JP2001291124A - Automatic ticket checking and collecting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reliable automatic ticket checking and collecting machine capable of accurately reading information recorded on a train ticket even when the train ticket is carried obliquely, solving the confusion and distrust of a user by making it possible to perform appropriate ticket checking and collecting processing all the time and avoiding the decrease of ticket checking and collecting processing efficiency. SOLUTION: This machine detects the inclining of the train ticket P to be carried and recognizes read information from the ticket P while taking the detected inclination into consideration.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an automatic ticket gate installed at a transportation station or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, automatic ticket gates for automatically processing ticket gates have been installed at transportation stations such as railways. In such a ticket gate apparatus, information such as magnetism recorded on an inserted ticket is read to determine whether or not traffic is possible, and processing such as punching and printing is performed as necessary.

[0003] When a passenger passes through the automatic ticket gate, if it is determined that the passage is possible, it is possible to pass as it is. If it is determined that the passage is not possible, the door of the passage is closed and the passage is closed. Is prevented, and the user is made to recognize that it is not possible by a display panel, voice guidance, or the like.

Further, in a conventional automatic ticket gate that transports a ticket having magnetic information recorded on its surface and reads and processes the magnetic information while pressing it against a magnetic head, a plurality of information recording tracks are set on the ticket. .

As one of the methods for reading magnetic information from an information recording track and writing magnetic information to an information recording track, clock pulse information for measuring timing at predetermined intervals is recorded in one information recording track in advance. In addition, there is a clock pulse synchronization processing system that performs a process of reading magnetic information from another information recording track and a process of writing magnetic information to another information recording track in synchronization with the timing of the clock pulse information.

[0006]

In the clock pulse synchronization processing method described above, it is assumed that the transport direction of the ticket and the recording track on the ticket always keep a parallel state.

However, in actuality, in a magnetic processing portion, a ticket is conveyed obliquely for some reason such as vibration generated in a conveyance system, and the timing of magnetic information read by a magnetic head differs between the information recording tracks. And synchronization may not be achieved. In this case, it is determined that it is impossible to read information from the ticket, and the door of the passage of the automatic ticket gate closes, thereby preventing the passage of the passenger. This phenomenon also occurs in tickets where the passenger has recorded his / her right to pass through the automatic ticket gates, so he / she is confused about things that the user cannot imagine or cheating at all. Even though there is no traffic, they are distrusted by being blocked. This also leads to a decrease in ticket gate processing efficiency.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
Its purpose is to be able to accurately read the information recorded on the ticket even when the ticket is transported diagonally, and to always be able to properly process the ticket gates, which makes the customer confused and distrusted Can be eliminated,
An object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable automatic ticket gate that can avoid a reduction in ticket gate processing efficiency.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic ticket gate, comprising: a transport mechanism for transporting a ticket; reading means for reading information from the ticket transported by the transport mechanism;
Tilt detecting means for detecting the tilt of the ticket conveyed by the conveying mechanism; recognition means for recognizing information read by the reading means in consideration of the tilt detected by the tilt detecting means; And control means for permitting or blocking the passage of the user in accordance with the recognition result.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic ticket gate, comprising: a transport mechanism for transporting a ticket; reading means for reading clock information and ticket information from each information recording track of the ticket transported by the transport mechanism. An inclination detecting means for detecting an inclination of a ticket conveyed by the conveying mechanism; and a reading means for reading the ticket based on the clock information read by the reading means, taking into account the inclination detected by the inclination detecting means. Recognition means for recognizing the ticket information to be received, and control means for permitting or blocking the passage of the passenger according to the recognition result of the recognition means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic ticket gate which includes a transport mechanism for transporting a ticket, and reading means for reading clock information and ticket information from each information recording track of the ticket transported by the transport mechanism. A tilt detecting means for detecting a tilt of a ticket conveyed by the conveying mechanism, and, when the tilt is detected by the tilt detecting means, based on clock information read by the reading means while taking the tilt into consideration. A recognition unit for recognizing the ticket information read by the reading unit, and when the inclination is not detected by the inclination detection unit,
Recognizing means for recognizing the ticket information read by the reading means in synchronization with the clock information read by the reading means; control means for permitting or blocking the passage of the passenger according to the recognition result of these recognizing means; It has.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic ticket gate which includes a transport mechanism for transporting a ticket, and reading means for reading clock information and ticket information from each information recording track of the ticket transported by the transport mechanism. A tilt detecting means for detecting a tilt of the ticket conveyed by the conveying mechanism, and a phase difference between the clock information read by the reading means and the ticket information based on the tilt detected by the tilt detecting means. When the tilt is detected by the phase difference detecting means and the tilt detecting means, the phase difference is read by the reading means based on the clock information read by the reading means while considering the phase difference detected by the phase difference detecting means. Recognition means for recognizing the ticket information to be read, and when the inclination is not detected by the inclination detecting means, the reading means synchronizes with the clock information read by the reading means. It includes recognition means for recognizing ticket information to be taken observed, and control means for permitting or preventing the passage of passengers in accordance with the recognition result of the recognition means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic ticket gate according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising detecting a ticket conveyed by the conveying mechanism in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. A plurality of detectors. Then, the inclination detecting means detects a temporal shift of the detection output of each detector as an inclination.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic ticket gate according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the inclination detecting means is limited. The inclination detecting means detects a time lag between the clock information read by the reading means and the ticket information as an inclination.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the automatic ticket gate according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a predetermined information among the information recording tracks of the ticket conveyed by the conveying mechanism. A writing unit for writing information relating to the passage of the user to the recording track as necessary;

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic ticket gate according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the automatic ticket gate further includes a predetermined information among the information recording tracks of the ticket conveyed by the conveying mechanism. Writing means for writing information relating to the traffic of the user to the recording track as necessary, and control for preventing the traffic of the user when the tilt is detected by the tilt detecting means and writing by the writing means is necessary. Means, and a notifying means for notifying that the user wants to use another path when the inclination is detected by the inclination detecting means and writing by the writing means is necessary.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the automatic ticket gate according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising: a counting means for counting the number of times the inclination is detected by the inclination detecting means; When the count value of the counting means is equal to or greater than the set value, the notifying means notifies the user of the fact.

[0018]

[1] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the automatic ticket gate having an upper surface 2 and an arm-shaped guide frame 1a extending from one end to the other end of the upper surface 2. The upper surface portion 2 is provided with an input port 3 on one end side,
A discharge port 4 is provided on the other end side. A ticket P on which magnetic information is recorded is inserted into the slot 3. The inserted ticket P is conveyed to the discharge port 4 and discharged therefrom.

On the upper surface portion 2, a wireless card holding portion 5 is provided near the insertion slot 3, and a guide display portion 6 is provided near the emission port 4. The wireless card holder 5
A non-contact type IC card possessed by the user is brought into contact with or approached. The guidance display section 6 displays information on permission or inhibition of the passage of the automatic ticket gate.

On the side surface of the main body 1, doors 7 are provided at one end and the other end, respectively, so as to be openable and closable. Door 7
Is used to block the passage of passengers, and is normally opened as shown in the figure and closed when necessary. In addition, a plurality of human detectors (for example, infrared sensors) 10 for detecting a traffic condition of a user are provided on a side surface of the main body 1 along the passage.

The guide frame 1a is provided with a lamp 8 which is turned on when the inserted ticket is for a child or for a discount, and further provided with a plurality of human sensors (for example, for detecting the traffic condition of the passenger). An infrared sensor 9 is provided.

In the main body 1, a transport path (transport mechanism) 1 for transporting the ticket P inserted into the slot 3 to the outlet 4.
1, magnetic heads 12 and 13 for reading magnetic information and magnetic heads 14 and 15 for writing magnetic information are sequentially arranged along the transport path 11. At a position on the opposite side of the magnetic heads 12 and 13 across the transport path 11,
Support member (rotary roller) 1 for supporting the ticket P
6, 17 are provided. Support members (rotary rollers) 18 and 19 for supporting the ticket P are provided at positions opposite to the magnetic heads 14 and 15 with respect to the transport path 11.

The magnetic heads 12 and 14 function when the magnetic recording portion (back surface) on the ticket P faces the magnetic heads 12 and 14. The magnetic heads 13 and 15 use the ticket P
This function works when the magnetic recording section provided in the first section faces the magnetic heads 13 and 15.

In the transport path 11, a detector 21 for detecting the ticket P is provided immediately downstream of the slot 3. At a position immediately upstream of the magnetic head 16,
A plurality of detectors 22 and 23 for detecting the ticket P in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction are provided. At a position immediately downstream of the magnetic head 15, a detector 24 for detecting the ticket P is provided. A detector 25 for detecting the ticket P is disposed immediately upstream of the discharge port 4.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the magnetic head 12 and the transport system around it.

A belt 33 is stretched over the rollers 31 and 32, and a belt 37 is stretched over the rollers 34, 35 and 36, and the ticket P is nipped and conveyed by the belts 33 and 37. The detector 22 includes a light emitting body 22a and a light receiving body 2
2b, and optically detects the ticket P. On the other side of the detector 22, a detector 23 having a similar configuration is arranged as shown in FIG.

That is, FIG. 6 shows the magnetic head 12, the detectors 22, 23, and the ticket P viewed from above. The magnetic head 12 has three head portions 12a, 12a arranged along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the ticket P.
b, 12c. The detectors 22 and 23 are arranged along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the ticket P.
An information storage track T1 for clock information and an information recording track T2 for ticket information are provided on the face of the ticket P.
T3 is set. Of these, the information recording track T
1, clock pulse information is recorded in advance at regular intervals. In the information recording tracks T2 and T3, fare information and the like are written in advance as the ticket information, and the ticket information such as the station code and the date is written at the time of entrance / exit. The head 12a of the magnetic head 12 functions to read the information storage track T1, the head 12b functions to read the information storage track T2, and the head 12c functions to read the information storage track T3. Note that the other magnetic heads 13, 14, and 15 also have information recording tracks T similarly.
It has three head sections corresponding to 1, T2 and T3.

In the transport path 11, a distributor 26 is provided slightly upstream of the detector 25. Distributor 26
Is for guiding the ticket P to be returned to the user to the outlet 4 side, and guiding the ticket P to be collected to the ticket collection unit 27.

FIG. 4 shows a control circuit mounted on the main body 1 having such a configuration.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40 as a main control unit has a ROM 41 and a RAM 4
2, fare memory 43, reading circuit 44, writing circuit 4
5. Ticket detection circuit 46, transport control circuit 47, door control circuit 49, human detector control circuit 50, display control circuit 5
1. The wireless reader / writer 52 and the monitoring board interface 54 are connected.

The ROM 41 stores a control program. The RAM 42 stores read information from the ticket P,
It stores a plurality of display patterns, temporarily stores control programs, and the like. The fare memory 43 stores information on boarding fares. The read circuit 44 includes a read magnetic head 12,
13 is controlled. The writing circuit 45 controls the magnetic heads 14 and 15 for writing.

The ticket detecting circuit 46 includes detectors 21 and
The transport status of the ticket P is detected based on the outputs of 2, 23, 24, and 25. The transport control circuit 47 controls a transport motor 48 for driving a drive mechanism of the transport path 11.
The door control circuit 49 controls a door opening / closing mechanism 50 for opening and closing the door 7. The human detector control circuit 50 detects the traffic situation of the user based on the outputs of the human detectors 9 and 10. The display control circuit 51 controls the display of the guidance display unit 6.

The wireless reader / writer 52 transmits and receives data to and from a non-contact type IC card via a wireless transmitting and receiving antenna 53 in the detecting section 5a of the wireless card holding section 5. The monitoring board interface 54 transmits and receives data to and from the monitoring board 55.

The CPU 40 has the following means (1) to (11) as main functions.

(1) The clock pulse information and the ticket information are read from each information recording track of the ticket P by the magnetic head 12.
(13) reading means for reading.

(2) The detection outputs V1,
Inclination detecting means for detecting the inclination of the ticket P according to V2;

(3) Phase difference detecting means for obtaining a phase difference between the clock pulse information read by the reading means and the ticket information based on the tilt detected by the tilt detecting means.

(4) When the tilt is detected by the tilt detecting means, the reading means is used based on the clock pulse information read by the reading means, taking into account the phase difference detected by the phase difference detecting means. Recognition means for recognizing the ticket information read by.

(5) Recognizing means for recognizing the ticket information read by the reading means in synchronization with the clock pulse information read by the reading means when the tilt detecting means does not detect the tilt.

(6) Control means for permitting or blocking the passage of the user by opening and closing the door 7 in accordance with the recognition result of each recognition means.

(7) Writing means for writing information relating to the passage of the passenger to the information recording track T2 or T3 of the ticket P by the magnetic head 14 (or 15) as necessary.

(8) Control means for preventing the passage of the user by closing the door 7 when the inclination is detected by the inclination detecting means and writing by the writing means is necessary.

(9) When the inclination is detected by the inclination detecting means and when the writing by the writing means is necessary, the notifying means for notifying that the user wants to use another path by the guidance display of the guidance display unit 6. .

(10) Counting means (coefficient value N) which counts the number of times the inclination is detected by the inclination detecting means as the number of corrections N.
Is stored in the RAM 42).

(11) Notifying means for notifying that the count value N of the number of corrections counted by the counting means is equal to or greater than the set value Ns by displaying the guidance display unit 6 and transmitting it to the monitoring panel 55. .

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the ticket P inserted into the slot 3 reaches the detectors 22 and 23 in front of the magnetic head 12, the detectors 22 and 23 detect the tip (ticket edge) of the ticket P (the end of the ticket). (YES in step 101).

When a ticket P without inclination is being conveyed as shown in FIG. 6, a time interval between the detection output V1 of the detector 22 and the detection output V2 of the detector 23 is obtained as shown in FIG. No deviation occurs.

On the other hand, when a ticket P having an inclination as shown in FIG. 8 is being conveyed, as shown in FIG.
The detection output V1 of the detector 22 and the detection output V2 of the detector 23
And a time t shift occurs. This time lag is detected as the tilt angle of the ticket P (step 102).

The ticket P passing through the detectors 22 and 23 reaches the magnetic head 12 (or 13), where the information recording tracks T1, T2 and T3 on the ticket P are read.

If the inclination of the ticket P is not detected (the inclination angle is zero: YES in step 103), that is, the clock pulse information read from the information recording track T1 and the clock pulse information read from the information recording tracks T2 and T3. If the ticket information is in phase, the ticket information is recognized in synchronization with the clock pulse information.

Then, according to the recognition result, the traffic of the customer is permitted or blocked. That is, when it is determined that the ticket P is valid, the ticket P is released from the outlet 4 or collected in the ticket box 27 and the guidance display unit 6 is displayed.
Is displayed, and the door 7 is kept open so that the passenger is allowed to pass. If it is determined that the ticket P is not valid and the passenger does not have the right to pass through the aisle, the ticket P is released from the outlet 4 and a guidance message indicating that the vehicle cannot be passed is displayed on the guidance display unit 6. Is displayed,
And the passage is closed by closing the door 7.

