JP7659516B2 - Ticket gates and ticket gate programs - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a ticket gate and a ticket gate program.

The ticket gate can read the media information from the medium containing the two-dimensional code to determine whether or not the passenger can pass through. If the medium is removed from the medium information reading unit before the medium information is read, the ticket gate will not allow the passenger to pass through. Also, if the medium that was used to allow passage once is held up again within a certain period of time, the ticket gate will not react because it will read the same medium information (preventing double reading).

For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technology that uses a passage sensor installed at the ticket gate to determine whether the passenger holding the medium is the same.

JP 2016-057830 A

If a passenger who has once been allowed to pass holds the medium over the medium information reading section again but then removes it immediately, the ticket gate may detect the medium but not be able to read the medium information. Similarly, if a passenger who has once been allowed to pass continues to hold the medium over the medium information reading section but then removes the medium from the medium information reading section, the ticket gate may detect the medium but not be able to read the medium information. In these cases, because the medium information of the medium that was held over again cannot be read, the ticket gate cannot determine whether the medium that was allowed to pass is the same as the medium that it detected. This causes the problem that the ticket gate will not allow a passenger who was once allowed to pass to be unable to pass.

This invention was made with the above in mind, and its purpose is to provide technology that can prevent double reading by determining that a medium held up a second time is the same as the medium held up the first time and not reacting even if the medium information on the medium cannot be read.

The ticket gate according to the embodiment includes a media information acquisition control unit that allows a first passenger to pass based on first media information of a first medium carried by the first passenger, and then receives media detection information indicating that a second medium carried by a second passenger has been detected and receives media information not acquired information indicating that the second media information of the second medium could not be read; and a pass permission determination unit that acquires passenger information about the second passenger based on the media information not acquired information and determines whether the second medium is the same as the first medium based on the passenger information.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket gate system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket gate when viewed from above. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a ticket gate according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the ticket gate in the embodiment in relation to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a passenger passage authentication procedure at the ticket gate shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a passenger passage authentication procedure at the ticket gate shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware and software configurations of a ticket gate according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a passenger passage authentication procedure at the ticket gate shown in FIG.

The ticket gate and the ticket gate program will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following embodiment, parts with the same numbers perform similar operations and will not be described again. For example, when there are multiple identical or similar elements, a common symbol may be used to describe each element without distinguishing between them, and a subnumber may be used in addition to the common symbol to describe each element with distinction between them.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket gate system 1 according to an embodiment.
The ticket gate system 1 is, for example, a system for controlling entry and exit at a ticket gate in a transportation facility such as a train or bus. Of course, the ticket gate system 1 can also be applied to entry and exit at a live music venue or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ticket gate system 1 includes a ticket gate 2, a medium information reading unit 31, a door 32, etc.

The ticket gate 2 controls whether or not to allow a passenger (user) who is trying to pass through (enter or exit) a passageway. One or more ticket gates 2 may be installed at ticket gates of stations, etc. Each of these ticket gates 2 forms a passageway through which passengers can pass. The ticket gates 2 may also be connectable to other devices, such as a central server, via a network, either wired or wirelessly.

The medium information reading unit 31 is installed on the ticket gate 2, which performs entry and exit processing using a medium (e.g., an IC card ticket, a two-dimensional code, a barcode, etc.) held by a passenger. The medium information reading unit 31 then detects the passenger's medium and reads the information stored on the medium. For example, when a passenger holds a two-dimensional code ticket over the medium information reading unit 31, the medium information reading unit 31 detects the frame pattern of the two-dimensional code (detects the medium), and then reads the medium information of the two-dimensional code ticket. The medium information reading unit 31 may also obtain time information indicating the time when the medium information was read from the medium.

Door 32 is installed at ticket gate 2 and physically blocks passengers from passing if they are not permitted to pass.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ticket gate 2 when viewed from above.
In addition to a medium information reading unit 31 and a door 32 , the ticket gate 2 is equipped with a first passage sensor 33 , a second passage sensor 34 and a notification unit 35 .

