JP6214964B2 - Automatic ticket gate - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an automatic ticket gate.

  An automatic ticket gate operated in a transportation system such as a railroad or a bus has a human detection sensor that detects a user passing through a ticket gate. The human detection sensor changes its output signal according to whether or not a person exists. The failure of the human detection sensor is determined by whether or not the output signal is normal. However, during the normal operation of the automatic ticket gate, a failure that is difficult to detect may occur in the human detection sensor.

JP 2002-133458 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic ticket gate capable of detecting a sensor failure that is difficult to detect during operation.

According to the embodiment, the automatic ticket gate includes a plurality of sensors, a determination unit, a mode switching unit, and a failure detection unit. The plurality of sensors change their output signals according to the presence or absence of a person at a plurality of detection positions in the passage. The determination means determines whether the output signal of each sensor is a signal indicating a person detection state or a signal indicating a person non-detection state. The mode switching means sets one of a plurality of operation modes including a power saving mode for reducing power consumption in a standby state waiting for a user. The failure detection means detects a failure in which the output signal of the sensor is fixed to a signal indicating a person non-detection state when the mode switching means shifts the operation mode to the power saving mode . The mode switching means detects a failure if the number of sensors in which a failure is detected is less than a predetermined value when returning from the power saving mode after a failure of at least one sensor is detected by the failure detection means. A degenerate operation mode is set in which the ticket gate process is executed using other sensors other than the detected sensors. If the number of sensors in which a failure is detected is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the ticket gate process is canceled.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an external configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the automatic ticket gate according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the automatic ticket gate according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an external configuration of an automatic ticket gate 1 according to the embodiment.
An automatic ticket gate 1 as shown in FIG. 1 is installed at a ticket gate of a railway station, for example, and allows users to enter the station (entrance work) or enter the station (entrance work). Perform control (ticket gate processing). The automatic ticket gate 1 forms, for example, one ticket gate passage by one set of two. The automatic ticket gate 1 may be used as an entry-only or entry-only device that can pass through the ticket gate in one direction, or as a dual-purpose device that can pass through the ticket gate in both directions. .

  The automatic ticket gate 1 has a function of processing a recording medium used as a boarding ticket. As a recording medium used as a boarding ticket, a magnetic ticket, an IC card, or a two-dimensional barcode is assumed. In the present embodiment, the automatic ticket gate 1 uses a magnetic ticket on which magnetic information is recorded or a non-contact IC card (hereinafter also simply referred to as an IC card) as a ticket as a recording medium that the user possesses as a ticket. Shall be processed.

  IC card as a ticket possessed by the user is a ticket, limited express ticket, commuter pass, pre-paid prepaid stored fair (SF) card or post-payment for fare settlement Used as a (post-pay) card. For example, in the normal operation mode (operation mode), the automatic ticket gate 1 captures an IC card as a ticket (communication with the IC card), reads and reads the ticket information stored in the IC card. Ticket gate processing is performed based on the ticket information.

  Moreover, the magnetic ticket as a boarding ticket which a user possesses is utilized as a commuter pass or a normal boarding ticket. For example, in the normal operation mode (operation mode), the automatic ticket gate 1 opens the magnetic ticket slot, takes the ticket inserted into the slot, reads the magnetic record information as the ticket information, and reads it. Ticket gate processing is performed based on the ticket information.

  In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, a card reader / writer 4 that performs wireless communication with an IC card used as a boarding ticket is provided at one end of the upper surface of the housing forming the automatic ticket gate 1. The card reader / writer 4 includes an antenna that transmits and receives radio waves, a transmission / reception circuit, and the like, and one end portion of the upper surface of the housing is within a communication range. For example, when a user who wants to pass the ticket gate presents an IC card in a predetermined communication area, the automatic ticket checker 1 captures the IC card presented by the user and is recorded on the IC card. Read information. The automatic ticket gate 1 determines whether or not the user can pass based on the information read from the IC card, and controls the user's passage based on the determination result, and also displays information as a result of the ticket gate processing. Write to the IC card.