In this case, if it is necessary to write the ticket information (YES in step 105), when the ticket P corresponds to the magnetic head 14 (or 15), the ticket P
The ticket information is written on the information recording track T2 or T3 (step 106).

On the other hand, when the inclination of the ticket P is detected (NO in step 103), that is, the clock pulse information read from the information recording track T1 and the ticket information read from the information recording tracks T2 and T3. If is not the same phase, the phase difference between the clock pulse information and the ticket information is calculated based on the detected inclination angle (step 107). In consideration of the calculated phase difference, that is, while correcting the phase of the clock pulse information in a direction in which the phase difference becomes zero, the ticket information is recognized based on the clock pulse information. Passengers are allowed or blocked. At the time of recognition involving the correction of the phase difference, the count value N of the number of corrections is increased by "1" (step 109).

In this case, even if it is necessary to write the ticket information (YES in step 112), it is determined that it is difficult to write appropriate information because the ticket P is inclined. Further, in order to prevent occurrence of an abnormal reading of the ticket at the automatic ticket gate at another station, the writing process of the ticket information is not performed, and the ticket P is released from the discharge port 4 and the door is not opened. 7 is closed and the passage is closed (step 113). At the same time, a guidance message indicating that the user wants to use another passage is displayed on the display 6 (step 114).

If the count value N is equal to or greater than the set value Ns (YES in step 110), it is determined that there is some abnormality in the transport system of the ticket P, or it is determined that the main body 1 is out of order. Information indicating that repair is desired is displayed on the display 6 and transmitted to the monitoring panel 55 (step 111). With this display and transmission, the repair is performed by the attendant.

Regarding the count value N, R
The information can be read out from the AM 42 and displayed on the guidance display unit 6. By observing this display and adjusting the transport system if necessary, it is possible to correct the problem that the ticket P is transported on an inclined body.

As described above, even when the ticket P is conveyed diagonally, the ticket information recorded on the ticket P can be read accurately, and the ticket inspection process can always be performed properly. It is possible to eliminate the embarrassment and distrust of customers and to avoid a decrease in ticket gate processing efficiency, resulting in an automatic ticket gate with excellent reliability.

[2] The second embodiment will be described.

In the first embodiment, the inclination of the ticket P is detected according to the detection outputs V1 and V2 of the detectors 22 and 23. In the second embodiment, the magnetic head 12
(Or 13) of the head units 12a, 12b, 12c, for example, the read signals S1,
The inclination of the ticket P is detected according to S3.

That is, the end of the ticket P is
c, the signal S3 (the ticket information) read from the ticket information track T3 and the signal read from the clock information track T1 using the signal appearing as a bit in the head section 12c. The phase of the ticket edge of S1 (clock pulse information) is compared.

If the ticket P has no inclination, there is no time lag at the ticket ends of the read signals S1 and S3. On the other hand, if the ticket P has an inclination, as shown in FIG. 10, a time t is generated between the end of the read signal S1 and the end of the read signal S3. The difference of this time t is the ticket P
Is detected as the inclination angle of

The other structure, operation, and effect are the same as those of the first ticket, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without changing the gist.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, the inclination of a conveyed ticket is detected, and information read from the ticket is recognized while taking the detected inclination into account. Even if the ticket is transported diagonally, the information recorded on the ticket can be accurately read,
It is possible to provide a highly reliable automatic ticket gate machine that can always perform proper ticket gate processing to eliminate the embarrassment and distrust of customers, and that can avoid a decrease in ticket gate processing efficiency.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an automatic ticket gate in each embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of an automatic ticket gate in each embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a transport system in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit in each embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of each embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between a ticket having no inclination, a magnetic head, and a detector in each embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a detection output of each detector in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between a ticket having a tilt, a magnetic head, and a detector in each embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the detection output of each detector in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a read signal when a ticket has an inclination in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... body of automatic ticket gate, 3 ... slot, 4 ... outlet, 5 ...
Wireless card holder, 6 ... Guidance display, 7 ... Door, 9.1
0: Human detector, 12, 13: Magnetic head for reading magnetic information, 12a, 12b, 12c: Head section, P: Ticket, T1, T2, T3: Information recording track.

