JP2005352654A - Ticket examination machine and ticket examination method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ticket examination machine and a ticket examination method, allowing improvement of ticket examination efficiency to improve serviceability to a user and to reduce a burden on a person in charge. <P>SOLUTION: In this ticket examination machine performing a ticket examination process on the basis of ticket information of a ticket medium, the ticket medium inputted from an input port 2 is carried along a prescribed carrying path 11, a ticket jamming position on the carrying path 11 of the carried ticket medium is detected on the basis of an output signal from a detector S, a release ticket for releasing a ticket jamming is issued from a ticket issuing mechanism 40 toward the detected ticket jamming position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a ticket checker and a ticket check method, and more particularly, to a ticket checker and a ticket check method having a function capable of clearing a paper jam generated in the process of transporting an inserted ticket medium.

  In recent years, ticket gate machines have been introduced for the purpose of labor saving of ticket gate processing. This ticket gate takes in ticket media such as admission tickets, prepaid cards, commuter passes, and train tickets when a user enters a facility such as a station premises or an amusement facility, or enters a facility. Based on the ticket information recorded on the ticket medium, a ticket gate process is performed to determine whether or not to allow the user to pass.

  In recent years, ticket gates that handle wireless ticket media in addition to magnetic ticket media have been introduced. Such a wireless-compatible ticket gate performs wireless communication with the ticket medium, and performs a ticket gate process as to whether or not to allow the user to pass based on the ticket information read from the ticket medium (for example, (See Patent Document 1).

  If such a ticket gate is canceled for some reason, the ticket gate efficiency is reduced. In particular, in ticket gates installed in facilities with many users, in order to perform ticket gate processing for a larger number of users, it is desired that the ticket gates be restored earlier from the use suspension state so as not to disturb the user flow. In addition, it is desirable that a ticket gate installed in a facility that does not have a staff member can be automatically restored when any abnormality occurs in the ticket gate.

By the way, as one of the causes that the ticket gate is canceled, there is a ticket jam that occurs in the middle of transporting the inserted ticket medium. At present, there is no method for returning the ticket-clogged ticket checker other than removing a ticket-clogged ticket medium by an attendant. Therefore, if a ticket jam occurs in the ticket gate, the staff will remove the ticket media jammed while many users pass, or go directly to the facility where the ticket gate was installed. There is a need.
JP 2003-242533 A

  One of the causes that the ticket gate becomes “cancellation of use” and becomes inaccessible is a so-called jammed ticket medium in which the ticket medium stays in the conveyance path. This jammed ticket cannot be recovered without the assistance of a staff member. A lot of ticket gates are installed in facilities with many users, and when it is crowded or noisy, there is a delay in the discovery of ticket gates that have been suspended due to ticket jamming, making it impossible to pass for a long time. Can also be. Even in a facility where there is no clerk, discovery of a ticket gate whose use is suspended due to a ticket jam is delayed, and it may become impossible to pass for a long time including the time until the clerk arrives at the facility.

  For this reason, the ticket gate efficiency of the ticket gate machine is lowered, and the serviceability for the user may be lowered. In addition, there is a problem that the burden on the staff is heavy when recovering the jammed ticket.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its purpose is to improve the ticket gate efficiency, improve serviceability for users, and reduce the burden on staff. It is an object of the present invention to provide a ticket gate and a ticket gate method that can be used.

The ticket gate according to the first aspect of the present invention is:
A ticket gate machine that performs ticket processing based on ticket information of ticket media,
Transport means for transporting the ticket medium loaded from the slot along a predetermined transport path;
Detecting means for detecting a jammed position on the transport path of the ticket medium transported by the transport means;
Ticket issuing means for issuing a release ticket for releasing the ticket jam toward the ticket jam position detected by the detection means;
It is provided with.

The ticket gate method according to the second aspect of the present invention is:
A ticket gate method for performing ticket gate processing based on ticket information of a ticket medium,
The ticket medium inserted from the slot is transported along a predetermined transport path,
Detecting the jammed position on the transport path of the transported ticket media,
Issuing a release ticket to release the ticket jammed toward the detected ticket jam location,
It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a ticket gate machine and a ticket gate method that can improve ticket gate efficiency, improve serviceability for users, and reduce the burden on staff. it can.

