JP7646601B2 - Automatic ticket gates - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, automatic ticket gates have been installed to manage people entering and exiting the area inside the ticket gate. In the case of conventional automatic ticket gates, marks are attached to the entrance and exit sides of the ticket gate passage to indicate whether entry is permitted or prohibited. These marks are made up of printed fixed marks or switchable marks using dot-matrix displays or the like, and are used to guide and guide passersby. In addition, automatic ticket gates have been devised that are equipped with displays that display advertisements and the like that are unrelated to the automatic ticket gate process.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-326363

However, conventional automated ticket gates with advertising display functions have the problem that they need to be equipped with a display for advertising in addition to the display that is intended to guide passengers, which increases costs. In addition, some automated ticket gates are equipped with displays that show the payment amount and remaining balance of stored fare cards (SF cards). As a result, there is a problem that the automated ticket gates display too much information, making it difficult to convey important information required by passengers (users) and causing confusion as to which display to check.

Therefore, it would be useful to provide an automated ticket gate with a simple display configuration that can provide passersby with the right information at the right time.

The automatic ticket gate in the embodiment includes, for example, a pair of automatic ticket gate main units, a display unit, an approach detection unit, and a control unit. The pair of automatic ticket gate main units acquires ticket gate entry/exit information and forms a ticket gate passage through which pedestrians can pass. The display unit is disposed in a part of the automatic ticket gate main unit at a position visible to pedestrians before passing through the ticket gate passage, and is capable of displaying at least advertising information and passage guidance information for the ticket gate passage. The approach detection unit detects the approach state of the pedestrian to the automatic ticket gate main unit. The control unit switches between displaying the advertising information and the passage guidance information based on the detection result of the approach detection unit. Specifically, when the control unit determines, based on the detection result of the approach detection unit, that the passerby is not present within an inner area of a first area defined by a first distance from the display unit, the control unit displays simple advertising information as advertising information on the display unit, when the control unit determines that the passerby has entered the first area from the display unit and is not present within an inner area of a second area defined by a second distance that is closer than the first distance, the control unit displays detailed advertising information, which contains more information than the simple advertising information, on the display unit, and when the control unit determines that the passerby is present within an inner area of the second area from the display unit, the control unit displays passage guidance information on the display unit.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic perspective view showing a configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic top view showing the configuration of an automated ticket gate according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic side view showing the configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic top view showing an image of detection of a passerby at an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic perspective view showing switching of display contents on a display unit of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exemplary schematic perspective view showing switching of other display contents on the display unit of the automatic ticket gate in the embodiment. FIG. 8 is an exemplary flowchart showing the flow of control processing including switching processing of the display unit of the automatic ticket gate in the embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the embodiments described below, as well as the actions and results (effects) brought about by said configurations, are merely examples and are not limited to the contents described below.

Figure 1 is an exemplary and schematic perspective view showing the configuration of an automated ticket gate 10 in an embodiment. Also, Figure 2 is an exemplary and schematic top view showing the configuration of the automated ticket gate 10. Figure 3 is an exemplary and schematic side view showing the configuration of the automated ticket gate 10.

The automatic ticket gate 10 is composed of a pair of automatic ticket gate body parts 10A, 10B arranged at a predetermined interval (for example, 1 m) to form a ticket gate passage R through which pedestrians (for example, ticket gate users, etc.) entering and exiting the ticket gate area can pass. The automatic ticket gate body parts 10A, 10B are composed of, for example, the same shape of a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing 10a with a length of, for example, about 2 m in the passage direction. In the case of this embodiment, the ticket gate passage R is mutually passable, and for example, when passing (passing in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 2), a display unit 12 (first display unit 12A) is arranged on a part of the housing 10a on the right side, for example, on the end face on the entrance side when passing. In addition, a proximity sensor 14 (first proximity sensor 14A) that functions as a proximity detection unit that detects the approach state of a pedestrian is arranged near the display unit 12 (in the case of FIG. 1, below the first display unit 12A arranged on the automatic ticket gate body part 10A). 2, for pedestrians passing in the opposite direction to the direction of arrow F, the second display unit 12B and the first approach sensor 14A are disposed on the end face of the automatic ticket gate main body 10B opposite to the end face on which the first display unit 12A of the automatic ticket gate main body 10A is disposed. In other words, the second display unit 12B is disposed on the right side for pedestrians passing through the automatic ticket gate 10 from the opposite side. Although not shown in the figure, an insertion port for inserting and ejecting tickets such as passports and cards, a reader device for reading information from a held-up SF card, IC card, etc. are disposed on, for example, the top face of the housing 10a of the automatic ticket gate 10.

