JP7657701B2 - Ticket gates and ticket gate systems - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to ticket gates and ticket gate systems.

Conventionally, at railway ticket gates and the like, there are ticket gates that control entry and exit using the ticket held by the user. Ticket gates sometimes process tickets that are intended to be used simultaneously (passing through consecutively) by multiple people. For example, as one of the barrier-free initiatives, IC cards for the disabled have been introduced. Disabled IC cards are issued to disabled people who qualify for a disability discount, and are used as tickets to use railways and other public transportation at a discount. Caregiver IC cards are also issued in correspondence with the disabled IC cards, intended to be used by caregivers who care for disabled people. Disabled IC cards and caregiver IC cards are tickets intended to be used simultaneously.

However, conventional ticket gates determine whether each IC card can pass through, and perform ticket gate processing based on the result of the pass/fail determination. For this reason, even if a pair of tickets is intended to be used simultaneously, the ticket gate may allow one to pass through the gate while not allowing the other. For example, a caregiver who presents a caregiver's IC card immediately after a disabled person passes through with the disabled person's IC card may not be allowed to pass through. In such cases, the ticket gate may separate the disabled person and the caregiver. Furthermore, if the ticket gate is operated in such a way that the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card can pass through the gate regardless of the pass/fail determination, there is a problem in that it is not possible to prevent fraudulent use.

There is therefore a demand for ticket gates that can process tickets presented by multiple users without separating users who hold a set of tickets that are intended for simultaneous use (passing through consecutively).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-063892

To solve the above problem, the objective is to provide a ticket gate and ticket gate system that can carry out ticket gate processing without separating multiple users who present tickets intended for simultaneous use.

According to an embodiment, the ticket gate has a door, a ticket processing unit, and a processor. The door is provided in the passageway and can be opened and closed. The ticket processing unit performs processing to read information recorded on a ticket held by a user entering the passageway. If the information read from the ticket being processed by the ticket processing unit is information that does not allow passage through the passageway, the processor holds the door in an open state if the ticket being processed is a ticket to be used simultaneously with a ticket held by a user who has just passed through the passageway.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a ticket gate system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a ticket gate according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system in the ticket gate according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of an attendant terminal in the ticket gate system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of a server in the ticket gate system according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a first operation example of the ticket gate according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a second operation example of the ticket gate according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a ticket gate system 1 according to an embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the ticket gate system 1 , a ticket gate 11 and an attendant terminal 12 provided at each station are connected to a server 21 via a communication device 13 .

The ticket gate 11 is installed at the ticket gates of each station. The ticket gate 11 performs ticket gate processing such as ticket gate (entry or exit) operations for users. The ticket gate 11 forms a passage for entering the station premises or exiting the station premises, and performs passage control according to the ticket presented by the user passing through the passage as the ticket gate processing. The ticket gate 11 also communicates with the server 21 via the communication device 13. For example, the ticket gate 11 obtains information used for ticket gate processing for users from the server 21. The ticket gate 11 also transmits information indicating the results of the ticket gate processing to the server 21.

The attendant terminal 12 is a station service device operated by an attendant. For example, the attendant terminal 12 is provided in a window at the ticket gate. The attendant terminal 12 may also be a terminal device carried by the attendant. The attendant terminal 12 executes various attendant response processes in response to requests from users. The attendant terminal 12 also communicates with the server 21 via the communication device 13. For example, the attendant terminal 12 acquires information about the ticket presented by the user from the server 21, and executes the attendant response process according to the acquired information. The attendant terminal 12 also transmits information indicating the processing results of the attendant response process to the server 21.

The server 21 manages various types of data. The server 21 manages information supplied from station service equipment such as the ticket gate 11 or the attendant terminal 12. For example, the server 21 acquires information indicating the results of ticket gate processing from the ticket gate 11, and stores the information acquired from the ticket gate 11 in a memory unit. The server 21 also acquires information indicating the results of processing performed by the attendant terminal 12, which serves as station service equipment, and stores the acquired information in a memory unit. The server 21 also transmits information used in the ticket gate processing to the ticket gate 11. The server 21 may also transmit information to the attendant terminal 12.

In the ticket gate system 1, the ticket gate 11 reads passenger ticket information from a ticket held by a user as a passenger ticket medium, and performs ticket gate processing for the user based on the read passenger ticket information. The ticket processed by the ticket gate 11 is assumed to be an IC card used as a passenger ticket. However, the ticket processed by the ticket gate 11 may also be a mobile terminal that stores passenger ticket information, a magnetic ticket, or a card with a code or the like printed on it. In this embodiment, the ticket gate 11 reads passenger ticket information from an IC card as a passenger ticket medium.

The IC cards that the ticket gate 11 processes as passenger tickets include general cards, which are subject to the general fare system, and special tickets, which are subject to a fare system different from the general fare system. Information indicating that the IC card is a special ticket is stored in the IC card as a special ticket. The ticket gate 11 identifies the IC card as a special ticket from the information stored in the IC card, and performs ticket gate processing as if it were a special ticket.

The special tickets that the ticket gate 11 processes include multiple tickets (hereinafter referred to as simultaneous use tickets) that are intended to be used simultaneously (successively). Simultaneous use tickets (tickets used simultaneously) include, for example, cards for disabled people and cards for caregivers. Cards for disabled people are cards that can be used as train tickets by people who have been certified as disabled according to specified criteria (disabled people). Cards for caregivers are cards that can be used as train tickets by people who support disabled people (caregivers). Cards for caregivers are issued on the assumption that they will be used in a set with a card for disabled people used by a disabled person.

