System enablement of automatic fare collection devices using a network
First Claim
1. A system for enablement of automatic fare collection devices using a network, the system comprising:
- a server containing at least one database with a plurality of patron accounts, whereby each patron account is associated with a corresponding individual patron and an individual automatic fare collection device;
a terminal in communication with said server, whereby said terminal contains a web browser for enabling communication with said server via said network and whereby said patron accesses said patron account via said network to purchase at least one entry permit; and
a first access device of a plurality of access devices in communication with said server and associated with said at least one entry permit; and
whereby said patron presents said automatic fare collection device to said first access device and whereby said access device queries said server to locate the purchase of said at least one entry permit and whereby said automatic fare collection device is updated with said at least one entry permit if said at least one entry permit is associated with said first access device and whereby if said at least one entry permit is presented to a second access device, said at least one entry permit is not written to said automatic fare collection device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for Internet Enablement of automatic fare collection devices, such as smart cards, interfaces to smart card fare systems to increase the ability to sell and process transit payments and to collect entry permits or tickets at an access device or fare collection equipment. The system comprises a server containing a database for storing accounts of individual cardholders where each smart card is associated with a unique account. A patron or cardholder accesses his account via a terminal containing a web browser to purchase entry permits. Once the entry permits have been purchased, the cardholder presents his card to an access device which communicates with the server to determine if there are any pending entry permits. If there are any pending entry permits associated with the access device, the entry permit is written to the smart card and the other entry permits remain pending until the cardholder presents the card at the appropriate access device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for enablement of automatic fare collection devices using a network, the system comprising:
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a server containing at least one database with a plurality of patron accounts, whereby each patron account is associated with a corresponding individual patron and an individual automatic fare collection device;
a terminal in communication with said server, whereby said terminal contains a web browser for enabling communication with said server via said network and whereby said patron accesses said patron account via said network to purchase at least one entry permit; and
a first access device of a plurality of access devices in communication with said server and associated with said at least one entry permit; and
whereby said patron presents said automatic fare collection device to said first access device and whereby said access device queries said server to locate the purchase of said at least one entry permit and whereby said automatic fare collection device is updated with said at least one entry permit if said at least one entry permit is associated with said first access device and whereby if said at least one entry permit is presented to a second access device, said at least one entry permit is not written to said automatic fare collection device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of network enablement of automatic fare collection devices, the method comprising:
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activating an automatic fare collection device via a network and setting up an account associated with a unique, corresponding individual patron and whereby said account is stored in at least one database on a server;
purchasing at least one entry permit via said network to be stored in said patron'"'"'s account on said server;
presenting said automatic fare collection device to a first access device containing a card reader whereby said automatic fare collection device reader reads a serial number for said automatic fare collection device and queries said server for said at least one entry permit;
transferring said at least one entry permit onto said automatic fare collection device if said at least one entry permit is associated with said first access device and whereby if said at least one entry permit is presented to a second access device, said at least one entry permit is not written to said automatic fare collection device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification