JP2002099933A - Commuter pass, automatic ticket gate machine, device using commuter ticket, and commuter ticket utilization system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a service different from that by an automatic ticket gate machine for a commuter ticket user. SOLUTION: A commuter ticket issuing machine 2 issues a commuter ticket, usable for service apparatuses such as a rental machine 5, a vending machine 6, and a meal ticket vending machine 7 arranged inside or around a station. Each of the service apparatuses is provided with a read means for reading valid period data from the commuter ticket storing the valid period data and valid section data, a determining means for determining as to whether the valid period data read by the reading means includes the current day, and a control means performing a predetermined functional operation different from an operation of the automatic ticket gate machine 3 when the determining means determines that the current day is included. For example, the rental machine 5 carries out a lending/return receiving processes of items, such as umbrellas, while the vending machine 6 or the meal ticket vending machine 7 sells a commodity or a meal ticket in a cost rental form to the user of the commutation ticket.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a commuter pass, an automatic ticket gate, an apparatus using a commuter pass, and a commuter pass utilization system used in an automatic ticket gate for restricting entrance and exit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Many people who use transportation such as railways have experienced experiencing some problems directly or indirectly with the use of railways. Typically,
Many people have experienced the sudden rainfall when they return home or on the road and cannot move because they do not have an umbrella.

[0003] Regarding umbrellas, there are some organizations that put umbrellas near stations and rent them free of charge. However, some people who have borrowed such umbrellas will not return them, preventing them from continuing such goodwill activities.

[0004] Further, it is presumed that there is a person who has encountered a problem concerning money, not limited to goods. For example, it is speculated that some people arrived at the station from home and realized that they had forgotten to carry a wallet in order to purchase a product at a store on the station premises, and could not purchase the product.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Many users of transportation such as railways are users of commuter passes. Commuter pass users usually use the same transport every day. Therefore, if services such as lending of suddenly necessary goods such as umbrellas or other goods or lending of small amounts of money can be provided to users of commuter passes at a relatively low price and simple procedures, at least This is extremely convenient for commuter pass users since there is no need to go out for return.

[0006] However, the problem in executing such a service of lending goods such as an umbrella or money is as follows.
Even if you use the same transportation every day, you may forget to return it, or it may be troublesome to return it because it is an inexpensive thing such as an umbrella, and the loaned goods or money is not returned It will be. In order to solve this problem, it is only necessary to urge the borrowed person to return it at a later date so that the borrower can be returned. Not only is it difficult, but it also has to be prompted during the short passage of passing the station, which is extremely difficult.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention is to provide a service such as lending of goods or lending of money to a user of a commuter pass with a simple procedure, and to ensure that the lent user returns the same. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus using a commuter pass and a commuter pass use system, a commuter pass therefor, and an automatic ticket gate capable of executing a process related to the apparatus on the commuter pass. .

[0008]

In recent years, automatic ticket gates that electrically read the recorded contents from tickets or commuter passes on which data has been recorded electrically have become widespread. Such commuter passes include information identifying the purchaser of the commuter pass. Therefore, when a user of such a commuter pass uses an automatic ticket gate, if the automatic ticket gate can process the commuter pass and execute a process related to the service, the service is continued as a practical service. Is expected to be possible.

For example, when the above service is a service for renting goods or money to a user of a commuter pass, or when a user of a commuter pass borrowing goods or money leaves the returned goods or money borrowed If it is possible to cause the automatic ticket gate to execute a process to urge the user of the commuter pass to return, it is expected that a reminder to return the loaned goods or money, which is important for maintaining the lending service, can be easily realized. .

Therefore, the apparatus for using a commuter pass according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a reading means for reading the use period data from a commuter pass in which the use period data and the use section data are recorded, and the reading means. Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the read usage period data includes the day; and when the discriminating means judges that the date includes the day, a predetermined function operation different from the operation of the automatic ticket gate is performed. Control means. From now on, after confirming that the commuter pass use day is within the use period,
Using the commuter pass, a predetermined function operation different from the operation of the automatic ticket gate can be executed by the above-described device. For example, various convenient services can be provided to commuter pass users.

Specifically, in the apparatus using a commuter pass according to claim 2, the control means includes a storage means for storing a large number of articles, and at least one of the large number of articles is discharged to the outside of the apparatus. Enabling means. Or
In the apparatus using a commuter pass according to claim 3, the control means detects storage means for storing a large number of items, and the insertion of a predetermined amount of money, and removes at least one of the large number of items. Make it dischargeable. Further, the apparatus for using a commuter pass according to claim 4 further includes means for determining that a place where the device is arranged is included in a use section indicated by the use section data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a commuter pass use system which stores use period data and use section data, and uses a commuter pass which can use an automatic ticket gate during the use period and use section, and a commuter pass. An apparatus for using the commuter pass, reading means for reading the use period data stored in the commuter pass, and determining whether or not the use period data read by the read means includes the current day. And a control unit for performing a predetermined function operation different from the operation of the automatic ticket gate when the judgment unit judges that the current day is included.

[0013] The commuter ticket according to claim 9 is a first storage means for storing use period data and use section data read by the automatic ticket gate when passing through the automatic ticket gate,
Second storage means for storing usage data written from the external storage device by using an external device different from the automatic ticket gate. This makes it possible to use devices other than the automatic ticket gate using this commuter pass.

[0014] The automatic ticket gate according to the twelfth aspect is capable of using a commuter pass storing commuter pass data including use period data and use section data related to transportation and data not related to the commuter pass data. Automatic ticket gate,
A reading unit that reads the data that is not related to the commuter pass data and the commuter pass data stored in the commuter pass, and, based on the use period data and the use section data, of the read data, Control means for controlling the passage of the owner, and display means for displaying information related to data not related to the commuter pass data.

