JP7693531B2 - Automatic ticket gates - Google Patents

Description

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

Transportation facilities such as trains and buses use automated ticket gates (hereafter simply referred to as ticket gates) that check tickets using magnetic tickets or IC (Integrated Circuit) cards. Ticket gates distinguish between the attributes of passengers who use the ticket gates, namely, adults and children (hereafter collectively referred to as adults, etc.), who incur fares, and infants, who do not incur fares.

Such a determination (hereinafter referred to as adult detection) is made, for example, based on the height of the passenger passing through the ticket gate. Specifically, when a passenger passes through the ticket gate, a sensor detects whether the passenger's height is greater than or equal to a reference value. As an example, the passenger's attribute is determined to be an adult if the passenger's height is equal to or greater than the reference value, and a child if the passenger's height is less than the reference value. For example, if the passenger is determined to be a child, the ticket gate is opened regardless of other conditions. For example, if a passenger under the age of six is considered a child, the reference value is preset as the average height of a six-year-old child.

Conventionally, adult detection is performed by a reflective sensor installed in the ticket gate. Such sensors are arranged, for example, at three locations on the top of the ticket gate, spaced apart along the direction of passenger passage. The passageway through which passengers pass is formed, for example, as a space between two housings of the ticket gate. In this case, adult detection is performed by three sets of sensors installed in the two housings. Each set of sensors is arranged at opposing positions in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of passenger passage, and emits light directed toward, for example, a predetermined height position (hereinafter referred to as the directional position) on the center line of the passageway. The predetermined height is a height equivalent to the reference value. As a result, the three directional positions defined by the three sets of sensors are arranged at intervals along the direction of passenger passage. In other words, all three directional positions are set directly above the center line of the passageway.

For this reason, when a passenger passes through the aisle roughly along the center line, the light emitted from each pair of sensors hits the passenger near the directional position and is reflected. In contrast, for example, when a passenger passes through the aisle by leaning close to one of the housings on either side of the center line of the aisle, the light emitted from the sensor installed in the housing on one side hits the passenger just before the directional position and is reflected. On the other hand, the light emitted from the sensor installed in the housing on the other side may pass through the directional position and pass over the passenger's head, and may not be reflected even if the passenger passes through the aisle. For example, this situation is likely to occur when a passenger who passes through the aisle by leaning close to one of the housings also passes through while leaning his or her body against that housing. In this case, none of the sensors in each pair of sensors can detect adults. Therefore, for example, if a passenger intentionally walks through the aisle by leaning closer to one side of the cabinet, depending on the way the passenger passes, there is a risk that the adult detection will be missed and the unauthorized passage will be overlooked.

JP 2002-197494 A JP 2000-99776 A JP 2011-22715 A

The problem that this embodiment aims to solve is to provide a ticket gate that can properly detect adults regardless of the way passengers pass through the passageway.

The automated ticket gate of the embodiment includes a housing and a plurality of detection units. The housing defines a passage through which a user passes. The plurality of detection units are provided on the upper part of the housing and detect the presence or absence of a user of a predetermined height or more in the passage by receiving the emitted light. In the passage in the direction of passage of the user, the plurality of detection units include at least one each of a first detection unit arranged near a middle part in the passage direction, a second detection unit arranged near an entrance of the passage, and a third detection unit arranged near an exit of the passage. The first detection unit irradiates the light toward a height position corresponding to the predetermined height on a center line of the passage. The second detection unit irradiates the light toward a height position corresponding to the predetermined height on a first virtual line that is parallel to the center line and different from the center line. The third detection unit irradiates the light toward a height position corresponding to the predetermined height on a second virtual line that is parallel to the center line and is on the opposite side of the center line from the first virtual line. The first imaginary line is located closer to the housing than the center line. If the passage is a one-way passage, the second imaginary line coincides with the first imaginary line.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is an end view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a control block of an automatic ticket gate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an end view showing a schematic configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to a second embodiment.

The following describes the embodiments with reference to the drawings. Note that the disclosure is merely an example, and the invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments. Modifications that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive are naturally included in the scope of the disclosure. To make the explanation clearer, the drawings may show schematic representations of the size, shape, etc. of each part that are modified from the actual embodiment. In multiple drawings, corresponding elements may be given the same reference symbols, and detailed explanations may be omitted.

First Embodiment
1 to 4 show a schematic configuration of an automatic ticket gate (hereinafter, simply referred to as a ticket gate) 10 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10. FIG. 3 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10. FIG. 4 is an end view showing a schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10. FIG. 1 to 4 show, as an example of a ticket gate, a device that is installed at a ticket gate of a railway station or the like and performs ticket gate work to permit or prohibit the passage (entrance and exit) of a user. The user is a passenger (boarding and alighting passengers) using a railway, a person entering or exiting a station premises, a station staff member, a maintenance worker, or the like. In this embodiment, a passenger is assumed as an example of a user.

In the following description, a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a third direction Z are defined as shown in Figures 1 to 4. These directions X, Y, and Z are mutually perpendicular. Furthermore, the plane defined by the first direction X and the second direction Y is defined as the first surface S1, the plane defined by the first direction X and the third direction Z is defined as the second surface S2, and the plane defined by the second direction Y and the third direction Z is defined as the third surface S3.