Continued on front page F term (reference) 3E027 AA03 5B023 EA02 EA03 5B058 CA31 KA02 KA06 KA12 KA22 YA20

Claims (9)

[Claims] A transport mechanism for transporting a ticket; reading means for reading information from the ticket transported by the transport mechanism; inclination detecting means for detecting an inclination of the ticket transported by the transport mechanism; Recognition means for recognizing information read by the reading means while taking into account the tilt detected by the tilt detection means; control means for permitting or blocking the passage of customers according to the recognition result of the recognition means; An automatic ticket gate equipped with: 2. A transport mechanism for transporting a ticket, reading means for reading clock information and ticket information from each information recording track of the ticket transported by the transport mechanism, and a ticket transported by the transport mechanism A tilt detecting means for detecting the tilt of the vehicle; and a recognition means for recognizing the ticket information read by the reading means based on the clock information read by the reading means while considering the tilt detected by the tilt detecting means. Control means for permitting or blocking the passage of a user according to the recognition result of the recognition means. 3. A transport mechanism for transporting a ticket, reading means for reading clock information and ticket information from each information recording track of the ticket transported by the transport mechanism, and a ticket transported by the transport mechanism Tilt detecting means for detecting the tilt of the vehicle, and when the tilt is detected by the tilt detecting means, the ticket information read by the reading means based on the clock information read by the reading means while considering the tilt. Recognition means for recognizing; and recognition means for recognizing the ticket information read by the reading means in synchronization with the clock information read by the reading means when no tilt is detected by the tilt detection means; Control means for permitting or blocking the passage of the user according to the result. 4. A transport mechanism for transporting a ticket, reading means for reading clock information and ticket information from each information recording track of the ticket transported by the transport mechanism, and a ticket transported by the transport mechanism Tilt detecting means for detecting the tilt of the vehicle; phase difference detecting means for obtaining a phase difference between the clock information read by the reading means and the ticket information based on the tilt detected by the tilt detecting means; When the inclination is detected, the recognition means for recognizing the ticket information read by the reading means based on the clock information read by the reading means, while considering the phase difference detected by the phase difference detection means, When no tilt is detected by the tilt detecting means, the ticket information read by the reading means is recognized in synchronization with the clock information read by the reading means. Automatic ticket gate to the recognition means, and control means for permitting or preventing the passage of passengers in accordance with the recognition result of the recognition unit, characterized by comprising a. 5. The automatic ticket gate according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of detectors for detecting a ticket transported by the transport mechanism in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. An automatic ticket gate, wherein the inclination detecting means detects a time lag between detection outputs of the detectors as an inclination. 6. The automatic ticket gate according to claim 1, wherein the inclination detecting means sets a time difference between the clock information read by the reading means and the ticket information as an inclination. An automatic ticket gate that detects. 7. The automatic ticket gate according to claim 1, further comprising: a predetermined information recording track among the information recording tracks of the ticket conveyed by the conveyance mechanism. An automatic ticket gate comprising writing means for writing information relating to traffic as needed. 8. The automatic ticket gate according to claim 1, further comprising: a predetermined information recording track among the information recording tracks of the ticket transported by the transport mechanism. Writing means for writing information relating to the traffic as necessary; control means for preventing the traffic of the user when the tilt is detected by the tilt detecting means and writing by the writing means is required; And an informing means for informing that the user wants to use another passage when the inclination is detected by the detecting means and writing by the writing means is necessary. 9. The automatic ticket gate according to claim 1, further comprising: counting means for counting the number of times the inclination is detected by the inclination detecting means; And a notifying means for notifying a user when the value is equal to or greater than a set value.