JPH0580034B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an automatic ticket gate having a feature in printing processing of inserted coupon tickets.

[Conventional technology]

Recently, automatic ticket gates that can process multiple tickets in addition to the commuter passes and regular tickets that have traditionally been used as automatic ticket gates have been installed. Conventionally, if a ticket was not automatically checked, a station staff member would stamp the station name and boarding date on the ticket at the ticket gate each time the ticket was used. Therefore, when a ticket is processed by an automatic ticket gate, it is necessary to write these data on the inserted ticket and to print them on the face of the ticket. When a ticket is processed by an automatic ticket gate, the ticket has a structure that can record magnetic data, and the type, expiration date, and travel section are recorded in advance as magnetic data on the ticket. . In automatic ticket gates that process tickets containing such magnetic information, printing on the tickets is performed using a thermal head. Figures 1a and 1b are the front and back views of the ticket before it passes through the automatic ticket gate, and Figures 1c and d show the printed state of the ticket after passing through the automatic ticket gate. It is a front view of a ticket. The thermal head used here, for example, as shown in Jikai No. 57-161992, is patterned with the letters of the station name as a printing head, and the head is preheated before printing. When the paper reaches a predetermined position, it is pressed against the face of the bill to print. This type of thermal head has a faster printing time than dot-type heads, so it is used for printing coupon tickets. The date of use of the ticket is also printed on the ticket, which is made up of 7-segment numbers.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In such conventional automatic ticket gates, the station name thermal head itself is configured as a station name pattern, so it must be created for each station where the automatic ticket gate is installed. Therefore, there was a problem in that each station had to pay for the design of the station name pattern, masks, etc., and had to produce many different types in small quantities, resulting in high costs.

In addition, because conventional ticket gates only print the station name of the boarding station on the ticket, it is not always clear to which station the passenger can board the ticket, and passengers may sometimes board the wrong train. . Furthermore, if an automatic ticket collection machine is not installed at the exit station,
Station staff had to look at the boarding station printed on the ticket to determine whether or not the section was available for boarding, which became complicated.

The present invention was made in view of the problems with the printing method of the conventional automatic ticket gates that process coupon tickets. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic ticket gate having a printing function capable of simultaneously printing the station name of the boarding station to be passed through and the boarding section.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention provides a conveyance means for conveying inserted tickets including coupon tickets and train tickets that hold riding section data as magnetic information, a magnetic information reading means for reading magnetic information of the inserted tickets, and a magnetic information reading means for reading the magnetic information of the inserted tickets. A discriminating means for determining the type and validity of the inserted ticket and the boarding section when the inserted ticket is a coupon ticket from information obtained by the means, and the station where the ticket is installed and the farthest station of each boarding section of the ticket from the installed station. A valid ticket is determined by a storage means for recording a dot pattern of the station name, a dot printing head for printing on the inserted ticket, which is provided along the conveyance route of the conveyance means behind the magnetic information reading means, and a discrimination means. pattern selection means for selecting and reading from the storage means a dot pattern of the station name of the farthest station in the determined boarding section when the train is in the determined boarding section; and a dot pattern of the farthest station selected by the installed station name and pattern selection means. The apparatus is characterized by comprising a print control means for sequentially applying the pattern to the dot print head.

[Effect]

According to the present invention having such features, when a train ticket, commuter pass, or coupon ticket is inserted into an automatic ticket gate, the magnetic information is read while the inserted ticket is conveyed by the conveying means, and the discriminating means reads the inserted ticket. Its effectiveness is determined by When the coupon ticket is inserted, the dot pattern of the boarding station and the dot pattern of the farthest station in the boarding section of the coupon ticket are selected and read out from the storage means. These dot patterns are then applied to a dot printing head to print on the coupon ticket.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 is a mechanical diagram showing the configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, tickets,
A photoelectric switch SW1 for detecting the insertion of a ticket or commuter pass is provided close to the slot for inserting the ticket or commuter pass, and the inserted ticket, commuter pass, or commuter pass (hereinafter referred to as the inserted ticket) is moved in the direction of the arrow along the conveyance path 1. transported to. Along the conveyance path 1, magnetic heads 2 and 3 are provided above and below the conveyance path, respectively. Rollers 4 and 5 are arranged at positions facing these magnetic heads 2 and 3 to bring the magnetic heads 2 and 3 into contact with the inserted ticket. Furthermore, a punch mechanism 6 for punching tickets inserted along the conveyance path 1 is provided. The punch mechanism 6 inserts scissors into the ticket and the coupon ticket, and includes a photoelectric switch SW2 that detects when the ticket reaches that position, a stopper 7 that stops the ticket being conveyed, and the punch mechanism 6 that inserts the scissors into the ticket. It shall consist of 8 punchers. Further, printing mechanisms 10 and 11 are provided for printing on the coupon tickets conveyed along the conveyance path 1. The printing mechanism 10 prints on the ticket from above the transport path 1, and the printing mechanism 11 prints from below the transport path. The printing mechanisms 10 and 11 have photoelectric switches SW3 and SW4, respectively, which detect when an inserted ticket reaches the printing mechanism. and a thermal dot head 12 provided on the printing side,
13. Touch rollers 14, 15 are provided facing the thermal dot heads 12, 13, respectively, to sandwich the coupon between these heads, and stoppers 16, 17 are provided to stop the coupon at the printing position. . The touch rollers 14 and 15 are urged to come into contact with the thermal dot heads 12 and 13 via touch solenoids 14a and 15a, respectively. It is configured to follow the rotation of 18b. The pulse motor 18 is driven at a predetermined speed and intermittently conveys the coupon ticket at a predetermined speed during printing. A photoelectric switch is placed along the conveyance path 1 in the vicinity of the ticket takeout port and detects the withdrawal of the ticket.
SW5 is provided.

The thermal dot heads 12 and 13 are preferably high-speed thermal dot print heads with coarse linear density. For example, a normal thermal head has a dot density of 6 dots/mm and one cycle is 5 dots/mm.
ms, for example, when printing only the boarding station, it is necessary to print two blocks as shown in FIG. 1c and d. Assuming that one block is 4 mm in size, one character consists of 24 dots and one block requires 120 ms (24 x 5).
The printing time for 2 blocks is 240ms. However, in this embodiment, if the linear density is rough and the thermal dot head is restricted, for example, the linear density is 4 lines/mm,
When using a thermal dot head with a printing time of 2 ms per cycle, and assuming that one character consists of 16 dots, the printing time per block is 32 ms (24
4/6 x 2) printing time is sufficient. Therefore, assuming that 5 blocks are required at the boarding station and the farthest station, the printing time will be 160 ms. If the printing time is 200ms or less, the automatic ticket gate system will not be affected and the ticket can be processed smoothly. Therefore, the boarding station and the farthest station in the boarding section can be printed during the processing time of the coupon ticket.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the automatic ticket gate according to this embodiment. In this figure, the aforementioned photoelectric switches SW1 to SW5 are supplied to an arithmetic processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 22 via an amplifier 20 and an input gate 21. Furthermore, the aforementioned magnetic heads 2 and 3 are applied to the CPU 22 via amplifiers 23 and 24 and an input gate 21, respectively. CPU22
A memory 25 is connected as a storage means. The memory 25 stores the arithmetic processing procedure of the CPU 22 and also stores the direction of the inserted ticket and the like. The memory 25 is a storage means having an area for storing the name of the station where the automatic ticket gate is installed and the station name of the farthest station in each boarding section of the coupon ticket from the station where the automatic ticket gate is installed as a dot pattern. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing dot pattern data stored in the memory 25 and showing an example of a station name. In the figure, each address has an 8-bit storage area, and it is assumed that "0" is stored in areas other than those indicated by "1" in the figure. In this way, for example, a pattern of the station name "Nagaoka" is stored in the memory 25. CPU
22 processes the inserted ticket according to this arithmetic processing procedure, and sends the puncher 8, pulse motor 18, stoppers 7, 16, 17, touch roller 14 as shown in FIG. , 15 and the transport motor 28. Furthermore, the CPU22 has an output buffer of 29
A driver 30 is provided through the printer and drives the thermal dot heads 12 and 13 of the upper and lower printing mechanisms.

Here, the coupon ticket is a ticket that allows you to ride to any station within a predetermined boarding section centered on the station where you board, and the farthest station within this section differs depending on the type of coupon ticket. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the dot pattern of the farthest station in each boarding section is stored, centering on the installed station. Here, the automatic ticket gate according to the present embodiment constitutes a magnetic information reading means for reading the magnetic information of the inserted ticket by the magnetic heads 2, 3, the rollers 4, 5 facing them, and the amplifiers 23, 24. are doing. Also, conveyance motor 2
8, rollers 4, 5, 14, 15 and a belt (not shown) stretched over these constitute a conveying means for conveying the inserted ticket along the conveying path 1.

Next, the operation of the automatic ticket gate according to this embodiment will be explained using a flowchart and a waveform diagram. Fifth
The figure is a flowchart showing the operation of this automatic ticket gate when it is inserted, Figure 6 is a waveform diagram showing the waveforms of each part, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing the printing state of the coupon ticket that has passed through the automatic ticket gate. . In FIG. 5, numbers indicated using lead lines indicate operation steps of the CPU 22. In step 40, this automatic ticket gate checks whether or not a ticket has been inserted using the output of the photoelectric switch SW1. When a ticket is inserted, as shown in FIGS. It is transported along transport path 1 (step 41).
Next, in steps 42 and 43, it is detected which of the upper and lower magnetic heads 2 and 3 is outputting, and as shown in FIG. 45).
Then, it is stored in the memory 25 whether the information is obtained from the upper or lower magnetic head (step 46,
47). Then, proceed to step 48, and check whether the inserted ticket is in the forward direction according to the data obtained from the magnetic stripe.
Check if it is in the opposite direction. This direction determination is performed by reading the direction bits d1 and d2 of the face data written on the magnetic stripe on the back of the ticket, as shown in Figure 1b.
49 and 50, it is stored in the memory 25. The process then proceeds to step 51, where the face data of the inserted ticket is stored in the memory 25. The process then proceeds to step 52 to determine the validity of the inserted ticket. In this determination, it is determined whether the type of ticket, coupon ticket, or commuter pass is used, the range of use of the type, and whether or not the expiration date is used, and the riding section is stored in the memory 25. If the ticket is not valid, the process proceeds to invalidation processing routine 53, where the inserted ticket is returned and the gate is closed to prohibit passengers from passing through. Here, the CPU 22 reads the face data of the ticket inserted in steps 51 and 52, determines its validity, and also functions as a determining means for determining the boarding section in the case of a coupon ticket.

On the other hand, if it is valid, the process proceeds to step 54 in FIG. 8, where it is checked whether punching is required depending on the type of the inserted ticket. A punch is not required for a commuter pass, but a punch is required for a regular ticket or a coupon ticket, so operate the stopper 7 as shown in Figure 6d (step 55) and proceed to step 56. The photoelectric switch SW2 checks whether the ticket has reached the position where it should be punched. Depending on the case where the punching position is reached, the puncher 8 is driven to insert the scissors, and the stopper 7 is turned off (steps 57 and 58). Then, the inserted ticket is conveyed through the conveyance path 1 again. The process then proceeds to step 59, where it is checked whether the inserted ticket is a coupon ticket. If it is not a coupon ticket, there is no need to print it, and other processing is done (routine
60).

In step 59, if the ticket is a ticket, it is necessary to print the name of the station where the ticket was checked, the name of the farthest station in the boarding section of the ticket, and the date. Therefore, first step 61,
At 62, the boarding section data of the coupon ticket is read out, and the pattern of the farthest station in that section is selected and read out from the memory 25. Here, the CPU 22 steps 59, 61,
62 constitutes pattern selection means for selecting and reading out the pattern of the farthest station from the ride section data when the inserted ticket is a coupon ticket.

The process then proceeds to step 63, where it is checked whether the inserted ticket is facing up. The vertical direction of the inserted ticket is memorized in step 46 or 47, and if it is downward, the process proceeds to step 64 and subsequent steps, and if it is upward, the process proceeds to step 72 and subsequent steps, where printing is performed by printing mechanism 11 or 10. For example, if the ticket is facing upward, Figure 6 f to h
Operate the stopper 16 as shown in (step
72) Check whether the photoelectric switch SW3 is on (step 73), and if it is on, operate the touch solenoid 14a to sandwich the ticket between the thermal dot head 12 and the touch roller 14 (step 74). Then, in step 75, the drive of the stopper 16 is stopped, and the pulse motor 1 is
8 is driven to intermittently advance the coupon ticket and sequentially perform thermal printing (steps 76 and 77). Here, the thermal printing is the station name pattern of the station where this automatic ticket gate is installed and the pattern of the farthest station selected in step 62. For example, if the inserted ticket is in the forward direction and the station name pattern shown in Figure 4 is to be printed, the address 0014,
Read data 0015, 0000, and 0001 and print them at the same time, then print addresses 0016, 0017, and 0002, 0003...
The station name pattern is sequentially printed by the thermal dot head 12 in the forward direction as shown in FIG. This printing is performed by synchronizing the rotation of the pulse motor 18 and the increment of the read address shown in FIG. This is because the transport speed of the transport mechanism is so fast that it is difficult to print at the same time as transport, and at the same time, it is not possible to slow down only the printing part, and the transport speed cannot necessarily be said to be constant. . During printing, the conveyor belt is driven to convey the coupon, but since the force for gripping the coupon is weak, the coupon gets caught between the touch roller 14 and the thermal dot head 12, and the drive speed of the pulse motor 18 Therefore, the station name pattern is printed continuously. By printing in this way, the name of the station at which the train was boarded and the farthest station in the valid section of the ticket are printed. When this printing is completed, the process proceeds to step 78, where the pulse motor 18 is turned off, and further, at step 79, the touch solenoid 14a is turned off.

