JP2010108107A - Automatic ticket gate and automatic ticket gate system with safe mode - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic ticket gate and an automatic ticket gate system provided with the minimum function (a safe mode) which can operate with the minimum safe mode even when it is not possible to simultaneously use automatic ticket gates due to the failure of the software of an automatic ticket gate. <P>SOLUTION: A safe mode changeover switch 11 is arranged in the automatic ticket gate 10. When the safe mode changeover switch 11 selects a normal mode, normal processing (the determination processing of a ticket by normal automatic ticket examination) is performed. Meanwhile, when the safe mode changeover switch 11 selects a safe mode, safe mode processing is performed. In the safe mode processing, entry recording is performed for entry using an automatic ticket gate, and leaving recording is performed for leaving using the automatic ticket gate, and the determination of fare data for the ticket or processing using any other parameter is not performed. Also, the switching of the normal mode to the safe mode can be individually set from a ticket gate monitoring device installed in a station ticket examination counter to the automatic ticket gate to be managed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic ticket gate, and more particularly to an automatic ticket gate operable in a safe mode when a software abnormality occurs.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, automatic ticket gates in station equipment are devices that determine whether or not a user carrying a ticket such as a contactless IC card can pass by holding it over an automatic ticket gate equipped with a contactless IC card / writer. It is.

  On the other hand, if automatic ticket gates equipped with the same software are operating at multiple stations, there is a possibility that the automatic ticket gates cannot be used at the same time due to software defects. In this case, for example, the entry ticket was recorded on the ticket (for example, a non-contact IC card) because it was entered with an automatic ticket gate at the time of entry, but the entry ticket was recorded because the automatic ticket gate was opened at the time of entry. First, there was a problem that an error occurred when entering the next time.

In addition, with respect to the above-described problem, there is known a method for improving convenience at a participating station for a user who has entered a station without performing an admission process with an automatic ticket gate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2008-197777 A (Page 4-5, FIG. 10)

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1, it is difficult to consider a ticket stop station as an entrance station when multiple automatic ticket gates at multiple stations simultaneously fail due to a software malfunction or the like. In reality, there is a problem that the minimum processing corresponding to each ticket cannot be performed.

  In addition, the subject mentioned above has the subject shown below according to the case where an automatic ticket gate becomes unusable at the time of entrance and the case where an automatic ticket gate becomes unusable at the time of entry.

(1) When the ticket gate becomes unusable upon entry a. Since it is not possible to enter, the ticket gate opens and anyone can enter.
b. Since there is no entry record, it will be an error at entry, so the entry station will also need to open an automatic ticket gate.
c. Fares cannot be collected at the participating stations (both in-house and liaison companies).
d. Passengers who have boarded regular trains from stations where automatic ticket gates can be used will not be able to collect fare due to the opening of the participating stations.
e. Since there is no entry record, an error will occur at the next entry.

(2) When the automatic ticket gate cannot be used at the time of participation a. Since it is not possible to participate, anyone can participate because the ticket gate is opened.
b. It is not possible to collect fare from passengers who have boarded regular trains from stations where automatic ticket gates can be used.
c. Since there is no entry record, an error occurs at the next entry.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and even if the automatic ticket gates cannot be used at the same time due to a software defect of the automatic ticket gate, there is an abnormality in the automatic ticket gate body (hardware). It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic ticket gate system and an automatic ticket gate system having a safe mode that can be operated with a minimum function (safe mode) if there is not.

  In order to achieve the above object, an automatic ticket gate having a safe mode according to claim 1 of the present invention is arranged at a station ticket gate and whether or not a passenger can pass by determining a ticket carried by the user. An automatic ticket gate for determining whether the normal mode for performing a normal operation or a safe mode for performing a limited function operation, switching means for selecting one of the operation modes, the safe mode is selected by the switching means, In addition, when the automatic ticket gate is designated for entry, at least the entry is written on the passenger's ticket that passes through the automatic ticket gate, and when the automatic ticket gate is designated for entry, it passes through the automatic ticket gate. And a safe mode processing means that writes at least the entry to the passenger's ticket and does not determine whether or not to allow entry or entry based on the ticket information. .

