CN108352087B

CN108352087B - Automatic ticket checker and information storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN108352087B
Application number: CN201780003601.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 藤本浩章
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp; Toshiba Infrastructure Systems and Solutions Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp; Toshiba Infrastructure Systems and Solutions Corp
Priority date: 2016-03-14
Filing date: 2017-03-13
Publication date: 2021-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-13
Also published as: JP2017167677A; CN108352087A; JP6645875B2; WO2017159597A1

Abstract

The automatic ticket checker includes an optical reading unit and a control unit. The optical reading unit optically reads the efficacy information and the position detection pattern from the display object. The control unit prohibits the user from passing therethrough and prohibits the display object from being read again when the user has entered the predetermined position in a state where the position detection pattern is not read by the optical reading unit. In addition, the control unit prohibits the user from passing therethrough and permits the display object to be read again when the user has entered the predetermined position while the position detection pattern is read by the optical reading unit and the efficacy information is not read by the optical reading unit.

Description

Automatic ticket checker and information storage medium

Reference to related applications

The present application is based on and seeks its benefits from the priority of prior japanese patent application No. 2016-.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an automatic ticket checker and an information storage medium.

Background

There is known an automatic ticket checker that optically reads information from a ticket on which a display object such as a two-dimensional code in which various kinds of information are encoded is printed, or from a portable terminal or the like that displays the display object, and performs a determination process of whether or not a user can pass.

However, in the conventional automatic ticket checker, when information cannot be read from a display object, it is impossible to perform a process of determining whether a user can pass or not. Therefore, in the conventional automatic ticket checker, when the user moves to a predetermined position without reading the display object, the door may be closed so as not to receive a further presentation (japanese language: presentation) of the display object. As a result, the user may not be able to keep passing quickly.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-190851

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The invention aims to solve the problem that the conventional automatic ticket checking machine cannot maintain the rapid passing of a user. The invention provides an automatic ticket checker and an information storage medium capable of maintaining rapid passing of a user.

Means for solving the problems

The automatic ticket checker of the technical scheme is provided with an optical reading part, a detection part and a control part. The optical reading unit optically reads, from a display object displayed on a medium displayed by a user, effectiveness information indicating effectiveness of a ticket and a position detection pattern used to detect a position of the effectiveness information. The detection unit detects that the user has entered a predetermined position in the tunnel. When the detection unit detects that the user has entered the predetermined position while the position detection pattern is not being read by the optical reading unit, the control unit prohibits the user from passing through the display device and prohibits the optical reading unit from reading the display object again. Further, when the detection unit detects that the user has entered the predetermined position while the position detection pattern is read by the optical reading unit and the efficacy information is not read by the optical reading unit, the control unit prohibits the user from passing through the display device and allows the optical reading unit to read the display object again.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view of an automatic ticket checker according to an embodiment viewed from above.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of the main unit 10 of the automatic ticket gate 1 according to the embodiment viewed from the aisle side.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a camera and a lamp in an optical pickup unit according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control configuration of the automatic ticket gate according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display object according to the embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of ID and validity information of a ticket according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the process of determining whether or not there is no ticket in the embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic ticket gate according to the embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic ticket gate in the process 1 of step S14 in fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic ticket gate in the process 2 of step S16 in fig. 8.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an automatic ticket checker and a program according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a view of an automatic ticket checker according to an embodiment viewed from above. The automatic ticket checker 1 is installed at, for example, a station of a railway, and permits or prohibits passage of a user. The automatic ticket checker 1 includes a main unit 10 and a sub-unit 30 arranged to face each other with a passage therebetween. The host computer 10 includes, for example, an optical reading unit 11, a top surface display unit 12, a front surface display unit 13,

door units

14 and 15, and a control unit 20. The sub-unit 30 includes an optical reading unit 31, a top display unit 32, a front display unit 33, and

door units

34 and 35.

The optical reading unit 11 of the host computer 10 optically reads information encoded on the display object OB of the ticket held by the user who intends to pass in the direction a of fig. 1, and transmits the read information to the control unit 20. When the ticket is held up by the optical reading unit 11, the upper surface display unit 12 displays the result processed by the control unit 20. The front display unit 13 displays a mark, a figure, a character, and the like indicating whether or not the image can pass in the direction "a" of fig. 1. The display content or the presence or absence of display of the front display unit 13 is determined by the control unit 20.

On the other hand, the optical reading unit 31 of the sub-unit 30 reads information encoded on the display object OB printed on the ticket held by the user who intends to pass in the direction b of fig. 1, and transmits the read information to the control unit 20 of the main unit 10. When the ticket is held up by the optical reading unit 31, the upper surface display unit 32 displays the result processed by the control unit 20 of the host computer 10. The front display 33 displays a mark, a graphic, a character, and the like indicating whether or not the light beam can pass in the direction b of fig. 1. The display content or the presence or absence of display of the front display unit 33 is determined by the control unit 20 of the host computer 10.

When the automatic ticket checker 1 is set to the operation mode in which the user is allowed to pass through the automatic ticket checker in the direction "a" in fig. 1, the control unit 20 of the host computer 10 controls the

gate units

14 and 34 to the open state or the closed state while maintaining the

gate units

15 and 35 in the open state, thereby allowing or prohibiting the user to pass through the automatic ticket checker in the direction "a". In addition, when the automatic ticket gate 1 is set to the operation mode in which the user is allowed to pass through in the b direction in fig. 1, the control unit 20 controls the

gate units

15 and 35 to the open state or the closed state while maintaining the

gate units

14 and 34 in the open state, thereby allowing or prohibiting the user to pass through in the b direction.

The operation mode of the automatic ticket gate 1 may include an operation mode allowing both passage in the direction a and passage in the direction b in fig. 1. In this case, the control unit 20 of the host computer 10 performs, for example, the following control: if the user is not in the process of passing, both the front display unit 13 and the front display unit 33 are displayed with a mark, a figure, a character, or the like indicating that the user is allowed to pass. The control unit 20 performs, for example, the following control: when the user enters from one side and lifts the ticket to one of the optical reading unit 11 and the optical reading unit 31, the other optical reading unit is invalidated, and a mark, a figure, a character, or the like indicating that passage is prohibited is displayed on a display unit (the front display unit 13 or the front display unit 33) that does not enter the user side.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of the main unit 10 of the automatic ticket gate 1 according to the embodiment viewed from the aisle side. The host computer 10 includes a transmissive photosensor St and a reflective photosensor Sr in addition to the optical reading unit 11 and the

gate units

14 and 15. A plurality of transmissive photosensors St are provided at equal intervals on the channel-side frame surface of the host computer 10 (26 in the case of the example of fig. 2), for example.

In the present embodiment, the transmission type photosensor St that functions as a projector and the transmission type photosensor St that functions as a photoreceptor are used as 1 pair. For example, when the transmissive photosensor St provided on the main unit 10 is a projector, the transmissive photosensor St provided on the sub unit 30 side functions as a photoreceptor.

When there is no object such as blocking light in the tunnel, the transmissive photosensor St provided on the sub-unit 30 side receives the projection light emitted from the transmissive photosensor St on the main unit 10 side. On the other hand, in the case where the user is present in the passage, the projected light emitted from the transmissive photosensor St is blocked by the user. Therefore, the transmissive photosensor St on the sub-unit 30 side does not receive the projection light emitted from the transmissive photosensor St.

The control unit 20 acquires a detection signal from the transmission type photosensor St and determines whether or not the inside of the tunnel is occupied. For example, when the detection signal generated when the transmissive photosensor St does not receive the projection light is obtained from the transmissive photosensor St, the control unit 20 determines that there is a user blocking the projection light in the tunnel. When the detection signal generated when the transmissive photosensor St receives the projected light is obtained, the control unit 20 determines that there is no user blocking the projected light in the tunnel.

As in the transmissive photosensor St, a plurality of reflective photosensors Sr (three in the case of the example of fig. 2) are provided at equal intervals on the channel-side surface of the partition portion that protrudes upward from the housing of the host computer 10, for example. The reflective photosensor Sr projects light in a predetermined direction. The reflective photosensor Sr receives light reflected from the direction of projection after the light is projected.

The reflective photosensor Sr generates a detection signal indicating whether or not the user's body is reflecting light in the channel, based on the intensity of the received light. The reflective photosensor Sr generates a detection signal indicating that no user is present in the channel, for example, when the intensity of the received light is equal to or less than a threshold value. When the intensity of the received light exceeds the threshold value, the reflective photosensor Sr generates a detection signal indicating that the user is present in the channel. The reflective photosensor Sr is mainly used to determine whether a user present in the channel is an adult or a child.

Although the above-described reflective photosensor Sr has been described as being provided on the main unit 10, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided on the sub-unit 30, or may be provided on both the main unit 10 and the sub-unit 30.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a camera and a lamp in an optical pickup unit according to an embodiment. The optical pickup unit 11 incorporates a camera 17 and a lamp 18. The camera 17 is incorporated in the optical reading unit 11, and is configured by an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a cmos (complementary Metal Oxide semiconductor).

The lamp 18 irradiates a display object OB displayed on the ticket when the camera 17 performs an imaging operation. The two lamps 18 are disposed at positions symmetrical with respect to the optical axis 17A of the camera 17, for example. The operation timing of the camera 17 and the lamp 18 may be set arbitrarily.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a control configuration of the automatic ticket gate according to the embodiment. The following describes an operation when the optical reading unit 11 on the host computer 10 side lifts a ticket. Note that, description of the operation when the ticket is lifted up by the optical reading unit 31 on the side of the sub-unit 30 is omitted. The automatic ticket checker 1 further includes an image processing unit 19, a storage unit 25, and a speaker 26. The control unit 20 includes an acquisition unit 21 and a ticket processing unit 23. The optical reading unit 11 includes a camera 11 and an image processing unit 19.

Each of the functional units included in the control unit 20 is a software functional unit that functions by a processor such as a cpu (central Processing unit) executing a program stored in a program memory. Some or all of the functional units included in the control unit 20 may be hardware functional units such as lsi (large Scale integration) and asic (application Specific Integrated circuit).

The storage unit 25 is, for example, a rom (read Only memory) or a flash memory. The storage unit 25 stores a freight table and the like described later. The speaker 26 outputs sound in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 20. The camera 17 photographs the display object OB printed on the ticket. The display object OB printed on the ticket will be described in detail below.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display object according to the embodiment. For example, as shown in fig. 5, a QR code (registered trademark) is printed on a ticket as a display object OB. The display object OB has finder patterns FP1 to FP3, ID codes ID1 and ID2(ID 2-1 and ID 2-2), and effectiveness information EI.

The framing patterns FP1 to FP3 are position detection patterns used for detecting the position of the effectiveness information EI. The effectiveness information EI is information indicating the effectiveness of the ticket. The automatic ticket checker 1 determines whether or not to allow the passage of a user based on the effectiveness information EI read from the ticket. The ID codes ID1 and ID2(ID 2-1 and ID 2-2) are codes obtained by encoding identification information of a ticket. The identification information represented by the ID code ID1 and the identification information represented by the ID code ID2 are the same.

As shown in fig. 5, the ID code ID1 is disposed at a position adjacent to the finder pattern FP 1. The ID code ID2 has a partial ID code ID 2-1 and an ID 2-2. That is, the ID code ID2 is divided into two parts, namely, a partial ID code ID 2-1 and an ID 2-2. The partial ID code ID 2-1 is disposed at a position adjacent to the finder pattern FP2, and the partial ID code ID 2-2 is disposed at a position adjacent to the finder pattern FP 3. By arranging the ID code at a position adjacent to the finder pattern in this manner, the ID code can be detected more reliably.

In the present embodiment, even when one of the ID codes ID1 and ID2 is not detected, the automatic ticket gate 1 performs processing using the detected ID code without recognizing that the other ID code is detected. This prevents the user from being prohibited from passing through the apparatus due to a read error, and thus, the user can keep passing through the apparatus quickly.

As shown in fig. 5, the ID code ID1 and the ID code ID2 are disposed at positions adjacent to the finder pattern and as far apart from each other as possible. With this arrangement, even when the periphery of one ID code is not normally read, the possibility that the image processing unit 19 detects the other ID code can be increased.

In fig. 5, the display object OB is a QR code (registered trademark), but the display object OB is not limited to this. For example, the display object OB may be another two-dimensional code such as DataMatrix (registered trademark) or VeriCode (registered trademark), or may be a one-dimensional code such as a barcode. However, the display object OB needs to contain effectiveness information indicating the effectiveness of the ticket and a position detection pattern.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of ID and validity information of a ticket according to the embodiment. The ticket holds an ID and a validity information EI. The ID is identification information of the ticket indicated by the ID code ID1 and ID2 (see fig. 5). The efficacy information EI includes available section information, release date and time information, release station information, expiration date information, and the like. The available section information is information indicating an available section of the railway. The issue date and time information is information indicating the date and time when the ticket was issued. The ticket for issuing station information is information indicating a station for issuing a ticket. The valid period information is information indicating the valid period of the ticket. The effectiveness information EI may omit some of these information, or may add other information. For example, the effectiveness information EI may include cost information indicating the cost of the ticket.

The ticket may be drawn from a ticket vending machine provided at a station, for example. At this time, not only the display object OB but also the effective strength information EI are printed on the ticket. Note that the ticket is not limited to a paper ticket on which the display object OB is printed. For example, the ticket may be an electronic medium such as a mobile terminal having a function of displaying the display object OB. In this case, the camera 17 of the optical reading unit 11 may capture an image of the display object OB displayed on the mobile terminal.

The camera 17 shown in fig. 4 captures an image of the display object OB, and outputs the captured image to the image processing unit 19. The image processing unit 19 extracts the display object OB from the image input by the camera 17, and detects the finder patterns FP1 to FP3 from the extracted display object OB. Further, the image processing unit 19 detects the ID code of the ticket and the effectiveness information EI of the ticket based on the detected finder patterns FP1 to FP3 (see fig. 6). The image processing unit 19 outputs the detected ID code and the efficacy information EI to the acquisition unit 21.

When any one of the finder patterns FP1 to FP3 is detected, the image processing unit 19 outputs information indicating that any one of the finder patterns FP1 to FP3 is detected to the acquisition unit 21. When detecting at least one of the ID codes ID1 and ID2, the image processing unit 19 outputs the detected ID code to the acquisition unit 21. When neither the ID code ID1 nor the ID2 is detected, the image processing unit 19 outputs information indicating that the ID code cannot be detected to the acquisition unit 21. When only a part of the effectiveness information EI is detected, the image processing unit 19 outputs the detected part of the effectiveness information EI to the acquiring unit 21. When the effectiveness information EI is not detected at all, the image processing unit 19 outputs information indicating that the effectiveness information EI is not detected at all to the acquisition unit 21.

The acquisition unit 21 acquires the detection signal input from the transmissive photosensor St, the detection signal input from the reflective photosensor Sr, and information (ticket efficacy information EI, etc.) input from the image processing unit 19. The acquisition unit 21 outputs the acquired detection signal and information (ID code, efficacy information EI, etc.) to the ticket processing unit 23.

When the inbound processing is performed, the ticket processing unit 23 determines whether the effectiveness information EI input from the acquisition unit 21 is effective. For example, when a station at which the user intends to enter belongs to an available section, the ticket processing unit 23 determines that the effectiveness information EI input from the acquisition unit 21 is valid. When the effectiveness information EI is valid, the ticket processing unit 23 allows the user to pass through. On the other hand, when the effectiveness information EI is not valid, the ticket processing unit 23 prohibits the passage of the user. In addition, the ticket processing unit 23 prohibits the passage of the user even when the image processing unit 19 cannot detect the usable section information.

When the ticket processing unit 23 performs the outbound processing, if the station where the user intends to exit belongs to the available section, the user is allowed to pass through. On the other hand, the ticket processing unit 23 prohibits the passage of the user when the station at which the user intends to exit does not belong to the available section. In addition, the ticket processing unit 23 prohibits the passage of the user even when the image processing unit 19 cannot detect the usable section information.

In addition, when the effectiveness information EI includes charge information indicating the charge of the ticket and entry information, the ticket processing unit 23 may determine whether or not to allow the user to pass through based on the charge information and the entry information. For example, the ticket processing unit 23 extracts cost information and arrival information from the effectiveness information EI input from the acquisition unit 21. The ticket processing unit 23 searches the freight rate table stored in the storage unit 25 using the extracted arrival information, and derives a required freight rate. Then, the ticket processing unit 23 allows the user to pass through the terminal when the derived freight fee is equal to or less than the fee indicated by the fee information. On the other hand, when the derived freight rate is more than the fare indicated by the fare information, the ticket processing unit 23 prohibits the passage of the user.

When the passage of the user is permitted, the ticket processing unit 23 controls the

door units

14 and 34 to be in the open state, and causes the upper surface display unit 12 to display information prompting the ticket to be put into the ticket collecting box (not shown). The ticket processing unit 23 may output information prompting the ticket collection box to be loaded with the ticket to the speaker 26.