In the examples shown in Figures 1 to 4, the first direction X is the passage direction of passage PW1 and the depth direction of the ticket gate 10, the second direction Y is the width direction of passage PW1 and the ticket gate 10, and the third direction Z is the height direction of passage PW1 and the ticket gate 10. As described below, passage PW1 is a space defined by the housing 17 of the ticket gate 10 through which users pass. The first surface S1 is a surface parallel to passage PW1, or in short, a horizontal surface. The second surface S2 is a vertical surface parallel to passage PW1 and perpendicular to the first surface (horizontal surface) S1. The third surface S3 is a vertical surface perpendicular to both the first surface S1 and the second surface S2.

The ticket gate 10 includes a reading unit 11, an insertion unit 12, an ejection unit 13, an opening/closing door 14 (14a, 14b), a display unit 15 (15a, 15b), a detection unit 16 (16a, 16b, 16c), a housing 17, and a control unit 18 (described later). In the example of the ticket gate 10 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a pair of housings 171, 172 are arranged side by side facing in opposite directions, and a passage PW1 for users is formed in the space between these housings 171, 172. The ticket gate 10 defines the passage PW1 with each housing 17 so that the passage directions of the passage PW1 are opposite to each other (arrows A1, A2). In this embodiment, defining the passage PW1 corresponds to the housing 17 being located on the right side of the passage direction of the passage PW1. In other words, the housing 17 defines a passage PW1 on the left side of the housing 17 in the direction of passage. As shown by arrows A1 and A2, users can enter the passage PW1 from either the first passage E1 or the second passage E2. The arrows A1 and A2 correspond to the direction of passage of users in the passage PW1.

However, simultaneous entry into the passage PW1 from both passages E1 and E2 is restricted by the opening and closing door 14. When the housing 171 defines the passage PW1, the first passage E1 is the entrance of the passage PW1, and the second passage E2 is the exit of the passage PW1. In this case, the user enters from the first passage E1 and exits from the second passage E2. That is, the direction of passage in the passage PW1 is the direction indicated by the arrow A1. On the other hand, when the housing 172 defines the passage PW1, the second passage E2 is the entrance of the passage PW1, and the first passage E1 is the exit of the passage PW1. In this case, the user enters from the second passage E2 and exits from the first passage E1. That is, the direction of passage in the passage PW1 is the direction indicated by the arrow A2.

In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the housings 171, 172 of the ticket gate 10 are arranged side by side with the directions of passage defined facing in opposite directions, but they may also be arranged side by side with the directions of passage facing in the same direction. For example, in Figures 3 and 4, if the housing 172 is arranged facing in the opposite direction to that shown, passage PW1 will be defined by the housing 171 and will be one-way, with users only able to enter through the first passage E1, as shown by arrow A1. Thus, users enter passage PW1 through the first passage E1 and exit passage PW1 through the second passage E2.

The reading unit 11 reads information recorded on the medium. In this embodiment, the reading unit 11 reads the boarding information by wireless communication with the medium. The medium may be, for example, an IC card with an embedded IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, or an electronic device such as a smartphone. The boarding information includes identification information unique to the medium, identification information of the user, and various information related to the valid section, valid period, entry record, exit record, etc. The reading unit 11 has a reading surface 11a. The reading surface 11a is a surface on which the medium having the boarding information is held in the reading unit 11. The reading unit 11 is also provided with an elliptical light-emitting unit 11b.

The reading surface 11a corresponds to the surface of a cover 11c formed of a material such as resin. The cover 11c covers the antenna and other components of the reading unit 11. The shape of the cover 11c is not limited to the example shown in the figure, and may be other shapes such as an ellipse or a semicircle. The reading unit 11 has an effective range (communication area) in which it can communicate with the medium. This effective range extends, for example, in a hemispherical shape above the reading surface 11a.

In the examples shown in Figures 1 to 4, the ticket gate 10 is equipped with a reading unit 11 that reads boarding information from a medium such as an IC card as described above. However, the ticket gate 10 may be equipped with a reading unit that reads boarding information from a medium other than an IC card, instead of or in addition to the reading unit 11. Examples of the other medium that can be used include electronic devices such as smartphones that can display information codes, and paper tickets with information codes printed on them. Information codes are display objects in which boarding information has been converted into a shape, pattern, color, or a combination of these, such as an optically readable barcode or two-dimensional code.

The input section 12 and the discharge section 13 are provided on the upper surface 17a of the housing 17. The input section 12 of the housing 17 is an input port into which, for example, a magnetic ticket is input, and is located on the front side (upstream side) of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17 in the direction of passage, that is, near the entrance. The input section 12 is also arranged close to the reading section 11 in the direction of passage PW1. The reading section 11 and the input section 12 are parts where a user operates the ticket gate 10 when entering the passage PW1. The magnetic ticket is a magnetic type passenger ticket, which is an example of a medium. The discharge section 13 is an outlet from which, for example, a magnetic ticket is discharged, and is located on the back side (downstream side) of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17 in the direction of passage, that is, near the exit. Inside the ticket gate 10, between the input section 12 and the discharge section 13, a magnetic ticket processing section 19 (described later) that performs various processes on the magnetic ticket is provided (see FIG. 5). The insertion unit 12 and the discharge unit 13 are part of the components of a magnetic ticket processing unit 19. A magnetic ticket inserted from the insertion unit 12 is subjected to various processes such as reading and writing information, printing information, and punching while being transported within the housing 17 by the magnetic ticket processing unit 19, and is then discharged from the discharge unit 13 as necessary.
In addition, the ticket gate 10 may be an IC card-only machine equipped with only the reading unit 11, or a magnetic ticket-only machine equipped with only the magnetic ticket processing unit 19 including the insertion unit 12 and the ejection unit 13.

