JP7646499B2 - Automatic ticket gates - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an automated ticket gate.

The automated ticket gate transports tickets along a transport path from the insertion slot to the ejection slot, and performs a predetermined process on the ticket on the transport path. Tickets inserted into the automated ticket gate have a front side on which information is printed and a back side on which magnetic information is recorded. The automated ticket gate also has a magnetic processing unit that processes the magnetic information of the ticket being transported, and a printing unit that prints information on the ticket being transported. For example, when a ticket is inserted through the insertion slot of the automated ticket gate with the back side facing up, the automated ticket gate can read the magnetic information from the ticket and print information on the ticket using a configuration for back side processing that is provided separately from the configuration for front side processing. In such an automated ticket gate, even though tickets are rarely inserted with the back side facing up, a configuration similar to that for front side processing is provided as a configuration for back side processing.

In other words, the printer is configured with a thermal head for front printing, which prints on the front side of the ticket, and a thermal head for back printing (Patent Document 1). With this configuration, the print heads are expensive, which increases the cost of the transport unit. In addition, it takes time to adjust the print heads, and maintenance costs are required for each print head installed.

In addition, to reduce the number of print heads, some systems have a system where tickets inserted with their backs facing up are inverted in an inversion section before being transported to the printing section for printing (Patent Document 2). However, the configuration described in Patent Document 2 is complicated, and in an automated ticket gate where multiple tickets are inserted, there is a problem that it takes time because the next ticket cannot be taken in until it is determined whether the preceding ticket needs to be inverted or not. There is also a problem that it takes time to process the tickets because the next ticket cannot be taken in until the preceding ticket has been inverted.

Therefore, there is a demand for automated ticket gates that can handle the cases where printing is required on the back of the ticket with a simple configuration, while also improving maintainability.

JP 2005-275622 A Patent No. 2827418

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an automated ticket gate that can perform the processing required for printing on the back of the ticket with a simple configuration and is easy to maintain.

The automated ticket gate of the embodiment includes a print head, a punch unit, a reversing mechanism, and a control unit . The print head is provided in the middle of a transport path that separates and transports media one by one from an input port into which multiple media are inserted, and prints on one side of the media. The punch unit is provided before the print head on the transport path, temporarily stops the transport of the media, and performs a perforation process on the media. The reversing mechanism is provided on the transport path between the print head and the punch unit, and reverses the front and back of the media. The control unit determines the type of medium being transported based on information read by the upper read head or the lower read head from the magnetic information of the transported medium, and determines whether the medium is transported with the side on which information is printed facing up based on the result of determining the type of ticket, thereby determining whether the side of the medium that needs to be printed is different from the side that the print head can print on, and controls the reversing mechanism to reverse the front and back of the medium when the side of the medium that needs to be printed is different from the side that the print head can print on.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a magnetic processing unit of an automatic ticket gate according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a punching and printing unit of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit of the automatic ticket gate according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the automatic ticket gate 1 when a ticket is inserted into the automatic ticket gate according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a ticket reading process executed by a control unit of the automatic ticket gate according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a ticket punching and printing process executed by a control unit of the automatic ticket gate according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the automated ticket gate 1 when multiple tickets are inserted into the automated ticket gate according to the embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the vertical direction is the height direction, and the higher side in the height direction is the upper side, and the lower side in the height direction is the lower side. The ticket (medium) inserted into the automatic ticket gate has a front side on which information (visible information) is already printed when inserted into the automatic ticket gate, and a back side (magnetic recording surface) on which magnetic information is recorded, such as a passenger ticket. There are tickets that require printing on the front side and tickets that require printing on the back side. Tickets that require printing on the front side include, for example, Edmondson tickets and large tickets among 85 mm tickets. Tickets that require printing on the back side include, for example, SF (stored fare) cards.

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automated ticket gate 1 according to an embodiment. The automated ticket gate 1 includes a separation unit 10, an alignment unit 20, a magnetic processing unit 30, a punching and printing unit 40, and a ticket-discharging and collecting unit 50. The separation unit 10, the alignment unit 20, the magnetic processing unit 30, the punching and printing unit 40, and the ticket-discharging and collecting unit 50 each include a transport path provided with a transport belt for transporting tickets and rollers for driving the transport belt. In the automated ticket gate 1, a ticket inserted into the insertion slot EN is transported along the transport path through the separation unit 10, the alignment unit 20, the magnetic processing unit 30, the punching and printing unit 40, and the ticket-discharging and collecting unit 50. The ticket is discharged from a discharge slot EX provided in the ticket-discharging and collecting unit 50.

When multiple tickets are inserted into the slot EN at the same time, the separation unit 10 separates the tickets and transports them one by one to the alignment unit 20. The alignment unit 20 aligns the transport direction of the tickets transported from the separation unit 10 to the longitudinal direction of the tickets, aligns the transport position of the tickets to one side, and transports the tickets to the magnetic processing unit 30. The magnetic processing unit 30 performs magnetic processing on the tickets transported from the alignment unit 20. For example, when a user entering a station uses the automatic ticket gate 1, the magnetic processing unit 30 magnetically records information such as the entrance station and the entry time on the ticket. The magnetic processing unit 30 transports the magnetically processed ticket to the punching and printing unit 40. The punching and printing unit 40 punches holes in the tickets transported from the magnetic processing unit 30 to indicate that the ticket has passed through the automatic ticket gate 1, and prints the necessary information on the ticket. The punching and printing unit 40 transports the punched and printed tickets to the release and ticket collection unit 50. The ticket-discharging/collecting unit 50 discharges tickets conveyed from the punching/printing unit 40 from the discharge port EX. At this time, if multiple tickets, for example two tickets, are inserted into the insertion port EN at the same time, separated by the separation unit 10, and conveyed sequentially through the alignment unit 20, the magnetic processing unit 30, and the punching/printing unit 40, the tickets are stacked in the ticket-discharging/collecting unit 50, and then the two tickets are discharged from the discharge port EX at the same time.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the magnetic processing unit 30 of the automated ticket gate 1 according to the embodiment. The magnetic processing unit 30 includes a read head 31, a write head 32, a verify head 33, a holding unit 34, and a first reversal mechanism 35.

The reading head 31 is composed of multiple reading heads, and the automated ticket gate of this embodiment is equipped with an upper reading head 31a and a lower reading head 31b. The upper reading head 31a reads the magnetic information recorded on the upper surface of the ticket being transported. The lower reading head 31b reads the magnetic information recorded on the lower surface of the ticket being transported.

Tickets whose magnetic information can be read by the upper read head 31a are switched back by the first reversal mechanism 35 and sent to the write head 32. Tickets whose magnetic information can be read by the lower read head 31b are sent to the write head 32 without being reversed.

The write head 32 writes magnetic information onto the back of the ticket being transported. The verify head 33 reads the magnetic information recorded onto the back of the ticket by the write head 32 and verifies that it has been recorded correctly.

The read head 31, write head 32, and verify head 33 are arranged on the transport path in this order from the insert EN side to the ejection EX side. The upper read head 31a and the lower read head 31b may be arranged on the transport path in the opposite order. That is, the read head 31 is provided on the transport path on the insert EN side of the magnetic processing unit 30, and checks whether the magnetic recording surface (back side) of the ticket is facing the upper or lower side of the transport path, and reads the magnetic information from the magnetic recording surface. If the magnetic recording surface is on the upper side, the first reversal mechanism 35 aligns the magnetic recording surface so that it faces downward, and the write head 32 writes entry station information, entry time, etc. Then, the verify head 33 checks whether the write information has been written correctly.

The holding unit 34, which is provided upstream of the punching and printing unit 40, holds the transported tickets when multiple tickets are inserted. The holding unit 34 has a stopper S1 and a stopper S2 that is separate from the stopper S1. Stopper S1 can hold one ticket, and stopper S2 can hold one ticket. In other words, the holding unit 34 has two holding spaces for holding the transported tickets, and can hold two tickets. When stopper S2 holds a ticket, the holding unit 34 holds the ticket using stopper S1. Note that the number of tickets held in the holding unit 34 is not limited to two, and can be set appropriately depending on the configuration of the automated ticket gate 1, etc.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the punching and printing unit 40 of the automated ticket gate according to the embodiment. The punching and printing unit 40 includes a punching unit 41, a second reversing mechanism 43, and a print head 42.

The punch unit 41 is located upstream of the print head 42 on the transport path, and temporarily stops transport of the ticket and punches holes in the ticket. For example, the punch unit 41 has the function of forming punch holes in the ticket as necessary. The punch unit 41 punches tickets on which information such as the entrance station information and the entry time has been written by the write head 32. In addition, the punch unit 41 punches tickets such as prepaid cards with a usage guide. In this punch unit 41, it is necessary to temporarily stop transport of the ticket during the punching process. For this reason, the punch unit 41 is equipped with a stopper S3, and is configured to be able to temporarily hold the ticket. In this way, the punch unit 41 also functions as a holding means.

The print head 42 is installed in the middle of the transport path that separates and transports tickets one by one from the insertion slot EN where multiple tickets are inserted, and prints on one side of the ticket. For example, the print head 42 prints information on the upper side of the ticket being transported. If the type of ticket being transported is one that requires printing on the front, the print head 42 prints predetermined information such as the date and entry time on the front of the ticket, i.e., on the side opposite the magnetic recording side. Also, if the type of ticket being transported is one that requires printing on the back, the print head 42 prints the usage information on the back of the ticket, i.e., on the magnetic recording side. The print head 42 is composed of a thermal head that performs printing by heating the ticket and coloring the thermosensitive layer.

The second reversing mechanism 43 is provided in the transport path between the print head 42 and the punch unit 41, and reverses the front and back of the ticket. For example, the second reversing mechanism 43 has a switchback mechanism similar to the first reversing mechanism 35.

The second reversing mechanism 43 determines whether to print on the front or back of the ticket based on the type of ticket being transported. The second reversing mechanism 43 reverses the top and bottom (front and back) of the ticket when the side of the ticket that needs to be printed by the print head 42 is different from the side that the print head 42 can print on. For example, in the magnetic processing unit 30, the front and back of the ticket are aligned so that the magnetic recording surface is on the bottom. If the ticket being transported needs to be printed on the front, if the magnetic recording surface is on the bottom, the printing surface is the opposite side (upper side) to the magnetic recording surface, so it can be transported directly to the print head 42 for printing. However, if the type of ticket being transported needs to be printed on the back, it is necessary to print the usage information on the magnetic recording surface side (lower side). Therefore, if the type of ticket being transported needs to be printed on the back, the ticket is transported to the second reversing mechanism 43, reversed, and then transported to the print head 42 for printing.

Thus, the magnetic processing unit 30 aligns the ticket so that the magnetic recording surface is on the bottom, but the printing surface of the ticket may be the side opposite to the magnetic recording surface or the magnetic recording surface depending on the type of ticket. Therefore, if the printing surface of the ticket is the magnetic recording surface, the ticket can be transported to a second reversing mechanism (reversing mechanism) and reversed before being transported to the print head, making it possible to print on either side of the ticket transported by a single print head.

Furthermore, tickets that require printing on the magnetic recording surface are used less frequently at automated ticket gates, such as one-day passes, so fewer tickets need to be turned over, and the automated ticket gates take less time to process tickets. In other words, the processing time for users passing through the automated ticket gates is also shorter.

The second reversing mechanism 43 provided in the punching and printing unit 40 is provided at a position on the transport path closer to the print head 42 than the first reversing mechanism 35 provided in the magnetic processing unit 30. This allows the automated ticket gate 1 to print information on the front and back of the ticket without having a print head that prints information on the underside of the ticket being transported. Furthermore, by reducing the number of print heads provided, the automated ticket gate 1 can reduce maintenance efforts and achieve printing information on the front and back of the ticket with a simpler configuration. The second reversing mechanism 43 may reverse the front and back of the ticket in a different way than the first reversing mechanism 35.

Next, the configuration of the control unit of the automated ticket gate 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 60 of the automated ticket gate 1 according to the embodiment. The control unit 60 of the automated ticket gate 1 controls the processing of tickets. The control unit 60 includes a main control unit 61, a transport control unit 62, and a magnetic control unit 63.

The main control unit 61 controls the entire automatic ticket gate 1. The main control unit 61 performs, for example, ticket separation processing, magnetic processing, punching and printing processing, ticket collection processing, etc. The transport control unit 62 controls the transport processing of tickets inserted into the insertion port EN until the ticket is released from the discharge port EX under the control of the main control unit 61. The transport control unit 62 performs, for example, ticket separation control, ticket alignment control, transport control of the magnetic processing unit 30, transport control (punching and printing control) in the punching and printing unit 40, and transport control (release and ticket collection control) in the discharge and ticket collection unit 50. In the transport control of the magnetic processing unit 30 and the punching and printing unit 40, for example, reversal control and reservation control are performed. In the automatic ticket gate 1 of this embodiment, the transport control unit 62 at least controls the transport path of the automatic ticket gate 1, the reservation unit 34, the reservation of tickets in the punching unit 41, and the operation of the first reversal mechanism 35 and the second reversal mechanism 43. The magnetic control unit 63, under the control of the main control unit 61 and/or the transport control unit 62, controls the overall magnetic processing of tickets transported to the magnetic processing unit 30. In the automated ticket gate 1 of this embodiment, the magnetic control unit 63 controls the operation of the read head 31, write head 32, and verify head 33 shown in FIG. 2 and other figures. In addition, the information read by the read head 31 is sent to the main control unit 61 to determine the type of the ticket that has been read.

The control unit 60 of the automated ticket gate 1 may include, in addition to the above-mentioned control units, a passage control unit 64, a power control unit 65, and an IC control unit 66. The passage control unit 64 executes control related to the passage of people through the automated ticket gate 1. The power control unit 65 controls the power supply of the automated ticket gate 1. The IC control unit 66 executes control related to IC cards and the like used in the automated ticket gate 1. The passage control unit 64, power control unit 65, and IC control unit 66 each execute their respective controls under the control of the main control unit 61.

The control unit 60 is, for example, configured by a processing device. The processing device includes a processor and a storage medium. The processor executes the processing of the main control unit 61, the transport control unit 62, and the magnetic control unit 63, and the storage medium stores data and the like required for the processing of the processor. The processing device is, for example, a computer, etc. The processor includes any of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a microcomputer, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc. The storage medium may include an auxiliary storage device in addition to a main storage device such as a memory. The storage medium is a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory (USB memory, SSD, etc.), etc.

In a processing device, only one processor and one storage medium may be provided, or multiple processors and storage media may be provided. The processor executes the processing of the main control unit 61, the transport control unit 62, and the magnetic control unit 63 by executing a program stored in the storage medium or the like. The program executed by the processor may be stored in a processing device connected via a network. The network may be, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. The processing device connected via the network may be a computer, a server, a server in a cloud environment, or the like. In this case, the processor downloads the program via the network. The processing device may be provided with a user interface.

The control unit 60 determines whether the side of the ticket that needs to be printed is different from the side that the print head 42 can print on. For example, the control unit 60 determines the type of ticket being transported based on the magnetic information of the ticket being transported read by the upper reading head 31a or the lower reading head 31b. Based on the result of determining the type of ticket, the control unit 60 determines whether the ticket is being transported with the side on which information is printed facing up, thereby determining whether the side of the ticket that needs to be printed is different from the side that the print head 42 can print on.

When the side of the ticket that needs to be printed is different from the side that the print head 42 can print on, the control unit 60 controls the second reversing mechanism 43 to reverse the ticket. For example, when a ticket is transported from the punch unit 41 side with the side that needs to be printed facing down, the control unit 60 controls the second reversing mechanism 43 to reverse the ticket and transport it to the print head 42 side. This allows the automated ticket gate 1 to avoid the print head 42 printing on the side of the ticket that needs to be printed, which would result in the printing process failing.

In addition, when the leading ticket being transported along the transport path is reversed by the second reversing mechanism 43, the control unit 60 stops the transport of the trailing ticket being transported along the transport path by the stopper S3 of the punch unit 41. For example, when multiple tickets are inserted from the insertion port EN, the control unit 60 determines whether the print head 42 or the second reversing mechanism 43 is performing printing processing or reversing control of the leading ticket. When the print processing or reversing control of the leading ticket is being performed, the control unit 60 controls the stopper S3 of the punch unit 41 to hold the trailing ticket. Depending on the completion of the print processing and reversing control of the leading ticket, the control unit 60 releases the hold by the stopper S3 and controls the transport path to transport the trailing ticket to the discharge port EX side. As a result, the automatic ticket gate 1 can shorten the time it takes from inserting the ticket to releasing it by holding the trailing ticket in the punch unit 41, which is closer to the print head 42 than the holding unit 34. In addition, the stopper S3, which temporarily stops the transport of the ticket when the punch unit 41 performs the punching process, can be used as a holding space to hold the following ticket for the printing process or reversal control of the preceding ticket.

In addition, when multiple tickets are inserted into the insertion port EN, the control unit 60 controls the holding unit 34 to temporarily hold the transport of the following ticket until the punch unit 41 finishes stopping the preceding ticket. For example, the control unit 60 determines whether the stopper S3 of the punch unit 41 is holding the preceding ticket. If the punch unit 41 is holding the preceding ticket, the control unit 60 controls the stopper S1 or S2 of the holding unit 34 to hold the ticket. In response to the release of the hold of the preceding ticket by the punch unit 41, the control unit 60 releases the hold by the stopper S1 or S2 and controls the transport path to transport the following ticket to the discharge port EX side. As a result, even if three or more tickets are inserted from the insertion port EN, the automatic ticket gate 1 can hold the following ticket by holding the ticket by the stoppers S1, S2, and S3 of the punch unit 41 or the holding unit 34 until the printing process of the ticket by the print head 42 and the ticket reversal control by the second reversal mechanism 43 are completed.

Next, an example of the processing executed by the transport control unit 62 and the magnetic control unit 63 will be described. However, the transport control unit 62 and the magnetic control unit 63 cooperate with the main control unit 61 and execute the processing of the automated ticket gate 1 as the control unit 60.

Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed by the automated ticket gate 1 when a ticket is inserted into the automated ticket gate 1. Each time a ticket is inserted into the automated ticket gate 1, the automated ticket gate 1 repeatedly executes the processing shown in Figure 5. The flowchart shown in Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a series of processing executed by the automated ticket gate 1 from when a ticket is inserted into the automated ticket gate 1 until it is released.

As shown in FIG. 5, when a ticket is inserted into the automated ticket gate 1 through the insertion slot EN, the control unit 60 controls the transport path of the automated ticket gate 1 to perform a ticket reading process (ST1-1). Next, the control unit 60 controls the transport path of the automated ticket gate 1 to perform a punching and printing process for the ticket (ST2-1). After that, the control unit 60 controls the transport path of the automated ticket gate 1 to release the ticket from the release and ticket collection unit 50 (ST3), and the process ends.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a ticket reading process executed by the control unit 60 of the automated ticket gate 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the control unit 60 controls the transport path of the automated ticket gate 1 to transport one ticket from the insertion slot EN to the magnetic processing unit 30 (ST101). In the magnetic processing unit 30, when one ticket passes through the reading head 31, the magnetic control unit 63 controls the operation of the upper reading head 31a and the lower reading head 31b to read the information recorded on the ticket (ST102).

When the upper read head 31a is able to read the information recorded on the ticket, it is determined that the ticket was inserted with its magnetic recording surface facing up, and the ticket is transported to the first inversion mechanism 35, where it is inverted and then transported to the write head 32. On the other hand, when the upper read head 31a is unable to read the information, but the lower read head 31b is able to read it, it is determined that the ticket was inserted correctly with its magnetic recording surface facing down, and the ticket is transported to the write head 32.

The control unit 60 transports the ticket to the writing head 32 and controls the operation of the writing head 32 to write the necessary information on the transported ticket corresponding to the read information (ST103). The control unit 60 controls the operation of the verify head 33 to have the verify head 33 read the information recorded on the ticket and confirm the information recorded on the ticket. If the verify head 33 fails to correctly read the information recorded on the ticket in ST105 (ST105, No), the process ends as a write error/attendant process (ST106). If the verify head 33 correctly reads the information recorded on the ticket (ST105, Yes), the reading process ends.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a ticket punching and printing process executed by the control unit 60 of the automated ticket gate 1 according to the embodiment. First, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the ticket being transported needs to be punched (ST201). If punching is not required (ST201, No), the process proceeds to ST203. If punching is required (ST201, Yes), the control unit 60 controls the punch unit 41 to temporarily halt the ticket being transported by the stopper S3 and performs punching on the ticket (ST202). Next, the control unit 60 determines whether or not printing is required on the ticket (ST203). If printing is not required (ST203, No), the punching and printing process ends. If printing is required (ST203, Yes), the control unit 60 determines whether or not the side of the ticket that needs to be printed is different from the side that the print head 42 can print on (ST204). If the side of the ticket that needs to be printed is different from the side that the print head 42 can print on (ST204, Yes), the control unit 60 controls the second reversing mechanism 43 to reverse the ticket (ST205). The control unit 60 controls the print head 42 to print the necessary information (ST206), and the punching and printing process ends.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed by the automated ticket gate 1 when multiple tickets are inserted into the automated ticket gate 1. Each time multiple tickets are inserted into the automated ticket gate 1, the automated ticket gate 1 repeatedly executes the processing shown in Figure 8. The flowchart shown in Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a series of processing executed by the automated ticket gate 1 from when multiple tickets are inserted into the automated ticket gate 1 until they are released.

As shown in FIG. 8, when multiple tickets are inserted into the automated ticket barrier 1 through the insertion slot EN, the control unit 60 controls the separation unit 10 to separate the multiple tickets into individual tickets (ST301). The control unit 60 controls the transport path to transport each ticket from the separation unit 10 to the alignment unit 20. The control unit 60 executes a reading process on each separated ticket (ST1-2). When the reading process (ST1-2) is completed, the control unit 60 controls the transport path to transport the ticket for which the reading process has been completed to the punch unit 41 and reserves it (ST302). The control unit 60 determines whether there are any tickets for which the reading process has not been performed (unread tickets) (ST303-1). If there are any tickets for which the reading process has not been performed (unread tickets) (ST303-1, Yes), the control unit 60 executes a reading process on the unread tickets (ST1-3). When the reading process (ST1-3) of the unread ticket is completed, the control unit 60 controls the transport path to transport the ticket that has been read to the holding unit 34 and hold it (ST304). The control unit 60 determines whether there are any tickets that have not been read (unread tickets) (ST303-2). If there are any tickets that have not been read (unread tickets) (ST303-2, Yes), the process returns to ST1-3 and the reading process of the unread tickets is performed.

If there are no tickets for which the reading process has not been performed (unread tickets) (ST303-2, No), the control unit 60 controls the transport path of the automated ticket barrier 1 to perform the punching and printing process of the tickets (ST2-2). The control unit 60 determines whether there are any unpunched and printed tickets (ST305). If there are any unpunched and printed tickets (ST305, Yes), the control unit 60 returns the process to ST2-2 and performs the punching and printing process of the unpunched and printed tickets. If there are no unpunched and printed tickets (ST305, No), the control unit 60 controls the transport path of the automated ticket barrier 1 to stack multiple tickets in the ticket discharge and collection unit 50 and discharge them from the discharge outlet EX (ST306), and the process ends.

In the flowcharts of the above-described embodiments, the steps are illustrated as being executed in series, but the order of steps is not necessarily fixed, and the order of some steps may be reversed. Also, some steps may be executed in parallel with other steps.

According to this embodiment, the automated ticket gate 1 transports the ticket along the transport path from the insertion port EN to the ejection port EX, and performs magnetic processing, punching processing, and printing processing as necessary. The automated ticket gate 1 also has a second reversing mechanism 43 that reverses the ticket when it is necessary to print on the back side (magnetic recording surface) of the transported ticket. When a ticket is transported from the punching unit 41 toward the print head 42 with the side to be printed (printed surface) facing down, the automated ticket gate 1 controls the second reversing mechanism 43 to reverse the ticket. As a result, the automated ticket gate 1 only needs to provide the print head 42 on one side, and can perform ticket printing processing with a simple configuration that can reduce manufacturing costs and maintenance efforts.

Furthermore, when multiple tickets are inserted, the automated ticket gate 1 performs a separation process and holds the following tickets in the punch unit 41 or holding unit 34 until the printing process or reversal control of the preceding ticket is completed. This allows the automated ticket gate 1 to transport the tickets quickly and efficiently, even when processing multiple tickets.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

1 Automatic ticket gate 10 Separation section 20 Alignment section 30 Magnetic processing section 31 Reading head 31a Upper reading head 31b Lower reading head 32 Writing head 33 Verify head 34 Holding section 35 First reversal mechanism 40 Punching and printing section 41 Punching section 42 Printing head 43 Second reversal mechanism 50 Ejection and ticket collection section 60 Control section 61 Main control section 62 Transport control section 63 Magnetic control section 64 Passage control section 65 Power supply control section 66 IC control section EN Insertion port EX Ejection ports S1, S2, S3 Stopper

Claims (3)

a print head that is provided in a conveying path that separates and conveys a plurality of media from an input port into which the media are input, and that prints on one side of the media;
a punch unit that is provided on the conveying path before the print head and that temporarily stops conveyance of the medium and punches holes in the medium;
a reversing mechanism provided in the transport path between the print head and the punch unit, which reverses the medium;
a control unit which determines the type of medium being transported based on magnetic information read by the upper or lower read head from the medium being transported, and determines whether the medium is transported with the side on which information is printed facing up based on the result of determining the type of ticket, thereby determining whether the side of the medium that needs to be printed differs from the side that the print head can print on, and controls the reversing mechanism to reverse the medium if the side of the medium that needs to be printed differs from the side that the print head can print on;
An automatic ticket gate equipped with The control unit is
when the preceding medium being transported on the transport path is inverted by the inversion mechanism, transport of the succeeding medium being transported on the transport path is stopped by the punch unit.
2. The automated ticket gate according to claim 1 . a holding unit that holds the medium being transported, the holding unit being disposed upstream of the punch unit on the transport path,
The automatic ticket gate of claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the holding unit to temporarily hold the transportation of the following media when multiple media are inserted into the insertion port until the punch unit finishes stopping the preceding media.

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