Validating Removable Fare Collection System

• US 20070270997A1
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cubic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cubic Corporation
• Inventors: Lapczynski, David, Brumfield, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,624,914 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/214
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/02 taking into account a variable factor such as distance or time, e.g. for passenger transport, parking systems or car rental systems G07B15/06 takes precedence; taximeters G07B13/00; parking meters per se G07F17/24; car rental systems per se G07B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/04 Means for returning surplus or unused coins
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/06 Coin boxes

Abstract

A low cost fare collection system includes a removable farebox having an integral collection box. The farebox can be installed in a temporary installation at a fare collection location for the collection of fares and can be removed to a secure location for emptying and reconciliation. The farebox can include an integral collection box for receiving fares deposited in the farebox. The farebox can be configured such that the collected fares can be emptied only when the farebox is removed from the temporary installation to reduce tampering and theft. A fare validator can be used to verify the amount and value of a fare deposited in the farebox to eliminate human validation of fares. Electronic monitors can collect data relating to fares deposited, total revenue collected, time of fare collection, and other data items that can be retrieved when the farebox is removed and emptied.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transport of removable fareboxes, the apparatus comprising:

one or more receptacles, each configured to receive one removable farebox;

a farebox identification module configured to determine an identification for each removable farebox inserted into the one or more receptacles, and further configured to determine if each farebox contains revenue; and

a locking mechanism configured to lock each of the removable fareboxes inserted into the one or more receptacles determined to contain revenue.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a GPS receiver configured to estimate a position location of the apparatus; and

a communications module coupled to the GPS receiver and configured to communicate the data to a computer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the farebox identification module is configured to determine the identification using a wired link to the removable farebox.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the farebox identification module is configured to determine the identification using a wireless link to the removable farebox.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is further configured to release locked fareboxes using a key.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is further configured to release locked fareboxes upon receipt of a key code.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to maintain each removable farebox in an unlocked position that is determined to not contain revenue.

2. The apparatus of claim I, further comprising:

a processor configured to extract data from each removable farebox inserted within the one or more receptacles; and

a communications module coupled to the processor and configured to communicate the data to a computer.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the communications module is configured to communicate the data using a wireless link.

10. A method for transport of removable fareboxes, the method comprising:

receiving a farebox within a receptacle of a fare cart;

determining an identification of the farebox within the receptacle;

determining whether the farebox contains revenue; and

locking the farebox within the receptacle if the farebox contains revenue.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

extracting fare data from the farebox; and

communicating the fare data to a depot computer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein communicating the fare data comprises wirelessly transmitting the fare data.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the fare data comprises a value of expected revenue contained in the fare box.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the fare data comprises the identification of the fare box.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the identification of the fare box comprises performing a machine readable identification of the farebox.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the machine readable identification comprises a wired operation.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the machine readable identification comprises a wireless operation.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

determining a location of the fare cart; and

reporting the location of the fare cart to at least one location remote from the fare cart.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein determining the location comprises determining the location using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

20. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a restricted code at the fare cart, and

releasing the farebox from the receptacle upon receipt of the restricted code.