Method of operating a ticketing system

Abstract

A method of operating a ticketing system comprises generating data representing ticket information and transmitting the same for reception by a mobile station over a mobile communications network link. Data from the mobile station can then be used to verify a transaction.

1 . A method of operating a ticketing system for users, the method comprising: 
 generating data which represents ticket information to allow said ticket data to be used by a user of the system;    transmitting said ticket data such that said data is received by a mobile station over a mobile communications network link;    receiving said ticket data from said user or from said mobile station; and    using said ticket data received from said user or from said mobile station to verify a transaction with said user.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising storing system data in said system corresponding to said ticket data, and subsequently accessing said system data when said ticket data is received from said user or said mobile station.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  or  2 , the method comprising sending the data in a text message format to the mobile station.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the text message is an SMS message.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to any preceding claim, comprising receiving said ticket data by reading said data from a display on the mobile station using an optical reader.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the optical reader is a bar-code or pin code reader.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to any preceding claim, the method further comprising: 
 storing the ticket after generation in a storage device accessible via said mobile communications network; and    transmitting the ticket data over the mobile communications network link on request.    
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the ticket data is transmitted in browser-readable format.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to any of  claims 1  to  6  comprising transmitting the ticket data over the mobile communications network link without request.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the ticket information relates to a transport service.  
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein the ticket data is received from said user or said mobile station at a location at which access to a transport service is provided.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to any preceding claim the method comprising: 
 transmitting said ticket data in one presentation format; and    receiving said ticket data in a second different presentation format.    
     
     
         13 . A method of operating a ticketing system for users, the method comprising: 
 generating data which represents ticket information to allow said ticket data to be used by a user of the system;    transmitting said ticket data such that said data is received by a store over a communications network link, to allow said data to be written from the store to a portable electronic device;    receiving said ticket data from said portable electronic device; and    using said ticket data received from said portable electronic device to verify a transaction with said user.    
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein said portable electronic device is a personal digital assistant or a mobile station.  
     
     
         15 . A method of using a mobile station as a ticket, the method comprising: 
 receiving at said mobile station data transmitted over a mobile communications network, said data representing ticket information; and    making said data received by said mobile station available for use in verifying a transaction.    
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the transaction involves the use of a transport service.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus for receiving data sent over a communications network, the apparatus comprising: 
 means for receiving the data in a first presentation format, which is not specially adapted to be machine readable;    means for converting the data from said first presentation format into a second presentation format which is specially adapted to be machine readable; and    means for displaying data in said second presentation formation.    
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus is a mobile station.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 17  or  18 , wherein said converting means comprises a removable data storage module carrying a programme for converting the data form said first presentation format into said second presentation format.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 17 ,  18  or  19 , wherein the second presentation format is an optical code format.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to any of  claims 17  to  20 , wherein the first presentation format is a text message format.