Abstract:
The present invention relates to an onboard ticketing terminal notably aboard a public transport vehicle. 
     The ticketing terminal ( 30 ) comprises a body ( 39 ) equipped with at least:
       a card reader;   a swiveling customer interface ( 36, 37 );   a printer, incorporated into said body ( 39 ), paper output ( 40 ) from the printer being performed through a swiveling slot made in the body ( 39 );   a swiveling driver interface ( 34 ).       
 
     The ticketing terminal ( 30 ) makes it possible notably to implement transport ticket sales applications by virtue of an interface with an onboard central unit ( 21 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is the U.S. National Phase of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/EP2008/056641, filed May 29, 2008, which claims the benefit of French Patent Application Serial No. 0704505, filed Jun. 22, 2007, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an onboard ticketing terminal notably aboard a public transport vehicle. The ticketing terminal makes it possible notably to implement transport ticket sales applications. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    Ticketing systems encompass an assembly of equipment intended to process transport tickets associated with provision and execution of people transport services. 
         [0004]    The usual ticketing systems include notably transport ticket sales and validation systems. These transport ticket sales and validation systems can be automated sales facilities, sales software, transport ticket validation apparatus, portable equipment carried by inspectors, subway gateways. 
         [0005]    Public transport vehicles such as buses or trams generally use an onboard terminal comprising a central unit, a display and a sales unit which can be optional. 
         [0006]    An onboard terminal aboard a public transport vehicle must meet performance requirements notably in terms of processor and memory, integrated into the terminal. 
         [0007]    Moreover, constraints related to installation in a mobile environment are heavy. Indeed, the terminal is subject to knocks, vibrations as well as to an extensive range of temperatures. Electronic sub-systems of the terminal are therefore notably adapted to these constraints. The electronic sub-systems can be for example printers, displays, electronic cards. 
         [0008]    Moreover, installation constraints exist which are specific to each transport operator and to each model of transport vehicle. 
         [0009]    Currently, two main types of onboard terminals are found: an integrated terminal and a terminal possessing a distributed architecture. 
         [0010]    A first type of onboard terminal is an integrated terminal comprising in one and the same housing: a central unit, a viewing screen for a driver and a sales unit. 
         [0011]    The first type of terminal is a not very modular piece of equipment allowing few hardware upgrades. Indeed, since all the electronic cards are integrated into the equipment, it is hardly conceivable to upgrade the hardware resources. 
         [0012]    The first type of terminal is in general fitted on a dashboard of a transport vehicle or alongside the dashboard. Now, the space available at the driver&#39;s cab level is very restricted. The fitting of this type of terminal is made particularly difficult because of its significant bulk. 
         [0013]    Moreover, the first type of terminal poses a problem of ergonomics of use due to the poor positioning of the screen with respect to the driver or passenger. Indeed, the first type of terminal cannot be adapted to various installations according to the various models of transport vehicles. 
         [0014]    A second type of terminal is a terminal possessing a distributed architecture comprising a central unit on the one hand and on the other hand, a driver screen remotely offset with respect to the central unit. 
         [0015]    The central unit can be fitted aboard transport vehicles in technical cabinets for example under the dashboard or in voussoirs. The screen alone may be fitted on the dashboard, thus simplifying the procedures for fitting the terminal. 
         [0016]    This type of terminal possesses very good ergonomics, since the screen is easy to fit and takes up little space in the driver&#39;s cab. It can thus be placed in an ergonomic manner with respect to the positioning of the driver and passengers. 
         [0017]    However, this architecture has inferior functionalities and notably does not comprise any sales module. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    An aim of the invention is notably to alleviate the aforesaid drawbacks. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is an onboard ticketing terminal notably aboard a transport vehicle. The ticketing terminal comprises a body equipped with at least: 
         [0019]    a for example contactless card reader; 
         [0020]    a swiveling customer interface; 
         [0021]    a printer; 
         [0022]    a swiveling driver interface. 
         [0000]    The printer is for example incorporated into the body of the ticketing terminal. Paper output from the printer can be performed through a swiveling slot made in the body of the ticketing terminal. 