The opening and closing door 14 is disposed on the side portion 17b of the housing 17 and is supported rotatably relative to the housing 17. The side portion 17b is a surface portion of the housing 17 facing the passage PW1. The opening and closing door 14 includes an entrance opening and closing door 14a disposed on the entrance side of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17 and an exit opening and closing door 14b disposed on the exit side. The entrance opening and closing door 14a rotates around a first rotation shaft 141 and is either in an open door state in which a user can enter the passage PW1 or in a closed door state in which the user cannot enter. In other words, the entrance opening and closing door 14a restricts the user from entering beyond the entrance of the passage PW1 (for example, the first passage E1). The exit opening and closing door 14b rotates around a second rotation shaft 142 and is either in an open door state in which a user can exit the passage PW1 or in a closed door state in which the user cannot exit. That is, the exit door 14b restricts users who have passed through the entrance door 14a from exiting the passage PW1 from the exit (e.g., the second passage E2).

The display unit 15 has two display sections 15a and 15b that display different information. These display sections 15a and 15b are disposed at different positions.
The first display unit 15a is provided on the upper surface 17a of the housing 17. In the example shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, the first display unit 15a is disposed between the discharge unit 13 in the housing 17 and the exit of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17. The first display unit 15a includes, for example, a display panel having a plurality of point light sources, and displays the results of the ticket gate processing for the medium in the medium control unit 181 described later, and notifies the user of the results.

The second display unit 15b is provided on the end surface 17d of the housing 17. In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the second display unit 15b is provided on the end surface 17d located on the entrance side of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17. The second display unit 15b includes, for example, a display panel having multiple point light sources and a control circuit for controlling the display panel, and displays passage information including whether or not passage PW1 can be entered, and notifies the user of this.

The housing 17 includes the reading unit 11, the insertion unit 12, the discharge unit 13, the doors 14 (entrance door 14a, exit door 14b), the detection unit 16, and houses the control unit 18. The housing 17 has a top surface 17a, side surfaces 17b, 17c, and end surfaces 17d, 17e which define the flattened rectangular shape of the ticket gate 10. The top surface 17a is a surface that is mainly parallel to the first surface (horizontal surface) S1. The side surfaces 17b, 17c are a surface that is mainly parallel to the second surface (vertical surface that is parallel to the passage PW1 and perpendicular to the first surface S1) S2. The side surface 17b is a surface that faces the passage PW1, and the side surface 17c is a back surface of the side surface 17b. End surface portions 17d and 17e are surfaces that are mainly parallel to third surface S3 (a vertical surface perpendicular to both first surface S1 and second surface S2). End surface portion 17d is a surface on the entrance side of passage PW1 defined by housing 17, and end surface portion 17e is a surface on the exit side of passage PW1 defined by housing 17.

The housing 17 also has a pole portion 17f. The pole portion 17f is a portion of the housing 17 that is raised in the height direction of the ticket gate 10 (third direction Z). The pole portion 17f protrudes beyond the upper surface portion 17a over the entire length in the depth direction of the ticket gate 10 (first direction X) so that it is narrower than the width of the housing 17 in the second direction Y, or more specifically, the distance between the side portions 17b and 17c, and is approximately flush with the side portion 17c.

Furthermore, the housing 17 defines the passage PW1 through which the user passes, as described above. For example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the ticket gate 10, the housing 171 defines the passage PW1 between itself and the housing 172 adjacent thereto in the second direction Y. When the housing 171 defines the passage PW1, the passage direction of the passage PW1 is the direction indicated by the arrow A1. Furthermore, the housing 172 defines the passage PW1 between itself and the housing 171 adjacent thereto in the second direction Y. When the housing 172 defines the passage PW1, the passage direction of the passage PW1 is the direction indicated by the arrow A2.

In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, a passage PW1 is formed as a space between the side portions 17b of both housings 171, 172. Note that the housing 171 may define the passage PW1 between adjacent walls, fences, etc. in the second direction Y, rather than between the adjacent housing 172. Similarly, the housing 172 may define the passage PW1 between adjacent walls, fences, etc. in the second direction Y, rather than between the adjacent housing 171.

The width W1 of the passage PW1 (hereinafter referred to as the passage width) is the distance between these side portions 17b in the second direction Y. The dashed line CL1 shown in FIG. 3 is a virtual line connecting the midpoints of the passage width W1, and is the center line of the passage PW1 (hereinafter referred to as the center line CL1). The dashed line CL2 shown in FIG. 3 is a virtual line connecting the midpoints of the width W2, which is half the passage width W1 (hereinafter referred to as the equal division line CL2). The width W2 is the shortest distance between the center line CL1 and the side portion 17b of the housing 171. In other words, the width W2 is the width between the center line CL1 and the housing 171 in the direction perpendicular to the center line CL (second direction Y). The dashed line CL3 shown in FIG. 3 is a virtual line connecting the midpoints of the width W3, which is half the passage width W1 (hereinafter referred to as the equal division line CL3). Width W3 is the shortest distance between center line CL1 and side portion 17b of housing 172. In other words, width W3 is the width between center line CL1 and housing 172 in a direction perpendicular to center line CL (second direction Y). Therefore, aisle width W1 is divided into four equal parts by center line CL1, bisect line CL2, and bisect line CL3. In other words, center line CL1, bisect line CL2, and bisect line CL3 are imaginary lines that divide aisle width W1 into four equal parts.

