JP2007140790A - Noncontact medium processor and noncontact medium processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a noncontact medium processor wherein occurrence frequency of incomplete processing is suppressed by appropriately and sufficiently guiding to a user a method of holding up a noncontact medium to an antenna part and a storing form of the noncontact medium. <P>SOLUTION: An automatic ticket gate 1 detects the signal strength of signals transmitted from a noncontact card 100, the moving speed of a user in a ticket gate path, and radio communication time with the noncontact card 100, and displays a guide message corresponding to the estimated using form and storing form of the noncontact card 100 in the user on a display device 41a according to the detected results. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a non-contact medium processing apparatus and a non-contact medium processing system for reading information stored in the non-contact medium and rewriting this information by wireless communication with a non-contact medium having a wireless communication function.

  Conventionally, a non-contact card processing device that acquires card information stored in the non-contact card or updates the card information by wireless communication with a non-contact card (non-contact medium) possessed by the user has been applied. Automatic ticket gates, POS terminals, etc. have been put into practical use. As is well known, the contactless card processing device communicates wirelessly with a contactless card located in a wireless communication area around the antenna unit. The wireless communication area is a range of several centimeters from the antenna portion. Usually, the contactless card possessed by the user is located in the wireless communication area. That is, the user holds the contactless card that he / she holds over the antenna unit in order to position the contactless card in the wireless communication area. The contactless card may be held over the antenna unit while being stored in a pass case or a wallet. At this time, if the contactless card processing device does not properly hold the contactless card over the antenna unit (if the contactless card cannot be positioned in the wireless communication area), the wireless communication with the contactless card is not possible. Since it cannot be performed, the card information stored in the non-contact card cannot be read, and processing using the card information cannot be performed. For example, if the device to which the non-contact card processing device is applied is an automatic ticket gate, even if the user has an appropriate ticket (non-contact card), the card information stored in the non-contact card ( Ticket information) cannot be read, and this user cannot be allowed to pass through the ticket gate (entering into or leaving the station) (passing through the ticket gate is prohibited.) . Further, when the device to which the non-contact card processing device is applied is a POS terminal, the transaction amount cannot be settled, and as a result, the transaction cannot be processed.

Therefore, it is detected whether or not the contactless card that the user holds over the antenna unit is located in the wireless communication area, and when the contactless card is not located in the wireless communication area, It has been proposed to guide the contact card closer to the antenna unit (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-149072 A

  However, the non-contact card processing device does not process when the time for which the non-contact card is located in the wireless communication area is less than the time required for processing the non-contact card (hereinafter referred to as processing time). The processing using the card information cannot be performed. This processing time includes the time required to read the card information stored in the contactless card and the time required to rewrite the card information stored in the contactless card after reading the card information. Then, as shown in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the conventional contactless card processing apparatus is configured such that when the contactless card is not located in the wireless communication area, the contactless card is an antenna for the user. It is only guided so as to be close to the part, and the guidance concerning the use form of the non-contact card (how to hold it over the antenna part, etc.) was not sufficient. In particular, in devices such as automatic ticket gates that hold a contactless card over the antenna while the user moves, the movement speed of the user and the movement of the user's hand holding the contactless card are fast. The frequency of occurrence of a situation where the time when the contactless card is located in the wireless communication area is less than the processing time, and the card information cannot be read or rewritten to the contactless card and the processing is not completed. Is expensive. In addition, if the non-contact card is stored in a pass case overlapping with another non-contact card or a metal object is stored in the pass case, the resonance frequency of the wireless communication unit is shifted. May not be able to perform wireless communication properly. That is, the processing may not be completed even when the storage form of the non-contact medium by the user is not appropriate. On the other hand, in order to alleviate the congestion at the ticket gate and cash register, it is important to suppress the frequency of incomplete processing in order to smooth the flow of users in the ticket gate passage.

  The object of the present invention is to suppress the frequency of incomplete processing by properly and sufficiently guiding the user how to hold the non-contact medium over the antenna unit and how to store the non-contact medium. An object of the present invention is to provide a non-contact medium processing apparatus and a non-contact medium processing system.

  In order to solve the above problems, the non-contact medium processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

(1) a wireless communication means having an antenna section and performing wireless communication with a non-contact medium located in a wireless communication area around the antenna section;
The moving speed of a user who possesses a non-contact medium in which the wireless communication means performs wireless communication, the wireless communication time with the non-contact medium by the wireless communication means, and the wireless communication means performs wireless communication. Detection means for detecting at least two of the signal intensities of signals transmitted from a non-contact medium,
Guidance message output means for outputting a guidance message that is estimated from the detection result detected by the detection means according to the usage mode of the non-contact medium by the user.

  In this configuration, the wireless communication unit performs wireless communication with a non-contact medium located in a wireless communication area around the antenna unit. The wireless communication area is a range of several centimeters around the antenna portion. The detection means includes a moving speed of a user who has a non-contact medium performing wireless communication in the radio communication means, a wireless communication time with the non-contact medium, and a signal transmitted from the non-contact medium. At least two of the signal strengths are detected. The guidance message output means outputs a guidance message according to the usage form of the non-contact medium for the user, which is estimated based on the detection result of the detection means. The usage form referred to here is a method of holding the non-contact medium over the antenna unit or a storage form of the non-contact medium. For example, when the moving speed of the user detected by the detecting means is fast, a guidance message “Let's walk a little slower” is output, and when the wireless communication time with the non-contact medium detected by the detecting means is short, When the message message “Let's walk a little more slowly” or “Stop the non-contact medium near the antenna” is output and the signal strength transmitted from the non-contact medium is small, A message such as “Make it a little closer to the part.” Or “Is it stacked with other non-contact media etc. and stored in the case?” Is output. Therefore, it is possible to guide the user according to the usage form of the non-contact medium, and reduce the frequency of incomplete processing due to the fact that wireless communication with the non-contact medium has not been properly performed. Can do.

  Thereby, congestion at a ticket gate of a station or a cash register of a store can be reduced, and improvement of services for users can be achieved.

  (2) The guidance message output means improves the moving speed, how to hold the non-contact medium over the antenna unit, or the storage form of the non-contact medium for the user who has the non-contact medium. It is a means for outputting a prompt message for prompting.

  In this configuration, since a guidance message that prompts the user to improve the moving speed, how to hold the non-contact medium, and the storage form is output to the user, the wireless communication with the non-contact medium has not been performed properly. The frequency of incomplete processing can be reduced.

  (3) The guidance message output means is means for outputting the guidance message when wireless communication with the non-contact medium in the wireless communication means cannot be performed properly.

  In this configuration, the guidance message output means outputs a guidance message when the wireless communication with the non-contact medium is not properly performed. That is, when the process for the non-contact medium is not properly performed, the user is guided to eliminate the cause. Therefore, it is possible to strongly impress the user on the points to be improved in the usage pattern of the non-contact medium.

(4) A determination unit that determines whether or not the non-contact medium that has started wireless communication by the wireless communication unit is a non-contact medium that has not been able to perform wireless communication properly within a predetermined time,
The guidance message output means detects the detection at the time of the previous wireless communication with the non-contact medium when the determination means determines that the wireless communication is not properly performed within a predetermined time. Means for writing to the non-contact medium a guidance message according to the usage pattern of the non-contact medium for the user, estimated from the detection result detected by the means.

  In this configuration, since the wireless communication with the non-contact medium has not been properly performed, when the non-contact medium is held over the antenna unit again, a guidance message for the fact that the previous wireless communication has not been properly performed is non-contact. Written to the media. Thereby, the guidance message written in the non-contact medium can be presented to the user later, and the guidance message can be slowly confirmed by the user.

(5) The wireless communication means includes a reading means for reading a signal intensity level stored in a non-contact medium performing wireless communication;
The guidance message output means is a means for outputting a guidance message indicating that the non-contact medium is defective when the signal intensity level read by the reading means is lower than a predetermined threshold level.

  With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user of a defect in the non-contact medium. In this case, a signal intensity level may be written in the non-contact medium in a device that performs wireless communication with the non-contact medium set at a predetermined position.

(6) a wireless communication unit having an antenna unit and performing wireless communication with a non-contact medium located in a wireless communication area around the antenna unit;
The moving speed of a user who possesses a non-contact medium in which the wireless communication means performs wireless communication, the wireless communication time with the non-contact medium by the wireless communication means, and the wireless communication means performs wireless communication. Detection means for detecting at least two of the signal intensities of signals transmitted from a non-contact medium,
Detection result output means for outputting the detection result detected by the detection means,
The wireless communication means includes means for acquiring identification information for identifying the non-contact medium by wireless communication with the non-contact medium,
The detection result output unit is a unit that outputs the identification information of the non-contact medium and the detection result detected by the detection unit in association with each other; and
Detection result acquisition means for acquiring the detection result output by the detection result output means of the non-contact medium processing device;
Transmission destination storage means for storing the identification information of the non-contact medium and the transmission destination of the guidance message in association with each other;
Guidance message transmission for transmitting a guidance message according to the usage mode of the non-contact medium in the user, estimated from the detection result acquired by the detection result acquisition unit, to the corresponding transmission destination stored in the transmission destination storage unit And a server device having means.

  In this configuration, the guidance message can be transmitted to a terminal such as a mobile phone owned by the user of the non-contact medium. Accordingly, the guidance message can be reliably transmitted to the user, and the content of the guidance message can be confirmed slowly by the user.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to guide the user according to the usage pattern of the non-contact medium, and the frequency of occurrence of incomplete processing due to the fact that wireless communication with the non-contact medium has not been properly performed. Can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce congestion at a ticket gate at a station, a cash register at a store, etc., and improve services for users.

  Hereinafter, an automatic ticket gate to which a non-contact medium processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an automatic ticket gate to which a non-contact medium processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic ticket gate 1 of this embodiment is configured by arranging a pair of automatic ticket gate parts 1a and 1b facing each other across a ticket gate passage. 2A is a side view of one automatic ticket gate part 1a on the ticket gate passage side, FIG. 2B is a top view of the automatic ticket gate, and FIG. 2C is an automatic ticket gate side. It is a front view. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the automatic ticket gate of this embodiment. The automatic ticket gate 1 of this embodiment is installed at a ticket gate of a station. The user's passage direction in the ticket gate of the automatic ticket gate 1 of this embodiment may be either the A direction or the B direction shown in FIG. 1 or both. For example, the A direction is the direction in which the user enters the station, and the B direction is the direction in which the user enters from the station. As shown in FIG. 3, the automatic ticket gate 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 2 that controls the operation of the apparatus main body, and tickets such as tickets and commuter passes possessed by users entering the ticket gate. A ticket accepting unit 3 that accepts, a user detecting unit 4 that detects a position in the ticket gate passage for each user, and a door opening and closing unit 5 that opens and closes a door provided on the exit side of the user who has entered the ticket gate passage And a display unit 6 for displaying guidance for the user. For the ticket accepting section 3, the door opening / closing section 5, and the display section 6, for users who pass through the ticket gate passage in the A direction (for visitors) and for users who pass through the ticket gate passage in the B direction (participants) And) individually. That is, the boarding ticket receiving unit 3a, the door opening / closing unit 5a, and the display unit 6a are configured for users who pass through the ticket gate passage in the direction A, and the boarding ticket receiving unit 3b, the door opening / closing unit 5b, and the display unit 6b. Is a configuration for users who pass through the ticket gate passage in the B direction.

  In addition, when the direction of the user's passage in the ticket gate is limited to one direction, the ticket receiving unit 3a (or 3b), the door opening / closing unit 5a (or 5b), and the display unit in the other direction It is not necessary to provide 6a (or 6b).

  A ticket accepting unit 3a for a user who passes the ticket gate in the direction A is provided in an automatic ticket gate part 1a located on the right side of the user, and accepts a ticket for a user who passes the ticket gate in the direction B. The part 3b is provided in the automatic ticket gate part 1b located on the right side of the user. The boarding ticket receiving units 3a and 3b receive a non-contact card as a boarding ticket. Here, the contactless card will be briefly described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the contactless card. The non-contact card 100 includes a control unit 101 that controls the operation of the main body, a wireless communication unit 102 that performs wireless communication, and a storage unit 103 that stores card information. The wireless communication unit 102 performs wireless communication with the ticket accepting unit 3 of the automatic ticket gate 1. As will be described later, the wireless communication unit 101 obtains an operating power source for operating the main body by electromagnetic coupling with the ticket accepting unit 3. In FIG. 4, the power supply unit that obtains the operating power supply is not shown. The memory | storage part 103 is comprised with a non-volatile memory, and memorize | stores an identification code (so-called card number), a commuter pass area, a prepaid balance, etc. as card information (ticket information). The control unit 101 reads and rewrites (updates) card information stored in the storage unit 103.

  The boarding ticket accepting unit 3a has a wireless communication area around the antenna coil 11a (a range of several centimeters from the antenna coil 11a), and can perform wireless communication with the contactless card 100 located in the wireless communication area. When the contactless card 100 is located within the wireless communication area, the contactless card 100 operates by obtaining an operating power supply by electromagnetic coupling with the antenna coil 11a. In other words, when the contactless card 100 is not located in the wireless communication area of the ticket accepting unit 3, the contactless card 100 cannot obtain an operating power supply and is stopped. The boarding ticket accepting unit 3a performs an instruction to transmit stored card information and an instruction to update (rewrite) card information to the non-contact card 100 through wireless communication with the non-contact card 100. The non-contact card 100 transmits and rewrites card information stored in the storage unit 103 in accordance with an instruction from the automatic ticket gate 1 side. The ticket accepting unit 3 a has a function of detecting the signal strength of a wireless communication signal transmitted from the contactless card 100 in wireless communication with the contactless card 100. This signal strength may be, for example, an average value of signal strength from the start to the end of wireless communication with the non-contact medium 100, or may be a peak value during this wireless communication period.

  In addition, the boarding ticket reception part 3b provided in the automatic ticket gate part 1b is also the same structure as the above-mentioned boarding ticket reception part 3a. The wireless communication area of the ticket accepting unit 3b is within a range of several centimeters from the antenna coil 11b.

  The control unit 2 has a function of detecting the wireless communication time with the contactless card 100 in the ticket receiving units 3a and 3b. Specifically, a timer is started when the ticket receiving units 3a and 3b start wireless communication with the contactless card 100, and the timer is stopped when wireless communication with the contactless card 100 is interrupted or completed. It has a function of detecting the wireless communication time by stopping.

  The user detection unit 4 includes a user position detection unit 4a that detects the user's entry into the ticket gate passage and the position of the user in the ticket gate passage, and a user who has entered the ticket gate passage when the ticket gate passage passes. A user type determination unit 4b that determines whether the user needs a boarding ticket or a user who does not need a boarding ticket. The user position detection unit 4a includes a plurality of light emitting units 21 provided at substantially equal intervals (for example, 15 cm intervals) on the side surface of the automatic ticket gate part 1a along the ticket gate path, and the ticket gate of the automatic ticket gate part 1b. And a plurality of light receiving portions 22 provided at substantially equal intervals (for example, at intervals of 15 cm) on the side surface on the passage side. The light emitting unit 21 and the light receiving unit 22 are attached to face each other. Further, the light emitting unit 21 and the light receiving unit 22 are attached to a height that can detect an infant who does not need a ticket when passing through the ticket gate, a height of about 800 mm. If the light receiving unit 22 receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 21, the user position detecting unit 4 a determines that there is no user at the mounting position of the light receiving unit 22, and the user position detecting unit 4 a If the light receiving unit 22 does not receive the emitted light, it is determined that a user is present at the mounting position of the light receiving unit 22. The user position detection unit 4a has a function of detecting the moving speed (traffic speed) of the user in the ticket gate passage for each user. Specifically, the moving speed of the user in the ticket gate is detected by detecting the position of the user in the ticket gate at regular intervals, for example, every 100 ms. The user position detection unit 4a can also track the user's position in the ticket gate. In addition, the user type determination unit 4b includes reflective sensors 25 to 27 that detect reflected light of emitted light. The reflective sensors 25 to 27 are provided on the side surface of the automatic ticket gate parts 1a and 1b on the ticket gate passage side, and are provided at three sides (a total of six locations) on both sides of the ticket gate passage and approximately the center of the ticket gate passage. The reflective sensors 25 to 27 are attached in a direction to irradiate light obliquely upward. The light emitted from the reflective sensors 25 to 27 reaches a height of approximately 1250 mm at the center in the width direction of the ticket gate passage.

  The door opening / closing part 5a opens and closes the door 31 provided on the side surface of the automatic ticket gate parts 1a, 1b on the ticket gate passage side. The door 31 is provided on the exit side for a user who passes through the ticket gate passage in the A direction. On the other hand, the door opening / closing part 5b opens and closes the door 32 provided on the side surface of the automatic ticket gate parts 1a and 1b on the ticket gate passage side. The door 32 is provided on the exit side for a user who passes through the ticket gate passage in the B direction. The display unit 6a controls display on the display 41a provided on the upper surface of the automatic ticket gate part 1a, and the display unit 6b controls display on the display 41b provided on the upper surface of the automatic ticket gate part 1b. The indicators 41a and 41b are provided in the approximate center of the ticket gate passage. The display unit 6 displays, on the display devices 41a and 41b, guidance messages and the like for guiding the user to improve the usage pattern of the contactless card 100 and the storage mode.

  Next, the operation of the automatic ticket gate 1 of this embodiment will be described. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the operation of the automatic ticket gate of this embodiment. When there is no user in the ticket gate, the automatic ticket gate 1 opens all the doors 31 and 32 so as not to hinder the movement of the user entering the ticket gate. When the automatic ticket gate 1 detects that the contactless card 100 is located in the wireless communication area of the ticket accepting section 3 (3a or 3b) (s1), it reads the card information stored in the contactless card 100. Start (s2). The boarding ticket accepting unit 3 performs polling for requesting a response to the contactless card 100 located in the wireless communication area when the wireless communication with the contactless card 100 is not performed. The automatic ticket checker 1 detects whether or not the contactless card 100 is located in the wireless communication area based on whether or not a response to the polling is received at the ticket receiving unit 3. Reading of card information stored in the contactless card 100 is performed by wireless communication with the contactless card 100. When the automatic ticket checker 1 starts reading the card information stored in the non-contact medium 100 in s2, the automatic ticket checker 1 starts a process for detecting the communication time with the non-contact card 100 (s3). In s3, the timer for detecting the wireless communication time is reset, and then this timer is started. Further, in the wireless communication with the contactless card 100, the signal strength detection process for detecting the signal strength of the wireless communication signal transmitted from the contactless card 100 is started, and the contactless card 100 is possessed. The moving speed detection process for detecting the moving speed of the user is started (s4, s5).

  Thereafter, the automatic ticket gate 1 monitors whether or not the wireless communication with the contactless card 100 is interrupted until the reading of the card information from the contactless card 100 is completed (s6, s7). When the contactless card 100 is moved out of the wireless communication area by the user, the wireless communication with the contactless card 100 is interrupted. When the wireless communication with the non-contact card 100 is interrupted before the reading of the card information from the non-contact card 100 is completed, the automatic ticket gate 1 uses the door opening / closing unit 5 (5a or 5b) to exit the user. The door 31 (or 32) provided on the side is closed (s8). Further, the automatic ticket gate 1 stops the detection processing of the communication time, signal strength, and moving speed started in s3 to s5 (s9), and waits for the user to leave the ticket gate (s10). At this time, the user turns back the ticket gate and exits from the side where he entered. In s8, notification by a notification sound or the like is simultaneously performed. When the automatic ticket checker 1 detects that the user has left the ticket check passage in s9, it opens the door 31 (or 32) closed in s8 (s11). At this time, the notification by the notification sound is also stopped.

  If the automatic ticket gate 1 determines that the reading of the card information from the contactless card 100 is completed in s6, it determines whether or not the user can pass through the ticket gate based on the card information read this time (s12). . If it is determined in s12 that the user is not permitted to pass through the ticket gate, the automatic ticket checker 1 executes the processes after s8. On the other hand, if the automatic ticket gate 1 determines in step s12 that the user is permitted to pass through the ticket gate, it starts updating the card information for the contactless card 100 (s13). In this card information update process, the automatic ticket checker 1 transmits the card information to be updated to the contactless card 100, and the card information stored in the storage unit 103 by the contactless card 100 is transmitted from the automatic ticket checker 1. In this process, the automatic ticket checker 1 is notified of completion of the card information update. When the automatic ticket checker 1 receives the update completion notification from the contactless card 100, it determines that the update of the card information has been completed. The automatic ticket checker 1 monitors whether the wireless communication with the contactless card 100 is interrupted until the update of the card information is completed (s14, s15). When the update of the card information is completed, the automatic ticket gate 1 opens the door 31 (or 32) provided on the user exit side, and the communication time, signal strength, and movement speed started in s3 to s5. The detection process is stopped (s16, s17). Thereafter, it waits for the user to go out of the ticket gate passage through the ticket gate passage (s18). The process related to s16 is a state in which the door 31 (or 32) provided on the exit side of the user is closed for some reason, and the user cannot go out through the ticket gate. This is to prevent the occurrence of.

  If the automatic ticket checker 1 determines that the wireless communication with the contactless card 100 has been interrupted before the card information update is completed in s15, the communication time, signal strength, and moving speed detection processing started in s3 to s5 are performed. Stop (s19). Thereafter, it waits for the user to reach the center of the ticket gate or return from the ticket gate and exit from the ticket gate (s20, s21). In s20, it is determined that the user has reached the center of the ticket gate when the user is detected by the reflective sensor 26 provided in the approximate center of the ticket gate. If it is determined that the user has reached the center of the ticket gate, the automatic ticket checker 1 closes the door 31 (or 32) provided on the exit side of the user (s22). Then, the automatic ticket gate 1 reads the detection results of the signal strength, the communication time, and the moving speed in the current wireless communication with the contactless card 100 (s23). Based on the detection result read in s23, the automatic ticket checker 1 is estimated from the reason why the wireless communication with the non-contact medium 100 is not properly performed this time, and the usage mode (non- Guidance processing for displaying a guidance message on the display device 41a (or 41b) according to how to hold the contact card 100) or storage form (other non-contact card or stored in a pass case together with metal objects, etc.) (S24). Details of this guidance process will be described later. Thereafter, the automatic ticket gate 1 waits for the user to leave the ticket gate (s25). When the user turns back the ticket gate and exits from the ticket gate, the automatic ticket gate 1 opens the door 31 (or 32) closed at s22, and the guidance displayed on the display 41a (or 41b) at s24. The message display is stopped (s26).

  In addition, the user who turns back the ticket gate and once goes out of the ticket gate passes the contactless card 100 again in the wireless communication area of the ticket accepting unit 3 and can properly process with the automatic ticket gate 1. Once done, you can pass through the ticket gate.

  Next, the guidance process concerning s24 mentioned above is demonstrated. The automatic ticket gate 1 stores the guidance message table shown in FIG. 7 in the control unit 2 and sets threshold values for determining whether the signal strength, communication time, and moving speed are appropriate or inappropriate. I remember it. Specifically, the signal strength is determined to be inappropriate if the detected signal strength is lower than a predetermined level L, and is determined to be appropriate if it is greater than or equal to this level L. The communication time is determined to be inappropriate if the detected communication time is shorter than a predetermined time T, and determined to be appropriate if it is equal to or longer than this time T. Further, if the detected moving speed is faster than a predetermined speed V, the moving speed is determined to be incorrect, and if the moving speed is equal to or lower than this speed V, it is determined to be appropriate.

As shown in the figure, the guidance message table is a table in which signal intensity, communication time, appropriate and improper movement speed combinations patterns 1 to 8 are associated with guidance messages. Since the pattern 1 shown in FIG. 7 is a pattern in which the signal intensity, the moving speed, and the communication time are all appropriate, the wireless communication with the contactless card 100 cannot be performed properly. It is estimated that some trouble has occurred in 100 itself. Therefore, this pattern 1 is associated with a guidance message “There is a possibility of card abnormality. Please contact a staff member”.
Pattern 2 was a pattern in which the signal strength and the moving speed were appropriate, but the communication time was inappropriate (short), and the main cause of the failure to properly perform wireless communication with the contactless card 100 was It is estimated that this is because the hand of the user holding the contactless card 100 moved fast. Therefore, a guidance message “Please stop the card near the antenna” is associated with this pattern 2.
Pattern 3 is a pattern in which the signal strength is appropriate but the moving speed and the communication time are inappropriate, and the main cause of the failure to properly perform wireless communication with the contactless card 100 is contactless. It is estimated that this is because the moving speed of the user who has the card 100 was fast. Therefore, this pattern 3 is associated with a guidance message “Please walk slowly”.
Pattern 4 is a pattern in which the signal strength and the communication time are appropriate, but the moving speed is inappropriate. The main reason why the wireless communication with the contactless card 100 cannot be performed properly is contactless. It is estimated that some trouble has occurred in the card 100 itself. Therefore, this pattern 4 is associated with a guidance message “There is a possibility of card abnormality. Please contact a staff member”.
The pattern 5 is a pattern in which the communication time and the moving speed are appropriate, but the signal intensity is inappropriate. The main cause of the failure to properly perform wireless communication with the contactless card 100 is, for example, other This is presumed to be caused by the storage form of the non-contact card, such as being stacked in a pass case and being stored in a pass case, or being stored in a pass case. Therefore, this pattern 5 is associated with a guidance message “Please check whether other cards or metal objects are stored together”.
The pattern 6 is a pattern in which the moving speed is appropriate, but the signal strength and the communication time are inappropriate. The reason why the wireless communication with the contactless card 100 cannot be properly performed is the antenna 11a ( Alternatively, it is estimated that this is because the user's hand holding the non-contact card 100 was fast. Therefore, a guidance message “Please bring the card close to the antenna and stop” is associated with this pattern 6.
The pattern 7 is a pattern in which the signal strength, the moving speed, and the communication time are all inappropriate, and the main reason that the wireless communication with the contactless card 100 cannot be properly performed is sufficient for the antenna 11a (or 11b). It is presumed that the user has not been brought close to the point and that the moving speed of the user was fast. Therefore, a guidance message “Please walk slowly, bring the card close to the antenna and stop” is associated with this pattern 6.
The pattern 8 is a pattern in which the communication time is appropriate but the signal strength and the moving speed are inappropriate. The reason why the wireless communication with the contactless card 100 cannot be performed properly is the antenna 11a ( Alternatively, it is estimated that 11b) was not sufficiently close and that the moving speed of the user was high. Therefore, a guidance message “Please walk slowly and bring the card close to the antenna” is associated with this pattern 6.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the above-described guidance process in the automatic ticket gate 1 determines whether each of the signal intensity, the moving speed, and the communication time is appropriate from the detection result, and It is determined whether it corresponds to the pattern (s31), the guidance message associated with the pattern determined here is read (s32), and this is displayed on the display 41a (or 41b) (s33). is there.

  As described above, when the automatic ticket checker 1 according to this embodiment cannot properly perform wireless communication with the non-contact medium 100, the automatic ticket checker 1 displays a guidance message for dealing with the main cause on the display 41a (or 41b). Therefore, it is possible to appropriately guide the user to the usage form and storage form of the contactless card 100. In addition, since the guidance message is output to the user when the wireless communication with the non-contact medium 100 cannot be properly performed, the cause of the failure of the wireless communication with the non-contact medium 100 can be determined by the user. Can make a strong impression. As a result, the user can be encouraged to improve the usage and storage of the contactless card 100, and the frequency of unprocessed occurrences during actual use in the automatic ticket gate can be suppressed. As a result, congestion in the ticket gate passage of the automatic ticket checker 1 can be reduced, and the service for the user can be improved.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the signal strength, the moving speed, and the communication time are detected, and the guide message for the user is determined. However, the guide message is determined from these two. It may be. A guidance message table in this case is shown in FIG. FIG. 9A shows a guidance message table when the guidance message is determined from the signal strength and the moving speed. FIG. 9B shows a guidance message table when the guidance message is determined from the signal strength and the communication time. FIG. 9C shows a guidance message table when a guidance message is determined from the moving speed and the signal strength.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the processes of s27 and s28 shown in FIG.

  Note that the processing after s3 shown in FIG. 10 is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.

  As described above, the contactless card 100 stores a card number as card information. The card information that the automatic ticket checker 1 reads from the contactless card 100 by wireless communication includes this card number. That is, the automatic ticket checker 1 reads the card number of the non-contact medium 100 that cannot perform wireless communication properly. The automatic ticket checker 1 according to this embodiment stores the card number of the non-contact medium 100 for which wireless communication cannot be properly performed for a predetermined time, for example, 1 to 2 minutes, and then erases the card number. That is, the card number of the non-contact medium 100 for which wireless communication cannot be properly performed is temporarily stored.

  The automatic ticket gate 1 of this embodiment detects that the contactless card 100 is located in the wireless communication area of the ticket accepting section 3 (3a or 3b), as in the above-described embodiment (s1). Reading of card information stored in the non-contact card 100 is started (s2). The contactless card 100 that has read the card information this time is the contactless card that stores the card number (that is, the contactless medium 100 that has failed to properly perform the previous wireless communication and has started the wireless communication again within a predetermined time. ) Is determined (s27). If the automatic ticket checker 1 determines that the card number is not stored in s27, the automatic ticket checker 1 executes the processes after s3. On the other hand, if it is determined in s27 that the card number is stored, the non-contact card 100 is instructed to write a guidance message according to the cause of the failure of the previous wireless communication (s28). ), The processing after s3 is executed. The non-contact medium 100 stores a guidance message instructed from the automatic ticket checker 1 in a predetermined storage area of the storage unit 103.

  As described above, the automatic ticket checker 1 according to this embodiment cannot properly perform the previous wireless communication, and cannot properly perform the previous wireless communication with respect to the non-contact medium 100 that has started the wireless communication again within a predetermined time. Write a guidance message according to the cause. Thereby, the non-contact medium 100 memorize | stores the guidance message according to the cause which the radio | wireless communication with the automatic ticket gate 1 was not able to be performed appropriately.

  In general, the contactless card 100 used in the automatic ticket gate 1 uses a device (not shown) such as a ticket vending machine when updating the validity period of a commuter pass or adding a prepaid amount. This type of device (hereinafter referred to as a specific device) is configured to perform wireless communication with the contactless card 100 in a state where the contactless card 100 is taken in a predetermined position. In addition, the processing for updating the validity period of the commuter pass and adding the prepaid amount, etc., performed in this specific device takes a longer time than the processing in the automatic ticket checker 1, and the user must I will not leave. Furthermore, a general specific apparatus has a display for performing operation guidance etc. with respect to a user. Therefore, in this specific apparatus, it is determined whether or not the contactless card 100 taken in a predetermined position stores a guidance message in a predetermined storage area. If the guidance message is stored, the guidance message is displayed on the display device. By providing a configuration for displaying on the screen, it is possible to allow the user to check the guidance message slowly and to guide the user more appropriately.

  In addition, the apparatus which displays the guidance message which the non-contact card | curd 100 memorize | stores may be not only station equipment, such as a ticket machine, but another apparatus.

  Another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the contactless card 100 stores the signal strength in a predetermined storage area of the storage unit 103. The signal strength stored in the contactless card 100 is written by a device such as a ticket vending machine that performs wireless communication with the contactless card 100 in a state where the contactless card 100 is taken in a predetermined position. Since a device such as a ticket vending machine performs wireless communication with the contactless card 100 in a state where the contactless card 100 is taken in a predetermined position, a signal when wireless communication is performed with the contactless card 100 in a stable state. The intensity can be detected. Thereby, the signal strength when wireless communication is performed in a stable state can be stored in the contactless card 100.

  The automatic ticket gate 1 of this embodiment is configured to read the signal strength stored in the contactless card 100 as card information. The automatic ticket gate 1 of this embodiment executes the processing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, but the guidance processing according to s24 is different from the automatic ticket gate 1 described above. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing guidance processing in the automatic ticket gate of this embodiment. The automatic ticket gate 1 of this embodiment determines whether or not the signal strength stored in the storage unit 103 by the contactless card 100 is appropriate (s35). In s35, if the signal intensity stored in the non-contact card 100 is lower than a predetermined level L, it is determined to be inappropriate, and if it is equal to or higher than this level L, it is determined to be appropriate. If the automatic ticket gate 1 determines that it is appropriate in s35, it executes the processing of s31 to s33 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is inappropriate in s33, a guidance message “Card is abnormal. Please bring a card to a nearby attendant” is read (s36), and this guidance message is displayed in s33. Therefore, the card abnormality can be properly communicated to the user.

  Furthermore, an embodiment of the non-contact medium processing system of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic ticket gate system to which the non-contact medium processing system according to the present invention is applied. Each automatic ticket checker 1 is connected to a server device 70 via a data communication line as shown in FIG. The automatic ticket gate 1 may be directly connected to the server device 70 or may be connected via some devices. Further, it may be connected using a public line or a dedicated line. Reference numeral 80 shown in FIG. 12 denotes a mobile phone owned by a user. As shown in FIG. 13, the automatic ticket gate 1 includes a communication unit 7 that communicates with the server device 70 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 3.

  Note that the automatic ticket gate apparatus 1 of this embodiment does not store the guidance message table shown in FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the server device 70 corresponds to the control unit 71 that controls the operation of the main body, the communication unit 72 that communicates with the automatic ticket gate 1, and the card number and mail address of the contactless card 100. An address storage unit 73 that stores the attached address table (see FIG. 15) and a mail transmission unit 74 that transmits electronic mail via the Internet or the like are provided. The e-mail address stored in the address table may be the e-mail address of the user's mobile phone 80 or the e-mail address used in another device such as a personal computer.

  The operation of this automatic ticket gate system will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic ticket gate. In FIG. 16, the same operation as the operation described in the above embodiment (the operation described in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6) is given the same step number (s **), and some steps are illustrated. Is omitted. The automatic ticket gate 1 executes the processes of s1 to s7 described above, and executes the processes of s8 to s11 when determining that the communication is interrupted in s7. When the automatic ticket checker 1 opens the door at s11, the automatic ticket checker 1 executes the processing after s43.

  Further, when the automatic ticket gate 1 determines that the reading of the card information is completed in s6, the automatic ticket checker 1 executes the processes of s12 to s15 described above, and when it is determined that the update is completed in s14, executes the processes of s16 to s18. To do. If the automatic ticket gate 1 determines that the user has left the ticket gate passage at s18, the automatic ticket gate 1 executes processing after s43 described later. If it is determined that the wireless communication with the contactless card 100 is interrupted before the update is completed in s15, the detection process is stopped in s19. Then, it waits for the user to reach the center of the ticket gate or return from the ticket gate and exit from the ticket gate (s20, s21). If it is determined that the user has reached the center of the ticket gate, the automatic ticket checker 1 closes the door 31 (or 32) provided on the exit side of the user (s22). Thereafter, when the automatic ticket gate 1 detects that the user has left the ticket gate passage at s41, the automatic ticket gate 1 opens the door 31 (or 32) closed at s22 (s42). At this time, the notification by the notification sound is also stopped. When the automatic ticket checker 1 opens the door 31 (or 32) at s42, the automatic ticket checker 1 executes the processing after s43. If the automatic ticket gate 1 determines that the user has exited the ticket gate passage before reaching the center of the ticket gate passage, the automatic ticket gate 1 executes the processing after s43.

  Hereinafter, the processing after s43 will be described. The automatic ticket checker 1 acquires detection results for each of signal strength, moving speed, and communication time in wireless communication with the current contactless card 100 (s43), and uses these detection results as the card of the contactless card 100. The number is stored in association with the number (s44). The card number of the contactless card 100 is included in the card information acquired from the contactless card. The automatic ticket gate 1 determines whether or not the number of detection results stored has reached a predetermined number, for example, 50 (s45). If the predetermined number has not been reached, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in s45 that the predetermined number has been reached, the stored detection result is transmitted to the server device 70 together with the card number (s46), and this process is terminated. At this time, the automatic ticket gate 1 deletes the detection result transmitted to the server device 70.

  As described above, the automatic ticket gate 1 associates the card number of the contactless card 100 with the signal strength, the moving speed, and the communication time detected when wireless communication is performed with the contactless card 100. To device 70. In addition, a predetermined number of detection results are collected and transmitted to the server device 70.

  Next, the operation of the server device 70 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server apparatus. When the communication unit 72 receives the detection result transmitted from the automatic ticket checker 1, the server device 70 temporarily stores it in a storage unit (not shown) (s51). The detection result stored here is a detection result (hereinafter referred to as an unprocessed detection result) that has not been determined whether or not it is necessary to transmit a guidance message to the user in s54 described later. The automatic ticket checker 1 reads the unprocessed detection result from the stored detection result (s52), and estimates the usage form and storage form of the non-contact medium for the user based on the detection result (s53). The estimation relating to s53 may be performed based on the determination result of determining whether the signal intensity, the moving speed, and the communication time are appropriate or inappropriate as described above. The server device 1 determines whether or not it is necessary to transmit a guidance message to the user from the usage pattern and storage mode estimated in s53 (s54). In s54, it is determined that a guidance message needs to be transmitted for a user whose item is determined to be inappropriate for any of signal strength, moving speed, and communication time.

