Cubic-western Data

Cubic Automatic Revenue Collection Group

Kenneth R Aubrey

An access control ticket having three fields of data, a first field (3) of fixed data, a second field (7) of variable data, and a third field (8) of variable data is read and information processed by a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines the validity of information on the ticket data fields and which of the variable fields has older data. Writing only occurs on (over) the variable field with invalid or older data. Upon subsequent use, the ticket contains current access data (just written) and last previous access data, as well as fixed field data. This added data (past use) can be used for statistical analysis or other purposes. More importantly, the added data field reduces read/write reliability problems. One improperly written variable data field does not invalidate ticket, only the last variable data entry. The microprocessor is programmed to overwrite invalid data in one of the variable data fields during the next use. Since the ticket still has the fixed data field and a prior use variable data field, no human intervention, repair of access control devices (for single failures), or new tickets are required. The location of variable use data can also be segregated from fixed data to further enhance reliability. This reduction in failures and tolerance of single non recurring errors allows hand held swipe type read/writer to be utilized for mass transit applications. Access is quick, avoiding manual ticket insertion, grabbing, transport and return.

Fare card read-writer which overwrites oldest or invalid data

An access control ticket having three fields of data, a first field of fixed data, a second field of variable data, and a third field of variable data is read and information processed by a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines the validity of information on the ticket data fields and which of the variable fields has older data. Writing only occurs on (over) the variable field with invalid or older data. Upon subsequent use, the ticket contains current access data (just written) and last previous access data, as well as fixed field data. This added data (past use) can be used for statistical analysis or other purposes. More importantly, the added data field reduces read/write reliability problems. One improperly written variable data field does not invalidate ticket, only the last variable data entry. The microprocessor is programmed to overwrite invalid data in one of the variable data fields during the next use. Since the ticket still has the fixed data field and a prior use variable data field, no human intervention, repair of access control devices (for single failures), or new tickets are required. The location of variable use data can also be segregated from fixed data to further enhance reliability. This reduction in failures and tolerance of single non recurring errors allows hand held swipe type read/writer to be utilized for mass transit applications. Access is quick, avoiding manual ticket insertion, grabbing, transport and return.

A fare collection ticket transport mechanism transports tickets along an open longitudinal slot with a portion of the ticket projecting sideways out of the slot so that a patron depositing the ticket in the mechanism can see it while it is being transported and can grasp the projecting portion to release it if it becomes jammed. The portion of the ticket within the slot passes over read, write and verify components of the mechanism. The slot has a side wall or guide projecting out of the slot for guiding the projecting portion of the ticket. The guide has spaced notches to permit a patron to grasp a ticket and vertical ridges or lips at the outer edge of the guide act as stops for the outer edge of the projecting portion of a ticket to prevent the ticket from moving transversely out of the slot.

Easy access ticket transport mechanism

Fare collection ticket transport

A fare collection ticket transport that moves fare tickets through a closed alignment entry into an open longitudinal slot with a portion of the ticket projecting from the slot, and the portion of the ticket in the slot having the information processed by read, write, and verify components, so that the patron rider has to release the fare ticket, and the transport mechanism moves the fare ticket in the slot in a manner that the patron rider sees the fare ticket moving through the slot and can grab it at anytime he wants, with the transport mechanism moving the ticket at a determined speed and with the open longitudinal slot having protection against vertical entry.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Kenneth R Aubrey