  Hereinafter, a ticket gate machine and a ticket gate method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A ticket gate as shown in FIG. 1 is usually installed as a set of two at a ticket gate of a facility, and a ticket gate passage through which a user can pass is formed between the two. A ticket gate for performing ticket processing such as entry business and participation business has a main body 1. This main unit 1 has a ticket medium (regular tickets, regular tickets, SF cards, and other entrance tickets to the facility) when entering or leaving the facility. An input port 2 to be input and an output port 3 for discharging the ticket medium received at the input port 2 are provided. A shutter (not shown) for preventing the ticket medium from being inserted is provided in the vicinity of the slot 2.

  Display units 4a and 4b for displaying various types of information such as guidance to users and staffs are provided near the insertion port 2 and in front of the discharge port 3 in the main body 1, respectively. At both ends of the side face of the main body 1 facing the ticket gate passage, doors 5 that can be opened and closed to control the passage of the user (block the passage or allow the passage) are provided. The door 5 is controlled to be opened and closed based on the determination result of passage.

  At the upper part of the main body 1, a frame body 6 is erected for defining a ticket gate passage for the user. A plurality of human detectors 7 for detecting the passage of the user are provided on the side surfaces of the frame body 6 and the main body 1 on the side of each ticket gate. On the frame 6, a state display unit 8 is provided for displaying an operation state of the apparatus, such as insertion of a child ticket, insertion of an invalid ticket, and equipment abnormality.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the internal mechanism of the ticket gate, the ticket medium loaded from the slot 2 is transported between the slot 2 and the slot 3 toward the outlet 3 along the direction of arrow a. A main transport path 11 is formed. The main transport path 11 is defined by various transport belts and transport rollers that function as transport means for transporting the ticket medium.

  In the main transport path 11, along the insertion port 2 to the discharge port 3, the separation unit 12, the alignment unit 13, the reading heads 14 and 15 functioning as reading means, the reversing unit 16, the writing head 18, the reading head 19, The distribution gate 22a, the cradle unit 20, the printing units 21 and 27, the distribution gate 22b, the accumulation unit 23, and the like are provided in this order.

  Further, a branch conveyance path 25 and a bill collection conveyance path 28 branched from the main conveyance path 11 are provided, and a separate label collection conveyance path 32 branched from the label collection conveyance path 28 is further provided. A holding unit 17 is provided on the branch conveyance path 25. On the bill collection transport path 28, a bill collection holding unit 29 and a sorting gate 30 are provided in this order, and a bill collection unit 31 is further provided. A separate bill collection section 33 is provided at the tip of the separate bill collection path 32.

  The insertion slot 2 can receive a plurality of inserted ticket media at a time. The separation unit 12 temporarily holds a plurality of ticket media that are stacked in the insertion slot 2 in a lump, and separates the ticket media one by one along the transport direction a. The aligning unit 13 aligns the sheet media one by one sent from the separating unit 12 and sends them to the read heads 14 and 15.

  The read heads 14 and 15 read encoded magnetic information recorded on the magnetic recording layer on the back surface of the ticket medium. The read head 14 reads the upward magnetic recording layer when it is conveyed with the back surface of the ticket medium facing upward. The read head 15 reads the downward magnetic recording layer when it is conveyed with the front surface of the ticket medium facing upward (the back surface of the ticket medium facing downward). Platen rollers 14a and 15a are provided to face the reading heads 14 and 15, respectively.

  In the state where the ticket medium that has passed through the read heads 14 and 15 is in a state in which the back surface thereof faces upward, the reversing unit 16 takes the ticket medium into the conveyance path 16a from the leading end in the conveyance direction, and then sets the conveyance path 16b. Then, the front and back of the ticket medium are reversed by discharging from the rear end in the transport direction to the main transport path 11.

  That is, when the sheet passes through the reading heads 14 and 15, the ticket medium with the front side facing up passes without being guided to the reversing unit 16, and the ticket medium with the back side facing up passes to the reversing unit 16. It is guided and turned upside down. Therefore, all the ticket media going to the write head 18 are conveyed with the surface facing up (the magnetic recording layer facing down).

  The holding unit 17 temporarily holds each ticket medium when a plurality of ticket media are put in a lump, and is guided from the main transport path 11 to the branch transport path 25 via the sorting gate 22a. Stoppers 17a and 17b for temporarily holding the ticket medium are provided. By releasing the hold by these stoppers 17a and 17b, the ticket medium is returned to the main transport path 11 via the transport path 16b.

