JP2003099814A - Apparatus and system for issuing tickets - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ticket issuing apparatus enabling voice guidance to effectively work. SOLUTION: The apparatus comprises a ticket issue means (5) for issuing a ticket requested in response to a ticket issue request, a management means (6) for managing data of a plurality of voice guidance messages, each having a set sound level, and a voice output means (1, 2, and 11) for outputting a predetermined voice guidance message at the set sound level based on the data managed by the management means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ticket issuing device installed in a transportation station or the like. In particular, it relates to improvement of voice guidance installed in the ticket issuing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, automatic ticket gates and ticket issuing devices (hereinafter referred to as ticket vending machines) have been installed at railway stations such as railway stations.

The automatic ticket gate device reads the magnetic data recorded on the magnetic ticket and determines whether the ticket gate is admitted or entered. If the automatic ticket gate determines that the ticket is not available due to insufficient fare or expiration based on the result of reading the magnetic data, it controls the opening and closing of the door to prevent passengers from entering the station or leaving the station. .

The ticket vending machine has a customer service side, and in response to a ticket issuance request from a user accepted on this customer service side,
Issue the required magnetic ticket, such as an admission ticket, boarding ticket, or commuter pass. In addition, the ticket vending machine is equipped with a voice guidance function so that various information is voice-guided to the user. The voice guidance includes, for example, reminder of insufficient deposit, guidance of forgetting to issue issued ticket, initial operation guidance when a user approaches, operation procedure guidance, abnormality occurrence guidance, and correction guidance in case of operation mistake.

[0005]

However, the voice guidance in the ticket vending machine has the following problems.

(1) The volume is uniform, although the urgency and the warning level differ depending on the contents (words) of the voice guidance. For this reason, the user may listen to the sound or feel it to be noisy.

(2) When the station yard is relatively quiet, the voice guidance may be noisy, and when the station yard is relatively noisy, the voice guidance may not be heard.

(3) Even if the user is accustomed to the operation, the operation procedure is guided, so that the user may feel annoyed.

(4) When a plurality of ticket vending machines are installed adjacent to each other, the voice guidance from the ticket vending machines may not be useful due to the overlap of the voice guidance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a ticket issuing device and a ticket issuing system, which have been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and can make voice guidance effectively function.

[0011]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the ticket issuing device and the ticket issuing system of the present invention are configured as follows.

(1) The ticket issuing device of the present invention manages ticket issuing means for issuing a requested ticket in response to a ticket issuing request, and a plurality of data of voice guidance texts each having a volume level set. And a voice output unit for voice-outputting a predetermined voice guidance wording at a set volume level based on the data managed by the management unit.

(2) The present invention is a ticket issuing system comprising a plurality of ticket issuing devices each having a voice output means, the ticket issuing means issuing a requested ticket in response to a ticket issuing request, A first management means for managing the data of the voice guidance wording, a second management means for managing the voice guidance priority order for each ticket issuing device, and a predetermined voice guidance from a plurality of ticket issuing devices are required at the same time. At this time, a voice output control means for causing the voice output means of each ticket issuing device to simultaneously output a predetermined voice guidance wording at different volume levels based on the voice guidance priority order managed by the second management means. There is.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the outer appearance of a ticket issuing device (hereinafter referred to as a ticket vending machine) according to an example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ticket vending machine 100 includes a speaker 23, a sound collecting microphone 32, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ticket vending machine according to an example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the ticket vending machine 100 includes a main controller 1, a voice output unit 2, a volume detecting unit 3, a customer service unit 4, a ticket issuing unit 5,
The management unit 6 and the peripheral unit 7 are provided.

The main controller 1 controls various operations of the ticket vending machine. The main control unit 1 includes a memory 11, and a voice control program is stored in the memory 11. The audio output unit 2 includes a volume control circuit 21, an amplifier 22, an audio speaker 23, and the like. The volume adjusting circuit 21 adjusts the output of the amplifier 22 stepwise by the control based on the voice control program. The sound collection detection unit 3 includes a volume detection circuit 31 and a sound collection microphone 3.
Equipped with 2. The sound volume detection circuit 31 detects the noise level by slicing the output signal of the noise collected by the sound collection microphone 32 at multiple levels of slice levels.

The customer service unit 4 has a customer service operating surface 41, and the customer service operating surface 41 is provided with a touch panel including a screen 42 and a switch section 43. The ticket issuing unit 5 issues the requested ticket in response to the ticket issuing request from the customer service unit 4. The management unit 6 manages various information.

