JP4936690B2 - Ticket machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ticket gate installed at a station such as a railway. The present invention also relates to a ticket gate processing method applicable to such a ticket gate.

  In recent years, automatic ticket gates have been installed at stations for transportation such as railways in order to reduce the burden on station staff. The automatic ticket gate reads the magnetic information recorded on the inserted ticket, determines whether entry or exit is possible based on the read magnetic information, and controls the passage (entrance / exit) of passers-by on the ticket gate based on the determination result To do. Alternatively, the automatic ticket gate reads the entry / exit history information and the amount information recorded on the SF card, removes a necessary fare from the read amount information, and controls the passage (entrance / exit) of passers-by in the ticket gate.

A technique has been proposed in which a refund condition is printed on a received ticket in such a case where a refund of an express fee is required due to a delay in a train (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-18507

  However, as described above, when printing a condition such as a refund on the received ticket, (1) it is necessary to receive the ticket, (2) it is necessary to return the received ticket, (3 ) Additional information such as refunds must be recorded on the received ticket. Accordingly, there is a problem that only additional information depending on the received ticket can be provided.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a ticket gate capable of providing a highly flexible service without depending on a used ticket. is there.

The ticket gate of the present invention is configured as follows.

(1) The ticket gate according to the present invention is acquired by an acquisition unit that acquires train operation information, a reception unit that receives an information storage medium, a reading unit that reads boarding information stored in the information storage medium, and an acquisition unit. has been based on the determined required transfer transport from the train operation information, the entrance restricting means for restricting the entrance, on the basis of the train operation information and the boarding information, whether acknowledge transfer transport by the ticket medium And a issuing means for issuing a medium on which the transfer information is recorded via the receiving means based on the determination that the transfer is permitted by the determining means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a ticket gate capable of providing a service with a high degree of freedom without depending on a used ticket .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state of issuing information objects by an automatic ticket gate according to an example of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to an example of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic ticket gate 1 includes a main control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a receiving unit 103, a magnetic processing unit 104, a collection unit 105, a return unit 106, a determination unit 107, a door 108, and a door opening / closing control unit. 109, an issuing unit 110, a display unit 111, a display control unit 112, an antenna 113, a wireless reader / writer 114, a communication unit 115, and the like.

  The main control unit 101 performs overall control of the ticket gate process and the information item issuance process. The memory | storage part 102 memorize | stores information (fare information) required for ticket determination determination, and information (train delay information, train operation information, provision information) required for issuance of information items. The fare information is, for example, information indicating the fare from each station to the station where the automatic ticket gate 1 is installed. The train delay information is information indicating which train is delayed in which section, and includes train identification information (such as a train number), delay section information, and delay time information. The train operation information is information indicating which section of which route is disconnected. The train delay information and the train operation information are information that is changed (updated) in real time, and the communication unit 115 receives the train delay information and the train operation information transmitted from the host computer 2.

  The receiving unit 103 includes an openable / closable shutter. For example, the receiving unit 103 receives a magnetic ticket (information storage medium) or a limited express ticket (information storage medium), and receives the ticket or the limited express ticket. While performing a predetermined process on the limited express ticket, the shutter is closed to prohibit the insertion of the next boarding ticket or the limited express ticket. The magnetic processing unit 104 includes boarding information (identification information, valid section, expiration date, entry history) recorded on the ticket received by the receiving unit 103 and boarding information (identification information, train information) recorded on the express ticket. , Valid section, expiry date, seat information, entry / exit record), and record the entry / exit history for the ticket or limited express ticket as required based on the ticket check result. In addition, personal information (name, age, sex, telephone number, etc.) is also recorded on a ticket such as a commuter pass, and the magnetic processing unit 104 reads this personal information as necessary.

  The collection unit 105 collects the above-mentioned boarding ticket and limited express ticket as necessary based on the ticket determination result and the like. A return part returns the above-mentioned boarding ticket and limited express ticket as needed based on a ticket judgment result.

  The determination unit 107 determines whether or not a ticket gate is permitted based on boarding information recorded on the boarding ticket read by the magnetic processing unit 104 and boarding information recorded on an express ticket. The door opening / closing control unit 109 controls opening / closing of the door 108 based on the result of the determination unit 108 determining whether or not the ticket gate is acceptable. That is, the door opening / closing control unit 109 and the door 108 function as means for controlling traffic. The display control unit 112 displays on the display unit 111 the result of the determination unit 107 determining whether or not the ticket gate is acceptable.

  The antenna 113 transmits / receives information to / from a wireless ticket (information storage medium) or an express ticket (information storage medium), for example, a wireless IC card. The wireless reader / writer 114 reads information from a wireless ticket or limited express ticket via the antenna 113 or writes information to the wireless ticket or limited express ticket via the antenna 113.