  The write head 18 records encoded magnetic information on the magnetic recording layer of the ticket medium. The read head 19 is a verifying head and reads the encoded magnetic information recorded by the write head 18. Platen rollers 18a and 19a are provided to face the writing head 18 and the reading head 19, respectively.

  The slot 20 forms perforations as needed for the ticket medium transported along the main transport path 11. The printing unit 21 prints predetermined information such as a date and a ticket gate place name on the surface of the ticket medium conveyed through the main conveyance path 11 as necessary. The printing unit 27 prints predetermined information such as a date and a ticket gate place name on the back surface of the ticket medium conveyed through the main conveyance path 11 as necessary. The printing units 21 and 27 are constituted by, for example, a thermal transfer type printer using a thermal head and an ink ribbon.

  The sorting gate 22 b guides the ticket medium to be collected to the bill collection unit 31 or the separate collection unit 33 among the ticket media conveyed through the main conveyance path 11 to the collection path 28 for collection. The ticket medium discharged from the discharge port 3 is transported toward the stacking unit 23 as it is along the main transport path 11.

  The stacking unit 23 stacks and puts together the ticket media that have been put together according to the size. The stacking unit 23 is provided with a stopper 23a for holding, and the stoppers 23a collect the ticket media. The collected plurality of ticket media are collectively discharged from the discharge port 3.

  The bill collecting and holding unit 29 includes a stopper 29a that holds the ticket medium, and the stopper 29a temporarily holds the ticket medium before it is collected to the bill collecting unit 31 or the separate bill collecting unit 33. Further, the sorting gate 30 selectively distributes the ticket medium transported by the bill collection transport path 28 to the bill collection unit 31 or the separate bill collection unit 33.

  In the vicinity of the slot 2, a detector 51 that detects the insertion of the ticket medium into the slot 2 is provided. A detector 52 that detects the withdrawal of the ticket medium from the discharge port 3 is provided near the discharge port 3. Further, a plurality of detectors S,... Are arranged on each conveyance path, and detect the position of the ticket medium to be conveyed, the presence or absence of the ticket medium, and the like. These detectors function as a detecting unit that detects a position where a ticket medium transported along various transport paths stays on the transport path, that is, a so-called ticket jammed position.

  A detector that detects a ticket medium at a predetermined position on the conveyance path is constituted by an optical sensor. For example, these detectors may be transmissive optical sensors configured by a pair of light emitting elements and light receiving elements arranged to face each other via a transport path, or light emission that emits light toward the transport path. It may be a reflection type optical sensor configured by an element and a light receiving element that receives reflected light from a ticket medium on a conveyance path.

In addition, the ticket gate includes a ticket issuing mechanism 40 that functions as a ticket issuing unit that issues a release ticket for releasing the ticket jam toward the detected ticket jam position. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the ticket issuing mechanism 40 is connected to the most upstream position of the main transport path 11, and can release the release ticket issued from the ticket issuing mechanism 40 over the entire various transport paths. It is.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the ticket issuing mechanism 40 is connected to the most upstream position of the main transport path 11, but the ticket issuing mechanism 40 is connected to the middle part of the main transport path 11, and upstream and downstream thereof. When a ticket jam occurs, the release ticket may be transported toward the ticket jam position.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ticket gate includes a CPU 60 that controls the entire apparatus. The CPU 60 functions as ticket gate means for performing ticket gate processing based on ticket information recorded on the ticket medium. Further, the CPU 60 functions as a setting unit that sets the transport destination of the ticket medium and the release ticket that are jammed based on the ticket information of the ticket medium inserted from the insertion slot 2 to the discharge port 3 or the bill collection unit 31. . Further, the CPU 60 functions as a determination unit that determines the type of the ticket medium that has been jammed based on the ticket information of the ticket medium inserted from the insertion slot 2.

  Connected to the CPU 60 are a ROM 61, a RAM 62, a fare memory 63, a reading circuit 64, a writing circuit 65, a reading circuit 66, a distribution control circuit 67, a print drive circuit 77, a stopper control circuit 83, and the like.

  The ROM 61 stores a control program for the CPU 60. The RAM 62 stores information as a buffer for the control program, and stores information read from the ticket medium, various error information generated in the ticket gate, and the like. The fare memory 63 stores fare information corresponding to the entrance station (from the installed station).

