JP2005107589A - Information retrieving device and method and information retrieving program for causing computer to implement this method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To individually retrieve provide information matching the needs of individual users who use a passenger transport service such as railroad. <P>SOLUTION: When a user of this system passes through an automatic ticket gate while presenting an IC card 100 that functions as a commuter pass, an IC card reader/writer 101 in the automatic ticket gate reads user information and zone information in the IC card 100, and sends the information to a server 102 along with the current time (time when the user passed the gate). Based on the data and a train schedule preliminaly retained, the server 102 specifies the trains that the user is likely to take, more specifically, the latest N numbers of trains, and returns to the IC card reader 101 display data consisting of their systems, kinds, departure times, load factors, lines from which to depart, and vehicle number to take. The data are written in the IC card 100 and displayed in a rewrite area on the surface of the card. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information search apparatus, an information search method, and an information search program for causing a computer to execute various methods such as arrival and departure times for users who use passenger transportation services such as railways.

  In passenger transport services such as railways, services that provide detailed information (such as departure and arrival times, departure / arrival lines, stop stations, and operation status) of the first and next trains using an electronic bulletin board installed in the station It was from.

  However, in the above prior art, since the same information is provided to any user, each user has to select information necessary for himself / herself from the provided information. In the case of a large station, it takes time to find the target route from a large number of bulletin boards, and it often happens that the train that was supposed to have been missed is missed. Also, it was not uncommon for an unexpected time to be taken when getting off the vehicle because it happened to get on the rear vehicle even though it was closer to the exit when the front vehicle got off.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems caused by the conventional technology, the present invention can individually retrieve and provide information that meets each user's needs to individual users who use passenger transportation services such as railways. An object of the present invention is to provide an information search apparatus, an information search method, and an information search program for causing a computer to execute the method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the information search device according to the invention of claim 1 is the time when a user who uses a passenger transport service such as a railroad passes a specific place such as a ticket gate and the time A receiving means for receiving a section in which the user uses the service; a specifying means for specifying a flight likely to be used by the user based on a time and a section received by the receiving means; and the specifying means A generating unit that generates display data including information on each flight specified by the transmission unit; and a transmitting unit that transmits the display data generated by the generating unit.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the user passes through the ticket gate or the like, only information relating to the flights that are likely to be used is selectively notified.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information search device according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein in the invention according to the first aspect, the flight departs after a time obtained by adding the predetermined time to the time received by the receiving means by the specifying means. It is specified as a flight that is highly likely to be used by a person.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a user passes through a ticket gate or the like, a flight that is highly likely to be used is specified in consideration of the time required from there to the entrance and exit.

  Further, the information search device according to the invention of claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user takes the flight that departs earliest from among the flights specified by the specifying means. It is characterized by comprising a calculation means for calculating the utilization rate of the flight as being used only for the section.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the utilization rate of each flight can be estimated from information that can be collected exclusively by existing hardware (such as an automatic ticket gate).

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information search device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the creating means determines at least the utilization rate of each flight specified by the specifying means. It is characterized by creating display data including the same.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the user passes through the ticket gate or the like, the usage rate (complexity) of each flight that is likely to be used is notified.

  An information search apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the information retrieval apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the creation means is at least the entrance / exit of each flight identified by the identification means. Of these, display data including information relating to an entrance / exit that is optimal for the user is created.

  According to the invention of claim 5, when the user passes through the ticket gate or the like, there is an optimum entrance / exit of each flight that is likely to be used (a car or a door closest to the ticket gate when getting off). Be notified.

  An information search apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the information retrieval apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the display data transmitted by the transmission means is an IC carried by the user. It is displayed on a card or a mobile phone.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when a user passes through a ticket gate or the like, information on a flight that is likely to be used is notified on the IC card or mobile phone that is carried by the user.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information search method for receiving a time when a user using a passenger transport service such as a railroad passes a specific place such as a ticket gate and a section in which the user uses the service. A display comprising: a receiving step, a specifying step for specifying a flight likely to be used by the user based on the time and interval received in the receiving step, and information relating to each flight specified in the specifying step And a transmission step of transmitting display data created in the creation step.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the user passes through the ticket gate or the like, only information relating to the flights that are likely to be used is selectively notified.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the information retrieval method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the seventh aspect, in the specifying step, a flight that starts after a time obtained by adding a predetermined time to the time received in the receiving step is used. It is specified as a flight that is highly likely to be used by a person.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when a user passes through a ticket gate or the like, a flight that is highly likely to be used is specified in consideration of the required time from there to the entrance / exit.

  The information search method according to the invention of claim 9 is the information search method according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the user leaves the flight that departs earliest among the flights specified in the specifying step. The method includes a calculation step of calculating a use rate of the flight as the one used only for the section.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the utilization rate of each flight can be estimated from information that can be collected exclusively by existing hardware (such as an automatic ticket gate).

  An information search method according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the information retrieval method according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, wherein at least the utilization rate of each flight specified in the specific step is determined in the creation step. It is characterized by creating display data including the same.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the user passes through the ticket gate or the like, the usage rate (complexity) of each flight that is likely to be used is notified.

  An information search method according to an invention of claim 11 is the invention according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein at the creation step, at least the entrance / exit of each flight specified in the specification step Of these, display data including information relating to an entrance / exit that is optimal for the user is created.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when the user passes through the ticket gate or the like, there is an optimum entrance / exit for each flight that is likely to be used (a car or a door closest to the ticket gate when getting off). Be notified.

  An information search method according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the information retrieval method according to any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, wherein the display data transmitted in the transmission step is an IC carried by the user. It is displayed on a card or a mobile phone.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when a user passes through a ticket gate or the like, information on the flight that is likely to be used is notified on the IC card or mobile phone that the user carries.

  Moreover, according to the information search program concerning invention of Claim 13, it is possible to make a computer perform the method described in any one of Claims 7-12.

  According to the information search apparatus, the information search method, and the information search program for causing a computer to execute the method according to the present invention, each user who uses a passenger transport service such as a railroad meets the needs of each user. There is an effect that information can be individually retrieved and provided.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information search apparatus, an information search method, and an information search program according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an information search system including an information search apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes an IC card carried by a user of the system (specifically, a train passenger), and a commuter pass for the user to use a rail service in a specific section during a specific period. Function as. Further, a rewrite area capable of displaying arbitrary characters is provided on the surface of the IC card 100.

  An IC card reader / writer 101 is built in an automatic ticket gate installed at a ticket gate at each station. The IC card reader / writer 101 is connected to a server 102, which will be described later, via a wireless or wired LAN 103, transmits data read from the IC card 100 to the server 102, and transmits data received from the server 102 to the IC card 100. Write to the display memory and output to the rewrite area.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a server, which searches train information described later based on data received from the IC card reader / writer 101 and data registered in advance in the server 102 and creates data for display on the IC card 100. Then, the message is returned to the IC card reader / writer 101. The server 102 corresponds to the information retrieval apparatus according to the present invention.

When the user of this system presents the IC card 100 and passes through the automatic ticket gate, the data in the IC card 100 is read by the IC card reader / writer 101 in the automatic ticket gate. This data includes at least the following three items.
Information for specifying the owner of the IC card 100 (such as a unique user number given to each user. Hereinafter, referred to as “user information”)
・ Information for identifying the boarding section (use line, boarding station, getting-off station, transit station, etc., hereinafter referred to as “section information”)
・ Valid period (start date and end date, or end date only)

Then, the IC card reader / writer 101 checks the section information and the validity period, and the current position (installation location of the IC card reader / writer 101 and the automatic ticket gate incorporating the same) is within the section and the current date and time. Is within the above-mentioned period, the server 102 receives user information, section information, and current time (time when the user passed the automatic ticket gate)
(Hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as “ticket gate passage information”).

The server 102 that has received this information identifies the trains that the user is likely to board, specifically the N most recent trains, based on the data and the operation schedule that is stored in advance. In addition, “train information” of each identified train, specifically, system, type (express / express / ordinary, etc.)
・ Departure / departure time / boarding rate and measurement of the boarding rate / station / departure number line / boarding position (vehicle number, door number, etc.)
To the IC card reader / writer 101.

  Then, the data is written in the display memory in the IC card 100 by the IC card reader / writer 101 and displayed in the rewrite area as shown in FIG. On the screen shown in the figure, the user can check on which train of which train to ride while heading to the platform.

  Next, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information search apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, that is, the server 102 shown in FIG. In the figure, 301 indicates a CPU that controls the entire apparatus, 302 indicates a ROM that stores basic input / output programs, and 303 indicates a RAM that is used as a work area of the CPU 301.

  Reference numeral 304 denotes an HDD (hard disk drive) that controls reading / writing of data with respect to the HD (hard disk) according to the control of the CPU 301, and reference numeral 305 denotes a cursor, menu, window, or display that displays various data such as characters and images. 306 is a keyboard having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like, and 307 is a communication control unit for controlling transmission / reception of various data to / from the LAN 103 to which the present apparatus is connected. , 300 indicates a bus for connecting the above-described units.

  Next, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of the information search system shown in FIG. In the figure, 400x represents a functional unit of the IC card 100, 401x represents a functional unit of the IC card reader / writer 101, and 402x represents a functional unit of the server 102.

  Reference numeral 400a denotes a storage unit that holds data necessary for the IC card 100 to function as a commuter pass, specifically the above-described user information, section information, validity period, and the like, and is displayed by the display unit 400b described later. It is a functional unit that holds the data to be subject to. Specifically, the storage unit 400a is realized by a memory in the IC card 100.

  Reference numeral 400b denotes a display unit, which is a functional unit that displays data written to a predetermined area (display memory) in the storage unit 400a by the IC card reader / writer 101 in a rewrite area on the card surface. Specifically, the display unit 400b is realized by a microprocessor that controls the rewrite area of the IC card 100 and the display of data in the area.

  Next, 401a is a card reader unit, which is a functional unit that reads data held in the storage unit 400a of the IC card 100 and outputs the data to a transmission unit 401b described later. Reference numeral 401 b denotes a transmission unit, which is a functional unit that transmits data input from the card reader unit 401 a to the server 102.

  A receiving unit 401c is a functional unit that receives data transmitted from the server 102 and outputs the data to a card writer unit 401d described later. A card writer unit 401d is a functional unit that writes data input from the receiving unit 401c into the storage unit 400a of the IC card 100.

  Next, a receiving unit 402a is a functional unit that receives data transmitted from the IC card reader / writer 101 and outputs the data to a train specifying unit 402d described later.

  Reference numeral 402b denotes a train information DB (database), which holds various items as shown below for each train. In addition to the following (1) to (4), the train information referred to in the present invention includes a current boarding rate of each train. However, only this boarding rate is not obtained from the train information DB 402b, but to a boarding / exiting TBL 402c described later. It is managed separately.

(1) Information on the operation route (hereinafter referred to as “route information”)
Specifically, system, direction (up / down), type (express / express / ordinary, etc.). Each train is classified into a system according to the combination of the starting station-transit station-end station, and if the system, direction, and type are known, the operation route, that is, from which station on which line, to which station on which line, is stopped. It is possible to specify which station of which line the train goes to.

(2) Information related to operation schedule (hereinafter referred to as “diamond information”)
Specifically, it is an operation day (or conversely a holiday), a departure / arrival time and a departure / arrival number line at each station.

(3) Information about operating vehicles (hereinafter referred to as “vehicle information”)
Specifically, the vehicle ID, the organization (how many vehicles are organized), the total capacity, and the like. In the present invention, “vehicle” means a physical meaning, and “train” means a flight realized by a certain vehicle. For example, if there is a “vehicle” that travels from station A to station J and then travels from station J to station A in a loopback operation, the number of trains is counted as two. And train information DB402b and boarding / exiting TBL402c mentioned later hold | maintain various train information about each "train".

(4) Information on boarding position (hereinafter referred to as “boarding position information”)
This is information indicating which door of which car is most convenient to ride. For example, for each train, for each station that stops, a car and a door that stop at a position closest to the ticket gate of the station are held.
Example) Station A, B Station, C Station ... Riding position information of train 001 that stops at each station of J Station B Station No.3 Car No.1 Door C Station No.4 Car No.3 Door ... (omitted) ...
J Station 1st car 1st door, 5th car 3rd door

