JP7588400B2 - Ski Resort Management System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a ski resort management system that manages the use of lifts such as chair lifts and gondola lifts at ski resorts, and in particular to a ski resort management system that uses IC cards.

In general, ski resorts use paper lift tickets or IC card-type lift tickets to use ropeways such as chairlifts and gondola lifts installed at the ski resort. When using paper lift tickets, skiers purchase a paper lift ticket at the ticket booth installed at the entrance to the ski resort or other locations, and at each lift boarding station, if the lift ticket is a half-day ticket, one-day ticket, night ticket, etc., they show the ticket itself to the staff, or if the lift ticket is a multi-ride ticket, they have the staff tear off the number of tickets corresponding to the usage fee before boarding the lift. When using paper lift tickets, it is necessary to use a transparent holder or put the ticket in a transparent pocket of ski wear so that the ticket is visible, or to take the ticket out at the lift boarding station and show it to the lift staff. This is not only inconvenient for skiers, but also a burden on the staff. In addition, there are frequent cases of illegal riding.

In recent years, with the spread of IC cards, many ski resorts have begun to adopt IC card-type lift tickets. In this system, a gate equipped with a switch is installed at the boarding point of the lift, and a monitoring device installed nearby reads the identification information, lift usage condition information, and authentication information from the IC card, and compares it with the pre-stored information related to the IC card to determine whether or not the lift can be used. If the result shows that the lift can be used, the switch is opened to allow the user to pass, and if the result shows that the lift cannot be used, the switch is closed to block the user from passing. Unlike paper lift tickets, a valid IC card-type lift ticket can be passed through the gate by simply placing the pocket close to the reader area of the gate installed at the entrance to the lift boarding area with a valid IC card-type lift ticket in the pocket of the ski wear. Since visual confirmation by the lift staff is not required, it has the effect of improving convenience for skiers and reducing the staff's burden, as well as reducing fraudulent use of ski resorts.

In addition, by using IC cards, the usage history of skiers can be automatically recorded, allowing accurate understanding of skier movements and usage conditions, which is effective in improving the management of ski resorts. Based on this history, performance results such as skier skiing distances can be provided, allowing new services to be offered to skiers (see, for example, JP 2001-22968 A, JP 9-7012 A, JP 2009-205407 A, etc.).

JP 2001-22968 A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-7012 JP 2009-205407 A

However, with the operational management method using paper-based lift tickets as described above, lift attendants must stand in the freezing cold to visually check each user's lift ticket and punch the tickets, which is hard work for the lift attendants and requires a lot of manpower, resulting in high labor costs.
On the other hand, if a gate that checks conventional IC cards is used, the problems of paper-based lift tickets are solved, but a gate equipped with a switch must be installed at the boarding point of the ski resort's lift, and a motor to open and close the switch and power cables must be installed, which results in high equipment and installation costs, and the maintenance costs for their maintenance and management are also extremely high. In particular, high maintenance costs are necessary in mountainous areas and areas with heavy snowfall, such as ski resorts. Such investments put a strain on normal management for small and medium-sized ski resorts, and become an unbearable heavy burden.

The present invention was made in consideration of these conventional problems, and aims to provide a simple, standalone ski resort management system that enables operation through IC card authentication without the use of gates equipped with switches.

In order to achieve the above object, the ski resort management system of the present invention comprises: an IC card which is carried by a user and serves as a carrier for a lift ticket, which has identification information and on which lift usage conditions information and authentication information are written in an updatable manner;
a mobile management device that is movably installed at the boarding point of the lift, reads the identification information, lift usage condition information, and authentication information from the IC card, and judges whether the IC card is permitted to use the lift based on the read information, and transmits the result of the lift usage permission together with the identification information;
A lamp and/or a chime that is linked to the mobile management device and notifies the result of the mobile management device of whether the lift is available or not;
The system is configured to include a portable information terminal carried by a supervisor positioned corresponding to the boarding point of the lift, which receives and displays the identification information of the IC card and the result of whether the lift can be used or not transmitted from the mobile management device.

Here, it is desirable that the mobile management device is mobile and small and easily portable. The mobile management device and the portable information terminal are easily movable, which makes it easy to input various necessary information into them.

As a result, when a user uses a lift, they carry an IC card and are checked by a mobile management device installed at the lift boarding point. The mobile management device reads the identification information, lift usage condition information, and authentication information, and determines whether the IC card can be used for the lift based on the read information, and transmits this result of whether the lift can be used together with the identification information. In this case, the result of whether the lift can be used is notified by a lamp and/or a chime. If the result of whether the lift can be used is not possible, a warning is issued. This makes it possible to warn unauthorized users and also allows supervisors to regulate unauthorized users.

The IC card identification information and lift availability results sent from the mobile management device are displayed on the mobile information terminal carried by the supervisor. This allows the supervisor to not only receive warnings using lights and/or chimes, but also to check the information displayed on the mobile information terminal to see whether the user is allowed to use the lift or not, ensuring that restrictions on users can be imposed.

In this system, a mobile management device is installed at the lift boarding point and an administrator can manage the lift using a mobile information terminal, so there is no need to install a gate structure equipped with a switch, as in the past, and as such, there is no need for installation work costs, allowing for significant cost reductions. Also, because the mobile management device and mobile information terminal can be moved, on-site maintenance is not necessary, and therefore maintenance costs such as maintenance can be significantly reduced. This makes this system extremely useful for small and medium-sized ski resorts.

In this configuration, the mobile management device includes a rechargeable battery, a charging management unit, and a charging terminal, and is effectively equipped with a function that provides all the power to operate the mobile management device using the rechargeable battery. This eliminates the need for electrical wiring for operation, making it even easier to move around.

Also, if necessary, a ticket issuing device is installed at the ski resort, which allows users to purchase lift tickets with specified lift usage conditions on the day and issues IC cards containing lift usage conditions information and authentication information for the lift tickets purchased on the day;
a usage sales management device that allows an owner of an already purchased IC card having identification information to purchase a lift ticket with specified lift usage conditions in advance via the Internet, stores the IC card identification information and lift usage condition information related to the advance purchase, and also stores the IC card identification information, lift usage condition information and authentication information related to the purchase at the ticket issuing device;
a communication device that transmits the IC card identification information and lift usage condition information related to the advance purchase stored in the usage sales management device to the mobile management device and stores them in a storage unit of the mobile management device;
The mobile management device is equipped with an IC card type discrimination means for discriminating whether the IC card is for advance purchase or for same-day purchase based on identification information read from the IC card, a pre-purchase usage eligibility determination means for, when the IC card type discrimination means discriminates that the IC card is for advance purchase, referring to the lift usage condition information of the IC card for advance purchase stored in the storage unit, and determining whether the IC card can be used as a lift, when the IC card type discrimination means determines that the IC card is for same-day purchase, an authentication information determination means for determining whether the authentication information read from the IC card is correct or incorrect, and a same-day purchase usage eligibility determination means for determining whether the lift can be used by referring to the lift usage condition information read from the IC card when the authentication information determination means determines that the authentication information is correct, and is configured with a function of transmitting the determination result of the advance purchase usage eligibility determination means and the determination result of the same-day purchase usage eligibility determination means together with the identification information to the mobile information terminal as a lift usage eligibility result.

This allows a user to purchase a lift ticket that specifies the lift usage conditions, for example, at the appropriate time on the day they plan to ski, using a ticket issuing device installed at the ski resort. In this case, an IC card is issued that has identification information and on which the lift usage conditions information and authentication information of the lift ticket are written. Here, the issuance of an IC card means that when a new IC card is purchased, a new IC card is handed to the user, and in an IC card that the user has brought with them and that has already been purchased and has identification information, new lift usage conditions information and authentication information are written and updated. The identification information, lift usage conditions information and authentication information of the IC card related to the purchase at the ticket issuing device are stored in the usage and sales management device.