  The issuing unit 110 sends information to a storage 110a that stores magnetic recording paper (roll paper), a storage 110b that stores thermal paper (roll paper), and magnetic recording paper (roll paper cut to a predetermined size). A recording unit 110c for magnetic recording / printing recording and a recording unit 110d for thermally recording information on thermal paper (roll paper cut to a predetermined size) are provided.

  The automatic ticket gate according to the present invention is based on the boarding information read from the magnetic ticket or the limited express ticket, or the wireless ticket or the express ticket by the issuing unit 110 described above, or the refund ticket, the transfer ticket, or It is possible to determine the necessity of issuing information such as information guide tickets, and issue information such as refund request tickets, transfer tickets, information guide tickets, etc. as necessary to improve services when using railways .

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the overall processing by the automatic ticket gate shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, when the automatic ticket gate 1 is activated, the automatic ticket gate 1 requests various information from the host computer 2 via the communication unit 115 and receives various information transmitted from the host computer 2. (ST100). Further, the automatic ticket gate 1 reads the boarding information and the like from the magnetic boarding ticket and the special express ticket, or the wireless boarding ticket and the special express ticket, and performs the ticketing process and the information item issuing process (ST200). Until the automatic ticket gate 1 is stopped (ST300), various information collection processing (ST100), ticketing processing, and information issue processing (ST200) are continued.

  Next, details of collection of various information (ST100) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of various information collection processing. As shown in FIG. 4, the automatic ticket gate 1 accesses the host computer 2 via the communication unit 115 at a predetermined timing or periodically and requests train delay information (ST101). In response to this request, the host computer 2 transmits train delay information if there is train delay information. In response to this, the automatic ticket gate 1 receives the train delay information via the communication unit 115 and stores it in the storage unit 102 (ST102).

  Further, the automatic ticket gate 1 accesses the host computer 2 via the communication unit 115 at a predetermined timing or periodically and requests train operation information (ST103). In response to this request, the host computer 2 transmits train operation information. Correspondingly, the automatic ticket gate 1 receives train operation information via the communication unit 115 and stores it in the storage unit 102 (ST104).

  Further, the automatic ticket gate 1 accesses the host computer 2 via the communication unit 115 at a predetermined timing or periodically and requests provision information (ST105). In response to this request, the host computer 2 transmits provision information. In response to this, the automatic ticket gate 1 receives the provision information via the communication unit 115 and stores it in the storage unit 102 (ST106). The provision information referred to here is, for example, a timetable of a station where the automatic ticket gate 1 is installed, shop information around the station, travel guidance, and the like.

  In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where these information was acquired in order of train delay information, train operation information, and provision information, this invention is not limited to this. That is, you may acquire from any information.

  Next, details of the ticket gate process and the information item issuance process (ST200) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a ticket gate process and an information item issuance process. As shown in FIG. 5, when the automatic ticket gate 1 receives a magnetic ticket or a limited express ticket via the receiving unit 103 (ST201), the automatic ticket checker 1 closes the shutter and receives the ticket received by the magnetic processing unit 104. The boarding information and the like are read from the limited express ticket (ST202), and the determination unit 107 performs ticket gate determination and information object issuance determination based on the boarding information (ST203). Alternatively, the automatic ticket checker 1 reads the boarding information from the wireless boarding ticket or the express ticket using the antenna 113 and the wireless reader / writer 114 (ST202), and the judgment unit 107 performs the ticket judgment and the information item issuance judgment based on the boarding information. Perform (ST203).

  If the determination unit 107 makes a ticket refusal determination based on the read boarding information, etc. due to shortage of fares, out-of-section boarding, expiration, etc. (ST204, NO), when a magnetic boarding ticket or express ticket is received Returns the boarding ticket and the express ticket received by the receiving unit 103 (ST205), the display control unit 112 displays a ticket gate disapproval determination on the display unit 111 (ST206), and the door opening / closing control unit 109 controls the door 108. Then, the ticket gate is closed (ST207).

  If the determination unit 107 makes a ticket gate permission determination from the read boarding information or the like (ST204, YES), the magnetic processing unit 104 receives the magnetic ticket or the express ticket when necessary. Necessary information is recorded on the ticket and the express ticket, the ticket and the special ticket received by the collecting unit 105 are collected, and the ticket and the special ticket received by the returning unit 106 are returned (ST208). Alternatively, when the boarding information is read from a wireless boarding ticket or a limited express ticket, the antenna 113 and the wireless reader / writer 114 record necessary information in the wireless boarding ticket or the express ticket as required (ST208). Further, the display control unit 112 displays a ticket gate permission determination on the display unit 111 (ST209), and the door opening / closing control unit 109 controls the door 108 to open the ticket gate passage (ST210).