[0015] Thus, when the user of the commuter pass uses the automatic ticket gate, the user is notified of information on the usage status of the user other than the automatic ticket gate with respect to the device using the commuter pass. It becomes possible. For example, when a commuter pass user receives an article rental service using a commuter pass and has not returned the goods, the automatic ticket gate stores that fact in the commuter pass and is not related to the commuter pass It can be determined from the data. In that case, a reminder for return can be displayed to the commuter pass user.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a commuter pass, an automatic ticket gate, an apparatus for using commuter passes, and a commuter pass utilization system according to the present invention will be described below in further detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a commuter pass using system according to the present invention. In the figure, A station 1 such as a railway
A includes a commuter ticket issuing machine 2 that issues a commuter pass according to the present invention, an automatic ticket gate machine 3 that uses the issued commuter pass to process entrance to and exit from a station platform, There is provided a transfer machine 4 that can be settled using a ticket.

Further, on the premises of station A of these stations or in the vicinity thereof, there are provided a rental machine 5, a vending machine 6, a meal ticket vending machine 7 and the like as devices according to the present invention which use a commuter pass. . The rental machine 5 is a device that lends goods to a user of a commuter pass. The vending machine 6 is a device for selling, for example, drinking water, tobacco and other luxury goods, or newspapers, magazines, and the like. The user of the commuter pass is required to return goods on the condition that cash will be returned at a later date. It is for sale, in other words, it has a function of temporarily lending the price of goods. The ticket vending machine 7 sells a meal ticket for ordering food provided at a cafeteria provided in or near a station yard (not shown). Like the vending machine 6, the ticket vending machine 7 pays a user of a commuter pass. Is temporarily lent. still,
B station 1B, which is the next station after A station 1A, and C station 1
Each device is arranged at C,..., Z station 1Z as well as A station 1A.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a commuter pass 8 to which data is written by the commuter pass issuing machine 2 and an automatic ticket gate 3 passing by using the commuter pass 8. The automatic ticket gate 3 is provided with a display 11 for displaying a message such as a warning, and a display drive circuit 12 for driving the display, which is provided at a position where a user who has passed along the automatic ticket gate 3 can see. And a passage sensor 1 for detecting the passage of the user
3, a sense amplifier 14 for amplifying the output, a door driving circuit 16 for driving a door opening / closing mechanism 15 for controlling the passage of a user, a transmitting unit 17 for transmitting a specific command to the commuter pass 8 and an antenna 18A. Transmitting / receiving section 19 and antenna 18B for transmitting and receiving data to and from commuter pass 8
And a control unit 10 are provided. The control unit 10 includes a CPU and memories (ROM and RAM), not shown, and is connected to the circuits 12, 14, 16, 17, and 19 and controls these circuits.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated automatic ticket gate, but may be any automatic ticket gate having the functions required for the present invention. For example, the transmitting unit and the transmitting / receiving unit 1
9 may be a common circuit, and the antennas 18A and 18B may be a common antenna.

The commuter pass 8 is a so-called non-contact electronic commuter pass that can communicate with the automatic ticket gate 3 wirelessly. The electronic commuter pass is a so-called IC card including an integrated circuit having a CPU and the like built therein. In the case of this non-contact type commuter pass, the user only has to pass the commuter pass over the antenna of the automatic ticket gate or pass by the automatic ticket gate with the commuter pass in the pocket. The ticket is effective for avoiding congestion. However, the commuter pass according to the present invention may have a function necessary for the present invention, and may be a contact commuter pass. For example, an IC card using a plurality of connection contact terminals on the surface or a magnetic card provided with a magnetic recording band may be used.

The commuter pass 8 includes a control unit 20 comprising a CPU,
A storage circuit 21 for storing commuter pass data and a transmitting / receiving circuit 2 for communicating with the automatic ticket gate 3 connected thereto.
2. It includes an antenna 23 connected to the transmission / reception circuit section 22, and a power supply circuit 24 for supplying power to the above-described sections. These circuit parts are manufactured using integrated circuit technology, and are mounted on a resin card (not shown). Built-in. This commuter pass 8
Can be used by writing necessary data as a commuter pass from the commuter pass issuing machine 2 to the storage circuit 21. Data stored in the storage circuit 21 will be described later.

However, as will be described in more detail later, the automatic ticket gate 3 constantly transmits a radio wave to transmit a data transmission request command, and the commuter pass user holding the commuter pass 8 3, the control unit 20 in the commuter pass 8 receives the command transmitted from the automatic ticket gate 3 via the antenna 23 and the transmission / reception circuit unit 22 and stores the command in the storage circuit unit 21 according to the command. The transmitted data is transmitted to the automatic ticket gate 3, or the data transmitted by the automatic ticket gate 3 is stored in the storage circuit unit 21.

FIG. 3 shows some storage areas of the memory 30 provided in the commuter pass issuing machine 2. This memory 30
Are areas 30A, 30B, 30C,... For storing data on each issued commuter pass (to which data is written).
including. Each area includes a plurality of areas 31, 32, 33, 34
Is divided into In the area 31, the date when the commuter pass is issued,
The type of document used for identity verification at the time of issuance is recorded. For example, in the case of the area 30A, the issue date of the commuter pass “December 26, 1999” and the type of the identity verification document “driving license” are recorded. In the commuter pass data stored in the area 30B, it is recorded that "health insurance" was used for identity verification, and in the commuter pass data stored in the area 30C, "passport" was used for identity verification.

In the present invention, since goods are borrowed or money is borrowed using a commuter pass, it is necessary to strictly confirm the identity of the commuter pass when issuing the commuter pass before issuing the commuter pass. For this reason, when the user applies for the issuance of a commuter pass, the station staff requests the applicant to present a document for identification (identification) and issues the type of the presented document. Commuter ticket issuing machine 2 as data related to commuter tickets
To enter. The type of the document is recorded in the area 31.