  Furthermore, an automatic ticket gate system according to claim 3 of the present invention is an automatic ticket gate which is arranged at a station ticket gate and determines whether or not a passenger can pass by determining a ticket carried by the user, and the automatic ticket gate. An automatic ticket gate system having a ticket gate monitoring device for operating or monitoring the automatic ticket gate, wherein the automatic ticket gate is in a normal mode for performing a normal operation or a safe mode for performing a limited function operation. Switching means for selecting one of the operation modes, and when the safe mode is selected by the switching means and the automatic ticket gate is designated to enter, at least the passenger ticket that passes through the automatic ticket gate enters When the automatic ticket gate is designated to participate, at least the entry is written on the passenger ticket passing through the automatic ticket gate and based on the ticket information Safe mode processing means that does not determine whether or not to allow or not to enter the venue, and the ticket gate monitoring device is communicably connected to the automatic ticket gate, and a plurality of the automatic ticket gates are arranged. Is further provided with a setting function for setting the operation for each automatic ticket checker or the operation mode of either the normal mode or the safe mode.

  According to the present invention, even when the automatic ticket gate software fails and the automatic ticket gates cannot operate all at once, the automatic ticket gate can operate in the safe mode that is the minimum function of the automatic ticket gate. It is possible to perform entry / exit records, checkout functions, etc., and to prevent difficulties when other obstacles occur.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an automatic ticket gate system 1 equipped with an automatic ticket gate 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The automatic ticket gate 10 is connected to the host device 20 via a communication line.

  The automatic ticket gate 10 is a device that is installed at a station ticket gate and passes a ticket carried by a user over the automatic ticket gate 10 and has already been put into practical use. When the ticket is held over (or in contact with) an automatic ticket gate, station information such as the date, period, route, and departure / arrival station of the ticket is read. The read station service information is transmitted to the host device 20, and the station service information is determined. Based on the result of this determination, it is determined whether or not the passage of the ticket gate is permitted.

  The host device 20 is communicably connected to all the automatic ticket gates 10 arranged in the station via a communication line. This host device manages station service information related to the operation of the automatic ticket checker, transmits information (various parameters) in response to a request from the automatic ticket checker 10, and processes the ticket processed by the automatic ticket checker. When the total data is transmitted from the automatic ticket gate, it is totalized and recorded. In the above-described configuration, there is a case where a server is arranged at a higher level than the higher level device 20 depending on the installation scale of the automatic ticket gate 10 and other devices to be installed, and the whole is managed. Since it does not depend on the scale, detailed description is omitted.

  In addition, a plurality of automatic ticket gates 10 may be arranged at the station ticket gates. The plurality of automatic ticket gates 10 are connected to a ticket gate monitoring device 30 installed at a station window, and this ticket gate monitoring is performed. It can be operated or monitored by the device 30.

  The automatic ticket gate monitoring device 30 displays the usage status of the automatic ticket gate 10 installed at the station ticket gate and, for example, when the automatic ticket gate 10 has some trouble and cannot be used individually, Can be disabled. Further, in the event of an emergency, the automatic ticket gate 10 has functions such as disabling the function and opening the doors simultaneously.

  In the automatic ticket gate system 1 configured as described above, the automatic ticket gate 10 of the present embodiment is provided with a safe mode changeover switch 11 and a storage unit 12 for storing a safe program related to the safe mode changeover switch 11 and the like. .

  The safe mode changeover switch 11 of the present embodiment is configured by an on / off switch or a momentary switch capable of selecting either one. The safe mode changeover switch 11 is not limited to the hardware switch described above, and may be configured by a software switch that sets an operation mode by communication from the outside (for example, from the ticket gate monitoring device 30). Since these two methods have advantages and disadvantages, it is desirable to use them in an effective manner after understanding them.