  Further, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, an insertion slot 5 into which a magnetic ticket used as a boarding ticket is inserted is provided at one end of the upper surface of the housing forming the automatic ticket gate 1. A magnetic ticket is a magnetic ticket (such as a commuter pass or a regular ticket) that is composed of a magnetic recording medium that stores magnetic information and in which ticket information such as a valid period and a use section is magnetically encoded. The automatic ticket gate 1 has a magnetic ticket processing unit (described later) for processing a magnetic ticket. The magnetic ticket processing unit includes a transport mechanism that transports a magnetic ticket inserted into the insertion slot 5 and a processing mechanism that reads and writes magnetic information on the magnetic ticket transported by the transport mechanism. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the automatic ticket gate 1 is provided with an insertion port 5 into which a magnetic ticket is inserted at one end of the upper surface (end on the entrance side of the passage) and the other end of the upper surface (of the passage). An exit 6 for discharging the magnetic ticket processed by the magnetic ticket processing unit inside the apparatus is provided in front of the guidance display unit 8 at the end of the exit side.

  In addition, a shutter 5 a is provided at the insertion port 5. The shutter 5 a prevents the magnetic ticket from being inserted into the insertion slot 5. When the automatic ticket checker 1 is in a state where it cannot accept magnetic tickets, the shutter 5a is closed, and when the magnetic ticket is acceptable, the shutter 5a is opened. Further, the magnetic ticket inserted into the insertion slot 5 is taken into the casing of the automatic ticket gate 1, and information is read and written by the magnetic ticket processing section (magnetic reading section and magnetic writing section) in the casing. The

  Doors 7 and 7 that can be opened and closed are provided at both ends of the side face on the passage side of the casing forming the automatic ticket checker 1 so as to permit or disallow the passage of passers-by. The door 7 is controlled to open and close based on the determination result of the IC card held by the user or the detection result of the human detection sensor S during the operation of executing the ticket gate process.

  At the other end of the upper surface of the casing forming the automatic ticket gate 1, a guidance display unit 8 is provided for guiding a user or a staff member. The guidance display unit 8 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The guidance display unit 8 displays a guidance screen for guiding the result of the ticket gate processing for the user who passes through the passage. For example, when the IC card having a stored fare (SF) card function is processed, the remaining SF amount in the IC card after the ticket gate process is displayed on the guidance display unit 8.

  On the upper surface of the casing forming the automatic ticket checker 1, a state display unit 9 for notifying the state or processing status of the automatic ticket checker 1 is provided. For example, when the child's IC card is presented or when a child ticket as a magnetic ticket is inserted, the status display unit 9 displays that it is a ticket gate process for the child. In addition, when an IC card or a magnetic ticket that is an invalid boarding ticket is presented, the state display unit 9 displays that the boarding ticket presented by the user is an invalid ticket.

  A plurality of human detection sensors S are provided in the sensor cover on the upper surface of the casing forming the automatic ticket gate 1 and on the side surfaces of the casing. Each human detection sensor S is a sensor for detecting whether or not a person is present at each detection position in the passage. The automatic ticket gate 1 detects the presence / absence of a person at each location in the passage (the movement state of the person in the passage) using a plurality of human detection sensors S. Thereby, the automatic ticket gate 1 determines the position of the user who is passing the passage based on the detection results of the plurality of human detection sensors S.

  The human detection sensor S may be any sensor that can detect whether a person is present at the detection position in the passage. For example, a transmissive sensor or a reflective sensor is used as a sensor for optically detecting a person. The transmissive sensor includes a light emitting unit that emits detection light (detection light) and a light receiving unit that receives the detection light from the light emitting unit and converts it into an electrical signal (output signal). In the automatic ticket gate 1 in which two housings form a pair of ticket gates, the transmission type sensor as the human detection sensor S is provided with a light emitting portion in one housing and a light emitting portion in the other housing. A light receiving portion for receiving the detection light from is provided. The transmissive sensor outputs an electrical signal indicating whether or not a person exists as an object that blocks light on a light path from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit. Therefore, the human detection sensor S as a transmission type sensor in the automatic ticket gate 1 changes to a signal level indicating that the output signal has detected the person when the person passes the detection position in the passage.