The first and second passage sensors 33 and 34 are arranged, for example, on the side of the ticket gate 2. The first and second passage sensors 33 and 34 are capable of detecting whether a passenger is present in section A of the passage, and the second and second passage sensors 34 are capable of detecting whether a passenger is present in section B of the passage. Although FIG. 2 shows an example in which there is only one first and second passage sensor 33 and 34, it goes without saying that each of these may be provided with multiple passage sensors.

The notification unit 35 may be a display or the like arranged on the top of the ticket gate 2. The notification unit 35 may also be equipped with a speaker, a lamp, or the like. The notification unit 35 can be used to inform passengers whether they are allowed to pass or not. For example, when a signal permitting the passage of a passenger is received, the notification unit 35 may cause information permitting passage to be displayed on the display. On the other hand, when a signal not permitting the passage of a passenger is received, the notification unit 35 may announce to the passenger via a speaker that they are not allowed to pass and turn on a lamp in red.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the ticket gate 2 according to the embodiment.
The ticket gate 2 includes a control unit 21, a program storage unit 22, a data storage unit 23, a communication interface 24, and an input/output interface 25. The control unit 21, the program storage unit 22, the data storage unit 23, the communication interface 24, and the input/output interface 25 are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

The ticket gate 2 can perform various operations using a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer).

The control unit 21 controls the ticket gate 2. The control unit 21 is equipped with a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

The program storage unit 22 is configured by combining, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a solid state drive (SSD) as a storage medium that can be written to and read from at any time, and a non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM), and stores application programs necessary for executing various control processes according to one embodiment, in addition to middleware such as an operating system (OS). Hereinafter, the OS and each application program will be collectively referred to as a program.

The data storage unit 23 may be, for example, a combination of a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time, and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), as a storage medium.

The communication interface 24 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 24 includes a communication module that connects to other devices via a network via a wired or wireless connection. The communication interface 24 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate with other devices under the control of the control unit 21 and send and receive various information.

The input/output interface 25 is connected to the medium information reading unit 31, the door 32, the first passage sensor 33, the second passage sensor 34, the notification unit 35, etc. The input/output interface 25 is an interface that enables information to be transmitted and received between the medium information reading unit 31, the door 32, the first passage sensor 33, the second passage sensor 34, and the notification unit 35. The input/output interface 25 may include a wired or wireless communication interface. For example, the ticket gate 2 and at least one of the medium information reading unit 31, the door 32, the first passage sensor 33, the second passage sensor 34, and the notification unit 35 are wirelessly connected using short-range wireless technology or the like, and information may be transmitted and received using the short-range wireless technology.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the ticket gate 2 in the embodiment in relation to the hardware configuration shown in FIG.
The data storage unit 23 includes a medium information storage unit 231 and a sensor information storage unit 232 .

The medium information storage unit 231 is used to store the medium information acquired by the medium information acquisition control unit 211 (described later) via the medium information reading unit 31.

The sensor information storage unit 232 is used to store the sensor information acquired by the sensor control unit 214 (described later) from the first traffic sensor 33 and the second traffic sensor 34.

The control unit 21 includes a medium information acquisition control unit 211, a passage permission determination unit 212, a passage control unit 213, and a sensor control unit 214.

The medium information acquisition control unit 211 receives medium detection information indicating that a medium has been detected from the medium information reading unit 31. The medium information acquisition control unit 211 further receives medium information from the medium information reading unit 31. The medium information acquisition control unit 211 may receive time information indicating the time when the medium information was read together with the medium information. The medium information acquisition control unit 211 stores the received medium information and time information in the medium information storage unit 231. The medium information acquisition control unit 211 may further output the received medium information and time information to the passage permission determination unit 212. The medium information acquisition control unit 211 also receives medium information not acquired information indicating that the medium information reading unit 31 was unable to read the medium information. Having received the medium information not acquired information, the medium information acquisition control unit 211 may output a passenger position confirmation signal to the sensor control unit 214 described below.

