able to dial into the backend facility 12, no matter the location, and obtain another batch of products 82 (tickets) . Reporting from the backend facility 12 is provided to the client's financial package 78 along with bank statements and statements regarding direct payments. This information is stored in a database on the SQL server 24. The merchant may be able to periodically check sales progress from a work station 32 by dialling in through the internet 30 to the backend hosting system 12 via a firewall 28 and interface with a web based interface that provides access to the database on server pool 24.

Ordinarily the communication process would only be initiated by the mobile vending unit 14, not by the backend facility. However, in some embodiments it may be desired to have communication initiated by either or only the backend facility. The unit 14 would make the call to the backend system 12 and authenticate its identity to the backend server 22. Sales data can be transferred to the backend server 22. Additionally new settings, product lists and stock items can be transferred from the server to the mobile vending unit. It is desirable to provide security to the transfer of vouchers to the mobile vending unit 14 and reporting information. This can take various forms including encrypting data transfer (eg. 128 bit encryption) and requiring PIN numbers to access functions of the mobile vending unit 14. It is desirable that upon power up the unit require the entry of a PIN number such as for example a SIM card access PIN. This will activate a mobile telephone SIM card in the mobile vending unit 12 and allow the mobile network engine 58 to connect to the mobile telephone network 16.

Additional stock of tickets can be downloaded by the entry of a security code. This provides a high level of stock control. A preset number of vouchers can be stored in the unit 12 of varying types and as each type of voucher decreases a decision may be made as to when download or automatic downloading of additional vouchers to the unit 14 may be provided.

If a customer desires access to the phone box facility they can prepay for a call for a certain amount of call duration or provide a call credit storage device such as a phone card or smart card that will have deducted the cost of the phone call from the call credit stored there in. If a prepaid amount of call time is purchased then the unit 12 operates as a countdown timer by displaying the remaining call time on the display of the external dialler and/or on the display 52 of the unit.

A customer 72 using the call box facility can enter the desired call amount and then dial a phone number. The countdown timer indicates the remaining call time. The public phone box can be used in areas without traditional private communications or inadequate or degraded public phone infrastructure. The call automatically disconnects when the time allocated to the call expires.

Where a phone card or smart card is used to pay for the call, the microprocessor 50 records the duration of the call and deducts the appropriate amount from call time/call credit on the phone card or smart card. A number of external handsets can be provided, for example, three can be provided so that three public telephone boxes can be provided from the one mobile unit 14. The call rate of the mobile phone box can be set so as to control the mark up rate from the wholesale airtime purchased by the merchant. This provides additional control of the profit margin provided by making mobile public phone box calls. In addition the margins on the prepaid vouchers can be varied and controlled.

The present invention provides the following advantages: the merchant need only have low overheads because relatively low numbers of product vouchers need be stored and as the products are sold they can be topped up as required; due to the ability to dial in from any location and stock up on vouchers sales are not lost due to stock shortages; while the customer is on a phone call tickets can be sold and vice versa; and merchants can set up their business instantly anywhere there are suitable customers .

Modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the basic inventive concept. Such modifications as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A mobile ticket dispenser comprising: a ticket issuer configured to electronically dispense a ticket; a mobile telephone network interface; and a ticket inventory controller configured to maintain an inventory of tickets available to be dispensed and configured to receive tickets from a repository of tickets by contacting the repository, requesting tickets according to inventory levels and electronically receiving tickets via the interface.

2. A ticket dispensing system comprising: a ticket repository connected to a mobile telephone network to receive requests for tickets and electronically provide tickets via the mobile telephone network; and a mobile ticket issuing unit comprising a ticket dispenser configured to electronically dispense a ticket; a mobile telephone network interface; and a ticket inventory controller configured to maintain an inventory of tickets available to be dispensed and configured to receive tickets from the ticket repository by contacting the repository, requesting tickets according to inventory levels and electronically receiving tickets via the interface.

3. A combination mobile ticket dispenser and telephone call unit comprising: a mobile telephone network interface engine; an audio interface configured to operate as a telephone connectable to a mobile telephone network using the interface engine; a ticket dispenser configured to electronically dispense a ticket; and a controller configured to maintain an inventory of tickets available to be dispensed, wherein the controller is configured to receive tickets from a repository of tickets by contacting the repository, requesting tickets according to inventory levels and electronically receiving tickets via the interface engine and wherein the controller is configured to control and/or record the duration of a telephone call made using the audio interface.

4. A mobile public telephone call unit comprising: a mobile telephone network interface engine; an audio interface configured to operate as a telephone connectable to a mobile telephone network using the interface engine; and a controller configured to control the duration of a telephone call made using the audio interface according to an amount prepaid for use of the call unit .

5. A mobile public telephone call unit comprising: a mobile telephone network interface engine; an audio interface configured to operate as a telephone connectable to a mobile telephone network using the interface engine; and a controller configured to record the duration of a telephone call made using the audio interface for charging the user for the use of the call unit according to the duration of use.

6. A method of conducting business comprising the steps of: providing a mobile unit capable of dispensing tickets; moving to a suitable location to sell tickets; and operating the unit to dispense tickets to customers .

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the unit is remotely recharged with tickets as stored ticket numbers become low.

8. A method according to claim 6, wherein the method further comprises moving to another suitable location to sell tickets dispensed by the unit.

9. A method according to claim 6, wherein the method further comprises providing a public phone box incorporated into the unit at the location.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the call rate of the public phone box may be varied.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the call rate of the public phone box is varied depending on the location of the unit.

12. A method according to claim 9, wherein the call rate of the public phone box is varied depending on the time of day.

13. A method according to claim 9, wherein the call rate of the public phone box is varied depending on the identity of the vendor using the unit.

14. A method according to claim 9, wherein the call rate is be varied according to the call type.