  In the present embodiment, description will be given mainly assuming that the human detection sensor S is configured by a transmission type sensor. However, the human detection sensor S is not limited to a transmission type sensor, and may be a sensor of another detection method such as a reflection type sensor. For example, a reflective sensor receives reflected light from a person present at a detection position and converts it into an electrical signal (output signal). When a person passes through the detection position, the reflective sensor changes to a signal level indicating that the output signal has detected the person.

  Further, in the automatic ticket gate 1, a proximity sensor may be provided on the side where the card reader / writer 4 and the insertion slot 5 are provided (the entrance side of the passage). The proximity sensor is a sensor for detecting a person (user) approaching the automatic ticket gate 1. The proximity sensor is configured by, for example, a reflection type detection sensor.

  In the automatic ticket gate 1 used as a dedicated machine for entry or entry, the direction in which the user passes is determined, and the door on the side where the user enters the aisle with respect to that direction is opened. The door on the exit side of the passage is controlled according to the determination result of whether or not it is allowed to pass. On the other hand, in the automatic ticket gate 1 used as a dual-purpose machine, the direction in which the user passes is not predetermined. Therefore, the automatic ticket gate 1 used as a dual-purpose machine detects a user approaching the automatic ticket gate based on a detection result of a proximity sensor or the like, and controls traffic from the side on which the user has approached. You can do it.

  For example, in the automatic ticket gate 1 used as a dual-purpose machine, the passage direction of the passage is determined according to the direction in which the user is approaching, and functions as an automatic ticket gate for entry or as an automatic ticket gate for entry You can switch. Such an automatic ticket gate 1 opens the door 7 on the side where the user enters the passage and passes the door 7 on the exit side in the direction of passage of the passage according to the direction in which the user approaches. Control is performed according to the determination result. Further, in the automatic ticket gate 1 used as a dual-purpose machine, the direction of traffic is determined according to the approach of the user. Therefore, when the user is not in the vicinity of the automatic ticket gate 1, the doors 7 on both sides are opened. It is supposed to wait at.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the control system of the automatic ticket gate 1 configured as described above.
As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic ticket gate 1 is entirely controlled by a control unit 21. The control unit 21 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a data memory 24, a transmission control circuit 25, a display control circuit 26, a door opening / closing mechanism 27, a card reader / writer 4, A shutter opening / closing mechanism 28, a magnetic processing unit 29, a human detection sensor S, and the like are connected.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and implements various processing functions by executing programs stored in a memory such as the ROM 22. For example, the control unit 21 has a function of controlling switching of operation modes by the CPU executing a program, a function of processing an IC card by the card reader / writer 4, a function of processing a magnetic ticket by the magnetic processing unit 29, an IC Entry / exit determination processing based on information read from a card or information read from a magnetic ticket, traffic control processing for controlling user entry / exit based on traffic determination results, and sensor failure detection Realize functions.

  The control unit 21 switches the operation mode according to a predetermined transition condition as a function for switching the operation mode of the automatic ticket gate 1. For example, the automatic ticket checker 1 includes an operation mode for executing a ticket check process, a low power consumption (power saving) mode for suppressing power consumption, and an operation stop mode for stopping operation (ticket check process). Further, in the present embodiment, the automatic ticket gate 1 has a normal operation mode and a degenerate operation mode as operation modes for executing the ticket gate process. The normal operation mode is an operation mode in which the ticket gate process is executed on the assumption that the detection results of the human detection sensors S are all normal. The degenerate operation mode is an operation mode in which, when some of the human detection sensors are abnormal (failure), the detection result of the abnormal human detection sensor is invalidated and the ticket gate process is executed.

