JP2000163607A - Automatic ticket examining machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic ticket examining machine the failure rate of which can be reduced by preventing the failure of the conveyance path provided in the machine caused by abnormal tickets, foreign matters, and tickets exceeding a specific number thrown-in from a throw-in port by preventing the tickets and foreign matters from passing through the conveyance path, namely, from reaching the rear section of the conveyance path through the path. SOLUTION: An automatic ticket examining machine which can deal with plural tickets does not accept tickets in excess of a specific number thrown in the machine from a throw-in port 2 by detecting the thicknesses of the tickets and discriminates whether or not the tickets are abnormal thickets or foreign matters by detecting the thicknesses of the tickets by means of the first separating mechanism 12a in a conveyance section 11. When the machine discriminates abnormal tickets or foreign matters as the results of the discrimination, the machine returns the tickets from the throw-in port 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic ticket gate that collectively accepts a plurality of tickets and performs a ticket inspection process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, the number of passengers using the Shinkansen has increased, and automatic ticket gates for Shinkansen that are compatible with a plurality of Shinkansen trains are being used. Passengers using the Shinkansen are a wide variety of people. For example, they use it for commuting, for travel, or even for the first time on a bullet train. In addition, some passengers do not know the automatic ticket gates. Since such people use the automatic ticket gates, a variety of automatic ticket gates may be inserted.

[0003] For example, a train ticket, an express ticket, a designated ticket and the like may be inserted one after another, and a telephone card, a credit card, a stapled separated bad ticket, a receipt, a gum, a coin, etc. are inserted during the stack. May be. In the current automatic ticket gates for multiple sheets, anything that enters the slot is discharged to the exit through the transport path.

As described above, since everything enters the conveying path, the belt is cut, the parts are deformed, and the like, and even a normally usable ticket is jammed. Naturally, the failure rate increases and the quality deteriorates.

[0005] In the above automatic ticket gate, anything that can be inserted passes through the automatic ticket gate and is discharged to the exit. For this reason, abnormal tickets (things different from the normal size,
Credit cards, stapled separated defective tickets), tickets exceeding the specified number (4 or more), foreign substances (gum,
When a coin or the like is inserted, a belt or the like is damaged, which causes a machine failure.

In the above automatic ticket gate, there is no device for determining whether the ticket is an abnormal ticket or a foreign object, and anything that can pass through the slot passes through the transport path and is discharged to the exit.

[0007] Therefore, there is a disadvantage that a trouble occurs in the transport path in the device due to an abnormal ticket, a foreign substance, or a ticket exceeding the specified number of sheets inserted from the insertion slot, and the failure rate is high.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention eliminates the drawback that an abnormal ticket, a foreign object, or a ticket exceeding a specified number of sheets inserted through an insertion slot causes a failure in a transport path in a device, resulting in a high failure rate. In this way, abnormal tickets, foreign objects, or tickets exceeding the specified number of sheets inserted from the slot can be prevented from passing through the transport path inside the device, and failure of the transport path inside the device due to abnormal tickets, foreign objects, or tickets exceeding the specified number of sheets can be prevented. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic ticket gate that can prevent the failure and reduce the failure rate.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An automatic ticket gate according to the present invention receives a plurality of tickets collectively from an insertion slot, and conveys the received plurality of tickets based on ticket inspection information read by the ticket reader. The ticket is discharged from the exit after the ticket processing, and provided in the insertion slot, detecting means for detecting the thickness of the ticket, the ticket is determined based on the thickness of the ticket detected by the detecting means. A determining means for determining whether or not the number exceeds the predetermined number, and a returning means for returning from the slot without carrying the ticket when the determining means determines that the number of the sheets exceeds the predetermined number. It is configured.

[0010] The automatic ticket gate according to the present invention has a receiving means for receiving a plurality of tickets from a receiving port at a time, a separating means for separating the tickets received by the receiving means one by one, and the separating means. Reading means for reading the ticket information recorded on the ticket, ticket reading means for performing a ticket processing based on the ticket information read by the reading means, discharging means for discharging a ticket which has been subjected to the ticket processing by the ticket means from an exit, Detecting means for detecting the thickness of the ticket received by the receiving means, determining means for determining whether or not the received ticket is an abnormal ticket or foreign matter based on the thickness of the ticket detected by the detecting means; It is constituted by return means for returning the ticket of the separating means from the reception port when it is determined that the ticket is a foreign substance.

The automatic ticket gate according to the present invention has a receiving means for collectively receiving a plurality of tickets from a receiving port, a separating means for separating the tickets received by the receiving means one by one, and the separating means. Reading means for reading the ticket information recorded on the ticket, ticket reading means for performing a ticket processing based on the ticket information read by the reading means, discharging means for discharging a ticket which has been subjected to the ticket processing by the ticket means from an exit, A first detecting means provided between the receiving means and the separating means for detecting the thickness of the received ticket, and a first detecting means provided at a stage subsequent to the separating means for detecting the thickness of the ticket passing through the separating means. 2 based on the thickness of the ticket detected by the first detecting unit and the second detecting unit, whether or not the number of tickets has changed before and after separation by the separating unit. Judgment to judge Means, and when it is determined that there is no change in the number of tickets which has passed through the separating means by the judgment means, and a ticket which has passed through the separating means consist of the return means for returning from the receiving port.

The automatic ticket gate according to the present invention has a receiving means for collectively receiving up to three tickets from a receiving port, a separating means for separating the received tickets by one, and a separating means for separating the received tickets by one. Reading means for reading the ticket information recorded on the ticket, a ticket means for performing a ticket processing based on the ticket information read by the reading means, a discharging means for discharging a ticket which has been subjected to the ticket processing by the ticket means from an exit,
A first detecting means provided between the accepting means and the separating means for detecting whether the thickness of the accepted ticket is two or three, provided at a stage subsequent to the separating means and passing through the separating means The second detecting means for detecting whether the thickness of the ticket is two or three, and the first detecting means detects that the number of tickets is two, and after the ticket passes through the separating means, the second detection When the number of tickets detected by the means is detected as two, the ticket passing through the separating means is determined to be an abnormal ticket or a foreign substance, and the first detecting means detects three tickets. When the number of tickets detected by the second detection unit is three after the ticket has passed through the separation unit, the ticket passing through the separation unit is determined to be an abnormal ticket or foreign matter. The ticket that has passed through the separating device by the second determining device is an abnormal ticket or a foreign material. When it is determined that there are a ticket which has passed through the separating means it consists of the return means for returning from the receiving port.

The automatic ticket gate according to the present invention has a receiving means for receiving a plurality of tickets from a receiving port at a time, a separating means for separating the tickets received by the receiving means one by one, and the separating means. Reading means for reading ticket information recorded on the ticket, holding means for holding the ticket read by the reading means, ticket reading means for performing a ticket processing based on the ticket information of each ticket read by the reading means, Discharging means for discharging the ticket which has been subjected to the ticket gate processing from the exit by means, detecting means for detecting the thickness of the ticket accepted by the accepting means, and the accepted ticket is determined to be an abnormal ticket by the thickness of the ticket detected by the detecting means. First determining means for determining whether or not there is a foreign substance; when the first determining means determines that the ticket is an abnormal ticket or a foreign substance, it determines whether or not there is a ticket reserved in the retaining means. When the second judging means and the second judging means determine that there is a ticket held in the holding means, the ticket held in the holding means is discharged by the discharging means. After the ejected ticket is received, it is constituted by processing means for returning the ticket of the separating means from the reception port.

The automatic ticket gate according to the present invention has a receiving means for receiving a plurality of tickets from a receiving port at a time, a separating means for separating the tickets received by the receiving means one by one, and the separating means. Reading means for reading ticket information recorded on the ticket, holding means for holding the ticket read by the reading means, ticket reading means for performing a ticket processing based on the ticket information of each ticket read by the reading means, Discharging means for discharging a ticket, for which ticket processing has been completed by the means, from an exit, first detecting means for detecting the thickness of the ticket received by the receiving means, and accepting based on the thickness of the ticket detected by the first detecting means. First determining means for determining whether the ticket is an abnormal ticket or a foreign matter, and determining whether there is a ticket held in the holding means when the first determining means determines that the ticket is an abnormal ticket or a foreign matter. A second judging means for judging whether or not the ticket held in the holding means is discharged by the discharging means when the second judging means judges that there is a ticket held in the holding means; First processing means, a second detection means for detecting that the ticket issuer has returned to the vicinity of the insertion slot after the ticket discharged by the first processing means is received, and When the second detector detects that the person who has issued the ticket has returned to the vicinity of the slot, the second processing means returns the ticket of the separating means from the reception port.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the external structure of an automatic ticket gate installed at a railway-related station according to this embodiment for performing entrance and exit operations. The automatic ticket gates are usually installed as a set of two at a ticket gate of a station or the like, and a passage for a passer is formed between the two.

That is, it is constituted by the main body 1 of an automatic ticket gate that performs entrance and exit operations. The main body 1 is provided with an entrance through which a ticket (a normal ticket, a regular ticket, a SF card) or the like is inserted at the time of entry into the ticket gate of the station, that is, the premises, or at the time of entry from the ticket gate of the station, that is, the premises. 2. An outlet 3 for discharging a ticket or the like received at the slot 2 is provided. In the vicinity of the input port 2,
A shutter (not shown) for preventing the insertion of a ticket or the like is provided.

In front of the entrance 2 and the exit 3 on the main body 1, a guidance display unit 4 for providing guidance to passers-by, station staff, and the like is provided.

Doors 5 and 5 that can be opened and closed to control the passage of a pedestrian are provided at both ends of the side surface of the main body 1 on the side of the passage.
The doors 5 and 5 are controlled to open and close based on the determination result of whether or not traffic is possible.

At the upper part of the main body 1, a frame-shaped pole portion (frame body) 6 for defining a passage of a pedestrian is provided upright.
A plurality of human detectors 7 as optical sensors for detecting passage of a pedestrian are provided on the side surfaces of the pole portion 6 and the main body 1 on the side of each passage. In the case of FIG. 1, there is a light emitting device on the opposite side of the light receiving device.

On the pole section 6, the operation state of the apparatus (child ticket insertion, invalid ticket insertion, equipment malfunction, etc.)
Is displayed.

Next, the schematic structure of the internal mechanism of the main body 1 will be described with reference to FIG. That is, between the slot 2 and the exit 3, a ticket or the like accepted by the slot 2 is
A main transport path 11 for transporting (in the direction of arrow a) is formed.

On the transport path of the main transport path 11, from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3, a separating section 12, an aligning section 13, a magnetic information reading section (magnetic head; reading head) 14, 15,
Reservation section 16, magnetic information recording section (magnetic head; write head) 17, magnetic information reading section (magnetic head; read head)
18, scissors section 19, distribution section (distribution gate) 20, printing section 21, merge section (distribution gate) 22, batch pool section 23,
A distribution unit (distribution gate) 24 is provided in order.

A branch transport path 25 branched from the main transport path 11 by the distribution unit 20 is provided. The branch transport path 25 is joined to the main transport path 11 at the junction 22.

On the transport path of the branch transport path 25, a punching section 26 and a printing section 27 are provided in order.

The ticket-collecting transport path 28, which is branched from the main transport path 11 by the sorting unit 24, is distributed in the direction of the ticket-collecting units 29a and 29b for collecting tickets to be collected. The tickets distributed to the bill collection units 29a and 29b by the distribution unit 24 are distributed by the distribution unit 30 to the ticket collection units 29a and 29b.
29b is selectively collected.

In the slot 2, a shutter 2a for closing the slot 2, a slot detector 51 for detecting the insertion of a ticket into the slot 2, a number of sheets (4 or more) exceeding the specified number (three). A first thickness detector 31a for detecting the input from the input port 2 is provided.

The separating section 12 separates a plurality of tickets and the like which have been batch-inserted into the slot 2 into single
, And as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
And a second separating mechanism 12b.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the separating unit 12 includes a ticket to be conveyed to the front of each of the first separating mechanism 12a and the second separating mechanism 12b on the main conveying path 11. A second thickness detector 31b and a third thickness detector 31c for detecting the thickness of the first and second sensors are provided. Second thickness detector 31b
Is to detect the thickness of two and two or more tickets,
The third thickness detector 31c detects the thickness of two and three tickets.

The thickness detectors 31a, 31b, 3
1c moves upward in conjunction with, for example, a pair of upper and lower rollers provided opposite to each other with the main transport path 11 interposed therebetween, and an upper roller lifted by passage of a ticket transported through the main transport path 11. It is composed of a permanent magnet, a coil that obtains a voltage value when the permanent magnet moves inside, and a comparator that compares a voltage value obtained by the coil with a reference voltage value. When the ticket conveyed on the main conveying path 11 passes through the pair of upper and lower rollers, the permanent magnet moves in the coil according to the thickness of the conveyed ticket, so that the magnetic flux in the coil increases. An electromotive force is generated in proportion to the increase of the magnetic flux. The detector detects the thickness of the ticket by measuring the electromotive force with a comparator.

For example, a thickness between plus and minus 0.05 mm based on 0.2 mm is detected as one ticket, and the first thickness detector 31 a
The thickness exceeding 0.65 mm is detected as the thickness of the ticket exceeding the specified number, and the second thickness detector 31b detects the thickness exceeding 0.35 to 0.3.
The third thickness detector 31c detects 45 mm as the thickness of the two tickets, and detects 0.35 to 0.45 mm as the thickness of the two tickets, and detects the thickness of 0.55 to 0.65 mm as the three tickets. The thickness of the ticket is detected.

The arranging unit 13 arranges the tickets sent from the separating unit 12 one by one and reads the heads 14 and 15.
Is sent to

The read heads 14 and 15 read the encoded magnetic information recorded on the magnetic recording layer on the back surface of a ticket or the like. The read head 14 reads when the magnetic recording layer is transported on the upper side, and the read head 15 reads when the magnetic recording layer is transported on the lower side.

When the front and back of the ticket supplied via the read heads 14 and 15 are correct (when the magnetic recording layer is on the lower side), the reversing / reserving section 16 directly switches the distribution gate 16.
a when the ticket is conveyed to the write head 17 via the read head a and is reversed via the read heads 14 and 15 (when the magnetic recording layer is on the upper side), the distribution gate 16a
After the ticket is transported to the reverse transport path 41 by using, the ticket is guided from the reverse transport path 41 to the main transport path 11 via the transport path 42 so that the ticket is reversed and transported.

The reversing and holding section 16 includes a holding section 43,
The ticket is guided from the main transport path 11 by the distribution gates 16b and 16c, respectively. In addition, the reverse transport path 41 is also used as a holding unit. The holding units 43 and 44 are provided with holding stoppers 43a and 44a, respectively.
Is provided with a stopper 41a for holding. The tickets held in the holding units 43 and 44 and the reverse conveyance path 41 are transferred to the main conveyance path 11 via the conveyance path 45 and the distribution gate 16d.
Then, the paper is conveyed to the write head 17.

The write head 17 records encoded magnetic information on a magnetic recording layer on the back surface of a ticket or the like.

The read head 18 is a verifying head for reading encoded magnetic information recorded by the write head 17.

The scissors section 19 is for punching a ticket or the like conveyed by the main conveyance path 11 as scissors. The printing unit 21 prints a date and the like (printing using an ink ribbon) on a ticket or the like conveyed by the main conveyance path 11.

The perforation section 26 perforates a ticket or the like conveyed by the branch conveyance path 25. The printing unit 27 prints (thermal recording) a station name, a date, and the like on a ticket or the like conveyed by the branch conveyance path 25.

The collective pool section 23 is for stacking the collectively inserted tickets and the like. This batch pool unit 23
Tickets etc. are taken out through the distribution gate 24 at the exit 3
It is to be discharged from.