  For example, the hardware switch can be set to the safe mode independently for each automatic ticket checker 10 even when an abnormality occurs in the communication function between the automatic ticket checker 10 and the ticket checker monitoring device 30. However, in order to set the safe mode all at once when a problem occurs, the operation mode of the safe mode changeover switch 11 must be switched (or selected) for each automatic ticket gate 10 and there are a large number of ticket gates. When an automatic ticket gate is installed, there is a drawback that it is troublesome.

  On the other hand, when using a software switch, it is possible to switch (or select) the safe mode changeover switch for each automatic ticket checker from the operation screen (not shown) of the ticket checker monitoring device 30 and send it all at once. Although there is an advantage, there is a drawback that it is not possible to switch to the safe mode when a communication abnormality occurs between the ticket gate monitoring device 30 and the automatic ticket gate.

  In this embodiment, the hardware switch and the advantage of the software switch are both usable.

  The storage unit 12 is provided with a mode selection controller 12a, a normal program group 12b, and a safe program group 12c.

  The mode selection controller 12a is a program that refers to (reads) the safe mode change-over switch 11 or receives a safe mode request from the ticket gate monitoring device. Depending on the reference result of this program, the normal program group or safe program group described later is loaded.

  The safe program group 12c is composed of a minimum program group necessary for executing safe mode processing described later. This program group may be composed of program groups common to the normal program group 12b and the safe program group 12c.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating safe mode processing related to the safe mode changeover switch 11.

  When the power is turned on to start up the automatic ticket gate 10, an initialization process is started (S1). During this initialization process, the safe mode switch 11 for setting the operation mode of the automatic ticket gate 10 is read (S2).

  As a result of reading the safe mode changeover switch 11, when the safe mode changeover switch 11 is in the normal mode (No in S4), the normal program group is loaded and rises (S5), and the normal program is processed (S6).

  On the other hand, when the safe mode changeover switch 11 is in the safe mode (Yes in S4), the safe program group is loaded and started up (S7), and the safe program is processed (S8).

  Further, when there is a safe mode request from the ticket gate monitoring device 30 (S3), the process proceeds to step S4, and the processes of steps S7 and S8 described above are performed in the same manner.

  Naturally, for example, when the software trouble is solved, the safe mode changeover switch 11 is returned from the safe mode to the normal mode to initialize the automatic ticket gate. This initialization can be performed by turning on the power of the automatic ticket gate described above or by means such as a dedicated switch (not shown).

  Needless to say, when the automatic ticket gate 10 is put into the safe mode in response to the safe mode request from the ticket gate monitoring device 30 described above, the normal mode can be restored by making a request to cancel the safe mode request.

  Next, the contents of the safe mode process will be described with respect to the following items (1) to (5).

(1) Communication with peripheral devices is not basically performed. However, communication necessary for the operation of the automatic ticket gate 10 is performed. Alternatively, communication is not performed in the case of a configuration that can be independent by the system configuration. Even when communication is performed, the validity check at the time of parameter reception is not performed.

(2) Use of parameters Only parameters necessary for the operation of the automatic ticket gate 10 are used (for example, a ticket is recorded only for the station code of the own station). For other parameter values, fixed values by the program are used.

(3) Transmission data such as aggregated data is not collected, so it is not basically transmitted. However, the ticket reading information is recorded in a log for later settlement between railway companies. At this time, the device (automatic ticket gate) is not stopped even in the case of the log recording failure.

(4) Admission processing Only entry entry is written (only entry records are recorded on the ticket). A judgment program using so-called fare data is not used. Also, the validity of the regular section is not judged. In other words, the entry of “Our Station Admission” is performed in a fixed manner. This admission may be referred to as “our station SF (Stored Fare) admission”.

(5) Participation processing Only entry of participation is performed. A judgment program using so-called fare data is not used. Also, the validity of the regular section is not judged. No fare collection from the entrance station. In other words, write “Enter this station” fixedly. In addition, this participation may be called "this station SF (Stored Fare) participation".

Next, the effect when the above-described safe mode changeover switch is used will be described.
(1) Even when normal processing cannot be performed due to a problem with the software (normal program group) of the automatic ticket gate 10, entry / exit recording by the ticket gate is possible.
(2) Since entry / exit recording can be performed, entry / exit processing can be normally performed at a station of the automatic ticket gate 10 without software defects.
(3) Since entry / exit records are possible, there will be no problems due to inconsistencies in entry / exit records after recovery at a later date.
(4) By providing a mode switching function to the part that processes the ticket, it is possible to individually set the safe mode even in the case of an abnormality in communication with peripheral devices.
(5) Since the safe mode performs only minimum processing, the normal program cannot continue processing as a device abnormality (for example, an abnormality in a nonvolatile memory that stores negative data indicating that the ticket cannot be used). Can also be processed.
(6) Since the safe mode has narrowed down functions, the scale is small and there is little risk of potential software malfunctions.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, even if the software of the automatic ticket checker 10 fails and the automatic ticket checkers 10 cannot be operated simultaneously, the minimum function of the automatic ticket checker 10 Can be operated in safe mode.

An automatic ticket gate system equipped with an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart explaining the safe mode process which concerns on the safe mode changeover switch.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic ticket gate system 10 Automatic ticket gate 11 Safe mode changeover switch 12 Memory | storage part 20 Host apparatus 30 Ticket gate monitoring apparatus

Claims (4)

An automatic ticket gate that is arranged at a station ticket gate and determines whether a passenger can pass by determining a ticket carried by the user,
Switching means for selecting either one of a normal mode for performing a normal operation or a safe mode for performing a limited function operation;
When the safe mode is selected by this switching means and the automatic ticket gate is designated for entry, at least entry is written in the passenger ticket passing through the automatic ticket gate, and the automatic ticket gate is designated for entry. At the time, a safe mode processing means that writes at least the entry to the passenger's ticket passing through the automatic ticket gate and does not judge whether to enter or exit based on the ticket information;
Automatic ticket gate with safe mode, characterized by having The switching means is
Consists of a safe mode selector switch that selects either normal mode or safe mode,
The safe mode processing means includes:
When the automatic ticket gate is turned on or initialized, the safe mode changeover switch is referred to.When the safe mode changeover switch selects the safe mode, the safe mode processing is performed, and when the normal mode is selected, 2. The automatic ticket gate having a safe mode according to claim 1, wherein normal mode processing is performed. An automatic ticket gate located at a station ticket gate that determines whether a passenger can pass by determining a ticket carried by the user, and a ticket gate that is connected to the automatic ticket gate and operates or monitors the automatic ticket gate Automatic ticket gate system having a machine monitoring device,
The automatic ticket gate
Switching means for selecting either one of a normal mode for performing a normal operation or a safe mode for performing a limited function operation;
When the safe mode is selected by this switching means and the automatic ticket gate is designated for entry, at least entry is written in the passenger ticket passing through the automatic ticket gate, and the automatic ticket gate is designated for entry. And a safe mode processing means that writes at least the entry to the passenger's ticket that passes through the automatic ticket gate and does not determine whether the entry or exit is permitted based on the ticket information. ,
The ticket gate monitoring device is
A setting function for setting an operation mode for each automatic ticket checker or an operation mode of either the normal mode or the safe mode when a plurality of the automatic ticket checkers are connected so as to be communicable with the automatic ticket checker. An automatic ticket gate system characterized by further comprising: The switching means is
Consists of a safe mode selector switch that selects either normal mode or safe mode,
The safe mode processing means includes:
When the automatic ticket gate is turned on or initialized, the safe mode selector switch is referred to.When the safe mode selector switch selects the safe mode, the safe mode processing is performed. When the normal mode is selected, 4. The automatic ticket gate system according to claim 3, wherein normal mode processing is performed.

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