         [0023]    The ticketing terminal can be linked by one or more interfaces to a central processing unit, remote from the ticketing terminal. 
         [0024]    A contactless card reading location and an antenna for detecting the presence of a contactless card on the reading location, for example linked to the contactless card reader, are notably situated on a substantially horizontal upper face of the ticketing terminal. 
         [0025]    The customer interface can comprise a swiveling screen, situated for example on a substantially horizontal upper face of the ticketing terminal. 
         [0026]    The driver interface can comprise a swiveling screen, physically tied to the ticketing terminal. 
         [0027]    The driver interface can comprise a touch panel. 
         [0028]    The orientation of the customer interface can be performed by a first rotation of the customer interface about a first substantially vertical axis. 
         [0029]    The orientation of the paper output of the printer can be achieved by a second rotation of the printer in relation to a second substantially vertical axis. 
         [0030]    The orientation of the driver interface can be performed by a third rotation in relation to a third substantially horizontal axis. 
         [0031]    The driver interface can pivot about the third axis passing through the upper part of the driver interface. 
         [0032]    The first rotation and the second rotation can be locked. 
         [0033]    The locking of the first rotation and the locking of the second rotation can be carried out by means of removable screws. 
         [0034]    The invention has notably the main advantage of allowing a reduction in the cost of producing and fitting a ticketing terminal aboard a vehicle. The ticketing terminal according to the invention also possesses good ergonomics of use whatever the type of vehicle in which it is installed. The fitting of the ticketing terminal according to the invention is advantageously simplified. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0035]    Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent with the aid of the description which follows, given by way of nonlimiting illustration and in conjunction with the appended drawings which represent: 
           [0036]      FIG. 1 : an exemplary integrated terminal according to the prior art; 
           [0037]      FIG. 2 : an exemplary distributed architecture of a terminal according to the prior art; 
           [0038]      FIG. 3 : an exemplary embodiment of a terminal according to the invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 4 : various possible rotations of the elements of the terminal according to the invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 5   a : a principle of positioning of the various elements of the terminal and of positioning of the terminal according to the invention itself; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5   b : an exemplary adaptation of the terminal according to the invention to a left-hand side driver&#39;s cab; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5   c : an exemplary adaptation of the terminal according to the invention to a right-hand side driver&#39;s cab; 
           [0043]      FIG. 6   a : a first exemplary positioning of a driver screen of the terminal according to the invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 6   b : a second exemplary positioning of a driver screen of the terminal according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0045]      FIG. 1  represents an exemplary integrated ticketing terminal  10  according to the prior art. The integrated ticketing terminal  10  may be on board a public transport vehicle for example. The integrated ticketing terminal  10  comprises in one and the same housing a first central unit, not represented in  FIG. 1 . The first central unit comprises for example a first processor card, interface cards and memory cards. The first central unit is notably charged with processing various data related to various ticketing functions. The integrated terminal  10  comprises a first contactless card reader  11  as well as a first customer interface  12  exhibited in the form of a first display screen. The first contactless card reader  11  can allow the first central unit to verify the validity of a contactless transport ticket or to perform a sale of a product, on the contactless transport ticket presented on the contactless card reader  11 . The first customer interface  12  can allow a customer to verify information stored on his transport ticket. A second display screen  13  is an interface between a driver and the integrated ticketing terminal  10 . A keypad  14  allows the driver to enter various parameters. 
         [0046]    The main drawbacks of this integrated ticketing terminal  10  according to the prior art are of affording poor ergonomics with respect to the driver as well as to the passengers, and of having a significant bulk giving rise to difficulties of positioning during fitting aboard the public transport vehicle. Moreover, the integrated ticketing terminal  10  is not easily adaptable to various types of public transport vehicles. The integrated ticketing terminal  10  also possesses few capabilities in terms of hardware upgrade. 
