EP1194900A1

EP1194900A1 - Ticket processing device, with thermal printing and magnetic read/write along a close circuit internal path

Info

Publication number: EP1194900A1
Application number: EP99973918A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Glize
Original assignee: Hypercom France SA
Current assignee: IER Impression Enregistrement des Resultats SA
Priority date: 1999-06-17
Filing date: 1999-06-17
Publication date: 2002-04-10
Also published as: EP1192599B1; EP1192599A1; ATE240565T1; WO2000079487A1; PT1192599E; DE69907976T2; ES2204137T3; WO2000079490A1; DK1192599T3; DE69907976D1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device feeding tickets in continuous strip for a ticket processing device, comprising at least a first tray (BA1) arranged substantially horizontally and containing a first continuous strip of tickets (BN1), each defined by perforated lines, and fan folded in said first tray (BA1), and a first output (S1) designed to feed the ticket processing device (DIS). The feeding device comprises at least a first return and guide member (OR1), for defining a first substantially vertical path (CV1) starting from the first tray (BA1) up to the first member (OR1) and a first substantially horizontal path (CH1) starting from the first member (OR1) up to the first output (S1), the first vertical and horizontal paths forming between them a substantially right angle at one first site (E1), and the first strip (BN1) is folded in the proximity of the first site (E1) along the perforated lines of two adjacent tickets, when said first strip (BN1) is at rest.

Description

Ticket processing device, thermal printing and magnetic writing / reading along an internal closed circuit path.

The present invention relates to the processing of tickets, thermal printing and magnetic writing / reading along an internal path in a closed circuit.

It finds a particular application in the processing of transport tickets, in particular air or rail, comprising magnetic information.

In the Patents FR 88 00734 and FR 88 00733, the Applicant has already described a ticket processing device comprising an introduction station, a delivery station, a magnetic reading / writing station, and a thermal printing station. .

For thermal printing, drive means drive a ticket in a unidirectional section, going from the introduction station to the delivery station, via the thermal printing station.

For magnetic writing / reading, drive means drive a ticket in a bidirectional section, going from the introduction station to the issuing station, via the magnetic writing / reading station.

In this type of processing device, the bidirectional section is connected to the unidirectional section along an open circuit path.

The Applicant has posed the problem of further improving this type of treatment device, in particular in terms of space, compactness, ease of use and maintenance. The present invention provides a solution to this problem.

It relates to a device for processing tickets of the type comprising an introduction station, a delivery station, a magnetic reading / writing station, a thermal printing station, first drive means suitable for driving a ticket. along a bidirectional section going from the introduction station to the delivery station, via the magnetic writing / reading station, second drive means capable of driving a ticket in a unidirectional section going from the introduction station to at the delivery station, via the thermal printing station, one end of the bidirectional section being connected to one of the ends of the unidirectional section.

According to a general definition of the invention, the other end of the bidirectional section is connected to the other end of the unidirectional section, which makes it possible to form an internal path, in closed circuit, with a unidirectional section and a bidirectional section.

Thanks to the closed circuit of the internal ticket path, the ticket processing device is more compact and occupies a smaller footprint than the devices of the prior art mentioned above. In addition, it offers many advantages that will be described in more detail below compared to devices whose internal path of the ticket is open circuit. In particular, it allows thermal printing alone, without going through the magnetic writing / reading station, and vice versa.

According to another aspect of the invention, the device further comprises a cutting station arranged in the bidirectional section, downstream from the magnetic writing / reading station in the opposite direction to the unidirectional direction, that is to say say the meaning of thermal printing. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the thermal printing station is of the direct thermal printing type and comprises at least one thermal head.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the thermal printing station is with thermal transfer, of the type comprising a secondary plate capable of being fixed on the main plate of the ticket processing device, and the secondary plate comprises a cassette removable containing an ink ribbon suitable for cooperating with a thermal printing head.

Advantageously, the thermal printing station is arranged so that the secondary plate is arranged at the outer periphery of the internal path forming a closed circuit. Such a fixing makes it possible to make the heat transfer optional while retaining the reduced size and the compactness of the treatment device resulting from the closed circuit according to the invention.