  In the automatic ticket gate having these operation modes, the control unit 21 changes the operation mode from the operation mode to the power saving mode when, for example, the condition for shifting to the power saving mode is satisfied (for example, when the user is not detected for a predetermined period). Switch to mode. In addition, when the condition for shifting to the operation mode is satisfied in the power saving mode (for example, when a user is detected), the control unit 21 shifts the operation mode from the power saving mode to the operation mode. Furthermore, when an abnormality is detected by some human detection sensors (when some human detection sensors are faulty), the control unit 21 determines whether or not the ticket gate processing in the degenerate operation mode can be performed. In addition, it has a function of switching the operation mode to either the reduced operation mode or the operation stop mode.

  The ROM 22 is configured by a nonvolatile memory in which data is stored in advance. For example, the ROM 22 stores a control program executed by the control unit 21 and control data. The RAM 23 is composed of a volatile memory that temporarily stores data. For example, the RAM 23 functions as a buffer memory such as a control program executed by the control unit 21.

  The data memory 24 is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The data memory 24 stores, for example, fare information and data downloaded from a host computer (not shown) as a host device.

  The transmission control circuit 25 is an interface for performing data communication with the monitoring panel 30 for the station staff to monitor the operation status of the automatic ticket gate 1. The transmission control circuit 25 receives a control instruction (for example, a control instruction for designating an operation mode) to the automatic ticket gate 1 from the monitoring panel 30 or information (for example, an operation status of the automatic ticket gate 1). Sensor failure etc.) to the monitoring panel 30. Further, the transmission control circuit 25 may perform data communication with a host computer or the like as a host device that performs data aggregation.

  The display control circuit 26 performs display control of the guidance display unit 8. For example, the display control circuit 26 displays information indicating the result of the traffic determination on the guidance display unit 8 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 21. The door opening / closing mechanism 27 is a mechanism that opens and closes the door 7. The door opening / closing mechanism 27 is configured to open and close the door 7 based on control by the control unit 21.

  Further, the card reader / writer 4 transmits / receives data to / from an IC card used as a boarding ticket based on an operation instruction from the control unit 21. The card reader / writer 4 supplies a command to the IC card and receives a response to the supplied command from the IC card. For example, the card reader / writer 4 functions as a writing means for writing information (for example, ticket gate information) to the IC card by transmitting a write command to the IC card. The card reader / writer 4 functions as a reading unit that reads information (for example, boarding ticket information) from the IC card by transmitting a read command to the IC card.

The shutter opening / closing mechanism 28 is a mechanism for opening / closing a shutter 5 a provided at the insertion port 5. For example, when the shutter opening / closing mechanism 28 is in a state in which a magnetic ticket as a boarding ticket can be processed (an operation mode in which a magnetic ticket can be processed), the shutter opening / closing mechanism 28 opens the shutter 5a under the control of the control unit 21. Accepts the insertion of a magnetic ticket to 5.
The magnetic processing unit 29 processes a magnetic ticket used as a boarding ticket inserted into the insertion slot 5. For example, the magnetic processing unit 29 reads information from the magnetic ticket based on an operation instruction from the control unit 21 or records ticket gate information on the magnetic ticket.

Next, failure detection of the human detection sensor S in the automatic ticket gate 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
It is assumed that the human detection sensor S outputs an output signal that changes according to the presence or absence of a human at the detection position. Based on the output signal from the human detection sensor S, the control unit 21 detects the presence or absence of a human. For example, when the human detection sensor S is a transmissive sensor composed of a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, the control unit 21 indicates that the output signal from the light receiving unit is “bright (the detection light from the light emitting unit is not blocked). State, that is, a non-detection state of a person) or “dark (a state where detection light from the light emitting unit is blocked, that is, a detection state of a person)”. For example, the control unit 21 determines “bright” if the output signal output from the light receiving unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined determination threshold, and “dark” if it is less than the predetermined determination threshold.

  That is, when a person blocks the light emitted from the light emitting unit, the output signal of the human detection sensor (light receiving unit) becomes “dark”. If it is determined that the output signal is “dark”, the control unit 21 determines that a person is present at the detection position. Further, when the light emitted from the light emitting unit is not blocked, the output signal of the human detection sensor (light receiving unit) becomes “bright”. If it is determined that the output signal is “bright”, the control unit 21 determines that there is no person at the detection position.