When the passage of the user is prohibited, the ticket processing unit 23 controls the

door units

14 and 34 to be in the closed state, and causes the upper surface display unit 12 to display information indicating that the section is outside the usable section. The ticket processing unit 23 may output information indicating that the available section is not available to the speaker 26.

Further, the ticket processing unit 23 detects the position of the user in the passage based on the detection signal of the transmission type photosensor St. Specifically, when one or more of the transmissive photosensors St detect a user, the ticket processing unit 23 determines that the user has entered the lane. Further, when the transmission type photosensor St closest to the entrance side of the automatic ticket checker 1 (the transmission type photosensor St on the far right side in fig. 2) detects the user, the ticket processing unit 23 determines that the user has entered the aisle.

When the user enters a predetermined position in the passage in a state where the user is not allowed to pass, the ticket processing unit 23 controls the

door units

14 and 34 to be in a closed state. The ticket processing unit 23 stops the operation of the optical reading unit 11 or stops the operation of the ticket processing unit 23 until the user moves backward and is no longer detected by the transmission type photosensor St. Hereinafter, such a state is referred to as a state determined to be free of tickets.

Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the process of determining whether or not there is no ticket in the embodiment. In the example of fig. 7, the user is explained to pass through the channel in the direction of the arrow (left direction in fig. 7). The "predetermined position in the passage" is set to, for example, a predetermined position P1 shown in fig. 7. The determination as ticketless is: the user may travel without lifting the ticket with respect to the optical reading unit 11, or the user may lift the ticket with respect to the optical reading unit 11 but the information is not normally read. When the non-ticket determination is made, the user needs to withdraw from the passage of the automatic ticket checker 1 once and then lift the ticket to the optical reading unit 11 once again in order to cancel the non-ticket determination by the automatic ticket checker 1. As a result, if the non-ticket determination is made, smooth passage of the user may be hindered.

Therefore, when the user enters the predetermined position P1 in a state where none of the finder patterns FP1 to FP3 is read by the optical reading unit 11, the ticket processing unit 23 prohibits the user from passing through and prohibits the optical reading unit 11 from reading the display object OB again. On the other hand, when the user moves to the predetermined position P1 while any one of the finder patterns FP1 to FP3 is read by the optical reading unit 11 and the effectiveness information EI is not read by the optical reading unit 11, the ticket processing unit 23 prohibits the user from passing therethrough and permits the optical reading unit 11 to read the display object OB again.

That is, even if the user travels to the predetermined position P1 with the effectiveness information EI unread, the automatic ticket checker 1 does not determine that there is no ticket but allows the optical reading unit 11 to read the ticket again as long as any one of the finder patterns FP1 to FP3 is read. Thus, the automatic ticket gate 1 of the present embodiment can maintain the rapid passage of the user. The operation of the automatic ticket checker 1 will be described in detail below.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic ticket gate according to the embodiment. First, the ticket processing unit 23 determines whether the user has entered the passage (S11). For example, when the transmission type photosensor St closest to the entrance side of the automatic ticket checker 1 (the transmission type photosensor St on the far right side in fig. 2) detects the user, the ticket processing unit 23 determines that the user has entered the aisle.

If it is determined that the user has not entered the passage, the ticket processing unit 23 repeats the process of step S11. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user has entered the lane, the ticket processing unit 23 determines whether or not at least one of the finder patterns FP1 through FP3 has been detected by the image processing unit 19 (S12). When it is determined that none of the finder patterns FP1 to FP3 has been detected by the image processing unit 19, the ticket processing unit 23 proceeds to the process of step S18, which will be described later.

On the other hand, when the ticket processing unit 23 determines that at least one of the finder patterns FP1 through FP3 has been detected by the image processing unit 19, it determines whether at least one of the ID code ID1 and ID2 has been detected by the image processing unit 19 (S13). When it is determined that neither of the ID code ID1 and the ID2 is detected by the image processing unit 19, the ticket processing unit 23 executes the process 1 (fig. 9) described later (S14).

On the other hand, when the ticket processing unit 23 determines that at least one of the ID codes ID1 and ID2 has been detected by the image processing unit 19, it determines whether the validity information EI (fig. 6) has been detected by the image processing unit 19 (S15). When it is determined that the effectiveness information EI is not detected by the image processing unit 19, the ticket processing unit 23 executes the process 2 (fig. 10) described later (S16).

On the other hand, when the ticket processing unit 23 determines in step S15 that the effectiveness information EI has been detected by the image processing unit 19, or when the processing in step S14 or step S16 is finished, it determines whether or not the passage of the user is permitted based on the detected effectiveness information EI (S17). For example, when a station installed in the automatic ticket gate 1 belongs to the available section included in the effectiveness information EI, the ticket processing unit 23 determines that the user is allowed to pass through the available section. On the other hand, when the station set in the automatic ticket gate 1 does not belong to the available section included in the effectiveness information EI, the ticket processing unit 23 determines that passage by the user is prohibited.

If it is determined that the user is permitted to pass through the ticket processing unit 23, the process proceeds to step S20, which will be described later. At this time, the ticket processing unit 23 causes the top surface display unit 12 to display information prompting the ticket collection box (not shown) to be loaded with the ticket. The ticket processing unit 23 may output information prompting the ticket collection box to be loaded with the ticket to the speaker 26.

On the other hand, if the ticket processing unit 23 determines in step S17 that passage by the user is prohibited, or if it determines in step S12 that none of the finder patterns FP1 to FP3 is detected by the image processing unit 19, the door unit 14 is closed (S18). When the door portion 14 is closed, the user cannot pass through the automatic ticket gate 1, and therefore the user returns to the entrance of the automatic ticket gate 1.

Next, the ticket processing section 23 determines whether the user has exited from the passage based on the detection signal of the transmissive photosensor St (S19). When determining that the user has exited from the passage, the ticket processing unit 23 repeats the process of step S19. While the process of step S19 is being repeated, the ticket processing unit 23 prohibits the optical reading unit 11 from reading the ticket.

On the other hand, if the ticket processing unit 23 determines in step S19 that the user has exited from the passage, or if it determines in step S17 that the passage of the user is permitted, the door unit 14 is opened (S20). Thereafter, the ticket processing section 23 permits the optical reading section 11 to read the ticket, and returns the process to the aforementioned step S11.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic ticket gate in the process 1 of step S14 in fig. 8. As described above, the present flowchart is executed when the user enters the tunnel in a state where at least one of the finder patterns FP1 to FP3 is detected but neither of the ID codes ID1 and ID2 is detected.

First, the ticket processing part 23 closes the door part 14 (S21). If the door portion 14 is closed, the user can no longer pass through the automatic ticket gate 1. Next, the ticket processing unit 23 causes the top surface display unit 12 to display a re-exhibition guide for guiding the re-exhibition of the display object OB printed on the ticket (S22). Note that the ticket processing unit 23 may cause the speaker 26 to output the guidance for displaying again.

Next, the ticket processing section 23 determines whether the effect information EI has been detected by the image processing section 19 (S23). When it is determined that the effectiveness information EI is not detected by the image processing unit 19, the ticket processing unit 23 repeats the process of step S23. On the other hand, when it is determined that the effectiveness information EI has been detected by the image processing unit 19, the ticket processing unit 23 proceeds to step S17 (fig. 8) described above, and determines whether or not to allow the user to pass based on the detected effectiveness information EI.

Further, in step S23, in the case where the transmissive photosensor St detects that the user has exited from the tunnel in a state where the effectiveness information EI is not detected, the ticket processing section 23 may also return the processing to step S11 of fig. 8. Thus, the automatic ticket checker 1 can cause the optical reading unit 11 to read tickets of other users.

In this way, when the transmission type photosensor St detects that the user has entered the predetermined position P1 in a state where the optical reading unit 11 has read at least one of the finder patterns FP1 to FP3 and neither of the ID code ID1 and ID2 has been read by the optical reading unit 11, the ticket processing unit 23 of the control unit 20 prohibits the passage of the user and permits the optical reading unit 11 to read the display object OB again. Thus, the user can read the ticket again by the optical reading unit 11 without going out of the passage, and the user can keep passing quickly.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic ticket gate in the process 2 of step S16 in fig. 8. As described above, the present flowchart is executed when the user enters the channel in a state where at least one of the ID code ID1 and the ID2 is detected but the effectiveness information EI is not detected.

First, the ticket processing part 23 closes the door part 14 (S31). If the door portion 14 is closed, the user can no longer pass through the automatic ticket gate 1. Next, the ticket processing unit 23 causes the top surface display unit 12 to display a re-exhibition guide for guiding the re-exhibition of the display object OB printed on the ticket (S32). Note that the ticket processing unit 23 may cause the speaker 26 to output the guidance for displaying again.