Also, owners of IC cards that have already been purchased and have identification information can pre-purchase lift tickets with set lift usage conditions via the Internet. The IC card identification information and lift usage condition information related to the pre-purchase are stored in the usage sales management device. The IC card identification information and lift usage condition information related to the pre-purchase stored in the usage sales management device are then sent to a mobile management device via a communication device at the appropriate time and stored in the storage section of this mobile sales management device. In this case, users who possess an IC card related to a lift ticket pre-purchased via the Internet do not have to go through the procedure at the counter on the day of use, which is extremely convenient.

As a result, when a user uses a lift, they carry an IC card and are checked by a mobile management device installed at the boarding point of the lift; in this case, in the mobile management device, the IC card type discrimination means first discriminates whether the IC card is related to advance purchase or same-day purchase based on the identification information read from the IC card. If the IC card type discrimination means discriminates that the IC card is related to advance purchase, the advance purchase usage eligibility determination means refers to the lift usage condition information of the advance purchase IC card stored in the storage unit and determines whether the IC card is eligible for lift usage.

On the other hand, if the IC card type discrimination means determines that the IC card is related to a same-day purchase, the authentication information determination means determines whether the authentication information read from the IC card is correct or incorrect. If the authentication information determination means determines that the authentication information is correct, the same-day purchase usage eligibility determination means determines whether the lift can be used by referring to the lift usage condition information read from the IC card. Since the determination is made by the authentication information determination means, it is possible to check for counterfeit IC cards.

Then, the mobile management device transmits the result of determining that the authentication information determination means is incorrect, the result of the determination by the advance purchase availability determination means, and the result of the determination by the same-day purchase availability determination means together with the identification information to the mobile information terminal as the lift availability result. The lift availability result is notified by a lamp and/or a chime. If the lift availability result is not available, a warning is issued. This makes it possible to warn unauthorized users and also allows supervisors to regulate unauthorized users.

Furthermore, if necessary, the mobile information terminal is configured with a function to read identification information, lift usage condition information, and authentication information from an IC card carried by a user, and to determine whether or not the IC card can be used with the lift based on the read information, and to display the result of whether or not the lift can be used. As a result, when an IC card carried by a user is read using a mobile information terminal, the mobile information terminal reads the identification information, lift usage condition information, and authentication information of the IC card, and determines whether or not the IC card can be used with the lift based on the read information, and displays the result of whether or not the lift can be used. Therefore, a supervisor carrying a mobile information terminal can check a user's IC card at any time, regardless of whether or not the IC card identification information and lift usage result are sent from the mobile management device, and can reliably regulate users.

In this configuration, the mobile information terminal has a function of receiving IC card identification information and lift usage condition information related to the pre-purchased lift ticket from the sales management device as necessary, and storing the IC card identification information and lift usage condition information in a memory unit of the mobile information terminal;
The mobile information terminal is equipped with an IC card type discrimination means for discriminating whether the IC card is for advance purchase or for same-day purchase based on identification information read from the IC card, a pre-purchase usage eligibility determination means for, when the IC card type discrimination means discriminates that the IC card is for advance purchase, referring to the lift usage condition information of the pre-purchase IC card stored in the memory unit, and determining whether the IC card can be used as a lift, when the IC card type discrimination means determines that the IC card is for same-day purchase, an authentication information determination means for determining whether the authentication information read from the IC card is correct or incorrect, and a same-day purchase usage eligibility determination means for determining whether the lift can be used by referring to the lift usage condition information read from the IC card when the authentication information determination means determines that the authentication information is correct, and is configured with a function of displaying the determination result of the advance purchase usage eligibility determination means and the determination result of the same-day purchase usage eligibility determination means as a lift usage eligibility result when the authentication information determination means determines that the information is incorrect.

As a result, the mobile information terminal receives the IC card identification information and lift usage condition information related to the lift ticket purchased in advance from the usage sales management device in advance and stores them in the memory unit of the mobile information terminal. The mobile information terminal can receive the information, for example, using a communication means or via a USB memory.

In this mobile information terminal, first, the IC card type discrimination means discriminates whether the IC card is related to advance purchase or same-day purchase based on the identification information read from the IC card. If the IC card type discrimination means discriminates that the IC card is related to advance purchase, the advance purchase usage eligibility determination means refers to the lift usage condition information of the advance purchase IC card stored in the memory unit and determines whether the lift can be used with this IC card.

On the other hand, if the IC card type discrimination means discriminates that the IC card is related to a same-day purchase, the authentication information determination means judges whether the authentication information read from the IC card is correct or incorrect. If the authentication information determination means judges that the authentication information is correct, the same-day purchase use eligibility determination means judges whether the lift can be used by referring to the lift use condition information read from the IC card.

Then, the mobile information terminal displays the result of the authentication information determination means determining that the lift is erroneous, the result of the advance purchase availability determination means, and the result of the same-day purchase availability determination means as the lift availability result. By looking at the result of the authentication information determination means determining that the lift is erroneous, it is possible to check for counterfeit IC cards. Also, when the lift availability result indicates that the lift is not available, a warning is issued. This makes it possible to warn fraudulent users and also allows supervisors to regulate fraudulent users.

and, if necessary, the sales management device has a function of storing biometric information including a facial photograph of the IC card holder and transmitting the biometric information to the mobile management device via the communication device to store the biometric information in the storage unit.
the ticket issuing device is provided with a camera for taking a facial photograph of a user who purchases the IC card, and has a function of causing the facial photograph taken by the camera to be stored in the sales management device as biometric information of the IC card owner;
The portable information terminal is configured with a function of receiving biometric information including a facial photograph of the IC card holder from the usage and sales management device and storing it in the memory unit, and displaying the biometric information including the facial photograph of the IC card holder together with the lift usage conditions information of the IC card and the lift usage availability result.

Biometric information may include, in addition to a facial photograph, information such as clothing, gender, body shape, height, etc.

As a result, the mobile information terminal receives biometric information including the facial photograph of the IC card holder from the usage sales management device along with the IC card identification information and lift usage condition information related to the lift ticket purchased in advance, and stores the information in the storage unit of the mobile information terminal. The mobile information terminal can receive the information, for example, using a communication means or via a USB memory. Note that the mobile information terminal does not receive the biometric information including the facial photograph in real time, but rather at an appropriate time, for example, in the morning and afternoon of the day. Since the facial photograph taken by the camera installed in the ticket issuing device cannot be used until it is received, there is a slight gap, but this does not interfere with operation. As a result, the mobile information terminal held by the monitor displays the biometric information including the facial photograph of the IC card holder along with the lift usage condition information related to the IC card and the result of whether the lift can be used. Therefore, the monitor can compare the displayed facial photograph with the user's face in addition to the result of whether the lift can be used, and can more reliably confirm whether the lift can be used.

In addition, if necessary, the sales management device has a function of storing biometric information including a facial photograph of the IC card holder and transmitting the biometric information to the mobile management device via the communication device to store the biometric information in the storage unit,
the ticket issuing device is provided with a camera for taking a facial photograph of a user who purchases the IC card, and has a function of causing the facial photograph taken by the camera to be stored in the sales management device as biometric information of the IC card owner;
The mobile management device is provided with a surveillance camera, and when reading the identification information, lift usage condition information, and authentication information from the user's IC card, the surveillance camera takes a photograph of the user's face, and a biometric discrimination means is provided for comparing the facial photograph of the IC card owner stored in the storage unit with the facial photograph taken by the surveillance camera to determine whether the user is the same person as the IC card owner, and when the discrimination result of the biometric discrimination means is negative, the device is provided with a function of sounding an alarm using the lamp and/or chime.