First, the first audio output control will be described. According to the first voice output control, the volume level is controlled for each word (content) to be voice-guided. The management unit 7 stores, for example, sound volume data classified by words shown in FIG. The volume data for each text indicates a plurality of texts that are voice-guided according to the situation and the volume level for each text. For example, in the volume data for each text, the text "Insufficient amount of money" is output when the amount of money is insufficient.
Is associated with the volume level "1" for this wording. Further, the phrase "please take your ticket" output when you forget to take out the issued ticket is associated with the volume level "5" for this phrase. In addition, the text "Welcome to you" that is output when a customer approaches
And the volume level “3” are associated with each other. Also,
The phrase "ticket is jammed" that is output when an abnormality occurs (when the ticket is jammed) is associated with the volume level "4". Further, the wording "Please try again" that calls for the correction of the operation error is associated with the volume level "1".

The main control unit 1 reads out a necessary wording from the sound volume data for each word stored in the management unit 7, and outputs the read wording at a volume level set for the read wording. Control to output. In response to the control of the main control unit 1, the volume control circuit 2
1 controls the volume, and the amplifier 22 and the audio speaker 23
The target guidance is output as voice at a controlled volume.

According to the first voice output control described above, the volume level is controlled by the contents (words) of the voice guidance, so that the user can be sure to hear the important voice guidance having a high degree of urgency and a high warning level. You can Further, the voice guidance of relatively low importance can be heard by the user to the extent that it does not disturb the ears.

Next, the second audio output control will be described. According to the second voice output control, the volume level of the text to be voice-guided is controlled according to the ambient noise level. Noise is collected by the sound collection microphone 32, and the volume level of the noise is detected by the volume detection circuit 31.
The management unit 7 stores a plurality of word data that are voice-guided according to the situation. Further, the management unit 7 stores, for example, data on ambient noise versus volume shown in FIG. The data regarding the ambient noise level is as follows: volume level "1" for noise level "1", volume level "2" for noise level "2", volume level "3" for noise level "3", It includes data indicating the volume level "4" for the noise level "4" and the volume level "5" for the noise level "5". Noise level "1"
Is 1/5 of the maximum noise level, noise level "2" is 2/5 of the maximum noise level, noise level "3" is 3/5 of the maximum noise level, and noise level "4" is 4 of the maximum noise level. / 5
And the noise level “5” indicate the maximum noise level.
The volume level "1" represents the minimum volume, the volume level "2" represents the volume slightly low, the volume level "3" represents the intermediate volume, the volume level "4" represents the volume slightly high, and the volume level "5" represents the maximum volume. To do.

The main controller 1 determines the volume level based on the volume level of the noise detected by the volume detection circuit 31 and the ambient noise-to-volume data stored in the management unit 7. Further, the main control unit 1 reads out a necessary wording from the wording data stored in the management unit 7, and controls to output the read wording by voice at the determined volume level. In response to the control of the main control unit 1, the volume control circuit 21 controls the volume, and the amplifier 22
Also, the target guidance is output as audio from the audio speaker 23 at a controlled volume. It is not necessary to measure the absolute sound pressure level to determine the noise level. Data about ambient noise versus volume may be created so that the volume level that is considered appropriate can be selected for the state where the noise is considered to be the loudest and the state where the noise is considered to be the lowest.

According to the second audio output control described above, the volume level is controlled according to the noise level. That is, when the surroundings are relatively quiet, voice guidance with a relatively low volume is performed, and when the surroundings are relatively noisy, voice guidance with a relatively high volume is performed. This allows
Effective voice guidance can be realized.

The first audio output control and the second audio output control described above may be combined. That is,
The volume level may be controlled according to the text (contents) to be voice-guided and the surrounding noise level. For example,
Based on the noise level "3", this noise level "3"
In the case of, the volume level of each language defined by the volume data of each language is adopted as it is. When the noise level rises above the noise level “3”, the volume level for each wording defined by the volume data for each word rises as the noise level rises.
On the contrary, when the noise level becomes lower than the noise level “3”, the volume level of each wording defined by the wording volume data is also lowered according to the decrease of the noise level. With this,
Effective voice guidance can be realized.