  Such a human detection sensor S may cause a sensor abnormality (failure) in which the output signal remains “dark” or “bright” regardless of whether or not a person exists. Each human detection sensor S of the automatic ticket checker 1 uses various positions in the passage as human detection positions. Usually, the purpose of the user is to pass through the ticket gate, so the user does not stay in one place in the channel. Therefore, during normal operation, individual human detection sensors S rarely continue to detect the same person in one place. For this reason, the transmission type sensor as the human detection sensor S can be detected as a failure if the output signal remains “dark” for a predetermined time or more even during operation in the normal operation mode. Here, a failure in which the output signal of the transmission sensor remains “dark” is referred to as a dark failure. In the automatic ticket gate 1, for the reasons described above, a dark failure can be detected even during the normal operation mode.

  In contrast, a failure in which the output signal of the human detection sensor S remains “bright” (hereinafter referred to as a bright failure) is an abnormality in which the output signal of the human detection sensor S is fixed to a non-detection state of a person ( Failure). Such a failure (light failure) in which the output signal is fixed to the non-detection state of the person is difficult to detect while the automatic ticket gate 1 is operating in the normal operation mode. The reason why light failure is difficult to detect during operation in the normal operation mode is that the output signal of the transmission sensor as the human detection sensor S in the automatic ticket gate 1 is “dark” when the person actually passes the detection position. However, it is assumed that it remains in the “bright” state continuously during other periods. For this reason, in the automatic ticket gate 1 of this embodiment, the control part 21 performs the process which detects the light failure of the human detection sensor S, when transfering to a power saving mode. The light detection failure detection for the human detection sensor S only needs to be performed on the assumption that no user is present in the passage of the automatic ticket gate 1, for example, when the automatic ticket gate 1 is activated. May be.

  Further, when the human detection sensor S is a transmissive sensor, as a light failure detection process, the control unit 21 sets the signal level of the output signal from the light receiving unit in a state in which the emission of the detection light from the light emitting unit is turned off. Check whether it is “dark” (not “light”). For example, in the power saving mode, the detection light emitted from the light emission unit of each human detection sensor is turned off, and thus the output signal from the light emission unit may be checked in this state (light emission off state). That is, if the signal level of the output signal in the state where the detection light is turned off is “dark”, the control unit 21 determines that the sensor has no bright failure, and the output signal in the state where the detection light is turned off. If the signal level is “bright”, it can be determined that there is a clear failure.

  Even if the human detection sensor is a reflection type sensor or other detection type sensor, it is used in the passage when the automatic ticket gate 1 shifts to the power saving mode or when the automatic ticket gate 1 is activated. Assuming that there is no person (person), an abnormality (failure) in which the output of the sensor is fixed to the non-detection state of the person can be detected. That is, the control unit 21 detects the normal sensor detection state when there is no person in the passage and the actual state when the automatic ticket gate 1 shifts to the power saving mode (or when the automatic ticket gate 1 starts up). By comparing the detection state of the sensor, a sensor abnormality (sensor failure) can be detected.

Next, an operation example of the automatic ticket gate 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the automatic ticket gate 1 according to the present embodiment.
First, the control unit 21 of the automatic ticket gate 1 monitors the presence / absence of the user during operation in each operation mode (detects that the user has approached or the user has entered the aisle). (Step S11). For example, when the automatic ticket gate 1 includes a proximity sensor, the control unit 21 detects that a person has approached using the proximity sensor. In addition, the control unit 21 is in a communication state with the IC card presented by the user by the card reader / writer (when the IC card is captured) or when a ticket inserted into the insertion slot 5 by the user is detected. Alternatively, when the human detection sensor closest to the entrance detects a person, the control unit 21 determines that the user has entered the passage. The function for detecting these users is assumed to be operating even in the power saving mode.

