Space reservation and ticket printing system

Beginning of the patent period: March 15, 1971.

The inventors mentioned are: Robert Dennis Cook in Miraleste and Walter Thomas McHale in New York.

The invention relates to an end and front station for transmitting and receiving information, wherein a memory is provided for storing the information to be transmitted to a remote central station. The invention is particularly useful in the reservation of space and for the issue of tickets, tickets, tickets u. like.

So far, the storage and delivery of information, in particular information about ticket sales, were performed manually. For example, a person who wanted to buy a ticket for a specific event had to go to a ticket office and tell the agent that they wanted tickets for a particular event. The ticket agent then telephoned to a central office and gave his order orally. There, this information was entered in a table 10 and the ticket office was told which seats were available. The intermediary then negotiates the ticket sales with the buyer and, if the buyer accepts the existing seats, the intermediary informs the central office. The agent then gave the buyer a confirmation that was redeemable at the box office in the tickets. The total telephone conversation between the agent and the central office generally takes between 5 and 10 minutes. During this time, the telephone lines to the central office are blocked, preventing other ticket agents from calling there.

It has already been noted by many buyers who obtain their cards through an intermediary that delays of 1.5 to 2 hours occur simply because the telephone lines to the central office have been used by others. Moreover, the buyer will only receive a confirmation from the intermediary for the cards, but this confirmation does not give access to the event. The buyer must therefore place himself with the confirmation at the cash register in order to exchange his confirmation in the tickets for the event. A process that often leads to late entry into the event and a failure to part of the conversation. If the buyer wants to avoid a ticket office, he must go to the cashier himself and look for the cards, which leads to a loss of time.

It is an object of the invention to provide a system that allows information on the availability of places in a shorter period than before. At the same time, a system for storing and delivering information should be created, which automatically provides information about the availability of the desired space.

With the system, tickets should be deposited at a remote location for the desired seat, u.zw. for many events where there is a variety of seats as well as prices and locations. The invention also seeks to provide a remote control device for an information and dispensing system operated by an operator having all the connections to a central station of the Systems manufactures.

Nr.294467

According to the invention, it is proposed that a first control device for formulating a message signal, a memory connected to this first control device for storing the message signal, a first display device connected to the memory for visual representation of the message signal, intermediate sections which are connected to the memory, for transmitting the message signal to a central station and for receiving a response signal from the central station, the memory storing the response signal, second control means connected to the intermediate sections for operating the same, for forwarding the message signal to the central station and for coding means prevent it from inhibiting the addition of further information in the memory, and a second display device are provided, the with the

Memory is connected to give a visual representation of the response signal.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, for example:

Figs. 1A and 1B show a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the outdoor station according to the invention, wherein the right side of Fig. 1A is continued on the left side of Fig. 1B. Fig. 1C shows in the block diagram the connection of the remote station according to Figs. 1A and 1B with a central computer, the left side of Fig. 1C being connected to the right side of Fig. 1B. Fig. 2 shows in the block diagram the relationship of Figs. 1A.1B and IC. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a card printer for an outdoor station according to Figs. 1A and 1B. 4 shows schematically a warning system for the card printer according to Figure 3. Fig. 5 shows the waveforms associated with the card printer of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 shows a card output from the card printer of Fig. 3. Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are diagrams of the display devices in the outstation as shown in Figs. 1A and 1B , where visual representations of seat reservations are reproduced.

Figures ΙΑ, 1B and IC, when joined together as in Figure 2, show an information and dispensing system. The lines -84, 90, 96, 100, 102 and 166- in Fig.lA are connected to lines in Fig.lB, bearing the same reference numerals. The line -144- in FIG. 1B is connected to the line -144- in FIG. Figures 1A and 1B together show a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of an outdoor station according to the invention. The outdoor station may be housed in a suitable housing (not shown). Keypads -10, 12 and 14- are connected to a plate of the housing and connected via lines -16, 18 and 20- to an encoder -22- connected. As will be explained in more detail later, the keypad -10- has a plurality of keys (not shown), each associated with a particular event. 31 Keys of the keypad -12- indicate the day of a month; 12 keys are assigned to the months of the year and 4 keys indicate the time with morning, afternoon, evening and night. The keypad -14- has a plurality of keys (not shown) with numbers and letters. The keys of the keypad -14-can, for example, be arranged in the manner of a typical typewriter. The acceptance end control -24- is connected to the encoder -22- via the line -26-.

The keypads -10, 12 and 14- and the acceptance end control -24- are connected via separate lines -28- to a sequencer -30-.

The housing wall also carries a strip control -32-, a clear-control -34-, a back -40 control -36- and a lamp -42- (best available). The strip controller -32-, the clear controller -34-, the return control -36- and the lamp -42- are connected to the sequencer -30- via separate lines -40-. The encoder -22- is connected via lines -46- to a data memory -44-. Sequence device -30- is connected to data memory -44- via line -48-.

The output of the data memory -44- is connected via lines -50- to the memory -52-. The output of sequencer -30- is connected to memory -52- via lines -54-.

The housing wall also includes a test controller -60-, a ticket sales controller -62-, and a subscription sales controller -64-. These controls are connected via separate lines -70- to 50 of a controller -72- for the type of operation. As will be explained later, the controller determines the type of operation performed by the system. An actuation of the subscription sales control -64- will trigger a process that provides a season ticket, e.g. B. a season pass for a sporting event.

The output of the controller -72- is connected via lines -74- to an encoder -76-55, which in turn is connected via lines -78- to the memory -52-. The output of the controller -72- is connected via lines -80- to the cathode ray tube -82- for the pre3

No.294467 gang connected. Via lines -81- the memory -52- is connected to the cathode ray tube -83- for the message and to the cathode ray tube -82- for the process. The output of the memory -52- is connected to the communication section and the message structuring logic -86- (Figure 1B) via lines -84-. As will be seen later, the information can be transmitted via lines -84- in both directions between the memory -52- and the logic -86-. The logic -86- can also be connected to the acceptance end control via lines -90-.