Of course, a device that automatically issues a commuter pass without the involvement of station staff may be used. For example, a method may be used in which a user writes necessary items on a commuter pass application form, inserts the necessary items into the device, and reads the item on which the device is described by OCR. Even in this case, it is necessary to cause the device to read a document for identity verification and to perform identity verification by the device.

The area 32 stores the card number and the name of the user of the commuter pass. The area 33 stores the commencement date of the commuter pass and the use section data. The use section data includes data specifying the first station name of the use section and data specifying the last station name. The area 34 stores the last day of the commuter pass usage period, the commuter pass purchasing station, and the transit station. The start date of the use period stored in the area 33 and the end date of the use period stored in the area 34 constitute use period data.

For example, in the case of the area 30A, the area 32 has the card number "12004555" and the name "Oyama Takao".
Is stored in the area 33, and the commencement date of the commuter pass is "January 1, 2000" and the station name "A" at the beginning of the use section is stored in the area 33.
"Station" and the last station name "Z station" are stored. In the area 34, the last day of the commuter pass usage period is “June 30, 2000.
Day ", commuter pass purchase station" A station "," A station "and" Z
A transit station “Station C” on the way between “stations” is stored.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of data storage areas included in the storage circuit unit 21 (FIG. 2) in the commuter pass 8. The area 25 stores commuter pass data. Commuter pass data is data used when using a commuter pass for use in transportation. The area 25 includes an area 21A.
To 21D are included. For example, a card number and a name are stored in the area 21A. The area 21B stores the commencement date of the commuter pass, the start station name and the last station name of the use section. In the area 21C, the last day of the use period, the commuter pass purchasing station, and the transit station are stored.

In the example of FIG. 4, according to the data in the area 25, the card number is “12004555” and the name is “Oyama Norio”. The commencement date of commuter pass is "2
January 1, 2000 ", and the top station name of the use section is" A
Station ", and the last station name is" Z Station ". The last day of the usage period is “June 30, 2000”, the commuter pass purchasing station is “A station”, and the transit station is “C station”.

The riding status data is stored in the area 21D. Specifically, when the user enters the ticket gate,
That is, when the vehicle passes through the automatic ticket gate 3 to enter the platform, the date of boarding, the boarding station name, and the entry flag “1” are stored. In the example shown in the figure, the boarding status data of this commuter pass indicates that the boarding was performed from “Station B” on “March 12, 2000”. All data stored in the area 21D is reset to 0 when the user leaves the ticket gate through the automatic ticket gate 3.

An area 26 other than the area 25 is a service use data storage area in which data other than commuter pass data is stored. In this embodiment, each time a user uses a device that provides a service according to the present invention, the area 2
The service used by the user and one piece of service usage data indicating the usage status are stored in the area 21E or 21F or the like in FIG.

More specifically, the service use data storage area 26 includes a service use date data storage area 27 for storing service use date data, and a use station / service type data storage area for storing use station / service type data. 28, a service use flag storage area 29 for storing a service use flag. The used station / service type data 28 includes a station code for identifying the station where the serviced device is installed, the rental machine 5 and the vending machine 6.
Alternatively, the service type code includes a service type code indicating the type of device such as the meal vending machine 7. In the example of the figure, the upper five digits of the used station / service type data 28 are the station code, and the lower two digits are the service type code.

The service use status flag 29 is data representing the use status of the equipment for which the commuter pass user has received the service. In this embodiment, specifically, when a user borrows an item from the rental machine 5 or purchases an item or a ticket from the vending machine 6 or the ticket vending machine 7, The flag 29 is set to "1". When the user returns the goods or money, the service use status flag 29 is reset to “0”.

In the case of FIG. 4, the service usage data stored in the area 21E indicates that the commuter pass user uses a device of type code “01” at a station of code “00010” on “March 3, 2000”. Indicates that the borrowed item or price has been paid. The service usage data stored in the area 21F indicates that, on March 11, 2000, at the station with the code "00021", the commuter pass user uses the equipment with the type code "03" and the borrowed goods are returned. Or has not been paid.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of the processing of the automatic ticket gate 3. FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of the processing of the commuter pass 8. Hereinafter, the operations of the automatic ticket gate 3 and the commuter pass 8 will be described with reference to these figures.

The automatic ticket gate 3 comprises a transmitting section 17 and an antenna 1
8A (FIG. 2) is always transmitting a transmission request command (FIG. 5, step S101). As shown in FIG.
The commuter pass 8 is in a state of waiting for a signal from the automatic ticket gate 3 (step S201 in FIG. 6). Signal is automatic ticket gate 3
, When received through the antenna 23 and the transmission / reception circuit unit 22, the type of the received code is determined (FIG. 6,
Step S202). In this case, since the command received from the automatic ticket gate 3 is a transmission request command, the commuter pass 8 transmits an initial signal via the transmission / reception circuit unit 22 and the antenna 23 (FIG. 6, step S204), and outputs the initial signal. Then, commuter pass data stored in the area 25 of FIG.
The service usage data stored in the area 26 is transmitted (FIG. 6, step S205).

Referring back to FIG. 5, when the automatic ticket gate 3 receives the initial signal (step S102), it stops transmitting the transmission request command, and commute ticket data transmitted from the commuter pass 8 following the initial signal. The service usage data is received by the antenna 18B and the transmission / reception unit 19 (FIG. 2) and stored in a memory (not shown) in the control unit 10 (step S1).
03). A memory (not shown) in the control unit 10 also stores railway route data and time data updated every moment.

The automatic ticket gate 3 determines whether or not the current day is within the use period based on the use period data in the received commuter pass data and the stored time data (step S104). If the day is within the use period, it is determined whether or not the station where the automatic ticket gate 3 is installed is within the use section based on the received use section data and the stored route data (step S105). ). When the station is in the use section, it is determined whether the entry flag in the received commuter pass data is appropriate (step S106). When the user enters the ticket gate, the entry flag must be “0”. When the user exits the ticket gate, the entrance flag must be "1".