The passage permission determination unit 212 determines whether the passenger can pass based on the medium information. For example, the passage permission determination unit 212 may determine whether the passenger can pass based on the medium issuing station, fare, issuing time, time information, etc., included in the medium information. The passage permission determination unit 212 outputs the determination result to the passage control unit 213 and the medium information acquisition control unit 211. Furthermore, upon receiving the medium information non-acquisition information, the passage permission determination unit 212 acquires passenger information about the passenger, and determines whether the medium previously held up and the medium whose medium information could not be read are the same, based on the passenger information. The passenger information may be, for example, the passenger's position in the passage. The specific determination method will be described later.

The passage control unit 213 may control the opening and closing of the door 32 based on the determination result received from the passage permission determination unit 212. Furthermore, the passage control unit 213 may output information regarding the permission of passage to the notification unit 35. The notification unit 35 displays the permission of passage on a display or the like based on the information.

The sensor control unit 214 determines whether the passenger is in section A of the passage, in section B, or has finished passing through the passage, based on the information acquired by the first passage sensor 33 and the second passage sensor 34. The sensor control unit 214 may then output the information to the passage permission determination unit 212.

(Operation)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a passenger passage authentication procedure at the ticket gate 2 shown in FIG.
The operation of this flowchart is realized by the control unit 21 of the ticket gate 2 reading and executing a program stored in the program storage unit 22. For example, during a time period when there are many users, such as rush hour, i.e., during a specified date and time, the control unit 21 may operate in a first mode (rush hour mode). In the operation described below, it is assumed that the control unit 21 operates in the first mode.

The medium information acquisition control unit 211 receives the first medium detection information (step ST101). When the passenger holds the first medium over the medium information reading unit 31, the medium information reading unit 31 detects the first medium. For example, if the first medium is a two-dimensional code, the medium information reading unit 31 detects the finder pattern of the two-dimensional code and detects that the first medium has been held over the medium information reading unit 31. The medium information reading unit 31 then outputs the first medium detection information indicating that the first medium has been detected to the medium information acquisition control unit 211 via the input/output interface 25.

The medium information acquisition control unit 211 receives the first medium information (step ST102). After detecting the first medium, the medium information reading unit 31 reads the first medium information stored (printed) on the first medium. The medium information reading unit 31 acquires first time information indicating the time when the first medium information was read. The medium information reading unit 31 then outputs the first medium information and the first time information to the medium information acquisition control unit 211 via the input/output interface 25. The medium information acquisition control unit 211 stores the received first medium information and first time information in the medium information storage unit 231. The medium information acquisition control unit 211 further outputs the first medium information and the first time information to the passage permission determination unit 212.

The passage permission determination unit 212 determines whether or not to permit the passenger to pass (step ST103). The passage permission determination unit 212 determines whether or not the passenger can pass based on the first medium information and the first time information received from the medium information acquisition control unit 211. For example, the passage permission determination unit 212 may determine whether or not the passenger can pass based on the medium issuing station, fare, issuing time, time information, etc., included in the first medium information.

The passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage denial (step ST104). When it is determined that the passenger cannot be permitted to pass, the passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage control unit 213 of the passage denial information. The passage control unit 213, which has received the passage denial information, may output a signal to the door 32 to close the door 32. The door 32 will close the door 32 based on the signal. Furthermore, the passage control unit 213 may output information indicating the reason why the passenger cannot pass to the notification unit 35. The notification unit 35 may display the reason why the passenger cannot pass on a display based on the information, and may provide guidance via a speaker or the like.

The passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage permission (step ST105). When it is determined that the passenger is permitted to pass, the passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage permission information to the medium information acquisition control unit 211 and the passage control unit 213. The medium information acquisition control unit 211, which has received the passage permission information, outputs a next passenger signal to the medium information reading unit 31, which enables detection of a medium held by the next passenger. When the medium information reading unit 31 receives the next passenger signal, it enables detection of the next medium. Furthermore, the passage control unit 213, which has received the passage permission information, may output a signal to open the door 32 to the door 32. Furthermore, the passage control unit 213 may output information indicating that the passenger is permitted to pass to the notification unit 35. The notification unit 35 may display information indicating that the passenger is permitted to pass on the display based on the information.

The medium information acquisition control unit 211 receives the second medium detection information (step ST106). When the passenger holds the second medium over the medium information reading unit 31, the medium information reading unit 31 detects the second medium. For example, the second medium may be the same as the first medium. Alternatively, the passenger may continue to hold the first medium over the medium information reading unit 31, causing the first medium to be detected as the second medium. Of course, the next passenger may hold a second medium different from the first medium over the medium information reading unit 31. Then, the medium information reading unit 31 outputs second medium detection information indicating that the second medium has been detected to the medium information acquisition control unit 211 via the input/output interface 25.

The medium information acquisition control unit 211 receives the second medium information non-acquisition information (step ST107). If the passenger removes the second medium from the medium information reading unit 31 before the medium information reading unit 31 reads the second medium information from the second medium, the medium information reading unit 31 cannot read the second medium information. Therefore, the medium information reading unit 31 outputs, via the input/output interface 25, to the medium information acquisition control unit 211, the second medium information non-acquisition information indicating that the second medium information could not be read and second time information indicating the time at which the second medium information could not be acquired.

The medium information acquisition control unit 211, which has received the second medium information non-acquisition information, acquires the first medium information and the first time information, which are the most recently acquired medium information, from the medium information storage unit 231. Then, the medium information acquisition control unit 211 outputs a passenger position confirmation signal to the sensor control unit 214 to confirm the position of the passenger during the time period from the first time indicated by the first time information to the second time indicated by the second time information.

The sensor control unit 214 determines the position of the passenger (step ST108). Having received the passenger position confirmation signal, the sensor control unit 214 determines where the first passenger is located in the passage of the ticket gate 2 from the first time to the second time. That is, the sensor control unit 214 determines the position of the first passenger based on the second medium information non-acquisition information. For example, the sensor control unit 214 determines the position of the passenger based on the information acquired from each of the first passage sensor 33 and the second passage sensor 34. Then, the sensor control unit 214 outputs passenger position information indicating the determined position of the passenger to the passage permission determination unit 212.

The passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 determines whether the first medium and the second medium are the same (step ST109). The passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 determines whether the second medium is the same as the first medium based on passenger position information, which is passenger information about the first passenger. For example, when the passenger position information indicates that the passenger remains in a predetermined area, that is, section A, from the first time to the second time, the passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 determines that the second medium is the same as the first medium. That is, the passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 determines that the first passenger holding the first medium and the second passenger holding the second medium are the same. In this case, the process proceeds to step ST110. On the other hand, if the passenger position information indicates other than the above conditions, for example, indicates that the first passenger is in section B or has passed through section B, passage permission determination unit 212 determines that the passenger who held the first medium over medium information reading unit 31 is different from the passenger who held the second medium over medium information reading unit 31. In this case, the process proceeds to step ST111.

The passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 notifies the same medium information (step ST110). When it is determined that the first medium and the second medium are the same, the passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 notifies the same medium information to the medium information acquisition control unit 211 and the passage control unit 213. The medium information acquisition control unit 211, which has received the same medium information, outputs a next passenger signal to the medium information reading unit 31, which enables detection of the medium held by the next passenger. When the medium information reading unit 31 receives the next passenger signal, it enables detection of the next medium. In addition, the sensor control unit 214 may determine the position of the first passenger and output a passing signal indicating that the first passenger has passed through section B to the passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212. Then, the passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 may output an instruction to the passage control unit 213 to keep the door 32 open until the passing signal is received. The passage control unit 213 opens the door 32 in response to the instruction and waits for the first passenger to pass.

The passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage denial (step ST111). If it is determined that the first medium and the second medium are not the same, that is, that the first passenger and the second passenger are not the same, the passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage control unit 213 of passage denial information indicating that the second passenger is not permitted to pass.

The passage permission determination unit 212, which has received the no-passage information, receives information on the position of the first passenger from the sensor control unit 214. Then, when the position of the first passenger indicates that the first passenger has not passed through section B, the passage permission determination unit 212 may output an instruction to the passage control unit 213 to keep the door 32 open but not to allow the second passenger to pass. The passage control unit 213 may control the door 32 to keep open, while outputting information that the second passenger cannot pass to the notification unit 35. The notification unit 35 may display the reason for the no-passage to the passenger on a display based on the information, and may provide guidance via a speaker or the like.

On the other hand, if the position of the first passenger indicates that he is passing through section B, a signal to close door 32 may be output to door 32. The passage permission determination unit 212 may output an instruction to close door 32 and not allow the second passenger to pass to the passage control unit 213. The passage control unit 213 may control door 32 to close, and output information that the second passenger cannot pass to the notification unit 35. The notification unit 35 may display the reason why the passenger cannot pass on the display based on the information, and provide guidance via a speaker or the like.

(Effects of the First Embodiment)
According to the embodiment described above, even if the first passenger who has been permitted to pass holds the medium over the medium information reading unit 31 again and then removes it, or continues to hold the medium over the medium but then removes it, and the medium information of the medium held over again cannot be read, the control unit 21 of the ticket gate 2 can determine that the medium held over again is the same medium (the same passenger) based on the passenger information about the passenger (passenger position). In other words, the ticket gate 2 can prevent the same medium from being read twice. This allows the ticket gate 2 to permit passage without the passenger having to hold the medium over the medium again.

Second Embodiment
(composition)
The configuration according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

(Operation)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a passenger passage authentication procedure at the ticket gate 2 shown in FIG.
The operation of this flowchart is realized by the control unit 21 of the ticket gate 2 reading and executing a program stored in the program storage unit 22. For example, during a time period when the number of users is small compared to rush hour, such as during normal times, that is, during a time period other than the specified date and time described in the first embodiment, the control unit 21 may operate in the second mode (normal mode). In the operation described below, the control unit 21 is assumed to operate in the second mode. That is, the control unit 21 may be capable of switching between the first mode and the second mode depending on the date and time (rush hour and non-rush hour).

Here, steps ST201 to ST206 are the same as steps ST101 to ST106 described with reference to FIG. 4, so the description of these steps will be omitted.

The medium information acquisition control unit 211 receives the second medium information not acquired information (step ST207). If the passenger removes the second medium from the medium information reading unit 31 before the medium information reading unit 31 reads the second medium information from the second medium, the medium information reading unit 31 cannot read the second medium information. Therefore, the medium information reading unit 31 outputs, via the input/output interface 25, to the medium information acquisition control unit 211, the second medium information not acquired information indicating that the second medium information could not be read and second time information indicating the time at which the second medium information could not be acquired. The medium information acquisition control unit 211 then outputs the received second medium information not acquired information to the passage permission determination unit 212.

The passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage is not allowed (step ST208). Having received the media information non-acquisition information, the passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage control unit 213 of the passage not allowed information. The passage control unit 213, having received the passage not allowed information, may output a signal to close the door 32 to the door 32. The door 32 will close the door 32 based on the signal. Furthermore, the passage control unit 213 may output information indicating the reason why the passenger cannot pass to the notification unit 35. The notification unit 35 may display the reason why the passenger cannot pass on a display based on the information, and may provide guidance via a speaker or the like.

When the control unit 21 is operating in the second mode as in the second embodiment, if the control unit 21 detects a passenger's medium but cannot read the medium information, the control unit 21 of the ticket gate 2 does not allow the passenger to pass. In this case, the second passenger must hold the medium over the medium information reading unit 31 again.

The medium information reading unit 31 receives the second medium information detection information (step ST209). When the passenger holds the second medium over the medium information reading unit 31, the medium information reading unit 31 detects the second medium. For example, the second medium may be the same as the first medium or may be different. The medium information reading unit 31 then outputs the second medium detection information indicating that the second medium has been detected to the medium information acquisition control unit 211 via the input/output interface 25.

The medium information acquisition control unit 211 receives the second medium information (step ST210). After detecting the second medium, the medium information reading unit 31 reads the second medium information stored (printed) on the second medium. The medium information reading unit 31 acquires third time information indicating the time when the second medium information was read. The medium information reading unit 31 then outputs the second medium information and the second time information to the medium information acquisition control unit 211 through the input/output interface 25. The medium information acquisition control unit 211 acquires the first medium information and the first time information received immediately before the second medium information from the medium information storage unit 231. The medium information acquisition control unit 211 then outputs the first medium information, the first time information, the second medium information, and the third time information to the passage permission determination unit 212.

The passage permission determination unit 212 determines whether to permit the passenger to pass (step ST211). The passage permission determination unit 212 determines whether the passenger can pass based on the first medium information, the first time information, the second medium information, and the second time information received from the medium information acquisition control unit 211. For example, if the first medium information and the second medium information are the same and the time difference between the first time information and the third time information is within a predetermined time, the passage permission determination unit 212 determines that the passenger has held up the first medium again and permits the passenger to pass. Also, if the first medium information and the second medium information are different, the passage permission determination unit 212 may determine whether the passenger can pass based on the second medium information, assuming that a passenger other than the first passenger has held up the second medium over the medium information reading unit 31.

The passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage denial (step ST212). When it is determined that the passenger cannot be permitted to pass, the passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage denial information to the passage control unit 213. The passage control unit 213, which has received the passage denial information, may output a signal to close the door 32 to the door 32. The door 32 will close based on the signal. Furthermore, the passage control unit 213 may output information indicating the reason why the passenger cannot pass to the notification unit 35. The notification unit 35 may display the reason why the passenger cannot pass on a display based on the information, and may provide guidance via a speaker or the like.

The passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage permission (step ST213). When it is determined that the passenger is permitted to pass, the passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the medium information acquisition control unit 211 and the passage control unit 213 of the passage permission information. For example, when the first medium and the second medium are the same and the difference between the first time and the second time is a predetermined time, the passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the medium information acquisition control unit 211 and the passage control unit 213 of the passage permission. The medium information acquisition control unit 211, which has received the passage permission information, outputs a next passenger signal to the medium information reading unit 31, which enables the detection of the medium held by the next passenger. When the medium information reading unit 31 receives the next passenger signal, it enables the detection of the next medium. Furthermore, the passage control unit 213, which has received the passage permission information, may output a signal to open the door 32 to the door 32.

(Effects of the Second Embodiment)
According to the embodiment described above, when the first passenger who has been permitted to pass holds the medium over the medium information reading unit 31 again and then removes it, or holds the medium over the medium but then removes it, and the medium information of the medium that has been held over again cannot be read, the first passenger is requested to hold the medium over the medium again. By reading the medium information again in this manner, it is possible to more reliably determine that the first passenger and the passenger who held the medium over again are the same person.

[Third embodiment]
(composition)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware and software configurations of the ticket gate 2 in the embodiment.
The hardware configuration of the ticket gate 2 of the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that it includes a camera 36. Also, the software configuration of the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the control unit 21 includes a face data acquisition unit 215 and the data storage unit 23 includes a face data storage unit 233.

The camera 36 is installed so as to ensure a shooting range that allows the faces of passengers passing through the passage to be captured. Therefore, the camera 36 may be installed on the ticket gate 2, or may be installed in a location separate from the ticket gate 2. Here, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the camera 36 is shown to be disposed on the ticket gate 2. The camera 36 starts shooting when the ticket gate 2 is started up, that is, when the control unit 21 is in a state where it is possible to determine whether or not to allow the passenger to pass. The camera 36 outputs the image to the face data acquisition unit 215, which will be described later, via the input/output interface 25.

The face data acquisition unit 215 acquires face data based on the captured image received from the camera 36. The face data acquisition unit 215 may also store the acquired face data in the face data storage unit 233 described below. Furthermore, the face data acquisition unit 215 may output the acquired face data to the passage permission determination unit 212.

The passage permission determination unit 212 may perform face authentication based on the received face data and the data stored in the face data storage unit 233. For example, the passage permission determination unit 212 determines whether the face data received from the face data acquisition unit 215 is stored in the face data storage unit 233.

The facial data storage unit 233 stores facial data of passengers who use the ticket gate 2. For example, it may store facial data received from the facial data acquisition unit 215. Furthermore, the facial data storage unit 233 may store facial data that has been registered in advance. For example, the control unit 21 may acquire facial data from a facial image captured by a camera installed in the ticket machine, and store the data in the facial data storage unit 233. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may receive a facial image of the user's own face captured by a mobile terminal or the like carried by the passenger via the communication interface 24, acquire facial data based on the acquired facial image, and store the data in the facial data storage unit 233.

(Operation)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a passenger passage authentication procedure at the ticket gate 2 shown in FIG.
The operation of this flowchart is realized by the control unit 21 of the ticket gate 2 reading and executing a program stored in the program storage unit 22. The control unit 21 may be in either the first mode or the second mode.

Step ST301 is the same as step ST101 described with reference to Figure 5, so the description will be omitted here.

The medium information acquisition control unit 211 receives the first medium information (step ST302). The operations performed by the medium information acquisition control unit 211 and the medium information reading unit 31 are the same as those in step ST102 described with reference to FIG. 5 except for the matters described below, and therefore will not be described here. The medium information acquisition control unit 211 may output a signal indicating that the medium information has been received to the face data acquisition unit 215.

The facial data acquisition unit 215, which has received a signal indicating that the medium information has been received, may detect the first passenger based on the captured image from the camera 36 and acquire facial data of the first passenger. The facial data acquisition unit 215 may then store the acquired first facial data in the facial data storage unit 233. Note that the facial data acquisition unit 215 may associate the first facial data with the first medium information and store them in the facial data storage unit 233.

Steps ST303 to ST306 are the same as steps ST103 to ST106 described with reference to Figure 5, so the description will be omitted here.

The medium information acquisition control unit 211 receives the second medium information non-acquisition information (step ST307). If the passenger removes the second medium from the medium information reading unit 31 before the medium information reading unit 31 reads the second medium information from the second medium, the medium information reading unit 31 cannot read the second medium information. Therefore, the medium information reading unit 31 outputs, via the input/output interface 25, to the medium information acquisition control unit 211, the second medium information non-acquisition information indicating that the second medium information could not be read and second time information indicating the time at which the second medium information could not be acquired.

The medium information acquisition control unit 211, which has received the second media information non-acquisition information, acquires the first medium information and the first time information, which are the most recently acquired media information, from the medium information storage unit 231. The medium information acquisition control unit 211 then outputs the first medium information, the first time information, and the second time information to the passage permission determination unit 212. Furthermore, the medium information acquisition control unit 211 outputs an instruction to acquire facial data of the second passenger to the facial data acquisition unit 215.

The facial data acquisition unit 215 acquires facial data of the second passenger (step ST308). Having received an instruction from the medium information acquisition control unit 211, the facial data acquisition unit 215 detects the second passenger based on the image captured by the camera 36, and acquires facial data of the second passenger. The facial data acquisition unit 215 then outputs the second facial data to the passage permission determination unit 212.

The passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 determines whether the facial data of the second passenger can be authenticated (step ST309). The passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 determines whether the second facial data corresponds to the first facial data. That is, the passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 executes facial authentication of the second facial data. For example, the passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 determines whether data corresponding to the second facial data is stored in the facial data storage unit 233. If it is determined that the facial data corresponding to the second facial data is stored in the facial data storage unit 233, that is, that the second facial data can be authenticated, the passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 determines that the first medium and the second medium are the same. Then, the process proceeds to step ST310. On the other hand, if the facial data of the second passenger cannot be authenticated, the passage permission/prohibition determination unit 212 determines that the first medium and the second medium are not the same. Then, the process proceeds to step ST311.

The passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the same medium information (step ST110). If it is determined that the second face data can be authenticated, that is, that the first medium and the second medium are the same, the passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the same medium information to the medium information acquisition control unit 211 and the passage control unit 213. Having received the same medium information, the medium information acquisition control unit 211 outputs a next passenger signal to the medium information reading unit 31, which enables detection of the medium held by the next passenger. Upon receiving the next passenger signal, the medium information reading unit 31 enables detection of the next medium. Furthermore, the passage control unit 213, which has received the same medium information, may output a signal to the door 32 to keep the door 32 open.

The passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage denial (step ST111). If it is determined that the second data cannot be authenticated, i.e. that the first medium and the second medium are not the same, the passage permission determination unit 212 notifies the passage denial information to the passage control unit 213. The passage control unit 213 that receives the passage denial information may output a signal to the door 32 to close the door 32. The door 32 will close the door 32 based on the signal. Furthermore, the passage control unit 213 may output information indicating the reason why the passenger cannot pass to the notification unit 35. The notification unit 35 may display the reason why the passenger cannot pass on a display based on the information, and may provide guidance via a speaker or the like.

(Effects of the Third Embodiment)
According to the embodiment described above, even if the first passenger who has been permitted to pass holds the medium over the medium information reading unit 31 again and then removes it, or continues to hold the medium over the medium but then removes it, and the medium information of the medium held over again cannot be read, the control unit 21 of the ticket gate 2 can determine that the medium held over again is the same medium based on the passenger information (facial recognition) about the passenger. In other words, the ticket gate 2 can prevent the same medium from being read twice. This allows the ticket gate 2 to permit passage without the passenger having to hold the medium over the medium again.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the first embodiment and the third embodiment may be combined. The control unit 21 may determine whether the passengers are the same based on the passenger's position in the passage and the passenger's face data.

In short, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in combination as appropriate as possible, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment includes inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the multiple constituent elements disclosed.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1: Ticket gate system 2: Ticket gate 21: Control unit 211: Medium information acquisition control unit 212: Passage permission determination unit 213: Passage control unit 214: Sensor control unit 215: Face data acquisition unit 22: Program storage unit 23: Data storage unit 231: Medium information storage unit 232: Sensor information storage unit 233: Face data storage unit 24: Communication interface 25: Input/output interface 31: Medium information reading unit 32: Door 33: First passage sensor 34: Second passage sensor 35: Notification unit 36: Camera

Claims (9)

a medium information acquisition control unit that, after permitting passage of a first passenger based on first medium information of a first medium carried by the first passenger, receives medium detection information indicating that a second medium carried by a second passenger has been detected, and receives medium information non-acquisition information indicating that the second medium information of the second medium could not be read;
a passability determination unit that acquires passenger information about the first passenger based on medium information non-acquisition information and determines whether the second medium is the same as the first medium based on the passenger information;
A ticket gate equipped with The ticket gate according to claim 1, wherein the passage permission determination unit, when determining that the second medium is the same as the first medium, allows the second passenger to pass as the first passenger. The ticket gate according to claim 2, further comprising a sensor control unit that determines where the first passenger is located within the passage of the ticket gate based on information from a plurality of passage sensors, and the passenger information includes the position of the first passenger. the medium information acquisition control unit further acquires first time information indicating a time when the first medium is detected and second time information indicating a time when the second medium is detected;
The ticket gate of claim 3, wherein when the position of the first passenger indicates that the first passenger remains in a specified area within the passage between the time indicated by the first time information and the time indicated by the second time information, the passage eligibility determination unit determines that the second medium is the same as the first medium. The ticket gate of claim 1, wherein if it is determined that the second medium is not the same as the first medium, the passage permission determination unit determines that the second passenger is not the same as the first passenger and does not permit the second passenger to pass. The ticket gate according to claim 5, further comprising a sensor control unit that determines the position of the first passenger based on information from a plurality of passage sensors, and a passage control unit that controls the door of the ticket gate not to close when the position of the first passenger indicates that the passenger has not left the passage of the ticket gate. The ticket gate according to claim 1, wherein the passage permission determination unit determines whether the second medium is the same as the first medium when in the first mode, and does not permit the second passenger to pass when in the second mode. The ticket gate of claim 1, further comprising a face data acquisition unit that acquires photographed images of the first passenger and the second passenger and acquires face data of the first passenger and the second passenger from the photographed images, and the passage permission determination unit determines whether the second medium is the same as the first medium based on whether the face data of the second passenger corresponds to the face data of the first passenger. A ticket gate program that causes a processor to function as each unit of the ticket gate according to any one of claims 1 to 8.