         [0047]      FIG. 2  represents an exemplary distributed architecture of a terminal  20  according to the prior art. The terminal  20  comprises notably a second central unit  21 , and a screen  22  remotely offset with respect to the central unit  21 . The terminal  20  comprises a first wired link  23  for transmitting a video signal between the second central unit  21  and the screen  22 . A terminal of the type of the terminal  20  has functions limited to display and entry functions. The screen  22  integrates for example a touch panel. A terminal of the type of the terminal  20  may not therefore be used by public transport vehicles needing a transport ticket sales function. Indeed, the terminal  20  does not comprise any contactless card reader for example, or printer. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  represents an exemplary embodiment of a ticketing terminal  30  according to the invention. The ticketing terminal  30  forms part of a distributed architecture  31  comprising:
       the ticketing terminal  30 ;   the second central unit  21  comprising notably a second processor card, interface cards, memory cards containing ticketing software;   a link  33  between the ticketing terminal  30  and the second central unit  21 .         
         [0052]    The ticketing terminal  30  can comprise notably:
       a sales unit,   a third processor card not represented in  FIG. 3 ;   a driver interface  34  destined for the driver of the transport vehicle,       
 
         [0056]    The sales unit can comprise notably:
       a second contactless card reader, not represented in  FIG. 3 , and its antenna  41 ;   a location  35  for reading a contactless card;   a customer display  36 ;   a printer, not represented in  FIG. 3 ;   LEDs  37 , the acronym standing for the expression Light Emitting Diode;   a warning sounder, not represented in  FIG. 3 ;       
 
         [0063]    The link  33  can be a second wired link embodying for example a single interface of Ethernet type between the ticketing terminal  30  and the second central unit  21 . The link  33  can be a bidirectional link allowing the passage of all the information intended for an assembly of electronic sub-systems of the ticketing terminal  30 . The electronic sub-systems are for example the driver interface  34 , the customer display  36 , the printer, the LEDs  37 , the warning sounder, the second contactless card reader. The Ethernet link  33  allows notably a distance between the ticketing terminal  30  and the second central unit  21  of the order of a hundred meters. This distance makes it possible to position the second central unit  21  at a spot in the transport vehicle remote from the driver&#39;s cab, thus releasing a significant useful place at the level of the driver&#39;s cab. A single interface between the ticketing terminal  30  and the second central unit  21  also makes it possible to installation reduce costs related to the wiring of the assembly. 
         [0064]    In other embodiments of the invention, the link  33  can be: 
         [0065]    composed of several wired links; 
         [0066]    a wireless link such as a radio link, of WIFI type for example. 
         [0067]    Various wired links can be used:
       an LVDS link, the acronym standing for the expression Low Voltage Differential Signaling, that may be used for the link  33  with the driver interface  34 ;   a serial link can also be used for the link  33  with the third processor card of the ticketing terminal  30 .       
 
         [0070]    The second contactless card reader can be situated inside a body  39  of the ticketing terminal  30 . The second contactless card reader makes it possible to read information of a contactless transport ticket. The second contactless card reader can also be used so as to write information to a contactless transport ticket. The second contactless card reader can perform a recharging of an electronic transport purse with a prepaid amount. The second contactless card reader can also perform a modification of the duration of validity after a payment by a transport ticket bearer for example. 
         [0071]    The location  35  for the reading of a contactless card, in one embodiment of the ticketing terminal  30 , can be situated on an upper face  38  of the body  39  of the ticketing terminal  30 . In a preferred embodiment the upper face  38  is horizontal. The antenna  41  of the second contactless card reader can surround for example the location  35  so that a contactless card placed on the location  35  can be detected by the contactless card reader through the antenna  41 . 
         [0072]    The customer display  36  can take the form of a graphical display. The customer display  36  is situated for example above the location  35  for the reading of a contactless card, on the upper face  38  of the body  39  of the ticketing terminal  30 . The customer display  36  can make it possible to disseminate information to the customer such as the duration of validity of the transport ticket, a sum remaining in the electronic transport purse, the validity or invalidity of the transport ticket, a sum to be paid. 