Next, the configuration of the ticket gate 11 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a side view that illustrates a schematic configuration example of the ticket gate 11 according to the embodiment.
For example, two ticket gates 11 form one ticket gate (entrance or exit) passage in a set. The ticket gate 11 may be used as an entry-only or exit-only dedicated machine that can pass through the ticket gate passage in only one direction, or may be used as a dual-purpose machine that can pass through the ticket gate passage in both directions. The ticket gate 11 is set in advance as either an entry-only machine, an exit-only machine, or a dual-purpose machine.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, the ticket gate 11 has a housing 30 that forms an entrance or exit passage. The housing that forms the ticket gate 11 is provided with a ticket processing unit (ticket processing unit) 32 that performs ticket processing such as reading information from a ticket held by a user. A reading unit (communication unit) of the ticket processing unit 32, which allows the user to present the ticket, is provided at one end (the end on the entrance side) of the top surface of the housing 30 that forms the ticket gate 11. The ticket processing unit 32 reads information recorded on an IC card that the user presents to the reading unit as a ticket.

For example, the passenger ticket processing unit 32 is a card reader/writer that reads information from an IC card that the user presents to a specified reading unit as a passenger ticket. The passenger ticket processing unit 32 may also include a device that processes media other than IC cards used as passenger tickets. For example, the passenger ticket processing unit 32 may include a magnetic ticket processing unit that processes magnetic tickets that have passenger ticket information recorded in a magnetic recording unit. The passenger ticket processing unit 32 may also include a code reader that reads code information as passenger ticket information from a medium on which code information is printed.

A display 33 is provided on the top surface of the housing forming the ticket gate 11 to provide guidance to users or staff. The display 33 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The display 33 displays a guidance screen that informs users passing through the passage of the results of the ticket gate processing. The display 33 may be provided in a position where the user can check the displayed content. The display 33 is not limited to being set at the end of the top surface of the housing on the exit side, and may be provided, for example, in the center of the top surface of the housing or adjacent to the reading unit of the ticket processing unit 32 on the top surface of the housing.

At both ends of the side of the case 30 that forms the ticket gate 11 facing the passage, there are provided doors 34, 35 that can be opened and closed to allow or deny passage of pedestrians. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, door 34 is provided at the end of the passage on the exit (exit) side, and prevents users from passing through the passage. Door 35 is provided at the end of the passage on the entrance (entrance) side, and prevents users from entering the passage.

A number of human detection sensors 36 are provided inside a sensor cover on the top surface of the housing 30 that forms the ticket gate 11 and on the side of the housing 30. The human detection sensors 36 are composed of reflective detection sensors or transmissive detection sensors. The output signal from the human detection sensors 36 is either "light" or "dark." The human detection sensors 36 detect whether or not a person is present at a specified detection position. The ticket gate 11 detects the presence or absence of people at various points within the passageway using the multiple human detection sensors 36. As a result, the ticket gate 11 is able to determine the position of a user passing through the passageway based on the detection results of the multiple human detection sensors 36.

Furthermore, the ticket gate 11 is provided with an approach sensor 37 on the side facing the passage entrance direction on the side where the reading unit of the ticket processing unit 32 is provided (the entrance side of the passage). The approach sensor 37 detects a person approaching the ticket gate 11. The ticket gate 11 detects a person approaching the passage using the approach sensor 37, allowing the person to smoothly undergo ticket gate processing. For example, the approach sensor 37 may detect a person in a position where they can present an IC card as a ticket to the reading unit of the ticket processing unit 32. In this case, the ticket gate 11 may control the ticket processing unit 32 to become operable according to the detection result of the approach sensor 37.

In addition, when the passageway is operated in both directions, the ticket gate 11 controls the direction of passage of the user (ticket gate direction) by controlling the opening and closing of the door 35 according to the detection result of the approach sensor 37. In addition, the ticket gate 11 may control switching between a power saving mode, which reduces power consumption by turning off the display 33, and a normal operation mode (operation mode in which ticket gate processing is performed), according to the detection result of the approach sensor 37.

The ticket gate 11 may also have a passage guidance display unit on the side facing the passage entrance direction on the side where the reading unit of the ticket processing unit 32 is provided (the entrance side of the passage). For example, the ticket gate 11 may display on the passage guidance display unit whether or not entry to the passage to the ticket gate is possible.

Next, the configuration of a control system of the ticket gate 11 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system for the ticket gate 11 configured as described above.
As shown in Figure 3, the ticket gate 11 has a processor 41, a ROM (read only memory) 42, a RAM (random access memory) 43, a memory unit 44, a communication unit 45, a ticket processing unit 32, detectors (human detection sensor 36, approach sensor 37), a display control circuit 46, a display 33, a door control circuit 47, and doors 34, 35.

The processor 41 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 41 realizes various processing functions by executing programs stored in a memory such as the ROM 42 or the storage unit 44. By executing the programs, the processor 41 realizes functions such as the function of obtaining information corresponding to an ID read from a code image from the server 21, the function of determining whether a person in the passage can pass based on the information obtained from the server 21, the function of detecting the position and movement of a person in the passage of the ticket gate 11 based on the detection result of the human detection sensor 36, and the function of controlling the opening and closing of the doors 34 and 35.