  The read circuit 64 controls the read heads 14 and 15. The write circuit 65 controls the write head 18. The reading circuit 66 and the reading head 19 are controlled. The distribution control circuit 67 controls the distribution gates 22a, 22b, 30, and 43. The print drive circuit 77 controls the drive of the printing units 21 and 27. The stopper control circuit 83 controls the stopper moving mechanism 82 that drives the stoppers 17a, 17b, 23a, and 29a.

  Further, the CPU 60 includes a separation control circuit 69, a detection circuit 68, a conveyance control circuit 73, a passage detection circuit 74, a door control circuit 76, a display control circuit 71, a ticketing control circuit 70, an entry control circuit 78, and a shutter movement circuit 81. The audio output circuit 85, the communication control circuit 79, and the like are connected.

  The separation control circuit 69 controls driving of each unit in the separation unit 12. The detection circuit 68 detects whether or not there is a ticket medium at the slot 2 based on the output signal from the detector 51, whether or not there is a ticket medium at the outlet 3 based on the output signal from the detector 52, A signal necessary for detecting the presence / absence of the ticket medium and the jammed position based on the output signals from the various detectors arranged in (1) is output.

  The conveyance control circuit 73 rotates a conveyance belt and a conveyance roller that form the main conveyance path 11 that conveys the ticket medium, the reversing unit 16, the branch conveyance path 25, the collection path 28, the separate collection path 32, and the like. The driving of the conveying motor 72 is controlled. The transport motor 72 functions as a transport unit that transports the ticket medium along a predetermined transport path.

  The passage detection circuit 74 detects the passage (movement position) of the user based on the output signal from the human detector 7. The door control circuit 76 controls a door opening / closing mechanism 75 that drives the door 5. The display control circuit 71 controls driving of various display units such as the display units 4 a and 4 b and the status display unit 8.

  The ticket issuing control circuit 70 controls the driving of the ticket issuing mechanism 40 that issues a release ticket. The entry control circuit 78 controls the entry unit 20. The shutter moving circuit 81 controls a shutter opening / closing mechanism 80 that drives a shutter provided at the insertion port 2. The audio output circuit 85 drives a speaker 84 that performs operation guidance by voice. The communication control circuit 79 performs information communication with the staff monitoring device 87 or the host computer that controls the automatic ticket gate.

  Next, a method for issuing a release ticket and releasing the ticket jam when a ticket jam occurs in the conveyance path will be specifically described. Note that ticket media that can be processed by the ticket gate include resin commuter passes such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), prepaid cards, paper Edmonson tickets, and large tickets. The Edmonson ticket has a size of 57.5 mm × 30 mm. An 85 mm size ticket such as a commuter pass, a prepaid card, and a large paper ticket has a size of 85 mm × 57.5 mm.

  First, occurrence of a ticket jam of a ticket medium in the conveyance path is detected based on output signals from various detectors S arranged in the conveyance path, and a ticket jam position can also be detected. When the occurrence of such a ticket jam is detected, an error mode is entered, and the slot is closed by the shutter to prevent the insertion of a new ticket medium.

  The type of the ticket medium in which the ticket is jammed can be determined based on the ticket information. Examples of the type of ticket medium to be determined here include the size (width, length along the transport direction), thickness, hardness, material, and the like of the ticket medium. That is, the ticket medium from which the ticket information has been normally read via the reading heads 14 and 15 can determine the type (various conditions) of the ticket medium based on the ticket information.

  Further, the ticket medium in which the ticket information has not been normally read via the reading heads 14 and 15 and the ticket medium before reaching the reading heads 14 and 15 are mechanically determined by the alignment unit 13 (Edmonson It is possible to determine whether it is a ticket or an 85 mm size ticket).

  The transport destination of the ticket medium can be set based on the ticket information. Here, the transport destination is the discharge port 3 or the bill collection unit 31. That is, the ticket medium from which the ticket information has been normally read via the reading heads 14 and 15 can set the transport destination to the discharge port 3 or the bill collection unit 31 based on the ticket information. In addition, the ticket medium in which the ticket information has not been normally read via the reading heads 14 and 15 and the ticket medium before reaching the reading heads 14 and 15 are transported to a predetermined place, for example, the discharge port 3. Is set.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when a ticket jam occurs, a release ticket necessary for releasing the ticket jam is issued from the ticket issuing mechanism 40. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the release ticket is guided to the most upstream position of the main transport path 11 and is transported along the main transport path 11 toward the ticket jam position (that is, the release ticket is jammed). It is transported to pass through a certain position).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the release ticket picks up the ticket medium that has stayed when passing the ticket jamming position, and is transported to a set transport destination where the ticket medium should be transported together. In other words, the release ticket gives a driving force to the ticket medium in which the ticket is jammed from the rear in the transport direction. That is, the ticket medium in which the ticket is jammed is pushed out by the release ticket or is transported by overlapping with the release ticket. Note that while the cancellation ticket is transported to the transport destination set together with the ticket medium, the magnetic processing, the entry process, the printing process, and the like are not performed on the cancellation ticket and the ticket medium.