The display unit 12 (first display unit 12A, second display unit 12B) is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an OELD (organic electroluminescent display), and can display at least one of advertising information and passage guidance information for the ticket gate passage R, or both, in a position visible to a passerby before passing through the automated ticket gate 10. The display unit 12 may be another type of display device as long as it is capable of switching between detailed display contents (text, marks, characters, etc.). The proximity sensor 14 is, for example, a sensor with a detection range of about 5 to 6 m, and for example, a laser type or a magnetic type sensor can be used. The proximity sensor 14 is also capable of detecting the distance to the detected object (passerby) (identification of the presence area).

As shown in FIG. 3, a passage detection sensor 16 is disposed in the upper area of the inner faces of the pair of automatic ticket gate body parts 10A and 10B facing each other, to detect the passage of a person passing through the ticket gate passage R. The passage detection sensor 16 is, for example, a transmission type photoelectric sensor, and can be a pair of sensors consisting of a light-emitting unit 16a and a light-receiving unit 16b. Multiple sets of the pair of light-emitting unit 16a and light-receiving unit 16b are arranged along the ticket gate passage R. Therefore, the light-receiving unit 16b does not receive light at a position where a person is present while passing through the ticket gate passage R, and the presence (passage state) of the person can be detected.

In addition, on the inner faces of the pair of automatic ticket gate main body parts 10A and 10B facing each other, openable and closable entrance and exit gates 18 are arranged on the entrance and exit sides, respectively. The entrance and exit gates 18 are barriers for preventing the passage of unauthorized passport-passengers, such as those who attempt to pass through the ticket gate passage R without inserting a valid passport into the insertion slot, those who attempt to pass through without holding an SF card or IC card over a reader device, and those who have insufficient funds in their SF card or IC card. When the entrance and exit gates 18 prevent passage, for example, the entrance and exit gates 18 on the exit side of the ticket gate passage R close. Therefore, when a permitted passport-passenger, that is, a person who has inserted a valid passport into the insertion slot and is holding a valid SF card or IC card over a reader device, attempts to pass through the ticket gate passage R, the entrance and exit gates 18 on the entrance and exit sides open simultaneously. In the case of FIG. 3, the entrance/exit gate 18 is a double-door type provided on both the automatic ticket gate main body 10A and the automatic ticket gate main body 10B, but it may be a single-door type provided on either one of them.

The installation position of the approach sensor 14 (first approach sensor 14A) may be located below the display unit 12 (first display unit 12A) as shown by solid lines in Figures 1 and 3, or may be located at a position different from the first display unit 12A. The first approach sensor 14A may be located at a position where it can detect a pedestrian approaching the automatic ticket gate 10. For example, instead of the pattern of being located below the first display unit 12A as shown by solid lines in Figure 3, the first approach sensor 14A may be located on the side of the automatic ticket gate main body unit 10B different from the automatic ticket gate main body unit 10A where the first display unit 12A is located, as shown by dashed lines. In this case, since it is not necessary to place the first display unit 12A and the first approach sensor 14A in the same space of the housing 10a, the freedom of selection of the installation position is improved, and the freedom of selection of the first display unit 12A and the first approach sensor 14A (selection of size, wiring pull-out method, etc.) is improved. In addition, the freedom of installation work can be improved. For example, when the first display unit 12A and the first approach sensor 14A are unitized (integrated), or when it is difficult to secure space due to the installation of other units on the automatic ticket gate main body 10B side, it is effective to provide the first display unit 12A and the first approach sensor 14A on the same automatic ticket gate main body 10A side. Whether the approach sensor 14 is placed on the automatic ticket gate main body 10A side or on the automatic ticket gate main body 10B side, the detectable area is shifted in the width direction of the ticket gate passage R, and does not significantly affect the judgment of the approach distance to the display unit 12 as to whether a passerby is approaching the automatic ticket gate 10 or not.