If the inserted ticket is in the opposite direction, and the station name pattern shown in Figure 4 is printed, addresses 0011, 0010, 0025, and 0024 will be read and printed, and addresses 000F and 000E will be read and printed. , 0023 and 0022, and print the same pattern on the ticket. Figures 7a and 7b are display surfaces showing the printed ticket after passing through the automatic ticket gate according to this embodiment, and the name of the station where the automatic ticket gate is installed, for example "Kyoto", is displayed in the center of the ticket. This shows that the farthest station in the valid section of this ticket, for example, "Nagaoka" and "Kusatsu" are printed on both sides of the ticket at the same time. If the date of use of the ticket is printed immediately below the boarding station as shown in FIG. 7a, it can be printed in five blocks as shown in this figure.

On the other hand, in step 63, if the inserted ticket is facing downward, printing is similarly performed by the printing mechanism 11 in steps 64 to 71, but in this case as well, depending on the direction of insertion of the ticket, which is the forward or reverse direction. To print a pattern correctly on the ticket by changing the printing direction. When the printing is completed, the process proceeds to step 80, where it is checked by the photoelectric switch SW5 whether the coupon ticket, regular ticket, or commuter pass has reached the outlet (step 80). Then, as shown in FIG. 6J, when this has reached the take-out port, the conveyance motor 28 is stopped (step 81) and the process is completed. Here, the CPU 22 steps 64-71, 72-79.
In addition to the touch rollers 14 and 15, the pulse motor 18, and the stoppers 16 and 17, a print control means controls the printing by applying the dot pattern of the farthest station selected by the installed station name and pattern selection means to the dot printing head. function has been achieved.

In this embodiment, a magnetic head and a printing mechanism are provided on both sides of the conveyance path 1, so that the magnetic information of a ticket inserted either front or back can be read, and the station name can be recorded in either direction. However, it goes without saying that if the insertion surface of the inserted ticket is limited to one direction, the magnetic head and printing mechanism can be used in either one.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention having such characteristics, there is no need to create a station name pattern unique to each station where an automatic ticket gate is installed in advance for each station, and the station name can be stored as pattern data in the storage means. That's enough. Therefore, the thermal dot head itself can be the same for the automatic ticket gates installed at all stations, and the price of the automatic ticket gates can be reduced. Not only the station where you board the train, but also the station name of the farthest station in the boarding section where the ticket is valid, are printed at the same time when passing through the automatic ticket gate, which prevents passengers from boarding the wrong train. Also, when collecting tickets, an excellent effect can be obtained in that it becomes easier for the staff member to determine whether or not the vehicle can be boarded.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1a is a surface view showing the coupon before use;
Figure b is a back view, Figures 1c and 1d are front views showing the station name printed after passing through a conventional automatic ticket gate, and Figure 2 is a configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a block diagram thereof, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a memory pattern for storing station names, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation after inserting a ticket into the automatic ticket gate of this embodiment. , FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing the waveforms of each part of this embodiment, and FIG. 7 a and b
8 is a diagram showing the printing state of the ticket after passing through the automatic ticket gate according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the ticket inspection process of the ticket and the ticket. 1... Conveyance path, 2, 3... Magnetic head, 6...
...Punch mechanism, 7...Stopper, 8...Puncher, 10, 11...Printing mechanism, 12, 13...Thermal dot head, 22...CPU, 25...
Memory, SW1 to SW5...Photoelectric switch, 28
...Conveyance motor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Conveying means for conveying inserted tickets, including coupon tickets and train tickets, which retain ride section data as magnetic information; and magnetic information reading means for reading magnetic information of the inserted tickets. and a discriminating means for determining the type and validity of the inserted ticket, and the boarding section when the inserted ticket is a coupon ticket, from the information obtained by the magnetic information reading means, and each of the installed station and the coupon ticket from the installed station. a storage means for recording a dot pattern of the station name of the farthest station in the boarding section; a dot printing head for printing on the inserted ticket provided along the conveyance path of the conveyance means behind the magnetic information reading means; pattern selection means for selecting and reading from the storage means a dot pattern of the station name of the farthest station in the determined riding section when a valid coupon ticket is determined from the means; and installed station name and pattern selection. An automatic ticket gate comprising: printing control means for sequentially applying the dot pattern of the farthest station selected by the means to the dot printing head. 2. The magnetic information reading means is provided on both sides along the conveyance path, the dot printing head is a plurality of dot printing heads provided on both sides along the conveyance path, and the printing control means is configured to read the magnetic information. 2. The automatic ticket gate according to claim 1, wherein any one of the dot printing heads is driven based on the ticket information read by the reading means. 3. The automatic ticket gate machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dot printing head is a thermal dot printing head.