  When the user is not detected (step S11, NO), the control unit 21 determines whether or not the condition for shifting to the power saving mode is satisfied (step S12). For example, as a condition for shifting to the power saving mode, a transition time for a period in which there is no user (elapsed time after the most recent ticket gate process is completed) may be set. In this case, the control unit 21 may determine to shift to the power saving mode when a period during which no user exists (elapsed time since the most recent ticket gate processing) has passed a predetermined time.

  When it is determined that the condition for shifting to the power saving mode is not satisfied (step S12, NO), the control unit 21 returns to step S11 and repeatedly executes the detection of the user and the condition for shifting to the power saving mode. To do. If it is determined that the conditions for shifting to the power saving mode are satisfied (step S12, YES), the control unit 21 executes a shifting process for shifting the entire automatic ticket gate 1 to the power saving mode (step S13). The power saving mode is an operation mode for reducing power consumption during standby (a period in which there is no user). For example, in the power saving mode, each part other than the function necessary for returning to the operation mode (for example, the guidance display unit 8, the door opening / closing mechanism 27, and human detection that is not necessary for detecting the user in the power saving mode) The power supply to the sensor S) is turned off.

  When shifting to the power saving mode, the control unit 21 performs a failure detection process for each human detection sensor S included in the automatic ticket gate 1 (step S14). The failure detection process for the human detection sensor that is performed when shifting to the power saving mode is a process of detecting a sensor failure on the assumption that no person is present in the passage. For example, if the human detection sensor S is a transmissive sensor, the control unit 21 detects a light failure of each human detection sensor as a sensor failure detection process when shifting to the power saving mode. As a result of detecting a bright failure with respect to the transmissive sensor, the control unit 21 indicates that the output signal with the detection light emission turned off is normal if the output signal is “dark”, and abnormal (failure) if the output signal is “bright”. to decide.

  When a failure (for example, light failure) is detected by any one of the human detection sensors S (step S15, YES), the control unit 21 notifies the monitoring panel 30 of information indicating the human detection sensor S detected as a failure. At the same time (step S16), information indicating the human detection sensor S in which the failure is detected is recorded in the RAM 23 or the data memory 24 (step S17). When the automatic ticket checker 1 notifies the monitoring panel 30 that a human detection sensor failure has been detected, the monitoring checker 30 can display that a failure has occurred in the human detection sensor of the automatic ticket checker 1. As a result, the station staff who monitors the automatic ticket gate 1 with the content displayed on the monitoring panel 30 can quickly recognize that a failure has occurred in the human detection sensor of the automatic ticket gate 1. For example, a station clerk who recognizes that a failure has occurred in the human detection sensor can check the presence or absence of an abnormality by visual inspection or the like, or can request maintenance personnel to repair the human detection sensor.

  Further, after completing the failure detection process for each human detection sensor, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the operation in the reduced operation mode in which the human detection sensor in which the failure is detected is invalidated and the ticket gate process is performed is possible. (Step S18). For example, the control unit 21 determines whether the operation (the ticket gate process) in the reduced operation mode can be performed according to the failure state of the human detection sensor S in the entire automatic ticket gate 1. For example, when the number of failures of the human detection sensor S is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, or when a plurality of adjacent human detection sensors have failed at the same time, the control unit 21 cannot operate in the degenerate operation mode. You may make it judge.

  When it is determined that the operation in the degenerate operation mode is not possible (step S18, NO), the control unit 21 switches the operation mode of the automatic ticket checker 1 to the operation stop mode for stopping the operation (ticket check process) ( Step S19). When shifting the operation mode to the operation stop mode, the control unit 21 is in a state where the automatic ticket gate 1 cannot be operated in the operation mode in which the ticket check process can be performed, or the operation stop mode in which the operation is stopped. You may make it notify to the monitoring panel 30 that it shifted to.

  Further, when no failure (for example, clear failure) is detected from any human detection sensor S (step S15, NO), or the degraded operation mode with the human detection sensor S in which the failure is detected being invalidated When it is determined that the operation of the automatic ticket gate 1 is possible (step S18, YES), the control unit 21 enters the standby state with the operation mode of the automatic ticket checker 1 as the power saving mode (step S20). When entering the standby state in the power saving mode, the control unit 21 stands by in the power saving mode until the user is detected again in step S11.