Figure 4 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the automated ticket gate 10.

As described above, the automatic ticket gate 10 is composed of a pair of automatic ticket gate main units 10A, 10B, which include a display unit 12 (first display unit 12A, second display unit 12B), an approach sensor 14 (first approach sensor 14A, second approach sensor 14B), a passage detection sensor 16, an entrance/exit gate 18, a control unit 20, a passport information detection unit 22, a memory unit 24, etc. The pair of automatic ticket gate main units 10A, 10B form a ticket gate passage R through which pedestrians can pass. The display unit 12 (first display unit 12A, second display unit 12B) is disposed in a position that is visible to pedestrians before passing through the ticket gate passage R as part of the automatic ticket gate main units 10A, 10B, and can display at least one of advertising information and passage guidance information for the ticket gate passage, or both. The approach sensor 14 detects the approach of a pedestrian to the automatic ticket gate main body 10A, 10B. The passage detection sensor 16 detects the presence or absence of a pedestrian in the ticket gate passage R, the position of the pedestrian passing through, and the start and completion of passage. The entrance/exit gate 18 opens and closes to allow the passage of pedestrians who are permitted to enter and exit, and to prohibit the passage of pedestrians who are not permitted to enter and exit.

The control unit 20 controls the switching display of at least advertising information and passage guidance information on the display unit based on the detection result of the proximity sensor 14. The control unit 20 can be realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in a control device that controls the entire automated ticket gate 10 reading and executing a control program installed in a storage unit such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). The control unit 20 includes detailed modules such as a pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a, a display control unit 20b, a passport information processing unit 20c, and an entrance/exit gate control unit 20d.

Based on the detection result of the approach sensor 14, the pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a detects the presence or absence of a pedestrian passing near the approach sensor 14 (automatic ticket gate 10, display unit 12) or approaching the approach sensor 14 (automatic ticket gate 10, display unit 12), and if a pedestrian is detected, detects the relative position (distance) to the approach sensor 14 (display unit 12). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a determines whether a pedestrian P is present in the inner area of a first area E1 (area with a radius of the first distance R1) defined by a first distance R1 based on the approach sensor 14 (relative to the display unit 12). In addition, the pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a determines whether a pedestrian P enters the first area E1 based on the approach sensor 14 (relative to the display unit 12) and is present in the inner area of a second area E2 defined by a second distance R2 that is closer than the first distance R1. That is, based on the detection result of the approach sensor 14, the pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a determines whether the pedestrian P is in an area outside the first area E1 (for example, the position of pedestrian P1), whether the pedestrian P is in an area inside the first area E1 and outside the second area E2 (for example, the position of pedestrian P2), or whether the pedestrian P is in an area inside the second area E2 (for example, the position of pedestrian P3). The pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a also obtains the detection result of the passage detection sensor 16 and determines whether the pedestrian P has passed through the ticket gate passage R (whether the pedestrian P has entered the ticket gate or left the ticket gate), and can reflect this in the display on the display unit 12.

In the case of FIG. 5, an example is shown in which a first approach sensor 14A arranged near a first display unit 12A arranged on the automatic ticket gate main body 10A determines the position of a passerby P outside the automatic ticket gate 10, i.e., in the area outside the ticket gate. A second approach sensor 14B arranged near a second display unit 12B arranged on the automatic ticket gate main body 10B also performs a similar determination process, determining the presence or absence of a passerby P and their approach status inside the automatic ticket gate 10, i.e., in the area inside the ticket gate.