Exciter -92- is connected to logic -86- via lines -94-. As will be explained later, the operation of the control transmitter -92- causes the transmission of an in the

Memory -80- to central controller -180- (Figure IC) and retrieves a signal which is applied to line -96-, whereby the encoder -22- and keypads -10, 12 and 14- to prevent additional information from being stored. The keypad power-up controller (Fig. 1A) is also connected to the line -96- to turn off the inhibit signal on the line -96- after completion of a transmission.

The logic -86- is connected to the sequencer -30- via the lines -100-. Reset -36- is connected to logic -86- via line -102-. The logic -86- is connected via separate lines -104- to a sound warning device -106-, a memory warning device -108-, a process lamp -110-, a "transmission" lamp -112-, a reception lamp -114- , a finished lamp -116-, a lamp -118- for the cardinal pressure, a lamp -120- for error transfer, and a lamp -122- for error reception. A warning device reset -124- is connected to the sound warning device -106- via line -126- to prevent the sound warning device from operating or turning it on.

The output of the logic -86- is connected to the data adjuster-134 via the sense line -128-, the data-transmission line -130-, and the receiver-ready line-132-. The device -134- is connected to the logic -86- via the ready-to-send line -136-, the receive data line -138, and the data transfer detect line -140-connected. Line -140- is also closed to line -142-. The output of the data adjuster -142- is connected to the line -144- and this to a central computer (Fig.IC).

As shown in Fig. 1A, the output of the memory -52- is connected to the card printing section -152- via the line -150-. The output of the card return section -152- is connected via lines -154- to the card printer -156- (shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 4). The output of the card printing section -152- is also connected to lines -158, 160 and 162- in order to control the print command, the cut command or color code of the card printer -156-. The card printer -156- is also connected to the card printing section -152- via the lines -164- to block or permit the recording of data by the card printer -156- from the card printing section -152-. Card printing section -152- is connected to logic -86 in two pathways via lines -166-.

A lamp control -168- is connected via line -170- to each of the lamps associated with the test controller -60-, the ticket vendor controller -62-, and the subscription vendor controller -64-. The lamp control 168 may also be connected to the lamps 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 to check their operation.

Figure 1C shows a block circuit representing the connection between the central computer and the 45 outstations. The central computer has memory -181 and controller -180- connected via lines -182 and 182a to data controllers -184 and 184a. Each data setter -184- is connected to a plurality of outstations via a line -144, 144a, etc., indicated in the drawings by channel -1-, channel -2-, etc. As will be explained, each outstation has its own identifying address so that the central computer can select and identify by means of the identification address a particular outstation with which it wishes to communicate. Any number of outstations can be connected to each line; the number is limited only by the capacity of the computer in its addressing network. Similarly, any number of data setters -184, 184a, etc. may be connected to controller -180-; the number is again limited only by the capacity of the computer.

No.294467 _ 4 _

The central computer with the controller -180- and the memory -181- may be a general purpose computer such as that available from International Business Machines Company under the designation IBM / 360 Model 40. If the central computer is connected to the outstations via telephone lines, then a transmission control device (not shown) is connected to the computer, which, for example IBM Model 2702 Transmission Control Unit, available from International Business Machines Company. The data setting devices -134 and 184- may be, for example, the Model No.202D Data Sets of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company.

FIG. 3 shows in an electromechanical block diagram the card printer -156-for the outstation according to FIGS. 1A and 1B. The card printer -156- includes a drum apparatus 200 which receives via lines -154- the data from the card printing section -152- (Figure 1A). The output of the drum device 200 is connected to the character setter -201- via lines -204- to select the characters and place them on the printing drum -206-. The controller -208- is connected to the card printing section -152- via the line -158- and receives the command signal for printing (shown as a wave -254- in Fig. 5). The controller -208- issues a signal to rotate the print drum through the line -210- to the motor 202- whereby the printing drum -206- prints the characters selected by the drum assembly 300 onto the card material 212-. The controller -208- also actuates the motor -214- so that the color mechanism -216- colors the characters on the print drum -206-. Controller -208- is connected via line -164- to card-printing section -152- to transmit a data enable signal (shown in Fig. 5 in the form of a wave -256-).

During the printing operation, a blocking signal (shown in Fig. 5 in the form of a shaft -256-) is fed via line -164- to the card printing section -152- to prevent the card printing section from passing further data through the line -154- of the drum device -200 to 25 leads.

The card material -212- is a continuous ribbon which is wound on the drum -213- and passed through the printing mechanism. The width of the map material is equal to that of the card to be printed, which is output from the card printer -156-. In certain lengths, the card stock with perforations -268- (Fig. 6), so that the printed card -250-30 after leaving the card printer has a main portion -250a and an adjoining control portion -250b-. For purposes which will be explained further, the map material has marks -252- which are provided at certain distances from the perforations. The tags effect a synchronization between the location of the card stock and the printing mechanism to ensure a clean layout of the printed characters on the card.

After printing the first font from the print drum -206- onto the chart material, the controller -208- actuates a motor -218- via the line -220-, by rollers -222- shifting the chart material to the card for the next printing cycle align. The inhibit signal to the card printing section -152- is removed from the line -164- and additional data is introduced into the drum device -200, with the characters being rearranged on the drum -206-.

The process continues until the printing is completed and the next mark of the card material is adjacent to the probe. If the mark is adjacent to probe -224-, a signal is applied via line -226- to controller -208-, again alerting card printing section -152- that the card has reached its end position. The card print portion -152- then outputs a signal via the line -162- to the controller -228- so that the color stripping mechanism - 230- prints a color stripe on the card. From the card printing section -152-, a signal is then supplied via the line-160- to the motor -232- to actuate the cutting mechanism -234-. The cutting mechanism -234- cuts the card material -212- and a signal is applied via the line -236- to the motor -238- where 50 are actuated by rollers -240- and the printed and trimmed card is removed from the card printing mechanism ,

4 shows a simple detector for a small supply of cards, wherein a sensor pair -242 and 244- of the map material drum -213- or the card printing mechanism are assigned. For example, probes -242 and 244- may be switches connected to a lamp -246- for the card material. The sensor -244- can be provided, for example, in the feed near the roller -222- and the sensor -242- near the drum -213-. It is convenient if the feelers

No . 294467 -242 and 244- with the lamp -246- interact independently of each other, and therefore they are connected in parallel between the lamp -246- and ground. It will be understood that the lamp control 168 of Figure 1A may also be associated with the card material lamp 246 to test its function.

In operation of the reservation and card printing system according to the invention, the central controller -180- transmits to all outstations via lines -144, 144a, etc. a carrier signal. The carrier signal received by each outstation is forwarded by the data adjuster -134- to the logic-86- via the data carrier line -140-. The absence of the carrier signal on the line -140- causes an actuation of the line warning device -142- to indicate the interruption between the central computer and the remote station. The interruption can be caused by a fault in the line -144- or by stopping the central computer.

When a front-end station has been turned on, a carrier signal is applied to the receiver-ready line -132- by the logic-86-, whereby a signal is transmitted via the line -144- to the central computer. If there is no signal on line -144-, the central computer recognizes that this receiver is not in action. Preferably, the central computer has a display (not shown) to indicate that this outstation is not in operation. Messages sent by the controller in the central computer need not be addressed to the unactuated outside stations, so that no time is wasted, messages to unactuated

To direct the receiver.

The signal output by the central computer may include a message modulated on the carrier signal. Typical messages include: dialing, queries, and a display and card printing message. The outstation can send different messages. Typical messages are: approval, negation, execution, termination and acceptance. Although the messages transmitted between the central computer and the remote stations are largely described by alphanumeric representations, it is convenient to carry out the transmission and storage in binary form; the alphanumeric representations represent only the short forms of binary messages. It is to be understood that any other form applicable to a computer may be used in place of the binary form, e.g. B. a Ternarform.

The central computer starts the connection by sending a dial message over each line. Each dialing message preferably contains a control character (hereinafter referred to as -C-), followed by an address and a dialing character. The address indicates the special, selected outdoor station. For example, the outstations -A, B, C-, etc. have separate addresses -A, B, C-, etc. The number of outstations on each line is limited only by the capacity of the central computer. The dialing character (referred to below as 1) follows the address. To select the outside station -A- the dialing message is as follows: -C Al-.

The dial message is received by the data adjusters -134- of each outstation and fed via the receive data line -138- to the logic -86-. Logic -86- determines that the message is a dial message based on the dial character -1- and compares the 40 message address (-A- in the example) with the address contained in memory -52-. If the address of the message is not equal to the address in the outstation's memory -52-, then the outstation ignores the dial message and does not answer, if the address of the dial message matches the address of the outstation, logic-86- issues a signal via the Please transmit line -128- to data adjuster -134- to connect data transmission line -130- to 45 -144- line. If the data adjuster -134- has the line -130- connected to the line -144-, then the data adjuster sends a signal over the clear-to-send line -136- to the logic -86-, thereby instructing the transmission of a message the central one

Computer is allowed.

The particular message that will be sent to the central computer in response to the dial message is determined by the control transmitter -92-. The control transmitter is operated by an operator after the message to be transmitted has been formulated and entered into the memory -52-. Therefore, if the outstation is ready to transmit a message, the exciter -92- is on. On the other hand, if the outstation is not ready to transmit a message, the control transmitter -92- is switched off. If the control transmitter -92- has been actuated, the logic -36- outputs an acknowledgment signal (hereinafter referred to as -Y-) to the central computer via the data setting device -134-. If the exciter -92- has not been actuated,

No. 294467, the logic-86- outputs a negative signal (hereinafter referred to as -N-) to the central computer.

Upon receipt of the acknowledgment -Y- or a negative -N- by the central controller -180- in response to a dial message, the central controller stores the response in the memory 5 -181- and continues to select the remaining outstations which in turn either -N or Y- answer. For purposes of explanation, assume that there are three outstations (-A, B, C-) on the line -1-, and that the outstation -A- is ready to transmit a message, but the outstations -B and C - are not ready to send. In this case, the whole is

Dialing cycle as follows:

<td>10</td><td>CA1</td><td>(from the central computer)</td>

<td></td><td>Y</td><td>(from outside station A)</td>

<td></td><td>CB1</td><td>(from the central computer)</td>

<td></td><td>N</td><td>(from outside station B)</td>

<td></td><td>CC1</td><td>(from the central computer)</td>

<td>15</td><td>N</td><td>(from outstation C)</td>

In the example, the central computer is informed that the outstation -Δ- is ready to send, while the stations -B and C- are not. The central computer then sends a request to the outstation that has answered the dialing message in agreement.

The central controller -180- starts the query sequence by transmitting a question message 20 to the outstation, which has responded to the choice in agreement (outstation -A- in the example). The question message, which is a command to the outstation to deliver a message, consists of a control character (here referred to as -C-) which is preferably equal to the character used for the election, an address and a query. The address is that of the polled outstation and the poll (here -0-) follows the message. The question 25 message for the outstation -A- is therefore -CA0 ~. The question message is received via receive data line -138- and the logic 86-allowed data setter -134- as described to connect line -130- to line -144-. The outstation then sends its message to the computer in response to the question message.