         [0073]    One or more LEDs  37  can make it possible to impart information to the bearer of a contactless transport ticket about the validity of the transport ticket if the transport ticket has been previously presented in front of the location  35  for the reading of a contactless card. For example a red LED  37  lit up can signify that the transport ticket presented is not valid. A green LED  37  lit up can signify that the transport ticket presented is valid. And a yellow LED  37  lit up can signify that the transport ticket presented is not readable for example. The LED or LEDs  37  therefore supplement the information imparted by the customer display  36 . 
         [0074]    The warning sounder can emit a first sound when the transport ticket presented is not valid, a second sound when the transport ticket presented is valid, a third sound when the transport ticket presented is unreadable, for example. 
         [0075]    The warning sounder, the LED or LEDs  37 , the customer display  36 , the contactless card reading location  35  form notably part of a second customer interface making it possible to impart information in this way to a customer bearing a transport ticket for example. 
         [0076]    The printer can be situated for example inside the body  39  of the ticketing terminal  30 . A paper output  40  can be achieved through a side of the body  39  of the ticketing terminal  30 . The paper output  40  can for example be performed through a horizontal slot made in the body  39  of the ticketing terminal  30 . The printer can make it possible to print a paper ticket or a receipt for a transaction performed on the basis of the ticketing terminal  30 . 
         [0077]    The driver interface  34  allows the driver to enter data such as a credit to be added to the electronic transport purse. The driver interface  34  also allows the driver certain information such as the price of a trip for example. In order to carry out display and information entry functions at one and the same time, the driver interface  34  can comprise a screen associated for example with a touch panel. 
         [0078]    The third processing card (not represented in  FIG. 3 ) of the ticketing terminal  30  makes it possible notably to manage various interfaces between the various peripherals of the ticketing terminal  30  such as the driver interface  34 , the printer, the warning sounder, the contactless card reader, the LEDs  37 , the customer display  36 , the antenna  41  for example. 
         [0079]    The antenna  41  allows the ticketing terminal  30  to detect the contactless cards. It is linked directly to the second contactless card reader. 
         [0080]    The ticketing terminal  30  can for example make it possible to fulfill one or more of the functions detailed hereinafter. 
         [0081]    The ticketing terminal  30  allows management of the duty shift of the driver of the vehicle. For example, when a driver starts his duty shift, the driver can present an agent card to the second contactless card reader in order to identify himself. The driver can also enter a password by means of the driver interface  34 . This identification allows the central system for example to manage the assignments of the drivers to the various vehicles as well as their work schedules. A driver can for example enter an identifier of a journey that he will make. The ticketing terminal  30  can therefore serve to perform management of routes of the transport vehicle. The route management can use locating means, for example a satellite location system or GPS, signifying Global Positioning System, to locate the vehicle with respect to a predetermined route. The driver interface  34  can allow for example the driver to signal that he is jumping a stop of the predetermined route. 
         [0082]    The second central unit  21  can be the same central unit as that represented in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0083]    The second central unit  21  can make it possible to concentrate data originating from transport ticket validation devices installed in the transport vehicle. The concentrated data can thereafter be dispatched to the central system by way of a WIFI module integrated into the second central unit  21  for example. The validation information can serve for distributing funds, arising from user payments, between several transport operators. 
         [0084]    The second central unit  21  can also allow management of the transport tickets and notably of their validity. The transport tickets can be disallowed by the central system in case of theft for example. 
         [0085]    The second central unit  21  can therefore be used so as to transmit and receive data originating from a central system situated in a public transport vehicle depot for example. The data received can be for example software updates or updates of tariffs range for purchasing transport tickets. The data transmitted may for example be counters for operations carried out on the ticketing terminal  30 . The counters are notably used by the central system in order to perform statistical studies for example. 
         [0086]    The ticketing terminal  30  can also be used in order to manage alarms originating from various equipment aboard the vehicle. This allows the driver to detect any-faults with this equipment. The transport ticket validation devices can for example communicate an operating state to the ticketing terminal  30 . 
         [0087]    Thereafter the ticketing terminal  30  can be used for managing the sale and validation of a contactless transport ticket for example as well as for issuing paper tickets or receipts by way of the printer. 