  When a user is detected (step S11, YES), the control unit 21 determines whether or not the current operation mode of the automatic ticket gate 1 is the power saving mode (step S21). When it is determined that the current operation mode is the power saving mode, that is, when a user is detected during standby in the power saving mode (step S21, YES), the control unit 21 is a person whose failure has been detected. It is determined whether or not there is a detection sensor (that is, a human detection sensor in failure) (step S22).

  When it is determined that there is no human detection sensor S in which a failure is detected (step S22, NO), the control unit 21 shifts the operation mode of the automatic ticket gate 1 from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode (step S23). ). When the operation mode of the automatic ticket checker 1 returns from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, the control unit 21 detects the position of the user in the passage using the detection result of each human detection sensor S, and The ticket gate process for the person is executed (step S24).

  If it is determined that there is a human detection sensor (failed human detection sensor) S in which a failure is detected (YES in step S22), the control unit 21 changes the operation mode of the automatic ticket gate 1 from the power saving mode. The mode is shifted to the degenerate operation mode (step S25). When the operation mode of the automatic ticket checker 1 is shifted from the power saving mode to the reduced operation mode (returned from the power saving mode), the control unit 21 detects by each human detection sensor S other than the human detection sensor in which the failure is detected. While detecting the position of the user in the passage using the result, the ticket gate processing for the user is executed (step S24).

  That is, in the ticket gate process in the degeneration operation mode, the control unit 21 invalidates the detection result by the human detection sensor S in which the failure is detected and detects the position of the user in the passage, and performs the ticket gate process for the user. Run. For example, in the degenerate operation mode, the control unit 21 supplements the presence / absence of a person at the detection position of the human detection sensor S in which a failure has been detected, using detection results from other human detection sensors adjacent to the human detection sensor. You can do that. However, the operation of the ticket gate process in the degenerate operation mode is not limited to the above-described example, and any operation is possible as long as the ticket detection process can be performed by invalidating the detection result by the human detection sensor S in which a failure is detected.

When it is determined that the operation mode is not the power saving mode when the user is detected (step S21, NO ), the control unit 21 executes the ticket gate process for the detected user while maintaining the current operation mode. (Step S24).

  As described above, the automatic ticket gate according to the present embodiment is a clear failure that is difficult to detect during normal operation on the assumption that there is no person in the passage when entering the power saving mode or at the time of start-up. A process for detecting a sensor failure is executed. Thereby, in the automatic ticket gate according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect a failure of the human detection sensor with high accuracy and to perform human detection with high accuracy. As a result, early maintenance work for the human detection sensor can be promoted.

  In addition, the automatic ticket checker according to the present embodiment detects the failure of the sensor when shifting to the power saving mode, and then returns to the power saving mode. Is changed to a reduced operation mode in which ticket gate processing is executed. Thereby, in the automatic ticket gate according to the present embodiment, the ticket gate process can be executed without using the human detection sensor in which a failure is detected during the power saving mode.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof. Hereinafter, the description of the scope of claims at the beginning of application of the present application will be added.
[1]
In an automatic ticket gate that handles ticket gates for people passing through the ticket gate,
A sensor whose output signal changes according to the presence or absence of a person at a detection position in the passage;
Determining means for determining whether the output signal of the sensor is a signal indicating a person detection state or a signal indicating a person non-detection state;
Failure detection means for detecting a failure in which the output signal of the sensor is fixed to a signal indicating a non-detection state of a person;
Having automatic ticket gate.
[2]
The failure detection means detects whether or not the output signal of the sensor is normal on the assumption that no person exists at the detection position of the sensor.
The automatic ticket gate according to [1].
[3]
The sensor includes a light emitting unit that emits detection light to the detection position, and a light receiving unit that receives the detection light and converts it into an output signal.
The failure detection means detects a failure in which the output signal of the light receiving unit is in a bright state in a state where the detection light from the light emitting unit is turned off.
The automatic ticket gate according to any one of [1] or [2].
[4]
Furthermore, it has a communication means for notifying an external device of information indicating a human detection sensor in which a failure is detected by the failure detection means,
The automatic ticket gate according to any one of [1] to [3].
[5]
Furthermore, it has mode switching means for switching the operation mode to either the operation mode for executing the ticket gate processing or the power saving mode for reducing the power consumption in the standby state waiting for the user,
The failure detection means detects whether or not the output signal of the sensor is normal when the mode switching means shifts the operation mode to the power saving mode.
The automatic ticket gate according to any one of [1] to [4].
[6]
The sensors are a plurality of sensors having a plurality of positions in the passage as detection positions,
When the mode switching unit returns from the power saving mode after a failure is detected by the failure detection unit, the mode switching unit shifts to a degenerate operation mode in which a ticket gate process is performed using other sensors than the sensor in which the failure is detected. ,
The automatic ticket gate as described in [5].
[7]
In the degenerate operation mode, the detection result of the sensor in which the failure is detected by the failure detection unit is supplemented with the detection result by the sensor installed adjacent to the sensor in which the failure is detected.
[6] The automatic ticket gate described in [6].