  When the server apparatus 1 determines that the guidance message needs to be transmitted in s54, the server apparatus 1 searches the address table to acquire the mail address of the corresponding user, and responds to the detection result of the signal strength, the moving speed, and the communication time. A guidance message is transmitted to this mail address (s55). Then, the server device 70 determines whether or not the above-described processing of s52 to s54 has been completed for all the detection results transmitted from the automatic ticket gate 1 (s56), and if there is any unprocessed processing, the processing proceeds to s52. Return and repeat the above process.

  As described above, in the automatic ticket gate system according to this embodiment, wireless communication with the automatic ticket gate 1 is properly performed, but it is determined that any of signal strength, moving speed, and communication time is inappropriate. Information is provided to users who have items, that is, users who are likely to be unable to communicate properly with the automatic ticket gate 1 after a short period of time. A message can be transmitted to encourage improvement in the usage and storage mode of the contactless card 100. In addition, since the server device 70 transmits a guidance message according to the usage pattern and storage mode of the contactless card 100 to the user by e-mail, the user can check the guidance message slowly. Furthermore, since the process related to s54 is provided, a guidance message is not transmitted to a user who has no problem in the usage or storage mode of the non-contact card 100. There is no feeling.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the automatic ticket gate 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to other devices such as a POS terminal.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the automatic ticket gate to which the non-contact medium processing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the automatic ticket gate to which the non-contact medium processing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the automatic ticket gate to which the non-contact medium processing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the structure of a non-contact card. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the automatic ticket gate to which the non-contact medium processing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the automatic ticket gate to which the non-contact medium processing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the guidance message table which the automatic ticket gate to which the non-contact medium processing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention is applied memorize | stored. It is a flowchart which shows the guidance process in the automatic ticket gate to which the non-contact medium processing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the guidance message table which the automatic ticket gate which applied the non-contact medium processing apparatus which is another embodiment of this invention memorize | stores. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the automatic ticket gate to which the non-contact medium processing apparatus which is another embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows the guidance process in the automatic ticket gate to which the non-contact medium processing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the automatic ticket gate system to which the non-contact medium processing system which is embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the automatic ticket gate of this automatic ticket gate system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server apparatus of this automatic ticket gate system. It is a figure which shows the address table which a server apparatus memorize | stores. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the automatic ticket gate of this automatic ticket gate system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the server apparatus of this automatic ticket gate system.

Explanation of symbols

1-Automatic ticket gate 1a, 1b-Automatic ticket gate parts 2-Control unit 3 (3a, 3b) -Passenger ticket receiving unit 4-User detection unit 5 (5a, 5b) -Door opening / closing unit 6 (6a, 6b)- Display unit 70-server device 80-mobile phone 100-contactless card

Claims (6)

A wireless communication means having an antenna portion and performing wireless communication with a non-contact medium located in a wireless communication area around the antenna portion;
The moving speed of a user who possesses a non-contact medium in which the wireless communication means performs wireless communication, the wireless communication time with the non-contact medium by the wireless communication means, and the wireless communication means performs wireless communication. Detection means for detecting at least two of the signal intensities of signals transmitted from a non-contact medium,
A non-contact medium processing apparatus comprising: a guidance message output unit that outputs a guidance message according to a usage form of the non-contact medium by a user, which is estimated from a detection result detected by the detection unit.   The guidance message output means guides a user who possesses a non-contact medium to improve the moving speed, how to hold the non-contact medium over the antenna unit, or how to store the non-contact medium. The non-contact medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   3. The non-contact medium processing device according to claim 1, wherein the guidance message output unit is a unit that outputs the guidance message when wireless communication with the non-contact medium in the wireless communication unit is not properly performed. 4. . Determining means for determining whether the non-contact medium that has started wireless communication by the wireless communication means is a non-contact medium in which wireless communication cannot be performed properly within a predetermined time;
The guidance message output means detects the detection at the time of the previous wireless communication with the non-contact medium when the determination means determines that the wireless communication is not properly performed within a predetermined time. The non-contact according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for writing a guidance message in accordance with a use form of the non-contact medium in the user, which is estimated from a detection result detected by the means, on the non-contact medium. Media processing device. The wireless communication means is a reading means for reading a signal intensity level stored in a non-contact medium performing wireless communication;
The guidance message output means is means for outputting a guidance message indicating that the non-contact medium is defective when a signal intensity level read by the reading means is lower than a predetermined threshold level. The non-contact medium processing apparatus according to any one of 4. A wireless communication means having an antenna portion and performing wireless communication with a non-contact medium located in a wireless communication area around the antenna portion;
The moving speed of a user who possesses a non-contact medium in which the wireless communication means performs wireless communication, the wireless communication time with the non-contact medium by the wireless communication means, and the wireless communication means performs wireless communication. Detection means for detecting at least two of the signal intensities of signals transmitted from a non-contact medium,
Detection result output means for outputting the detection result detected by the detection means,
The wireless communication means includes means for acquiring identification information for identifying the non-contact medium by wireless communication with the non-contact medium,
The detection result output unit is a unit that outputs the identification information of the non-contact medium and the detection result detected by the detection unit in association with each other; and
Detection result acquisition means for acquiring the detection result output by the detection result output means of the non-contact medium processing device;
Transmission destination storage means for storing the identification information of the non-contact medium and the transmission destination of the guidance message in association with each other;
Guidance message transmission for transmitting a guidance message according to the usage mode of the non-contact medium in the user, estimated from the detection result acquired by the detection result acquisition unit, to the corresponding transmission destination stored in the transmission destination storage unit A non-contact medium processing system.

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