GB2102173A

GB2102173A - Ticket issuing system

Info

Publication number: GB2102173A
Application number: GB08215773A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ryuichi Nakagawa; Takashi Sawafuji
Original assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 1981-06-04
Filing date: 1982-05-28
Publication date: 1983-01-26
Also published as: DE3221235A1; JPH036541B2; JPS57201955A; GB2102173B

Abstract

A ticket issuing machine includes a window ticket machine (9) and a reservation reference device (13, 15) operated by an operator, and a ticket vending machine (11) operated by a customer. These devices (9, 11, 13, 15) are connected to a central computer (1) at the system center through communication lines, thereby performing reservation and issuance of tickets by a customer's operation as well as reservation and issuance of tickets by an operator's operation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ticket issuing system This invention relates to apparatus for issuing tickets such as limited seat tickets and reserved seat tickets for railroad trains, buses, theaters, etc.

and, more particularly, to apparatus for reserving and issuing limited seat tickets for railroad trains and buses.

Hitherto, apparatus for reservation and issuance of seat tickets of railroad trains and buses have been operated by operators when there are requests by customers. However, this kind of apparatus always requires operators, so that increasing the number of apparatus installed requires a corresponding increase in the number of operators. In addition, limited seat tickets are often requested when the train or bus is about to start, thereby giving the customers waiting in long lines at a few ticket windows a sense of irritation and frequently giving rise to confliction between the customer and the operator. As for general seat tickets, ticket vending machines or apparatus have come to widespread use.However, for limited seat tickets and reservation tickets, which are usually expensive and also for which the valid time and seats of vehicles are limited, it is necessary to be able to make cancellation or inquiry about the reservation status for the sake of the customer's convenience. On the other hand, less troubles result from the operation by operator in the case when servicing for customers who are not familiar with the practice or in the case when issuing a great quantity of tickets.

The present invention has been intended to improve the status described above, and accordingly, one object is to provide a ticket issuing system, which may be operated either by an operator, a user or a customer to obtain limited seat tickets or reserved seat tickets issued therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ticket issuance guide display apparatus for displaying guide information about the issuance of various tickets such as train tickets, bus tickets and entrance tickets, etc.

To achieve the above objects, the ticket issuing system according to the present invention includes, in addition to conventional ticket issuing apparatus and apparatus for making an inquiry of reservation status or effecting cancellation, these apparatus being operated by operator; ticket issuing apparatus operated by customers and ticket issuance display apparatus which can be used with the customer operated ticket issuing apparatus, these apparatus all being controlied by a control unit such that the functions of issuance and cancellation of train or bus tickets, entrance tickets, and inquiries about the reservation status are obtained with any of these apparatus.

This invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become better understood through a consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:: Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 2A and 2B are respectively a front view and a side view of a window ticket machine employed in the embodiment of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front view of a console panel of the window ticket machine; Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the window ticket machine; Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing a ticket issuing mechanism of the window ticket machine; Fig. 6 is a front view showing a reservation inquiry device; Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the construction of the reservation inquiry device; Fig. 8 is a front view showing a console panel of the reservation inquiry device; Fig. 9 is a view showing an example of the printed sheet issued from the reservation inquiry device; Figs. 1 OA and 1 OB are respectively a front view and a side view showing a ticket vending machine;; Fig. 11 is a front view showing the console panel of the ticket vending machine; Fig. 1 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of the ticket vending machine; Fig. 13 is a front view showing a departure time display device; Fig. 14 is a schematic view showing the mechanical construction of the ticket vending machine; Figs. 1 SA and 1 SB are views showing examples of the limited-express bus ticket issued from the embodiment of the system shown in Fig.

1; Fig. 1 6 is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of operation of the ticket vending machine; Fig. 1 7 is a front view showing another embodiment of the console panel of the ticket vending machine; and Fig. 1 8 is a flow chart illustrating the procedure of operation of the ticket vending machine in Fig.

17.

Now, an embodiment of the invention applied to a system for reserving and issuing bus seat tickets will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of the bus seat ticket reserving and issuing system. The illustrated system comprises a control unit 1 which is installed at the system center, data lines 5 connected to the control unit 1 through modems 3, terminals 9, 11, 13 and 15 installed at respective bus terminals 7, and modems 1 7 connecting the terminals 9, 11, 13 and 1 5 to the data lines 5. The system construction will now be described in detail.The control unit 1 includes a minicomputer 19 for controlling the entire system, a main memory 21, magnetic disk devices 23, a floppy disk device 25, a high speed printer 1 7 for printing the control statistics, sum data, etc., and communication controller 29 for controlling the communication between the individual terminals 9, 11, 13 and 1 5 in the bus terminals and the minicomputer 19.

The terminals 9, 11, 13 and 1 5 are classified as window ticket machines 9 (first units), ticket vending machines 11 (third units) and reservation reference devices 13 and 1 5 (second units). The window ticket machine 9 is operable by the operator to let tickets be printed and issued when there are requests by customers. The ticket vending machine 11 is operable by the customer, and it issues tickets when bank notes and/or coins are fed into it. The reservation reference device 1 3 or 1 5 is operable by the operator for such services as reservation of tickets, inquiry about reservation status and cancellation of tickets when there are requests by customers.The reservation reference machine 1 3 includes a CRT display unit 31 and a printer 33 for printing a seat table of the relevant bus. The reservation reference machine 1 5 only includes the CRT display unit 31. The modems are classified as modems 3 and 1 7 for leased lines and modems 35 and 37 for public lines. Further, branch amplifiers 39 are provided at respective branch points of the data line 5.

Now, the operation of this system will be described. The system can effect seven different kinds of ticket issuing tasks in response to the operation of the terminals 9, 11, 13 and 1 5.

Among these tasks, the first is to reserve limited seat tickets before the day of departure. A second task is to reserve and issue limited seat tickets. A third task is to issue limited seat tickets on the day of departure. A fourth task is to issue reserved limited seat tickets by reference to reservation numbers. A fifth task is to make inquiry about the reservation statistics. A sixth task is to cancel reserved seats and tickets. A seventh task is to change reserved seats, day of departure, etc. The window ticket machine 9 can effect these seven tasks. The reservation reference machines 1 3 and 1 5 can make four different tasks, i.e. reservation, inquiry, cancellation and change.The ticket vending machine 11 can issue reserved limited seats tickets and limited seat tickets on the day of departure for each direction displayed on the display panel in the machine 11. The data that is obtained when these terminals 9, 11, 13 and 15 are operated is transmitted to the control unit 1 through the modems 17 and 37, data lines 5, branch amplifiers 33 and modems 3 and 35, and processed in the control unit 1. The control unit 1 performs to allot bus seats, make inquiries of seat files and edit slips such as seat slips and sales reports. Further, the control unit 1 performs to sum and output data. Duplicate data is stored in the two magnetic disk units 23, one of these units serving as a back up to the other. Data on bus schedules, fares and reservation, control programs, troubleshooting programs, etc. are stored in these units.A reservation file of the day is stored on the floppy disk 25. This is done in order that at least data of the day would be secured in the event oF a system-down. The floppy disk 25 is also used as data input means for the magnetic disk units 23 at the time of alteration of lines, time of departure, etc. The high speed printer 27 is used for outputting total data (daily and monthly total data). In the event of a system-down, the data in the floppy disk 25 is read out by a separate computer to produce a reservation table. With reference to this table tickets may be sold by the conventional manual vending method.

The terminals 9, 11, 13 and 1 5 will now be described in detail.

(1) Window ticket machine Figs. 2A and 2B are respectively front view and a side view showing the terminal 9, i.e., the window ticket machine which is referred to as the first unit. This unit is installed at a limited seat ticket window of a bus terminal. It is operated by push button operation by an operator for reservation of limited seat tickets, issuance thereof, inquiry about reservation statistic and cancellation of tickets. The machine comprises an upper frame 43 and a lower frame 45. The upper frame 43 is provided with a console panel 41 and is accommodated with a ticket issuing mechanism. The lower frame 45 supports the upper frame 43 and includes the window ticket machine control section. The console panel 41 of the upper frame 43 is hinged by a hinge 47 at the back and has handles 49 and levers 51 provided at the front.It may be pivoted about the hinge 47 by raising it with the handle grips 49 while depressing the levers 51. In the interior of the upper frame 43, a ticket issuing mechanism 55 and a drive mechanism 57 are provided together with the associated electric circuitry, respectively on the upper and lower sides of a partition plate 53, as shown by dashed lines in Fig. 2B. The upper frame 43 has a delivery pocket 59 provided adjacent to the left end of the console panel 41.

Tickets produced by printing the ticket issuing mechanism 55 are delivered from the delivery pocket 59. The delivery pocket 59 is independent of the console panel 41, and it will not be opened with the handles 49 and levers 51.

Fig. 3 shows the layout of the console panel 41. In Fig. 3, the operation panel 41 roughly comprises a changeover switch section 61 such as a power switch which is provided at the right top of the panel, a first display section 63 provided adjacent to the switch section 61 for displaying the operation status of the machine, a second display section 65 provided below the switch section 61 and first display section 63 and having a plurality of seven-segment elements to display the ticket reservation statistics, fare, etc., and a keyboard operation section 67 occupying a central-to-right space below the second display section 65 and operable for setting various tasks or services.The changeover switch section 61 comprises a power source switch 71 for turning the power source on or off by turning it after inserting a key 69, a pilot lamp 73 for displaying the "on" or "off" state of the power source and a total data instruction switch 75 for instructing the commencement of the total data transmission.

The total data transmission instruction switch 75 is normally set "off". When it is set to a "daily total" position, the daily total sales data of the window ticket machine 9 is transmitted to the control unit 1 at the system center. When it is set to a "monthly total" position, the monthly total sales data is transmitted to the control unit 1. The first display section 63 displays the operation status of the machine using different colors or blinking of lamps 77. More particularly, it displays such states of the machine as it is ready to operate, occupied, closed, etc., and also displays the absence of the ticket sheet, jamming, a fault in transmission, a fault in the machine, absence of seats next to each other, etc. In the second display section 65, seven-segment elements 79 are arranged in a plurality of groups each of a definite number of elements in a row.Here, data keyed in from the keyboard operation section 67 and also such information as the time of departure, bus No., seat No., number of remaining seats, amount, telephone No. and answer data from the central control unit 1 with respect to the input data, are displayed. Further, input codes representing reservation No. and so forth and also error codes representing operation errors are displayed.The keyboard operation section 67 includes a first operation section 81 for selecting such tasks (or functions) as the issuance of seat tickets purchased on the day of departure and issuance of reserved seat tickets, a second operation section 83 for selecting the validity date of tickets, a third operation section 85 for setting the number of tickets for adults, a fourth operation section 87 for setting the number of tickets for children, and a fifth operation section 89 for setting the telephone No. To the right of these sections 81,83, 85, 87 and 89, there is provided a sixth operation section 91, which includes a keyboard with the names of stops displayed for individual lines so that they can be readily found. Further, numeric keys 93 are provided in a right hand space below the sixth operation section 91.This section is provided for setting the reservation No., time of departure, etc.

Further, a start key 95 and a correction key 97 are provided at positions which can be readily found, in this embodiment at left and right hand positions below the keyboard operation section 67.

Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of the internal construction of the window ticket machine shown in Figs. 2A, 2B and 3. The construction comprises a window ticket machine 9, a data line 5 for transmitting the data of the window ticket machine 9 to the system center and the control unit 1 for processing the data transmitted from the machine 9 through the data line 5 and for transmitting data representing the result of processing. In this embodiment, the control unit 1 consists of a minicomputer. The minicomputer may be a 32-bit minicomputer (Model &num;) made by Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation, Kawasaki City, Japan).

The window ticket machine 9 includes an operation section (input section) 67 for setting various conditions, a display section 65 for displaying data selected by the operation section 67 and answers from the system center with respect to the coupled data, a ticket issuing machine 55 for printing limited seat tickets, a delivery pocket 59 for delivery of tickets issued from the ticket issuing mechanism 55, a memory 99 for storing data of the tickets delivered from the delivery pocket 59, i.e., ticket issuance data, and a window ticket machine control section 101 for permitting data communication with the control unit 1 in the system center and controlling various mechanisms of the window ticket machine 9. The window ticket machine control section 101 consists of a microcomputer. This microcomputer may be an 8-bit microcomputer Intel 8085 manufactured by Intel Corporation, U.S.A.

Fig. 5 shows the ticket issuing mechanism 55 of the window ticket machine 9 in detail. The ticket issuing mechanism 55 comprises a ticket sheet storage section 105 accommodating a roll of ticket sheets 103 and a processing section 107 for cutting the roll ticket sheet 103 to the length of the ticket and printing the cut ticket sheet to produce a ticket to be issued. The storage section 105 comprises a reel 109 for mounting the roll ticket sheet 103 to the ticket issuing mechanism 55, a plurality of guide rollers 111 for guiding the ticket sheet accommodated in the reel 109 to the processing section 107, a guide plate 11 3 for guiding the ticket sheet such that it is smoothly transferred between the guide rollers 111 and a detector 11 5 for detecting the presence or absence of ticket sheet.The processing section 107 comprises a conveying mechanism 11 7 for conveying the ticket sheet supplied from the storage section 105 by clamping the end thereof, a cutter 11 9 for cutting the ticket sheet being transported by the conveying mechanism 11 7 to the length of the ticket, a first printing device 1 21 for printing a pattern on the front surface of the cut ticket sheet, a second printing device 1 23 for printing, on the bottom surface of the cut ticket, the same pattern that the first printing device 1 23 prints on the front surface, and a high speed transport mechanism 125 for high speed transporting of the tickets obtained as a result of the printing in the printing devices to the delivery pocket.

In the ticket issuing mechanism 55, when a ticket issuance command is produced with operation of the console panel 41, the transport mechanism 11 7 is driven to deliver the roll ticket sheet 103 for the length of the ticket. The delivered ticket sheet is cut to the length of the ticket by the cutter 11 9. The cut ticket sheet is fed to the first printing device 121 where the front surface pattern is printed by heat-sensitive printing. The ticket sheet with the front surface pattern printed thereon is fed to the second printing device 123 where the same pattern as the front surface pattern is printed on the back surface by heat-sensitive printing. The ticket with the patterns printed on both side surfaces is transported by the high speed transport mechanism 125 and delivered from the delivery pocket 59.

The procedure of operation and function of the window ticket machine 9 having the above construction will now be described.

The window ticket machine 9 can perform all services that can be afforded by the system.

Initially, the power source switch 71 which is provided with the switch section 61 in the console panel 41 is set to the "on" state by inserting the key 69 whereupon the pilot lamp 73 is turned on. At the same time, the total data transmission instruction switch 75 is set to the "off" state. Under the condition, if it is possible to make services to customers, an "operation ready" lamp among the lamps 70 in the first display section 63 is turned on. When the "operation ready" lamp is "on", the following services are obtainable.

i) Reservation This service is to effect reservation of limited seat tickets before the day of departure. The reserved limited seat tickets themselves are not issued, but the customer is informed of the reservation No. For this service, it is necessary for the customer to apply a request for reservation by mentioning the date of utility destination, number of tickets, etc. either directly at the window of the bus terminal 7 at which the window ticket machine 9 is installed or via telephone (not shown). The operator in charge of the window ticket machine, upon receipt of the customer's contact, sets a "reservation button" in the first operation section 81. Then, the operator sets the date of departure in the second operation section 83, the number of tickets for adults in the third operation section 85 and the number of tickets for children in the fourth operation section 87.Thereafter, the operator sets a "telephone number" button in the fifth operation section 89, then keys in the telephone number with the numeric keys 93 and specifies the stop of departure and stop of destination in the sixth operation section 91. After setting the stops in the sixth operation section 91, the operator again sets the "departure time" button in the first operation section 81 and keys in the date of departure with the numeric keys 93. The keyed-in departure time, telephone number, etc. are displayed on the display section 65. Also, lamps associated with the set buttons are turned on.

After conforming that there is no error in the setting, the operator sets a "transmission" button 89 or the start button 95 in the fifth operation section. If there is an error, it is corrected.

For correcting the set data, the "on"lamps in the first to fourth operation sections 81, 83, 85 and 87 are turned off by depressing the relevant buttons once again. Also, by newly depressing different buttons, lamps associated with "on" buttons which have bearing on the newly depressed buttons are turned off. At the same time, the lamps associated with the newly depressed buttons are turned on, these buttons now acting as set buttons. When it is desired to cancel all the data keyed in, an "AC" button in the fifth operation section 89 is depressed, and then the start button 95 is depressed. In the sixth operation section 91, stops are represented by two buttons which are operated in succession, namely the stop of departure and the stop of destination in the order of operation.When it is found that the setting in the sixth operation section 91 is erroneous, the correction button 97 is depressed. Then the departure and destination stops may be set again in the mentioned order.

Lamps of different colors are turned on for the departure and destination stops. Further, when changing the data keyed in with the numeric keys 93, a "C" key is set. When the start button 95 is depressed, the set data is transmitted to the corresponding communication controller 29 in the control unit 1 through the associated modem 17, data line 5, branch amplifier 39 and modem 3 shown in Fig. 1. The communication controller 29 transmits the data to the minicomputer 19. The minicomputer 1 9 reads out relevant data from the magnetic disk 23 and processes the read-out data. The data obtained as a result of the processing is sent back to the communication controller 29, which has received the set data.