The display control unit 20b sequentially switches the display contents to be displayed on the display unit 12 based on the detection result of the approach sensor 14. As a basic switching pattern, as shown in FIG. 6, when a passerby P is not present in the inner area of the first area E1 (for example, the position of passerby P1), or when the passerby P enters the area between the first area E1 and the second area E2 (for example, the position of passerby P2), brief advertisement information 12G1 is displayed on the display unit 12 as advertisement information. For example, the brief advertisement information 12G1 may be an advertisement such as "XX Dome XX Concert Tour Confirmed". In this case, it is desirable that the letters, numbers, pictures, marks, symbols, etc. included in the brief advertisement information 12G1 are displayed with a size, character spacing, color, etc. that can be sufficiently seen even by a passerby P1 who is located far from the display unit 12.

On the other hand, when a passerby P enters the inner area of the second area E2 (for example, the position of passerby P3), the display control unit 20b displays passage guidance information 12G2 of the automated ticket gate 10 on the display unit 12. As the passage guidance information 12G2, for example, a guide such as an arrow G indicating that entry into the ticket gate passage R of the automated ticket gate 10 is permitted is displayed. In this case, it is desirable that the passage guidance information 12G2 is displayed using large marks, symbols, letters, conspicuous colors, etc., using most of the display area so that it is easily recognized by passerby P and can attract their attention.

In other words, when it can be determined that the pedestrian P does not intend to enter the ticket gate, in other words, when it can be considered that the pedestrian P does not approach the automatic ticket gate 10 but only passes in front of the automatic ticket gate 10, information that is not related to or has low relevance to the use of the automatic ticket gate 10 is displayed on the display unit 12 to provide advertisements to an unspecified number of pedestrians P1 as appropriate. On the other hand, when the pedestrian P enters the inner area of the second area E2, that is, when it is considered that the pedestrian P may approach the automatic ticket gate 10 and enter the ticket gate, information that is useful to that specific pedestrian P and guides him/her to the ticket gate passage R of the automatic ticket gate 10 is provided. Therefore, by switching the display unit 12 to display one display unit 12, it is possible to provide appropriate information at an appropriate time regardless of whether the automatic ticket gate 10 is used or not. In addition, since appropriate information can be provided at an appropriate time depending on the position of the pedestrian P relative to the display unit 12, the display unit 12 can be used efficiently and effectively.

When advertising information is displayed on the display unit 12, the same advertisement may be continuously displayed, or the display content may be switched sequentially to display different advertisements. In addition, even if a passerby P enters the inner area of the second area E2 on the entrance side, if the passerby P has previously entered the automated ticket gate 10 (ticket gate passage R) from the exit side (opposite direction), the passage guidance information 12G2 may display, for example, an X mark or a no-entry picture indicating that entry into the ticket gate passage R of the automated ticket gate 10 is prohibited.

Figure 7 is an illustrative and schematic explanatory diagram showing another display example by the display control unit 20b. In the case of Figure 7, the advertisement content is changed in multiple stages depending on the degree of approach of a passerby P to the display unit 12. In the case of Figure 7, the advertisement content is displayed in two or three stages.

When the display control unit 20b determines based on the detection result of the approach sensor 14 that the passerby P is not present in the inner area of the first area E1 defined by the first distance R1 with respect to the display unit 12 (for example, when the passerby P is present at the position of the passerby P1), the display control unit 20b displays the brief advertisement information 12G1 as advertisement information on the display unit 12. As the brief advertisement information 12G1, for example, an advertisement such as "XX Dome XX Concert Tour Confirmed" is displayed as in the example of FIG. 6. In addition, when the display control unit 20b determines that the passerby P does not enter the first area E1 with respect to the display unit 12 and is not present in the inner area of the second area E2 defined by the second distance R2 that is closer than the first distance R1, the display control unit 20b switches the advertisement content. In other words, the display control unit 20b displays the detailed advertisement information 12G11, which has more information than the brief advertisement information 12G1, on the display unit 12. The detailed advertising information 12G11 provides advertising information that is more detailed than the brief advertising information 12G1, such as "Advance reservations for the XX Dome Concert Tour will begin from 7/30 to △△." In this case, since the passerby P2 is closer than when the brief advertising information 12G1 is displayed on the display unit 12, the information can be transmitted even if the font size is smaller than that of the brief advertising information 12G1, so more information can be conveyed to the passerby P2 with a single display. In this case, the display control unit 20b may continue to display the same advertisement as the detailed advertising information 12G11, or may sequentially switch the display content to display different advertisements.

Then, when the display control unit 20b determines that the passerby P is in the inner area of the second area E2 relative to the display unit 12 (for example, when the passerby P is in the position of the passerby P3), the display control unit 20b displays passage guidance information 12G2 on the display unit 12. In other words, when it is deemed that there is a possibility that the passerby P will approach further and enter the ticket gate, guidance information that is useful to the specific passerby P and leads them to the ticket gate passage R of the automatic ticket gate 10 is provided. The guidance information is, for example, an arrow G indicating that entry into the ticket gate passage R of the automatic ticket gate 10 is permitted, as in the example of FIG. 6.

When displaying the traffic guidance information 12G2 on the display unit 12, the display control unit 20b may divide the display area of the display unit 12 into multiple parts (for example, into two parts) and simultaneously display the advertising information 12Ga and the traffic guidance information 12Gb. In this case, the traffic guidance information 12Gb is relatively simple and easy to recognize, so it is easy for the passerby P to recognize it even if the display is small, and if the amount of information is relatively small, it is easy to recognize even if the advertising information 12Ga is displayed simultaneously. In this case, it is possible to provide the passerby P with more advertising information while providing the traffic guidance information. In the case of FIG. 7, an example is shown in which the advertising information 12Ga is a repeated advertisement (excerpt advertisement) that further impresses the content of the detailed advertising information 12G11, but the content of the advertising information 12Ga may be further detailed information or other information. In the case of FIG. 7, an example is shown in which the area of the display unit 12 is equally divided, but the area of the display unit 12 may be unequally divided, and the same effect can be obtained. The simple advertising information 12G1, detailed advertising information 12G11, route guidance information 12G2, advertising information 12Ga, route guidance information 12Gb, etc. are stored in advance in a storage unit 24 consisting of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like, and are read out by the display control unit 20b as appropriate and displayed on the display unit 12.

The passport information processing unit 20c reads various information from the passport information detection unit 22, which is a reader device that reads information from an insertion port for tickets and cards such as passports, or from an SF card or IC card that is held up, and is installed, for example, on the top surface of the housing 10a of the automatic ticket gate 10. When a passport information processing unit 20c obtains information on a ticket or card such as a passport inserted from an insertion port installed, for example, on the top surface of the housing 10a of the automatic ticket gate 10 when a passerby P attempts to enter from the entrance side of the automatic ticket gate 10, or information on an SF card or IC card held up to the reader device, and performs passport information processing such as entry recording processing for tickets, SF cards, IC cards, etc., and fare (initial fare) deduction processing for the SF card or IC card, etc. In addition, when a passport or other ticket or card is inserted into the slot or an SF card or IC card is held up to the reader device when a passport or other ticket or card is entered from the exit side of the automated ticket gate 10, passport information processing is performed, such as entry record processing for the ticket, SF card, IC card, etc., and fare deduction processing (remaining fare for the section used) for the SF card or IC card, etc. In addition, if the ticket, SF card, IC card, etc. cannot be used (expired, insufficient fare, insufficient balance, etc.), the passport information processing unit 20c performs error processing (processing to prevent passage through the ticket gate passage R).

The entrance/exit gate control unit 20d determines whether or not to allow passage through the ticket gate passage R based on the validity of the ticket or card such as a passport inserted through the insertion slot, and the validity of the SF card or IC card held up to the reader device. The entrance/exit gate control unit 20d then opens the entrance/exit gate 18 when allowing passage through the ticket gate passage R, and closes the entrance/exit gate 18 when prohibiting passage. The entrance/exit gate control unit 20d may close the entrance/exit gate 18 during normal operation regardless of whether the passport or card is checked, and open the entrance/exit gate 18 only when passage is permitted as a result of checking the passport or card. Conversely, the entrance/exit gate control unit 20d may open the entrance/exit gate 18 during normal operation regardless of whether the passport or card is checked, and close the entrance/exit gate 18 only when passage is prohibited as a result of checking the passport or card.