The above determination steps S104 to S106
In any of the above, when the determination result is No, the alarm processing S114 of notifying the user of the alarm by the display 11 is executed, and the processing is ended. Note that an alarm sound may be used together.

If it is determined in step S106 that the entry flag is appropriate, the entry flag is determined to be appropriate.
The automatic ticket gate 3 opens the door of the passage (step S10).
7). Further, based on the service use status flag 29 included in the received service use data, it is determined whether the user is borrowing goods or money from any service device (step S108).

In the case of the commuter pass shown in FIG. 4, the user is borrowing. If it is borrowed, the display processing A is executed, and a display "Please return the item rented" is displayed on the display 11 (step S109). Thereafter, the passage sensor 13 detects that the user has passed the door, or waits until the time limit expires before the user passes (step S111). If any of these two determinations is Yes, The door is closed (step S112).

On the other hand, "borrowing" determination step S108
In step S11, when it is determined that the vehicle is not borrowed, a display process B is executed, and a display such as "Thank you for riding" is displayed on the display 11 (step S11).
0) Then, the determination step S111 and the above-mentioned door closing process S112 are executed.

After execution of the door closing process S112, a rewrite command for updating the boarding status data is transmitted to the commuter pass 8 (step S113). When the user enters the ticket gate, the rewrite command requests that the boarding date data, the boarding station, and the boarding flag “1” be written in the area 21D as shown in FIG. When exiting, a request is made to write data of all "0" in the area 21D.

In FIG. 6, when the commuter pass 8 receives a rewrite command (step S202), the data specified by the command is written to the area specified by the command (step S203). In this case, the boarding status data in the area 21D in FIG. 4 is updated. In step S202, there are cases where the command received by the commuter pass 8 cannot be determined, but in that case, the commuter pass 8 does not respond at all. In this way, the processing by the automatic ticket gate 3 and the commuter pass 8 is completed.

An umbrella rental machine will be described below as a specific example of the rental machine 5. FIG. 7A shows an umbrella rental machine 5.
FIG. The umbrella rental machine 5 includes an umbrella storage unit 5A for storing a plurality of rental umbrellas, and an operation unit 5B.
And an umbrella storage unit 5C for storing the returned umbrella. A plurality of openings 40 are two-dimensionally arranged in the umbrella storage section 5A, and an umbrella storage box 41 that can take in and out umbrellas is arranged inside the opening 40. A door 42 is provided facing each opening 40 so as to be openable and closable. A box number is written on the door 42. The maintenance staff operates the operation unit 5B in advance to open the opening 4.
0 is opened, an umbrella for lending is inserted into the umbrella storage box 41, and then the opening 40 is closed.

A lock mechanism 43 and a door open / close sensor 44 are provided near the opening 40. The opening 40 is formed of a transparent member so that the umbrella 46 inserted therein can be seen from the outside through the door 42. The umbrella storage box 41 is provided with an umbrella sensor 45 for detecting whether or not an umbrella is inside. The umbrella sensor 45 includes, for example, a light emitting diode 45A provided on one surface of the umbrella storage box 41 and an optical sensor 45B provided on a surface opposite to that surface. , The light emitted from the light emitting diode 45A is blocked by the umbrella 46,
The fact that the output of 5B is reduced is used.

The operation unit 5B is, as shown in FIG.
It includes a commuter pass insertion slot 50, an umbrella borrow button 51, an umbrella return button 52, a display unit 53, a coin insertion slot 54, a bill insertion slot 55, and a change discharge slot 56. A control circuit described later is mounted inside the operation unit 5B.

The umbrella borrower can insert a commuter pass into the commuter pass
0, and then press the umbrella borrow button 51, and further insert coins or bills into the coin insertion slot 54 or the bill insertion slot 55,
Receive change from the change outlet as needed. As will be described later in detail, the control circuit of the umbrella rental machine 5 releases the lock mechanism 43 of one of the umbrella storage boxes 41 storing the umbrellas after confirming that the commuter pass is valid. The umbrella loan applicant opens the door 42 and takes out the umbrella. During this time, an instruction to the user is displayed or guided by voice by the display unit 53 or a voice guidance device (not shown).

The umbrella storage unit 5C comprises an umbrella return box 60 and an umbrella warehouse 67, as shown in FIG. Umbrella return box 60
An umbrella return port 61 is provided on the front surface of the device, and a lock mechanism 63 and a door open / close sensor 64 are provided near the umbrella return port 61.

When the umbrella borrower presses the umbrella return button 52 in order to return the umbrella, the lock mechanism 63 beside the umbrella return port 61 unlocks the return door 62 by the control circuit. The umbrella is returned to the umbrella return box 60.

The umbrella return box 60 is provided with an umbrella sensor 65 for detecting whether there is an umbrella inside. Umbrella sensor 4
5, the umbrella sensor 65 includes a light emitting diode 65A provided on one surface of the umbrella return box 60 and an optical sensor 65B provided on a surface opposite to that surface. When inserted, the light emitting diode 65A
The fact that the light emitted from the optical sensor 65B is blocked and the output of the optical sensor 65B is reduced is used.

The umbrella returned to the umbrella return box 60 is moved to the umbrella warehouse 67 by the umbrella moving mechanism 80 and stored. The bottom surface of the umbrella return box 60 is formed by a pair of double-opening doors 66A and 66B that open downward, and the umbrella moving mechanism 80 pushes the pair of doors 66A and 66B downward to spread the umbrella. The umbrella returned to the box 60 is dropped and stored in the umbrella warehouse 67, and after the umbrella is dropped, the doors 66A and 66B are closed.

An openable and closable door 68 is provided on the entire surface of the umbrella warehouse 67.
Is provided. The door 68 can be locked by a key mechanism 69. The maintenance staff operates the key mechanism 69 at an appropriate timing to open the door 68, and the umbrella warehouse 6
The umbrella existing in 7 is moved to an empty umbrella storage box 41 in the umbrella storage section 5A.