As a result, when a user is checked by the mobile management device, the surveillance camera takes a photograph of the user's face, and compares this photograph with the photograph of the IC card's owner stored in the storage unit to determine whether the user is the same person as the IC card's owner. At this time, even if the IC card indicates that the lift can be used, if the facial photo determination result indicates that the user cannot use the lift, a warning is issued by a lamp and/or a chime. Therefore, since it is possible to check even when the IC card's owner and the user are different, the accuracy of verification can be improved. Note that in the mobile management device, biometric information including the facial photo is received when the communication device is activated, and therefore not in real time, but at an appropriate time, for example, in the morning and afternoon of the day. Therefore, since the facial photo taken by the camera installed in the ticket issuing device cannot be used until it is received, there is a slight gap, but this does not cause much disruption to operation.

In this case, it is effective for the mobile management device to have a function of sending a warning signal to the mobile information terminal when the facial photo discrimination result is "no." Even when the IC card's lift availability result is "yes," the mobile information terminal can receive the warning signal and know that the facial photo discrimination result is "no." This makes it possible to check even when the owner of the IC card is different from the user, thereby improving verification accuracy.

If necessary, the mobile management device is provided with a motion sensor that detects the passage of a person, and is configured with a function to warn the user with the lamp and/or chime when the motion sensor detects the passage of a person and the IC card is not read. This makes it clear that the user does not have an IC card, and can alert the user.

In this case, it is effective for the mobile management device to have a function of sending a warning signal to the mobile information terminal when the human sensor detects the passage of a person and the IC card is not read. In this way, when the warning signal is received, it is known that the user does not have an IC card, and the supervisor can alert the user.

If necessary, the structure is provided with an angle-adjustable mirror that reflects the light from the lamp to match the position of the observer. This makes it easier to see the lamp by adjusting the angle of the mirror to match the observer who is positioned corresponding to the boarding point of the lift.

If necessary, the lift may have a plurality of boarding points, and a plurality of mobile management devices may be provided at each of the plurality of boarding points, each having its own unique transmission channel for wireless communication. A plurality of mobile information terminals may also be provided, each having its own unique reception channel corresponding to the unique transmission channel for wireless communication of the plurality of mobile management devices. A configuration may also be provided in which a setting management IC card is provided that uses the IC card reading function of the mobile management devices and the mobile information terminals to set the same channel for each corresponding mobile management device and mobile information terminal.

As a result, mobile management devices can be moved and placed at multiple lift boarding points, and monitors can be placed in correspondence with them. When each monitor is given a mobile information terminal, the corresponding mobile management devices and mobile information terminals can be set to the same channel using a setting management IC card. Therefore, since the correspondence between the multiple mobile management devices and the multiple mobile information terminals can be set after placement, it is not necessary to place them at each lift boarding point, which makes it easier to build the system.

Furthermore, if necessary, the mobile management device is configured with a function to provide guidance to ski resort users from the chime in a language specified by the language type recorded on the IC card. This makes it easier to communicate guidance to users.

Furthermore, if necessary, the mobile management device can be configured with a function to give the IC card points that can be used to use services provided by the ski resort facility when the IC card is read. This can lead to improved services.

In addition, the portable information terminal is configured to be switchable between three operation modes as required: a monitoring mode that displays in real time the owner information and usability judgment related to the IC card information transmitted from the mobile management device; a viewing mode that displays the reception history related to the IC card received from the mobile management device; and an inspection mode that reads the IC card owned by the user and judges and displays the validity of the IC card and the lift usability. This improves the operability of the portable information terminal and ensures that users can be monitored.

The sales management device also has the function of collecting and recording the lift usage history and skiing distance information of each IC card user from the IC card reading log transmitted from the mobile management device via the communication device. IC card users can view past lift usage history and skiing distance information from the sales management device via the Internet, which allows for improved service.

According to the present invention, a mobile management device can be moved and installed at the lift boarding point, and an administrator can manage the lift using a mobile information terminal, so there is no need to install a gate structure equipped with a switch, as in the past, and therefore costs can be significantly reduced as there are no installation construction costs. In addition, because the mobile management device and mobile information terminal can be moved, on-site maintenance is not necessary, and therefore maintenance costs such as maintenance can be significantly reduced. This makes the system extremely useful for small and medium-sized ski resorts.

1 is a diagram showing a management system for a ski resort according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B show an example of the data configuration of a ski resort management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is an example of the data structure of an IC card, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the IC card usage history recorded in a mobile management device. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mobile management device in a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control and calculation unit in a mobile management device of the ski resort management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a mobile management device together with an example of its installation in a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mobile information terminal in a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control and calculation unit in a mobile information terminal of the ski resort management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an interface of a portable information terminal in a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication device in a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a setting management IC card for setting parameters of a mobile management device and a portable information terminal in a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of a mobile management device in the ski resort management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of determining whether or not an IC card can be used in a mobile management device of the ski resort management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a block diagram showing the relationship of information transmission and reception between an IC card of a mobile management device and a portable information terminal in the ski resort management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the relationship of information transmission and reception to a mobile management device via a communication device of a usage and sales management device in the ski resort management system according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the sales management device and the ticket issuing device in the ski resort management system according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the information exchange via the Internet. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the operation state and state transitions of a portable information terminal in a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the use of an angle-adjustable mirror in a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic mechanism for detecting unauthorized lift use in a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a mechanism for detecting unauthorized use of an IC card using a surveillance camera built into a mobile management device in a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a mechanism for detecting unauthorized use of an IC card using a human presence sensor built into a mobile management device in a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mechanism for confirming the validity of an IC card for a lift ticket using a portable information terminal in a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, the basic configuration of a ski resort management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figures 1 to 10, the ski resort management system S according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an IC card Ca which is held by a user M and serves as a carrier for a lift ticket having identification information, and on which lift usage conditions information and authentication information are written in an updatable manner.

As shown in Figures 1, 3 to 5, the system S also includes a mobile management device 1 that is movably installed at the boarding point of the lift, reads identification information, lift usage condition information, and authentication information from the IC card Ca, and determines whether or not the lift can be used according to the read information, and transmits the result of whether or not the lift can be used together with the identification information. The mobile management device 1 includes a rechargeable battery 11, a charging management unit 12, and a charging terminal 12, and has the function of providing all the power to operate the mobile management device 1 from the rechargeable battery 11.

As shown in FIG. 5, the mobile management device 1 is mobile, formed in a small rectangular shape that is easy to carry, and is detachably supported, for example, via an attachment/detachment mechanism, on a support plate 111 provided on a stand 110 installed at the boarding point of the lift. The attachment/detachment mechanism is configured by providing a pair of sliders 112 spaced apart at a predetermined interval along the vertical direction on the back of the mobile management device 1, and providing the support plate 111 with a pair of rails 113 provided corresponding to the sliders 112 and into which the sliders 112 are inserted from above to guide them slidably, and a support stopper 114 provided at the lower end of the rails 113 and supporting the inserted slider 112.

The system S also includes a lamp 6 and a chime 7 that are provided at the boarding point of the lift and are linked to the mobile management device 1 to notify the result of the lift availability of the mobile management device 1. The lamp 6, for example, lights up "green" when the lift is available for use, and when the result of the lift availability is not available, lights up "red" to warn, while when the result of the lift availability is available, lights up "blue". The chime 7, for example, can announce "This card cannot be used" to warn when the result of the lift availability is not available, while when the result of the lift availability is available, announce "Please proceed forward".

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 6 to 8, the system S is equipped with a mobile information terminal 20 that is placed corresponding to the boarding point of the lift, is carried by the monitor K, and receives and displays the identification information of the IC card Ca and the result of lift availability transmitted from the mobile management device 1. The mobile information terminal 20 is also configured with a function to read the identification information, lift usage condition information, and authentication information from the IC card Ca carried by the user, and based on the read information, judge whether the lift can be used related to the IC card Ca, and display the result of lift availability.

Figure 8 shows the basic external configuration of a mobile information terminal 20 as one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 8, the basic external configuration of the mobile information terminal 20 is composed of a color display screen 30 that displays characters and images, and operation buttons 31 to 36 that realize various operations. In addition, the number of buttons can be increased or decreased, and their positions can be changed, as necessary.