In practice, the first bidirectional drive means comprise a belt wound in a closed circuit on rollers, one of which is motor, said belt being provided at the magnetic writing / reading station and being in contact with the ticket for its training.

Preferably, the second unidirectional drive means comprise at least one drive roller forming an anvil and capable of cooperating with the thermal head.

In practice, the introduction station includes at least one store capable of containing a continuous stock of securities delimited by lines of weakness.

Advantageously, the introduction station is arranged on the rear face of the device and the delivery station is arranged on the front face of said device. Advantageously, the processing device further comprises an additional entry station for securities arranged on the front face of the device, downstream of the delivery station in the unidirectional direction of the closed circuit, and upstream of the magnetic writing / reading station according to said unidirectional direction of the closed circuit.

According to another aspect of the invention, the device further comprises third drive means comprising a belt wound in a closed circuit on rollers, one of which is motor, the belt extending in the thermal station and the station additional introduction.

According to another important characteristic of the invention, the processing device comprises an operating mode in which a title is provided to serve as a magnetic writing / reading test, said title forming a magnetic writing / reading test being capable of be applied to the magnetic writing / reading station a chosen number of times, each time in front of the magnetic writing / reading station, different and evolving magnetic information being written / read on the magnetic track of said test title, the result of the inscription and the magnetic reading of each passage being represented by a printed box appearing on the recto of the title forming test of inscription / magnetic reading.

According to yet another important characteristic of the invention, the set of boxes of the title forming a magnetic reading / writing test constitutes a title forming a thermal printing test, making it possible to immediately and visually assess the quality, the dispersion , and the repeatability of thermal printing.

According to another aspect of the invention, optical sensors are placed along the closed circuit, at selected locations, and the information from these optical sensors is transmitted to processing means capable of controlling b indicator lights whose light state is a function of said information captured by the optical sensors.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below and the attached drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the main plate of a processing device according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a secondary plate containing a removable thermal transfer cassette;

- Figure 3 is a schematic side view showing the attachment of the secondary plate of Figure 2 on the main plate of Figure 1, to allow cooperation of the ink ribbon of the cassette with the thermal print head; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views of a title forming a magnetic writing / reading test and thermal printing test comprising printed indications illustrating the quality of the magnetic writing / reading and thermal printing operation over a cycle of 100 passages according to the invention.

The accompanying drawings contain elements of a certain character in many respects. They can therefore not only serve to clarify the description below, but also contribute to the definition of the invention, if necessary.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown the main plate PP of a magnetic strip track processing device DIS, according to the present invention. The DIS ticket processing device can make use of a triple strip feed conditioned in a screen. Three stores (not shown) each containing a continuous stock of securities in band and delimited by weakening lines can thus feed the ticket processing device.

The three title strips are introduced respectively by the guide channels CAl, CA2 and CA3 which converge towards each other, and are provided with separate drive means, constituted here by rollers 1, 3 and 5, and against pebbles (not shown) facing them.

In practice, the inlet of the inlet channel CA1 is defined by two rollers 7 and 9 which are mounted idly in order to avoid any friction between any fixed parts and the moving band. The input of the input channel CA2 is defined by the rollers 9 and 11, and the input of the input channel CA3 is defined by the rollers 11 and 13.

At point 2, the three input channels CA1 to CA3 converge. They can therefore each bring a strip of titles to this location 2.

Optical detectors, such as DOl, D02, and D03, determine whether tape is introduced into each of the input channels.

Advantageously, the optical detectors are arranged so as to detect the rounded corners of the tickets, formed in the extension of the weakening lines. This arrangement allows the automatic determination of the length of the titles entered.

A single strip of titles is conducted in the direction of the arrow FI, in front of a magnetic writing / reading station PIL, comprising a first magnetic writing head TM1, followed by a second magnetic reading head TM2. Alternatively, the PIL magnetic read / write station only has one magnetic head. In this case, the strip passes several times in front of the single magnetic head. Drive means are capable of driving a ticket in a bidirectional internal section FI and F2, going from the PIN introduction station to the delivery station, via the magnetic reading / reading station.