  Further, the determination unit 107 stores the train delay information stored in the storage unit 102 (for example, information indicating that the train A has been delayed for a predetermined time in the a1-a2 section), the read boarding information, and the like (for example, a1 by the train A). When the necessity of issuing a refund bill is recognized from information indicating that at least part of the a2 section can be boarded) (ST211, YES), the issuing unit 110 is supplied from the storage 110a. With respect to the magnetic recording paper cut into a predetermined size, the refund information is recorded by the recording unit 110c, and a refund billing ticket on which the refund information is recorded is issued via the return unit 106 (ST212). Further, the information on the original ticket (express ticket) and the ID code for preventing fraud may be printed on the ticket and magnetically recorded on the refund request ticket. In the case of a magnetic express ticket (or a ticket), a refund request ticket may be issued on condition that these limited express tickets (or tickets) are collected. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized refund that brings an express ticket (or a ticket) and tries to receive a refund in response to an attendant. Generally, it is expected that the station where the refund occurred and the day will be crowded, but with this refund request ticket, you can get a refund at any station (ticket vending machine, checkout machine, etc.) within a predetermined period. it can.

  Further, the determination unit 107 stores the train operation information stored in the storage unit 102 (for example, information indicating that the b1-b2 section of the route B is disconnected) and the read boarding information (for example, the b1 of the route B). When the necessity of issuing a transfer ticket is recognized from the information indicating that at least part of the -b2 section can be boarded) (ST213, YES), a transfer route (optimal detour route) is searched (ST214). ), The issuing unit 110 records the transfer board information on the magnetic recording paper cut to a predetermined size supplied from the storage 110a by the recording unit 110c, and the transfer board information is recorded via the return unit 106. The issued transfer ticket is issued (ST215). When a transfer route using a plurality of transportation facilities (for example, railroads + buses) is searched, a plurality of transfer tickets on which transfer boarding information corresponding to each transportation facility is recorded are issued (ST215). Thereby, a transfer ticket can be used for every transport. In other words, even if the transfer ticket corresponding to this transport is collected by the transport system that is used first, the transfer ticket corresponding to this transport can be used by the transport mechanism that is used next.

  Moreover, you may make it issue a transfer ticket as follows. Based on the train operation information transmitted from the host computer 2, the determination unit 107 of the automatic ticket gate 1 can execute a transfer mode in which entry is restricted and a transfer ticket is issued. That is, when the train is not operating at the station where the automatic ticket gate 1 is installed, the automatic ticket gate 1 executes the transfer mode. By executing the transfer mode, the door opening / closing control unit 109 of the automatic ticket gate 1 controls the door 108 to close the ticket gate passage. In addition, the receiving unit 103 of the automatic ticket gate 1 can accept a boarding ticket or a special express ticket without closing the shutter, and the magnetic processing unit 104 reads boarding information from the magnetic boarding ticket or the special express ticket, or When the board 113 reads the boarding information from the wireless ticket or the express ticket with the antenna 113 and the radio reader / writer 114, and recognizes the necessity of issuing the boarding ticket based on the boarding information read, the boarding route (optimum detour route) is established. The issuing unit 110 retrieves the transfer board information by the recording unit 110c and records the transfer board information via the return unit 106 on the magnetic recording paper cut to a predetermined size supplied from the storage 110a. Issue the recorded transfer ticket.

  In addition to the magnetic record of the transfer board information in the detour boarding section, the transfer ticket issued above should be printed and recorded with the name of the transfer transport, the name of the station, the time of arrival and departure, etc. Also good. In addition, when issuing multiple transfer tickets for multiple transportation facilities, print and record detour routes (multiple detour routes) by multiple transport facilities on each depot, making it easier to understand all detour routes. You may make it notify.

  Further, when the determination unit 107 recognizes the necessity of issuing the provided information from the read boarding information and personal information (ST216, YES), the issuing unit 110 has been cut to a predetermined size supplied from the storage 110a. The provided information is recorded on the magnetic recording paper by the recording unit 110c, or the provided information is recorded by the recording unit 110d on the thermal recording paper cut to a predetermined size supplied from the storage 110b, and the return unit An information guide ticket in which provided information is recorded is issued via 106 (ST217).

  For example, the user can register in advance whether the personal information and the provided information are necessary for the host computer 2 by using a personal computer, a mobile phone, or the like. The host computer 2 transmits to the automatic ticket gate 1 the identification information of the ticket associated with the registered personal information and the necessity of the provided information. The automatic ticket gate 1 receives and stores the identification information of the ticket and the necessity of the provided information transmitted from the host computer 2, and stores the identification information and the necessity of the provided information and the identification information read from the ticket. Based on this, the necessity of the provided information is determined. The automatic ticket gate 1 issues an information guide ticket only when providing information is required.