In this embodiment, the ski resort has multiple lift boarding points, and multiple mobile management devices 1 are installed at each of the multiple boarding points, each with its own unique transmission channel for wireless communication, and multiple mobile information terminals 20 have their own unique reception channels corresponding to the unique transmission channels for wireless communication of the multiple mobile management devices 1. This device is equipped with a setting management IC card Cb (Figure 1) that uses the reading function of the IC cards Ca of the mobile management devices 1 and the mobile information terminals 20 to set the same channel for each corresponding mobile management device 1 and mobile information terminal 20.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the present system S is equipped with a ticket issuing device 40 that is installed at a ski resort and allows users to purchase lift tickets with set lift usage conditions on the day, and issues IC cards Ca that contain lift usage condition information and authentication information for lift tickets purchased on the day.

The system S also allows an owner of an IC card Ca that has already been purchased and has identification information to purchase a lift ticket in advance via the Internet, with the lift usage conditions set out therein, and stores the identification information and lift usage conditions information of the IC card Ca relating to the advance purchase, as well as a usage sales management device 50 that stores the identification information, lift usage conditions information and authentication information of the IC card Ca relating to the purchase at the ticket issuing device 40.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 9, the system S is equipped with a communication device 60 that transmits IC card identification information and lift usage condition information related to advance purchases stored in the sales management device 50 to the mobile management device 1 and stores them in the storage unit 10 of the mobile management device 1. The sales management device 50 also has the function of tallying and recording the lift usage history and skiing distance information of each IC card user M from the reading log of the IC card Ca transmitted from the mobile management device 1 via the communication device 60. The sales management device 50 is installed in the ticket booth or office of the ski resort.

On the other hand, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the mobile information terminal 20 has a function of receiving IC card identification information and lift usage condition information related to a lift ticket purchased in advance from the sales management device 50 and storing them in the memory unit 23 of the mobile information terminal 20. Reception from the sales management device 50 to the mobile information terminal 20 can be performed, for example, using a communication means or via a USB memory.

The sales management device 50 also has the function of storing biometric information including the face photo of the IC card holder, and transmitting the biometric information to the mobile management device 1 via the communication device 60 to store it in the storage unit 10. Furthermore, the ticket issuing device 40 has a camera 42 that takes a face photo of the user who purchases the IC card Ca, and has the function of storing the face photo taken by the camera 42 in the sales management device 50 as biometric information of the IC card holder. The mobile information terminal 20 is configured with the function of receiving biometric information including the face photo of the IC card holder from the sales management device 50, storing it in the memory unit 23, and displaying the biometric information including the face photo of the IC card holder together with the lift usage condition information and the lift usage availability result of the IC card Ca. This biometric information can also be received from the sales management device 50 to the mobile information terminal 20 using, for example, a communication means or via a USB memory.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile management device 1 is further configured to include, in its control calculation unit 2, an IC card type discrimination means 100 for discriminating whether the IC card is for advance purchase or for same-day purchase based on the identification information read from the IC card Ca, an advance purchase usage eligibility determination means 101 for, when the IC card type discrimination means 100 discriminates that the IC card is for advance purchase, referring to the lift usage condition information of the IC card Ca for advance purchase stored in the storage unit 10, and determining whether the lift can be used for the IC card Ca, an authentication information determination means 102 for, when the IC card type discrimination means discriminates that the IC card is for same-day purchase, determining whether the authentication information read from the IC card Ca is correct or incorrect, and a same-day purchase usage eligibility determination means 103 for, when the authentication information determination means 102 determines that the authentication information is correct, referring to the lift usage condition information read from the IC card Ca, and determining whether the lift can be used. The mobile management device 1 has a function of transmitting the result of the authentication information determination means 102 determining that the authentication information is incorrect, the result of the advance purchase availability determination means 101, and the result of the same-day purchase availability determination means 103, together with the identification information, to the mobile information terminal 20 as the lift availability result.

As shown in FIG. 7, the mobile information terminal 20, in its control calculation unit 22, is similar to the mobile management device 1 in that it is equipped with an IC card type discrimination means 200 which discriminates whether the IC card is an IC card related to advance purchase or an IC card related to same-day purchase based on the identification information read from the IC card Ca, an advance purchase usage eligibility determination means 201 which, when the IC card type discrimination means 200 discriminates that the IC card Ca is an advance purchase, refers to the lift usage condition information of the IC card Ca related to advance purchase stored in the memory unit 23 and determines whether the lift can be used for the IC card Ca, an authentication information determination means 202 which, when the IC card type discrimination means 201 determines that the IC card Ca is a same-day purchase, determines whether the authentication information read from the IC card Ca is correct or incorrect, and a same-day purchase usage eligibility determination means 203 which, when the authentication information determination means 202 determines that the authentication information is correct, refers to the lift usage condition information read from the IC card Ca and determines whether the lift can be used. The mobile information terminal 20 has a function to display the result of the authentication information determination means 202 determining that the information is incorrect, the result of the advance purchase availability determination means 201, and the result of the same-day purchase availability determination means 203 as the lift availability result.

The mobile management device 1 is also provided with a surveillance camera 15 as shown in FIG. 4, and is equipped with a biometric discrimination means 105 that, when reading the identification information, lift usage condition information, and authentication information from the user's IC card Ca, takes a facial photograph of the user with the surveillance camera 15 and compares the facial photograph of the owner of the IC card Ca stored in the storage unit 10 with the facial photograph taken by the surveillance camera 15 to determine whether the user is the same person as the owner of the IC card Ca. The mobile management device 1 is equipped with a function to warn with the lamp 6 and chime 7 when the discrimination result of the biometric discrimination means 105 is negative. The mobile management device 1 is also equipped with a function to send a warning signal to the mobile information terminal 20 when the discrimination result of the facial photograph is negative.

Furthermore, the mobile management device 1 is provided with a human sensor 14 that detects the passage of a person, as shown in FIG. 3. The mobile management device 1 has a function of issuing a warning using a lamp 6 and a chime 7 when the human sensor 14 detects the passage of a person and the IC card Ca is not read. The mobile management device 1 also has a function of sending a warning signal to the mobile information terminal 20 when the human sensor 14 detects the passage of a person and the IC card Ca is not read. Furthermore, the boarding point of the lift or the mobile management device 1 is provided with an angle-adjustable mirror 70 (FIG. 17) that reflects the light from the lamp 6 to match the position of the supervisor K.

Moreover, the mobile management device 1 has a function of providing guidance to ski resort users via a chime 7 in a language specified by the language type recorded on the IC card Ca. The mobile management device 1 also has a function of giving the IC card Ca points that can be used to use services provided by the ski resort facilities when the IC card Ca is read.

More specifically, FIG. 2(a) shows an example of the structure of basic data recorded on the IC card Ca in this management system S. In this example, the basic format of the data recorded on the IC card Ca to simply indicate the validity of the lift ticket IC card Ca is composed of a UID (64 bits) that is set when the card is manufactured and includes a manufacturer identification code and manufacturing serial number that cannot be rewritten, a management serial ID (13-digit decimal number) printed on the surface of the IC card for ski resort management, a ticket type code indicating the type of ticket (season pass, one-day pass, half-day pass, time pass, etc.), a language type code specifying the language used for the chime voice guidance, the ticket expiration date, the ticket expiration time, the remaining number of valid passes, and authentication data to prevent data tampering or counterfeiting. Fields other than the UID are encrypted using a unique encryption algorithm. The mobile management device 1 reads the data to be recorded on the IC card Ca and uses this data or the matching data stored in the storage unit 10 to determine the validity of the IC card Ca.