In practice, the bidirectional drive means comprise a belt C1 which is wound on a roller 4, then the roller 6 via the heads TM1 and TM2, and is wound on the rollers 8 and 10 to continue the internal path. The belt C1 is driven in a closed circuit by means of a motor roller 12 wound on the motor shaft of the motor Ml. A control unit UC, of microcontroller type, controls the motor M1 and thus the drive of the belt Cl.

Advantageously, the PIL registration / reading station is equipped with a thickness detector which is the subject of the International Patent Application, filed in the name of the Applicant, on the same day as that of the present invention, and under the title "Device for processing securities with thickness detector". For all intents and purposes, such a Request forms an integral part of the present invention.

Once the magnetic writing of the information has been completed on a title concerned, followed by its immediate reading, the strip is led along a CGI guide channel in front of a COU cutting station.

The COU cutting station comprises an electromagnetic cutter comprising an electromagnet EM1 with plunger which supports the cutting part of a cutter (not shown).

The strip is kept stretched between two rollers of different development. Such a tension facilitates the separation of a security from its continuous stock along the lines of weakening at the end of the security. This separation is carried out by lowering the blunt edge on the strip thus kept taut. o

The blunt edge can be controlled in conjunction with an optical title detector (not shown) mounted downstream of the magnetic writing / reading station, in the FI direction. The optical title detector can locate, for example, the predetermined lines of weakness of said title to actuate the cutter.

Once the cutting has been completed on the title concerned, the control unit UC can control the motor Ml in the direction F2, contrary to the direction FI, in order to convey the title thus cut to the thermal printing station TT . Simultaneously, the strip is re-routed in its input channel in the direction F2. During this return operation, the magnetic reading / registration station reads the possible number of the next title.

In practice, there are provided switching means 20 making it possible to direct the ticket thus written / read magnetically and cut out, towards the thermal printing station TT in the direction F2, in a guide channel CG2 distinct from the input channels. CAl, CA2 and CA3.

The guide channel CG2 conducts the ticket in the thermal printing station TT comprising a body 22 extended by a head 24 cooperating by friction with a roller 26 playing the role of anvil for said printing head 24. The roller 26 is powered by an M2 motor.

The TT thermal printing station can be of the thermal transfer type or the direct thermal printing type.

In the case of thermal transfer printing, provision is made to use, according to the invention, a secondary plate BA (FIG. 2) containing the drive means 31 of an ink ribbon 30 wound around the axes of two spools 32 and 34. The ink ribbon 30 is suitable for running past the print head 24 along a path 36. Advantageously, the ink ribbon as well as the two spools are housed in a removable cassette 33 capable of being installed or removed by the user.

In FIG. 3, the fixing of the secondary plate BA of FIG. 2 is shown on the main plate PP of FIG. 1. Such a fixing is adjusted in order to allow the ink ribbon of the cassette to cooperate with the head of thermal printing.

Advantageously, the thermal printing station is arranged such that the secondary plate BA is disposed at the outer periphery of the internal path forming a closed circuit. Such a fixing makes it possible to make the heat transfer optional while retaining the reduced size and the compactness of the treatment device resulting from the closed circuit according to the invention.

The thermal print head 24 is pivotally mounted between a low position and a high position.

In the low position, the pressure exerted by the print head 24 on its anvil roller 26 allows the title to be driven in front of said print head.

In the high position, the print head 24 does not cooperate with its anvil roller 26, which allows the introduction of the ticket in the printing station.

The pivoting of the print head 24 is ensured by an electromagnet (not shown).

The thermal station TT is, for example, that described in detail in the International Patent Application, filed in the name of the Applicant, on the same day as that of the present invention and under the title "Device for processing tickets, in particular transport, different formats ". For all intents and purposes, such a Request forms an integral part of this description. The guide channel CG2 is extended after the thermal printing station in the direction F2 to lead to a title output or LED title delivery station leading to an output receptacle.

