JP2010073049A - System and method for controlling guidance information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technology for controlling guidance information using an existing electronic ticket. <P>SOLUTION: A method for controlling guidance information includes:distributing electronic ticket identification information and guidance control information, receiving and storing the distributed identification information and the guidance control information, reading information stored on the electronic ticket, and controlling output of the guidance information on the basis of the stored guidance control information, when the identification information included in the read information and the stored identification information match each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a guide information output control technique in station equipment such as ticket vending machines, ticket gates, and payment machines.

  In public transportation, for example, railway stations, ticket machines, ticket gates, and payment machines are installed. These are collectively referred to as station service equipment, and a user can purchase a ticket, receive a ticket check process, and perform a check-out process without using a station attendant. Further, in order to improve convenience, these station service devices display various information as guidance or output sound. These station service devices basically guide various information in Japanese, but can also guide various information in a foreign language by a guidance switching operation by a user.

In addition, in response to the foreign language processing mode, an automatic ticket vending machine that adds data indicating that it was issued in the foreign language processing mode to the issued ticket and prints the printed contents of the issued ticket in a foreign language is proposed (See Patent Document 1).
JP 11-177771 A

  However, a user who desires the foreign language processing mode has to set the foreign language processing mode every time, which is inconvenient. In addition, attaching the data indicating that the ticket is issued in the foreign language processing mode to the issued ticket means that the data format recorded on the ticket is reviewed or the ticket processing device such as a ticket gate that processes the ticket. The data reading program needs to be reviewed, and the influence on the entire system is not small.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a guidance information control technique using an existing electronic ticket.

  The guidance information control system receives and stores the distribution device that distributes the identification information and guidance control information of the electronic ticket, the identification information and the guidance control information distributed by the distribution device, and stores the identification information in the electronic ticket. Station equipment that reads stored information and controls the output of guidance information based on the stored guidance control information on the condition that the identification information included in the read information matches the stored identification information; Is provided.

  The guidance information control method of the present invention distributes identification information and guidance control information of an electronic ticket, receives and stores the distributed identification information and the guidance control information, and stores them in the electronic ticket. Information is read, and output of guidance information is controlled based on the stored guidance control information on condition that the identification information included in the read information matches the stored identification information.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the guidance information control technique using the existing electronic ticket can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a ticket gate processing system (guidance information control system) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of guidance information control according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ticket gate processing system includes an electronic ticket issuing device 1, a data management server 2, an automatic ticket vending machine 3, an automatic ticket gate device 4, and an automatic checkout machine 5. The electronic ticket issuing device 1 is connected to a data management server 2, and the data management server 2 is connected to an automatic ticket vending machine 3, an automatic ticket gate device 4, and an automatic checkout machine 5.

  When the user wishes to issue an electronic ticket and provide foreign language guidance (guidance in a predetermined language), the operator inputs the electronic ticket issue and foreign language guidance to the electronic ticket issuing device 1. In the following, a case in which guidance in English is desired for ease of explanation will be described. However, in addition to English, many languages such as German and Portuguese can be handled. Correspondingly, the electronic ticket issuing device 1 issues an electronic ticket that stores an issue number (identification information) (ST1 in FIG. 4). Further, the data management server 2 registers the issue number (identification information) in association with the English display (guidance control information) by using the issue number database (ST2 in FIG. 4). Here, a case where an issue number is registered in association with English display will be described, but the present invention is not limited to English display, and English voice guidance may be used.

  Alternatively, when the user wishes to issue an electronic ticket and provide large character size guidance (guidance with a predetermined character size), the operator inputs the electronic ticket issue and large character size guidance to the electronic ticket issuing device 1. To do. Correspondingly, the electronic ticket issuing device 1 issues an electronic ticket that stores an issue number (identification information). Further, the data management server 2 registers the issue number (identification information) in association with the large character display (guidance control information) by using the issue number database.

  If the user wishes to issue an electronic ticket, English guidance, or large character size guidance, the data management server 2 registers the issuance number in association with the English display using the issuance number database, Also register the issue number in association with.