Figure 2(b) shows an example of the structure of data (lift usage log) that is stored in the mobile management device 1 and records the results of the read process for the above IC card Ca. In this example, in order to simply show an example of the structure of a log that records the identification information of the IC card Ca held up to the mobile management device 1 and the result of the judgment as to whether it can be used or not, the basic format of the log consists of a serial ID that identifies the IC card Ca, a lift ID that identifies the lift to be used, the date and time of boarding the lift, and the result of the judgment as to whether the lift can be used or not (valid or invalid). By compiling this log, data such as the number of times the lift has been used, the distance skied, the distance descended, etc. can be obtained for ski resort user M who possesses the IC card Ca.

Figure 3 shows a specific configuration of a mobile management device 1 as one embodiment of the present invention. The mobile management device 1 is configured with a control and calculation unit 2 that controls all operations, a reader/writer 3 that reads information from the IC card Ca and writes the information to the IC card Ca, an IC card antenna 4 for realizing communication with the IC card Ca, a lamp 6 that can emit light in multiple colors, a chime 7, a drive unit 5 that drives the lamp 6 and the chime 7, a wireless communication unit 8, an infrared receiving unit 9 that receives authentication data of the IC card Ca, a storage unit 10 that stores authentication data of the IC card Ca and usage history data of the IC card Ca, a rechargeable battery 11 that provides electricity to each component module included in the mobile management device 1, a charge management unit 12 that manages the charging of the rechargeable battery 11, a charging terminal 13 for charging, a human body proximity sensor 14 that detects the approach of a person nearby, and a surveillance camera 15. Since the mobile management device 1 does not have any communication terminals exposed by wireless communication, waterproofing is guaranteed outdoors.

Figure 6 shows a specific configuration of a portable information terminal 20 as one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 6, the portable information terminal 20 is composed of a control calculation unit 22, a data storage unit 23, a display unit 24 for displaying information, an operation unit 25 for operating the portable information terminal 20, a radio wave communication unit 26 for receiving information from the outside, a carrier communication unit 27 for communicating with a mobile base station, an audio unit 28 for outputting audio, and a reader/writer unit 29 for manipulating data on an IC card Ca. The portable information terminal 20 is equipped with a battery that drives the portable information terminal 20 and a charging management function.

As shown in FIG. 16, the mobile information terminal 20 is configured to be switchable between three operating modes: a monitoring mode 45 that displays in real time the owner information and usability judgment related to the information on the IC card Ca sent from the mobile management device 1; a viewing mode 46 that views the reception history related to the IC card Ca received from the mobile management device 1; and an inspection mode 47 (confirmation mode) that reads the IC card Ca owned by the user M and judges and displays the validity of the IC card Ca and whether the lift can be used.

Figure 9 shows a specific configuration of a communication device 60 as one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 60 is composed of a control unit 61 for realizing a communication function, a wired communication unit 62 for realizing communication with an external device via a USB cable, a wireless communication unit 63 for communicating with the wireless communication unit 8 of the mobile management device 1, and an infrared transmission unit 64 for transmitting data to the infrared reception unit 9 of the mobile management device 1. Since the communication device 60 transmits data to the mobile management device 1 via infrared communication, there is no risk of important data such as IC card Ca authentication being intercepted.

Therefore, according to the management system S of the embodiment, the necessary information is input and stored in the mobile management device 1 and the portable information terminal 20 in advance. In this case, since the mobile management device 1 and the portable information terminal 20 are easily movable, it is easy to input various necessary information to them. Then, the mobile management device 1 is placed at the required location of the ski resort, and the supervisor K carrying the portable information terminal 20 is placed at the required location. In this case, the mobile management device 1 is moved and placed at the boarding points of multiple lifts, and supervisors are placed corresponding to it, and each supervisor is given a portable information terminal 20. At this time, the corresponding mobile management device 1 and the portable information terminal 20 can be set to the same channel by the setting management IC card Cb, so that the correspondence between the multiple mobile management devices 1 and the multiple portable information terminals 20 can be set after placement, so there is no need to place them one by one according to the boarding points of the lifts, and therefore the system can be easily constructed.

Figure 10 shows an example of a mechanism for easily setting up the link between the mobile management device 1 and the lift and setting up the pairing between the mobile management device 1 and the mobile information terminal 20 by using the IC card Ca reading function of the mobile management device 1 and the mobile information terminal 20. As shown in Figure 10, the usage log of the IC card Ca recorded by the mobile management device 1 includes the lift ID. Before using the mobile management device 1 installed at the boarding point of a certain lift, it is necessary to set the lift ID in the mobile management device 1 as the identification information of this lift. In addition, in order to receive the identification information and use judgment information of the IC card Ca from the mobile management device 1 on the mobile information terminal 20, the transmission channel of the wireless communication of the mobile management device 1 and the reception channel of the wireless communication of the mobile information terminal 20 are set to the same channel. To realize such settings, a setting management IC card Cb dedicated to settings, which includes data such as that shown in Figure 10, is held up to the mobile management device 1 or the mobile information terminal 20. In order to identify the lift ticket IC card Ca and the setting management IC card Cb, the serial IDs of the IC card Ca and the IC card Cb are used to distinguish them. The mobile management device 1 and the portable information terminal 20 can be easily configured using the settings management IC card Cb held by the ski resort supervisor K (lift attendant), making it possible to use the mobile management device 1 and the portable information terminal 20 at each lift boarding area, and making it easy to increase/decrease and replace the mobile management device 1 and the portable information terminal 20 depending on the degree of lift usage congestion. Maximum facility utilization rate is achieved with minimal capital investment and simple operation.

In the constructed management system S, the mobile management device 1 is moved and installed, and the supervisor K manages the lift using the mobile information terminal 20, so there is no need to install a gate structure equipped with a switch, as in the past, and therefore costs can be significantly reduced as there are no installation construction costs. Also, because the mobile management device 1 and mobile information terminal 20 can be moved, on-site maintenance is not required, and therefore maintenance costs for maintenance and the like can be significantly reduced.

Next, the basic flow when user M uses the lift in the management system S according to the embodiment will be described. Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, when user M uses the lift, he/she carries IC card Ca and is checked by the mobile management device 1 installed at the boarding point of the lift. In the mobile management device 1, the human sensor 14 detects user M (S1), and when user M is detected (S1 Yes), the IC card Ca is read and the surveillance camera 15 takes a picture (S2). Then, when the IC card Ca is not read (S3 No), it is determined that user M does not carry IC card Ca, and a warning is issued by the lamp 6 and the chime 7, and a warning signal is sent to the mobile information terminal 20 (S4). This makes it possible to alert user M. In addition, since the supervisor K knows that user M does not carry IC card Ca, he/she can also alert user M.

On the other hand, when the IC card Ca is read (S3 Yes), the lift availability related to the IC card Ca held by the user M is judged, and the facial photograph taken by the surveillance camera 15 is compared with the facial photograph of the owner of the IC card Ca stored in the storage unit 10 (S5), and the lift availability result is sent to the mobile information terminal 20 together with the identification information (S6). In this case, if the lift availability result is not available (S7 No), a warning is issued by the lamp 6 and the chime 7 (S4). Therefore, the unauthorized user M can be alerted, and the supervisor K who sees this warning can also restrict the unauthorized user M. In this case, the supervisor K can not only receive the warning by the lamp 6 and the chime 7, but also check the display information of the mobile information terminal 20 to confirm the authenticity, so that the user M can be restricted reliably. In particular, since the biometric information such as the facial photograph of the IC card owner is displayed on the mobile information terminal 20, the user M can be confirmed by looking at this, and the verification accuracy is improved.

If the lift use is possible (S7 Yes), the system checks whether the user M is the same person as the owner of the IC card Ca based on the facial photo match (S8). In this case, if the user M is not the owner of the IC card Ca, a warning is issued by the lamp 6 and the chime 7 (S4). This allows the system to warn users even when the owner of the IC card Ca is different from the user M, improving the accuracy of the verification. If the lift use is possible (S8 Yes), the system judges the user M to be normal and allows the user M to use the lift (S9). In this case, the user M who has the IC card Ca associated with the lift ticket purchased in advance via the Internet using the sales management device 50 does not have to go through the procedure at the counter on the day of use, which is extremely convenient.