The ROM 42 is made up of a non-volatile memory in which data is stored in advance. For example, the ROM 42 stores control programs and control data executed by the processor 41. The RAM 43 is made up of a volatile memory that temporarily stores data. For example, the RAM 43 functions as a buffer memory for the control programs executed by the processor 41. The storage unit 44 is made up of a rewritable non-volatile memory. The storage unit 44 stores various types of data that can be updated.

The communication unit 45 is an interface for performing data communication. For example, the communication unit 45 performs data communication with the server 21 via the communicator 13. The communication unit 45 also functions as an interface for communicating with the attendant terminal 12.

The human detection sensor 36 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a person (object). As shown in FIG. 2, the human detection sensor 36 is installed on the side of the ticket gate 11 so that each position in the passage is a detection position, and outputs a detection signal indicating the presence or absence of a person at each position to the processor 41. The processor 41 can determine whether or not a person is passing through the passage and the number of people passing through based on the detection result of the human detection sensor 36.

The approach sensor 37 detects a person approaching the ticket gate 11. The approach sensor 37 is provided on the entrance side of the housing of the ticket gate 11, and outputs a detection signal to the processor 41 indicating the presence or absence of a person near the entrance of the ticket gate 11.

The ticket processing unit 32 reads ticket information from the ticket presented by the user. The ticket processing unit 322 communicates with a contactless IC card presented to the reading unit (predetermined reading range) as a ticket, and obtains information recorded on the IC card. The ticket processing unit 32 may also write information such as the results of ticket gate processing to the IC card presented to the reading unit.

The display control circuit 46 controls the display content displayed by the display 33. The display control circuit 46 displays information in response to an instruction from the processor 41. For example, the display control circuit 46 causes the display 33 to display guidance to a person in the passage, indicating whether or not the person can pass through, in response to an instruction from the processor 41.
The door control circuit 47 has a mechanism for opening and closing the doors 34 and 35. The door control circuit 47 drives the doors 34 and 35 to open and close in response to a control instruction from the processor 41.

Next, the configuration of a control system of the attendant terminal 12 in the ticket gate system 1 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of the attendant terminal 12 in the ticket gate system 1 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the attendant terminal 12 has a processor 51, a ROM (read only memory) 52, a RAM (random access memory) 53, a memory unit 54, a communication unit 55, a ticket processing unit 56, a display control circuit 57, a display device 58, an input interface (I/F) 59, and an operation device 60.

The processor 51 realizes various processing functions by executing programs stored in a memory such as the ROM 52 or the storage unit 54. The processor 51 is, for example, a CPU. The ROM 52 is composed of a non-volatile memory in which data is stored in advance. For example, the ROM 52 stores control programs and control data executed by the processor 51. The RAM 53 is composed of a volatile memory that temporarily stores data. For example, the RAM 53 functions as a buffer memory for the control programs executed by the processor 51. The storage unit 54 is composed of a rewritable non-volatile memory. The storage unit 54 stores various types of data.

The communication unit 55 is an interface for performing data communication. For example, the communication unit 55 performs data communication with the server 21 via the communicator 13. The communication unit 55 may also be configured to communicate with the ticket gate 11.

The ticket processing unit 56 processes the ticket that the user presents to the attendant. In this embodiment, like the ticket processing unit 32 of the ticket gate 11, the ticket processing unit 56 communicates with the IC card held by the user as a ticket and reads the information recorded on the IC card. The ticket processing unit 56 also has the function of recording information on the IC card according to the processing performed in response to a request from the user.

The display control circuit 57 is connected to a display device 58. The display control circuit 57 supplies display data from the processor 51 to the display device 58. The display device 58 displays the display data supplied from the processor 51 via the display control circuit 57 on a display screen.
An operation device 60 for inputting operation instructions, such as a touch panel, a keyboard, or a numeric keypad, is connected to the input interface (I/F) 59. The input interface 59 supplies information indicating the contents inputted by the operation device 60 to the processor 51. For example, the display device 58 and the operation device 60 are configured by a display with a touch panel.

Next, the configuration of the server 21 in the ticket gate system 1 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system of the server 21 in the ticket gate system 1 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the server 21 includes a processor 61, a ROM (read only memory) 62, a RAM (random access memory) 63, a communication unit 64, and a storage unit 65.

The processor 61 realizes various processing functions by executing programs stored in a memory such as the ROM 62 or the storage unit 65. The processor 61 is, for example, a CPU.

The ROM 62 is made up of a non-volatile memory in which data is stored in advance. For example, the ROM 62 stores control programs and control data executed by the processor 61. The RAM 63 is made up of a volatile memory that temporarily stores data. For example, the RAM 63 functions as a buffer memory for the control programs executed by the processor 61.

The communication unit 64 is an interface for communication. For example, the communication unit 64 performs data communication with the ticket gate 11 and the attendant terminal 12 via the communicator 13.

The memory unit 65 is composed of a rewritable non-volatile memory. The memory unit 65 stores various data. The memory unit 65 holds the processing results of the attendant terminal 12 or the ticket gate 11 in association with identification information that uniquely identifies the ticket.

Next, a first operation example of the ticket gate 11 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a first example of the operation of the ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment.
Processor 41 of ticket gate 11 detects a person near the entrance of the ticket gate passage using proximity sensor 37. Processor 41 makes an IC card as a ticket presented by a person (user) near the entrance readable by ticket processing unit 32. In this state, the user presents an IC card as a ticket that he or she possesses to a reading unit of ticket processing unit 32 provided on the entrance side of ticket gate 11.