The detection unit 16 detects the presence or absence of a user of a certain height or above in the passage PW1. The detection unit 16 provides the presence or absence of the user as a detection result to the detection control unit 185 described later. Depending on the presence or absence of the user detected by the detection unit 16, the detection control unit 185 determines whether the user, or more simply, the passenger, is an adult or child (hereinafter collectively referred to as an adult, etc.) for which a fare is charged, or an infant for which a fare is not charged (adult detection). Note that the detection unit 16 may be configured to detect the presence or absence of the user and to determine whether the user (passenger) is an adult, etc., or an infant.

The detection unit 16 is disposed on the upper part of the housing 17 and transmits a detection wave. In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the detection unit 16 is disposed on the pole part 17f of the housing 17. However, the detection unit 16 may be disposed, for example, on the upper part of the upper surface part 17a or the side part 17b of the housing 17 (a part near the upper surface part 17a). The detection unit 16 is a reflective sensor incorporating a light-projecting part and a light-receiving part (both not shown), and the light that is irradiated (projected) from the light-projecting part and reflected by the subject is received by the light-receiving part. Therefore, when the detection unit 16 is disposed on the pole part 17f, the light-projecting part and the light-receiving part each face the passage PW1.

In this embodiment, in order to detect the presence or absence of a user (passenger) of a certain height or more, the detection unit 16 directs light toward a certain height position (hereinafter referred to as the directional position) in the passage PW1. The height in the passage PW1 is the distance from the road surface of the passage PW1 along the third direction Z. The certain height is, for example, a height equivalent to the average height of a 6-year-old child (approximately 1250 mm) (distance H shown in FIG. 2, hereinafter referred to as the reference height H). Therefore, the directional position is set as the reference height H from the road surface of the passage PW1 along the third direction Z. The reason for setting it as a 6-year-old child is that it is assumed as an example that a passenger who does not incur a fare is an infant under the age of 6. However, the directional position and the reference height H are not limited to such a set reference.

The ticket gate 10 is equipped with multiple detection units 16. The detection units 16 include detection units 16a, 16b, and 16c that are arranged at three different locations in the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17 in different travel directions. Each of these detection units 16a, 16b, and 16c is equipped with at least one reflective sensor.

In this embodiment, as an example, the ticket gate 10 has three detection units 16a, 16b, and 16c, one at each of three locations in the passage direction of the passage PW1. These detection units 16a, 16b, and 16c are lined up in the passage direction of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 17. The first detection unit 16a is located near the middle of the passage direction. The second detection unit 16b is located on the near side (upstream side) of the passage direction, that is, near the entrance. The third detection unit 16c is located on the far side (downstream side) of the passage direction, that is, near the exit.

1 to 4, the first detection unit 16a is arranged so that its position in the passage direction overlaps with the housing 17, or more specifically, the middle part 17m of the pole part 17f, as viewed from the second direction Y. The middle part 17m is the part corresponding to the middle of the depth direction (first direction X) of the pole part 17f, that is, the passage direction, in other words, the middle of the depth of the ticket gate 10 (distance PL shown in FIG. 2). The second detection unit 16b is arranged closer to the entrance of the passage PW1 than the first rotation axis 141 of the entrance opening door 14a. As an example, the second detection unit 16b is arranged so that its position in the passage direction overlaps with the reading unit 11 as viewed from the second direction Y. That is, the second detection unit 16b is arranged near the reading unit 11. The third detection unit 16c is arranged closer to the exit of the passage PW1 than the second rotation axis 142 of the exit opening door 14b. As an example, the third detector 16c is positioned so that its position in the traffic direction overlaps with the display unit 15 when viewed from the second direction Y. However, the positions of these detectors 16a, 16b, and 16c are not limited to the positions shown in the figure.

The first detection unit 16a irradiates light toward a height position on the center line CL1 of the passage PW1 that corresponds to a predetermined height, that is, the reference height H. The directional position P1 of the first detection unit 16a is a position corresponding to the reference height H on the center line CL1 on the third surface S3 on which the first detection unit 16a is located. Therefore, the optical axis (arrow L11 shown in Figures 2 to 4) connecting the starting point of the light irradiated from the first detection unit 16a and the target point exists on the third surface S3, but does not exist on either the first surface S1 or the second surface S2. In this case, the target point becomes the directional position P1. The directional position P1 is located above the midpoint PM1 of the passage PW1. The midpoint PM1 is a point corresponding to the middle of the length of the center line CL1 in the traffic direction. The first detector 16a emits light from the light-projecting unit toward the target point, which is the point of arrival, P1, and receives the light reflected by a user passing through the passage PW1 with the light-receiving unit.

The second detector 16b directs light toward a height position (reference height H) that corresponds to a predetermined height on a virtual line (hereinafter referred to as a first virtual line) that is parallel to and different from the center line CL1. The first virtual line is located closer to the housing 17 that defines the passage PW1 than the center line CL1. For example, the first virtual line is located at the midpoint of the width between the center line CL1 and the housing 17 in the direction (second direction Y) perpendicular to the center line CL1, or closer to the housing 17 than the midpoint.