Figure 12 shows the process of the mobile management device 1 when determining whether or not the lift can be used with the IC card Ca held by the user M. Also refer to Figure 4. When the IC card Ca is read (Figure 11 S3 Yes), the IC card type determination means 100 first determines whether the IC card is related to a pre-purchase or a same-day purchase based on the identification information read from the IC card Ca (S10). When the IC card type determination means 100 determines that the IC card is related to a pre-purchase (S11), the pre-purchase use determination means 101 reads the lift use condition information of the pre-purchase IC card Ca stored in the storage unit 10 (S12) and determines whether or not the lift can be used with the IC card Ca by referring to the lift use condition information (S13). If the lift use conditions are met (S13 Yes), it is determined that it is possible to use the lift (S14). If the lift use conditions are not met (S13 No), it is determined that it is not possible to use the lift (S15).

On the other hand, if the IC card type discrimination means 100 determines that the IC card is related to a same-day purchase (S16), the authentication information judgment means 102 judges whether the authentication information read from the IC card Ca is correct or incorrect (S17). If the authentication information judgment means 102 judges that the authentication information is correct (S17 Yes), the same-day purchase usage eligibility judgment means 103 reads the usage condition information from the IC card Ca (S18) and judges whether the lift usage condition information can be used by referring to this information (S13). If the authentication information judgment means 102 judges that the information is incorrect (S17 No), the lift usage is not permitted (S19). Since the judgment is made by the authentication information judgment means 102, it is possible to check for counterfeit IC cards.

Then, the mobile management device 1 transmits the result of the judgment made by the authentication information judgment means 102 that is incorrect, the judgment result of the advance purchase usage availability judgment means 101, and the judgment result of the same-day purchase usage availability judgment means 103 together with the identification information as the lift usage availability result. The lift usage availability result is also notified by the lamp 6 and the chime 7. If the lift usage availability result is not available (S15, S19), a warning is issued. This allows unauthorized users to be alerted, and also allows the supervisor to restrict unauthorized users. If the lift usage availability result is available (S14), it is determined to be normal and user M is allowed to use the lift.

Furthermore, a supervisor K carrying a mobile information terminal 20 can check user M's IC card Ca at any time, regardless of whether or not the IC card Ca's identification information and lift usage permission result are sent from the mobile management device 1, and can reliably impose restrictions on user M. In this mobile information terminal 20, as in the mobile management device 1 described above, a process is performed to determine whether or not user M is allowed to use the lift for the IC card Ca carried by user M (FIG. 12), and the result of the determination is displayed on the display unit of the mobile information terminal 20. This allows the supervisor to independently impose restrictions on unauthorized users.

To explain in more detail, Figs. 13 to 21 show the usage configuration centered on the mobile management device 1 for different usage scenarios in the ski resort management system S. Fig. 13 shows a usage form consisting of the mobile management device 1 installed at an appropriate location at each lift station of the ski resort, the IC card Ca of the lift ticket held by the ski resort user M, and the mobile information terminal 20 that checks the biometric information of the person who holds the IC card Ca, the lift usage conditions, and the usage eligibility judgment information. In this configuration example, the mobile management device 1 and the IC card Ca are the basic configuration, and the mobile information terminal 20 is optional. To perform the functions of the mobile management device 1, the rechargeable battery 11 built into the mobile management device 1 provides all the power for the mobile management device 1. Therefore, there is no need to install a dedicated power cable and maintain it. When a user M intends to ride the lift, he or she places his or her IC card Ca in the vicinity of the antenna 4 of the mobile management device 1, the mobile management device 1 reads the lift usage condition information recorded on the IC card Ca and the authentication data indicating the validity of the IC card Ca, determines whether or not the lift can be used with the IC card Ca, and notifies the holder of the IC card Ca and the lift attendant of the result of the determination to use the lift with the IC card Ca by a light signal from a lamp 6 and a sound from a chime 7 built into the mobile management device 1. At the same time, the mobile management device 1 records information such as the reading time of the IC card Ca, the identification information, and the result of the determination as a log in the storage unit 10.

The mobile management device 1 transmits the identification information of the IC card Ca and the judgment result, etc., by radio waves to the mobile information terminal 20 carried by the lift attendant. The mobile information terminal 20 uses the identification information on the IC card Ca received from the mobile management device 1 to search the owner DB (storage unit 23) of the issued IC card Ca stored in the mobile information terminal 20, and compares it with the biometric information and usage condition information on the owner of the IC card Ca, and displays the comparison result and the biometric information on the owner of the IC card Ca (face photo, gender, age, physical characteristics, etc.) on the display screen 30 of the mobile information terminal 20. The lift usage log stored in the mobile management device 1 is compiled, and the number of effective lift uses, skiing distance, descent distance, etc. are calculated. The ski resort may present the holder of the IC card Ca with points or coupons that can be used for services provided by the ski resort, depending on the data compiled from the log.

Figure 14 shows a usage form consisting of a mobile management device 1, a usage sales management device 50 that manages lift ticket sales records and lift usage logs, and a communication device 60 that connects the mobile management device 1 and the usage sales management device 50, which are located in an appropriate place in the administrative management area of a ski resort, for example, in the ticket booth or office of the ski resort. The communication device 60 has infrared transmission and wireless communication transmission and reception functions between the mobile management device 1 and the mobile management device 1, and can transmit highly secure data wirelessly using a communication means that can be intercepted. The communication device 60 has a wired communication function between the usage sales management device 50 and the usage sales management device 50. In this embodiment, authentication confirmation data for determining the validity of the IC card Ca on the day is transmitted from the usage sales management device 50 to the mobile management device 1 installed at the lift boarding area via the communication device 60. In addition, the lift usage log stored in the mobile management device 1 is transmitted from the mobile management device 1 to the usage sales management device 50 via the communication device 60. The management of the above-mentioned lift ticket sales records and lift usage logs can be implemented in the form of a server or NAS.

Figure 15 shows an example of how to use a ticket consisting of a ticket issuing device 40, a sales management device 50, and an IC card Ca, which are installed at an appropriate location at the lift ticket sales window of a ski resort. In order to sell the IC card Ca of the ticket, the sales management device 50 writes the lift use conditions according to the ticket type and authentication data that proves the validity of the card to the IC card Ca, which becomes the carrier of the lift ticket, via the ticket issuing device 40, which has the function of writing the lift use conditions and authentication data to the IC card Ca, and issues an IC card Ca that passes the authentication of the mobile management device 1. The sales management device 50 stores and manages the sales information of the issued IC card Ca in the data storage unit 10 of the mobile management device 1. If it is necessary to prevent fraudulent use, a camera 42 connected to the ticket issuing device 40 is used to take a face photo of the user M who purchases the IC card Ca, and this is transmitted to the sales management device 50 as biometric information of the owner of the IC card Ca, and is added and updated to the owner DB of the IC card Ca.

As shown in FIG. 15, a system consisting of a sales management device 50, a network service server 43 connected to the network, and a network service client 44 realizes lift ticket sales functions via the Internet. A ski resort user M who already has an IC card Ca can operate the network service client 44 and use the serial number of the IC card Ca to purchase a lift ticket by online payment. If the ticket purchase is successful, the serial number's usage permission record is recorded in the sales management device 50, and this data is transmitted to the mobile management device 1 before use. Therefore, on the day of use, a user M who has an IC card Ca with this serial number can go directly to the lift boarding area and board the lift using his or her IC card Ca without going through the procedure at the counter. In addition, by inputting the serial number of the IC card Ca into the screen of the network service client 44, it is possible to check information such as the lift ride record, skiing distance, descent distance, and rankings of the ski resort user M who has the IC card Ca.