  Here, the issued electronic ticket will be described. The electronic boarding ticket is, for example, a wireless IC card, and can store an issuance number as described above, and can also store regular boarding information and money amount information. The regular boarding information includes boarding station information, transit station information, getting-off station information, and expiration date information. The amount information is, for example, amount information that can be used as a fare, and can be increased in accordance with payment of a predetermined amount.

  In the above description, the case where the electronic ticket issuing device 1 is an operator-compatible device has been described. However, the electronic ticket issuing device 1 may be a user-compatible device. That is, the customer-facing electronic ticket issuing device 1 may be used, and in this case, the user inputs the issuing of the electronic ticket and the foreign language guidance.

  The data management server 2 distributes the issue number database to the automatic ticket machine 3, the automatic ticket gate device 4, and the automatic checkout machine 5 (ST3 in FIG. 4). That is, the data management server 2 distributes the guidance control information and the identification information to the automatic ticket vending machine 3, the automatic ticket gate device 4, and the automatic checkout machine 5.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the automatic ticket gate device 4, and FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the automatic ticket gate device shown in FIG.

  The automatic ticket gates 4 are usually installed as a set of two, and a ticket gate passage for passers-by is formed between the two. And this automatic ticket gate apparatus 4 can process both a magnetic ticket and an electronic ticket.

  As shown in FIG. 2, at one end of the upper surface of the automatic ticket gate 4, for example, a ticket (such as a commuter pass, a regular ticket, a coupon ticket, etc.) in which ticket information such as a valid period and a usable section is magnetically encoded is recorded. ) Or a prepaid card or the like is provided with a slot 203 for receiving a magnetic ticket, and the other end is provided with a slot 204 for returning the magnetic ticket inserted from the slot 203. Note that the insertion port 203 is provided with a shutter that opens and closes as necessary. A guidance display unit 206 that functions as a display means is provided in front of the discharge port 204. The guidance display unit 206 provides various guidance to passers-by and station staff.

  An antenna 216 is provided in front of the insertion port 203. The antenna 216 is constituted by, for example, a loop antenna and performs wireless communication with an electronic ticket held by a passerby. As a result, the antenna 216 receives data transmitted from the electronic ticket or transmits data to the electronic ticket.

  At both ends of the side surface of the automatic ticket gate device 4, doors 207 that can be opened and closed to control the passage of passersby are provided, and the doors 207 are controlled to open and close based on the determination result of whether or not they can pass.

  Further, a sensor attachment 208 is erected on the automatic ticket gate 4. The sensor mounting body 208 is provided with a plurality of optical sensors that detect a passerby, that is, outlet detectors 209 and 210, and a center passage detector 213. The main body of the automatic ticket gate 4 is also provided with a plurality of optical sensors for detecting passers-by, that is, the entry detectors 211 and 212 and the center passage detector 213.

  The exit detector 209 detects a passerby that passes through the input port 203, the exit detector 210 detects a passerby that passes through the guide display unit 206, and the entrance detector 212 detects the passer 204. The intruder detector 211 detects a passerby that passes through the portion of the antenna 216. The center passage detector 213 is composed of a total of two pairs (four) of detectors, a pair on the main body of the automatic ticket gate 4 and a pair on the sensor mounting body 208, and detects a passerby passing through the central portion of the passage.

  The sensor mounting body 208 is provided with an indicator lamp 214 that displays an operation state of the automatic ticket gate (such as insertion of a child ticket, insertion of an invalid ticket, device abnormality, etc.).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the automatic ticket gate device 4 includes a CPU 220, a data storage unit 222, a ticket receiving mechanism 223, a ticket transport mechanism 224, a ticket return mechanism 225, a ticket collection mechanism 226, a ticket holding mechanism 227, Information reading unit 228, information recording unit 230, ticket gate determination unit 232, traffic detection unit 234, opening / closing control unit 236, display control unit 240, indicator lamp drive control unit 242, checkout processing unit 244, wireless reader / writer 246, transmission control Part 250 and the like.

  The CPU 220 controls each unit and controls a series of operations related to the ticket gate process. The data storage unit 222 stores an operation control program of the CPU 220, fare information, and the like, or temporarily stores boarding information read from an electronic ticket or a magnetic ticket. Further, the data storage unit 222 also stores information for specifying the station where the automatic ticket gate device is installed. The boarding ticket receiving mechanism 223 includes a slot 203 and receives one magnetic ticket inserted by one passenger. Alternatively, the ticket receiving mechanism 223 collectively receives a plurality of magnetic tickets inserted by one passenger. The boarding ticket transport mechanism 224 transports the received magnetic ticket to each part. The boarding ticket return mechanism 225 includes a discharge port 204 and the like, and returns a received magnetic ticket. The ticket collection mechanism 226 collects the magnetic ticket returned by the ticket return mechanism 225 as necessary. The ticket holding mechanism 227 holds the collected magnetic ticket. The information reading unit 228 reads boarding information from the magnetic ticket. The information recording unit 230 magnetically records or prints various information on the magnetic ticket. The ticket gate determination unit 232 determines whether the ticket gate is acceptable based on information read from the magnetic ticket or the electronic ticket.

  The traffic detection unit 234 receives the detection output from the detectors 209 to 213 and detects the user's traffic status, for example, whether the user has entered the ticket gate. The door opening / closing control unit 236 controls opening / closing of the door 207 based on the ticket gate determination result. The display control unit 240 controls the display content of the display unit 206 based on, for example, the ticket determination result. The indicator lamp drive control unit 242 controls the driving of the indicator lamp 214 based on information read from the magnetic ticket or the electronic ticket. For example, the driving of the indicator lamp 214 is controlled in accordance with the operation state such as insertion of a child ticket, insertion of an invalid ticket, device abnormality, and the like. The wireless reader / writer 246 communicates with the electronic ticket using the antenna 216, reads information recorded on the electronic ticket, and records information on the electronic ticket. The settlement processing unit 244 performs settlement processing (fare removal, etc.) based on the amount information read from the magnetic ticket or the electronic ticket as necessary.

  The transmission control unit 250 communicates with the data management server 2 that comprehensively manages various station service devices of the automatic ticket gate, and exchanges various data. That is, the transmission control unit 250 receives the issue number database distributed from the data management server 2 (ST4 in FIG. 4). That is, the transmission control unit 250 receives the guidance control information and the identification information. The received issue number database is stored in the data storage unit 222 (ST4 in FIG. 4).

  Next, the ticket gate process using the electronic ticket described with reference to FIG. 1 will be described. When an electronic ticket is held over the antenna 216, the wireless reader / writer 246 reads information recorded on the electronic ticket and executes a ticket gate process (ST5 in FIG. 4). At this time, the CPU 220 collates the issue number (hereinafter referred to as the read issue number) included in the information read from the electronic ticket with the issue number (hereinafter referred to as the registered issue number) registered in the issue number database (see FIG. 4 ST6).

  If the issuance number database does not include a registration issuance number that matches the reading issuance number (ST7 in FIG. 4, NO), CPU 220 does not instruct switching of guidance control. As a result, the guidance control unit 240 controls the output of guidance information based on the initially set guidance control information. For example, the display unit 206 displays guidance information in standard character size in Japanese (ticket check result, electronic boarding). The amount information stored in the ticket is displayed (ST9 in FIG. 4).

  If a registration issue number that matches the read issue number is included in the issue number database (ST7 in FIG. 4, YES), and an English display (guidance control information) is associated with the registration issue number The CPU 220 instructs to switch the guidance control to English display. As a result, the guidance control unit 240 controls the output of guidance information based on guidance control for English display. For example, the display unit 206 provides guidance information in the standard character size in English (ticket determination result, electronic ticket). (Amount information etc. stored in FIG. 4) is displayed (ST8 in FIG. 4).

  If a registration issue number that matches the read issue number is included in the issue number database and a large character display (guidance control information) is associated with the registered issue number, the CPU 220 displays a large character display. Instruct to switch the guidance control to. Thereby, the guidance control unit 240 controls the output of the guidance information based on the guidance control to the large character display (guidance control information). For example, the display unit 206 has guidance information (Japanese in a large character size ( The ticket determination result, the amount information stored in the electronic ticket, etc.) are displayed.

  Further, the issue number database includes a registration issue number that matches the read issue number, and an English display (guidance control information) is associated with the registration issue number, and the registration issue number If the large character display (guidance control information) is also associated, the CPU 220 instructs to switch the guidance control to English display and large character display. As a result, the guidance control unit 240 controls the output of guidance information based on guidance control to English display and large character display (guidance control information). For example, the display unit 206 provides guidance in a large character size in English. Information (such as ticket gate determination results, money amount information stored in an electronic ticket) is displayed.

  In the above description, display has been described as an example of guidance control, but the present invention can also be applied to voice guidance.

  As described above, the automatic ticket gate device 4 outputs guidance information in a format desired by the user based on the issue number recorded in the electronic ticket without receiving a guidance switching operation by the user. Accordingly, it is possible to provide guidance information in a format desired by the user without hindering a smooth ticket gate process. By providing information that can be easily recognized by the user, an effect of making the ticket gate processing smoother is also produced.

  In the above description, the case of outputting the guidance information by the automatic ticket gate device 4 has been described. However, in the automatic ticket vending machine 3 and the automatic checkout machine 5 as well, based on the issue number recorded in the electronic ticket, the user Guidance information in the desired format can be output.

  Next, another example of guidance display control will be described. The case where the data management server 2 distributes the issue number database to the automatic ticket vending machine 3, the automatic ticket gate device 4, and the automatic checkout machine 5 has been described above. Here, guidance display control that makes it unnecessary to distribute the issue number database by the data management server 2 will be described.

  For example, the issue number stored in the electronic ticket is defined as follows. Among the issue numbers 1112345, the first digit is a guide language control code, and the second digit is a guide character size control code. For example, the issue number 1112345 is Japanese and standard character size, the issue number 21112345 is English and standard character size, the issue number 12112345 is Japanese and large character size, the issue number 221345 is English and large character It becomes size.

  The data storage unit 222 of the automatic ticket gate 4 stores a guidance control table. This guidance control table includes information in which a guidance control code and guidance control information are associated with each other. That is, the guidance control table includes control information for controlling Japanese display based on “1” in the first digit of the issue number, control information for controlling English display based on “2” in the first digit, and “ Control information for controlling to a standard character size based on “1” and control information for controlling to a large character size based on “2” in the second digit.

  When an electronic ticket is held over the antenna 216, the wireless reader / writer 246 reads information recorded on the electronic ticket and executes a ticket gate process. At this time, the CPU 220 controls the output format of the guidance information based on the first and second digits of the issue number (hereinafter referred to as the read issue number) included in the information read from the electronic ticket.

  If the first digit of the issue number is “1” and the second digit is “1”, the CPU 220 does not instruct switching of guidance control. As a result, the guidance control unit 240 controls the output of guidance information based on the initially set guidance control information. For example, the display unit 206 displays guidance information in standard character size in Japanese (ticket check result, electronic boarding). The amount information stored in the ticket is displayed.

  If the first digit of the issue number is “2” and the second digit is “1”, the CPU 220 instructs to switch the guidance control to English display. As a result, the guidance control unit 240 controls the output of guidance information based on guidance control for English display. For example, the display unit 206 provides guidance information in the standard character size in English (ticket determination result, electronic ticket). For example).

  If the first digit of the issue number is “1” and the second digit is “2”, the CPU 220 instructs to switch the guidance control to a larger character size. As a result, the guidance control unit 240 controls the output of guidance information based on guidance control to a large character size. For example, the display unit 206 displays guidance information in a large character size in Japanese (ticket check result, electronic The amount information stored in the ticket is displayed.

  If the first digit of the issue number is “2” and the second digit is “2”, the CPU 220 instructs to switch the guidance control to English and to a larger character size. As a result, the guidance control unit 240 controls the output of guidance information based on guidance control to English and a large character size. For example, the display unit 206 displays guidance information (ticket determination result) in a large character size in English. , Money amount information stored in the electronic ticket, etc.) is displayed.