         [0088]      FIG. 4  represents various possible rotations  400 ,  401  of elements of the ticketing terminal  30  according to the invention. The ticketing terminal  30  is represented in a view from above in  FIG. 4 . This view from above makes it possible to represent various elements of the ticketing terminal  30  situated notably on the upper face  38 . Among these elements are represented: 
         [0089]    the location  35  for contactless card reading, 
         [0090]    the customer display  36 , 
         [0091]    the LEDs  37 , 
         [0092]    the antenna  41 , and 
         [0093]    the paper output  40 . 
         [0094]    The first rotation  400  is a rotation about a first axis  402 . The first to axis  402  is for example perpendicular to the upper face  38  and centered with respect to the body  39  of the ticketing terminal  30 . The first axis  402  is therefore for example almost vertical. The printer can notably perform a rotation about the first axis  402  so as to correctly place the paper output  40  of the printer with respect to a potential position of a customer. The first rotation  400  can be a partial rotation for example. The first rotation  400  can be left free during installation so as to correctly place the paper output  40 . The first rotation  400  can thereafter be locked by way of one or more removable screws for example. It is not necessary for the paper output  40  to be able to rotate while the ticketing terminal  30  is being used. 
         [0095]    The second rotation  401  is notably a rotation of an assembly of elements composed for example: of a contactless card reading location  35 , of the customer display  36 , of the LEDs  37 . This assembly of elements forms notably part of a second customer interface. The second rotation  401  can be performed about a second axis  403  notably perpendicular to the upper face  38  and situated substantially at the center of the body  39  of the ticketing terminal  30 . The second rotation axis  403  can be for example distinct from the first rotation axis  402 . The second axis  403  is for example almost vertical. The second rotation  401  can make it possible in the course of the installation of the ticketing terminal  30  to correctly position the second customer interface with respect to a potential positioning of a customer in the vehicle. The second rotation  401  can also be locked by means of removable screws in the course of installation, after positioning the second customer interface as a function of the position of the ticketing terminal  30  in the vehicle. 
         [0096]    The rotations  400 ,  401  allow best adjustment, during a phase of installing the ticketing terminal  30 , of the angles of view and of the possible interactions between a driver and a customer or a passenger and the ticketing terminal  30 . 
         [0097]      FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c  represent a principle of positioning various elements of the ticketing terminal  30  as well as the positioning of the ticketing terminal  30 . 
         [0098]    The ticketing terminal  30  is positioned as a function notably of the position of a driver  50  of the transport vehicle. The ticketing terminal  30  is also positioned as a function of a positioning of a steering wheel  51  of the transport vehicle with respect to a stream of passengers  52  entering for example the vehicle, as well as with respect to a passenger  53  using the ticketing terminal  30 . 
         [0099]    In a general way, the driver  50  is situated facing the steering wheel  51 . A first angle of view  54  of the driver interface  34  for viewing by the driver  50  is notably perpendicular to the driver interface  34 . 
         [0100]    In  FIG. 5   a , the ticketing terminal  30  is situated to the right of the steering wheel  51 , the driver interface  34  facing the driver  50 . The stream of passengers  52  in  FIG. 5   a  comes from the right of the steering wheel  51 , perpendicularly to an axis passing through the driver  50  and the steering wheel  51 , and goes toward the rear of the vehicle, behind the driver  50 . The passenger  53  is situated outside of the stream of passengers  52 , facing the driver  50 . A second angle of view  55  is the angle of viewing of the customer display  36  by the passenger  53 . In a first disposition of the ticketing terminal  30  the second angle of view  55  is positioned at around one hundred and eighty degrees with respect to the first angle of view  54 . In this case, the customer display  36  is parallel to the driver interface  34 . 
         [0101]    In  FIG. 5   b , the stream of passengers  52  originates from the right of the driver  50  and goes toward the rear of the vehicle, behind the driver  50 . This occurs for example in a left-hand drive vehicle. The passenger  53  can then position himself to the right of the stream of passengers  52 . The second angle of view  55  has a difference of ninety degrees, when rotating counterclockwise, with the first angle of view  54 . The driver interface  34  is therefore in this case perpendicular to the customer display  36 . 