Figure 16 shows an example of the operation mode and mode transition of the mobile information terminal 20 held by the lift attendant. As shown in Figure 16, the mobile information terminal 21 provides three operation modes, such as a monitoring mode 45, a viewing mode 46, and an inspection mode 47. The monitoring mode 45 provides a function of displaying the owner information of the IC card Ca and the usability judgment transmitted from the mobile management device 1 in real time. In the monitoring mode 45, the mobile information terminal 20 receives the identification information of the IC card Ca, the reading time of the IC card Ca, the use condition information, and the judgment result transmitted from the mobile management device 1. Using the received identification information of the IC card Ca, the owner DB (storage unit 23) of the IC card Ca recorded in the mobile information terminal 20 is searched, biometric information on the owner of the IC card Ca is obtained, and the biometric information such as a facial photo of the owner of the IC card Ca, the passage time, and the usability judgment result are displayed on the screen 30 in real time. In this mode, when new IC card Ca information is received, the mobile information terminal 20 automatically updates the screen display, but a minimum display period of, for example, 3 seconds is set.

The viewing mode 46 provides a function to view the reception history of the IC card Ca received from the mobile management device 1. In this mode, the lift attendant operates the buttons 31 to 34 to move forward or rewind the reception history of the IC card Ca. The buttons 31 and 32 move the currently displayed reception history items one by one, and the buttons 33 and 34 move the currently displayed reception history items, for example, by 10. In addition, pressing and holding the buttons 31 and 32 quickly moves the reception history items. By clicking the button 35, the owner's usage status can be set on the currently displayed owner information screen of the IC card Ca. For example, in the case of fraudulent use, a fraud flag can be set. If you want to correct the input, you can click again to cancel the fraud flag. Based on this flag information, the IC card Ca can be restricted or disabled for use. In this mode, even if new IC card Ca information is received, the owner of the IC card Ca, information such as the usage conditions, etc. is not displayed, and it is added to the history list.

The inspection mode 47 provides a function for holding the mobile information terminal 20 over the IC card Ca to check the validity of the IC card Ca and whether or not the lift can be used. In this mode, the mobile information terminal 20 reads information on the IC card Ca and compares it with the owner information DB (storage unit 23) of the IC card Ca stored in the mobile information terminal 20 to check the validity of the IC card Ca.

Switching between monitoring mode 45 and viewing mode 46 is achieved by clicking button 36. Also, for example, if a certain period of time, for example 40 seconds, has elapsed in viewing mode 46 without any button operation, mobile information terminal 20 automatically switches to monitoring mode 45. In monitoring mode 45 or viewing mode 46, holding mobile information terminal 20 over IC card Ca switches to inspection mode 47. In inspection mode 47, clicking button 36 switches to monitoring mode 45.

Figure 17 shows an example of using an angle-adjustable mirror 70 fixed near the mobile management device 1 so that the supervisor K (lift attendant) can see the light signal from the lamp 6 of the mobile management device 1. If the light signal from the lamp 6 cannot be seen from the supervisor K's position, the angle-adjustable mirror 70 is fixed to a location near the mobile management device 1, and the angle of the mirror 70 is adjusted to reflect the light beam of the light signal from the lamp 6 in the direction of the supervisor K.

Figure 18 shows an example of a mechanism for detecting unauthorized use of IC card Ca by linking mobile management device 1, mobile information terminal 20, and supervisor K. When ski resort user M carries IC card Ca and passes in front of mobile management device 1, mobile management device 1 reads out the identification information of IC card Ca and transmits the identification information of IC card Ca to mobile information terminal 20 held by supervisor K via wireless communication. Using the received identification information of IC card Ca, mobile information terminal 20 refers to the biometric information DB (storage unit 23) of the IC card Ca owner stored in mobile information terminal 20, and displays the biometric information of the IC card Ca owner (e.g., all or part of a face photo, clothing information, gender, body shape, height, etc.) on the display screen 30 of mobile information terminal 20. Supervisor K visually compares the biometric information of the IC card Ca owner displayed on the display screen 30 of mobile information terminal 20 with the status of ski resort user M who carries IC card Ca to confirm whether they are the same person. If fraudulent use is suspected, questioning and other interrogative actions will be taken. If fraudulent use is confirmed, supervisor K can confiscate IC card Ca from ski resort user M and suspend ski resort user M's eligibility to use the ski resort. In the carrier communication area, the supervisor K can report this to the person in charge using carrier communication unit 27 built into mobile information terminal 20. In addition, after the ski resort opens for business, the supervisor K can receive biometric information of owners of new IC cards Ca sold and update the biometric information DB of IC card Ca owners.

Figure 19 shows an example of a mechanism for detecting unauthorized use of IC card Ca using a surveillance camera 15 built into the mobile management device 1. Here, the surveillance camera 15 built into the mobile management device 1 captures video including the face of ski resort user M who holds IC card Ca, performs facial recognition of ski resort user M using image processing, and compares it with the registered face information of the owner of IC card Ca to determine whether it is the same person. Or, it tracks whether there has been a change in the facial features of the holder of IC card Ca. If the above comparison or tracking determines that it is not the same person, the mobile management device 1 transmits a caution warning to the mobile information terminal 20 held by the supervisor K via wireless communication. Upon receiving the caution warning, supervisor K checks the biometric features of ski resort user M. With the mechanism shown in Figure 19, the facial recognition process of the mobile management device 1 can reduce the workload of lift staff.

Figure 20 shows an example of a mechanism that uses a human presence sensor 14 built into the mobile management device 1 to detect when a ski resort user M passes in front of the mobile management device 1 without presenting an IC card Ca. Here, the human presence sensor 14 built into the mobile management device 1 monitors the behavior of the ski resort user M who moves in front of the mobile management device 1. If the human presence sensor 14 detects a person passing by, the mobile management device 1 confirms that the IC card Ca has not been read and then issues a warning using audio and light signals from the lamps 6 and chimes 7 of the mobile management device 1, and transmits this warning to the mobile information terminal 20 via wireless communication to notify the supervisor K.

Figure 21 shows an embodiment in which a mobile information terminal 20 is used to check the validity of an IC card Ca held by a ski resort user M on the grounds of a ski resort. A supervisor K can check whether or not the IC card Ca held by ski resort user M can be used based on the operating rules of the ski resort. In this case, supervisor K requests user M to present the IC card Ca, and holds the read/write unit of the mobile information terminal 20 over the presented IC card Ca to read the information on the IC card Ca. The read identification information of the IC card Ca is compared with the biometric information DB (storage unit 23) of the IC card owner stored in the mobile information terminal 20. Alternatively, the authentication data and usage conditions of the IC card Ca are confirmed. Through the above comparison and confirmation, it is possible to check whether the IC card Ca has been used fraudulently.

In addition, unless otherwise specified, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative positions, etc. described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples and do not intend to limit the scope of this invention to them. In other words, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can easily make many modifications to these exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the novel teachings and effects of the present invention, and many of these modifications are included in the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, when ski resorts around the country introduce IC card Ca lift tickets, unlike when they use conventional gates and management systems with switches, there is no need to install power cables or communication lines. This makes it possible to significantly reduce implementation and operating costs, making it extremely useful, especially for small and medium-sized ski resorts.