  In the above description, display has been described as an example of guidance control, but the present invention can also be applied to voice guidance.

  As described above, the automatic ticket gate device 4 outputs guidance information in a format desired by the user based on the issue number recorded in the electronic ticket without receiving a guidance switching operation by the user. Accordingly, it is possible to provide guidance information in a format desired by the user without hindering a smooth ticket gate process. By providing information that can be easily recognized by the user, an effect of making the ticket gate processing smoother is also produced.

  In the above description, the case of outputting the guidance information by the automatic ticket gate device 4 has been described. However, in the automatic ticket vending machine 3 and the automatic checkout machine 5 as well, based on the issue number recorded in the electronic ticket, the user Guidance information in the desired format can be output.

  Further, in this case, since the distribution of the issue number database by the data management server 2 is not required, the present invention can be applied to an environment where the issue number database cannot be updated in real time. Further, since the issue number collation operation is not required, it is also effective when the data processing capability of the terminal (automatic ticket vending machine 3, automatic ticket gate device 4, automatic settlement machine 5) is insufficient.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, the embodiments may be appropriately combined as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be obtained as an invention.

It is a figure which shows the ticket gate processing system (guidance information control system) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of an automatic ticket gate apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic structure of an automatic ticket gate apparatus. It is a flowchart of guidance information control concerning one embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic ticket issuing apparatus, 2 ... Data management server, 3 ... Automatic ticket vending machine, 4 ... Automatic ticket gate apparatus, 5 ... Automatic settlement machine

Claims (9)

A distribution device that distributes identification information and guidance control information of an electronic ticket;
The identification information and the guidance control information distributed by the distribution device are received and stored, the information stored in the electronic ticket is read, and the identification information included in the read information and the stored identification information are Station equipment that controls the output of guidance information based on the stored guidance control information on condition that they match,
Guidance information control system. The delivery device delivers the guidance control information for controlling the output of guidance information in a predetermined language to the station service equipment,
The station equipment outputs guidance information in a predetermined language based on the guidance control information.
The guidance information control system according to claim 1. The distribution device distributes the guidance control information for controlling the output of guidance information with a predetermined character size to the station service equipment,
The station equipment outputs guidance information with a predetermined character size based on the guidance control information.
The guidance information control system according to claim 2 characterized by things.   The station service device reads information stored in the electronic ticket, performs ticket gate processing based on the read information, and the identification information included in the read information matches the stored identification information. The guide information system according to claim 1, wherein the guide information related to the ticket gate processing is output based on the guide control information. Storage means for storing a guidance control table in which guidance control codes and guidance control information are associated with each other;
Reading means for reading information stored in the electronic ticket;
Guidance that specifies guidance control information based on the guidance control code in the identification information of the electronic ticket included in the read information and the guidance control table, and controls the output of guidance information based on the identified guidance control information Information output means;
A guidance information control device comprising: The storage means stores a guidance control table in which a predetermined guidance control code and guidance control information in a predetermined language are associated with each other,
The guidance information output means outputs guidance information in a predetermined language based on a match between the guidance control code in the identification information of the electronic ticket and the predetermined guidance control code.
The guidance information control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The storage means stores a guidance control table in which a predetermined guidance control code and guidance control information with a predetermined character size are associated with each other,
The guidance information output means outputs guidance information with a predetermined character size based on a match between the guidance control code in the identification information of the electronic ticket and the predetermined guidance control code.
The guidance information control device according to claim 6. Distribute electronic ticket identification information and guidance control information,
Receiving and storing the distributed identification information and the guidance control information;
Read the information stored in the electronic ticket,
Control the output of guidance information based on the stored guidance control information on the condition that the identification information included in the read information and the stored identification information match.
The guidance information control method characterized by the above-mentioned. Read the information stored in the electronic ticket,
Guidance control information corresponding to the electronic ticket based on the guidance control code in the guidance control code associated with the guidance control code and the identification information of the electronic ticket included in the read information. Identify and control the output of guidance information based on the identified guidance control information,
The guidance information control method characterized by the above-mentioned.

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