An example of the flow of the control process, including the switching process of the display unit 12 of the automated ticket gate 10 configured as described above, will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 8. Figure 8 is also a flowchart related to the display example in Figure 7. Figure 8 also explains the control when a passerby P is heading toward the entrance side of the automated ticket gate 10 (when heading toward the ticket gate).

First, when station operations start and the automatic ticket gate 10 is powered on (S100), the display control unit 20b displays simple advertisement information 12G1 on the display unit 12 (first display unit 12A) on the entrance side of the automatic ticket gate 10 and the display unit 12 (second display unit 12B) on the exit side of the automatic ticket gate 10 (S102). In other words, at the start of station operations, it is assumed that there is no pedestrian P2 approaching the automatic ticket gate 10, and advertisements are displayed on the display unit 12.

The pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a checks whether the pedestrian P2 can be detected in the first area E1 on the first display unit 12A (S104). If the pedestrian P2 cannot be detected in the first area E1 (No in S104), the process returns to S102, and the pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a continues to display the brief advertisement information 12G1 on the first display unit 12A and the second display unit 12B. In this case, the pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a may change the display content of the brief advertisement information 12G1 as appropriate, or may continue to display a single brief advertisement information 12G1.

In S104, if a passerby P2 is detected in the first area E1 (Yes in S104), detailed advertising information 12G11 is displayed on the first display unit 12A and the second display unit 12B (S106), i.e., the display content is switched.

Next, when the pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a detects that the pedestrian P3 has entered the second area E2 by the first display unit 12A (Yes in S108), the display control unit 20b displays the passage guidance information 12G2 on the first display unit 12A as an indication that the pedestrian P3 can enter the ticket gate passage R (S110). At this point, the display control unit 20b causes the second display unit 12B to continue displaying the brief advertisement information 12G1 and the detailed advertisement information 12G11.

When the passport information processing unit 20c acquires passport information (Yes in S112), that is, when a passport information is determined to be valid by a passport-related person P3 who has entered the second area E2 inserting a ticket or card such as a passport through the insertion slot or holding an SF card or IC card over the reader device, the display control unit 20b displays the passage guidance information 12G2 as an entry prohibited display on the first display unit 12A and the second display unit 12B (S114). In other words, a new passport information processing unit 20c prevents a passport information processing unit 20c from entering the ticket gate passage R during the processing period. In addition, in S108, if the pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a does not detect that the pedestrian P3 has entered the second area E2 (No in S108), or in S112, if the passport information processing unit 20c does not obtain passport information, etc. (No in S112), the process returns to S106, and the display control unit 20b maintains the display of the detailed advertising information 12G11 on the first display unit 12A and the second display unit 12B.

In the process of S114, if the pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a confirms via the passage detection sensor 16 that the pedestrian P has passed through (left) the ticket gate passage R during the period when the passage guidance information 12G2 indicating no entry is displayed (Yes in S116), the display control unit 20b switches the display content of the first display unit 12A and the second display unit 12B to the passage guidance information 12G2 indicating no entry (S118). In the process of S116, if it cannot be confirmed that the pedestrian P has passed through the ticket gate passage R (No in S116), the process returns to S114, and the display of the passage guidance information 12G2 indicating no entry is maintained on the first display unit 12A and the second display unit 12B.

When the passage guidance information 12G2 indicating entry is permitted is displayed in the process of S118, if no new pedestrian P is detected in the second area E2 for a predetermined period of time after the display is switched (Yes in S120), that is, if no pedestrian P attempts to enter the ticket gate passage R consecutively. In this case, if the power to the automated ticket gate 10 has not been turned off (No in S122), the control unit 20 returns to the process of S102. Then, the display control unit 20b switches the display content of the first display unit 12A and the second display unit 12B to the simple advertisement information 12G1, and repeats the process from S102 onwards.