Next, the third audio output control will be described. According to the third voice output control, unnecessary voice guidance can be stopped. The voiceless switch is displayed on the touch panel including the screen 42 and the switch unit 4. When voice-free is requested via the voice-free switch, the main control unit 1 stops all voice guidance.

Now, the operation of the third audio output control will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. If the original ticketing operation is performed without pressing the voice unnecessary switch (ST10, NO) (ST12, YES), ticketing processing is performed with voice guidance (ST14) (ST16, YE).
S). The voice-free switch is pressed (ST10, YE
S), when the original ticketing operation is performed (ST18, YE
S), ticketing processing is performed without voice guidance (ST20)
(ST22, YES). Then, the voice guidance is restored (ST24).

According to the third voice output control described above, the user who is accustomed to the operation can stop the guidance such as the operation procedure and purchase the ticket. In addition, after the ticket is issued, it will be returned to the state with voice guidance, so even if voice guidance for subsequent customers is not stopped, voice guidance can be received as it is if a subsequent customer desires voice guidance. it can.

Next, the fourth audio output control will be described. So far, the audio output control by a single ticket vending machine has been described. The fourth voice output control is applied to a ticket issuing system in which a plurality of ticket vending machines are installed, and effectively operates the voice guidance output from the plurality of ticket vending machines.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing the outline of the ticket issuing system. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ticket issuing system includes a plurality of ticket vending machines 100. The plurality of ticket vending machines 100 are network-connected to the server PC 200 and are managed by the PC 200.
The structure of each ticket vending machine 100 is as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The server PC 200 stores, for example, the mutual state recognition table shown in FIG. The mutual state recognition table may be stored in the management unit 6 of each ticket vending machine 100, or may be stored only in the management unit 6 of one representative ticket vending machine 100. The stored mutual state recognition table is always placed in a state accessible from each ticket vending machine 100.

The mutual state recognition table is used for each ticket vending machine 100.
The voice guidance operation state and the voice guidance priority order are written. The voice guidance operation state is information that is updated in real time, and the voice guidance priority is information that is set in advance. In the mutual state recognition table shown in FIG.
The voice guidance operation states and voice guidance priorities of the five ticket vending machines from No. 5 to No. 5 are written. As shown in FIG. 8, the voice guidance operation state of the first ticket vending machine is silent (no voice guidance operation), and priority 1 is assigned as the voice guidance priority order for the first ticket vending machine. The voice guidance operation state of the ticket vending machine of No. 2 machine is voice guidance, and priority 2 is assigned as the voice guidance priority order for the ticket vending machine of No. 2 machine. Voice guidance operation status at the ticket vending machine of Unit 3 is voice guidance,
Priority 3 is assigned as the voice guidance priority for the ticket vending machine of the third car. The voice guidance operation status in the ticket vending machine of Unit 4 is silent (no voice guidance operation),
Priority 4 is assigned as the voice guidance priority for the ticket vending machine of the fourth car. The voice guidance operation state of the ticket vending machine of No. 5 is voice guidance, and priority 5 is assigned as the voice guidance priority order for the ticket vending machine of No. 5 machine.

The main controller 1 of each ticket vending machine refers to the voice control program stored in the memory 11 and the mutual state recognition table described above to control the voice guidance operation.
This is the fourth audio output control described here. For example, based on the mutual state recognition table, when it is found that the voice guidance operations of the second and third units installed adjacent to each other are both in the voice guidance, according to the priority order assigned to the second and third units. The volume level or audio output timing is controlled. In this case, it is assumed that the priority 2 of the second car is higher than the priority 3 of the third car. As a result, the volume levels of the ticket vending machines are controlled so that the volume level of the voice guidance in the third car becomes lower than the volume level of the voice guidance in the second car. Alternatively, the voice output timings of both ticket vending machines are controlled so that the voice output timing of the second car and the voice output timing of the third car do not overlap. You may control so that they do not overlap at all,
You may make it shift only the timing of voice guidance start.

According to the fourth voice output control described above, when a plurality of ticket vending machines are installed adjacent to each other, it is possible to solve the problem of the voice guidance due to the duplication of the voice guidance from each ticket vending machine. . That is, the voice guidance from each ticket vending machine can be effectively operated.

Not only the mutual state recognition table,
It is also possible to collectively manage the volume data for each text and the data relating to the ambient noise level by the server PC 200 so that they can be accessed from each ticket vending machine. As a result, it is possible to easily realize fine volume control that corresponds to environmental changes.

The functions and effects of the present invention will be summarized below.

(1) Some guide texts (generated guide events) are not urgent for users.
For example, "forgot to pick up" may cause the customer to leave, so it is necessary to provide guidance to call at a relatively high volume. Also, "insufficient funds" may be thought by the customer for a moment, or it may take time to remove cash from the wallet, so it seems that a relatively low volume is better. As described above, by controlling the volume according to the wording of the voice guidance, it is possible to prevent the voice from becoming too loud and uncomfortable during use. Also,
It can reduce unnecessary noise.

(2) By controlling the volume of the voice guidance in accordance with the noise level of the surroundings, it is possible to prevent a loud volume when it is quiet or a low volume when it is noisy. Especially at stations, there is a large difference in noise when traffic is intense, and when traffic is light and there is little traffic.

(3) If voices are simultaneously emitted from a plurality of adjacent ticket vending machines, the sounds will be confused with each other and it will be difficult to hear them, and the listener will feel uncomfortable.

(4) For example, in the case of purchasing a commuter pass by a ticket vending machine, even if the operation procedure is complicated and the number of input screens is large, a familiar customer may find that each voice guidance is noisy. is there. In such a situation, by pressing the voice unnecessary switch, the operation can be performed only by the screen display guidance.

(5) A system that allows data to be used as a selection criterion of volume to be tabulated and can be remotely distributed through an online network. As a result, it becomes possible to make fine adjustments to the optimum volume in response to changes in the environment.

The invention of the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified at the stage of implementation without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the respective embodiments may be combined as appropriate as much as possible, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Further, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the section of the effect of the invention If you get
A configuration in which this component is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0042]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a ticket issuing device and a ticket issuing system capable of effectively functioning voice guidance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a ticket issuing device (ticket vending machine) according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ticket vending machine according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of volume data for each word.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data about ambient noise versus volume.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of voice guidance stop processing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ticket issuing system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a ticket issuing system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a mutual state recognition table.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Main control unit, 2 ... Sound output unit, 3 ... Volume detection unit, 4 ... Customer service unit, 5 ... Ticket issuing unit, 6 ...
Management unit, 7 ... Peripheral unit, 11 ... Memory, 21
... Volume control circuit, 22 ... Amplifier, 23 ... Voice speaker,
31 ... Volume detection circuit, 32 ... Sound collecting microphone, 41 ...
Customer service side, 42 ... Screen, 43 ... Switch part, 100 ...
Ticket vending machine, 200 ... Server PC

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A ticket issuing means for issuing a requested ticket in response to a ticket issuance request, a managing means for managing data of a plurality of voice guidance texts each having a volume level set, and the managing means. A ticket issuing device comprising: a voice output unit for voice-outputting a predetermined voice guidance wording at a set volume level based on managed data. 2. A ticket issuing means for issuing a requested ticket in response to a ticket issuing request, a managing means for managing data of a plurality of voice guidance words, a detecting means for detecting a noise level, and the detecting means. A ticket issuing device comprising: a sound output unit that determines a sound volume level based on the noise level detected by the sound output unit and outputs a predetermined voice guidance word by sound at the determined sound volume level. 3. A reception means for receiving a voice guidance stop request, and a voice output stop control means for stopping voice output from the voice output means when the voice guidance stop request is received by the reception means. The ticket issuing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. 4. A ticket issuing system comprising a plurality of ticket issuing devices each having a voice output means, the ticket issuing means issuing a requested ticket in response to a ticket issuing request, and voice guidance word data. And a second management means for managing the voice guidance priority order for each ticket issuing device.
When a predetermined voice guidance is required simultaneously from the management means and the plurality of ticket issuing devices, the voice output means of each ticket issuing device outputs the voice guidance based on the voice guidance priority order managed by the second management means. A ticket issuing system, comprising: voice output control means for simultaneously outputting a predetermined voice guidance wording at different volume levels. 5. A ticket issuing system comprising a plurality of ticket issuing devices each having a voice output means, the ticket issuing means issuing a requested ticket in response to a ticket issuing request, and voice guidance word data. And a second management means for managing the voice guidance priority order for each ticket issuing device.
When a predetermined voice guidance is required simultaneously from the management means and the plurality of ticket issuing devices, the voice output means of each ticket issuing device outputs the voice guidance based on the voice guidance priority order managed by the second management means. A ticket issuing system comprising: a voice output control unit that outputs a predetermined voice guidance wording at different timings.