The processor 41 of the ticket gate 11 reads the ticket information stored in the ticket presented by the user via the ticket processing unit 32 (ST11). For example, the card reader/writer serving as the ticket processing unit 32 transmits a read command to an IC card serving as a ticket, obtains the ticket information stored in the IC card as a response to the reader command from the IC card, and supplies the obtained ticket information to the processor 41.

When the processor 41 reads the ticket information from the ticket presented by the user, it determines whether the ticket presented by the user (hereinafter, the ticket being processed) is one of multiple tickets (simultaneous use tickets) that are intended to be used simultaneously (successively) (ST12). For example, an IC card for a disabled person and an IC card for a caregiver that are intended to be used simultaneously (successively) are determined to be simultaneous use tickets.

If the ticket presented by the user is not a simultaneous use ticket such as an IC card for a disabled person and an IC card for a caregiver (ST12, NO), the processor 41 executes normal ticket inspection processing based on the ticket information read from the ticket (ST13).

If the ticket presented by the user is a simultaneous use ticket such as an IC card for disabled people or an IC card for caregivers (ST12, YES), the processor 41 determines whether the ticket being processed is an NG pass ticket or a ticket to be used simultaneously with an NG pass ticket (ST14). Here, an NG pass ticket is a ticket that passed through the ticket gate in a state that was determined to be inaccessible at the time of the previous ticket gate processing. Also, a ticket to be used simultaneously with an NG pass ticket is a ticket that is used simultaneously with a ticket that passed through the ticket gate in a state that was determined to be inaccessible at the time of the previous use.

The ticket gate according to this embodiment may allow a user who presents a ticket determined to be inaccessible to pass through so that multiple users who use multiple tickets that will be used simultaneously through the process described below are not separated at the ticket gate. For example, even if the caregiver's IC card presented by the caregiver is determined to be inaccessible immediately after a disabled person presenting a disabled person's IC card determined to be inaccessible has passed through, the caregiver is allowed to pass through the ticket gate (passageway for ticket gates) to avoid being separated from the disabled person. In such a case, the caregiver's IC card is treated as an NG pass ticket, and the disabled person's IC card corresponding to the caregiver's IC card is treated as a ticket that is used simultaneously with the NG pass ticket.

For example, the processor 41 determines whether the ticket being processed is a NG ticket or a ticket to be used simultaneously with a NG ticket by querying the server 21 for identification information (ticket identification information) included in the ticket information read from the ticket. The processor 41 may also determine whether the ticket being processed is a NG ticket or a ticket to be used simultaneously with a NG ticket based on a list of identification numbers of NG tickets and tickets to be used simultaneously with NG tickets that is distributed in advance from the server 21.

If the ticket being processed is neither a NG pass ticket nor a ticket to be used simultaneously with a NG pass ticket (ST14, NO), the processor 41 performs a passage determination based on the ticket information read from the ticket being processed (ST16).

If the ticket being processed is a NG ticket or a ticket that will be used simultaneously with a NG ticket (ST14, YES), the processor 41 determines whether an attendant has already taken action on the NG ticket (the NG ticket being processed or the NG ticket that will be used simultaneously with the ticket being processed) using the attendant terminal 12 or the like (ST15).

For example, the processor 41 of the ticket gate 11 determines whether or not an attendant has already processed the NG ticket by querying the server 21. If the ticket being processed is an NG ticket, the processor 41 obtains information from the server 21 indicating whether or not an attendant has already processed the NG ticket using the attendant terminal 12 or the like. In addition, if the ticket being processed is a ticket that is to be used simultaneously with the NG ticket, the processor 41 obtains information from the server 21 indicating whether or not an attendant has already processed the NG ticket using the attendant terminal 12 or the like that is to be used simultaneously with the ticket being processed.

The server 21 may determine whether the ticket being processed is a NG pass ticket for which no attendant has been present or a ticket to be used simultaneously with a NG pass ticket for which no attendant has been present, based on the identification information of the ticket being processed inquired about by the ticket gate 11, and notify the ticket gate 11 of the determination result. In this case, the processor 41 of the ticket gate 11 can determine whether the ticket being processed is a NG pass ticket for which no attendant has been present or a ticket to be used simultaneously with a NG pass ticket for which no attendant has been present, based on the information from the server 21.

The attendant terminal 12 may also be operated to record information indicating that an attendant's response has been performed on an NG ticket and a ticket used simultaneously with an NG ticket, as the attendant's response process for an NG ticket. In this case, the processor 41 of the ticket gate 11 may determine whether an attendant's response has been performed based on whether or not it can read information indicating that an attendant's response has been performed on an NG ticket from the ticket being processed.

If no action has been taken by an attendant regarding the NG pass ticket (ST15, NO), the processor 41 closes the exit door 34 to prevent the user from passing through (ST21) and displays a message on the display 33 indicating that passage is not permitted (ST22).

If the attendant has already dealt with the NG pass ticket (ST15, YES), or if the ticket being processed is neither an NG pass ticket nor a ticket to be used simultaneously with an NG pass ticket (ST14, NO), the processor 41 performs a passage determination based on the ticket information read from the ticket being processed (ST16).

If it is determined that passage is permitted based on the ticket information read from the ticket being processed (ST17, NO), the processor 41 opens the exit door 34 to allow the user to pass through (ST18) and displays a message on the display 33 indicating that passage is permitted (ST19).