The directional position P2 of the second detection unit 16b is a position corresponding to the reference height H on the first virtual line on the third surface S3 on which the second detection unit 16b is present. Therefore, the optical axis (arrow L12 shown in Figures 2 to 4) connecting the starting point of the light irradiated from the second detection unit 16b and the target point exists on the third surface S3, but does not exist on either the first surface S1 or the second surface S2. In this case, the target point becomes the directional position P2. The second detection unit 16b irradiates light from the light-projecting unit toward the directional position P2, which is the target point, and receives the light reflected by the user passing through the passage PW1 at the light-receiving unit. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first virtual line corresponding to the second detection unit 16b of the housing 171 is the equal division line CL2, and the first virtual line corresponding to the second detection unit 16b of the housing 172 is the equal division line CL3. However, the isotopes CL2 and CL3 are merely examples of the first virtual line, and the position of the first virtual line is not limited to these.

The third detector 16b irradiates light toward a height position (reference height H) that corresponds to a predetermined height on a virtual line (hereinafter referred to as a second virtual line) that is parallel to the center line CL1 and is on the opposite side of the center line CL1 from the first virtual line. The second virtual line is located on the side of the housing 17 that defines the passage PW1 between the center line CL1 and the first virtual line. For example, the second virtual line is spaced apart from the center line CL1 by the same distance as the distance between the center line CL1 and the first virtual line in the direction (second direction Y) perpendicular to the center line CL1.

The directional position P3 of the third detection unit 16c is a position corresponding to the reference height H on the second virtual line on the third surface S3 on which the third detection unit 16c is present. Therefore, the optical axis (arrow L13 shown in Figures 2 to 4) connecting the starting point of the light irradiated from the third detection unit 16c and the target point exists on the third surface S3, but does not exist on either the first surface S1 or the second surface S2. In this case, the target point becomes the directional position P3. The third detection unit 16c irradiates light from the light-projecting unit toward the directional position P3, which is the target point, and receives the light reflected by the user passing through the passage PW1 at the light-receiving unit. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second virtual line corresponding to the third detection unit 16c of the housing 171 is the equipartition line CL3, and the second virtual line corresponding to the third detection unit 16c of the housing 172 is the equipartition line CL2. However, the isotopes CL2 and CL3 are merely examples of the second virtual line, and the position of the second virtual line is not limited to these.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, two housings 171 and 172 are arranged side by side in opposite directions, and the passage PW1 is defined by each housing 171 and 172 so that the passage directions of the passage PW1 are opposite to each other (arrows A1 and A2). The detection units 16a, 16b, and 16c of these housings 171 and 172 are arranged in the following positional relationship as shown in Figure 3. The first detection unit 16a of the housing 171 overlaps with the first detection unit 16a of the housing 172 in the passage direction when viewed from the second direction Y. The second detection unit 16b of the housing 171 overlaps with the third detection unit 10c of the housing 172 in the passage direction when viewed from the second direction Y. The third detection unit 16c of the housing 171 overlaps with the second detection unit 10b of the housing 172 in the passage direction when viewed from the second direction Y. For example, the second detection unit 16b and the third detection unit 16c are disposed at positions that are substantially symmetrical with respect to the first detection unit 16a in the passage direction of the passage PW. In other words, the second detection unit 16b and the third detection unit 16c are disposed so that the distances (distances Dab and Dac shown in FIG. 3) between the first detection unit 16a and the second detection unit 16b and the third detection unit 16c in the passage direction of the passage PW are substantially the same. The distances Dab and Dac correspond to, for example, the shortest distances between the first detection unit 16a and the second detection unit 16b and the third detection unit 16c in the passage direction of the passage PW.

By arranging them in this manner, in the ticket gate 10, the first detection units 16a of each of the housings 171, 172 form a set of two. Similarly, in each of the housings 171, 172, the second detection units 16b form a set of two, and each of the third detection units 16c form a set of two. In this embodiment, adults in the passage PW1 are detected by these three sets of detection units 16.

Here, the directional position P1 of the first detection unit 16a in the housing 171 is P1a, the directional position P2 of the second output unit 16b is P2a, and the directional position P3 of the third detection unit 16c is P3a. The directional position P1 of the first detection unit 16a in the housing 172 is P1b, the directional position P2 of the second output unit 16b is P2b, and the directional position P3 of the third detection unit 16c is P3b. By distinguishing in this way, these directional positions have the following positional relationship shown in Figure 3. That is, the directional position P1a approximately coincides with the directional position P1b. The directional position P2a approximately coincides with the directional position P3b. The directional position P1c approximately coincides with the directional position P2b.

Therefore, these directional positions are directional positions P1a and P1b, which are positions corresponding to the reference height H on the center line CL1, directional positions P2a and P3b, which are positions corresponding to the reference height H on the equal division line CL2, and directional positions P3a and P2b, which are positions corresponding to the reference height H on the equal division line CL3. In other words, these directional positions are lined up at three different positions in the width direction (second direction Y) of the passage PW1. The directional positions P1a and P1b are located near the midpoint PM1 of the passage PW1, that is, near the middle part of the center line CL1. The directional positions P2a and P3b are located near the reading unit 11 of the housing 171, that is, near the reading unit 11 on the entrance (first passage E1) side of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 171. The directional positions P3a and P2b are located near the reading unit 11 of the housing 172, that is, near the reading unit 11 on the entrance (second passage E2) side of the passage PW1 defined by the housing 172. Therefore, these directional positions are aligned along a straight line that runs from near the reading unit 11 of the housing 171, through near the middle of the center line CL1, to near the reading unit 11 of the housing 172.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the control block of the ticket gate 10. The ticket gate 10 is equipped with the reading unit 11, the magnetic ticket processing unit 19, the door 14, the display unit 15 (first display unit 15a, second display unit 15b), and the detection unit 16 (first detection unit 16a, second detection unit 16b, third detection unit 16c). The control unit 18 controls the operation of the reading unit 11, the magnetic ticket processing unit 19 (insertion unit 12, discharge unit 13) described below, the door 14, the display unit 15, the detection unit 16, etc. The control unit 18 is connected to the reading unit 11, the magnetic ticket processing unit 19, the door 14, the display unit 15, and the detection unit 16 via control lines.

The reading unit 11 includes an antenna 111, a communication control unit 112, and a light emitting unit 113. The communication control unit 112 transmits radio waves via the antenna 111, and demodulates information contained in radio waves acquired via the antenna 111 from a medium held over the reading surface 11a shown in FIG. 1. The light emitting unit 113 emits light when the medium is available, in other words, when the reading unit 11 is able to read information (boarding information) recorded on the medium. This allows the user to visually confirm that the reading unit 11 is available. In this state, the reading unit 11 continuously transmits (polls) a signal (capture command) requesting a response from the medium at a predetermined interval. On the other hand, the light emitting unit 113 does not emit light (is in a non-light emitting state) when the medium is unavailable, in other words, when the reading unit 11 is unable to read information recorded on the medium. This allows the user to visually confirm that the reading unit 11 is unavailable.

The magnetic ticket processing unit 19 includes an input unit 12, an output unit 13, a transport mechanism, a magnetic processing unit, a printing unit, a hole punching unit, etc. The transport mechanism transports the magnetic tickets inserted from the input unit 12 sequentially according to the magnetic processing steps. The magnetic processing unit reads magnetic information from the magnetic ticket and writes the magnetic information onto the magnetic ticket. The printing unit prints information on the magnetic ticket as necessary. The hole punching unit punches holes in the magnetic ticket as necessary.

The control unit 18 includes a media control unit 181, a display control unit 182, a door control unit 183, a magnetic ticket control unit 184, a detection control unit 185, and the like.

For example, when the detection unit 16 detects that a user has entered the passage PW1, the media control unit 181 drives the reading unit 11 to accept the medium and read boarding information from the medium. Next, the media control unit 181 writes, for example, the entry station, entry start time, entry end time, SF remaining amount, etc., to the medium as a ticket gate process upon entry, or writes, for example, the exit station, exit start time, exit end time, SF remaining amount, etc., to the medium as a ticket gate process upon exit.

The display control unit 182 displays the results of the ticket gate process on the first display unit 15a when the medium control unit 181 performs the ticket gate process on the medium. The display control unit 182 displays the SF balance and the like as the results of the ticket gate process at the time of entry and exit, for example, to inform the user.
The display control unit 182 also displays passage information including whether or not entry into the passage PW1 is possible on the second display unit 15b. For example, when the passage PW1 is bidirectional as in this embodiment, the display control unit 182 switches the passage information to be displayed on the second display unit 15b as follows. While the case 17 defines the passage PW1, the display control unit 182 displays information indicating that entry into the passage PW1 is permitted (entry into the passage PW1 is possible), such as a circle mark, on the second display unit 15b. On the other hand, while the case 17 does not define the passage PW1, the display control unit 182 displays information indicating that entry into the passage PW1 is not permitted (entry into the passage PW1 is not possible), such as a cross mark, on the second display unit 15b.

For example, when the detection unit 16 detects that a user has entered the passage PW1, the door control unit 183 drives an actuator or the like to rotate the entrance opening/closing door 14a around the first rotation axis 141 to open it. Also, when the boarding information read by the reading unit 11 is not correct, for example, the door control unit 183 drives an actuator or the like to rotate the exit opening/closing door 14b around the second rotation axis 142 to close it. Note that when the door control unit 183 determines, based on the detection result of the detection unit 16, that the user is a child for whom no fare is charged, it opens the exit opening/closing door 14b regardless of other conditions.

The magnetic ticket control unit 184 operates the magnetic ticket processing unit 19 to perform various processes on magnetic tickets. For example, when a magnetic ticket is inserted from the insertion unit 12, the magnetic ticket control unit 184 sequentially transports the magnetic ticket using a transport mechanism according to the magnetic processing steps, and performs processes such as reading and writing information in the magnetic processing unit, printing information in the printing unit, and punching holes in the punching unit, and ejects the magnetic ticket after these processes from the ejection unit 13 as necessary.

The detection control unit 185 operates the detection unit 16 to transmit a detection wave. The detection control unit 185 drives a light-emitting unit such as a light-emitting element to irradiate (project) light, and causes a light-receiving unit such as a light-receiving element to receive the light reflected from the subject user. The detection control unit 185 then determines whether the user is an adult or a child depending on the presence or absence of a user of a predetermined height or more in the passage PW1 detected by the detection unit 16. Specifically, when the detection unit 16 receives reflected light from the pointing position, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is an adult or a child because the height of the user is equal to or greater than the height corresponding to the pointing position. On the other hand, when the detection unit 16 does not receive reflected light from the pointing position, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is an infant because the height of the user is less than the height corresponding to the pointing position, that is, not an adult or a child.

For example, when any of the first detection unit 16a, the second detection unit 16b, and the third detection unit 16c receives reflected light from the directional positions P1, P2, and P3, the detection control unit 185 can determine that the user is an adult, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 3, in the passage PW1, when the detection units 16 of both housings 171 and 172 receive reflected light from at least one of the directional positions P2a and P3b located near the first passage E1, the second directional positions P1a and P1b located near the midpoint PM1, and the third directional positions P3a and P2b located near the second passage E2, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is an adult, etc. In other words, when any of the three sets of detection units 16 in the ticket gate 10 receives reflected light, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is an adult, etc. As described above, the three sets of detectors 16 are a set of the first detector 16a, a set of the second detector 16b, and a set of the third detector 16c. For example, if reflected light from both directional positions is received at any one of the three directional positions P2a, P3b, P1a, P1b, and P3a, P2b, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is an adult, etc.

In contrast, when the first detection unit 16a, the second detection unit 16b, and the third detection unit 16c do not receive reflected light from the directional positions P1, P2, and P3, the detection control unit 185 can determine that the user is a child, that is, not an adult, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 3, in the passage PW1, if at least one of the detection units 16 of the housings 171 and 172 does not receive reflected light from the directional positions P2a and P3b located near the first passage E1, the second directional positions P1a and P1b located near the midpoint PM1, and the third directional positions P3a and P2b located near the second passage E2, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is not an adult, etc. In other words, when all of the three sets of detection units 16 in the ticket gate 10 do not receive reflected light, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is not an adult, etc. For example, if reflected light is not received from at least one of the three directional positions P2a, P3b, P1a, P1b, and P3a, P2b, the detection control unit 185 determines that the user is not an adult, etc.

Thus, according to this embodiment, in the passage direction of the passage PW1, the first detection unit 16a is disposed near the middle (midpoint PM1), the second detection unit 16b is disposed near the entrance, and the third detection unit 16c is disposed near the exit. In addition, the directional position P1 of the first detection unit 16a is located above the center line CL1 of the passage PW1, the directional position P2 of the second detection unit 16b is located above the first virtual line, and the directional position P3 of the third detection unit 16c is located above the second virtual line. The first virtual line is located closer to the housing 17 that defines the passage PW1 than the center line CL1. Therefore, the directional position P2 of the second detection unit 16b can be moved closer to the housing 17 that defines the passage PW1 than the center line CL1.

When a user enters the passage PW1, the user operates the reading unit 11 or the insert unit 12. In the passage direction of the passage PW1, the reading unit 11 and the insert unit 12 are arranged close to each other, and the second detection unit 16b is arranged near the reading unit 11. When using the ticket gate 10, the user moves his/her body closer to the housing 17 that defines the passage PW1 than the center line CL1, operates the reading unit 11 or the insert unit 12, and passes through the passage PW1. At that time, since the orientation position P2 of the second detection unit 16b is located closer to the housing 17 that defines the passage PW1 than the center line CL1, it is possible to prevent the light irradiated from the second detection unit 16 from passing over the head of the user who has moved his/her body closer to the housing 17. In other words, the second detection unit 16b can reliably irradiate light toward the user passing through the passage PW1, and the reflected light can be received by the second detection unit 16b. This allows for more reliable detection of adults in the aisle PW1 compared to when the directional position P2 of the second detector 16b is located above the center line CL1.

For example, if a user leans their body closer to the housing 17 and then leans their body against the housing 17 as they pass by, they are more likely to slip through the adult detection. However, by setting the orientation position P2 of the second detection unit 16b closer to the housing 17 side where the reading unit 11 and the insertion unit 12 are operated than the center line CL1, it is possible to prevent the user from slipping through the adult detection even in the above-mentioned case where the user leans their body as they pass by.

As described above, the directional position P3 of the third detection unit 16c is located above the second imaginary line. Therefore, for example, even if a user moves their body closer to the housing 17 opposite the housing 17 that operates the reading unit 11 and the insertion unit 12, and then passes while leaning their body toward the opposite housing 17, light can be reliably irradiated from the third detection unit 16c toward the user, and the reflected light can be received by the third detection unit 16c. That is, in this case as well, adults can be more reliably detected in the passage PW1 than when the directional position P3 of the third detection unit 16c is located above the center line CL1.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, even if a user intentionally passes through passage PW1 by leaning closer to one of the housings 17, it is possible to prevent the user from slipping through the adult detection. In other words, it is possible to avoid a situation in which unauthorized passage through passage PW1 due to the user's passing manner is overlooked.

In most cases, users walk along the center line CL1 of the passage PW1, so in this case, adults can be reliably detected by the first detector 16a, whose directional position P1 is located above the center line CL1, as in the conventional case, and also by the second detector 16b and the third detector 16c.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented 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.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the ticket gate 10 defines the passage PW1 with each of the housings 171 and 172 so that the passage directions of the passage PW1 are opposite to each other (arrows A1 and A2). Alternatively, as in the second embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the housings 171 and 172 of the ticket gate 10 may be arranged side by side so that the passage directions are the same. The second embodiment will be described below.

Second Embodiment
6 and 7 show a schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10a of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10a. FIG. 7 is an end view showing a schematic configuration of the ticket gate 10a. Note that in the second embodiment, the basic configuration of the ticket gate 10a is similar to that of the ticket gate 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. Therefore, in the second embodiment, for each component of the ticket gate 10a that is the same as or similar to the ticket gate 10, reference is made to the configuration of the ticket gate 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and the same reference numerals are used and description is omitted.

In the second embodiment, the second detection unit 16b of the housing 171 irradiates light toward a height position (reference height H) on the first virtual line that corresponds to a predetermined height. The third detection unit 16b of the housing 171 irradiates light toward a height position (reference height H) on the first virtual line that corresponds to a predetermined height, not toward the second virtual line.

The second detection unit 16b of the housing 172 irradiates light toward a height position (reference height H) on the first virtual line that corresponds to a predetermined height. The third detection unit 16b of the housing 172 irradiates light toward a height position (reference height H) on the first virtual line that corresponds to a predetermined height, not toward the second virtual line. Therefore, the directional position P2 of the second detection unit 16b and the directional position P3 of the third detection unit 16c of the housings 171 and 172 are located on the housing 171 side where the user operates the reading unit 11 or the insertion unit 12, relative to the center line CL1.

That is, in the housings 171 and 172, the second virtual line coincides with the first virtual line. In the example shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the first virtual line corresponding to the second detection unit 16b and the third detection unit 16c of the housing 171 is set as the divisor CL2. Also, the first virtual line corresponding to the second detection unit 16b and the third detection unit 16c of the housing 172 is set as the divisor CL2. However, the divisor CL2 is merely an example of the first virtual line, and the position of the first virtual line is not limited thereto.

Therefore, even if a user operates the reading unit 11 or input unit 12 by moving their body closer to the housing 17 that defines the aisle PW1 than the center line CL1, and then passes through the aisle PW1 while keeping their body close to the housing 17, adult detection can be performed more reliably not only by the second detection unit 16b but also by the third detection unit 16c. Therefore, even if a user intentionally moves closer to the housing 171 and passes through the aisle PW1, for example, by moving their body closer to the housing 171 and then passing through while leaning their body against the housing 171, it is possible to prevent the adult from slipping through the detection.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the ticket gate 10 is installed at the ticket gate of a train station, but the use of the ticket gate is not limited to ticket gate operations at public transport facilities. For example, the ticket gate can also be used as an entrance/exit gate installed at the entrance of an office building, an event hall, an art gallery, a museum, etc.

10, 10a... ticket gate, 11... reading section, 12... insertion section, 13... ejection section, 14, 14a, 14b... opening and closing door, 15, 15a, 15b... display section, 16 (16a, 16b, 16c)... detection section (first detection section, second detection section, third detection section), 17, 171, 172... housing, 17a... top surface section, 17b, 17c... side surface section, 17d, 17e ...end surface portion, 17f...pole portion, 17m...middle portion, 18...control portion, 19...magnetic ticket processing portion, 141...first rotation axis, 142...second rotation axis, 181...medium control portion, 182...display control portion, 183...door control portion, 184...magnetic ticket control portion, 185...detection control portion, A1, A2...passage direction, CL1...center line of passage, CL2, CL3...passage Quarter line of width (equal division line), Dab...distance between the first and second detectors, Dac...distance between the first and third detectors, E1...first passageway, E2...second passageway, H...reference height, L11...optical axis of the first detector, L12...optical axis of the second detector, L13...optical axis of the third detector, P1, P1a, P1b...pointing position of the first detector, P2, P2a, P2b...pointing position of the second detector, P3, P3a, P3b...pointing position of the third detector, PL...depth of the housing, PM1...midpoint of the passage, PW1...passageway, S1...first surface, S2...second surface, S3...third surface, W1...passageway width, W2, W3...half the passageway width, X...first direction, Y...second direction, Z...third direction.

Claims (4)

A housing defining a passageway through which users pass;
a plurality of detection units provided on an upper portion of the housing and configured to detect the presence or absence of a user of a predetermined height or more in the passage by receiving irradiated light;
In a passage direction of the user in the passage, the plurality of detection units each include at least one first detection unit arranged near a middle portion of the passage, at least one second detection unit arranged near an entrance of the passage, and at least one third detection unit arranged near an exit of the passage;
the first detection unit irradiates the light toward a height position on a center line of the passage that corresponds to the predetermined height,
the second detection unit irradiates the light toward a height position corresponding to the predetermined height on a first virtual line that is parallel to and different from the center line,
the third detection unit irradiates the light in a direction toward a height position corresponding to the predetermined height on a second imaginary line that is parallel to the center line and is on the opposite side of the center line from the first imaginary line ;
the first virtual line is located closer to the housing than the center line;
If the passage is one-way, the second imaginary line coincides with the first imaginary line.
Automatic ticket gate. the first virtual line is located at a midpoint of a width between the center line and the housing in a direction perpendicular to the center line, or on the housing side of the midpoint;
The automated ticket gate according to claim 1 , wherein the second virtual line is spaced apart from the center line by the same distance as a distance between the center line and the first virtual line in a direction perpendicular to the center line. the second detection unit is disposed near a portion of the housing that is operated when the user enters the passage,
The automated ticket gate according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the third detection unit is disposed at a position symmetrical to the second detection unit with the first detection unit therebetween in the direction of passage. an entrance door that rotates about a first rotation axis and restricts the user from entering beyond the entrance of the passage; and an exit door that rotates about a second rotation axis and restricts the user from exiting from the exit of the passage,
The second detection unit is disposed closer to the entrance than the first rotation axis in the passage direction,
The automated ticket gate according to claim 3 , wherein the third detection unit is disposed closer to the exit than the second rotation shaft in the passage direction.

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