In the vicinity of the outlet 3, a detector 52 for detecting removal of a ticket from the outlet 3 is provided. In the vicinity of the scissors portion 19, a detector for detecting passage of a conveyed ticket is provided. A unit 53 is provided. The batch pool unit 23 is provided with a detector 54 for detecting the presence / absence of a pooled ticket.
A detector 55 for reading timing of the reading head 14 is provided, and a detector 56 for detecting the presence or absence of a ticket is provided 120 mm before this detector 55. Each of the above detectors 5
Reference numerals 2 to 56 each include a light receiving section and a light emitting section.

The detection signals from the detectors 55 and 56 enable the determination of a 120 mm ticket outside the specified size.

Further, a plurality of detectors (not shown) for detecting the passage of a conveyed ticket are provided on each of the conveying paths.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a control system of the automatic ticket gate configured as shown in FIG. The control system of the automatic ticket gate was read from a CPU (central processing unit) 60 for controlling the entire automatic ticket gate, a ROM (read only memory) 61 storing a control program of the CPU 60, a ticket, and the like. A RAM (random access memory) 62 for storing information as a buffer of information storage and control programs, a fare memory 63 for storing fare information corresponding to an entrance station to an installation station, and read heads 14 and 15 are controlled. Reading circuit 6
4, a writing circuit 65 for controlling the writing head 17, a reading circuit 66 for controlling the reading head 18, a distribution gate 16a,.
, A distribution control circuit 67 for controlling 16d, 20, 22, 24, 30; a detection circuit for detecting a transport state of a ticket or the like or a 120 mm ticket based on outputs of detectors 53, 55, 56,. 68, a detection circuit 69 for detecting the inserted state of the ticket at the insertion slot 2 based on the output of the detector 51, a detection circuit 70 for detecting the thickness of the inserted material based on the outputs of the thickness detectors 31a, 31b, 31c, and the detector 54 , A detection circuit 71 for detecting the state of the ticket in the batch pool section 23, a main transport path 11 for transporting a ticket and the like, each transport path of the reversing and holding section 16, a branch transport path 25, a transport path for bill collection The transport control circuit 73 that controls the transport belt 72 and the transport roller that forms the transport roller 72 and the transport motor 72 that rotates the separation roller that constitutes the first separation mechanism 12a and the second separation mechanism 12b. output A passage detection circuit 74 for detecting the passage (moving position) of the submitter such as a ticket, a door control circuit 76 for controlling a door opening / closing mechanism 75 for driving the door 5, a drive circuit 77 for driving the printing units 21 and 27, A control circuit 78 for controlling the scissors 19, the perforation unit 26, a transmission control circuit 79 for transmitting information to a control panel or a host computer (not shown) for controlling an automatic ticket gate, and a shutter opening and closing for driving the shutter 2a. A shutter control circuit 81 for controlling the mechanism 80, a stopper control circuit 8 for controlling a stopper moving mechanism 82 for driving the stoppers 41a, 43a and 44a.
3. It comprises a drive circuit 85 for driving a speaker 84 that provides operation guidance by voice, the above-mentioned guidance display unit 4, the status display unit 8, and the like.

When the CPU 60 determines that the number of tickets (4 or more) exceeding the specified number is to be inserted from the insertion slot 2 based on the detection signal from the first thickness detector 31a, the CPU 60 does not perform the transport control. To take out (return processing) from the input port 2.

The CPU 60 performs a separation process by the first separation mechanism 12a when judging the conveyance of two or more sheets by the detection signal from the second thickness detector 31b. .

The CPU 60 passes the first separation mechanism 12a and the second separation mechanism 12b when judging the conveyance of one sheet by the detection signal from the second thickness detector 31b, It is designed to be transported to the rear.

The CPU 60 determines the conveyance of the two tickets based on the detection signal from the second thickness detector 31b, performs the separation process by the first separation mechanism 12a, and then performs the third thickness separation. When the conveyance of two tickets is determined based on the detection signal from the detector 31c, the conveyance of a foreign object or an abnormal ticket is determined due to inseparability, and the return process is performed.

The CPU 60 determines the conveyance of the two tickets based on the detection signal from the second thickness detector 31b and performs the separation process by the first separation mechanism 12a. When it is determined by the detection signal from the detector 31c that one sheet is to be transported, the ticket passes through the second separation mechanism 12b and is transported to the rear.

The CPU 60 determines the conveyance of the three tickets based on the detection signal from the second thickness detector 31b and performs the separation process by the first separation mechanism 12a. When the transport of three tickets is determined based on the detection signal from the detector 31c, the transport of a foreign object or an abnormal ticket is determined due to inseparability, and a return process is performed.

The CPU 60 determines the conveyance of the three tickets based on the detection signal from the second thickness detector 31b, performs the separation process by the first separation mechanism 12a, and then performs the third thickness separation. When it is determined that three or less bills have been transported by the detection signal from the detector 31c, the tickets are separated or passed by the second separation mechanism 12b and transported to the rear.

The CPU 60 determines whether a foreign object or an abnormal ticket is conveyed due to inability to separate, and performs a different process based on the presence or absence of a normal ticket previously held when performing a return process. I have.

That is, when there is no normal ticket held before, the CPU 60 closes the door 5 and guides the guide display unit 4 to take out the ticket returned from the slot 4, and the passenger When returning to the position, the ticket is returned from the slot 4 and voice guidance for this return is performed.

Further, if there is a normal ticket which has been reserved, the CPU 60 closes the door 5 and discharges the normal ticket from the outlet 3, and after the released normal ticket is removed, a guidance display is displayed. Guides the removal of the ticket returned from the slot 4 by the part 4, and when the passenger returns to the position of the slot 4,
The ticket is returned from the slot 4 and voice guidance for the return is provided.