The communication controller 29 sends back the data to the window ticket machine 9. When sufficient vacant seats are available for reservation, an "on sale" lamp 77 in the first operation section 63 of the window ticket machine 9 is turned on, whereby the relevant bus No., seat No. and number of remaining seats are newly displayed on the second display section 65, thus completing the reservation task. The reservation No. is displayed as a 7-digit serial number which is indicative of the time of departure, bus No. and seat No. When available remaining seats are insufficient, a "closed" lamp 77 in the first operation section 63 is turned on, at this time, the number of remaining seats is displayed on the second display section 65. The number of remaining seats is naturally smaller than the number of requested tickets.Further, the time of departure, bus No. and number of remaining seats of two buses preceding and succeeding the requested buses and having the desired number of remaining seats are subsequently alternately displayed for every one second. When one of these two buses is selected, the time of departure is keyed in with the numeric keys 93. When a different bus is desired or when cancelling the request, all the set data is cleared by depressing a "cancel" button in the operation section 89, and new data is keyed in again by depressing the start button 95.

ii) Reservation sale, departure day sale For these services, the procedure of operation is the same as in the above case of reservation except for that limited seat tickets are actually issued. It is necessary for the customer to make a request directly at the window. The operator sets a "departure day issuance" button or a "reservation issuance" button in the first operation section 81, and then sets data in the second operation section 73, the number of tickets for adults in the third operation section 85 and the number of tickets for children in the fourth operation section 87. Then, the operator operates the fifth operation section 79 to select either "ticket with amount printed" or "ticket without amount printed". Thereafter, like the case of the reservation, the sixth operation section 91 is operated to set the departure stop and destination stop.Then the departure time is set by operating the numeric keys 93. Finally, the start button 95 is depressed. With the operation of the start button 95, the set data is transmitted to the control unit 1, thus concluding reservation.

When the reservation is concluded, tickets with ticket data printed by thermal dot printing on both surfaces in the ticket issuing mechanism provided below the operation section 41 are delivered from the delivery pocket 59.

iii) Inquiry For this service, the procedure of operation is substantially the same as for the reservation and reservation sale. First, an "inquiry" button in the first operation section 81 is depressed. Then, date is set in the second operation section 83, and the stop of destination is set in the sixth operation section 91. Thereafter, the time of departure is set with the numeric keys 93. With the depression of start button 95 after the data are set, these data are transmitted to the control unit 1, and the result is sent back. As a result, the time of departure, bus No. and number of remaining seats are displayed on the display section 65. If there are no seats next to each other available, an "absence of seats next to each other available" lamp 77 in the first display section 63 is turned on.When reservation or issuance by reservation is desired after the inquiry, the "reservation" or "issuance by reservation" button in the first operation section 81 is set again, and then the numbers of tickets for adults and tickets for children are set in the third and fourth operation sections 85 and 87 while also either "ticket with amount printed" or "ticket without amount printed" in the fifth operation section 89. Then, by depressing the start button 95 the reservation or issuance by reservation is effected. In the case where remaining vacant seats are insufficient, the time of departure and number of remaining seats of two buses which have enough vacant seats and the time of departure of which is nearest to that of the relevant bus are alternately displayed on the second display unit 65.Either one of these buses may be selected by specifying the time of departure with the first operation section 81 and the numeric keys 93. Of course, the bus No. may be specified. The subsequent procedure for "reservation" or "issuance by reservation" is the same as that described before. Further, if it is desired to erase the result of inquiry, the start button 95 may be depressed two or more times in the state of presence of an "inquiry" display on the first operation section 81.

iv) Cancellation This task is to cancel reserved seat tickets or sold seat tickets. In this case, different procedures are taken with reserved seat tickets (without fare paid) and with sold seat tickets.

With reserved seat tickets, a "cancellation" button in the first operation section 81 is depressed. Then, the "reservation No." button is depressed, and the reservation No. is keyed in by operating the numeric keys 93. When the reservation No. is keyed in, it is displayed on the second display section 65. By confirming this display, the start button 95 is depressed, whereby data is transmitted to the control unit 1 in the system center. When the cancellation is completed in the control unit 1, the display on the second display section and the "on" lamps in the operation section 67 are all turned off, thus ending the cancellation task.

In the case with sold seat tickets, after setting the "cancellation" button in the first operation section 81 the date of departure, destination stop, time of departure, and seat No. are coupled by operating the operation section 67. Then, the start button 95 is depressed. With the depression of the start button 95, data is transmitted to the control unit 1 to effect cancellation.

v) Change This service is to change the date of departure, time of departure, destination, etc. of reserved or sold seat tickets.

With reserved seat tickets, after depressing a "change" button in the first operation section 81 and inputting the reservation No. With the operations of the first operation section 81 and the numeric keys 93. Then, the start button 95 is depressed, whereby data for this reservation No.

are called in the control unit 1, and the time of departure, bus No. and leading seat No. are displayed on the second display section 65. At the same time, the numbers of tickets for adults and tickets for children and the name of destination stop are displayed with lamps associated with the corresponding buttons turned on in the third, fourth and sixth operation sections. Then, desired items among these displayed data are set again.

For example, for changing the date of departure, the second operation section 83 is operated. For changing the time of departure the first operation section 81 and the numeric keys 93 are operated.

For changing the numbers of tickets for adults and tickets for children, the relevant buttons in the third and fourth operation sections 85 and 87 are newly depressed after clearing the previous contents. For changing the destination, the "correction" button 97 is depressed, and the stop of departure and stop of destination are set in the mentioned order in the sixth operation section 91.

After confirming the contents which are newly set, the start button 95 is depressed, whereby the data is transmitted to the control unit 1 to effect alteration. When the change is completed, the displays vanish. In the case with sold seat tickets,.

after depressing the "change" button in the first operation section 81, the date of departure, numbers of tickets for adults and tickets for children, the presence or absence of printing of amount, destination stop, time of departure, etc.

are input by operating the operation section 67 by referring to the sold seat tickets, and then the start button 95 is depressed. As a result, the seats to be altered are selected by the control unit 1.

Thereafter, the desired items are changed by following the procedure of reservation described above, and then the start button 95 is depressed.

As a result, the previous seat tickets are cancelled in the control unit 1, and new tickets are delivered from the delivery pocket 59. Also, the difference in amount with respect to the old tickets (inclusive of fee) is displayed.

The window ticket machine is further provided with a journal printer for printing the statistics of sales made by the machine. The printer prints the daily and monthly totals when the total display switch 75 is set. When in the instant embodiment the desired bus, at the time of the request, is specified by setting the time of its departure, this is by no means limitative. It is also possible to set the bus No. Further, the telephone number that has been entered as necessary data at the time of requesting reservation may be replaced with any other data that is effective for the identification of the customer. For example the identification data may be the account number of a bank with which the customer keeps an account or a code number established between the customer and a railways company.If such an account number of a bank or a code number of a contract is used, it is possible to effect an account transfer or a monthly contract.

(2) Reservation reference device Now, the reservation reference devices (second units) 13 and 1 5 will be described. Fig. 6 shows a front view of the machine. This terminal 13 comprises a CRT display unit 129 placed on a desk 127, a printer 131 also placed on the desk 1 27 for printing a seat table if necessary and a reservation reference device control unit 1 33. The terminal 15 is the same as the terminal 13 of Fig.

6 except that the printer 131 is omitted.

The reservation reference device is installed at a bus terminal. Its main tasks are to accept requests for reservation, inquiry and cancellation by customers via telephone and also print a seat table which is delivered to the driver before the departure. The CRT display unit 129 comprises a display section 135, an operation section 137 which is provided below the display section 135 and operable by operator, a loudspeaker 1 39 provided adjacent to the display section 135, a volume control 141 provided below the loudspeaker 139 for controlling the volume thereof and a power source switch 143 for turning on and off the power source for the reservation reference device. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the connection of the reservation reference device of Fig. 6.As shown in Fig. 7, the reservation reference device control section 1 33 of the reservation reference device 1 3 is connected to the central control unit 1 via the data line 5. The reservation reference device control section 133 is also connected to a memory 145. This section 133 consists of a microcomputer. For the microcomputer, an "Intel 8085" may be used, like the window ticket machine shown in Fig. 4.

Data coupled from the operation section 1 37 and central control unit 1 are stored in the memory 145 and are output to the printer 131 and display section 135. Fig. 8 shows a plan view of the operation section 137. The operation section 137 roughly comprises a destination stop specification section 1 47 of a book type for specifying the destination stop, a ticket data specification section 1 49 for specifying ticket data other than the destination stop, numeric keys 151 for keying in such data as the time of departure and reservation No., and a correction button 1 53 for correcting the specified data.The destination stop specification section 1 47 has a pair of 8-rowx8-column selection frames 1 55 provided on the opposite sides and push buttons 1 57 provided in an upper portion of each frame 1 55. Further, a book 1 59 which is formed with holes corresponding to the push buttons 1 57 is provided. The meanings of the push buttons 1 57 are changed by turning over the leaves of the book 159. In a lower portion of the frames 155 of the book 159, displays corresponding to the push buttons 1 57 are made. The ticket data specification section 149 has all the operation buttons except for those regarding the ticket issuing operation in the first to fourth operation sections 81 to 87 shown in Fig. 3.

Now, the procedure of operation and function of the reservation reference device (second unit) having the above construction, will be described.

This device can be operated by an operator for four different travel services, i.e., reservation, inquiry, cancellation and change, and also a seat table can be printed by the printer. For these four travel services, the stop of departure is specified by turning over the leaves of the book 1 59 and operating push buttons 1 57. The display here is the same as with the first unit, except that it is displayed on the display section 135. Here, the printing of the seat table will be described.

The seat table is delivered to the driver of the bus just before the departure of the bus. The seat: table is printed out by depressing a "seat table" button in the ticket data specification section 147 in the operation section 137, then depressing a "departure time" button, then keying in the time of departure with the numeric keys 1 51 and then depressing again the "start" button in the ticket data specification section 147. The input data is successively displayed on the display section 135.

When the "start" button is depressed, the input data is transmitted from the reservation reference device control section 1 33 through the data line 5 to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 transmits seat data corresponding to the input data through the line 5 to the reservation reference device control section 1 33. The reservation reference device control section 1 33 temporarily stores the data transmitted in the memory 145 while displaying it on the display section 135. Fig. 9 shows an example of the output data. As is shown, the name of the stop from which the customer gets into the bus, reservation seat No.

and vacant seat list at the time of the departure are displayed. The operator confirms that this list is a vacant seat list for the relevant bus from the display on the display section, and operates a "printer output" button in the ticket data specification section 149. When the instruction of the "printer output" is produced, the control section 133 causes the vacant seat list stored in the memory 145 to be produced in the pattern as shown in Fig. 9 from the printer 1 31. The vacant seat list thus provided from the printer 131 is delivered to the driver at the time of the departure. The driver permits free passengers to get into the bus and also allots seats. The loudspeaker 139 is provided to make guide or warning by voice at the time of the generation of an error in operation and other cases. The volume is controlled by the volume control 141.

(3) Ticket vending machine Now, the ticket vending machine 11 as the third unit will be described. Fig. 1 OA is a front view of the same, and Fig. 1 0B is a side view thereof. Broken lines in Fig. 1 OB show various mechanisms accommodated in the machine. Fig.

11 shows the operation panel in detail. The ticket vending machine 11 is operable by customers to buy tickets by directly inserting currency. The front operation panel of the machine 11 includes a signboard 163, a guide plate 165, a cash feeding section 167, a purchase ticket number specification section 169, a destination specification section 171, a delivery pocket for issuing tickets and changes, and a reservation No.

specification section 175. These components being provided in the mentioned order from the above. The reservation No. specification section 1 75 is provided on the right side of the ticket and change delivery pocket 1 73. The signboard 1 63 includes an operation guide display section 1 77 for displaying data as to whether the machine is in the "on sale" state, and a line display section 178 for displaying lines of buses for which tickets are on sale. Of these sections, the operation guide display section displays the "on sale" state while the machine is in duty service while displaying the "closed" state when the machine is out of duty service. In the line display section 178, line names are shown on a panel.On the guide plate 165, procedures of operation are provided from the top with numbers 1, 2, 3, ... provided for the individual procedures. On the lowermost portion of the guide plate 165, such warnings 179 as "X1,000 bank notes are not accepted" and "wait" are provided. The cash feeding section 167 includes a bank note insertion slot 181 provided on the left side portion of the operation panel 161 and a coin feed slot 183 on the right side of the bank note insertion slot 181.Further, a display section 1 85 for displaying the charged amount, fare, etc. is provided on the right side of the coin feed slot 1 83. The purchase ticket number specification section 1 69 includes a display section 1 87 for an "absence of seats next to each other available" display in case when there are not seats next to each other available, an adult ticket number setting button 189, a child ticket number setting button 191, a seat ticket setting button 1 93 for setting only the seat ticket and a return-trip ticket setting button 1 95 for purchasing return-trip tickets.The destination specification section 171 includes line specification buttons 1 97 for specifying lines (or last stops of lines) and destination specification buttons 1 99 for specifying destination stops. In the destination specification section 199,wine setting buttons for respective common lines and destination buttons for destination stops of the individual lines are separately provided. On a lowest portion of the destination specification section 171, a call button 201 and a cancel button 203 are provided. In the reservation No.

specification section 175, the reservation No.

which is displayed when reservation is made with the window ticket machine 9 or reservation reference device 13 or 1 5. This specification section includes numeric keys 205 for keying in the number, a display section 207 for displaying the reservation No. set with the numeric keys 205 and a confirmation button 209 which is depressed when the value displayed on the display section 207 is right. In this embodiment, when the reservation No. is keyed in with the numeric keys 205, a telephone number which is associated with the reservation No. is displayed on the display section 207.

Inside the machine, there are provided an operator's operation panel 211, a change box 213, a bank note mechanism 215, a coin mechanism 217, an issuing device 219, a journal printer 221, a cash box 223, a power source 225 and a ticket vending machine control section 227 are disposed from above in the mentioned order as shown by broken lines in Fig. 1 OB. Fig. 1 2 shows the interconnection of these component parts inside the ticket vending machine 11. As is shown in Figure, the operator's operation panel 211, change box 214, bank note mechanism 215, coin mechanism 217, issuing device 219, journal printer 221 and power source 225 are all controlled by the ticket vending machine control section 227.The ticket vending machine control section 227 may be constituted by the "Intel 8085" microcomputer like the window ticket machine control section 101 or reservation reference device control section 133. The ticket vending machine control section 227 is connected to the control unit 1 in the system center via the data line 5. The bank note mechanism 215, coin mechanism 21 7 and issuing device 219 are coupled to the bank note insertion slot 181, coin feed slot 183 and delivery pocket 1 73 shown in Fig. 11 respectively. The coin mechanism 217 is also coupled to the delivery pocket 1 73 for delivering change and rejected coins. A memory 229 is connected to the ticket vending machine control section 227 and stores the data of transactions effected by the ticket vending machine 11.The signboard 163, guide plate 165, etc. provided on the console panel 161 are generally shown as a display section 231, while the cash feeding section 167, purchase ticket number specification section 169, destination specification section 171, reservation No. specification section 175, etc. are generally shown as an operation section 223.

Near (preferably above) the ticket vending machine 11 a display panel 235 as shown in Fig.

13 is provided. The machine includes a destination district display section 236, a departure time display section 238, a remaining seat number display section 240 and "on sale" display section 242. On this display panel 235 instantaneously changing data of the time of departure and number of remaining seats of buses for which tickets can be sold by the ticket vending machine 11 are displayed according to signals transmitted from the central control unit 1. The display items mentioned above are by no means limitative, and it is possible to display a title (for instance of a motion picture, a play, a concert, etc.) or a commencement of a performance.

Among the internal mechanisms of the ticket vending machine 11, the issuing device 219 is a most important feature of the invention. Fig. 14 shows the construction of the issuing device.

Roughly, the issuing device 219 comprises a storage section 230 in which a roll ticket sheet 237 is accommodated, and a processing section 241 which cuts the roll ticket sheet 237 to the length of the ticket, prints data on the cut ticket sheet and issues the ticket thus produced. The storage section 239 includes a reel 243 on which the roll ticket sheet 237 is stored, a plurality of guide rollers 245 which guide the ticket sheet on the reel 243 to the processing section 241, a guide plate 247 along which the ticket sheet is smoothly guided and a detector 249 for detecting the presence or absence of a ticket sheet.The processing section 241 includes a conveying mechanism 251 for conveying the end of the ticket sheet supplied from the storage section 239 in a clamped state, a cutter 253 for cutting the ticket sheet supplied through the conveying mechanism 251 to the length of the ticket, a first printer 255 for printing a pattern on the front surface of the cut ticket sheet cut by the cutter 253 to the length of the ticket, a second printer 257 for printing a pattern on the back surface of the ticket sheet, and a high speed conveying mechanism 259 for transporting the ticket obtained after printing in the printers to the delivery pocket. The conveying mechanism 251 includes a conveyor roller 261 and a pinch roller 263 facing the conveyor roller. It conveys the ticket sheet 237 in a clamped state.The first printer 255 includes a dot type thermal head 265 and a platen roller 267 facing the thermal head 265. It prints pattern on the front surface by heatsensitive printing. The second printer 257 also includes a dot type thermal head 269 and a platen roller 271 facing the thermal head 269. It prints a pattern on the back surface by heatsensitive printing. The thermal heads 265 and 269 of the first and second printers are rotated in the respective directions of arrows 273 and 275, facilitating the removal of jammed ticket sheet and also cleaning of the contamination of the thermal heads.The high speed conveying mechanism 259 includes a high speed drive roller 277, pinch rollers 279 and 281 urged against the high speed drive roller 277 for transporting tickets produced by printing, and classifying device 283 for classifying the printed tickets into those for delivery and those to be discarded. The discarded tickets are accommodated in a disposal box 285.

The conveying roller 261 and platen rollers 267 and 271 are driven by a motor 287 while the high speed drive roller 277 is driven by a motor 289.

The transport path between the cutter 253 and first printer 255, the transport path between the high speed transport mechanism 259 and delivery pocket 1 73 and the transport path between the high speed transport mechanism 259 and disposal box 285 are provided with respective ticket detectors 291, 293 and 295 for detecting the presence and passage of tickets.

Figs. 1 5A and 1 5B show examples of the ticket which is issued after printing by the issuing device 219. The example of Fig. 1 5A is a ticket with amount printed, while the example of Fig. 1 SB is a ticket without amount printed. The ticket without amount printed is used when getting into buses fare-free with a pass.

On the front and back surfaces of those tickets printed are same patterns by a direct thermal system.

Now, the procedures of operation and functions of the ticket vending machine will be described.

Fig. 1 6 shows a flow chart of the procedure of operation of the machine. This machine permits not only purchasing reserved seat tickets by entering the reservation No. but also permits purchasing bus tickets displayed on the display section 235 in Figure 1 3 without reservation. The tickets that can be purchased without reservation are usually those for each direction displayed on the display panel in the machine 11. The customer first looks up the display on the guide plate 1 65 in front of the ticket vending machine 11. How to operate the machine is shown on the guide plate 165. As an item (1) of the guide, there are produced a display instructing the customer who desires reserved seat tickets to enter the reservation No., and a display instructing the customer who desires a non-reserved seat tickets to enter the desired number of tickets (step 297).

The customer who desires reserved seat tickets operates the reservation number specification section 175 with a mark (1), and then keys in the reservation No. with the numeric keys 205 (step 299). As a result, a telephone number following the input reservation No. is displayed on the display section 207 (step 301). The customer checks if the telephone number dispalyed on the display section 207 is correct. If it is correct, the customer depresses the confirmation button 209 (step 303). When the confirmation button 305 is depressed, fare is displayed on the display section 185 in the cash feeding section 167 (step 305).

Then the customer inserts money into the bank note insertion slot 181 and/or coin feed slot 183 of the cash feeding section 1 67 until the displayed fare is reached (step 307). The charged amount is displayed on the display section 185.

When the charged amount reaches or exceeds the displayed fare for the ticket, the shutters (not shown) of the bank note insertion slot 181 and coin feed slot 1 83 are closed to disable feeding of further money. Then, the issuing device 21 9 is operated to effect printing of the same pattern on the front and back surfaces of the relevant number of reservation seat tickets and issue the tickets together with change, if any, from the delivery pocket 1 73 (step 309). On the other hand, the customer for buying non-reserved seat tickets enters the number of tickets for adults and number of tickets for children and also makes the seat ticket specification and return-trip ticket specification by operating the purchase ticket number specification section 169 (step 311).

After the numbers of tickets are specified, the destination is set by the destination specification section 171 (steps 313, 31 5). If there are no seats next to each other available, the "absence of seats next to each other available" display is made on the display section 107. When the destination button 1 71 is set, the corresponding fare is displayed on the display section 1 85 (step 317). The customer then inserts money into the bank note insertion slot 1 81 or coin feed slot 1 83 until the displayed fare is reached (steps 319 and 321).When charging of fare is ended, the issuing device 219 is operated to effect printing for the number of seat tickets for the bus displayed on the display panel 235 and issue the tickets together with change, if any, from the delivery pocket 1 73 (step 323). The cancel button 203 may be depressed at any time before charging of fare is ended.

Fig. 1 7 shows another ticket vending machine according to the invention, more precisely the console panel of the machine. The machine is easier to operate than the machine shown in Figure 11 and is provided with the same display device as shown in Fig. 1 3.

As shown in Fig. 17, a display panel 235 displays the last stops 236 of buses which are to depart very soon. The panel 235 displays also the departure time 238 and number of vacant seats 240 of each of these buses. The machine can sell tickets for only these buses. The items of information about each bus are displayed according to the data transmitted from a central control unit 1 (not shown). When all the seats of any bus are sold or reserved, the information about the bus are erased and similar information of another bus which is to depart soon is displayed instead. Tickets for the other bus then become available.

On the console panel 161 a cash feeding section 1 67 is provided below the display panel 235. The section 167 includes a note feeding slot 181 and a coin feeding slot 183. A section 169 for designating the number of tickets and a ticket for children is provided also below the display panel 235. The section 1 69 includes a children ticket designating button 1 69a and two buttons 169b, one for designating two tickets and the other for designating three tickets. Provided below these sections 1 67 and 1 69 is a destination designating panel 1 71. Below the panel 1 71 there is provided a pocket 1 73 into which tickets and change will be delivered.

The destination designating panel 171 comprises six rows of buttons 1 97 and six rows each consisting of three round trip ticket buttons 325 and one seat reservation ticket buttons 241.

The buttons 197 of each row may be pushed to designate bus stops, the last of which is displayed on the display panel 235. The three buttons 325 of each row may be pushed to designate the three remotest bus stops. If any of these buttons 325 is pushed, a one-way ticket and a return ticket will be issued. The seat reservation ticket button 241 may be pushed to get a seat reservation ticket which is valid only when used by a person who has a roud trip ticket, a coupon ticket or a commuter's ticket. As a rule, a set reservation ticket is free. A rockable cover 327 covers the button 241 so that the button 241 may not be easily pushed.

Referring to a flow chart of Fig. 18, it will be described how the machine with the console panel 1 61 works. The machine does not issue a "reservation complete" ticket. A user first watches the display panel 235. Tickets, for any bus the information of which is displayed, are available until ten minutes before the bus departs.