In the process of S120, if the pedestrian position determination processing unit 20a detects a new pedestrian P entering the second area E2 within a predetermined period of time (No in S120), that is, if it is deemed that pedestrian P is attempting to enter the ticket gate passage R consecutively within a short period of time, it continues the process of S118 and continues the passage guidance information 12G2 that allows entry.

In S122, if the power to the automated ticket gate 10 is turned off (Yes in S122), that is, if station operations are terminated or the automated ticket gate 10 is stopped for some reason, this flow is terminated.

In this way, according to the automated ticket gate 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to display advertising information that is considered to be less relevant or unrelated to the automated ticket gate 10 and passage guidance information regarding the use of the automated ticket gate 10 using a single display unit 12. In other words, the number of display units (display devices) installed in the automated ticket gate 10 can be reduced, and multiple effective displays can be performed while suppressing cost increases. In addition, it becomes easier to prevent users such as passersby P from being confused about which display unit to check due to an excessive number of displays installed on the automated ticket gate 10, which contributes to improving the visibility of the display unit 12. Therefore, it is possible to provide an automated ticket gate 10 that has a simple display configuration with a small number of displays installed, which can provide passersby with appropriate information at the appropriate time.

The flowchart in FIG. 8 shows processing based on the detection results of the first approach sensor 14A on the entrance side of the automated ticket gate 10, but similar processing is executed based on the detection results of the second approach sensor 14B on the exit side of the automated ticket gate 10. The displays in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate to achieve similar effects. In the above embodiment, an automated ticket gate installed at a station was described, but any automated ticket gate that can be placed in a position that separates entry and exit can be used, and the present invention can also be applied to entrance and exit gates for aircraft and ships, theaters, event venues, amusement facilities, etc., to achieve similar effects.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is merely an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiment can be implemented in various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The above embodiment is included in the scope and gist of the invention, and is included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

10 Automatic ticket gate 10A, 10B Automatic ticket gate main body 12 Display unit 12A First display unit 12B Second display unit 12G2, 12Gb Passage guide information 12G11 Detailed advertisement information 12G1 Simple advertisement information 12Ga Advertisement information 14 Approach sensor 14A First approach sensor 14B Second approach sensor 16 Passage detection sensor 18 Entrance/exit gate 20 Control unit 20a Passerby position determination processing unit 20b Display control unit 20c Passport information processing unit 20d Entrance/exit gate control unit 22 Passport information detection unit 24 Memory unit E1 First area E2 Second area G Arrow R Ticket gate passage R1 First distance R2 Second distance

Claims (2)

a pair of automatic ticket gate body units that acquire ticket gate entry/exit information and form a ticket gate passageway through which pedestrians can pass;
a display unit that is a part of the automated ticket gate main body and is arranged at a position that is visible to the passerby before passing through the ticket gate passage, and that is capable of displaying at least advertising information and passage guidance information for the ticket gate passage;
an approach detection unit that detects an approach state of the passerby to the automated ticket gate main body;
a control unit that switches between displaying the advertisement information and the route guidance information based on a detection result of the approach detection unit;
Equipped with
When the control unit determines based on a detection result of the approach detection unit that the passerby is not present within an inner region of a first region defined by a first distance from the display unit, the control unit displays brief advertisement information as the advertisement information on the display unit; when the control unit determines that the passerby has entered the first region and is not present within an inner region of a second region defined by a second distance closer than the first distance from the display unit, the control unit displays detailed advertisement information having a larger amount of information than the brief advertisement information on the display unit; when the control unit determines that the passerby is present within an inner region of the second region from the display unit, the control unit displays the route guidance information on the display unit.
Automatic ticket gate. The automatic ticket gate according to claim 1 , wherein the approach detection unit is disposed on one of the pair of automatic ticket gate body units on the side where the display unit is not installed.

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