Next, the ticket processing unit 23 determines whether or not at least one of the ID codes ID1 and ID2 and the validity information EI have been detected by the image processing unit 19 (S33). When the ticket processing unit 23 determines that the validity information EI and at least one of the ID codes ID1 and ID2 are not detected by the image processing unit 19, the process of step S33 is repeated. On the other hand, when the ticket processing unit 23 determines that at least one of the ID codes ID1 and ID2 and the validity information EI have been detected by the image processing unit 19, it determines whether or not the ID code detected in step S33 matches the ID code detected in step S13 (fig. 8) (S34).

If it is determined that the ID codes match, the ticket processing unit 23 proceeds to step S17 (fig. 8) described above, and determines whether or not the user is permitted to pass based on the detected validity information EI.

In this way, when the effectiveness information EI is read by the optical reading unit 11 and the ID code acquired by the optical reading unit 11 at the time of the next reading is identical to the ID code acquired at the time of the immediately preceding reading, the ticket processing unit 23 of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the user is permitted to pass based on the effectiveness information EI. This enables the user to keep passing quickly when the ticket is read again by the optical reading unit 11.

On the other hand, when the ticket processing unit 23 determines that the ID codes do not match, the following steps are performed: a ticket of a user (for example, the next user) different from the user who enters the passage is read by the optical reading portion 11. In this case, even if the validity information EI is normally read, the ticket processing unit 23 does not move to step S17 (fig. 8) described above, and repeats the processing of step S33 until the same ID code is detected.

In this way, when the ID code obtained at the time of the next reading and the ID code obtained at the time of the reading immediately before the next reading are different, the ticket processing unit 23 of the control unit 20 prohibits the passage of the user regardless of whether the effectiveness information EI is read by the optical reading unit 11. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the automatic ticket checker 1 from allowing the user to pass based on the effectiveness information of the ticket of another person.

In addition, when the ID code obtained at the time of reading again is different from the ID code obtained at the time of reading before reading again, the ticket processing unit 23 may cause the top surface display unit 12 to display a message urging the front user to show the ticket. This enables the user to understand what the user needs to do in order to pass through the automatic ticket gate 1, and to maintain the user's quick passage.

In step S33, when the transmission photosensor St detects that the user has exited from the aisle in a state where the ID code and the effectiveness information EI are not detected, the ticket processing unit 23 may return to the processing of step S11 in fig. 8. Thus, the automatic ticket checker 1 can cause the optical reading unit 11 to read tickets of other users.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the automatic ticket gate 1 is a dedicated machine for processing a ticket on which the display object OB is printed (or an electronic device for displaying the display object OB) has been described, but the automatic ticket gate 1 may be a device capable of processing a magnetic ticket or an IC card ticket. The automatic ticket checker 1 is not limited to a device through which a user can pass in both directions, and may be a device which is composed of a main unit and a sub-unit and through which a user can pass in only one direction.

The automatic ticket checker 1 in the above embodiment has a computer therein. The processes of the respective processes of the automatic ticket checker 1 are stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the various processes are performed by reading the program by a computer and executing the program. Here, the computer-readable recording medium refers to a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer receiving the distribution may execute the program.

According to at least one embodiment described above, the automatic ticket gate 1 includes the optical reading unit 11, the transmissive photosensor St, and the control unit 20. The optical reading section 11 optically reads effectiveness information EI indicating effectiveness of a ticket and finder patterns FP1 to FP3 used to detect the position of the effectiveness information EI from a display object OB displayed on the ticket (or mobile terminal) presented by a user. The transmissive photosensor St detects that the user has entered a predetermined position P1 in the tunnel. In a case where the transmissive photosensor St detects that the user has entered the predetermined position P1 in a state where none of the finder patterns FP1 to FP3 is read by the optical reading section 11, the control section 20 prohibits the passage of the user and prohibits the optical reading section 11 from reading the display object OB again. When the transmissive photosensor St detects that the user has entered the predetermined position P1 while the optical reader 11 has read any one of the finder patterns FP1 to FP3 and the effectiveness information EI is not being read by the optical reader 11, the controller 20 prohibits the user from passing therethrough and permits the optical reader 11 to read the display object OB again. Thus, the automatic ticket gate 1 of the embodiment can maintain the rapid passage of the user.