Referral means 40 are arranged downstream of the thermal printing station TT and upstream of the delivery station DEL in the direction F2. The referral means 40 are able, under the control of the control unit UC, to convey the ticket either to the delivery station DEL or to the magnetic reading / writing station PIL in the direction F2.

Preferably, provision is made to have in the closed circuit an additional insertion station for the INTS ticket already cut out.

In practice, the input station INTS comprises an input slot 60 defining an input channel CAS suitable for supplying the closed circuit with already cut title. Referral means 41 are arranged between the inlet 60 and the closed circuit.

Bidirectional drive means are provided at the additional insertion station INTS in order to completely enter a ticket in the closed circuit, in the direction FI. When the rear edge of the ticket has exceeded the switching means 41, the drive means convey the ticket to the PIL writing / reading station in the direction F2.

In practice, the control unit UC controls the entry of the ticket in the direction FI and in response to the detection of the ticket downstream of the switch 41 in the direction F1, the control unit is capable of controlling the bidirectional processing means to drive said ticket to the magnetic reading / writing station in the direction F2.

In practice, the bidirectional drive means comprise a belt (not shown) which is wound on rollers to continue the bidirectional internal section. The belt is driven in a closed circuit thanks to a motor roller wound on one motor shaft of the M2 motor.

It should be noted that this belt is not in contact with the ticket insofar as it is arranged on the side opposite to the ticket path relative to the main plate PP of the device DIS.

In practice, the introduction station comprising the inlet channels CA1 to CA3 is arranged on the rear face of the device and the delivery station LED on the front face. In this configuration, the additional input station INTS is preferably placed on the front of the device.

Advantageously, the processing device comprises an operating mode in which a title is provided to serve as a magnetic writing / reading test.

With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the title forming a magnetic writing / reading test may be applied to the magnetic writing / reading station a chosen number of times. At each passage in front of the magnetic writing / reading station, different and evolving magnetic information is written / read on the magnetic strip of said test title. The results of the inscription and the magnetic reading of each passage are represented by a printed box appearing on the front of the title forming test of inscription / magnetic reading.

Such a title forming a magnetic writing / reading test makes it possible to verify the possible drift of the magnetic writing / reading.

With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the title forming the magnetic writing / reading test bears the reference TESM. The title includes a DAM checkerboard with 100 CE boxes. Each box is associated with a passage of said title. Each box is divided into two half-boxes, with a half-box representing both a writing cycle and a half-box representing a reading cycle.

In practice, the TESM ticket is introduced into the closed circuit, via the additional INTS introduction station.

With each passage in front of the magnetic writing / reading station, different and evolving magnetic information is written and read on the magnetic track (not shown) of the TESM title.

The results of registration and reading are indicated in the corresponding half-box. Such a title forming a magnetic writing / reading test has the advantage of visually indicating a possible drift of the magnetic writing / reading.

According to yet another important characteristic of the invention, the set of DAM boxes CE of the title forming a TESM magnetic reading / writing test constitutes a title forming a thermal printing test.

Thus, the title TESM, having served for the verification of the inscription / magnetic reading also makes it possible to immediately and visually assess the quality, the dispersion, and / or the repeatability of the thermal printing.

Furthermore, it is planned to place optical sensors CP all along the closed circuit, as well as in each branch connected to the closed circuit, at selected locations.

The information from these optical sensors is transmitted to appropriate processing means UC.

The optical sensors CP include, for example, an emitter EM and a receiver RE arranged on either side of the surface of the securities processed. The processing means UC associated with the optical sensors are capable of controlling the indicator lights associated with each optical sensor to visually indicate the state of the section concerned. For example, an indicator light continuously illuminating indicates the presence of a ticket. A flashing light indicates difficulties or blockage on said section monitored by the sensor. An unlit light is a reflection of an absence of difficulty.

In addition, the processing means associated with the optical sensors are capable of reducing the emissive value of the optical transmitters in order to check for possible fouling of the transmitter / receiver pairs.