If it is determined that passage is not permitted based on the ticket information read from the ticket being processed (ST17, YES), the processor 41 determines whether the ticket presented by the previous person passing through is a ticket that can be used simultaneously with the ticket being processed (ST20).

If the ticket presented by the previous person is not a ticket that can be used simultaneously with the ticket being processed (ST20, NO), the processor 41 closes the exit door 34 to prevent the user from passing through (ST21) and displays a message on the display 33 indicating that passage is not possible (ST22).

If the ticket presented by the previous person is a ticket that can be used simultaneously with the ticket being processed (ST20, NO), the processor 41 holds the exit door 34 open (ST23) and notifies the user that an attendant will be available after passing through the ticket gate (ST24). For example, as a notification that an attendant will be available, the processor 41 displays a guidance screen on the display 33 to inform the user that an attendant will be available after passing through the ticket gate.

In other words, if the ticket presented by the previous person who passed through is a simultaneous use ticket corresponding to the ticket being processed, the ticket gate 11 will allow that user to pass through the ticket gate, on the condition that an attendant will assist them after they pass through. For example, if a caregiver presents a caregiver's IC card after a disabled person who presents a disabled person's IC card, and the disabled person's IC card presented by the disabled person who passes first is allowed to pass, the caregiver following the disabled person will be able to pass through the ticket gate 11 even if the ticket information on the caregiver's IC card is determined to be not allowed to pass. As a result, disabled people and caregivers will no longer be separated at the ticket gate 11.

When the processor 41 allows a user who presents a ticket (an NG pass ticket) that is determined to be ineligible for passage because the ticket is to be used simultaneously with the ticket presented by the immediately preceding user to pass through, the processor 41 transmits NG pass information including information indicating the NG pass ticket to the server 21 (ST25). For example, the processor 41 generates NG pass information including identification information of the NG pass ticket, identification information of the ticket that passed through earlier (a simultaneous use ticket), and information such as the passing station and the passing date and time, and transmits the NG pass information to the server 21 via the communicator 13 by the communication unit 45. The processor 41 may also notify the NG pass information to the staff terminal 12 via the communicator 13 by the communication unit 45.

In response to this, the server 21 receives NG passing information from the ticket gate 11 via the communication unit 64. When the processor 61 of the server 21 receives NG passing information from the ticket gate 11, it identifies the identification information of the NG passing ticket and the identification information of a ticket to be used simultaneously with the NG passing ticket based on the NG passing information. The processor 61 of the server 21 stores and manages the identification information of the NG passing ticket and the identification information of a ticket to be used simultaneously with the NG passing ticket in the memory unit 65.

In response to an inquiry from the ticket gate 11 including the identification information of the ticket being processed, the processor 61 of the server 21 determines whether the ticket being processed is a failed pass ticket or a ticket to be used simultaneously with a failed pass ticket, and responds with the determination result to the ticket gate 11. In this case, the processor 41 of the ticket gate 11 determines, as processing ST14, based on the information from the server 21 whether the ticket being processed is a simultaneous use ticket that was failed to be passed previously.

The processor 61 of the server 21 may distribute to each ticket gate 11 the identification information of the NG pass ticket and the ticket to be used simultaneously with the NG pass ticket, which is specified based on the NG pass information from a certain ticket gate 11. In this case, the processor 41 of each ticket gate 11 may store in the memory unit 44 the identification information of the NG pass ticket and the ticket to be used simultaneously with the NG pass ticket distributed from the server 21, and in the process of ST14, may determine from the information stored in the memory unit 44 whether the ticket being processed is a simultaneous use ticket that was NG passed the previous time.

Furthermore, after the user passes through the ticket gate (the passage for ticket gates), the above-mentioned defective tickets require processing (staff response processing) by the staff terminal 12 to make them usable normally. A user who has an defective ticket passes through the ticket gate by following the instructions on the ticket gate machine 11 and then requests assistance from a station staff member. For example, the user may go to a window inside the ticket gate and notify a staff member that the ticket is defective. In response to the user's request, the staff member uses the staff terminal 12 to perform staff response processing for the defective ticket.

For example, if the entry/exit flag on an NG ticket is invalid, the processor 51 of the attendant terminal 12 performs an attendant-response process in which the ticket processing unit 56 rewrites the entry/exit flag on the NG ticket to a normal value. Also, if the NG ticket is short of the fare, the processor 51 of the attendant terminal 12 performs an attendant-response process in which the ticket processing unit 56 records information on the NG ticket indicating that the ticket has passed through the ticket gate normally after the attendant receives the shortfall in fare from the user.

When the attendant handling process for the NG ticket is completed normally, the processor 51 of the attendant terminal 12 transmits to the server 21 via the communication unit 55 a notification that the attendant handling process for the NG ticket has been completed. The processor 51 generates an attendant handling completion notification that includes information such as the identification information of the ticket for which the attendant handling process has been completed (NG ticket), and transmits the attendant handling completion notification to the server 21 via the communication device 13 via the communication unit 55.