In the case of a seat reservation, the message transmitted determines the ticket sale 30 and the seat reservation at the specified event.

The transmitted message includes a transmission character (here designated -T-) followed by the text of the transmission, followed by a character for the end of the message (denoted here by -E-) and a conversion character (denoted here by -P-). The purpose, generation and explanation of the conversion character are described below. The conversion character is added to the logic-86- message to reveal errors in the message. A typical one

Transmission message in response to a query is as follows: T Text EP.

The text of the transmitted message consists of different categories. The information contained in each category is selected by the operator by pressing the keys on the keypad. The type of transmission is also determined by the operator. Table I 40 shows nine information categories when selling a ticket together with its destination and its sign. The table H shows nine information categories for the subscription sale also with determination and characters.

Nr.294467

Table I

<td colspan="4">Ticket sales</td>

<td>category</td><td colspan="2">determination</td><td>character</td>

<td>A</td><td>make code</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>B</td><td>date</td><td>&gt;</td><td>^ai</td>

<td>C</td><td>Number of cards</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>D</td><td>timecode</td><td></td><td>^dr</td>

<td>e</td><td>price</td><td></td><td>^ei</td>

<td>F</td><td>Sector / Zone</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>G</td><td>Series / gear</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>H</td><td>Seat</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>I</td><td>discount code</td><td></td><td></td>

Table II

<td colspan="4">Subscription sales</td>

<td>category</td><td colspan="2">determination</td><td>character</td>

<td>A</td><td>make code</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>B</td><td>First day</td><td>&gt;</td><td>^a2</td>

<td>C</td><td>Number of subscriptions</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>D</td><td>timecode</td><td></td><td>^d2</td>

<td>e</td><td>price</td><td></td><td>^e2</td>

<td>F</td><td>Sector / Zone</td><td></td><td>* 2</td>

<td>G</td><td>Series / gear</td><td></td><td>%</td>

<td>H</td><td>Seat</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>I</td><td>Special remarks</td><td></td><td></td>

The operator first selects the type of operation by pressing the button associated with either the ticket vending control -62 or the subscription vending control -64-. 5 The actuation of one of the controls -62 or 64- will cause a signal to be supplied via line -70- to the control -72-. The control -72- selects a character set - a ^ d_t to i -or -a_{2 &lt;} d₂ to -. The selected character set is then transferred via line -74- to encoder -76- where the characters are converted to binary form and prepared for transmission to memory -52- via line -78- where it stores at preselected locations become.

After selecting the procedure, the operator selects the information for each category using keypads -10, 12 and 14-. The location code (category A is selected by pressing a key on the keypad -10- Each key of the keypad -10- has a removable label (not shown) indicating the event or location whose code is formed by that key The keys can be played with Dodgers, Angels, Rams, Hollywood Bowl, Music Center etc. be labeled. If one presses the button labeled Dodgers, a signal indicative of the selected code is fed via line -16- to the encoder -22-, where it is converted to the binary form. The selected binary code is then transferred to data memory -44- via line -46- and then to memory -52- where it will be stored at a preselected location, as will be further explained.

The date code at ticket sales or the first day code at subscription sale (category -B-) is selected by pressing a day and month key of the keypad -12-, forming a code indicative of the selected day and stored at a preselected location of the memory -52- becomes. The number of cards or subscriptions (category -C-) is selected by depressing a key of the keypad -14-, the code of the number of keys being stored at a preselected location of the memory. As mentioned earlier, the keypad -14-contains one

Nr.294467

Variety of buttons, each labeled separately with a number or a letter. Keypad -14- controls the type of information belonging to categories -C and E to I-.

At the beginning of the formulation of the text of the transmission, the operator operates either the ticket vending control -62- or the subscription vending control -64-. As already mentioned, actuation of one of the controllers -62 or 64- causes the formation of a character set for the respective transmission, which characters are stored at preselected locations of the memory -52-. A lamp behind the selected keypad control is turned on, giving a permanent indication of the type of transmission selected.

Assume, for example, that the transfer is a ticket sale, where then the first category (-A-) of ticket sales is the job code. If the information concerning the location code (category -A-) has arrived at the coding device -22-, then a signal is output to the sequence device from the coding device -22- via the line -40-. Sequencer -30- then controls data memory -44- via line -48- to ensure that the code associated with category -A- is placed in memory -52- at the preselected location. Likewise, the codes associated with categories -B and C are brought to other preselected locations of the memory.

The information stored in the memory -52- is brought via the line -81- to the CRT -82- for transmission.

The CRT's -82 and 83- for transmission and message are preferably 20 alphanumeric and can display letters and numbers. As shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the cathode ray tube -82- has preferably two display rows and the cathode ray tube -83- six display rows.

The information contained in the categories -A, B, C- is sequentially displayed on the first line of the CRT -82-. For example, the location code may consist of two characters, the

Data code consists of three characters and the number of cards consists of one character.

For example, assume that a ticket sale of six tickets (category -C-) for the evening performance (category -D-) on June 3 (category -B-) is performed in the paladium (category A-). The buyer wishes the seats -100 to 105- (category -H-) in progress -W- (category -G-), block -CC- (category -F-) at a price of 5.50 per card (category - E-), 30 where the cards are not available with a discount (category -I-). The place code for the paladium is -43-. (This example may be unduly specific, as the buyer generally does not know exactly which seats are available, but it will be further explained that the central computer can support the process and that certain categories can be eliminated from the initial considerations .)

The operator first presses the card vending control button -62-, turning on the lamp behind the button and placing the ticket vending machine code -d ^ f, g ^ h and i - in the preselected locations of the memory -52-. The operator then presses the key labeled "Paladium" on the keypad -10- which places the binary form of the location code -43- in the memory -52- to a preselected location. The selected digit code is passed from the memory to the CRT-82- where it is displayed (see Fig. 7).

The operator then presses the month key -6 and the day key -03- of the keypad -12-, forming the date code -603-, which is then stored in memory and displayed by the CRT -82-. The key designated by -6- of the keypad 45 -14- is then pressed to store the number -6- in the memory -52-, whereby the desired number of cards is given. This number is also displayed by the cathode ray tube -82-.

The information relating to the categories -A, B, C- is then stored sequentially in the memory together with the check marks for the ticket sale. The code now stored in the memory is: -a 436036- (however, it is understood that the code 50 stored in the memory -52- is in binary form and not in alphanumeric form as indicated by the cathode ray tube).

If the information for the categories -A, B and C- is stored in the memory, the memory -52- determines that the next character of the message is a control character (-d₁It is convenient if the cathode ray tube advances one space or displays a separator 55 sign indicating to the operator that the next displayed character belongs to the next category. In the example, a colon is displayed at the locations of each control character.

Nr.294467

In the example it has been stated that the buyer wishes tickets for the evening performance. The operator presses a key on the keypad -12-. which is assigned to this time. Preferably, the keypad -12- has at least four keys for the time code, u.zw. for morning, afternoon, evening and night. Pressing the evening button stores the character -E "- in memory -52-5 at a preselected location; the sign -E- is displayed by the CRT -82-. However, the alphanumeric form of the time code will usually be a number and not a letter.

The price code is then placed in the memory -52- and fed to the cathode ray tube -82- by pressing keys on the keypad -14-. The price code preferably includes four characters, and the alphanumeric form of the price code indicates the price of the cards. In the example, the operator successively presses the keys -0, 5, 5, 0- and thus receives the alphanumeric price code -0550- indicating the ticket price of $ 5.50.

The sector / zone code is put into memory by depressing keys of the keypad -14-. The sector / zone code preferably comprises four characters. The code for sector -CC- of the example can be specified with -OOCC-.

The serial code is then brought to preselected locations of the memory -52- by pressing keys of the keypad -14-. The serial code preferably comprises four alphanumeric characters, so that in the example as a serial code in the memory -52,000 W- (for the series -W-) is stored and this is also indicated by the cathode ray tube -82- ,

The seat code for the first seat of a string is brought to a preselected location of the memory -52- by pressing keys of the keypad -14- and displayed by the CRT -82-. In the example, the first seat of the six desired seats is -100-; the seat code is therefore - 100-.

The discount code is appended to the seat code, however, since no discount is provided in the example, the discount code is -000 "-.

The transfer code for the example, as contained in memory -52- in binary form, is alphanumeric: -a₁436036d₁Ee₁0550.f₁00CCg₁000Wh₁100ip00-.

When the operator is satisfied with the code indicated by the CRT corresponding to the transmission code in the memory, it depresses the button for the control transmitter 30-92, thereby turning on the lamp (not shown) behind that button and a signal is output via line -94- to logic -86-. The actuation of the control transmitter -92- causes an inhibit signal, which is supplied via the line -96- the encoder -22-, to prevent by means of the keypads -10, 12 and 14- the memory -52-- more information to be added. The actuation of the control transmitter -92- also prepares the logic -86- 35 so that it can answer the next dialing message from the central controller -180- with an acknowledgment signal. The acknowledgment signal is output from the data controller -134- via channel -130-. The central controller then polls the outstation via line -138-, as already explained. In response to the interrogation signal from the central computer sends the

Outstation their message on the line -130-.

The logic -86- transmits a control character -T-, followed by the transmission text.

The control character -E- then terminates the message. The logic -86- also checks the entire message accurately and sets the end of the message to the P- conversion character.

In the example, it has been assumed that the transmission from the outstation -A- is made from the channel -1- that there are three stations (-A, B, C-) on channel -1- that the transmission message is in memory The outstation -A- is stored and that the control transmitter -92- of the outdoor station -A- has enabled them to give an affirmative answer to the dialing. The entire sequence of dialing, polling and transmission is as follows:

CA1

Y

CB1

N

CC1

N

CA0

Ta_l436036b_lEe_i0550f₁00CCg₁000Wh₁100i₁000EP (dial from central computer) (answer from remote station A) (dial from central computer) (answer from remote station B) (dial from central computer) (answer from outstation C) (query from central computer) (transmit from outstation A)

Nr.294467

To determine the shape of the -P- sign, logic-86- checks the entire message and determines if the binary form of the message is even or not. The characters of the message each consist of a plurality of binary bits (-1 and 0-). The message is considered odd if an odd number of 1 is included in the binary message, it is said to be even if there is an even number of 1. The conversion character is preferably a single binary bit and either 1 or 0. The conversion character is chosen so that the entire message contains an odd number of 1. Therefore, if the root of the message (-T Text E-) has an odd number of 1, the conversion character is 0. If, on the other hand, the root of the message is even, the conversion character is 1. In both cases, the entire message has the transform character an odd number of 1.

If the central computer receives a transmission in response to an even-numbered poll of 1, the conversion controller (not shown) in the central computer issues an error signal to the remote station. The error signal includes a message alert (here designated -B-) and an address. Therefore sends the remote station -A- to the central computer a faulty

Signal, the central computer responds with the error signal -BA-. The reception of this signal in the outdoor station -A- turns on the error lamp -120- to the sound warning device-106-. The operator can then reset the warning device by pressing the reset button -124- to turn off the sound warning device -106- and turn on a lamp behind the reset button.

The operator may then recheck the information displayed by the CRT and, upon detecting the correctness of the message, re-operate the control transmitter to transmit to the central computer through infeed. If the operator is not satisfied with the message, he may press the delete control -34- to erase all data from the memory and also erase the cathode ray tube -82-. The message can then be reformulated.

The error signal may be output from the central computer in response to any signal containing an incorrect number of 1. Therefore, if an incorrect acknowledgment or denial signal is issued from the outstation in response to a dial, the error lamp -120- and the sound warning device -106- is actuated, indicating to the operator that the outside station has malfunctioned.

If the transmitted message is received by the central computer without error, the central controller checks its memory to check that the card can be sold for the desired location. If it is determined that cards have not yet been issued for the desired seats and for the corresponding event, the central controller sends a coded message to the outside station, which message indicates that the seats are reserved. At the same time the memory of the central computer is acted upon, so that in a subsequent examination of the memory, these places are displayed as reserved. If this coded signal is received by the outstation without error, then the memory -52- of the outstation can cause an alphanumeric display of the reserved seats. This message is shown by the cathode ray tube.

As shown in Fig. 7, the confirmation code of the central computer may have a plurality of lines of characters. In this case, the code indicia indicating to the memory -52 and the CRT -83- indicates that the following characters should be moved to the next line. The verification code also includes the total cost of the cards as they are from the central

Computer have been calculated.

The receipt of an acknowledgment by the logic -86- turns on the receive-end control -24- so that the actuation of the controller -24- sends the acknowledgment in the memory -52- to the card printing section -152- via the line -150 - forwards the card printer to print the cards. The receipt of the acknowledgment from the logic -86- also causes signals to be passed over lines 50-166- to the card printing section -152- to prepare the section -152- to receive the stored message from the memory -52-.

The card printer -156- prints the required number of cards -250- (Figure 6) containing the necessary information. The operation of the card printer is described in more detail below.

So far, it has been assumed that the buyer knows exactly which seats he wants to have for a particular event at a particular time. The system is capable of such a process

No. 294467; However, it is very unlikely that a buyer knows exactly which seats he wants. For this reason, the seat reservation and ticketing system is capable of giving the buyer information to select the desired seats. For this purpose, the memory of the central computer is used.

In carrying out the process supported by the computer, as described above, the central computer sends via line -144- its dialing and the outstations answer their dialing in the affirmative and negative. If an outstation answers in the affirmative, the central computer polls the outstation with an interrogation signal. Instead of a complete message to be transmitted, the outstation sends only a partial message containing only certain information about the ticket sale.

As already stated, ticket sales and subscription sales transactions contain certain categories of information. The information of each category is communicated to the outdoor station using the keypads -10, 12 and 14-. Some of these categories involve information that is fundamental to every sale. The computer-aided operations refer to the sharing of messages of these basic categories.

The operator, in formulating the message to be transmitted by means of the keypads -10, 12 and 14-, discloses this basic information of the outdoor station. By way of example, it is assumed that the categories -A, B and C- (job code, date and number of cards) are basic categories. The operator must therefore supply information of this category prior to actuation of the exciter. Information of the other categories may also be provided at the option of the buyer.

It is assumed that the buyer wants to have four subscriptions for the Music Center. The subscription is supposed to start on the 1st of September and the buyer wants cards with a price of ^ 4, 50 per card. The buyer does not know at what times the performances take place. Buyer 25 wants information about the sectors, aisles and seats still available. It is assumed that the buyer for some reason receives a discount of $ 0.50 per card. By comparison with Table II it can be seen that this information satisfies the categories -A, B, C, E and I-, but that there is no information for the categories -D, F, G or H-.

Using the keypads -10, 12, and 14-, the operator selects the subscription sales control -64- and puts the information of each category into the memory -52-. The operator first places the location code (-3m-) of category -A- in memory -52-, then the first date code (-902- for 1st September) of category -B- and then the number of subscriptions (-4 -) according to category -C-. The operator has operated the subscription sales control -64-; the memory -52- therefore contains in binary form: -a₂3m9014-.

The next category would normally be the category -D-; however, it has been assumed that the computer will give this information. The operator therefore operates the strip control -32a so that the information of category -D- is skipped. This process causes a code indicating a space in memory -52-, u.zw. at the point where the category -D-would be inserted. At the same time, a slider 82a on the cathode ray tube 40 moves to the next category.

Actuation of the strip control -32- (tab) causes the sequencer -30- to move its check position to memory -52- to the next category, u.zw. forward or backward, depending on which strip control has been confirmed. At the same time, sequencer 30 outputs a signal via line -38- to lamp 42, which turns on and indicates that the message sent by the central computer reflects the best available space.

The operator then terminates the transmission by operating the keypad and the strip controls. Considering the discount code with -011- for the discount of f 0.50, the alphanumeric code is displayed in its final form on the CRT -82- (see 50 line 1 of Fig. 8) and is contained in memory -52- as follows: -a₂3m9014e₂0450i₂011-. The actuation of the control transmitter -92- causes the entire message to be forwarded to the central one together with the transmission character, the termination character and the conversion character

Computer in response to the interrogation signal.

The central computer, upon receipt of the message, determines that certain categories have not been averaged over 55; The example does not include time or seat. The computer then checks its memory to find the best available seats at any time for the event presented,

No.294467 on the given dates and for the given price. The central computer confirms to the outstation all transmitted categories and provides information for the categories for which the operator has not given any information.

The message is displayed by the CRT -83-. In the example shown in Fig. 8 in 5 of the line -3 - the subscription sale for the Music Center starting on September 1 is played. In line -4- are different times, u.zw. 18.30 with the time code -1- and 20.30 clock with the time code -2- indicated. In line -5- the best available seats for the time -1- (18.30 clock) and in line -6- the best seats still available for the time -2- are given. In line -Ί- it is stated that the subscription covers 12 performances and that the total price for four subscriptions of 4.50 per card less a discount of fj is $ 0.50 192.-.

The buyer now decides which seats he wants to buy. It is assumed that he wants to acquire the four seats -1, 2, 3 and 4 in gear -I- of the sector -A-at 20.30 clock. The operator actuates the control -98- to turn on the keypad, whereby the inhibit signal on the

Line -92- is removed, whereupon it then actuates the keypads -10, 12, 14- and the strip control -32- to bring the additional information in the memory -52-. Assume that the slider -82a is still in category-I. The operator may then operate the strip control -32b- and return to the category -D-, where it inserts the information for that category (time code -2-). Since the category -E-already contains the desired information, the operator actuates the strip controller -32a and skips the category -E-, whereupon the information for categories -F, G and H- is supplied.

Upon completion of the message formulation, the entire message is displayed by the CRT -82- (see Fig. 9). The operator again actuates the exciter, whereby the message is transmitted to the central computer in response to the next interrogation signal. The

Computer responds with a confirmation as explained above.

The lines -40 and 48- which connect the sequencer -30- to the encoder -22- and the data memory -44-, respectively, ensure the correct arrangement of the information signals of each category in the memory -53-.

If, for some reason, the operator of an outdoor station desires to erase memory -52 and cathode-ray tube -82-, it operates erase control -34-. The actuation of the clear control -34- removes from the memory · 52- via the sequencer -30- any message stored therein, the entire outstation being reset to the initial state. Upon actuation of the erase control and when the outside station is ready again, the far-end lamp -116- is turned on to indicate to the operator that the outside station is ready to formulate a message. The clear control -34- is disabled by the control transmitter -92- when the outstation transmits a message to the central station.

Reset control -36- is similar to clear control -34- except that it is connected through line -102- to logic -86-. Unlike the clear control -34-, the reset control -36- is not disabled by the action of the control transmitter -92- and can be turned on at any time even after the operation of the control transmitter. Actuation of the reset control -36- places the entire outdoor station in an operating state and turns on the finished lamp -116-. All messages contained in the memory, whether from the remote station or from the signals of the central computer, are removed from the memory. In the same way, all messages in the CRTs -82, 83- are erased.

The final control - 24b- can be actuated after an acknowledgment signal has been received from the central computer -180- via a line. The actuation of the tail controller -24b- sends a signal from the remote station to the central station to indicate to the central computer that the desired transmission is not required and therefore over. The signals delivered to the central computer by the actuation 50 of the final control -24b- cause the controller -180- in the central station to remove the special communication from the memory -181-, freeing up the space for a subsequent transmission.

The acceptance control -24a can be operated upon receipt and display of a confirmation signal from the central computer. If the purchaser wishes to purchase the cards designated as available, the operator may actuate the acceptance controller -24a to transfer the information received from the central station for ticket sales from the memory -52- to the card printing section

No. 294467 -152. Also, a signal is output to the logic -86- to turn on the card-pressure light -118- and thereby supply a time signal via the line -166- to the card printing section -152-. The actuation of the acceptance control -24a stimulates the operation of the card printer according to FIG. The card printer -156- receives signals from the card pressure -152- via the lines -154-. Control signals are also supplied to the card printer via lines -158, 160, 162, 164-from the card printing section. At the beginning of the printing cycle, a print command is transmitted from card printing section -152- via lines -158- to control device -208- (shown as curve -254 in FIG. 5). The control device -208- actuates via the line -210- the control device -214- to bring the color mechanism -216- to the position in which it stains the printing drum -206-. At the same time, the controller -208- sends a release signal (shown as curve -256- in Fig. 5) via the line -164- to the card printing section -152- so that the first character for lines -260 to 267 of the card -250- (see Fig. 6) from the memory 52 to the drum device 200. The control device -208- also actuates the control device -218- via the line -220-, so that the roller -222- brings the card material -212- into the position in which the mark -252- (see FIG. 6) on the card material facing the probe -224-.

When this position is reached, probe -224- sends a signal via line -226- to controller -208- to reduce further operation of roller -222-.

During the time between -t and - (Fig. 5), the character signals are transferred from the drum 2000 to the puncturer -201- to set the first characters of each line -260 to 267 to the print drum -206-. At the time -t-, ie that is, after sufficient time has elapsed for setting (by the puncturer -201-, a signal is transmitted via the line -164- to the card printing section -152- so that no further information can be delivered from the card printing section -152- to the drum device -200 ,

Shortly thereafter, at the present time, the print signal -154- is issued to the controller -208- which actuates the controller -202 to cause the print drum 206 to print the set characters on the map material -212. After the first set of indicia has been printed on the ticketstock 212-, the controller 208-via the line -220- actuates the controller -218- so that the card stock advances by the roller -222- by a predetermined amount becomes (left in the drawings) so that the next set of characters can be printed. After a further time -t - the card printing section -152- on the o

Line -165- transmitted a free signal so that more characters can be introduced into the drum device -200 and transmitted to the puncturer-201-. At present - a second set of characters is set by the puncturer -201- and at time -t - the second character 35 is printed on the map material.

The card printer continues this cycle and prints the characters on the chart until rows -260 to 267 of the card -250- are complete. Each cycle of the card printer causes the printing of a character on each of the lines -260 to 267 of the card. For example, if 16 characters must be printed in each line of the card, the card printer must complete 16 full cycles.

Upon completion of depressing the characters on the map material, the controller -208- actuates the roller -222- which moves the chart material until the next flag -252- is aligned with the probe -224-. Probe -224- then sends a signal via line -226- to control device -208- to terminate the action of roller -222-. The control device -208- sends a signal via the line -164- to the card printing section -152-, which transmits a signal via the line -162- to the control device -228-. The controller -228- twists the color bar -230- until the color specified by the code is reached. The code is transmitted from the central station and stored in memory from where it is fed to the card printer via card printing section -152-. The color bar prints a color on the head of the card, designated as part -258- (as in FIG. 6). After the color code has been printed on the card, a signal is sent over line -160- to the controller -232-, which operates a knife -234-. The knife -234- separates the card from the card stock and the controller -208- sends a signal to the controller -238- via the line -236-, whereupon the roll -240- moves the card cut from the card to the left (as in FIG shown in the drawings) and removed from the card printer.

From time to time during the card printing operation, the controller -208- sends a signal to the controller -214- via the line -210- to supply the color mechanism -216-

Press No. 294467. Preferably, the inking mechanism is actuated each time the drum device is turned on. It is therefore convenient that the inking mechanism and the drum controller are connected to the same line.

The color bar -230- may be provided with different colors to mark different types of 5 events or to apply other color marks that are easily recognizable when the

Card is presented upon entry to the event.

The card printing section causes the card printer -156- to output the desired number of cards contained in the message. Are z. For example, if six cards are desired for a single event, the card printing section will cause the card printer -156- to issue six cards in accordance with the message. In the case of a subscription, it may be more advantageous to issue a single subscription card for each seat rather than a ticket for each event during the season. Are z. For example, if four subscription cards are sold, the card printer issues four subscription cards, each valid for 12 performances, rather than 48 individual cards.

The time for printing and outputting each card is preferably between 10 and 15 seconds

Time to carry out a transfer from the computer is less than 5 sec. Apart from the delays on grand of human decision, the entire ticket sale can be done within 20 sec. As shown in Fig. 6, the output card has a plurality of lines of printing. The perforations -268- are provided in the map material -212- at a distance from the marks -252-. The card -250- can be demolished at the perforations -268-, thus forming a stem -250a and a demolition -250b-. The pressure on the card can be arranged on the tear as well as on the trunk, if desired. Preferably, the color code is printed on the tear-250b.

The finished lamp -116-is turned on after the completion of the printing cycle when a confirmation is received without error from the central station when the clear control -34- or the reset control -36- has been operated. The lamp -116- shows the operator that the

Outstation is ready to make a transfer.

The memory lamp -108- is connected to the logic -86- to warn the operator that an error has occurred in the memory -52-. The memory lamp is turned on by checking the message text stored in the memory -52-, u.zw. if, as described, there is no match.

The process lamp -110- is turned on each time the central station confirms that the desired space is available. The process lamp is turned off upon acceptance of the place or on actuation of the deletion or reset controls.

The receive lamp is actuated each time the outstation receives from the central station a message without error.

The transmission lamp -112-is operated each time the control transmitter -92- is operated, and indicates that a message is being sent to the central station. The lamp -112- is turned off in response to the central computer or by pressing the clear or reset controls.

The card printing lamp -118- is turned on each time the accepting control -24- has been operated. The lamp -118- lights up while the card printer is printing and outputting the cards, and it is cleared after the printing operation is completed or by operating the reset controller -36-.

The transmission error lamp -120- is actuated by a signal from the central computer and indicates that the central computer has received a message with erroneous information from the remote station.

The receive error light -112- is always asserted when the message sent from the central computer to the outstation contains erroneous information. If z. For example, if the parity of the message from the central computer is not correct, the message is considered faulty and the lamp -122- is pressed.

The line warning device -142- is actuated when the carrier signal on the line -140- is missing because e.g. B. the central computer is not in action.

Also behind the control buttons lamps may be arranged, which indicate that the control is actuated.

As shown in Fig. 4, the warning lamp -246- indicates that the amount of map material 212 is low or depleted. The lamp -246- is actuated by the probe -242- near the material -213- or by the probe -244- near the roller -222-.

Nr.294467

The operation of the lamp control -168- outputs a signal through the line -170- to each lamp of the outdoor station through which the lamps are operated. The lamp control -168- is thus a test of the function of all lamps.

Control -60- is connected to control -72- via line -70-. Upon actuation of the control, the controller stores-72- in memory -52- which are similar to the tickets for ticket or subscription sales, only that they are indicative of the checking process. The operator may enter the memory Insert test characters to check the operation of the controllers in the outdoor station, as well as the storage and display. Test codes can be sent to the central station by operating the control transmitter, and the

Outstation may be programmed to respond with other test codes. Also, test cards can be printed to test the function of the system.

If the system is checked, the central station will operate in response to the test codes to avoid any changes to the information stored in memory -181-. Thus, the entire system can be tested without affecting location reservation signals contained in the memory -181-.

The invention thus provides an information and output system suitable for storing information and delivering that information from a central computer. The system can be operated by any of a variety of outstations and is particularly suitable for seat reservation.

Although the invention has been described in terms of seat reservation and ticket sales; however, it is easy to see that this system has a large number of uses. For example, the system can be used to store and submit technical information in a central computer. Also, the system can be used for other types of seat reservation than those described. For example, the system may be used to receive and issue airline tickets, hotel reservations, and the like. Like. Be used.

The invention allows the provision of all information regarding the places sold for particular events. The organizer of a particular event may instruct the central computer to print to him from the store the previous sale made for the event, giving the organizer an accurate calculation of the ticket sale prior to the event.

The invention provides an information and delivery system that is simple to use and very effective. The outstations can on consoles or counters in suitable locations, eg. As in supermarkets, banks or the like. Be provided and connected to the central station through ordinary telephone lines. The outdoor station can be easily operated. A bank clerk or shop assistant in a supermarket can easily use the outside station to facilitate the operation

Ticket sales are trained.

The invention is not limited to the example shown and described in the drawings, which is only an embodiment and not a limitation.