In addition, instead of the closest position of the ticket gate, the closest position of the transfer gate to another line, the closest position of the escalator or elevator, etc. may be held, or a plurality of these may be held together. Good. For example,
Eg) Station A / B / C Station ... Ride position information of the train 001 that stops at each station of Station J
Station C No. 4 car, 3rd door (closest to the ticket gate)
Car No. 2 door 2
6th car, 3rd door (△△ / XX line transfer gate nearest location)
Car No.4, 3rd door (closest to the escalator)
Car 1 door 1 (Elevator nearest position)
... (omitted) ...
J Station 1st car 1st door, 5th car 3rd door (closest to the ticket gate)
Car No.5, 3rd door (closest to escalator)
Car 1 door 1 (Elevator nearest position)

  Next, 402c is a boarding / exiting TBL (table), which is created for each currently operating train (the train information DB 402b stores information on all trains scheduled to be operated, while getting on / off) The difference is that the car TBL 402c is created only for the currently operating train). FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the above-mentioned getting on / off TBL 402c of the train 001 among the getting on / off TBL 402c corresponding to the number of trains in operation.

  The illustrated boarding / exiting TBL 402c is a train on the way from the station 001 to the station D after leaving the station C. In the figure, “number of boarding” is the number of passengers who got on train 001 at each station, and “number of getting off” is the number of passengers who got off from train 001 at each station.

  It is most accurate to measure the number of passengers and the number of passengers getting off by attaching a sensor to each door of the train 001. However, the number of passengers is simplified based on the section information held in the IC card 100 here. And the number of getting off. That is, it is assumed that each user of this system uses the rail service only for the section held in the IC card 100, and there is no boarding or getting off during the section. In addition, the user of the present system is assumed to board the first train that departs from the station after passing through the automatic ticket gate (more precisely, the nearest train specified by the train specifying unit 402d described later).

  Then, for example, at the C station, after the first train 000 bound for the J station departs, until the next train 001 bound for the J station also departs, the IC card 100 (regular) Assuming that there are 110 passengers who have passed the automatic ticket gate by presenting the ticket, the number of rides at station C of train 001 is 110 as shown. Passengers who passed the automatic ticket gate by presenting the IC card 100 (commuter pass) to the C station between the departure of the train 000 and the departure of the train 001 at the A or B station in front of the C station If there are a total of 20 people, the number of trains 001 getting off at station C is 20, as shown.

  In addition, the “cumulative number of rides” shown in the figure is the total number of rides at each station where the train 001 has stopped until the present time, and the “cumulative number of get-offs” is the total number of get-offs at each station where the train 001 has stopped at the present time. The “actual number of passengers” is the number of passengers obtained by subtracting the cumulative number of passengers from the cumulative number of passengers, that is, the number of passengers at each station of the train 001.

  Further, the “boarding rate” shown in the figure is a ratio obtained by dividing the above-mentioned actual number of passengers by the total number of trains. Assuming that the actual number of passengers on the train 001 is 415 and the total number of passengers is 1000, the boarding rate is about 0.42, as shown.

  Returning to FIG. 4, 402 d is a train identification unit, and N trains that are likely to be boarded by a user who has passed through the automatic ticket gate, specifically, N trains (this N is a user described later). It is a functional unit that identifies and holds the identified train to a boarding / exiting TBL update unit 402e and a train information editing unit 402g described later.

  As described above, since the IC card reader / writer 101 in the automatic ticket gate transmits the section information and ticket gate passage time held in the IC card 100, the train specifying unit 402d searches the train information DB 402b. N trains that stop at the getting-off station (the user's destination station) designated as the section information and whose departure time is after X minutes from the passage time are specified in order of the departure time. To do.

  This X is a standard and average time required for the user to pass through the automatic ticket gate and reach the train entrance / exit, and is set in advance for each station. Depending on the station, the time required from the ticket gate to each platform may vary (for example, only line 0 is far from other platforms), so X should be set for each platform at each station. Alternatively, only N trains satisfying “train departure time ≧ ticket gate passage time + required time X to the train arrival / departure number line” may be searched.

  402e is a boarding / exiting TBL update unit that creates / deletes the boarding / exiting TBL 402c for each train, and based on the section information transmitted from the IC card reader / writer 101 in the automatic ticket gate, the contents of the boarding / exiting TBL 402c. It is a functional unit that is updated as needed.

  For example, when the exit / exit TBL 402c of the train 001 on the way to the D station from the C station is in the state as shown in FIG. 5, until the next train 001 comes out from the first train 000 at the D station. (Strictly speaking, up to X minutes before the departure time of train 001) If a passenger passes the automatic ticket gate by presenting a commuter pass between D station and J station, the boarding / exiting TBL is updated. The unit 402e updates the boarding / exiting TBL 402c of FIG. 5 as shown in FIG. Comparing FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, it can be seen that the “number of boarding” at D station and the “number of getting off” at J station are counted up one by one.

  At this time, the “cumulative number of passengers”, “cumulative number of people getting off”, “actual number of passengers”, and “boarding rate” at station D may also be updated (recalculated). Items other than “number of getting off” are calculated together when the train 001 leaves the D station. For example, passengers who passed the automatic ticket checker at D station by presenting a commuter pass from D station to any of E to J station between X minutes before train 001 departs from train 000 If there are a total of 50 people, the boarding / exiting TBL 402c immediately after the train 001 leaves the D station is as shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 4, reference numeral 402 f denotes a user DB. For each user, personal information such as a user number and name, detailed information of the IC card 100 held such as section information and a valid period, and the like. Whether or not to use an information search service provided by the system (specifically, a service that displays various types of information as shown in FIG. 2 on the IC card 100, which is a commuter pass when passing through the ticket gate), and various settings when using it Etc.

  The various settings when using this service include the number N of trains to be searched (N = 3 in the example of FIG. 2) and the items displayed on the IC card 100 (for example, the boarding rate in FIG. 2 is not displayed). Possible), display form on IC card 100 (in order of departure time / order of low boarding rate, etc.), desired position as a boarding position (close to ticket gate / close to transfer gate / close to escalator / close to elevator , Etc.). These settings should be reported to each user in advance at the start of use of this service, and can be changed as needed from the Internet homepage.

  A train information editing unit 402g reads train information of each train specified by the train specifying unit 402d from the train information DB 402b and the getting-on / off TBL 402c, and displays it on the rewrite area of the IC card 100 based on these information. This is a functional unit that generates character string data (display data) as shown in FIG. At this time, the train information editing unit 402g creates the data according to the settings held in the user DB 402f.

  A transmission unit 402h is a functional unit that transmits the character string data created by the train information editing unit 402g to the reception unit 401c of the IC card reader / writer 101.

  Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of information search / update processing in the information search apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, that is, the server 102.

  When the user of this system presents the IC card 100 to the automatic ticket checker, the data inside the IC card 100 is read by the card reader unit 401a of the IC card reader / writer 101, and the section, validity period, authenticity of the card body, etc. A check is made. If there is no problem in these, the ticket gate passage information, that is, the user information and section information in the IC card 100, the ticket gate passage time, and the like are transmitted to the server 102 from the transmission unit 401b of the IC card reader / writer 101. It is received by the receiving unit 402a (step 801: Yes).

  Next, these data are output from the receiving unit 402a to the train specifying unit 402d, and the train specifying unit 402d first specifies the user's exit station (step S802). For example, the user's disembarking station that passes through the ticket gate of D station by presenting a commuter pass between D station and J station is J station.

  Next, the train specifying unit 402d specifies N trains that stop at the above station and have the departure time ≧ the ticket gate passing time + the required time X to the entrance / exit (step S803). N is a user number input from the receiving unit 402a, and is obtained by subtracting the user DB 402f. And the latest train (the one whose departure time is earliest) among the above specified in the boarding / exiting TBL update unit 402e and the section information received above are specified in the train information editing unit 402g. N trains and the user information and section information received above are notified.

  The boarding / exiting TBL update unit 402e searches the boarding / exiting TBL 402c of the latest train notified above, and if the table does not exist, that is, has not yet been created (step S804: No), the table is newly created. After the creation (step S805), the "boarding number" of the user's boarding station (D station in the above example) and the "getting off number" of the disembarking station (J station) in the table are each increased by one. (Step S806. Thereby, for example, boarding / exiting TBL 402c as shown in FIG. 5 is updated as shown in FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, the train information editing unit 402g extracts the train information (departure / departure time, boarding rate, etc.) from the train information DB 402b and the boarding / exiting TBL 402c for the N trains notified above (step S807). Further, the user DB 402f is searched for the user number in the notified user information, and the setting such as the display item and the boarding position desired by the user is extracted (step S808). Then, according to the above settings, character string data (display data) for notifying the train information to the user is created and output to the transmission unit 402h (step S809).

  Then, the transmission unit 402h transmits the data to the reception unit 401c of the IC card reader / writer 101 (step S810). Thereafter, the data is written into the storage unit 400a (display memory) of the IC card 100 by the card writer unit 401d, and is displayed as shown in FIG. 2 by the display unit 400b.

  In addition to the information retrieval system described above, the railway company separately operates and manages a train operation management system for grasping the train operation status. In this system, the arrival and departure status of each train at each station is constantly monitored. Monitoring. When it is detected that a certain train has departed from a certain station, the server 102 is notified accordingly.

  This notification is performed by transmitting “departure information” including information such as the train and the departure station, and the server 102 that has received this information at the receiving unit 402a (step S801: No, step S811: Yes), then The boarding / alighting TBL 402c is searched by the boarding / alighting TBL update unit 402e.

  If the table does not exist, that is, if it has not been created yet (step S812: No. In the case where the train departs without passengers at the starting station, etc., there is no boarding / exiting TBL402c because it does not go through step S805. After the table is newly created (step S813), the actual number of passengers, the boarding rate, etc. are calculated to complete the record of the station (step S814. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. TBL 402c is updated as shown in FIG. 7).

  Further, since the train operation management system also transmits “end information” indicating that a certain train has arrived at the end station, the server 102 that has received this information at its receiving unit 402a (Step S801: No, Step S811). : No, Step S815: Yes), search / delete the boarding / exiting TBL402c of the train (Step S816).

  As described above, according to the information search device, the information search method, and the information search program according to the present invention, the purchaser of the IC card 100 is different from the conventional boarding guide using the electric bulletin board in the station premises. It is possible to provide detailed information services (in line with the needs of each user). Especially for elderly people, pregnant women, sick people, injured people, handicapped passengers, etc., it is convenient to be able to check in advance which position is the smoothest way to get off and transfer and which train is likely to be seated. It is.

  As the boarding location, in addition to the above-mentioned location closest to the ticket gate, it is possible to specify a vehicle closest to the deferred certificate issuance window at the getting-off station, or a weakly-cooled car or a female-only vehicle, regardless of the getting-off station You may do it. In addition to the information described above as train information, various information may be displayed on the IC card 100, such as a transfer station, operation status (such as whether there is a delay), and in-car facilities (such as whether there is a public phone or a restroom). It is done.

  In the above-described embodiment, all the passengers have been described as holding the IC card 100. However, since there are many passengers who actually board with normal tickets, in calculating the boarding rate, these passengers The number may be taken into account.

  That is, when the ticket presented by the user is not the IC card 100 but the boarding ticket, the automatic ticket checker optically reads the section information printed on the ticket surface and notifies the server 102 of it. And the server 102 which received this specifies the nearest train by the train specific | specification part 402d, and updates the boarding number of the boarding / alighting TBL402c and the number of boarding by the boarding / alighting TBL update part 402e, but subsequent processing ( That is, the creation of display data by the train information editing unit 402g, the transmission of display data by the transmission unit 402h, etc.) are not performed. Or about the passenger who boarded with the boarding ticket, you may make it display train information on the panel (it usually displays warnings, such as forgetting to take a ticket) on an automatic ticket gate.

  In the above embodiment, as described above, each user uses the rail service according to the section information in the IC card 100. There is also a possibility of getting off. Therefore, a sensor may be attached to each door of the train, and the actual number of passengers may be measured to calculate the boarding rate.

  In the above-described embodiment, various types of information are displayed on the surface of the IC card 100 functioning as a commuter pass. In the future, the railway service can be used by holding the mobile phone over the automatic ticket gate. Is likely to be. Therefore, the information may be displayed not on the IC card 100 but on the user's mobile phone. That is, the ticket gate passage information is transmitted to the server 102 from the automatic ticket gate that reads the section information in the cellular phone by the wireless interface or the like, and the train information retrieved by the server 102 is transmitted via the automatic ticket gate ( Alternatively, it is sent and displayed on the display of the mobile phone (via the Internet separately).

  In the above-described embodiment, the railway service has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to other passenger transportation services such as buses, ships, and airplanes. The information to be notified to the user differs depending on the characteristics of each service, but the same information is provided in that necessary information is provided at the timing when some kind of voucher such as a boarding ticket / times ticket / commuter pass is presented.

  On the contrary, since these are not limited to the time of boarding, necessary information may be provided for each presentation. For example, information on trains that can be transferred at the time of re-entry is displayed, such as when a train is changed after entering a different ticket gate. Further, when getting off, a map around the getting-off station, event information, sale information at nearby stores, and the like may be displayed.

  The information retrieval method described in the above embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, the information search device, the information search method, and the information search program according to the present invention are useful for providing information to individual users who use passenger transportation services such as railways, and in particular, the users. Is suitable for carrying a terminal capable of displaying character information, such as an IC card or a mobile phone.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the information search system containing the information search device concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the train information searched with the information search device concerning embodiment of this invention, and displayed on the rewrite area of IC card 100. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the hardware constitutions of the information search device concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the function structure of the information search system containing the information search device concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of boarding / alighting TBL402c concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state (at the time of a passenger's ticket pass) of the boarding / alighting TBL402c concerning embodiment of this invention immediately after the update by the boarding / alighting TBL update part 402e. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state (at the time of train departure) immediately after the boarding / alighting TBL402c concerning embodiment of this invention by the boarding / alighting TBL update part 402e. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the information search / update process in the information search device concerning embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 IC card 101 IC card reader / writer 102 Server 103 LAN
300 bus 301 CPU
302 ROM
303 RAM
304 HDD
305 Display 306 Keyboard 307 Communication control unit 400a Storage unit 400b Display unit 401a Card reader unit 401b Transmission unit (IC card reader / writer 101 side)
401c Receiver (IC card reader / writer 101 side)
401d Card writer section 402a Receiver section (server 102 side)
402b Train information DB
402c getting on and off TBL
402d Train specific part 402e Boarding / alighting TBL update part 402f User DB
402g Train information editing unit 402h Transmission unit (server 102 side)

Claims (13)

A receiving means for receiving a time at which a user using a passenger transport service such as a railroad passes a specific place such as a ticket gate and a section in which the user uses the service;
A specifying means for specifying a flight that is likely to be used by the user based on the time and interval received by the receiving means;
Creating means for creating display data comprising information relating to each flight identified by the identifying means;
Transmitting means for transmitting display data created by the creating means;
An information retrieval apparatus comprising:   The said specifying means specifies the flight which departs after the time which added predetermined time to the time received by the said receiving means as a flight with a high possibility that the said user will utilize, The said Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Information retrieval device.   Furthermore, the said user is provided with the calculation means which calculates the utilization factor of the said flight as a thing using only the said section the flight which departs earliestly among the flights specified by the said specification means. Or the information search device of Claim 2.   The information search apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the creation unit creates display data including at least a utilization rate of each flight identified by the identification unit.   The said creation means creates the display data containing the information regarding the boarding / exit most suitable for the said user among the boarding / exiting gates of each flight specified by the said specifying means. The information search device according to any one of the above.   6. The information according to claim 1, wherein the display data transmitted by the transmission unit is displayed on an IC card carried by the user or on a mobile phone. Search device. A receiving step of receiving a time when a user using a passenger transport service such as a railroad passes a specific place such as a ticket gate and a section in which the user uses the service;
A specifying step of identifying a flight that is likely to be used by the user based on the time and interval received in the receiving step;
A creation step of creating display data comprising information relating to each flight identified in the specific step;
A transmission step of transmitting display data created in the creation step;
An information search method characterized by including:   The said specific process specifies the flight which departs after the time which added predetermined time to the time received at the said reception process as a flight with high possibility that the said user will utilize, The said Claim 7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Information retrieval method.   Furthermore, the said user includes the calculation process which calculates the utilization factor of the said flight as what uses only the said area the flight which starts the earliest among the flights specified by the said specific process. Or the information search method of Claim 8.   The information search method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein display data including at least a utilization rate of each flight specified in the specifying step is generated in the creating step.   The said creation process produces the data for a display containing the information regarding the optimal boarding / alighting gate for the said user at least among the boarding / alighting gates of each flight specified by the said specific process. The information search method as described in any one of.   The information according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the display data transmitted in the transmission step is displayed on an IC card carried by the user or on a mobile phone. retrieval method. An information search program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

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