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic ticket gate, S ... Human detection sensor, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... RAM, 24 ... Data memory, 25 ... Transmission control circuit, 30 ... Monitoring board.

Claims (5)

In an automatic ticket gate that handles ticket gates for people passing through the ticket gate,
A plurality of sensors whose output signals change according to the presence or absence of a person at a plurality of detection positions in the passage;
Determining means for determining whether the output signal of each sensor is a signal indicating a person detection state or a signal indicating a person non-detection state;
Mode switching means for setting any one of a plurality of operation modes including a power saving mode for reducing power consumption in a standby state waiting for a user;
When migrating an operating mode by said mode switching means to the power saving mode, have a, and failure detecting means output signal of the sensor detects a fault to be fixed to a signal indicating the non-detection state of the person,
The mode switching means detects a failure if the number of sensors in which a failure is detected is less than a predetermined value when returning from the power saving mode after a failure of at least one sensor is detected by the failure detection means. Set the degeneration operation mode to execute the ticket gate processing using other sensors excluding the sensor, and set the stop of the ticket gate processing if the number of sensors detected failure is equal to or greater than the predetermined value,
Automatic ticket gate.   In an automatic ticket gate that handles ticket gates for people passing through the ticket gate,
  A plurality of sensors whose output signals change according to the presence or absence of a person at a plurality of detection positions in the passage;
  Determining means for determining whether the output signal of each sensor is a signal indicating a person detection state or a signal indicating a person non-detection state;
  Mode switching means for setting any one of a plurality of operation modes including a power saving mode for reducing power consumption in a standby state waiting for a user;
  Failure detection means for detecting a failure in which the output signal of the sensor is fixed to a signal indicating a non-detection state of a person when the operation mode is shifted to the power saving mode by the mode switching means,
  The mode switching unit is configured to remove the sensor in which a failure is detected unless a failure of an adjacent sensor is detected when the failure detection unit detects a failure of at least one sensor and then returns from the power saving mode. Set the degeneration operation mode to execute the ticket gate processing using the sensor of, and stop the ticket gate processing if a failure of the adjacent sensor is detected,
  Automatic ticket gate. Each of the plurality of sensors includes a light emitting unit that emits detection light to the detection position, and a light receiving unit that receives the detection light and converts it into an output signal.
The failure detection means detects, for each sensor, a failure in which the output signal of the light receiving unit is in a bright state in a state where detection light from the light emitting unit is turned off.
The automatic ticket gate according to any one of claims 1 and 2. Furthermore, it has a communication means for notifying the external device of information indicating a sensor in which a failure is detected by the failure detection means.
The automatic ticket gate according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In the degenerate operation mode, the detection result of the sensor in which the failure is detected by the failure detection unit is supplemented with the detection result by the sensor installed adjacent to the sensor in which the failure is detected.
The automatic ticket gate according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .