JP7664883B2 - Station service server and station service program - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a station service server and a station service program.

Traditionally, when a passenger passes through a ticket gate, the ticket gate performs the process of determining whether the passenger should be allowed to pass (enter or exit). In recent years, this determination process has been implemented as a thin client, with a station service server connected to the ticket gate performing the process.

JP 2021-060727 A

When adding new functions to a ticket gate or changing the contents of an existing function, it is necessary to modify it. In the past, when the ticket gate performed the judgment process, only the ticket gate needed to be modified. However, by adopting a thin client system, the station service server also needs to be modified. Also, since there are many ticket gates connected to the station service server, it is not possible to modify all of the ticket gates at the same time. Therefore, there will be a period in which the modified station service server and ticket gates exist in tandem with the unmodified ticket gates. As a result, there is a problem in that the version of the modified station service server and the version of the unmodified ticket gates do not match.

Furthermore, the modified station service server performs its judgment process using information processed with the latest functions, which creates the problem of discrepancies with information processed using functions used in the ticket gates before the modification.

The subject of this invention was made in light of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide technology that matches the versions of the station service server and the ticket gates, preventing discrepancies in the information between the station service server and the ticket gates, even when there are both modified and unmodified ticket gates.

The station service server according to the embodiment includes a receiving unit that receives a determination request from a ticket gate, an identification unit that identifies the ticket gate based on information about the ticket gate included in the determination request, a determination processing unit that receives the determination request according to the identified ticket gate and generates a determination result based on media information included in the determination request, and a transmission unit that transmits the determination result to the ticket gate.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a station service system and a hardware configuration of each device in a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the station service server in relation to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the first ticket gate and the second ticket gate in relation to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a modification schedule for the station service server, the first ticket gate, and the second ticket gate. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a ticket gate processing procedure in the station service system of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the station service server in relation to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the first ticket gate and the second ticket gate in relation to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a ticket gate processing procedure in the station service system of the second embodiment.

The station service server and station service program are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following embodiments, 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.

[First embodiment]
(composition)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a station service system and a hardware configuration of each device in a first embodiment.

The station service system includes a station service server 1, a first ticket gate 2, and a second ticket gate 3.

The station service server 1, the first ticket gate 2, and the second ticket gate 3 are connected to each other via a network 4. Note that for simplicity, in FIG. 1, only two ticket gates (the first ticket gate 2 and the second ticket gate 3) are shown, but the station service server 1 is connected to many ticket gates via the network 4. Therefore, the station service server 1 needs to simultaneously execute many judgment processes sent from many ticket gates.

The station service server 1 is installed within the facilities of a railway operator that manages the first ticket gate 2 and the second ticket gate 3. In addition, the station service server 1 can perform various operations using a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer).

The station service server 1 comprises a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, a communication interface 13, and an input/output interface 14. The control unit 11, the memory unit 12, the communication interface 13, and the input/output interface 14 are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other.

The control unit 11 controls the station service server 1. The control unit 11 is equipped with a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

The storage unit 12 is a storage medium. The storage unit 12 is configured by combining a non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), a non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM), and a volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM). The storage unit 12 has a program storage area and a data storage area in its storage area. The program storage area stores the OS (Operating System), middleware, and application programs required to execute various processes.

The communication interface 13 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 13 includes a communication module that is wired or wirelessly connected to the first ticket gate 2 and the second ticket gate 3 via the network 4. The communication interface 13 may include a general communication module that can communicate with the first ticket gate 2 or the second ticket gate 3 under the control of the control unit 11 and send and receive various information.

The input/output interface 14 is connected to the input unit 141, the output unit 142, etc. The input/output interface 14 is an interface that enables information to be transmitted and received between the control unit 11 and the input unit 141 and the output unit 142. The input/output interface 14 may be integrated with the communication interface 13. For example, the input/output interface 14 may be wirelessly connected between the control unit 11 and the input unit 141 or the output unit 142 using short-range wireless technology or the like, and may transmit and receive information using the short-range wireless technology.

The input unit 141 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc., that allow an administrator who manages the station service server 1 to input various information to the station service server 1. The input unit 141 may also include a reader for reading data to be stored in the memory unit 12 from a memory medium such as a USB memory, or a disk device for reading such data from a disk medium.

The output unit 142 includes a display that displays the output data to be presented to the manager from the station service server 1, a printer that prints it, etc.

The first ticket gate 2 and the second ticket gate 3 are installed at stations where passengers wish to use trains or the like, and control the passage (entrance or exit) of passengers. The first ticket gate 2 and the second ticket gate 3 may be installed within the same station or may be installed at different stations.

The first ticket gate 2 has a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, a communication interface 23, and an input/output interface 24.

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

The memory unit 22 is a storage medium. The memory unit 22 is configured by combining a non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as an HDD or SSD, a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, and a volatile memory such as a RAM. The memory unit 22 has a program storage area and a data storage area in its storage area. The program storage area stores application programs necessary to execute various processes, in addition to the OS and middleware. The memory unit 22 may also store various information, such as the current version of the first ticket gate 2.

The communication interface 23 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 23 includes a communication module that connects to the station service server 1 via the network 4 via a wired or wireless connection. The communication interface 23 may include a general communication module that can communicate with the station service server 1 under the control of the control unit 21 and send and receive various information.

The input/output interface 24 is connected to the medium reading unit 241, the gate 242, the notification unit 243, and the like. The input/output interface 24 is an interface that enables the transmission and reception of information between the control unit 21 and the medium reading unit 241, the gate 242, and the notification unit 243. The input/output interface 24 may be integrated with the communication interface 23. For example, the input/output interface 24 may be wirelessly connected to the control unit 21 and at least one of the medium reading unit 241, the gate 242, and the notification unit 243 using short-range wireless technology or the like, and may transmit and receive information using the short-range wireless technology.

The medium reading unit 241 includes at least one of a two-dimensional code reader that reads information from a two-dimensional code, an IC card reader/writer that reads information by wireless communication with an IC card or the like carried by a passenger, a magnetic information reading unit that reads information from a magnetic ticket, etc. Here, the medium includes a ticket with a two-dimensional code printed on it, an IC card, a magnetic ticket, etc. The medium may also include an image of the passenger's face photographed by a camera. In other words, the medium reading unit 241 may be a general one that can obtain various information from the medium to determine whether or not the passenger can pass through the ticket gate.

The gate 242 is disposed on the side of the first ticket gate 2 facing the passageway. The gate 242 opens and closes in response to instructions from the control unit 21. For example, when the gate 242 closes, it physically blocks passengers from passing through.

The notification unit 243 includes a display and the like arranged on the top of the first ticket gate 2. The notification unit 243 may also include a speaker, a lamp, and the like. The notification unit 243 can be used to inform the passenger whether or not they are allowed to pass. For example, when a passenger is allowed to pass, the notification unit 243 may cause information permitting passage to be displayed on the display. On the other hand, when a signal not permitting the passenger to pass is received, the notification unit 243 may announce to the passenger via a speaker that they are not allowed to pass, and turn on a lamp in red.

The second ticket gate 3 has a control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a communication interface 33, and an input/output interface 34.

The control unit 31, memory unit 32, communication interface 33, and input/output interface 34 may have the same configuration as the control unit 21, memory unit 22, communication interface 23, and input/output interface 24 of the first ticket gate 2, respectively. Therefore, the description here is omitted.

The input/output interface 34 is also connected to a medium reading unit 341, a gate 342, a notification unit 343, etc. The medium reading unit 341, the gate 342, and the notification unit 343 may have the same configuration as the medium reading unit 241, the gate 242, and the notification unit 243 of the first ticket gate 2, respectively. Therefore, a description thereof will be omitted here.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the station service server 1 in relation to the hardware configuration shown in FIG.
The control unit 11 of the station service server 1 includes an information acquisition unit 111 , a version identification unit 112 , a first version determination processing unit 113 , a second version determination processing unit 114 , and a transmission control unit 115 .

The information acquisition unit 111 receives a judgment request from the first ticket gate 2 or the second ticket gate 3 via the communication interface 13. Details of the judgment request will be described later. The information acquisition unit 111 outputs the received judgment request to the version identification unit 112.

The version identification unit 112 identifies the version of the ticket gate based on the judgment request. For example, the version identification unit 112 identifies whether the ticket gate is the first version, which is the modified version, or the second version, which is the pre-modification version. For example, if the version identification unit 112 identifies that the ticket gate is the modified version (first version), it outputs a judgment request to the first version judgment processing unit 113. On the other hand, if it determines that the ticket gate is the pre-modification version (second version), it outputs a judgment request to the second version judgment processing unit 114.

The first version judgment processing unit 113 judges whether a passenger can pass through, for example, based on the judgment request of the modified ticket gate. The first version judgment processing unit 113 may have multiple units (multiple processes). The version identification unit 112 outputs a judgment request to a first version judgment processing unit 113 that is not currently being processed. In other words, the first version judgment processing unit 113 is capable of processing multiple judgment requests in parallel. The first version judgment processing unit 113 also generates a first judgment result based on the judgment, and outputs it to the transmission control unit 115.

The second version judgment processing unit 114 judges whether a passenger can pass through, for example, based on the judgment request of the ticket gate before the modification. The second version judgment processing unit 114 may also have multiple units (multiple processes). The version identification unit 112 outputs a judgment request to a second version judgment processing unit 114 that is not currently processing. In other words, the second version judgment processing unit 114 is also capable of processing multiple judgment requests in parallel. The second version judgment processing unit 114 generates a second judgment result based on the judgment, and outputs it to the transmission control unit 115.

The transmission control unit 115 transmits the first judgment result to the first ticket gate 2 and the second judgment result to the second ticket gate 3.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the first ticket gate 2 and the second ticket gate 3 in relation to the hardware configuration shown in Figure 1.

The memory unit 22 of the first ticket gate 2 includes a first version information memory unit 221. The first version information memory unit 221 is used to store the version of the first ticket gate 2. For example, assume that the first ticket gate 2 is a modified ticket gate. In this case, the first version information memory unit 221 stores a first version indicating that the first ticket gate 2 has been modified.

The control unit 21 of the first ticket gate 2 includes a medium information acquisition unit 211, a judgment request generation unit 212, a communication control unit 213, and a passage control unit 214.

The medium information acquisition unit 211 controls the medium reading unit 241 to read medium information from a medium held by the passenger. For example, it reads medium information stored on an IC card held over an IC card reader/writer, which is the medium reading unit 241. The medium information acquisition unit 211 then receives the medium information from the medium reading unit 241. The medium information acquisition unit 211 outputs the received medium information to the judgment request generation unit 212.

The judgment request generating unit 212 generates a first judgment request based on the medium information and the first version information stored in the first version information storage unit 221. The first judgment request may include the ID of the first ticket gate 2, etc., in addition to the medium information and the first version information.

The communication control unit 213 transmits a first determination request to the station service server 1 through the communication interface 23. In response to the first determination request, the communication control unit 213 also receives a first determination result from the station service server 1 through the communication interface 23. The communication control unit 213 outputs the received first determination result to the passage control unit 214.

The passage control unit 214 controls the passage of passengers. For example, if the information included in the first judgment result indicates that the passenger is permitted to pass, the passage control unit 214 may output information to the notification unit 243 to display the opening of the gate 242, the amount of the fare to be deducted, the charge amount on the IC card, the date and time of passage, etc. Furthermore, the passage control unit 214 may collect the fare through the medium reading unit 241, i.e., write information to the IC card.

The memory unit 32 of the second ticket gate 3 includes a second version information memory unit 321. The second version information memory unit 321 is used to store the version of the second ticket gate 3. For example, the second ticket gate 3 is a second version that is a ticket gate before modification. In this case, the second version information memory unit 321 stores second version information that indicates that the ticket gate is a pre-modification version.

Here, the first version information and the second version information may be 1-bit flag information. For example, if the flag information is 1, it may indicate that the ticket gate has been modified, and if the flag information is 0, it may indicate that the ticket gate has not been modified. Of course, the meaning may be reversed. This allows the version identification unit 112 to identify whether the ticket gate is a modified or unmodified ticket gate depending on whether the version information is 1 or 0. Furthermore, the first version information and the second version information may be any information as long as it is information that can identify whether the ticket gate has been modified or not. For example, the first version information and the second version information may be information such as alphanumeric characters, and the first version information and the second version information may be identified based on this information.

The control unit 31 of the second ticket gate 3 includes a medium information acquisition unit 311, a judgment request generation unit 312, a communication control unit 313, and a passage control unit 314.

The medium information acquisition unit 311 may be similar to the medium information acquisition unit 211. That is, the medium information acquisition unit 311 controls the medium reading unit 341 to read the medium information from the medium held by the passenger.

The judgment request generating unit 312 generates a second judgment request based on the medium information and the second version information stored in the second version information storage unit 321. The second judgment request may include the ID of the second ticket gate 3, etc., in addition to the medium information and the second version information.

The communication control unit 313 transmits a second determination request to the station office server 1 through the communication interface 33. In response to the second determination request, the communication control unit 313 also receives a second determination result from the station office server 1 through the communication interface 33. The communication control unit 313 outputs the received second determination result to the passage control unit 314.

The traffic control unit 314 may be similar to the traffic control unit 214. That is, the traffic control unit 314 controls the passage of passengers.

(Modification schedule)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a modification schedule for the station service server 1, the first ticket gate 2, and the second ticket gate 3.
To operate a new function, it is necessary to modify (upgrade) the station service server 1, the first ticket gate 2, and the second ticket gate 3 before the operation start date. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the station service server 1 is modified first, then the first ticket gate 2, and finally the second ticket gate 3.

The modifications are carried out during times when the train service is suspended, such as between 2:00 and 4:00 in the morning. For example, the modifications to the station service server 1 and the first ticket gate 2 may be carried out on the same day, but the modifications to the station service server 1 must be carried out first.

When modifying (upgrading) the station service server 1 after modifying the first ticket gate 2 first, there may be cases where the station service server 1 cannot be modified due to an error or the like. In such a case, only the first ticket gate 2 is modified, and the station service server 1 will not be able to execute the determination process based on the information it receives from the first ticket gate 2. For this reason, it is necessary to modify the station service server 1 first.

(Operation)
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a ticket gate processing procedure in the station service system of the first embodiment.

The operation of this sequence is realized by the control unit 11 of the station service server 1, the control unit 21 of the first ticket gate 2, and the control unit 31 of the second ticket gate 3 reading and executing the programs stored in the memory unit 12, memory unit 22, and memory unit 32, respectively.

This sequence begins when a passenger attempts to have the first ticket gate 2 read information stored on a medium, for example by holding an IC card, which is the medium, over the IC card reader/writer, which is the medium reading unit 241.

The medium information acquisition unit 211 acquires medium information (step ST101). The medium information acquisition unit 211 controls the medium reading unit 241 to read the medium information from a medium held by the passenger. For example, the medium reading unit 241 reads the medium information stored on an IC card held up to an IC card reader/writer. The medium information acquisition unit 211 then receives the medium information from the medium reading unit 241. The medium information acquisition unit 211 outputs the received medium information to the judgment request generation unit 212.

The judgment request generating unit 212 generates a first judgment request (step ST102). Having received the medium information, the judgment request generating unit 212 acquires the first version information stored in the first version information storage unit 221. Here, the first version information is information indicating that the first ticket gate 2 is a modified version. The judgment request generating unit 212 then generates a first judgment request including the first version information and the medium information. The judgment request generating unit 212 then outputs the first judgment request to the communication control unit 213.

The communication control unit 213 transmits a first determination request (step ST103). The communication control unit 213 transmits the first determination request to the station service server 1 via the communication interface 23.

The version identification unit 112 of the station service server 1 identifies the version of the first ticket gate 2 (step ST104). The information acquisition unit 111 receives the first judgment request through the communication interface 13. The information acquisition unit 111 then outputs the first judgment request to the version identification unit 112. The version identification unit 112 identifies the version of the first ticket gate 2 based on the first version information included in the first judgment request. For example, the version identification unit 112 identifies that the first ticket gate 2 has been modified, i.e., is the first version, because the value of the first version information is 1.

The version identification unit 112 outputs a first judgment request to the first version judgment processing unit 113. For example, the version identification unit 112 may output a judgment request to one of the multiple first version judgment processing units 113 for which judgment processing is not being performed, i.e., a first version judgment processing unit 113 that is available.

The first version determination processing unit 113 determines whether the passenger can pass through based on the first determination request (step ST105). The first version determination processing unit 113 determines whether the passenger can pass through the first ticket gate 2 based on the medium information included in the first determination request. For example, the first version determination processing unit 113 determines whether the passenger can pass through the first ticket gate 2 based on the ticket gate ID of the first ticket gate 2 included in the first determination request, the charge amount included in the medium information, the passage history, etc. The first version determination processing unit 113 may also determine how much the fare is. The first version determination processing unit 113 generates a first determination result based on the determination and outputs the first determination result to the transmission control unit 115. Here, the first determination result may include, for example, whether the passenger can pass through, the fare, the determination date and time, etc.

The transmission control unit 115 transmits the first determination result to the first ticket gate 2 (step ST106). For example, the transmission control unit 115 transmits the first determination result to the first ticket gate 2 via the communication interface 13.

The passage control unit 214 executes passage control (step ST107). The communication control unit 213 receives the first judgment result through the communication interface 23. The communication control unit 213 then outputs the first judgment result to the passage control unit 214. For example, if the information included in the first judgment result indicates that the passenger is permitted to pass, the passage control unit 214 may output information to the notification unit 243 for displaying the opening of the gate 242, the amount of fare to be deducted, the remaining amount, the date and time of passage, etc. Furthermore, the passage control unit 214 may collect the fare through the medium reading unit 241, i.e., write the information.

Next, the passenger attempts to have the second ticket gate 3 read the information stored on the medium. For example, the passenger holds the medium, which is an IC card, over the IC card reader/writer, which is the medium reading unit 341.

Step ST108 is the same process as step ST101, so the explanation will be omitted here.

The judgment request generating unit 312 generates a second judgment request (step ST109). Having received the medium information, the judgment request generating unit 312 acquires the second version information stored in the second version information storage unit 321. Here, the second version information is information indicating that the second ticket gate 3 is before modification. Then, the judgment request generating unit 312 generates a second judgment request including the second version information and the medium information. Then, the judgment request generating unit 312 outputs the second judgment request to the communication control unit 313.

Step ST110 is the same process as step ST103, so its explanation will be omitted here.

The version identification unit 112 of the station service server 1 identifies the version of the second ticket gate 3 (step ST111). The information acquisition unit 111 receives the second judgment request through the communication interface 13. The information acquisition unit 111 then outputs the second judgment request to the version identification unit 112. The version identification unit 112 identifies the version of the second ticket gate 3 based on the second version information included in the second judgment request. For example, the version identification unit 112 determines that the second ticket gate 3 is before modification, i.e., the second version, because the value of the second version information is 0.

The version identification unit 112 outputs the second judgment request to the second version judgment processing unit 114. For example, the version identification unit 112 may output the judgment request to one of the multiple second version judgment processing units 114 for which judgment processing is not being performed, i.e., one that is available.

The second version determination processing unit 114 determines whether the passenger can pass through based on the second determination request (step ST112). The second version determination processing unit 114 determines whether the passenger can pass through the second ticket gate 3 based on the medium information included in the second determination request. For example, the second version determination processing unit 114 determines whether the passenger can pass through the second ticket gate 3 based on the ID of the second ticket gate 3 included in the second determination request, the charge amount included in the medium information, the passage history, etc. The second version determination processing unit 114 may also determine how much the fare is. The second version determination processing unit 114 generates a second determination result based on the determination and outputs the second determination result to the transmission control unit 115. Here, the second determination result may include, for example, whether the passenger can pass through, the fare, the determination date and time, etc.

Steps ST113 to ST114 are similar to steps ST106 to ST107, so their explanation will be omitted here.

(Effects of the First Embodiment)
According to the first embodiment described above, the ticket gate transmits the version of the ticket gate to the station service server 1. The station service server 1 executes a determination process according to the version of the ticket gate, thereby preventing a version mismatch between the ticket gate and the station service server 1. Therefore, no information discrepancy occurs due to a difference in version between the station service server 1 and the ticket gate.

Second Embodiment
(composition)
First, the hardware configurations of the station service server 1, the first ticket gate 2, and the second ticket gate 3 in the second embodiment are the same as those in FIG. 1, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the station service server 1 in relation to the hardware configuration shown in FIG.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the control unit 11 of the station service server 1 includes a ticket gate identification unit 116, a first ticket gate determination processing unit 117, a second ticket gate determination processing unit 118, etc., instead of the version identification unit 112, the first version determination processing unit 113, and the second version determination processing unit 114. The second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that the memory unit 12 includes a ticket gate information memory unit 121.

The ticket gate identification unit 116 identifies which ticket gate the judgment request was sent from. The ticket gate identification unit 116 identifies which ticket gate the judgment request was sent from based on the ticket gate information included in the judgment request. Here, the ticket gate information is information that can identify the ticket gate, and includes, for example, the ticket gate ID. The ticket gate identification unit 116 also outputs the judgment request to the ticket gate judgment processing unit corresponding to the identified ticket gate. That is, in this embodiment, each ticket gate and each judgment processing unit (process) are in one-to-one correspondence. For example, if the ticket gate identification unit 116 identifies that the judgment request was sent from the first ticket gate 2, it outputs the judgment request to the first ticket gate judgment processing unit 117 associated with the first ticket gate 2.

The first ticket gate determination processing unit 117 determines whether the passenger can pass through based on the determination request. It is assumed that the first ticket gate determination processing unit 117 is aware of the version of the first ticket gate 2. Therefore, the first ticket gate determination processing unit 117 is capable of executing a determination process according to the version of the first ticket gate 2. Therefore, the first ticket gate determination processing unit 117 determines whether the passenger can pass through the first ticket gate 2 based on the medium information included in the first determination request. In addition, the first ticket gate determination processing unit 117 generates a first determination result based on the determination, and outputs the first determination result to the transmission control unit 115.

The second ticket gate determination processing unit 118 determines whether the passenger can pass through based on the determination request. It is assumed that the second ticket gate determination processing unit 118 is aware of the version of the second ticket gate 3. Therefore, the second ticket gate determination processing unit 118 is capable of executing a determination process according to the version of the second ticket gate 3. Therefore, the second ticket gate determination processing unit 118 determines whether the passenger can pass through the second ticket gate 3 based on the medium information included in the second determination request. In addition, the second ticket gate determination processing unit 118 generates a second determination result based on the determination, and outputs the second determination result to the transmission control unit 115.

The ticket gate information storage unit 121 of the storage unit 12 stores the ticket gate ID of each ticket gate. The ticket gate information storage unit 121 may also store information on whether each ticket gate has been modified or not.

Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the first ticket gate 2 and the second ticket gate 3 in relation to the hardware configuration shown in Figure 1.

The memory unit 22 of the first ticket gate 2 differs from the first embodiment in that it has a first ticket gate information memory unit 222 instead of a first version information memory unit 221.

The first ticket gate information storage unit 222 stores first ticket gate information capable of identifying the first ticket gate 2, such as the first ticket gate ID.

The judgment request generating unit 212 of the control unit 21 acquires the first ticket gate information from the first ticket gate information storage unit 222. The judgment request generating unit 212 generates a first judgment request including the first ticket gate information and the medium information.

The memory unit 32 of the second ticket gate 3 differs from the first embodiment in that it has a second ticket gate information memory unit 322 instead of a second version information memory unit 321.

The second ticket gate information storage unit 322 stores second ticket gate information capable of identifying the second ticket gate 3, such as a second ticket gate ID.

The judgment request generating unit 312 of the control unit 31 acquires the second ticket gate information from the second ticket gate information storage unit 322. The judgment request generating unit 312 generates a second judgment request including the second ticket gate information and the medium information.

The modification schedule is also assumed to be the same as in the first embodiment.

(Operation)
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a ticket gate processing procedure in the station service system of the second embodiment.

First, each ticket gate communicates with the station service server 1 as soon as it is started up, and notifies the station service server 1 of the version of each ticket gate, i.e., whether the ticket gate has been modified or not. In other words, the station service server 1 stores the version of each ticket gate in the memory unit 22, and the version of each ticket gate is known.

The operation of this sequence is realized by the control unit 11 of the station service server 1, the control unit 21 of the first ticket gate 2, and the control unit 31 of the second ticket gate 3 reading and executing the programs stored in the memory unit 12, memory unit 22, and memory unit 32, respectively.

This sequence begins when a passenger attempts to have the first ticket gate 2 read information stored on a medium, for example by holding an IC card, which is the medium, over the IC card reader/writer, which is the medium reading unit 241.

Step ST201 is the same as step ST101 described with reference to Figure 5, so the description will be omitted here.

The judgment request generating unit 212 generates a first judgment request (step ST202). The judgment request generating unit 212 acquires the first ticket gate information from the first ticket gate information storage unit 222. Here, the first ticket gate information may be information specific to the first ticket gate 2, such as the first ticket gate ID. In other words, the first ticket gate information does not need to include information about the version of the first ticket gate 2. The judgment request generating unit 212 generates a first judgment request that includes the first ticket gate information and the medium information. Then, the judgment request generating unit 212 outputs the first judgment request to the communication control unit 213.

The communication control unit 213 transmits a first determination request (step ST203). The communication control unit 213 transmits the first determination request to the station service server 1 via the communication interface 23.

The ticket gate identification unit 116 of the station service server 1 identifies which ticket gate the first judgment request was sent from (step ST204). The information acquisition unit 111 receives the first judgment request through the communication interface 13. The information acquisition unit 111 then outputs the first judgment request to the ticket gate identification unit 116. The ticket gate identification unit 116 identifies that the first judgment request was sent from the first ticket gate 2 based on the first ticket gate information included in the first judgment request and the information stored in the ticket gate information storage unit 121. For example, the ticket gate identification unit 116 acquires information corresponding to the first ticket gate information from the ticket gate information storage unit 121 and identifies which ticket gate the judgment request was sent from.

In the second embodiment, each ticket gate and each judgment processing unit (process) are in one-to-one correspondence. Therefore, the ticket gate identification unit 116 outputs a first judgment request to the first ticket gate judgment processing unit 117 that is associated with the first ticket gate 2.

The first ticket gate determination processing unit 117 determines whether the passenger can pass through based on the first determination request (step ST205). Since the first ticket gate determination processing unit 117 knows the version of the first ticket gate 2, it is possible to execute a determination process according to the version of the first ticket gate 2. Therefore, the first ticket gate determination processing unit 117 determines whether the passenger can pass through the first ticket gate 2 based on the medium information included in the first determination request. For example, the first ticket gate determination processing unit 117 determines whether the passenger can pass through the first ticket gate 2 based on the ticket gate ID of the first ticket gate 2 included in the first determination request, the charge amount included in the medium information, the passage history, etc. The first ticket gate determination processing unit 117 may also determine how much the fare is. The first ticket gate determination processing unit 117 generates a first determination result based on the determination and outputs the first determination result to the transmission control unit 115. Here, the first judgment result may include, for example, whether the passenger is allowed to pass, the fare, the judgment date and time, etc.

Steps ST206 to ST207 are the same as steps ST106 to ST107 described with reference to Figure 5, so the description will be omitted here.

Next, the passenger attempts to have the second ticket gate 3 read the information stored on the medium. For example, the passenger holds the medium, which is an IC card, over the IC card reader/writer, which is the medium reading unit 341.

Step ST208 is the same process as step ST201, i.e., step ST101, so the explanation will be omitted here.

The judgment request generating unit 312 generates a second judgment request (step ST209). The judgment request generating unit 312 acquires the second ticket gate information from the second ticket gate information storage unit 322. Here, the second ticket gate information may be information specific to the second ticket gate 3, such as the second ticket gate ID. In other words, the second ticket gate information does not need to include information about the version of the second ticket gate 3. The judgment request generating unit 312 generates a second judgment request that includes the second ticket gate information and the medium information. Then, the judgment request generating unit 312 outputs the second judgment request to the communication control unit 313.

Step ST210 is the same process as step ST203, so the explanation will be omitted here.

The ticket gate identification unit 116 of the station service server 1 determines which ticket gate the second judgment request was sent from (step ST211). The information acquisition unit 111 receives the second judgment request through the communication interface 13. The information acquisition unit 111 then outputs the second judgment request to the ticket gate identification unit 116. The ticket gate identification unit 116 identifies that the second judgment request was sent from the second ticket gate 3 based on the second ticket gate information included in the second judgment request and the information stored in the ticket gate information storage unit 121. For example, the ticket gate identification unit 116 acquires information corresponding to the second ticket gate information from the ticket gate information storage unit 121 and identifies which ticket gate the judgment request was sent from.

As described above, in the second embodiment, each ticket gate and each judgment processing unit (process) are associated one-to-one. Therefore, the ticket gate identification unit 116 outputs a second judgment request to the second ticket gate judgment processing unit 118 associated with the second ticket gate 3.

The second ticket gate determination processing unit 118 determines whether the passenger can pass through based on the second determination request (step ST212). Since the second ticket gate determination processing unit 118 knows the version of the second ticket gate 3, it is possible to execute a determination process according to the version of the second ticket gate. The second ticket gate determination processing unit 118 determines whether the passenger can pass through the second ticket gate 3 based on the medium information included in the second determination request. For example, the second ticket gate determination processing unit 118 determines whether the passenger can pass through the second ticket gate 3 based on the ticket gate ID of the second ticket gate 3 included in the second determination request, the charge amount included in the medium information, the passage history, etc. The second ticket gate determination processing unit 118 may also determine how much the fare is. The second ticket gate determination processing unit 118 generates a second determination result based on the determination and outputs the second determination result to the transmission control unit 115. Here, the second judgment result may include, for example, whether the passenger is allowed to pass, the fare, the judgment date and time, etc.

Steps ST213 to ST214 are similar to steps ST206 to ST207, so their explanation will be omitted here.

(Effects of the Second Embodiment)
According to the second embodiment described above, each ticket gate includes ticket gate information capable of identifying each ticket gate in the judgment request. The station service server 1 stores the version of each ticket gate. Furthermore, the station service server 1 has a judgment processing unit (process) that is in one-to-one correspondence with each ticket gate. Since the station service server 1 can execute judgment processing according to the version of the ticket gate, version mismatches do not occur between the ticket gate and the station service server 1.

In addition, for example, even if the first ticket gate 2 breaks down and the first judgment request transmits abnormal information, only the first ticket gate judgment processing unit 117 is affected and the other judgment processing units are not affected. Therefore, the control unit 11 experiences less degradation in performance when a ticket gate breaks down.

[Other embodiments]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, instead of each ticket gate transmitting version information, each ticket gate may transmit information capable of identifying the ticket gate, as in the second embodiment. In this case, the station service server 1 stores information about the version of each ticket gate in the memory unit 12. The control unit 11 of the station service server 1 may then identify the version (after modification or before modification) of the identified ticket gate based on the information stored in the memory unit 12. The control unit 11 may then output a determination request to the first version determination processing unit 113 or the second version determination processing unit 114 depending on the identified version.

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.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1...Station service server 11...Control unit 111...Information acquisition unit 112...Version identification unit 113...First version determination processing unit 114...Second version determination processing unit 115...Transmission control unit 116...Ticket gate identification unit 117...First ticket gate determination processing unit 118...Second ticket gate determination processing unit 12...Memory unit 121...Ticket gate information memory unit 13...Communication interface 14...Input/output interface 141...Input unit 142...Output unit 2...First ticket gate 21...Control unit 211...Medium information acquisition unit 212...Determination request generation unit 213...Communication control unit 214...Passage control unit 22...Memory unit 221...First version information memory unit 222...First ticket gate information memory unit 23...Communication interface 24...Input/output interface 241...Medium reading unit 242...Gate 243...Notification unit 3: Second ticket gate 31: Control unit 311: Medium information acquisition unit 312: Determination request generation unit 313: Communication control unit 314: Passage control unit 32: Storage unit 321: Second version information storage unit 322: Second ticket gate information storage unit 33: Communication interface 34: Input/output interface 341: Medium reading unit 342: Gate 343: Notification unit 4: Network

Claims (8)

A receiving unit that receives a determination request from a ticket gate;
an identification unit that identifies the ticket gate based on information about the ticket gate included in the determination request;
a determination processing unit that receives the determination request from the identification unit in response to the identified ticket gate, and generates a determination result that determines whether or not the passenger is permitted to pass based on medium information included in the determination request;
A transmission unit that transmits the determination result to the ticket gate;
A station administration server equipped with the above. The station service server according to claim 1, wherein the information about the ticket gate indicates whether the ticket gate is a modified or unmodified version, and the identification unit identifies whether the ticket gate is a modified or unmodified version. The station service server according to claim 2, wherein the information about the ticket gate is 1-bit flag information. The station service server according to claim 2, wherein the judgment processing unit includes a plurality of first judgment processing units corresponding to the modified version and a plurality of second judgment processing units corresponding to the pre-modification version, and the identification unit outputs the judgment request to one of the plurality of first judgment processing units when it identifies that the ticket gate is a modified ticket gate, and outputs the judgment request to one of the plurality of second judgment processing units when it identifies that the ticket gate is a pre-modification ticket gate. The station service server according to claim 1, further comprising a memory unit that stores whether the ticket gate is a modified ticket gate or a non-modified ticket gate, and the judgment processing unit comprises a plurality of first judgment processing units corresponding to the modified version and a plurality of second judgment processing units corresponding to the non-modified version, and the identification unit further identifies whether the identified ticket gate is a modified ticket gate or a non-modified ticket gate based on the information stored in the memory unit, and when the identification unit identifies the ticket gate as a modified ticket gate, outputs the judgment request to one of the plurality of first judgment processing units, and when the identification unit identifies the ticket gate as a non-modified ticket gate, outputs the judgment request to one of the plurality of second judgment processing units. The station service server according to claim 1, wherein the determination processing unit includes a ticket gate determination processing unit corresponding to each ticket gate, and the identification unit outputs the determination request to the ticket gate determination processing unit corresponding to the identified ticket gate. The station service server according to claim 6, wherein each of the ticket gate determination processing units knows whether each ticket gate is modified or not, and performs a determination process according to whether the ticket gate is modified or not. A station service program having instructions to be executed by a processor included in a station service server, the instructions comprising:
receiving a determination request from a ticket gate;
Identifying the ticket gate based on information about the ticket gate included in the determination request;
receiving the determination request in response to the identified ticket barrier from the identifying command ;
generating a determination result indicating whether or not the passenger is permitted to pass based on the medium information included in the determination request;
Transmitting the determination result to the ticket gate;
A station service program that includes: