JP7693595B2 - Station equipment and systems - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to station service equipment and station service systems.

Traditionally, railway stations and other facilities are equipped with various types of station service equipment, such as ticket gates, ticket vending machines, and fare adjustment machines. Since these station service equipment perform station service with different settings for each station in which they are installed, they need to be set up using configuration information that corresponds to the station in which they are installed. When conventional station service equipment is newly installed or moved to another station for replacement or other reasons, workers manually import the configuration file that corresponds to the station in which it is installed and set it up so that it can perform station service appropriate to the station in which it is installed.

However, operations in which workers manually set up equipment for each installation station not only require a lot of human effort, but also leave the possibility of human error leading to incorrect settings. For this reason, there is a demand for station service equipment that can be easily and reliably set up when newly installed or relocated.

JP 2014-182774 A

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide station service equipment and a station service system that can be easily set up according to the station in which it is installed.

According to an embodiment, the station service equipment has a communication unit, a position acquisition unit, and a processor. The communication unit communicates with a higher-level device. The position acquisition unit acquires position information indicating the current position of the station service equipment. The processor acquires from the higher-level device a station-specific file of a station to be selected from the current position acquired by the position acquisition unit, and sets the installation station according to the acquired station-specific file.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a station service system including station service equipment according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server as a higher-level device for station service equipment in a station service system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a monitoring panel that is a higher-level device for ticket gates as station service equipment in a station service system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket gate, which is an example of station service equipment in the station service system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket vending machine and a fare adjustment machine, which are examples of station service equipment in the station service system according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of station service equipment in the station service system according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display of an operation screen displayed by station service equipment in the station service system according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the higher-level device in the station service system according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a station service system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The station service system 10 is a system that connects station service equipment installed in each station. In the configuration example shown in Fig. 1, the station service system 10 includes a server 1, a monitoring panel 2, a ticket gate 3, a ticket vending machine 4A, and a fare adjustment machine 4B.

Server 1 is connected to each station service equipment via a network. Server 1 is a higher-level device that supplies information to each station service equipment. Server 1 may be a station server set for each station, or a center server provided at a center that manages each station. In the station service system according to this embodiment, server 1 stores station-specific files, which are files of setting data to be applied to station service equipment installed at each station. Server 1 supplies station-specific files corresponding to the station (installation station) at which the station service equipment is installed to the station service equipment.

The monitoring panel 2 is connected to the server 1 and to multiple ticket gates 3. The monitoring panel 2 is provided, for example, at each ticket gate or station, and is connected to the ticket gate 3 installed at the ticket gate. The monitoring panel 2 is a higher-level device for the ticket gate 3, which is an example of station service equipment. The monitoring panel 2 monitors the operating status of each connected ticket gate 3, and remotely supplies operating instructions to each ticket gate 3. In the station service system of this embodiment, the monitoring panel 2 stores a station-specific file, which is a file of setting data for each installed station that is applied to the ticket gate 3 to be monitored. The monitoring panel 2 supplies the ticket gate 3 with a station-specific file corresponding to the station (installation station) at which the ticket gate 3 is installed. The monitoring panel 2 may also obtain a station-specific file from the server 1 and supply the ticket gate 3 with a station-specific file corresponding to the installed station.

The ticket gate 3 is installed at the ticket gate of a station, and performs ticket gate processing (entry processing and exit processing) at the ticket gate based on the information stored on the ticket medium presented by the user. The ticket gate 3 supplies information indicating its operating status to the monitoring panel 2, and obtains information such as operating instructions and setting information from the monitoring panel 2. For example, the ticket gate 3 obtains a station-specific file, which is a file of setting data corresponding to the station where the ticket gate 3 is installed, from the monitoring panel 2, and performs settings according to the station-specific file obtained from the monitoring panel 2.

The ticket medium processed by the ticket gate 3 is, for example, a ticket used as a commuter pass, a post-pay card, or a stored fare (SF) card. The ticket medium processed by the ticket gate 3 may be any medium that can be carried by the user and records information that can be read by the ticket gate 3 (information necessary for ticket gate processing, such as ticket information). For example, ticket media processed by the ticket gate 3 include contactless IC cards that send and receive information by contactless communication, magnetic recording media (magnetic tickets) in which information is recorded in a magnetic recording section, recording media that record (print or display) coded information such as two-dimensional codes, mobile terminals such as mobile phones that have the same functions as contactless IC cards, or mobile terminals that display coded information such as two-dimensional codes.

The ticket vending machine 4A and the fare adjustment machine 4B are examples of station service equipment that processes ticket media.
The ticket vending machine 4A is a station service device that is installed in stations and executes operations such as issuing passenger tickets in response to user operations. For example, the ticket vending machine 4 displays a ticket issuing operation screen for selling passenger tickets, and executes ticket issuing processing in response to the content (ticket issuing information) entered by the user on the ticket issuing operation screen. The ticket vending machine 4A also communicates with the server 1 as a higher-level device. The ticket vending machine 4A acquires from the server 1 a station-specific file, which is a file of setting data corresponding to the station where the ticket vending machine 4A is installed, and performs settings according to the station-specific file acquired from the server 1.

The fare adjustment machine 4B is installed in station premises and is station service equipment that performs settlements for passenger tickets held by users in response to their own operations. For example, the fare adjustment machine 4B displays a settlement operation screen for performing settlement processing for passenger tickets, and performs settlement processing according to the information entered by the user on the settlement operation screen. The fare adjustment machine 4B also communicates with the server 1 as a higher-level device. The fare adjustment machine 4B obtains from the server 1 a station-specific file, which is a file of setting data corresponding to the station where the fare adjustment machine 4B is installed, and performs settings according to the station-specific file obtained from the server 1.

In addition, in this embodiment, station service equipment such as the ticket gate 3, ticket vending machine 4A, and fare adjustment machine 4B in the station service system 10 have a function to determine their current location based on a signal from a position information output device 5, which is a device that outputs information indicating a position. In other words, the ticket gate 3, ticket vending machine 4A, and fare adjustment machine 4B have a function to receive a signal output by the position information output device 5, and to determine their respective current locations (installation locations) based on the signal received from the position information output device 5.

Next, the configuration of the server 1 as an example of a higher-level device in the station service system 10 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 1 as an example of a higher-level device in the station service system 10 according to the embodiment.
According to the exemplary configuration shown in FIG. 2, the server 1 includes a processor 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a storage unit 14, a communication unit 15, and the like.
The processor 11 is responsible for overall control of the server 1. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 11 operates based on various programs stored in the ROM 12 or the storage unit 14 to realize various functions.

ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory in which programs, control data, etc. are stored in advance. For example, ROM 12 functions as a program memory. RAM 13 is a volatile memory that functions as a working memory. RAM 13 functions as a buffer memory that temporarily stores data being processed by processor 11. RAM 13 also temporarily stores data sent and received by communication unit 15.

The memory unit 14 is a rewritable non-volatile memory. The memory unit 14 is configured, for example, with a non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD to which data can be written and rewritten. The memory unit 14 stores, for example, information necessary for ticket gate processing and fare settlement at the ticket gate. In this embodiment, the memory unit 14 also stores station-specific files, which are files of setting data to be applied to station service equipment installed at each station.

The communication unit 15 is a communication interface for communicating with the monitoring panel 2 and station service equipment. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, the communication unit 15 is configured to communicate with the monitoring panel 2 to which the ticket gate 3 is connected, and with station service equipment such as the ticket vending machine 4A and the fare adjustment machine 4B. For example, the communication unit 15 is used as a communication interface for receiving information indicating the installation station from station service equipment such as the ticket vending machine 4A and the fare adjustment machine 4B, and transmitting the station-specific file corresponding to the installation station received from the station service equipment to the station service equipment.

Next, the configuration of the monitoring panel (higher-level device) 2 in the station service system 10 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the monitoring panel 2 according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3 , the monitoring panel 2 includes a processor 21 , a ROM 22 , a RAM 23 , a storage unit 24 , a communication unit 25 , and an operation panel 26 .
The processor 21 controls various operations in the monitoring panel 2. The processor 21 executes various processes by executing a program. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 21 executes various processes by using the RAM 23 to execute a program stored in the ROM 22 or the storage unit 24.

The ROM 22 is a non-volatile memory in which programs, control data, etc. are stored in advance. For example, the ROM 22 functions as a program memory. The RAM 23 is a volatile memory that functions as a working memory. The RAM 23 functions as a buffer memory that temporarily stores data being processed by the processor 21. The RAM 23 also temporarily stores data to be transmitted and received by the communication unit 25.

The storage unit 24 stores various types of data. The storage unit 24 is configured, for example, with a rewritable non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). In this embodiment, the storage unit 24 also stores a station-specific file, which is a file of setting data indicating the setting contents corresponding to the station in which the ticket gate 3 to be monitored is installed.

The communication unit 25 is a communication interface for communicating with the ticket gates 3 to be monitored and the server 1. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the communication unit 25 includes a communication interface for communicating with each ticket gate 3 and a communication interface for communicating with the server 1. For example, the communication unit 25 is used as a communication interface for receiving information indicating the installation station from the ticket gate 3 to be monitored, and transmitting a station-specific file corresponding to the installation station received from the ticket gate 3 to the ticket gate 3.

The operation panel 26 is a device for notifying staff of information and accepting operational instructions from staff. For example, the operation panel 26 is configured with a display device with a built-in touch panel. The operation panel 26 displays information indicating the operational status of each ticket gate 3 to be monitored, and accepts operational instructions for each ticket gate 3 input by staff. For example, in the monitoring panel 2, the processor 21 monitors the operational status of each ticket gate 3, and displays the operational status of each ticket gate 3 on the operation panel 26. The processor 21 also supplies operational instructions to the ticket gate 3 in response to instructions input by staff to the operation panel 26.

Next, the configuration of the ticket gate 3 as an example of station service equipment in the station service system 10 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket gate 3 as an example of station service equipment in the station service system 10 according to the embodiment.
In the exemplary configuration shown in Figure 4, the ticket gate 3 has a processor 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a memory unit 34, a communication unit 35, a media processing unit 36, a display unit 37, a door control unit 38, a maintenance panel 39, and a position information acquisition unit 40.

The processor 31, ROM 32, and RAM 33 function as a control unit that controls the entire ticket gate 3. The processor 31 is, for example, a calculation unit such as a CPU. The processor 31 realizes various processing functions by executing programs stored in the ROM 32 or the memory unit 34.

ROM 32 is a non-volatile memory and functions as a program memory. ROM 32 stores programs executed by processor 31, control data, etc. RAM 33 functions as a working memory that temporarily stores data. RAM 33 loads programs and stores data being processed by processor 31. RAM 33 also functions as a buffer memory that temporarily stores communication data, etc.

The storage unit 34 is a memory that stores data. The storage unit 34 includes a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 34 stores information such as fare information used in ticket gate processing. Furthermore, when the storage unit 34 receives a station-service file from the monitoring panel 2, it stores various setting information according to the received station-service file. Furthermore, the storage unit 34 may also store a program executed by the processor 31.

The communication unit 35 is a communication interface. The communication unit 35 is a communication interface for communicating with the monitoring panel 2, which is a higher-level device for the ticket gate 3. The communication unit 35 functions as a communication interface that notifies the monitoring panel 2 of the station where the ticket gate 3 is installed and obtains a station service file corresponding to the station from the monitoring panel 2.

The medium processing unit 36 processes the passenger ticket medium held by the user. The medium processing unit 36 functions as a medium processing unit that reads information from the passenger ticket medium. The medium processing unit 36 may be any device that can read passenger ticket information from the passenger ticket medium held by the user. For example, if the passenger ticket medium is an IC card, the medium processing unit 36 is configured as a card reader/writer that performs data communication with the IC card (reading and writing to the IC card). Furthermore, if the passenger ticket medium is a contactless IC card, the card reader/writer as the medium processing unit 36 is configured with an antenna and a communication control unit for short-range wireless communication with the IC card.

The display unit 37 is a display that displays guidance to users passing through the ticket gate. The display unit 37 is installed, for example, near the center of the ticket gate 3 body or near the exit side so that it is easily visible to users passing through the ticket gate. The guidance displayed on the display unit 37 is controlled by the processor 31. That is, the processor 31 controls the display of the display unit 37 depending on the processing status.

The door control unit 38 controls the passage of users. For example, the door control unit 38 controls the opening and closing of doors to block passage through a passage formed at a ticket gate by the ticket gate 3. The door control unit 38 includes a door opening and closing mechanism that opens and closes the doors in response to instructions from the processor 31. The processor 31 controls the opening and closing of the doors (passage control) in response to the processing status.

The maintenance panel 39 includes an operation unit where an operator (attendant) inputs operation instructions. The maintenance panel 39 is provided, for example, inside the housing, and is used when an operator who performs the setting work of the ticket gate 3 inputs operation instructions. The maintenance panel 39 may be configured as a display with a touch panel (operation unit), or may be configured as operation buttons, etc.

The location information acquisition unit 40 acquires location information indicating the installation location (current location) of the ticket gate 3 as station service equipment. The location information acquisition unit 40 identifies the current location based on a signal from the location information output unit 5, which is a device that outputs a signal to identify a location. For example, the location information acquisition unit 40 identifies the longitude and latitude of the current location based on the signal from the location information output unit 5, and acquires location information including the latitude and longitude of the current location.

The location information acquisition unit 40 may, for example, identify the location using a Global Positioning System (GPS). The location information acquisition unit 40 may also identify the current location by receiving a signal from a device that outputs radio waves, such as a base station of a mobile communication network.

Next, the configurations of the ticket vending machine 4A and the fare adjustment machine 4B, which are examples of station service equipment in the station service system 10 according to the embodiment, will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket vending machine 4A and a fare adjustment machine 4B, which are examples of station service equipment in the station service system 10 according to the embodiment.
In the configuration example shown in Fig. 5, the ticket vending machine 4A and the settlement machine 4B include a processor 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a storage unit 44, a communication unit 45, a medium processing unit 46, a display unit 47, an operation unit 48, a payment processing unit 49, and a location information acquisition unit 50. In the following explanation of Fig. 5, the configuration of the ticket vending machine 4A will be explained, but the settlement machine 4B is also assumed to have a similar configuration.

The processor 41, ROM 42, and RAM 43 function as a control unit that controls the entire device. The processor 41 is, for example, a computing unit such as a CPU. The processor 41 realizes various processing functions by executing programs stored in the ROM 42 or the memory unit 44.

ROM 42 is a non-volatile memory and functions as a program memory. ROM 42 stores programs executed by processor 41, control data, etc. RAM 43 functions as a working memory that temporarily stores data. RAM 43 loads programs and stores data being processed by processor 41. RAM 43 also functions as a buffer memory that temporarily stores communication data, etc.

The storage unit 44 is a memory that stores data. The storage unit 44 is configured with a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 44 stores, for example, stop section data supplied from the server 1. The storage unit 44 also stores display data to be displayed on the display unit 47 as various operation screens or guidance screens. The storage unit 44 may also store programs executed by the processor 41, or may store information used for various processes.

The communication unit 45 is a communication interface that communicates via a network. In this embodiment, the communication unit 45 is a communication interface for communicating with the server 1, which is a higher-level device for the ticket vending machine 4A and the fare adjustment machine 4B. The communication unit 45 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires from the server 1 a station service file for the station where the station service equipment is installed.

The media processing unit 46 processes the ticket medium used as a passenger ticket. For example, the media processing unit 46 has a processing unit that processes a contactless IC card or a magnetic card used as a passenger ticket medium. The media processing unit 46 of the ticket vending machine 4A issues tickets such as passenger tickets or commuter passes in response to instructions from the user. The media processing unit 46 also has a function of processing passenger ticket media that the user already possesses. For example, the media processing unit 46 of the fare adjustment machine 4B may read the ticket information from the ticket medium presented by the user, perform fare adjustment processing, etc., and issue a fare-adjusted ticket.

The display unit 47 is a display that displays operation guidance or processing status. The display unit 47 is an example of an alarm. The operation unit 48 is composed of various operation keys or a touch panel. The operation unit 48 is operated by a user or an attendant, and supplies information indicating the operation instructions to the processor 41. For example, a worker who performs the installation (setting) work of the ticket vending machine 4A inputs operation instructions through the operation unit 48.

The display unit 47 and the operation unit 48 may be configured as a display device having a touch panel as the operation unit, or may be configured as operation buttons and a display device. In this embodiment, the display unit 47 and the operation unit 48 are configured as a display device having a touch panel, and the display unit 47 displays buttons that can be selected by the touch panel as the operation unit 48.

The payment processing unit 49 performs payment processing. The payment processing unit 49 includes, for example, a card processing unit that processes payment cards and a cash processing unit that processes cash. The cash processing unit of the payment processing unit 49 accepts cash inserted by the user and dispenses change or refunds to be paid to the user. The cash processing unit as the payment processing unit 49 is composed of an inspection unit that inspects the cash inserted by the user, a transport unit that transports the cash, a storage unit that stores the cash, and a discharge unit that discharges the cash stored in the storage unit.

Like the location information acquisition unit 40, the location information acquisition unit 50 acquires location information indicating the installation location (current location) of the ticket vending machine 4A or the sorting machine 4B as station service equipment. The location information acquisition unit 50 identifies the current location based on a signal from the location information output unit 5, which is a device that outputs a signal to identify a location. For example, the location information acquisition unit 50 identifies the longitude and latitude of the current location based on the signal from the location information output unit 5, and acquires location information including the latitude and longitude of the current location.

For example, the location information acquisition unit 50 may identify the location using a Global Positioning System (GPS). The location information acquisition unit 50 may also identify the current location by receiving a signal from a device that outputs radio waves, such as a base station of a mobile communication network.

Next, the operation of setting station-specific files in station service equipment such as the ticket gate 3, ticket vending machine 4A, and fare adjustment machine 4B that constitute the station service system 10 according to the embodiment will be described.
Here, the operation of the ticket gate 3, which uses the monitoring panel 2 as a higher-level device, will be described as an example of station service equipment in the station service system 10. However, it is assumed that station service equipment such as the ticket vending machine 4A and the fare adjustment machine 4B, which uses the server 1 as a higher-level device, can also perform operations similar to those of the ticket gate 3, which will be described later.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of setting an installation station for a ticket gate 3, which is an example of station service equipment constituting the station service system 10 according to the embodiment.
First, when the ticket gate 3 is turned on from a power-off state, the processor 31 starts a startup process to start up each unit. When the startup process starts (ST11, YES), the processor 31 acquires information indicating the current location from the location information acquisition unit 40 (ST12). The location information acquisition unit 40 operates in response to a startup instruction from the processor 31, and identifies the current location by receiving a signal from the location information output unit 5. When the location information acquisition unit 40 identifies the current location, it supplies location information indicating the current location to the processor 31.

When the processor 31 acquires location information indicating the current location from the location information acquisition unit 40, the processor 31 stores the acquired location information in the storage unit 34. Here, the processor 31 may store the location information acquired from the location information acquisition unit 40 in the storage unit 34 in association with information indicating the current time (the time when the location was measured).

When the processor 31 acquires location information indicating the current location from the location information acquisition unit 40, the processor 31 determines whether the installation location of the ticket gate 3 has moved based on whether the current location indicated by the acquired location information has moved from the location previously identified by the location information acquisition unit 40 (ST13). For example, the processor 31 determines whether the installation location of the ticket gate 3 has moved based on whether the current location identified by the location information acquired from the location information acquisition unit 40 is separated from the location indicated by the location information previously acquired by the location information acquisition unit 40 and stored in the memory unit 34 by a predetermined distance or more (for example, the maximum value of the error that occurs when the location information acquisition unit 40 identifies the location).

If it is determined that the installation location of the ticket gate 3 has not moved (ST13, NO), the processor 31 does not need to update the installation station setting, and therefore ends the installation station setting operation without updating the file for each station.

If it is determined that the installation location of the ticket gate 3 has moved (ST13, YES), the processor 31 selects a candidate station where the ticket gate 3 is currently installed from the current location indicated by the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 40 (ST14). For example, the memory unit 34 stores the location information (longitude and latitude) of each station. The processor 31 compares the latitude and longitude of the current location indicated by the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 40 with the longitude and latitude of each station, thereby selecting the station closest to the current location as a candidate installation station.

If the candidate station selected from the current location identified by the location information acquisition unit 40 is the same as the currently set installation station, the processor 31 may determine that there is no need to update the file for each station and may end the setting of the file for each station.

When the location information acquisition unit 40 selects candidate installation stations from the location information (current location) acquired, the processor 31 displays, on the display unit 37 or the display of the maintenance panel 39, an instruction screen for instructing the operator to change the set station including the candidate installation station selected from the current location, along with a warning message that the installation location has been changed (ST15). For example, the processor 31 displays an instruction screen that allows the operator to select either no change to the installation station or an installation station selected from the current location. The processor 31 may also display an instruction screen that allows the operator to select either no change to the installation station, an installation station selected from the current location, or an installation station specified by the operator.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a display of an instruction screen for setting the installation station, which is displayed when a movement of the installation location of the ticket gate 3 is detected.
According to the example instruction screen shown in FIG. 7, the processor 31 displays three buttons (first button b1, second button b2, and third button b3) that the worker can select, along with a message indicating that a movement of the installation position has been detected.

The first button b1 is a button that instructs not to change the set station. For example, if the ticket gate 3 is moved for testing or maintenance, the ticket gate 3 may not need to change the station setting. In such a case, an operator can press the first button b1 to prevent the ticket gate 3 from setting the station (changing the file for each station) even if the ticket gate has been moved.

The second button b2 is a button that instructs the installation station to be changed from the current location to the station selected. For example, when the ticket gate 3 is newly installed, or when the ticket gate 3 is installed at another station, the ticket gate 3 needs to change the setting corresponding to the installation station to the setting of the newly installed station. In such a case, the ticket gate (station service equipment) whose installation location has been moved can present the worker with a new installation station candidate selected from the current location. When the worker instructs the second button b2, the ticket gate (station service equipment) can change the installation station setting to the new installation station setting selected from the current location (setting based on the station file). As a result, the worker can easily and reliably instruct the installation station setting to be changed simply by selecting the installation station candidate selected from the current location.

The third button b3 is a button that instructs the installation station to be changed to a station specified by the worker. For example, if the installation environment makes it difficult for the location information acquisition unit 40 to acquire an accurate location, or if a candidate installation station cannot be selected from the location information due to multiple stations being close to each other, it may be necessary for the worker to specify the installation station. In such a case, when the worker instructs the third button b3, the ticket gate (station service equipment) can change the installation station setting to the station setting specified by the worker.

If the instruction screen displayed upon detection of a movement of the installation location indicates that the installation station should not be changed (ST16, NO), the processor 31 ends the setting of the installation station. For example, if the worker selects the first button b1 on the instruction screen shown in FIG. 7, the processor 31 ends the setting of the installation station without changing the setting data, etc.

In addition, if a candidate installation station selected from the current position is specified on the instruction screen displayed upon detection of a movement of the installation position (ST16, YES), the processor 31 changes the installation station to the candidate installation station selected from the current position. In this case, the processor 31 requests the station file of the installation station selected from the current position from the monitoring panel 2, which is the higher-level device (ST17).

When a new installation station is specified by a worker, the processor 31 accepts the designation of the installation station by the worker using the maintenance panel 39, and changes the installation station to the station designated by the worker. In this case, the processor 31 requests the station file of the station designated by the worker (installation station) from the monitoring panel 2, which is the higher-level device.

After requesting the station-specific file for the installation station, the processor 31 acquires the station-specific file for the installation station from the monitoring panel 2 (ST18). Upon acquiring the station-specific file for the installation station from the monitoring panel 2, the processor 31 executes settings based on the station-specific file acquired from the monitoring panel 2 (ST19).

In the above-described example operation, in ST14-17, the change from the current position identified by the position information acquisition unit to the selected installation station is performed in response to instructions from an operator, but it is also possible to request the host device for the station-by-station file of the installation station selected from the current position without instructions from an operator. By operating in this manner, the station-by-station file of the installation station selected from the current position identified by the position information acquisition unit can be obtained at startup, making it possible to eliminate the need for operator instructions.

In addition, the above-mentioned operation example has been described assuming the operation of a ticket gate as an example of station service equipment, but the station where the equipment is installed can also be changed using a similar processing procedure for station service equipment such as ticket vending machines and fare adjustment machines. For example, when station service equipment such as ticket vending machines and fare adjustment machines are instructed to change from the current location specified by the location information acquisition unit to a selected station where the equipment is installed, the equipment can request the station-specific file of the station where the equipment is installed from server 1 and obtain the station-specific file of the station where the equipment is installed from server 1.

Next, the operation of the server 1 and the monitoring panel 2 as higher-level devices in the station service system 10 according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the monitoring panel 2, which is an example of a higher-level device that constitutes the station service system 10 according to the embodiment.
The monitoring panel 2 is communicatively connected to the ticket gate 3 to be monitored via the communication unit 25. The processor 21 of the monitoring panel 2 receives a request for a station-specific file from the ticket gate 3 (ST21). Here, the monitoring panel 2 as a higher-level device is assumed to store a station-specific file for each station in the memory unit 24.

When a station-specific file is requested by the ticket gate 3 (ST21, YES), the processor 21 of the monitoring panel 2 reads out the station-specific file for the station specified by the ticket gate 3 from the memory unit 24. The processor 21 supplies the station-specific file for the station specified by the ticket gate 3, read out from the memory unit 24, to the ticket gate 3 via the communication unit 25 (ST22).

The monitoring panel 2 may also acquire station-specific files from the server 1. In this case, the monitoring panel 2 may acquire station-specific files for the set stations designated by the ticket gate 3 from the server 1, and provide the acquired station-specific files to the ticket gate 3.

As described above, in the station service system according to the embodiment, the station service equipment installed at the station includes a position information acquisition unit. Each time the station service equipment is started, it determines whether the installation position of the station service equipment has moved based on the current position identified by the position information acquisition unit. If the station service equipment detects that the installation position of the station service equipment has moved based on the current position identified by the position information acquisition unit, it acquires from the higher-level device a station-specific file of the station selected from the current position identified by the position information acquisition unit, and executes the setting of the installation station according to the acquired station-specific file.

As a result, when station service equipment is newly installed or its location is changed, it can be quickly and easily set up according to the installation station identified from its current location. As a result, manual configuration work can be reduced, and the time required for configuration work at the time of installation can be reduced and human configuration errors can be eliminated.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

1...Server (higher-level device), 2...Monitoring panel (higher-level device), 3...Ticket gate (station service equipment), 4A...Ticket vending machine (station service equipment), 4B...Fare adjustment machine (station service equipment), 10...Station service system, 11, 21...Processor (second processor), 12, 22...ROM, 13, 23...RAM, 14, 24...Memory unit, 15, 25...Communication unit (second communication unit), 31, 41...Processor (first processor), 32, 42...ROM, 33, 43...RAM, 34, 44...Memory unit, 35, 45...Communication unit (first communication unit), 36, 46...Media processing unit, 37, 47...Display unit, 39...Maintenance panel (operation unit), 48...Operation unit, 40, 50...Location information acquisition unit.

Claims (6)

In station service equipment installed at stations,
A communication unit for communicating with a higher-level device;
A location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a current location of the station service equipment;
A processor that acquires a station file of a station to be selected from the current position acquired by the position acquisition unit from a higher-level device and sets an installation station according to the acquired station file;
Station equipment having the above features. Further, a storage unit that stores the current location acquired by the location acquisition unit,
When the current location acquired by the location acquisition unit has moved from the location previously acquired by the location acquisition unit stored in the storage unit, the processor acquires a station file of a station to be selected from the current location from a higher-level device, and sets the installation station according to the acquired station file.
Station equipment according to claim 1. When the current location acquired by the location acquisition unit has moved from the location previously acquired by the location acquisition unit stored in the storage unit, the processor receives an instruction to set a station selected from the current location as a new installation station, acquires a station file of the station to be selected from the current location from a higher-level device in response to the instruction, and sets the installation station according to the acquired station file.
Station equipment according to claim 2. The processor further displays, on a display device, a station selected from the current location as a candidate for a new installation station, when the current location acquired by the location acquisition unit has moved from the location previously acquired by the location acquisition unit and stored in the storage unit;
In response to an instruction input to set the station displayed on the display as a candidate station as a new station to be installed, a station file of the new station to be installed is acquired from a higher-level device, and the station to be installed is set according to the acquired station file.
Station equipment according to claim 3. When the current location acquired by the location acquisition unit has moved from the location previously acquired by the location acquisition unit stored in the storage unit, the processor displays on a display unit a message indicating that a change in the installation location has been detected, and a station selected from the current location as a candidate for a new installation station.
Station equipment according to claim 4. In a station service system having station service equipment and a higher-level device,
The station equipment includes:
A first communication unit that communicates with the higher-level device;
A location acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a current location of the station service equipment;
a first processor that acquires from a higher-level device a station file of a station to be selected from the current position acquired by the position acquisition unit, and sets an installation station according to the acquired station file;
The higher-level device is
A second communication unit that communicates with the station service equipment;
and a second processor that, when a station file of a station is requested from the station service equipment by the second communication unit, supplies the station file of the station requested from the station service equipment to the station service equipment.
Station service system.