Preferably, all of the indicator lights are arranged on a side flap (not shown) in order to improve access to information for maintenance. The indicators thus make it possible to precisely locate a possible fault or blockage.

Preferably, the man / machine interface of the DIS ticket processing device of the present invention is that described in the International Patent Application, filed in the name of the Applicant, on the same day as that of the present invention and under the title "Process and device for human / machine interface for magnetic stripe processing device". For all intents and purposes, such a Request forms an integral part of the present invention.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described, but on the contrary extends to any variant included within the scope of the claims below.

Claims

Claims.

1. - Device for processing tickets, in particular transport tickets comprising magnetic information, of the type comprising:

- a securities introduction station (PIN);

- a securities issuing station (DEL);

- a magnetic reading / registration station (PIL); - a thermal printing station (TT);

- first drive means (Ml, Cl) capable of driving a ticket in a bidirectional section (CGI) going from the introduction station (PIN) to the delivery station (DEL), via the registration station / magnetic reading (PIL);

- second drive means (M2) capable of driving a ticket in a unidirectional section (CG2) going from the introduction station (PIN), to the delivery station (DEL), via the thermal printing station ( TT);

one of the ends of the first section (CGI) being connected to one of the ends of the second section (CG2);

characterized in that the other end of the first section (CGI) is connected to the other end of the second section (CG2), which makes it possible to form an internal path, in closed circuit, comprising a unidirectional section and a bidirectional section.

2. - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a cutting station (COU) disposed in the second section (CG2), downstream of the magnetic writing / reading station, in the direction (Fl ) contrary to the unidirectional direction (F2) of the closed circuit.

3. - Device according to claim 1, wherein the thermal printing station (TT) is of the direct thermal printing type and comprising at least one thermal head.

4. - Device according to claim 1, wherein the thermal printing station is of the thermal transfer type, characterized in that it comprises a secondary plate (BA) capable of being fixed on the main plate (PP) of the device of title processing (DIS), and in that the secondary plate (BA) comprises a removable cassette containing an ink ribbon (30) adapted to cooperate with a thermal printing head (24).

5. - Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the thermal station (TT) is arranged so that the secondary plate (BA) is disposed at the outer periphery of the internal path forming a closed circuit.

6. - Device according to claim 1, wherein the first bidirectional drive means comprise a belt (Cl) wound in a closed circuit on rollers, one of which is motor, said belt (Cl) extending in the station d 'inscription / magnetic reading (PIL), and being in contact with the title.

7. - Device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the second drive means comprise at least one drive roller forming an anvil (24) and adapted to cooperate with the thermal head (26).

8. - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the introduction station (PIN) comprises at least one store capable of containing a continuous stock of securities delimited by weakening lines.

9. - Device according to claim 1, wherein the introduction station (PIN) is arranged on the rear face of the device and the delivery station on the front face, characterized in that it further comprises a post additional entry (INTS) of title placed on the front of the device, and downstream of the delivery station (DEL) in the unidirectional direction (F2) of the closed circuit.

10. - Device according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises third drive means comprising a belt wound in a closed circuit on rollers, one of which is motor, the belt extending at least in the thermal station (TT) and the additional introduction station (INTS).

11. - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an operating mode in which a magnetic strip ticket (TESM) is provided to serve as a magnetic writing / reading test, said ticket forming test magnetic inscription / reading being likely to be applied to the magnetic writing / reading station a chosen number of times, with each passage in front of the magnetic writing / reading station, different and evolving magnetic information being written / read on the magnetic strip of said test-forming title, the result of the magnetic writing / reading of each passage being represented by a box (CE) printed on the front of the magnetic writing / reading test title.

12. - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an operating mode in which all (DAM) of the boxes (CE) of the title forming test of registration / magnetic reading (TESM) constitutes a title forming a thermal printing test, making it possible to immediately and visually assess the quality, dispersion, and / or repeatability of thermal printing.

13. - Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises optical sensors (CP), placed at least along the closed circuit, at selected locations, and in that the information from these optical sensors are transmitted to processing means (UC) capable of controlling indicator lights whose light state is a function of said information captured by the optical sensors (CP).