  When both the release ticket and the ticket medium are discharged from the discharge port 3 or when they are both collected in the bill collection section 31, it is determined that the ticket jam has been released. The release of the ticket jam is detected based on output signals from various detectors S arranged in the conveyance path. By releasing the ticket jam, the error mode is canceled and the normal operation state is restored.

Next, a specific configuration example of the ticket issuing mechanism will be described.
The ticket issuing mechanism 40 includes various mechanisms for issuing a release ticket. That is, the ticket issuing mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 6 includes a storage unit 41 that can store the roll paper R for the release ticket, a sending unit 42 that sends out the roll paper R stored in the storage unit 41 by a required length, A cutting unit 43 that cuts the roll paper fed by the feeding unit 42 into a predetermined length.

  According to the ticket issuing mechanism 40 having such a configuration, it is possible to issue a release ticket of a certain length regardless of the type of the ticket medium in which the ticket is jammed. Further, according to the ticket issuing mechanism 40, it is also possible to issue a release ticket having a length necessary for releasing the jam.

  In the latter case, particularly when a ticket medium that has been normally read through the reading heads 14 and 15 is jammed, the type of the ticket medium is determined based on the ticket information. A release ticket having an optimal length for releasing the jam is issued according to the type of the ticket medium in which the ticket is jammed.

  In addition, when the ticket medium that has not been normally read through the reading heads 14 and 15 and the ticket medium before reaching the reading heads 14 and 15 are jammed, the type of the ticket medium Therefore, a release ticket with a predetermined length sufficient to release the jam is issued.

  Here, the optimum length of the cancellation ticket is examined. That is, the ease of release of the ticket jam differs depending on the type of the ticket medium that has caused the ticket jam. For example, comparing a case where a relatively small Edmonson ticket is jammed and a case where a relatively large 85 mm ticket is jammed, the Edmonson ticket is more easily released.

  A small driving force may be applied to a ticket medium that can be easily released. In the above-described example, when the Edmonson ticket is jammed, the jamming can be released by applying a smaller driving force than when the 85 mm ticket is jammed. The driving force applied to the ticket medium in which the ticket is jammed can be controlled by the length along the transport direction of the release ticket. That is, the longer the release ticket is sandwiched between a large number of transport rollers and transport belts in the transport path, and a large driving force can be generated by these rotational forces. That is, a ticket medium that can be easily released from a jam can be easily released with a shorter release ticket.

  Therefore, when the Edmonson ticket is jammed, the ticket issuing mechanism 40 issues a shorter release ticket than when the 85 mm ticket is jammed. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to issue a release ticket having an optimum length necessary for releasing a jam, and it is possible to save roll paper as compared with the case where a release ticket having a predetermined length is always issued.

  The ticket issuing mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 7 includes a plurality of stackers 45 and 46 that stack different types of release tickets. That is, the first stacker 45 accommodates the first type of release ticket. The second stacker 46 accommodates a second type of release ticket different from the first type. Here, the release tickets accommodated in each of these stackers 45 and 46 differ in at least one condition such as length, thickness, hardness, and material.

  According to the ticket issuing mechanism 40 having such a configuration, it is possible to issue a release ticket necessary for releasing a ticket jam. In particular, when a ticket medium that has been normally read through the reading heads 14 and 15 is jammed, the type of the ticket medium is determined based on the ticket information. The release ticket is issued under the optimum conditions for releasing the jam in accordance with the type of the ticket medium that has occurred.

  In addition, when the ticket medium that has not been normally read through the reading heads 14 and 15 and the ticket medium before reaching the reading heads 14 and 15 are jammed, the type of the ticket medium Therefore, a release ticket of a predetermined condition type sufficient to release the jam is issued.