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 embodiments may be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims

1. An automatic ticket checker, comprising:

an optical reading unit that optically reads, from a display object displayed on a medium displayed by a user, effectiveness information indicating effectiveness of a ticket and a position detection pattern used to detect a position of the effectiveness information;

a detection unit for detecting that the user has entered a predetermined position in a tunnel; and

a control unit that prohibits passage of the user and prohibits further reading of the display object by the optical reading unit when the detection unit detects that the user has entered the predetermined position in a state where the position detection pattern is not read by the optical reading unit,

the control unit prohibits the user from passing therethrough and permits the optical reading unit to read the display object again when the detection unit detects that the user has entered the predetermined position while the position detection pattern is read by the optical reading unit and the efficacy information is not read by the optical reading unit.

2. The automatic ticket checker of claim 1,

the optical reading unit further reads an ID code used for identifying the ticket,

when the ID code obtained by the optical reading unit at the time of the next reading is different from the ID code obtained by the optical reading unit at the time of the reading immediately before the next reading, the control unit prohibits the user from passing through the apparatus regardless of whether or not the efficacy information has been read by the optical reading unit.

3. The automatic ticket checker of claim 2,

when the effectiveness information is read by the optical reading unit and the ID code acquired by the optical reading unit at the time of the next reading is the same as the ID code acquired at the time of the reading immediately before the next reading, the control unit determines whether or not to permit the user's passage based on the effectiveness information.

4. The automatic ticket checker according to claim 2 or 3,

the optical reading section reads the position detection pattern including the 1 st pattern, the 2 nd pattern, and the 3 rd pattern and the ID code including the 1 st ID code and the 2 nd ID code,

the 1 st ID code and the 2 nd ID code are codes in which the same identification information is encoded, the 1 st ID code is disposed at a position adjacent to the 1 st pattern, the 2 nd ID code is divided into two, one is disposed at a position adjacent to the 2 nd pattern, and the other is disposed at a position adjacent to the 3 rd pattern.

5. The automatic ticket checker according to claim 2 or 3,

the control unit prohibits the user from passing therethrough and permits the optical reading unit to read the display object again when the detection unit detects that the user has entered the predetermined position while the position detection pattern is read by the optical reading unit and the ID code is not read by the optical reading unit.

6. The automatic ticket checker of any one of claims 1 through 3,

further comprises a display part for displaying information for the user,

the control unit may cause the display unit to display a re-display guide to display the display object again when the user has entered the predetermined position in a state where the position detection pattern is read by the optical reading unit and the efficacy information is not read by the optical reading unit.

7. The automatic ticket checker of any one of claims 1 through 3,

when the effectiveness information is read by the optical reading unit, the control unit determines whether or not to allow the user to pass through based on the effectiveness information.

8. The automatic ticket checker of any one of claims 1 through 3,

further comprises a door part for prohibiting the user from passing through the door part by closing the door part,

the control unit closes the door unit when the passage of the user is prohibited.

9. An information storage medium readable by a computer, storing a program to be executed by a computer of an automatic ticket checker having an optical reading unit for optically reading, from a display object displayed on a medium displayed by a user, effectiveness information indicating effectiveness of a ticket and a position detection pattern used for detecting a position of the effectiveness information, and a detection unit for detecting entry of the user to a predetermined position in a passage,

the program causes the computer of the automatic ticket checker to execute the steps of:

when the detection unit detects that the user has entered the predetermined position while the optical reading unit is not reading the position detection pattern, the optical reading unit prohibits the user from passing through the display device and prohibits the optical reading unit from reading the display object again,

when the detection unit detects that the user has entered the predetermined position while the position detection pattern is read by the optical reading unit and the efficacy information is not read by the optical reading unit, the user is prohibited from passing the display object and the optical reading unit is permitted to read the display object again.

10. The computer-readable information storage medium of claim 9,

the above procedure is such that:

when the ID code acquired by the optical reading unit at the time of the next reading is different from the ID code acquired by the optical reading unit at the time of the reading immediately before the next reading, the user is prohibited from passing the message regardless of whether or not the efficacy information has been read by the optical reading unit.

11. The computer-readable information storage medium of claim 10,

the above procedure is such that:

when the effectiveness information is read by the optical reading unit and the ID code acquired by the optical reading unit at the time of the next reading is the same as the ID code acquired at the time of the reading immediately before the next reading, it is determined whether or not the user is permitted to pass based on the effectiveness information.