The server 21 receives a notification of the completion of the attendant's response from the attendant terminal 12 via the communication unit 64. When the processor 61 of the server 21 receives the notification of the completion of the attendant's response from the attendant terminal 12, the processor 61 of the server 21 stores the completion of the attendant's response in association with the identification information of the NG ticket and the identification information of the ticket to be used simultaneously with the NG ticket based on the received notification of the completion of the attendant's response. In this way, the processor 61 of the server 21 notifies the ticket gate 11 in response to an inquiry as to whether the attendant's response to the NG ticket has been completed. As a result, the ticket gate 11 can determine, based on the information from the server 21, whether or not an attendant has already responded to a ticket that was previously NG, as explained in ST15 above.

The processor 61 of the server 21 may distribute information indicating that the attendant's action on the NG ticket has been completed to each ticket gate 11 based on a completion notification from the attendant terminal 12. In this case, each ticket gate 11 may store the information indicating that the attendant's action on the NG ticket has been completed, which is distributed from the server 21, in the memory unit 44, and in the process of ST15 above, may determine whether the ticket that was NG the previous time has been handled by an attendant based on the information stored in the memory unit 44.

As described above, in the first operation example of the embodiment, if the ticket gate determines that a ticket that is to be used simultaneously with the ticket presented by the user who passed through immediately before is not allowed to pass through, it allows the user of that ticket to pass through. This prevents multiple users using a simultaneous use ticket consisting of multiple tickets from being separated at the ticket gate. As a result, multiple users using simultaneous use tickets, such as a disabled person and their caregiver, can use the ticket gate with peace of mind without having to worry about being separated at the ticket gate.

In addition, in the first operation example of the embodiment, when the ticket gate allows a user of a simultaneous use ticket that is determined to be non-passable to pass through, the ticket gate issues a message urging the user to have an attendant handle the ticket after passing through. As a result, the ticket gate according to the first operation example can urge an attendant to properly handle a simultaneous use ticket that was passed through in a non-passable state in order to prevent users from being separated.

For example, the ticket gate in the first operational example according to the embodiment allows a caregiver using a caregiver IC card following a disabled person using a disabled person IC card to pass through even if the caregiver IC card following the disabled person's IC card is in a state where it cannot pass, and prompts an attendant to process the cards. This makes it possible to carry out ticket gate processing without separating the disabled person and the caregiver.

Furthermore, in the ticket gate system of the first operational example of the embodiment, if multiple simultaneous use tickets pass through the ticket gate with any one of them in a blocked state, the ticket gate will not be able to be used again until an attendant responds after the ticket has passed through. This allows the ticket gate and ticket gate system of the first operational example of the embodiment to process tickets without separating multiple users of simultaneous use tickets, and to prevent fraudulent use such as repeatedly passing through the ticket gate with a ticket that is in a blocked state. In other words, the ticket gate and ticket gate system can also prevent fraudulent use that assumes passage control that does not separate users of simultaneous use tickets.

Next, a second operation example of the ticket gate 11 according to the embodiment will be described.
In addition to the above-mentioned first operation example, the ticket gate 11 in the second operation example checks for fraudulent use of simultaneous use tickets. Simultaneous use tickets may have fare discounts set, so there is a possibility that they may be used fraudulently intentionally. The IC card for disabled people and the IC card for caregivers, which are examples of simultaneous use tickets, are tickets that realize an operation in which the fare is discounted for disabled people who need caregivers.

The above-mentioned simultaneous use tickets can be checked for fraudulent use according to operational conditions of use. For example, if a condition is that the caregiver IC card and the disabled person's IC card are always used simultaneously, fraudulent use is checked by confirming that the caregiver IC card and the disabled person's IC card are being used as a set. In addition, if a condition is that the caregiver IC card is only to be used when caring for a disabled person who has a disabled person's IC card (if the caregiver IC card is prohibited from being used alone), fraudulent use is checked by confirming that the number of times the caregiver IC card is used is equal to or less than the number of times the disabled person's IC card is used.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a second example of the operation of the ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment.
In the following description of the second operation example shown in FIG. 7, processes similar to those shown in FIG. 6 described as the first operation example will be given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
First, the processor 41 of the ticket gate 11 reads the ticket information stored in the ticket presented by the user to the ticket processing unit 32 (ST11).

When the processor 41 reads the ticket information from the ticket presented by the user, it determines whether the ticket presented by the user (the ticket being processed) is one of the simultaneous use tickets (ST12). If the ticket being processed presented by the user is not a simultaneous use ticket (ST12, NO), the processor 41 executes normal ticket gate processing based on the ticket information read from the ticket being processed (ST13).

If the ticket being processed that the user has presented is one of the simultaneous use tickets (ST12, YES), the processor 41 checks whether the simultaneous use tickets, including the ticket being processed, have been used fraudulently (ST31). The ticket gate and ticket gate system according to this embodiment check whether simultaneous use tickets have been used fraudulently. Fraudulent use of simultaneous use tickets is determined based on the usage status of each ticket that is a simultaneous use ticket.

The server 21 has the function of collecting information such as usage information of each ticket that is a simultaneous use ticket from station equipment including the ticket gate 11, and judging whether or not the simultaneous use ticket has been used fraudulently based on the collected information. In this case, the processor 41 of the ticket gate 11 queries the server 21 about the presence or absence of fraudulent use to judge whether or not the simultaneous use ticket, including the ticket being processed, has been used fraudulently.

That is, the server 21 receives information such as usage information of each ticket that is a simultaneous use ticket from station service equipment including the ticket gate 11 via the communication unit 64. The processor 61 of the server 21 manages the information collected from station service equipment such as the ticket gate 11 by storing it in the memory unit 65. The processor 61 of the server determines whether or not the simultaneous use ticket has been used fraudulently based on the information stored in the memory unit 65.