  Here, the optimum thickness of the release ticket is examined. The driving force applied to the ticket medium in which the ticket is jammed can also be controlled by the thickness of the release ticket. That is, a thicker release ticket is more strongly held between the conveyance roller and the conveyance belt in the conveyance path, and a large driving force can be generated by these rotational forces. That is, a ticket medium that can be easily released from a jam can be easily released from a thinner release ticket.

  Therefore, as in the example described above, the ticket issuing mechanism 40 issues a relatively thin release ticket when an Edmonson ticket is jammed, and relatively when an 85 mm ticket is jammed. By issuing a thick release ticket, an optimal driving force can be applied to the ticket medium in which the ticket is jammed, and the ticket jam can be released.

  Also, consider the optimal hardness of the release ticket. The driving force applied to the ticket medium in which the ticket is jammed can also be controlled by the hardness of the release ticket. That is, the harder release ticket is more strongly held between the transport roller and the transport belt in the transport path, and a large driving force can be generated by these rotational forces. In other words, a ticket medium that is easier to release the ticket jam can be easily released with a softer release ticket.

  Therefore, as in the example described above, the ticket issuing mechanism 40 issues a relatively soft release ticket when an Edmonson ticket is jammed, and relatively when an 85 mm ticket is jammed. By issuing a hard-hardened release ticket, an optimal driving force can be applied to the ticket medium in which the ticket is jammed, and the jam can be released.

  Also, consider the optimal transport speed for cancellation tickets. The driving force applied to the ticket medium in which the ticket is jammed can also be controlled by the transport speed of the release ticket. In other words, a release ticket with a higher conveyance speed can generate a greater driving force. That is, the ticket jam can be easily released by transporting the release ticket at a higher transport speed as the ticket medium is more difficult to release.

  Therefore, based on the control by the conveyance control circuit 73, the conveyance motor 72 conveys the release ticket at a relatively low conveyance speed when the Edmonson ticket is jammed as in the above-described example, and the 85 mm ticket When a ticket jam occurs, the optimal driving force can be applied to the ticket medium that caused the ticket jam by transporting the release ticket at a relatively high transport speed, and the ticket jam can be released. .

Next, a series of ticket gate processing and ticket jam release processing by the ticket gate will be described.
That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 60 determines whether or not a ticket medium has been inserted from the insertion slot 2 based on an output signal from the detector 51 via the detection circuit 68 in a normal operation state. (ST11). The CPU 60 controls the drive of the transport motor 72 via the transport control circuit 73 based on the determination that the ticket medium has been inserted (ST11, Y), and main transports the inserted ticket medium under a predetermined transport condition. Transport along the path 11.

  Subsequently, the CPU 60 determines whether or not a ticket jam has occurred based on output signals from the detectors S on the various conveyance paths via the detection circuit 68 (ST12). The CPU 60 performs normal ticket gate processing based on the determination that no ticket jam has occurred (ST12, N). That is, the CPU 60 drives the reading heads 14 and 15 via the reading circuit 64 to read the ticket information from the ticket medium. And CPU60 judges the legitimacy of the read ticket information, and performs a ticket gate process. Further, the CPU 60 performs a magnetic information writing process, a carding process, a printing process, and the like on the ticket medium as necessary.

  Subsequently, the CPU 60 transports the ticket medium to a predetermined transport destination (ST13). That is, the CPU 60 sets the transport destination of the ticket medium to be returned to the discharge port 3 and sets the transport destination of the ticket medium to be collected to the bill collection unit 31 based on the read ticket information. Further, the CPU 60 sets the transport destination of the ticket medium for which the ticket information cannot be normally read in the discharge port 3. Then, the CPU 60 controls driving of the transport motor 72 via the transport control circuit 73 and transports the ticket medium to a predetermined transport destination.

  On the other hand, based on the determination that the ticket jam has occurred (ST12, Y), the CPU 60 identifies the ticket jam position on the conveyance path (ST14). At this time, the CPU 60 sets an error mode, drives the shutter opening / closing mechanism 80 via the shutter moving circuit 81, and closes the insertion port 2 with the shutter.

  Subsequently, based on the determination that the ticket jam location could not be specified (ST14, N), the CPU 60 stops driving the device and transmits error information to the attendant monitoring device 87 via the communication control circuit 79. (ST15).

  Further, based on the determination that the ticket jam position has been identified (ST14, Y), the CPU 60 drives the ticketing mechanism 40 via the ticketing control circuit 70 to perform a ticketing process for issuing a release ticket (ST16). Then, the CPU 60 controls the drive of the transport motor 72 via the transport control circuit 73 and transports the release ticket guided onto the main transport path 11 toward the ticket jam position.

  Subsequently, the CPU 60 determines whether or not the ticket jam has been released based on the output signals from the detectors S on the various conveyance paths via the detection circuit 68 (ST17). The CPU 60 stops driving the apparatus based on the determination that the ticket jam has not been released (ST17, N), and transmits error information to the attendant monitoring apparatus 87 via the communication control circuit 79 (ST15). ).

  Further, the CPU 60 transports the ticket medium and the release ticket to a predetermined transport destination based on the determination that the ticket jam has been released (ST17, Y) (ST13). That is, based on the ticket information read from the ticket medium in which the ticket is jammed, the CPU 60 sets the transport destination of the ticket medium and the release ticket that should have been originally returned to the discharge port 3 and should be originally collected. The bill collection unit 31 is set to the transport destination of the ticket medium and the release ticket. Further, the CPU 60 sets the transport destination of the ticket medium and the release ticket for which the ticket information cannot be normally read in the discharge port 3. Then, the CPU 60 controls driving of the transport motor 72 via the transport control circuit 73 and transports the ticket medium to a predetermined transport destination. The CPU 60 cancels the setting of the error mode and automatically returns to the normal operation state after the ticket medium and the release ticket that have been thus jammed are transported to a predetermined transport destination.

  In the ticket gate processing and ticket jam release processing described above, in the ticket issuing processing in step ST16, various ticket issuing conditions for the release ticket are changed based on the ticket information read from the ticket medium in which the ticket jam occurred or the mechanical determination in the alignment unit 13. Is possible.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 60 determines the type of the ticket medium in which the ticket jam has occurred based on the read ticket information or the mechanical determination in the alignment unit 13 (ST21). Then, based on the fact that the type of the ticket medium can be determined (ST21, Y), the CPU 60 sets the ticket release condition for the release ticket that is optimal for releasing the jammed ticket medium of the determined ticket type (ST22). ). On the other hand, based on the fact that the type of ticket medium could not be determined (ST21, N), the CPU 60 sets predetermined ticketing conditions registered in advance in the ROM 61 and RAM 62 (ST23).

  The ticketing conditions set here are, for example, the length, thickness, hardness, transport speed, and the like along the transport direction of the release ticket. Depending on the type of ticket medium that caused the ticket jamming, the ease of releasing the ticket jamming differs. For this reason, for example, when the CPU 60 determines that the ticket jam is relatively easy to release depending on the determined ticket type, the length is short, the thickness is thin, the hardness is soft, and the conveyance speed is low. The ticketing conditions are set as follows.

  Then, the CPU 60 drives the ticketing mechanism 40 via the ticketing control circuit 70 and issues a release ticket under the ticketing conditions set in step ST22 or step ST22 (ST24). With such a series of ticket issuing processes, it is possible to release a jammed ticket on the conveyance path.

  As described above, according to the ticket checker and the ticket check method according to this embodiment, when a ticket jam occurs in which the ticket medium stays in the middle of the conveyance path, the release ticket is issued and the ticket jam position is passed. By transporting the sheet, the staying ticket medium can be transported to a predetermined transport destination together with the release ticket. For this reason, ticket jamming can be canceled without the help of an attendant, and the burden on the attendant can be reduced.

  Therefore, even if a ticket gate has become inaccessible due to the occurrence of a ticket jam, it is possible to automatically cancel the ticket jam by issuing the release ticket. Can return to an available state. As a result, the ticket gate efficiency at the ticket gate can be improved, and the serviceability for the user can be improved.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the spirit of the invention in the stage of implementation. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a ticket gate according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an internal structure applicable to the ticket gate shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the control system of the ticket gate shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the occurrence of ticket jamming and the ticket issuing process for a release ticket. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the removal process by the release ticket of the ticket medium in which the ticket jam shown in FIG. 4 has occurred. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a first configuration example of a ticket issuing mechanism for a release ticket applicable to the ticket gate shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a second configuration example of a ticket issuing mechanism for a release ticket applicable to the ticket gate shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the ticket gate processing and ticket jam release processing by the ticket gate shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for more specifically explaining the ticket issuing process for the release ticket shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ticket gate main body, 2 ... Insertion port, 3 ... Discharge port, 11 ... Main conveyance path, 14 ... Reading head (reading means), 15 ... Reading head (reading means), 31 ... Bill collection part, 40 ... Ticketing mechanism (Ticketing means), 60 ... CPU (setting means, determination means), S ... detector (detection means)