The CPU 60 includes the detectors 55 and 56.
When a 120 mm ticket outside the specified size is determined based on the detection signal from, the 120 mm ticket is conveyed to the rear part as it is.

Next, tickets exceeding the specified number of sheets, abnormal tickets,
When it is determined that foreign matter has been inserted, how to return tickets, abnormal tickets and foreign matter exceeding the specified number to the passenger,
The following eight cases will be described separately for the contents of the inserted tickets. (1) When a ticket exceeding the specified number is inserted The transport motor 72 of the separation unit 12 does not rotate and the inserted ticket is not transported. At this time, the door 5 is closed and the guidance display unit 4 is closed.
A message such as "Please check your ticket". The message is kept displayed until it is pulled out from the slot 2. After being pulled out, it returns to normal. (2) When one non-separable ticket (abnormal ticket or foreign matter) is inserted After the determination of the abnormal ticket or foreign matter, the ticket is temporarily held in the separating unit 12 (motor stop). After the suspension, a message such as "Please go down and take the ticket at the slot" is displayed on the guidance display unit 4. After confirming that the passenger has dropped to the position of the slot 2, the passenger is returned to the slot 2. Voice prompts "Please take the ticket at the slot." After the ticket of the slot 2 is pulled out, it returns to normal. (3) When a non-separable ticket and a normal ticket are inserted and the non-separable ticket is separated first: After determining that an abnormal ticket or foreign matter is present, the ticket is temporarily held in the separating unit 12 (motor stop). After the suspension, a message such as "Please go down and take the ticket at the slot" is displayed on the guidance display unit 4. After confirming that the passenger has dropped to the position of the slot 2, two tickets (an unseparable ticket and a normal ticket) are returned to the slot 2 at the same time. Voice prompts "Please take the ticket at the slot." After the ticket of the slot 2 is pulled out, it returns to normal. (4) When a non-separable ticket and a normal ticket are inserted and the normal ticket is separated first After the abnormal ticket and foreign matter are determined, the temporary ticket is temporarily held in the separating unit 12 (motor stop). At this time, the previously separated ticket is located at the rear, and is discharged to the outlet 3 as soon as an abnormal ticket or foreign matter is determined. A message such as "Please take the ticket at the exit and go down to take the ticket at the entrance" is displayed on the guidance display unit 4. After confirming that the passenger has lowered to the position of the slot 2, the passenger is returned to the slot 2. Voice prompts "Please take the ticket at the slot." After the ticket of the slot 2 is pulled out, it returns to normal. (5) 120mm ticket and normal ticket are inserted and 120mm
When is separated first, the 120 mm ticket separated first is unconditionally discharged to the outlet 3. The reason is that a 120 mm ticket cannot be held in the transport unit. A message such as "Please take the ticket at the exit and go down to take the ticket at the entrance" is displayed on the guidance display unit 4. After confirming that the passenger has dropped to the position of the slot 2, the passenger is returned to the slot 2.
Voice prompts "Please take the ticket at the slot." After the ticket of the slot 2 is pulled out, it returns to normal. (6) When a 120 mm ticket and a normal ticket are inserted, and the normal ticket is separated first, the separated ticket is stored in the reversal and holding unit 16 of the main transport path 11. After that, the 120mm ticket is separated.
Since the 20mm ticket is unconditionally released to the exit 3,
The mm ticket is released first. At this time, a message such as "Please take a ticket" is displayed on the guidance display section 4,
After the 120 mm ticket is extracted, the normal ticket is released.
At this time, "Please take the ticket again" is displayed on the guidance display section 4. After the ticket of Exit 3 is pulled out,
Return to normal. (7) When a non-separable ticket and a 120-mm ticket are inserted and the non-separable ticket is separated first After the determination of an abnormal ticket or foreign matter, the ticket is temporarily held in the separating unit 12 (motor stop). After the suspension, a message such as "Please go down and take the ticket at the slot" is displayed on the guidance display unit 4. After confirming that the passenger has dropped to the position of the slot 2, two tickets (a non-separable ticket and a 120 mm ticket) are returned to the slot 2 at the same time. Voice prompts "Please take the ticket at the slot." After the ticket of the slot 2 is pulled out, it returns to normal. (Since the separation unit 12 cannot judge a 120 mm ticket, the handling is the same as a normal ticket.) (8) A non-separable ticket and a 120 mm ticket are inserted and
When the mm ticket is separated first After the determination of an abnormal ticket or a foreign substance, the ticket is temporarily held in the separation unit 12 (motor stop). At this time, the previously separated 120m
The m ticket is unconditionally discharged to the exit 3. A message such as "Please take the ticket at the exit and go down to take the ticket at the entrance" is displayed on the guidance display unit 4. After confirming that the passenger has dropped to the position of the slot 2, the non-separable ticket is returned to the slot 2. Voice prompts "Please take the ticket at the slot." After the ticket of the slot 2 is pulled out, it returns to normal.

Next, a specific example of the above-described processes (1) to (4) will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

That is, a plurality of tickets and the like are thrown into the slot 2 all at once by the passenger. Then, the closing detector 51
CPU 60 determines the insertion of the ticket into insertion slot 2 based on the detection signal from (ST1). At this time, the CPU 60 detects the input port 2 based on the detection signal from the first thickness detector 31a.
It is determined whether or not the number of tickets inserted in (1) exceeds the specified number (4 or more) (ST2). If the result of this determination is four or more, that is, in the case of (1) described above, the CPU 60 performs a return process (ST8).

That is, the CPU 60 controls the transport control circuit 7
3 to control the first separation mechanism 12a of the separation unit 12 and the second separation mechanism 12a.
By not driving the separation mechanism 12b of the
Then, the door control circuit 76 is controlled, the door 5 is closed, and a message such as "Please check your ticket" is displayed on the guidance display unit 4. The CPU 60 continues to display the above message until the withdrawal of the ticket from the insertion slot 2 is determined based on the detection signal from the insertion detector 51, and ends the return processing after the ticket is withdrawn from the insertion slot 2. Then, the state returns to the normal state as the ticket waiting state.

If it is determined in step 2 that the number of bills inserted into the insertion slot 2 is three or less, the CPU 60 controls the transport control circuit 73 to cause the first separating mechanism 1
In addition to driving the second separation mechanism 12b and the second separation mechanism 12b, the other conveyance mechanisms are also driven. At this time, the CPU 60 determines whether or not two or more tickets are taken into the first separation mechanism 12a based on the detection signal from the second thickness detector 31b (ST3). If the result of this determination is two or less, that is, one, the CPU 60 performs the transporting process to the rear portion without performing the separating process on the ticket by the separating unit 12 (ST).
9). After the ticket conveyed to the rear portion is subjected to a reading process and the like, a ticket inspection process corresponding to the read content is performed. At this time, the CPU 60 determines whether there is a remaining ticket in the insertion slot 2 based on the detection signal from the insertion detector 51 (ST1).
0), if there is no remaining ticket, the process is terminated, and if there is a remaining ticket, the process returns to step 3.

In step 3 above, the first separation mechanism 12
If it is determined that two or more tickets are taken in a,
U60 determines from the detection signal from the second thickness detector 31b whether or not two (three) tickets are taken into the first separation mechanism 12a (ST4). The result of this judgment is 2
In the case of a sheet, the CPU 60 performs a separation process on the ticket by the first separation mechanism 12a (ST5).

After the separation process is performed, the CPU 60
Indicates whether the number of tickets taken into the second separation mechanism 12b is two (1) based on a detection signal from the third thickness detector 31c.
(ST) to determine whether or not the ticket has been separated (ST)
6). If it is determined that the ticket has been separated, the CPU 60 determines that the second separation mechanism 12
The process proceeds to Step 9 in which the transport process to the rear portion is performed without performing the separation process by b.

In step 6, the second separation mechanism 12
If it is determined that the two tickets taken into b are not separated, the CPU 60 determines that the ticket is an unseparable abnormal ticket or foreign matter (ST7) and performs a return process (ST8).

First, the return process when one non-separable ticket (abnormal ticket or foreign matter) is inserted ((2) above) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, the CPU 60 executes the processing in step 7
(ST21), it is determined that there is no released ticket (reversal, no holding of the normal ticket by the holding unit 16) (ST22), and the transport control circuit 73 is controlled and separated. The driving of the first separating mechanism 12a and the second separating mechanism 12b of the section 12 is stopped, and the abnormal ticket or foreign matter that cannot be separated is held in the separating section 12, and the door control circuit 7
6, the door 5 is closed (ST23). After the suspension, the CPU 60 displays a message such as "Please go down and take the ticket at the slot" on the guidance display unit 4 (ST
24). Further, after confirming that the passenger has dropped to the position of the slot 2 by the detection signal from the human detectors 7 (ST25), the CPU 60 controls the transport control circuit 73 and is held by the separation unit 12. The inseparable abnormal ticket or foreign matter that is present is transported to the slot 2 and returned (ST26).
At this time, the CPU 60 controls the drive circuit 85 to give a voice message "Please take the ticket in the slot" by the speaker 84 (ST27). Thereafter, the CPU 60
The above message is continuously displayed until the withdrawal of the ticket from the insertion slot 2 is determined based on the detection signal from the insertion detector 51, and after the ticket is withdrawn from the insertion slot 2, the return process is terminated. It returns to the normal state as the waiting state for acceptance.

When a non-separable ticket (abnormal ticket or foreign matter) and a normal ticket are inserted and the non-separable ticket is separated first ((3) above), the return processing is performed as described above. This can be performed in substantially the same manner as when one abnormal ticket or foreign matter) is inserted. However, after confirming that the passenger has dropped to the position of the slot 2, two cards (non-separable ticket and normal ticket)
The difference is that they are returned at the same time.

Returning processing when a non-separable ticket and a normal ticket are inserted and the normal ticket is separated first ((4) above) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, the CPU 60 determines in step 7
(ST21), it is determined that there is a released ticket (reversal, the holding of a normal ticket by the holding unit 16) (ST22), and the transport control circuit 73 is controlled to The driving of the first separating mechanism 12a and the second separating mechanism 12b of the section 12 is stopped, and the abnormal ticket or foreign matter that cannot be separated is held in the separating section 12, and the door control circuit 7
6, the door 5 is closed (ST28). Also, CP
U60 performs a subsequent process, such as a magnetic writing process, a printing process, on the normal ticket held in the reversing and holding unit 16;
The sheet is conveyed through the main conveyance path 11 without performing a punching process or the like, and is discharged from the outlet 3 (ST29). After this release, the CPU 60
Displays a message such as "Go down and take the ticket in the slot" on the guidance display unit 4 when it is determined from the detection signal from the detector 52 that the ticket is pulled out from the exit 3 (ST30). (ST24). Also, the CPU 60
Passenger enters the entrance 2 by the detection signal from the human detector 7,.
Is confirmed (ST25), the transport control circuit 73 is controlled, and the unseparable abnormal ticket or foreign matter held in the separation unit 12 is transported to the slot 2 and returned (ST26). . At this time, the CPU 60 controls the drive circuit 85 to give a voice message "Please take the ticket in the slot" by the speaker 84 (ST27). Thereafter, the CPU 60 determines whether the withdrawal of the ticket from the insertion slot 2 is determined by the detection signal from the insertion detector 51.
After the message is continuously displayed and the ticket is pulled out from the slot 2, the return process is terminated, and the ticket is returned to the normal state as a waiting state.