For example, if a condition of use is that multiple tickets that make up the simultaneous use ticket are actually used simultaneously (consecutively), the processor 61 of the server 21 determines whether the simultaneous use ticket has been used fraudulently based on whether the number of times each ticket that makes up the simultaneous use ticket is used matches. If a condition of use is that an IC card for a disabled person and an IC card for a caregiver are used simultaneously, the processor 61 of the server 21 checks for fraudulent use by confirming that the number of times the IC card for the disabled person and the number of times the IC card for the caregiver are used match.

In addition, if the usage conditions stipulate that a specific ticket included in multiple tickets that are to be used simultaneously cannot be used alone, the processor 61 of the server 21 checks for fraudulent use by verifying that the number of times that the ticket that cannot be used alone has been used is equal to or less than the number of times that other tickets that should be used simultaneously have been used. If the caregiver IC card that corresponds to the disabled person IC card cannot be used alone, the processor 61 of the server 21 can determine that fraudulent use has occurred if the number of times that the caregiver IC card has been used is not equal to or less than the number of times that the disabled person IC card has been used.

The ticket gate 11 may determine whether a simultaneous use ticket has been used fraudulently based on the usage information (log information) recorded on each ticket that is a simultaneous use ticket. For example, the ticket gate 11 records the number of uses each time it performs a ticket gate process for each ticket that is a simultaneous use ticket. In this case, the ticket gate 11 may determine whether a simultaneous use ticket has been used fraudulently based on the number of uses read from each ticket that is a simultaneous use ticket.

If it is determined that there has been fraudulent use of a simultaneous use ticket (ST32, NO), the processor 41 closes the door 34 to prevent the user from passing (ST21) and displays a message on the display 33 indicating that passage is not permitted (ST22). Note that in the process of ST31, the ticket gate 11 checks for fraudulent use of the first ticket presented among the tickets that constitute the simultaneous use ticket, so that multiple people using the simultaneous use ticket will not be separated by the ticket gate.

Furthermore, when it is determined that there is no fraudulent use of the simultaneous use ticket (ST32, YES), the processor 41 determines whether the ticket being processed is an NG pass ticket or a ticket to be used simultaneously with an NG pass ticket (ST14).
If the ticket being processed is neither an NG pass ticket nor a ticket to be used simultaneously with an NG pass ticket (ST14, NO), the processor 41 executes a passage determination based on the ticket information read from the ticket being processed (ST16).

If the ticket being processed is a NG ticket or a ticket that will be used simultaneously with a NG ticket (ST14, YES), the processor 41 determines whether or not an attendant has already handled the NG ticket (the NG ticket being processed or the NG ticket that will be used simultaneously with the ticket being processed) using the attendant terminal 12 or the like (ST15).

For example, the processor 41 queries the server 21 to determine whether the ticket being processed is a NG pass ticket for which no attendant has been present or a ticket to be used simultaneously with a NG pass ticket for which no attendant has been present.

If the ticket being processed is a NG pass ticket for which no attendant has been present or a ticket to be used simultaneously with a NG pass ticket for which no attendant has been present (ST15, NO), the processor 41 closes the door 34 to prevent the user from passing through (ST21) and displays a message on the display 33 indicating that passage is not permitted (ST22).

If the ticket being processed is a NG pass ticket that has already been handled by an attendant or a ticket that will be used simultaneously with a NG pass ticket that has already been handled by an attendant (ST15, YES), or if the ticket being processed is neither a NG pass ticket nor a ticket that will be used simultaneously with a NG pass ticket (ST14, NO), the processor 41 performs a passage determination based on the ticket information read from the ticket being processed (ST16).

If the ticket information read from the ticket being processed is determined to be acceptable for passage (ST17, NO), the processor 41 opens the exit door 34 to allow the user to pass through (ST18) and displays a message on the display 33 indicating that passage is acceptable (ST19).

When the processor 41 allows the user to pass through, it also performs a process of recording usage information indicating the processing result for the ticket being processed (ST34). For example, the processor 41 transmits the usage information for the ticket being processed to the server 21. The server 21 obtains usage information for each ticket to be used simultaneously from the ticket gate 11 via the communication unit 64. The processor 61 of the server 21 manages the number of times each ticket to be used simultaneously from the usage information for each ticket obtained from the ticket gate 11 by storing the number of times each ticket to be used simultaneously in the memory unit 65. The processor 41 of the ticket gate 11 may also record the number of times the ticket is used for the ticket being processed by the ticket processing unit 32.

If the ticket information read from the ticket being processed (one of the simultaneous use tickets) is determined to be inaccessible (ST17, YES), the processor 41 determines whether the ticket presented by the previous passing passenger is a ticket that can be used simultaneously with the ticket being processed (ST20).

If the ticket presented by the previous person is not a ticket that can be used simultaneously with the ticket being processed (ST20, NO), the processor 41 closes the exit door 34 to prevent the user from passing through (ST21) and displays a message on the display 33 indicating that passage is not possible (ST22).

If the ticket presented by the previous user is one that can be used simultaneously with the ticket being processed (ST20, NO), processor 41 keeps the exit door 34 open (ST23) and informs the user that an attendant will be available after the user passes through the ticket gate (ST24). Furthermore, if processor 41 allows a user to pass through who has presented a ticket that is determined to be ineligible for passage because it is one that can be used simultaneously with the ticket presented by the previous user (an NG pass ticket), processor 41 transmits NG pass information including information indicating the NG pass ticket to server 21 (ST25).

The server 21 receives the NG pass information sent from the ticket gate 11 via the communication unit 64. The processor 61 of the server 21 stores information indicating NG pass tickets and simultaneous use tickets including NG pass tickets in the memory unit 65 based on the NG pass information obtained from the ticket gate 11. Furthermore, the processor 61 of the server 21 counts up and manages the number of times that tickets that have become NG pass tickets stored in the memory unit 65 have been used. This allows the ticket gate 11 to allow multiple users presenting simultaneous use tickets to pass through without separating them, and allows the server 21 to record information regarding tickets that have been determined to be non-passable.

As described above, according to the second operation example of the embodiment, the ticket gate can control passage so that multiple users holding simultaneous use tickets are not separated at the ticket gate passage, and can check for fraudulent use of each ticket that is a simultaneous use ticket. As a result, multiple users using simultaneous use tickets, such as a disabled person and his/her caregiver, can use the ticket gate with peace of mind without worrying about being separated at the ticket gate. Furthermore, the ticket gate and ticket gate system can prevent fraudulent use and the like by controlling passage so that users of simultaneous use tickets are not separated.

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...Ticket gate system, 11...Ticket gate, 12...Staff terminal (station service equipment), 21...Server, 32...Ticket processing unit (Ticket processing unit), 33...Display, 41...Processor (First processor), 45...Communication unit (First communication unit), 61...Processor (Second processor), 64...Communication unit (Second communication unit), 65...Storage unit.

Claims (9)

An openable door provided in the passage;
a ticket processing unit that performs processing to read information recorded on a ticket held by a user who enters the passage;
a processor that holds the door open when information read from a ticket being processed by the ticket processing unit indicates that passage through the passage is not permitted and the ticket being processed is a ticket to be used simultaneously with a ticket held by a user who has just passed through the passage;
A ticket gate having the above structure. A display that displays guidance is provided,
If the information read from the ticket being processed is information that prohibits passage through the passage, and if the ticket being processed is a ticket that can be used simultaneously with a ticket held by a person who has just passed through the passage, the processor displays a message on the display device urging the user to contact an attendant with the door open.
The ticket gate according to claim 1. The tickets to be used simultaneously are a ticket for a disabled person issued to a disabled person and a ticket for a caregiver issued to a caregiver who cares for the disabled person.
A ticket gate according to claim 1 or 2. When the ticket being processed is an NG pass ticket in which information indicating that the ticket was not allowed to pass after the immediately preceding passer when the ticket gate was used previously is recorded, or a ticket to be used simultaneously with an NG pass ticket, the processor closes the door unless an attendant has handled the NG pass ticket.
A ticket gate according to any one of claims 1 to 3. a communication unit that communicates with a server that manages information on NG-passed tickets and information on tickets that are used simultaneously with the NG-passed tickets;
The processor acquires from the server information indicating whether the ticket being processed is a NG-passed ticket that has not been handled by an attendant or a ticket to be used simultaneously with a NG-passed ticket that has not been handled by an attendant.
The ticket gate according to claim 4. and if the ticket being processed is a ticket that is to be used simultaneously with another ticket, the processor closes the door if unauthorized use of the ticket being processed or a ticket that is to be used simultaneously with the ticket being processed is detected.
A ticket gate according to any one of claims 1 to 5. In a ticket gate system having a server and a ticket gate,
The ticket gate is
A first communication unit that communicates with the server;
An openable door provided in the passage;
a ticket processing unit that performs processing to read information recorded on a ticket held by a user who enters the passage;
a first processor that, when information read from a ticket being processed by the ticket processing unit indicates that passage through the passage is not permitted, holds the door in an open state if the ticket being processed is a ticket to be used simultaneously with a ticket held by a user who has just passed through the passage, and transmits information about the ticket being processed and information about the ticket presented by the user who just passed through the passage to the server;
The server,
A second communication unit that communicates with station service equipment including the ticket gate;
and a second processor that stores information on the ticket being processed when the ticket gate allows the immediately preceding person to pass through the ticket gate based on information from the ticket gate as information on an NG ticket, and stores information on the ticket presented by the immediately preceding person in a storage unit as information on a ticket to be used simultaneously with the NG ticket.
Ticket gate system. a second processor of the server, when acquiring information from the station service equipment by the communication unit indicating that an attendant has responded to the NG ticket, stores in the memory unit that an attendant has responded to the NG ticket, and transmits to the ticket gate an NG ticket for which an attendant has not responded or information indicating an NG ticket for which an attendant has not responded,
the first processor of the ticket gate closes the door when it is determined based on the information stored in the memory unit by the server that the ticket being processed is a NG pass ticket for which no attendant has been present or a ticket to be used simultaneously with a NG pass ticket for which no attendant has been present;
The ticket gate system according to claim 7. The second processor of the server checks for fraudulent use of the tickets used simultaneously based on information acquired from the ticket gate by the second communication unit, and transmits the result of the fraudulent use check to the ticket gate;
When the ticket being processed is a ticket to be used simultaneously with other tickets, the first processor of the ticket gate closes the door if unauthorized use of the tickets to be used simultaneously, including the ticket being processed, is detected in the unauthorized use check by the server.
9. A ticket gate system according to claim 7 or 8.