초록 ▼

An automatic method for reading a graphic field on a ticket so that the ticket may be processed quickly without human error. The graphic field is designed to produce a "tell", a visible known image (a large number of detectable halftone gray steps) when printed by a personal computer printer. Additi

An automatic method for reading a graphic field on a ticket so that the ticket may be processed quickly without human error. The graphic field is designed to produce a "tell", a visible known image (a large number of detectable halftone gray steps) when printed by a personal computer printer. Additionally, the graphic field will change in appearance when the ticket originally printed by the personal computer printer is digitally reproduced by either scanning or photocopying.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for printing and reading electronic tickets, comprising the steps of: printing a graphic field on the ticket that will change in appearance when the ticket is either reproduced by either scanning/printing and/or photocopying, reading the graphic field while storing characteristics of

1. A method for printing and reading electronic tickets, comprising the steps of: printing a graphic field on the ticket that will change in appearance when the ticket is either reproduced by either scanning/printing and/or photocopying, reading the graphic field while storing characteristics of printing settings that are printed on a ticket in the form of a bar code of a printer that printed the graphic field; and interpreting the graphic field to determine whether or not the graphic field has been reproduced by scanning/printing and/or photocopying wherein the interpreting step further includes the steps of: calculating ideal minimum and maximum ideal density values for the printer that printed the graphic field; comparing the calculated values with the read values; and determining if the read values are between the minimum and maximum ideal density values. 2. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the graphic field is a continuum of spots that slowly vary from small white backgrounds with large black spots to small black spots on a white background. 3. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the scanning/printing and/or photocopying process will produce mottle in a gray zone in the graphic field. 4. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the scanning/printing and/or photocopying process will produce bands in the graphic field. 5. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic ticket may be ordered over the Internet. 6. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the graphic field is a plurality of detectable half tone gray steps when printed by a personal computer printer. 7. The method claimed in claim 6, wherein the detectable half tone gray steps comprise: a plurality of black spots on a white background. 8. The method claimed in claim 7, wherein the reading step further includes the steps of: scanning the graphic field with an aperture; collecting signals from the scanned graphic field; and storing the collected signals. 9. The method claimed in claim 8, wherein the width of the aperture includes a plurality of black spots and associated white background. 10. The method claimed in claim 8, wherein the length of the aperture includes one black spot and associated white background. 11. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the printing settings are printed on the ticket. 12. The method claimed in claim 11, wherein the printing settings are encrypted. 13. The method claimed in claim 1, further including the step of: displaying a message indicating that the read values are between the minimum and maximum ideal density values. 14. The method claimed in claim 1, further including the step of: displaying a message indicating that most of the read values are between the minimum and maximum ideal density values. 15. The method claimed in claim 1, further including the step of: displaying a message indicating that the read values are not between the minimum and maximum ideal density values. 16. The method claimed in claim 1, further including the step of: displaying a message indicating that some of the read values are not between the minimum and maximum ideal density values. 17. The method claimed in claim 1, further including the step of activating the opening of a turnstile if the read values are between the minimum and maximum ideal density values.