The umbrella moving mechanism 80 can be realized in various other ways. For example, the umbrella moving mechanism has a plurality of horizontal shelves and is constituted by a belt conveyor mechanism that can move those shelves up or down, and one of the shelves is positioned below the umbrella return port 61, May be returned to the shelf.
After the umbrella is returned, the next conveyor may be moved to the position of the umbrella return port 61 by moving the belt conveyor.

The structure of the umbrella storage unit 5C can also be various structures. For example, the umbrella return port 61 is provided below the change discharge port 56 of the operation unit 5B, and the belt conveyor mechanism is arranged so that one of the shelves is located below the return port, and the umbrella is returned to the shelf. Then, the shelves may be moved into the umbrella warehouse 67. In this case, the control circuit to be mounted is arranged so that a space for accommodating the umbrella is formed inside the operation unit 5B, and the belt conveyor mechanism is arranged so that the space is used as the umbrella storage unit 5C. May be.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a control circuit of the umbrella rental machine 5, in which related sensors and control mechanisms are also shown. The umbrella storage / discharge unit 120 is provided corresponding to each umbrella storage box 41 in the umbrella storage unit 5A, and controls storage of the umbrella in the corresponding umbrella storage box 41 or removal of the umbrella therefrom. Specifically, each umbrella storage / discharge unit 120
Includes an lock control unit 121 that controls the lock mechanism 43, an opening detection unit 122 that detects the opening of the door based on the output of the door opening / closing sensor 44, and an umbrella detection unit 123 that detects the presence of an umbrella based on the output of the umbrella sensor 45. I have.

Umbrella return unit 130 for controlling umbrella return
Is provided for the umbrella storage unit 5C, and controls the return of the umbrella to the umbrella storage unit 5C. More specifically, the umbrella return unit 130 includes a lock control unit 131 that controls the lock mechanism 63, an open detection unit 132 that detects the opening of the door based on the output of the door open / close sensor 64, and an umbrella sensor, like the umbrella storage / discharge unit 120. An umbrella detecting unit 133 that detects the presence of an umbrella based on the output of the umbrella 65 is provided.

The control unit 100 has a CPU (not shown) and memories (RAM, ROM), and the ROM stores the name of the station where the umbrella rental machine 5 is installed, route data, and the like. The following circuits are connected to the control unit 100. These circuits operate under the control of the control unit 100.

The commuter pass detecting section 110 detects insertion of a commuter pass into the commuter pass insertion port 50 provided in the operation section 5B.
The inserted amount detection unit 111 detects a coin or a bill inserted into the coin insertion slot 54 or the bill insertion slot 55, and after determining the authenticity, detects the type and the number or the number of the coins or the bills. The change discharge unit 112 discharges change to be returned to the change discharge port 56. Button input unit 113 detects an operation of umbrella borrow button 51 and umbrella return button 52.

The clock circuit section 114 generates clock data indicating the date and time. The storage unit 115 stores each umbrella storage box 41
It stores data for managing the lending status of umbrellas in the umbrella, and further stores data received from the commuter pass 8. Display drive unit 11
Reference numeral 6 drives the display unit 53 provided on the operation unit 5B to display various messages. Umbrella movement control unit 117
Controls the umbrella moving mechanism 80 in the umbrella storage unit 5C. The transmission / reception unit 118 transmits data between the commuter pass 8 and the antenna 11
9 is a circuit for transmission / reception via the communication line 9. The umbrella rental machine 5 also exchanges data with the commuter pass 8 in a contactless manner.

FIG. 9 shows a storage area provided in the storage unit 115. A display register area 151 includes an area for storing flags F0 to F3 and a display mode M.
Is stored. The operation of the umbrella rental machine 5 is determined according to the values of the flags F0 to F3 and the display mode M. The flag F0 is a flag indicating the presence or absence of a commuter pass.
It is set to "1" when it is detected that it has been inserted into "0".

The flag F1 is a flag indicating whether or not a fee has been inserted, and is set to “1” when the inserted amount detecting unit 111 detects that a coin or a bill has been inserted into the coin insertion slot 54 or the bill insertion slot 55. Set. The flag F2 is a flag indicating whether or not the umbrella borrowing button 51 is operated, and is set to “1” when the button input unit 113 detects that the umbrella borrowing button 51 has been operated by the user. The flag F3 is a flag indicating whether or not the umbrella return button 52 has been operated, and is set to “1” when the button input unit 113 detects that the umbrella return button 52 has been operated by the user. The display mode M is switched to a value “0”, “1”, or “2” in response to an operation by the user, as described later, and the display unit 53 is switched according to the value of the display mode M.
Is changed.

Reference numeral 152 denotes a temporary storage area for temporarily storing commuter pass data / service use data received from the commuter pass 8, and 153 denotes a work area. 160
Includes management data storage areas 161, 162, 163, 164, 165,... Corresponding to different umbrella storage boxes 41. Each management data storage area 161 or the like has a value “1” or “0” according to whether an umbrella is present in the umbrella storage box 41 or not.
Are stored, an umbrella presence / absence data storage area 160A, a lending date storage area 160B, and a card number storage area 160C for storing the borrower's card number. For example, the management data storage area 165 indicates that an umbrella is being lent to the user of the commuter pass with the card number “10325007” on “March 10, 2000”.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts of control of the umbrella rental machine 5 by the control unit 100. A description of a usage method to the effect that the user should operate the button after inserting a commuter pass is described at an appropriate position on the front panel of the operation unit 5B of the umbrella rental machine 5. In this state, all the flags F0 to F3 of the display register 151 are "0", and the display mode M is also "0". The control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a button input from the umbrella borrow button 51 or the umbrella return button 52 based on the output of the button input unit 113 during standby (step S301). Wait for.

When there is an input from any of the buttons, the flag F0 is set to 1. Commuter pass detector 1
It is determined from the output of 10 whether or not a commuter pass has been inserted (step S302). If there is no commuter pass, the display mode M is changed to “1” and the display process I is executed. For example, a message "Please insert a commuter pass before pressing a button" is displayed on the display unit 53 for a predetermined time (step S318), and then the process returns to the button input waiting step S301.

If it is determined in step S302 that a commuter pass has been inserted, the flag F1 is further set to "1". In this state, the transmitting / receiving section 118 and the antenna 1
19, non-contact reception of commuter pass data and service use data from commuter pass 8 and storing them in temporary storage area 152 (FIG. 9) in storage section 115 (step S303). Based on the output of button input unit 113, it is determined whether or not the button input is an input from umbrella borrow button 51 (step S304).

If the input is from the borrow button 51, the flag F2 is further set to "1". In this state, it is determined whether or not the current day is within the usage period based on the usage period data in the received commuter pass data (step S305). If the day is within the usage period,
Use section data and control unit 1 in received commuter pass data
It is determined based on the route data stored in the memory in 00 and the name of the station where the umbrella rental machine 5 is installed whether or not the station is in a use section (step S30).
6).

When it is determined in step S304 that the day is not within the use period, or when it is determined in step S306 that the station is not within the use section,
The display mode M is changed to "2", and the display process II is executed to display a warning to the user (step S31).
9). For example, a message is displayed indicating that the term of use of the commuter pass has expired or the station is different from the section where the commuter pass is used, and the service is refused (step S319). Thereafter, the flag F2 is reset to “0”, and the process returns to the button input waiting step S301.

If it is determined in step S306 that the station is in the use section, there is an unreturned item or money based on the service use status flag 29 (FIG. 4) in the received service use data. It is determined whether or not (step S307). This determination is made based on whether or not the service use status flag 29 (FIG. 4) of the value “1” is included in the service use data read into the storage unit 115.

If there is service use data indicating that there is an unreturned item or money, the display mode M is changed to "3" and the display process III is executed to execute the service use included in the service. Based on the date 27 and the station and service type indicated by the use station / service type data 28, for example, "XX, which was lent at station △△ on MM / DD, has not been returned yet. I can't lend it. "
Is displayed and the lending of the umbrella is refused (step S32)
0).

If it is determined in step S307 that there is no unreturned item or money, the display mode M is changed to "4" and the display process IV is executed, and "for example,""Please" (step S308). It is determined from the output of the inserted amount detection unit 111 whether or not the amount corresponding to the fee has been inserted (step S309). If so, all umbrella storage boxes 41 whose umbrella presence / absence data recorded in the corresponding umbrella presence / absence data storage area 160A in the management data storage area 160 (FIG. 9) are “1” indicating “with umbrella” are stored. To detect.

When a plurality of umbrella storage boxes 41 are detected, the lock mechanism 4 for all of the umbrella storage boxes 41 is detected.
3 is temporarily released using the corresponding lock control unit 131 (step S310). Of course, the umbrella storage box 41 containing no umbrella may be unlocked at the same time.

The user searches for the umbrella storage box 41 containing the umbrella through the transparent door 42, opens the door 42, and takes out the umbrella from the inside. It is monitored whether the door 42 of any of the umbrella storage boxes 41 is opened (step S311), and waits until it is opened.
If it is detected that any one of the doors 42 is opened, all the other doors 42 are locked (step S312). Thereafter, the umbrella sensor 45 and the umbrella detector 123 for the umbrella storage box 41 with the door 42 opened are used to monitor whether or not the umbrella is taken out and wait until the umbrella is taken out (step S).
313).

When it is detected that the umbrella is taken out,
The management data is updated (step S314). That is, in the management data storage area 160 of the storage unit 115,
The value “0” is stored in the umbrella presence / absence data storage area 160A of any area for the umbrella storage box 41 with the door 42 opened,
The lending date indicated by the clock circuit unit 114 is stored in the lending date storage area 160B. Further, the card number storage area 1
The card number (FIG. 4) included in the commuter pass data received from the commuter pass 8 of the user is stored in 60C.

Thereafter, a service command data is transmitted to the commuter pass 8 via the transmission / reception unit 118 and the antenna 119, and is written in the service use data storage area 26 (FIG. 4) (step S315). By controlling 110, the commuter pass 8 inserted by the user is discharged from the commuter pass insertion slot 50 (step S316). The display mode M is changed to “5”, the display process V is executed,
For example, a message saying "Please return the product within 3 days" is displayed as a message of the return period (step S31).
7). The umbrella lending process is thus completed, and the process enters a button input waiting state in step S301.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 304 that the button input is not an input from umbrella borrow button 51, the button input is an input from umbrella return button 52. At this time, the flag F3 is set to "1", and as shown in FIG. 11, first, it is determined whether or not there is service usage data indicating that the user is borrowing an umbrella (step S321). This determination is made that the commuter pass data / service use data received from commuter pass 8 matches one of the management data stored in management data storage area 160 (FIG. 9) in storage unit 115 of umbrella rental machine 5. It is performed based on whether or not.

That is, the storage unit 115 of the umbrella rental machine 5
The card number received from the commuter pass 8 matches any one of the card numbers 160C stored in any of the management data storage areas in the area 160 (FIG. 9), and the used station received from the commuter pass 8 The service type data 28 (FIG. 4) indicates that the umbrella is borrowed from the station where the umbrella rental machine 5 is installed, and the value of the service use status flag 29 corresponding to the data is a value “1” indicating that the umbrella is being borrowed. When the lending date stored in the area 160B of the same management data storage area matches the umbrella borrowing date indicated by the service usage data stored in the commuter pass 8, the user Is being borrowed.

When there is no data indicating that the user is borrowing an umbrella, there is a possibility that the data received from the commuter pass 8 or the management data stored in the umbrella rental machine 5 has an abnormality. Therefore, the display mode M is changed to “6”,
The display processing VI is executed to display, for example, "Please contact the station staff with an umbrella" and refuse to return the umbrella.