         [0102]    In  FIG. 5   c , the steering wheel  51  is positioned to the right of the stream of passengers  52 . Such is for example the case for a right-hand drive vehicle. The stream of passengers  52  originates for example from the left of the driver  50  and goes toward the rear of the vehicle, behind the driver  50 . In this case, the passenger  53  can position himself to the left of the steering wheel  51 , outside of the stream of passengers  52 . The second angle of view  55  is then positioned at two hundred and seventy degrees with respect to the first angle of view  54 . The driver interface  34  is therefore perpendicular to the customer display  36 . 
         [0103]    The paper output  40  is generally positioned facing the passenger  53 . 
         [0104]    The ticketing terminal  30  therefore offers a great diversity of positionings of the driver interface  34  and of the second customer interface. This therefore makes it possible to adapt the ticketing terminal  30  to various public transport vehicles and to various types of driving. 
         [0105]    By taking into consideration the stream of passengers  52  with respect to the passenger  53  using the ticketing terminal  30  and with respect to the driver  50  it is made possible to ease access to the transport vehicle for passenger boarding for example. Access thus eased is faster, the passengers entering being able for example to validate their transport ticket on a validator positioned a little further on in the vehicle. 
         [0106]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  represent examples of positioning of a driver interface  34  of the ticketing terminal  30  according to the invention. In  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , the ticketing terminal  30  is represented viewed in profile. In  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , are notably represented the body  39  of the ticketing terminal  30  viewed in profile, the upper face  38 , the driver interface  34 , the paper output  40 . 
         [0107]    The driver interface  34  can pivot in relation to a third rotation axis  60  situated on the upper part of the driver interface  34 . The third rotation axis  60  is tied for example to the upper face  38 . The driver interface  34  is therefore linked to the body  39  of the ticketing terminal  30  by way of the rotation axis  60 . The driver interface  34  can pivot by about ten degrees for example. The driver interface  34  can thus perform a third rotation  61 . Once the third rotation  61  of the driver interface  34  has been performed, the driver interface  34  remains in the desired position by virtue of locking means known elsewhere. The positioning of the driver interface  34  is not locked on installation, thereby allowing each driver  50  of the vehicle to position the driver interface  34  as he wishes. Thus one and the same driver&#39;s cab can be used by drivers of different sizes, in very varied brightness conditions. The ergonomics of the driver&#39;s cab is therefore improved by the possible rotation of the driver interface  34 . 
         [0108]    This principle of rotation of the driver interface  34  makes it possible to reduce the costs of studies of ergonomics of the driver&#39;s cab. This also makes it possible to reduce the toolkit required for installing the ticketing terminal  30  in order to position it correctly. 
         [0109]    The various principles of rotation of the elements of the ticketing terminal  30  make it possible advantageously to reduce the costs of production and installation of such a piece of equipment. Likewise, installation is advantageously simpler by virtue of the rotation principles. 
         [0110]    Moreover the ticketing terminal  30  can be adapted to various types of vehicles and to various types of driving while having good ergonomics of use both for the driver  50  and for the passengers  53 . 
         [0111]    The ticketing terminal  30  according to the invention advantageously exhibits a modularity: each sub-system, such as the printer, the contactless reader, the passenger display, the LEDs  37 , the customer interface, being optional. The modularity of the ticketing terminal  30  eases its adaptation to various requirements of public transport operators. 
         [0112]    Moreover the possibility of using the same central unit  21  in association with various types of terminal makes it possible to reduce the production costs but also the purchase costs for a customer wishing to upgrade his equipment with a new ticketing terminal  30 . 
         [0113]    The ticketing terminal  30  is also embodied in a very compact manner so as to have the smallest possible bulk, this advantageously eases the fitting thereof in the confined driver&#39;s cab of a public transport vehicle. 
         [0114]    A single interface between the second central unit  21  and the ticketing terminal  30  can allow a reduction in the costs of wiring when installing the ticketing terminal  30  aboard a vehicle.