Cancellation method for an automatic ticket system

Apparatus for use in authenticating a smart card, comprising:

• a hand-held smart card reader, into which a smart card can be inserted;
• means on the smart card for generating a sequence number, and passing that number to the reader;
• means on the reader for displaying the sequence number;
• means on the smart card for performing a predetermined operation on the transaction number, to generate an authentication code, and for passing the authentication code to the reader;
• and
• means on the reader for displaying the authentication code.

A method for providing access to a series of events, the method comprising:

• a) issuing each of a number of subscribers with a token, each token having a unique identifying number, and each token permitting entry to each of the series of events;
• b) issuing each subscriber also with a hand-held reader device, into which the token can be inserted;
• c) in the token, generating a sequence number, and then performing a predetermined operation on the sequence number, to generate an authentication code;
• d) passing the sequence number and authentication code from the token to the reader device, and displaying the sequence number and authentication code on the reader device,
• e) allowing a subscriber to cancel the token in respect of a particular event by telephoning a cancellation office and verbally communicating to the cancellation office the sequence number and authentication code as displayed on the reader device, and the identifying number of the subscriber's token;
• f) at the cancellation office, applying the same predetermined operation to the sequence number, to generate a check code, and comparing the check code with the authentication code communicated by the subscriber;
• g) at the cancellation office, if the check code is equal to the authentication code communicated by the subscriber, entering the identifying number of the subscriber's token into a stop list for the particular event;
• and
• h) using the stop list to deny access to the event by use of any token on the stop list for that event.