If there is data indicating that the user is borrowing an umbrella, the lock mechanism 63 for the return door 62 of the umbrella storage unit 5C is controlled using the lock control unit 131 to release the lock (step S322). Then, the display mode M is changed to "7", and the display process VII is executed to display, for example, "Please insert an umbrella" (step S323).

Thereafter, it is monitored whether or not the umbrella is returned (step S324), and the process waits until the umbrella is returned. This monitoring is performed by monitoring the output of the umbrella sensor 65 provided in the umbrella return box 60 by the opening detection unit 132. When it is detected that an umbrella is in the umbrella return box 60, the return door 62
Is locked (step S325). Thereafter, the umbrella movement mechanism 80 is controlled by the umbrella movement control unit 117, and the door 66 is controlled.
A, 66B are opened, and the returned umbrella is moved from the umbrella return box 60 to the umbrella warehouse 67 (step S326).

Thereafter, the management data indicating that the rental is in progress, stored in the storage unit 115 of the umbrella rental machine 5, is deleted (step S327). That is, in the determination of step S321, a management data storage area storing the same card number as the card number read from the commuter pass 8 in the card number storage area 160C is searched for and stored in the area 160B in the management data storage area. Delete the rental date, and
Delete the card number stored in 0C.

Further, a command for writing the value “0” to the service use status flag 29 (FIG. 4) in the commuter pass 8 is transmitted to update the flag (step S328), and the commuter pass 8 is discharged (step S329). Further, the display mode M is changed to "8", and the display process VIII is executed to display, for example, "Thank you" (step S33).
0). In this manner, the umbrella return process is completed, and the process returns to FIG.
The process returns to step S301 for waiting for a button input of 0.

As described above, the umbrella rental machine 5 can rent and return an umbrella unattended by using a commuter pass.
In the above description, the umbrella is returned to the umbrella storage unit 5C. However, in some cases, among the umbrella storage boxes 41 in the umbrella storage unit 5B, an umbrella storage box 41 in which no umbrella is stored is detected and the user is instructed. There is a method to open the door and return the umbrella directly to the box. In this case, the umbrella storage unit 5C can be eliminated depending on circumstances.

In FIG. 1, a vending machine 6 is provided with a function of selling a product selected by a user by lending the price when a commuter pass is used for a normal vending machine. The way of using the commuter pass is similar to that of the umbrella rental machine 5. In the case of the umbrella rental machine 5, the umbrella is required to be lent, but the insertion of money (coins or bills) is required, but the vending machine 6 does not require the insertion of money when the user presses the borrow button. Then, the item is released, and the amount of the item is stored inside the vending machine 6 and added to the service usage data stored in the service usage data storage area 26 inside the commuter pass 8 and stored.

Further, it is desirable that the vending machine 6 further has a function of inserting bills or coins in an amount corresponding to the money borrowed by the user from the vending machine, and adjusting the debt. Alternatively, the debt for the vending machine 6 may be settled by paying the station staff on a regular purchase date. The above is the same for the ticket vending machine 7.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that if the commuter pass is used within the validity period of the commuter pass, the goods or the price can be borrowed. When the time period is below a certain number of days,
The commuter pass may not be used to rent or borrow the item.

The returned umbrella is moved by the maintenance staff from the umbrella storage unit 5C to the umbrella storage box 41 in the umbrella storage unit 5A. This movement is automatically performed using a belt conveyor mechanism or the like. It may be performed.

Further, in order to ensure the identity verification,
When the commuter pass is issued, the user is required to specify personal identification information such as a password, and the password is stored in the commuter pass 8 or, in the case of centralized management, in the central computer for centralized management. When the user receives the service according to the present invention from any device using a commuter pass, it is desirable that the user inputs the registered recitation number or the like as information for identifying the user.

The rental fee of the rental machine is such that if the rental target is a relatively low-priced item such as an umbrella,
May be free. For example, when borrowing an umbrella, a fee may be collected as in the embodiment, and the fee may be returned when the person returns the umbrella.

The equipment for providing the service according to the present invention, such as the rental machine 5 described above, may be arranged not only in the station yard but also in the vicinity of the station. Alternatively, it may be provided in a downtown area where many people gather.

Further, in the above embodiment, the umbrella is rented by the rental machine, but it goes without saying that the rental target may be other items. For example, an image recording medium such as a recorded video tape or a digital video disc (DVD), a recorded compact disc (CD)
Or a music recording medium, or a magazine or book. Further, an audio device such as a radio or another device may be used.
In addition to the rental machine, vending machines and food ticket vending machines can be used with commuter passes as described above, but besides this, for example, coin lockers for storing commuter pass parcels can be opened and closed with commuter passes You may make it available.

The present invention is also applicable to commuter passes other than railways. For example, it can be applied to a commuter pass for a bus, a ship, or an airplane. In that case, the rental machine 5 or the like that provides the service according to the present invention can be arranged at a bus stop, a pier, an airport, or other places. In addition, specific locations,
It is possible to enter and exit the area a specified number of times or for a specified period,
A so-called pass ticket is also included in the commuter pass of the present invention. For example, in the case of an expressway, facilities in the expressway can be used with the commuter pass according to the present invention, and the same applies to an amusement park and the like.

Further, the commuter pass may be provided with a prepaid function for purchasing a ticket or an article up to a certain amount, and the function may be used for payment or settlement when using the service of the present invention. Further, the commuter pass may be made to be able to store electronic money, and the electronic money stored there may be used for purchase or payment and settlement in the same manner as the above-mentioned prepaid function.

Furthermore, rental machines and vending machines at each station may be connected via a network to centrally manage the rental or return of rental items, or the lending or settlement of money.

In the above embodiment, the rental machine 5
It had the function of unmanned delivery of goods to the borrower and the function of receiving returned umbrellas.However, the equipment used to check the validity of commuter passes, that is, the use period and use section, and display the results The delivery may be performed by station staff. For example, such a device is placed near the workplace of the station staff, the user inserts a commuter pass here to determine the validity of the commuter pass, and after the station employee confirms the determination result on the spot The rental or return of the umbrella may be realized by a method in which the station staff hands or receives the umbrella. Alternatively, the determination result of the validity of the commuter pass may be printed by the device, and the printed determination result may be handed to the station staff. In this case, the device for confirming the validity may be provided farther from the work place of the station staff.

[0097]

According to the present invention, a user of a commuter pass can receive services provided by various devices and devices in or near a station premises as long as the user owns the commuter pass.
In addition, since this service is a service at or near a station that passes regularly, rental items can be returned during normal commuting or during school, so there is no need to go to a rental store for return, Therefore, forgetting to return can be prevented.

[0098] Further, a business operator operating a transportation system can enhance services for customers using a commuter pass by performing a service using a commuter pass according to the present invention. The number of workers can be increased, and the rented item can be reliably returned, so that it is not necessary to recover the item and the loss can be prevented.

Further, since the various devices according to the present invention function as a commuter pass as a common medium, the various devices are linked to each other, for example, to notify the umbrella borrowed from the rental machine of forgetting to return the umbrella by an automatic ticket gate. Can be operated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a commuter pass using system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing schematic blocks of an automatic ticket gate and a commuter ticket issued by a commuter ticket issuing machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing some storage areas of a memory in a commuter pass issuing machine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of data storage areas included in a storage circuit unit in a commuter pass.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a process of an automatic ticket gate.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of processing of a commuter pass.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a conceptual appearance of the umbrella rental machine.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a control circuit of the umbrella rental machine.

9 is a diagram illustrating some storage areas provided in a storage unit of a control circuit of the umbrella rental machine in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a part of control of the umbrella rental machine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another part of the control of the umbrella rental machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 Umbrella rental machine 5A Umbrella storage unit 5B Operation unit
5C: Umbrella storage unit 25: Commuter pass data storage area 26: Service usage data storage area 27: Service usage date data storage area 28: Usage station / service type data storage area 29: Service usage status flag storage area 40: Opening
41 ... umbrella storage box 42 ... door 43 ... lock mechanism 44
… Door open / close sensor 45… umbrella sensor 45A… light emitting diode 45
B: Optical sensor 46: Umbrella 50: Commuter ticket slot 51
... umbrella borrow button 52 ... umbrella return button 53 ... display unit 54
… Coin insertion slot 55… bill insertion slot 56… change outlet 60
... Umbrella return box 61 ... Umbrella return port 62 ... Return door 63
… Lock mechanism 64… Door opening / closing sensor 65… Umbrella sensor 65
A: Light-emitting diode 65B: Optical sensor 66A, 66B: Door 67
… Umbrella warehouse 68… door 69… key mechanism 80
... umbrella moving mechanism 160 ... management data storage area 160A ... umbrella presence / absence data storage area 160B ... lending date storage area 160C ... card number storage area 161 to 165 management data storage area.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G07F 17/00 G07F 17/00 A

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A reading means for reading the use period data from a commuter pass in which the use period data and the use section data are recorded, and a determination for judging whether or not the use period data read by the reading means includes the current day. Means, and control means for performing a predetermined function operation different from the operation of the automatic ticket gate when it is determined by the determination means to include the current day. apparatus. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes: a storage unit configured to store a plurality of items; and a unit configured to discharge at least one of the plurality of items to the outside of the apparatus. An apparatus that uses the commuter pass according to 1. 3. The control means comprises: storage means for storing a large number of items; and means for detecting the insertion of a predetermined amount of money and enabling at least one of the multiple items to be discharged. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the commuter pass is used. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for determining that a place where the device is arranged is included in a use section indicated by the use section data. . 5. A commuter pass that stores use period data and use section data, and that reads a commuter pass that can use an automatic ticket gate during the use period and use section, and reads the use period data stored in the commuter pass. Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the use period data read by the reading means includes the day; predetermined functional operation different from the operation of the automatic ticket gate when the discriminating means determines that the date includes the day; A device using a commuter pass provided with control means for performing 6. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit configured to store a plurality of items; and a unit configured to discharge at least one of the plurality of items to the outside of the apparatus. The commuter pass usage system described in 5. 7. The control means includes: storage means for storing a large number of items; and means for detecting the insertion of a predetermined amount of money and enabling at least one of the multiple items to be discharged. The commuter pass usage system according to claim 5, wherein 8. The commuter pass use system according to claim 5, further comprising: means for determining that a place where the device is arranged is included in a use section indicated by the use section data. 9. A first storage means for storing use period data and use section data read by the automatic ticket gate when passing through the automatic ticket gate, and using an external device different from the automatic ticket gate. And a second storage means for storing usage data written from the external storage device. 10. The commuter pass according to claim 9, wherein the commuter pass is a non-contact commuter pass having means for transmitting the use period data and the use section data to the automatic ticket gate wirelessly. Commuter pass. 11. The commuter pass according to claim 9, wherein the use status data is data indicating whether or not the article is being rented. 12. An automatic ticket gate capable of using a commuter pass storing commuter pass data including use period data and use section data related to transportation, and data not related to the commuter pass data. Reading means for reading the commuter pass data stored in the commuter pass and the data unrelated to the commuter pass data, and possessing the commuter pass based on the use period data and the use section data in the read data An automatic ticket gate comprising: control means for controlling the passage of a person; and display means for displaying information related to the data not related to the commuter pass data. 13. The non-contact type commuter pass having means for wirelessly transmitting the use period data and the use section data to the automatic ticket gate, wherein the commuter pass is provided. Commuter pass. 14. The commuter pass according to claim 12, wherein the use status data is data indicating whether or not the article is being rented.