If no abnormal ticket or foreign matter that cannot be separated is determined in step 21, normal processing is performed (ST 31).

In step 4 above, the first separation mechanism 12
If it is determined that the number of tickets to be taken into a is three, the CPU 6
No. 0 performs separation processing on the above-mentioned ticket by the first separation mechanism 12a (ST11).

After the separation process is performed, the CPU 60
Indicates whether three tickets are taken into the second separation mechanism 12b based on the detection signal from the third thickness detector 31c (2
It is determined whether or not the tickets have been separated from each other (ST1).
2). If it is determined that the ticket has been separated, the CPU 60 determines that the second separation mechanism 12
Then, the process proceeds to step 9 in which the separation process is performed by b, and the tickets are separated into individual tickets and transported to the rear part.

In the above step 12, the second separation mechanism 1
When it is determined that the number of tickets taken into 2b is three and the tickets cannot be separated, the CPU 60 determines that the ticket is an inseparable abnormal ticket or foreign matter (ST7), determines that the above-described case (2) is present, and returns the ticket. Is performed (ST8).

As described above, the thickness detector is provided inside the insertion slot, and when the thickness detector detects the insertion of a number of tickets exceeding the specification (including the insertion of foreign matter), the processing is performed. This is to discharge to the input port as it is without performing.

Further, two thickness detectors are provided in the separation section with the first separation mechanism interposed therebetween, and the detection results of the two thickness detectors are compared. ) When the same thickness is detected, it is determined that an abnormal ticket or foreign matter has been inserted.

Further, when it is determined that an abnormal ticket or foreign matter has been inserted, the abnormal ticket or foreign object is discharged from the insertion port without being transported backward. If there is, the normal ticket is discharged from the exit without performing the subsequent processing.

When a 120 mm ticket is determined to be inserted by a detector provided on the conveyance path, the ticket is discharged to the takeout port without performing the subsequent processing.

When foreign matter is inserted into the insertion slot or when an excessive number of tickets are inserted, the foreign matter is returned to the insertion slot without being transported to the takeout port. By stopping the rearward processing such as the reversing / reserving process in the reserving section 16 and transporting to the takeout port, a transport failure can be prevented and the failure rate can be reduced.

In addition, when it is determined that foreign matter has been introduced and the injected substance is discharged to the outlet and the inlet, the foreign object is first released to the outlet, and when the preceding customer pulls it out and returns to the vicinity of the inlet, the inlet is opened. To be released to

Thus, it is possible to prevent the next customer from bringing the returned product to the slot while the preceding customer pulls out the ticket at the exit.

Further, as a Shinkansen type automatic ticket gate capable of handling a plurality of sheets, a separating mechanism is provided at the beginning in the transporting unit and the thickness is detected, so that the separating mechanism determines whether there is an abnormal ticket or foreign matter. If it is determined that the ticket is an abnormal ticket or a foreign substance, it is returned to the slot. This eliminates the drawbacks of abnormal tickets and foreign matter passing through the transport section, as in the conventional Shinkansen type multi-sheet automatic ticket gate that does not perform thickness detection in the separation mechanism, and places abnormal tickets in the rear part of the transport path. And foreign substances can be prevented from being conveyed.

Further, by performing the thickness detection, the separation performance in the conventional automatic ticket gate for plural sheets is improved, and the thickness cannot be used in the automatic ticket gate (credit card,
(E.g., a 20 mm size ticket, a number exceeding the specification, etc.) can be determined, so that the following control can be realized.

That is, if the inserted card is a credit card and the number exceeds the specification, the card is returned to the slot. In addition, when multiple 120mm size tickets and credit cards that can be used such as normal tickets are inserted, normal tickets are released to the exit, and unusable tickets other than 120mm size tickets are returned to the slot. .

[0083]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, an abnormal ticket or a foreign object or a foreign object or a ticket exceeding the specified number of sheets can be prevented from passing through the transport path in the apparatus. It is possible to provide an automatic ticket gate that can prevent a failure of a transport path in the device due to a foreign object or a ticket exceeding a specified number of sheets and can reduce a failure rate.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an external structure of an automatic ticket gate according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an internal mechanism of the automatic ticket gate.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a separation unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the automatic ticket gate.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an abnormal ticket or foreign matter determination and ticket separation process in the automatic ticket gate of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a return process of the inserted ticket in the automatic ticket gate of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 ... Inlet 3 ... Outlet 11 ... Main transport path 12 ... Separation unit 12a ... First separation mechanism 12b ... Second separation mechanism 14, 15 ... Read head 16 ... Inversion and holding unit 31a ... First thickness detector 31b: second thickness detector 31c: third thickness detector 60: CPU