Even before this time limit the information will be erased if all the seats of the bus are sold, and the information about another bus will be displayed instead. In case the bus departs late behind the schedule, the tickets are available nonetheless until ten minutes before the delayed departure. In this case, the time of departure displayed remains unchanged, however. After understanding that tickets for his destination are available, the user feeds notes through the slot 1 81 or coins through the slot 183, or both (step 250). Then, buttons 1 97 and 325 are illuminated much brighter than before. This tells the user that he may push whichever buttons so illuminated. Before pushing one of these buttons 197 and 325, he may push a button 1 69a if he wishes to get tickets for children (steps 251 and 252).Then, the user may push one of the buttons 1 69b if he wishes to get two tickets or three tickets at a time (steps 253 and 254). This done, the fares displayed on buttons 197 and 325 are changed. Then the user pushes one of the buttons 1 97 or one of the buttons 325 (step 255). An account button is then depressed. If the ticket requested is available, the machine 11 transmits data to the central control unit 1 (step 256). Upon receipt of the data, the central control unit 1 updates the seat reservation data stored in its file. The updated data is transmitted to each terminal device or each ticket vending machine 11. In response to the updated data the machine 11 displays the reduced number of vacant seats 240 on the dispaly panel 235. At the same time, the machine 11 calculates the amount of change, and edits the ticket requested (step 257). This done, the machine 11 prints the ticket and then delivers the tickets to the pocket 1 73 together with change, if any (step 258). If additional tickets or a return ticket is designated (step 259), the machine 11 prints it (step 260). After delivery of the ticket printed in step 260, the machine 11 checks to determine if the change which was calculated is correct and if there is a ticket jamming (steps 261 and 262). If neither an incorrect amount of change nor jamming of tickets is detected, it becomes ready to sell tickets. If an incorrect amount of change or jamming of tickets is detected, the button the user has depressed is illuminated, thus showing "WAIT" (step 263).

While in this embodiment bank notes and coins are fed to the machine, this is not limitative, and it is possible to permit use of token cards or credit cards.

Claims

1. A ticket issuing display system comprising: a) a field for displaying title information representing the type of tickets; b) a field for displaying the timer information when the event represented by the title information will occur; c) a field for displaying the remaining number of tickets; and d) a field for displaying whether tickets are on sale.

2. A ticket issuing system comprising; a) a first unit for printing and issuing tickets in accordance with an operator's instruction; b) a second unit for making reservation of tickets other than those tickets issued from said first unit; c) a third unit for printing and issuing tickets reserved by said second unit when bank notes and/or coins or a substitute thereto is fed; and d) control means connected to said first, second and third units for effecting control such that duplicate tickets are not printed and issued and duplicate tickets are not reserved by said second unit.

3. A ticket issuing system comprising: ticket issuance display means including a field for displaying title information representing the type of tickets, a field for displaying the timer information when the event represented by the title information will occur, a field for displaying the remaining number of tickets, and a field for displaying whether tickets are on sale; and ticket issuance means including a first unit for printing and issuing tickets in accordance with an operator's instruction; a second unit for making reservation of tickets other than those issued from said first unit, a third unit for printing and issuing tickets reserved by said second unit when bank notes and/or coins or a substitute thereto is fed, and control means connected to said first, second and third units for effecting control such that duplicate tickets are not printed and issued and duplicate tickets are not reserved by said second unit.

4. The ticket issuing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said first unit is a window ticket machine including: first input means for inputting conditions; first display means, connected to said first input means and said control means, for displaying conditions input to said first input means and data from said control means regarding said conditions from said first input means; first printing means, connected to said first input means, for printing limited seat tickets; first memory means, connected to said printing means, for storing data on tickets printed by said first printing means; and window ticket machine control means connected to said first input means, said first display means, said first printing means and said first memory means for controlling these means.

5. The ticket issuing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said second unit is a reservation inquiry device including: second memory means, connected to said control means, for storing data from said control means; second input means for inputting conditions for reservation; second display means, connected to said second input means, for displaying information in response to the conditions input to said input means; second printing means, connected to said second input means, for printing information in response to the conditions input to said input means; and reservation device control means connected to said second input means, second memory means, second display means and said printing means for controlling these means.

6. The ticket issuing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said third unit is a ticket vending machine including: third input means for inputting conditions; third display means, connected to said third input means and said control means, for displaying conditions input to said third input means and data from said control means with respect to the conditions from said third input means; third printing means, connected to said third input means, for printing limited seat tickets; third memory means, connected to said third printing means, for storing log data representing operation statistics of the third unit; console panel means operated by an operator; means for feeding bank notes and/or coins; and ticket vending machine control means connected to said third input means, third display means, third printing means, third memory means, console panel means and bank notes and/or coins feeding means for controlling these means.

7. The ticket issuing system according to claim 2, wherein the services of said first unit include a service of permitting reservation of limited seat tickets before the day of departure, a service of issuing limited seat tickets when these tickets are reserved, a service of issuing limited seat tickets on the day of departure, a service of issuing reserved limited seat tickets by reference to the reservation number thereof, a service of providing reference information about the statistics of reservation, and a service of permitting alteration of such items as the seat No. and date of departure of reserved seat tickets.

8. The ticket issuing system according to claim 2, wherein the services of said second unit include services of reservation, inquiries, cancellation and alteration.

9. The ticket issuing system according to claim 2, wherein the services of said third unit include a service of issuing reserved limited seat tickets and limited seat tickets on the day of departure.

10. The ticket issuing system according to claim 2, wherein said control means has functions of allotting seats, retrieving of seat files, editing of slips such as seat tables and sales reports, totaling of data and outputting the total data.

11. A ticket issuing system comprising: a ticket reservation unit operated by an operator in response to a customer's request for making reservation of tickets in accordance with an operator's instruction; a ticket printing unit operated by an operator in response to a customer's request for making inquiries and cancellation of tickets reserved from said ticket reservation unit and also for printing tickets other than those reserved from said ticket reservation unit; a ticket vending unit for printing and issuing tickets except ones issued by said ticket printing unit when bank notes and/or coins or a substitute thereto is fed; and control means connected to said ticket reservation, ticket printing and ticket vending units for effecting control such that tickets printed and issued by said ticket printing and ticket vending units will not coincide.

1 2. A ticket issuing system comprising: ticket issuance display means including a field for displaying title information representing the type of tickets, a field for displaying the timer information when the event represented by the title information will occur, a field for displaying the remaining number of tickets, and a field for displaying whether tickets are on sale; and ticket issuing means for printing and issuing tickets regarding the title displayed by said ticket issuance display means when bank notes and/or coins or a substitute thereto is fed.

1 3. The ticket issuing system according to claim 12, wherein said ticket issuing means includes: means for feeding bank notes and/or coins or a substitute thereto; input means operated by a customer for inputting conditions; printing means for printing tickets; and ticket issuing system control means connected to said bank notes and/or coin feeding means, input means and printing means for controlling these means.

1 4. A ticket issuing system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.