  Also, the host computer 2 sends daily offer information (weekend and month-end privilege information, etc.) or hourly offer information (lunch time privilege information, etc.), and the automatic ticket gate 1 provides daily changes. An information guide ticket in which information is recorded or an information guide ticket in which provision information for each time zone is recorded may be issued.

  The automatic ticket gate 1 of the present invention does not need to have a function of issuing all of the refund request ticket, transfer ticket, and information guide ticket, and is at least one of these refund request ticket, transfer ticket, and information guide ticket. May be provided. These refund bills, transfer tickets, and information guide tickets may be issued through the return unit 106 or may be issued through the receiving unit 103.

  The information issue processing by the automatic ticket gate 1 of the present invention will be summarized below.

(1) Based on the train delay information received from the host computer 2 and the information read from the limited express ticket, the automatic ticket checker 1 determines whether the limited express ticket is a refundable ticket, and if a refund is possible, the refund ticket is issued. Issue.

  In the past, refunds for limited express tickets due to train delays could only be made at specific stations, and station staff asked the head office whether they were eligible for refunds. According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the processing time of the refund procedure because the automatic ticket gate 1 determines whether the ticket is a refund target ticket. Further, since the refund bill issued from the automatic ticket gate 1 can be refunded at any station, the service for the user is improved.

  (2) The automatic ticket gate 1 selects an optimum detour route based on the train operation information (train accident information) received from the host computer 2 and information read from the boarding ticket and issues a transfer ticket.

  Transfer tickets issued due to train accidents, etc. have been distributed by staff in the past, seeing passengers' tickets, and the station was crowded. By using the automatic ticket gate 1 that had to be stopped at the time of an accident according to the present invention, a detour route transfer ticket is issued to improve service by reducing waiting time for passengers and reduce the response of station staff. Can do. In addition, in cases where the detour route includes a plurality of transportation such as railways and buses, a plurality of transfer tickets corresponding to each transportation can be issued so that the plurality of transportations can be transferred. Therefore, unlike the conventional distribution of one voucher, it can be issued more conveniently by the user. Further, by executing the transfer mode for restricting admission and issuing a transfer ticket, the transfer ticket can be received from the receiving unit 103 without passing through the automatic ticket gate 1.

  (3) The automatic ticket gate 1 issues an information guide ticket such as a timetable, shop information, and travel guide received from the host computer 2. In addition, provision information may be recorded on magnetic recording paper or heat-sensitive recording paper in advance to prepare an information guide ticket.

  For information on the area around the station, pamphlets etc. have been placed in the station, but maintenance by the station staff was difficult due to replacement, and there was no guarantee that the information would be delivered to users. According to the present invention, if an information item having the same width as the ticket is placed in a storage in the ticket gate, the information item can be delivered each time a user passes the ticket gate.

  Conventional automatic ticket gates have no idea of issuing information items, and only perform predetermined processing on inserted tickets. The automatic ticket gate 1 of the present invention has a mechanism for newly issuing information items without depending on the inserted ticket, and can issue information items using the existing ticket transport unit and recording unit. As a result, it is possible to improve the information providing service to the user.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, the embodiments may be appropriately combined as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be obtained as an invention.

It is a figure which shows the mode of issuance of the information material by the automatic ticket gate which concerns on an example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the automatic ticket gate which concerns on an example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the whole process by the automatic ticket gate shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of various information collection processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a ticket gate process and an information thing issuing process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic ticket gate, 101 ... Main control part, 102 ... Memory | storage part, 103 ... Receiving part, 104 ... Magnetic processing part, 105 ... Collection | recovery part, 106 ... Return part, 107 ... Determination part, 108 ... Door, 109 ... Door Opening / closing control unit, 110 ... issuing unit, 111 ... display unit, 112 ... display control unit, 113 ... antenna, 114 ... wireless reader / writer, 115 ... communication unit

Claims (1)

A ticket gate for performing ticket gate processing based on boarding information stored in an information storage medium,
An acquisition means for acquiring train operation information;
Receiving means for receiving the information storage medium;
Reading means for reading boarding information stored in the information storage medium;
Based on the determination that transfer transportation is necessary from the train operation information acquired by the acquisition means, admission restriction means for restricting admission,
Based on the train operation information and the boarding information, judgment means for judging whether or not transfer transportation is permitted by the ticket medium;
Issuing means for issuing a medium in which transfer information is recorded via the receiving means based on the judgment that the transfer means is permitted by the judging means;
A ticket gate characterized by comprising

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