Claims (6)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A plurality of tickets are collectively received from a slot, and ticket processing is performed based on the ticket inspection information read by transporting the received plurality of tickets. In an automatic ticket gate that discharges from an exit, detecting means provided in the insertion slot and detecting the thickness of the ticket; and determining whether the number of the tickets exceeds a predetermined number based on the thickness of the ticket detected by the detecting means. Determination means for determining, and return means for returning the ticket from the slot without carrying the ticket when the determination means determines that the number of tickets exceeds a predetermined number. Automatic ticket gate. 2. A receiving means for collectively receiving a plurality of tickets from a receiving port, a separating means for separating the tickets received by the receiving means into single sheets, and a recording means for recording the tickets separated by the separating means. Reading means for reading the ticket information read by the reading means; ticket checking means for performing a ticket checking process based on the ticket reading information read by the reading means; discharging means for discharging a ticket which has been subjected to the ticket checking processing by the ticket checking means from an exit; Detecting means for detecting the thickness of the ticket received by the means; determining means for determining whether the received ticket is an abnormal ticket or foreign matter based on the thickness of the ticket detected by the detecting means; An automatic ticket gate comprising: return means for returning the ticket of the separation means from the reception port when it is determined that the ticket is a foreign substance. 3. A receiving means for collectively receiving a plurality of tickets from a receiving port, a separating means for separating the tickets received by the receiving means into single sheets, and a recording means for recording the tickets separated by the separating means. Reading means for reading the ticket information read by the reading means; ticket checking means for performing a ticket checking process based on the ticket reading information read by the reading means; discharging means for discharging a ticket which has been subjected to the ticket checking processing by the ticket checking means from an exit; First detecting means provided between the means and the separating means for detecting the thickness of the accepted ticket; and a first detecting means provided at a stage subsequent to the separating means for detecting the thickness of the ticket passing through the separating means. 2 based on the thickness of the ticket detected by the first detecting unit and the second detecting unit, whether or not the number of tickets changes before and after separation by the separating unit. Judge who judge And returning means for returning the ticket passing through the separating means from the reception port when the determining means determines that there is no change in the number of tickets passing through the separating means. Automatic ticket gate. 4. A receiving means for collectively receiving a maximum of three tickets from a receiving port, a separating means for separating the tickets received by the receiving means into one by one, and recording on the tickets separated by the separating means. Reading means for reading the ticket information being read, ticket reading means for performing a ticket processing based on the ticket information read by the reading means, discharging means for discharging a ticket which has been subjected to the ticket processing by the ticket means from an exit, A first detecting means provided between the receiving means and the separating means for detecting whether the thickness of the received ticket is two or three, and a first detecting means provided at a stage subsequent to the separating means and passing through the separating means A second detecting means for detecting whether the thickness of the ticket is two or three, and two tickets are detected by the first detecting means, and after the ticket passes through the separating means, the second Two tickets detected by the detection means A first determining means for determining that the ticket passing through the separating means is an abnormal ticket or a foreign substance when detected, and detecting that three tickets are detected by the first detecting means, and passing the ticket through the separating means. After that, when the number of tickets detected by the second detection unit is three, the ticket that has passed through the separation unit is determined to be an abnormal ticket or a foreign object. Return means for returning the ticket passing through the separating means from the reception port when the ticket passing through the separating means is judged to be an abnormal ticket or a foreign matter by the determining means. Ticket machine. 5. A receiving means for collectively receiving a plurality of tickets from a receiving port, a separating means for separating the tickets received by the receiving means into single sheets, and a recording means for recording the tickets separated by the separating means. Reading means for reading ticket information which has been read; holding means for holding tickets read by the reading means; ticket reading means for performing ticket processing based on the ticket information of each ticket read by the reading means; Discharging means for discharging the ticket, for which the ticket processing has been completed, from the exit, detecting means for detecting the thickness of the ticket accepted by the accepting means, and determining that the accepted ticket is an abnormal ticket based on the thickness of the ticket detected by the detecting means. Determining means for determining whether or not there is a ticket held by the holding means when the first determining means determines that the ticket is an abnormal ticket or a foreign matter. Do When the second determining means determines that there is a ticket held in the holding means, the ticket held in the holding means is discharged by the discharging means. Processing means for returning the ticket of the separating means from the reception port after the received ticket is received. 6. A receiving means for collectively receiving a plurality of tickets from a receiving port, a separating means for separating the tickets received by the receiving means one by one, and a recording means for recording the tickets separated by the separating means. Reading means for reading ticket information which has been read; holding means for holding tickets read by the reading means; ticket reading means for performing ticket processing based on the ticket information of each ticket read by the reading means; Discharging means for discharging the ticket, for which the ticket processing has been completed, from the exit, first detecting means for detecting the thickness of the ticket accepted by the accepting means, and the thickness of the ticket detected by the first detecting means. First determining means for determining whether or not the accepted ticket is an abnormal ticket or a foreign matter; and determining that the ticket held in the storing means when the first determining means determines that the received ticket is an abnormal ticket or a foreign matter. Whether or not A second judging means for judging the condition, and when the second judging means judges that there is a ticket held in the holding means, the ticket held in the holding means is discharged by the discharging means. First processing means, and after the ticket discharged by the first processing means is received, second detecting means for detecting that the person who has issued the ticket has returned to the vicinity of the insertion slot, A second processing means for returning the ticket of the separating means from the receiving port when the second detecting means detects that the person who has issued the ticket has returned to the vicinity of the slot. An automatic ticket gate characterized by the following.