S Ski resort management system M User K Supervisor Ca IC card Cb Settings management IC card 1 Mobile management device 2 Control calculation unit 3 IC card reader/writer 4 IC card antenna 5 Lamp and chime control unit 6 Lamp 7 Chime 8 Radio wave communication unit 9 Infrared receiving unit 10 Storage unit (storage unit for authentication matching data and IC card usage logo)
11 Rechargeable battery 12 Charging management unit 13 Charging terminal 14 Human presence sensor 15 Surveillance camera 20 Portable information terminal 22 Control and calculation unit 23 Memory unit 24 Display unit 25 Operation unit 26 Wireless radio wave communication unit 27 Carrier communication unit 28 Audio unit 29 Reader/writer unit 30 Display screen 31 to 36 Button 40 Ticket issuing device 42 Camera 43 Internet service server 44 Internet service client 45 Monitoring mode of portable information terminal 46 Viewing mode of portable information terminal 47 Inspection mode (check mode) of portable information terminal
50 Sales management device 60 Communication device 61 Control unit 62 Wired communication unit 63 Wireless communication unit 64 Infrared transmission unit 70 Angle-adjustable reflecting mirror 100 Card type discrimination means 101 Advance purchase availability determination means 102 Authentication information determination means 103 Same-day purchase availability determination means 105 Biometrics discrimination means 110 Stand 111 Support plate 112 Slider 113 Rail 114 Support stopper 200 IC card type discrimination means 201 Advance purchase availability determination means 202 Authentication information determination means 203 Same-day purchase availability determination means

Claims (15)

An IC card that is held by a user and has identification information and serves as a carrier for a lift ticket in which lift usage condition information and authentication information are written in an updateable manner;
a mobile management device that is movably installed at the boarding point of the lift, reads the identification information, lift usage condition information, and authentication information from the IC card, and judges whether the IC card is permitted to use the lift based on the read information, and transmits the result of the lift usage permission together with the identification information;
A lamp and/or a chime that is linked to the mobile management device and notifies the result of the mobile management device of whether the lift is available or not;
A mobile information terminal carried by a supervisor positioned at a boarding point of the lift and configured to receive and display the identification information of the IC card and the result of lift availability transmitted from the mobile management device ;
A ticket issuing device is installed at a ski resort, which allows a user to purchase a lift ticket with specified lift usage conditions on the day and issues an IC card on which lift usage conditions information and authentication information for the lift ticket purchased on the day are written;
a usage sales management device that allows an owner of an already purchased IC card having identification information to purchase a lift ticket with specified lift usage conditions in advance via the Internet, stores the IC card identification information and lift usage condition information related to the advance purchase, and also stores the IC card identification information, lift usage condition information and authentication information related to the purchase at the ticket issuing device;
a communication device that transmits the IC card identification information and lift usage condition information related to the advance purchase stored in the usage sales management device to the mobile management device and stores them in a storage unit of the mobile management device;
the mobile management device comprises IC card type discrimination means for discriminating whether the IC card is for advance purchase or for same-day purchase based on identification information read from the IC card; advance purchase usage eligibility determination means for, when the IC card type discrimination means determines that the IC card is for advance purchase, referring to lift usage condition information of the advance purchase IC card stored in the storage unit, determining whether the IC card is eligible for lift usage; authentication information determination means for, when the IC card type discrimination means determines that the IC card is for same-day purchase, determining whether the authentication information read from the IC card is correct or incorrect; and same-day purchase usage eligibility determination means for, when the authentication information determination means determines that the authentication information is correct, determining whether the lift is eligible for usage by referring to the lift usage condition information read from the IC card; and a function for transmitting, when the authentication information determination means determines that the authentication information is incorrect, the determination result of the advance purchase usage eligibility determination means and the determination result of the same-day purchase usage eligibility determination means together with the identification information to the mobile information terminal as a lift usage eligibility result . The ski resort management system according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile management device includes a rechargeable battery, a charging management unit, and a charging terminal, and has the function of providing all the power required to operate the mobile management device from the rechargeable battery. The ski resort management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the portable information terminal has a function of reading identification information, lift usage conditions information and authentication information from an IC card carried by a user, determining whether or not the lift related to the IC card can be used based on the read information , and displaying the result of the lift usage availability. the mobile information terminal has a function of receiving IC card identification information and lift usage condition information related to the pre-purchased lift ticket from the sales management device and storing them in a memory unit of the mobile information terminal;
4. The ski resort management system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile information terminal comprises: IC card type discrimination means for discriminating whether the IC card is for advance purchase or for same-day purchase based on identification information read from the IC card; advance purchase usage permission determination means for, when the IC card type discrimination means discriminates that the IC card is for advance purchase, referring to lift usage condition information of the advance purchase IC card stored in the memory unit, determining whether the IC card is eligible for lift usage, when the IC card type discrimination means determines that the IC card is for same-day purchase; authentication information determination means for determining whether the authentication information read from the IC card is correct or incorrect, when the IC card type discrimination means determines that the IC card is for same-day purchase; and same-day purchase usage permission determination means for determining whether the lift is eligible for usage by referring to the lift usage condition information read from the IC card when the authentication information determination means determines that the authentication information is correct. the sales management device has a function of storing biometric information including a facial photograph of the IC card holder and transmitting the biometric information to the mobile management device via the communication device to store the biometric information in the storage unit;
the ticket issuing device is provided with a camera for taking a facial photograph of a user who purchases the IC card, and has a function of causing the facial photograph taken by the camera to be stored in the sales management device as biometric information of the IC card owner;
The ski resort management system according to claim 4, characterized in that the mobile information terminal has a function of receiving biometric information including a facial photograph of the IC card holder from the usage and sales management device, storing it in the memory unit, and displaying the biometric information including the facial photograph of the IC card holder together with the lift usage conditions information of the IC card and the lift usage availability result. the sales management device has a function of storing biometric information including a facial photograph of the IC card holder and transmitting the biometric information to the mobile management device via the communication device to store the biometric information in the storage unit;
the ticket issuing device is provided with a camera for taking a facial photograph of a user who purchases the IC card, and has a function of causing the facial photograph taken by the camera to be stored in the sales management device as biometric information of the IC card owner;
A ski resort management system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the mobile management device is provided with a surveillance camera, and a biometric identification means is provided which takes a photograph of the user's face with the surveillance camera when reading identification information, lift usage conditions information and authentication information from the user's IC card, and which compares the facial photograph of the IC card owner stored in the storage unit with the facial photograph taken by the surveillance camera to determine whether the user is the same person as the IC card owner, and which is also provided with a function to warn with the lamp and/or chime when the biometric identification means gives a negative result. 7. The ski resort management system according to claim 6 , wherein the mobile management device has a function of transmitting a warning signal to the portable information terminal when the facial photograph gives a negative result. A ski resort management system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the mobile management device is provided with a human presence sensor that detects the passage of a person, and has a function of warning with the lamp and/or chime when the human presence sensor detects the passage of a person and the IC card is not read. The ski resort management system according to claim 8, characterized in that the mobile management device has a function of sending a warning signal to the mobile information terminal when the human presence sensor detects the passage of a person and the IC card is not read . 10. A ski resort management system according to claim 1, further comprising an angle-adjustable mirror for reflecting the light from the lamp in accordance with the position of an observer. A ski resort management system as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that there are multiple boarding points for the lift, and there are multiple mobile management devices installed at each of the multiple boarding points, each with its own unique transmission channel for wireless communication, and there are multiple portable information terminals with unique receiving channels corresponding to the unique transmission channels for wireless communication of the multiple mobile management devices, and a setting management IC card is provided which utilizes the IC card reading function of the mobile management devices and portable information terminals to set the same channel for each corresponding mobile management device and portable information terminal. The ski resort management system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the mobile management device has a function of providing guidance to ski resort users from the chime using a language specified by the language type recorded on the IC card . A ski resort management system as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the mobile management device has a function of giving points to the IC card when the IC card is read, which points can be used to utilize services provided by the ski resort facility. A ski resort management system as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the mobile information terminal is configured to be switchable between three operating modes: a monitoring mode in which owner information and usage eligibility determination related to the IC card information sent from the mobile management device are displayed in real time; a viewing mode in which the reception history related to the IC card received from the mobile management device is viewed; and an inspection mode in which an IC card owned by a user is read and the validity of the IC card and the eligibility of lift usage are determined and displayed. A ski resort management system as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the usage and sales management device has a function of collating and recording the lift usage history and skiing distance information of each IC card user from the IC card reading log transmitted from the mobile management device via the communication device.

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