Claims (12)

A ticket gate machine that performs ticket processing based on ticket information of ticket media,
Transport means for transporting the ticket medium loaded from the slot along a predetermined transport path;
Detecting means for detecting a jammed position on the transport path of the ticket medium transported by the transport means;
Ticket issuing means for issuing a release ticket for releasing the ticket jam toward the ticket jam position detected by the detection means;
A ticket gate characterized by comprising A ticket gate machine that performs ticket processing based on ticket information of ticket media,
A transport means for transporting the ticket medium inserted from the input port toward the discharge port or the bill collection unit along a predetermined transport path;
Reading means for reading the ticket information from the ticket medium conveyed by the conveying means;
Detecting means for detecting a jammed position on the transport path of the ticket medium whose ticket information has been read by the reading means;
Ticket issuing means for issuing a release ticket for releasing the ticket jam toward the ticket jam position detected by the detection means;
Based on the ticket information read by the reading means, a setting means for setting the release ticket and the transport destination of the ticket medium causing the ticket jam to the discharge port or the bill collection unit;
A ticket gate characterized by comprising   3. The ticket gate according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit sets the transport destination of the ticket medium and the release ticket that are jammed before the ticket information is read by the reading unit as a discharge port. A ticket gate machine that performs ticket processing based on ticket information of ticket media,
Transport means for transporting the ticket medium loaded from the slot along a predetermined transport path;
Reading means for reading the ticket information from the ticket medium conveyed by the conveying means;
Detecting means for detecting a jammed position on the transport path of the ticket medium whose ticket information has been read by the reading means;
Determination means for determining the type of the ticket medium in which the ticket jam has occurred, based on the ticket information read by the reading means;
A ticket issuing means for issuing a release ticket necessary for releasing the ticket jam of the ticket medium of the ticket type determined by the determination means toward the ticket jam position detected by the detection means;
A ticket gate characterized by comprising   5. The ticket gate according to claim 4, wherein the ticket issuing unit issues a release ticket having a different length along the conveyance direction based on a determination result by the determination unit. The ticket issuing means is:
A storage section for storing roll paper for a release ticket;
A cut unit that cuts the roll paper stored in the storage unit with a necessary length based on a determination result by the determination unit;
The ticket gate according to claim 5, further comprising:   The ticket issuing means includes a plurality of stackers that stack different types of release tickets according to type, and issues a corresponding type of release ticket based on a determination result by the determination unit. Ticket machine.   5. The ticket gate according to claim 4, wherein the transport unit transports the release ticket issued by the ticket issuing unit at different transport speeds based on a determination result by the determination unit. A ticket gate method for performing ticket gate processing based on ticket information of a ticket medium,
The ticket medium inserted from the slot is transported along a predetermined transport path,
Detecting the jammed position on the transport path of the transported ticket media,
Issuing a release ticket to release the ticket jammed toward the detected ticket jam location,
A ticket gate method characterized by that. A ticket gate method for performing ticket gate processing based on ticket information of a ticket medium,
The ticket medium inserted from the slot is transported along the specified transport path toward the outlet or the bill collection part,
Read the ticket information from the transported ticket media,
Detecting the jammed position of the ticket media on which the ticket information has been read on the transport path,
Issue a release ticket to release the ticket jammed toward the detected ticket jam location,
Based on the read ticket information, set the transport destination of the release ticket and the ticket medium that caused the ticket jam to the discharge port or the bill collection part.
A ticket gate method characterized by that.   The ticket gate method according to claim 10, wherein the ticket medium in which the jam has occurred and the transport destination of the release ticket are set in the discharge port before the ticket information is read. A ticket gate method for performing ticket gate processing based on ticket information of a ticket medium,
The ticket medium inserted from the slot is transported along a predetermined transport path,
Read the ticket information from the transported ticket media,
Detects the position where the ticket information is read on the transport path of the ticket medium,
Based on the read ticket information, determine the type of ticket medium that caused the ticket jamming,
Issuing a release ticket necessary for releasing the jammed ticket medium of the determined ticket type toward the detected ticket jamming position,
A ticket gate method characterized by that.

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