JP2012138091A - Ticket issuing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ticket issuing system and a ticket issuing method capable of improving convenience and capable of performing a quick process.SOLUTION: The ticket issuing system includes communication means adapted to perform radio communication with a portable terminal device when the portable terminal device, which has ticket issuing information necessary for issuing a ticket medium and identification information for specifying the ticket medium, is held up over a communication area; and ticket issuing means that determines whether a ticket is issuable or not based on the ticket issuing information and the identification information that the communication means read from the portable terminal device by the radio communication, and writes information in the portable terminal device that the ticket issuing process is completed based on the determination that the ticket is issuable.

Description

  The present invention relates to a ticketing system and a ticketing method, and more particularly to a ticketing system and a ticketing method for performing ticketing processing of a ticket medium such as a ticket by wireless communication.

  In recent years, a ticket medium such as an admission ticket, prepaid card, commuter pass, or ticket has been purchased when a user enters a facility such as a station premises or an amusement facility, or enters a facility. A ticket gate system that performs ticket gate processing using a medium has been introduced. Such a ticket medium is issued by a ticket issuing machine.

  For example, when purchasing a ticket medium, go to the ticketing machine, search for the charges for the section of use, put in consideration such as cash corresponding to the charges, various conditions for purchasing the ticket medium Need to be set. It is difficult to say that such a ticketing method is highly convenient for users who are unfamiliar with such operations and users with disabilities.

  On the other hand, the ticket information corresponding to the ticket is transmitted from the electronic ticket management device to the mobile phone via the communication network, the mobile phone having this ticket information is treated as a ticket, and the ticket information is read at the entrance or the like to confirm whether it is correct. A ticketless system or the like for judging the above has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in such a system, it is difficult to connect the mobile terminal device and the electronic ticket management device via the communication network depending on the processing capability of the mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, the communication network, and the electronic ticket management device. In addition, a long processing time may be required as the amount of information transmitted and received between them increases.

JP 2004-030063 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a ticketing system and a ticketing method capable of improving convenience and capable of quick processing.

According to this embodiment,
When a portable terminal device having ticketing information necessary for issuing a ticket medium and identification information for specifying the ticket medium is trapped in a communication area outside the aircraft, wireless communication is performed with the portable terminal device. Based on the ticket issuing information and the identification information read from the portable terminal device by wireless communication by the communication means and the communication means, whether or not ticketing is possible is determined, and the ticket issuing process is completed on the portable terminal device based on the determination that ticketing is possible There is provided a ticket issuing system comprising ticket issuing means for writing information to that effect.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a ticket issuing system and a ticket issuing method capable of improving convenience and capable of quick processing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a ticketing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the ticket issuing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a ticketing method applicable to the ticketing system shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining exchange of signals by wireless communication between the ticket issuing machine and the portable terminal device. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the appearance of a ticket issuing machine provided with a holder.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ticketing system according to this embodiment includes a host computer 10 that functions as a management server. The host computer 10 is connected to a plurality of ticket issuing machines 100-1, 100-2,... Via the communication line 20, and manages these ticketing machines 100.

  The host computer 10 controls the entire apparatus and various devices connected at a lower level, and has a central processing unit (CPU) 11 that controls a plurality of ticket issuing machines 100 in an integrated manner. A memory unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, a communication control unit 15 and the like are connected to the CPU 11.

  The memory unit 12 stores various data such as control data for controlling lower-level devices such as the host computer 10 itself and the ticket issuing machine 100. The display unit 13 displays the operation state of the host computer 10 itself, the operation state of lower-level devices, and the like. The input unit 14 includes a keyboard for inputting various information such as an operation mode of each ticket issuing machine 100, a touch panel for outputting corresponding information based on detection of contact. The communication control unit 15 transmits / receives various information to / from a lower level device via the communication line 20.

  In particular, in such a ticketing system, a mobile terminal device 200 such as a mobile phone capable of wireless communication with the ticketing machine 100 is applied.

  Next, the configuration of the ticketing machine 100 applicable to the ticketing system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the ticket issuing machine 100 generates various ticket media such as ordinary tickets, commuter passes, limited express tickets, coupon tickets, prepaid cards, etc. based on ticketing information necessary for issuing ticket media. Ticketing is possible. As a ticket issuing method by the ticket issuing machine 100, instead of issuing a new ticket medium, a ticket issuing process is completed for a wireless ticket medium possessed by the user or a portable terminal device 200 capable of wireless communication. There are a method of writing information and a method of issuing a magnetic or wireless ticket medium having ticketing information set by a user.

  The ticketing information includes unique identification information for identifying the ticket medium issued, usable section information, expiration date information, usage section fee information, user information (specific identification information for identifying a user). Etc.).

  That is, the ticket issuing machine 100 includes a CPU 60 that controls the entire apparatus. The CPU 60 is connected to a memory unit 61, a condition setting unit 62, a display unit 63, a wireless communication processing unit 64, a communication control unit 65, and the like.

  The memory unit 61 includes a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a fare memory, and the like. The ROM stores a control program for the CPU 60 and the like. The RAM stores information as a buffer for the control program and stores various information such as information read from the ticket medium. The fare memory stores fare information corresponding to the entrance station (from the installation station).

  The condition setting unit 62 accepts setting of various conditions necessary for issuing a ticket medium, and includes a touch panel that outputs corresponding information based on detection of contact in addition to various buttons. ing. The condition setting unit 62 can set conditions such as a usage route, the number of purchases, an adult / child category, a usage fee, a departure station, a destination station, a usage date, a valid period, and a smoking / smoking category.

  The display unit 63 reads the operating state of the ticket issuing machine itself, various guidance, conditions set by the condition setting unit 62, available sections, the amount of consideration received from the user, and the ticket medium possessed by the user. Various information such as the reading result and the result of the ticketing process is displayed.

  The wireless communication processing unit 64 processes the wireless ticket medium and the portable terminal device 200 capable of wireless communication. That is, the wireless communication processing unit 64 includes an antenna 64A having a communication area capable of wireless communication outside the machine of the ticket issuing machine 100. That is, the wireless communication processing unit 64 functions as a communication unit that performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal device 200 placed in the communication area.

  The wireless communication processing unit 64 performs modulation of data transmitted via the antenna 64A and demodulation of data received via the antenna 64A through such wireless communication, and is necessary for ticketing processing from the ticket medium or the portable terminal device 200. A process of reading the required ticket issuing information and writing predetermined necessary information into the ticket medium or the portable terminal device 200 is performed. That is, the wireless communication processing unit 64 responds to a ticket request for a ticket medium from the user, instead of issuing a new ticket medium, and a wireless ticket medium possessed by the user or a mobile phone capable of wireless communication. It functions as a ticket issuing means for performing a ticket issuing process for writing information indicating that the ticket issuing process has been completed to the terminal device 200.

  The communication control unit 65 performs information communication with a device higher than the ticket issuing machine 100, for example, the host computer 10 based on the control of the CPU 60.

  The ticket issuing machine 100 may include a ticket issuing unit 66 that functions as a ticket issuing means for issuing a magnetic or wireless ticket medium based on ticket issuing information set by a user.

  On the other hand, the mobile terminal device 200 includes a CPU 201 that controls wireless communication with the wireless communication processing unit 64. A memory unit 202, an input unit 203, a display unit 204, a wireless communication unit 205, and the like are connected to the CPU 201.

  The memory unit 202 includes a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and functions as a storage unit. The input unit 203 functions as an input unit that receives input of ticketing information. The ticket issue information input via the input unit 203 is stored in the memory unit 202. The display unit 204 displays various information such as the operating state of the mobile terminal device itself, various types of guidance, various types of information input via the input unit 203, and results of ticketing processing. The wireless communication unit 205 receives data transmitted from the wireless communication processing unit 64 via the antenna 205A and transmits data.

  Next, a ticket issuing process by wireless communication between the ticket issuing machine 100 and the mobile terminal device 200 will be described. It is assumed that the mobile terminal device 200 is equipped with a purchase system capable of purchasing a ticket medium by the ticket issuing process described here. The purchase system here is, for example, a system that automatically calculates a fee etc. by inputting a departure / arrival station, converts information necessary for purchasing a ticket medium into data, and stores it in a portable terminal device Etc.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in such a ticketing system, first, in the portable terminal device 200, the purchase system is activated, and input of information necessary for purchasing a ticket medium in the ticketing machine 100 is accepted (ST1). . That is, the CPU 201 accepts input of ticketing information via the input unit 203. Then, the CPU 201 stores the ticket issuing information in the memory unit 202 based on the instruction for storing the ticket issuing information input by the operation via the input unit 203 (ST2). The above operation can be performed not only by the user who actually owns the mobile terminal device 200.

  In the ticket issuing machine 100, the CPU 60 controls the wireless communication processing unit 64 to determine whether or not a wireless communication start request has been received from the mobile terminal device 200 (ST3). When mobile terminal device 200 capable of wireless communication is trapped in a communication area where wireless communication can be performed by antenna 64A, CPU 60 receives a request for starting wireless communication from mobile terminal device 200 (ST3, Y) Wireless communication is performed with the mobile terminal device 200 (ST4). The CPU 60 performs processing such as reading ticket issue information and identification information stored in the memory unit 202 of the mobile terminal device 200 by the wireless communication.

  Then, the CPU 60 determines whether or not ticketing is possible based on the read ticketing information (ST5). Based on the determination that ticketing is possible, the CPU 60 performs ticketing processing based on the ticketing information acquired from the mobile terminal device 200 (ST6). This ticket issuing process has at least two forms as described above.

  First, the first embodiment will be described. Based on the determination that ticketing is possible, the CPU 60 controls the wireless communication processing unit 64 and writes information indicating that the ticketing process has been completed to the memory unit 202 of the mobile terminal device 200 by wireless communication with the mobile terminal device 200. . This completes the ticketing process.

  The second embodiment will be described. Based on the determination that the ticket can be issued, the CPU 60 controls the ticket issuing unit 66 to issue a ticket medium having the ticket issuing information acquired from the mobile terminal device 200. The issued ticket medium is discharged out of the aircraft and can be received by the user. This completes the ticketing process.

  The wireless communication between the wireless communication processing unit 64 and the mobile terminal device 200 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  That is, the wireless communication processing unit 64 transmits a polling command signal at regular time intervals through the antenna 64A in a state where wireless communication is possible. When the portable terminal device 200 possessed by the user is placed over the communication area (or the antenna unit 64A), data exchange by wireless communication is started. That is, in response to this polling command signal, a reply signal is transmitted from the mobile terminal device 200 to the wireless communication processing unit 64 (polling response).

  Then, the wireless communication processing unit 64 requests the mobile terminal device 200 to transmit data such as ticket issuing information (read command). Based on the reception of the data transmission request via the antenna 205A, the wireless communication unit 205 of the mobile terminal device 200 reads the data including the ticketing information stored in the memory unit 202 based on the control of the CPU 201, and the antenna Transmission to the wireless communication processing unit 64 via 205A (read response).

  Based on the reception of data from the mobile terminal device 200 by the wireless communication processing unit 64, the CPU 60 in the ticket issuing machine 100 determines whether or not ticketing is possible based on the received data (communication result by the wireless communication processing unit). Do. Then, the wireless communication processing unit 64 transmits data including determination result information corresponding to the determination processing result in the CPU 60 to the mobile terminal device 200 (transmission of determination result, write command).

  Thereafter, the wireless communication unit 205 of the mobile terminal device 200 stores the received data in the memory unit 202 based on the control of the CPU 201 based on the reception of the write command transmitted via the antenna 205A. Then, the wireless communication unit 205 notifies that the data has been normally written and a series of processing has been completed via the antenna 205A (write response).

  Thereafter, based on the reception of the write response from the mobile terminal device 200, the wireless communication processing unit 64 transmits a close command for ending the processing for the mobile terminal device 200. The portable terminal device 200 transmits a close response based on the reception of the close command from the wireless communication processing unit 64. Based on the reception of the close response from the mobile terminal device 200, the wireless communication processing unit 64 notifies the CPU 60 in the ticket issuing machine 100 that a series of processing has been normally completed.

  By such data exchange, wireless communication of ticketing information necessary for ticketing processing is performed between the wireless communication processing unit 64 and the mobile terminal device 200 in the ticketing machine 100.

  According to the ticketing process as described above, it is possible to entrust the operation until the ticketing information is stored in the portable terminal device by using the portable terminal device possessed by the user. Even if the user is unfamiliar with the operation for processing or a user with a disability, it is possible to move between the ticket issuing machine and the portable terminal device only by moving the portable terminal device storing the ticketing information to the ticketing machine. Thus, predetermined wireless communication is performed, and a desired ticket medium can be purchased. In short, it becomes possible to purchase a ticket medium even if the user does not perform an operation for ticket issuing processing of the ticket medium. Therefore, it is possible to improve convenience, and it is not necessary to connect the mobile terminal device and the ticket issuing machine via a communication network such as a public line, so that quick ticketing processing can be performed.

  In addition, the ticketing process here is not limited to issuing a new ticket medium having ticketing information, but the fact that the ticketing process has been completed for a mobile terminal device or a wireless ticket medium possessed by the user. You may write the information.

  A ticketing machine applied to such a ticketing system does not necessarily have to be installed near facilities such as stations, and in particular, a ticketing machine that does not have a ticketing unit that issues ticket media is connected to a higher-level management server. In particular, it may be installed in a place where a staff member does not reside. A ticketing machine that does not have such a ticketing unit is only required to have a communication area, and can be reduced in size and cost.

  In addition, when purchasing a ticket medium, there may be a security problem or electronic money may be required, so an inquiry from the ticketing machine side may be required. The contents of the inquiry include unique identification information such as an ID number or a personal identification number that identifies the user. Such information can be input by a portable terminal device possessed by the user, and the input result is notified to the ticket issuing machine side by wireless communication. That is, on the ticket issuing machine side, whether or not ticketing is possible is determined based on the identification information in addition to the previously read ticketing information, and the ticketing process is performed based on the determination that ticketing is possible. Such ticketing processing can improve security.

  In wireless communication between the ticket issuing machine 100 and the mobile terminal device 200, there are many disturbances (noise, camera shake, etc.), and there is a great possibility that a communication abnormality will occur. In order to perform wireless communication, a communication area in which wireless communication is possible is defined, and communication data and the like are not guaranteed if the communication area is not included. It is difficult for a user to keep the mobile terminal device on a certain place (near the communication area) for a certain period of time, and it is unlikely that all users will be in that state.

  Therefore, the ticket issuing machine 100 may include a holder 110 as a holding unit capable of holding the mobile terminal device 200 in the communication area for the purpose of protecting wireless communication from disturbance. Accordingly, the mobile terminal device 200 can be set so as not to be removed from the communication area where wireless communication is performed. Therefore, it becomes possible for a normal user to easily hold the mobile terminal device 200 at a specific place for a certain period of time, and it is possible to eliminate disturbances in wireless communication. In addition, the reliability of wireless communication between the ticket issuing machine and the mobile terminal device 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.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Host computer 60 ... CPU 61 ... Memory part 62 ... Condition setting part 63 ... Display part 64 ... Wireless communication processing unit 66 ... Ticket issuing part 100 ... Ticket issuing machine 110 ... Holder 200 ... Portable terminal device 201 ... CPU 202 ... Memory part 203 ... Input unit 205 ... Wireless communication unit

Claims (4)

When a portable terminal device having ticketing information necessary for issuing a ticket medium and identification information for specifying the ticket medium is trapped in a communication area outside the aircraft, wireless communication is performed with the portable terminal device. Communication means;
Based on the ticket issuing information and identification information read from the portable terminal device by wireless communication by the communication means, it is determined whether or not the ticket is issued, and information indicating that the ticket issuing process is completed on the portable terminal device based on the determination that the ticket can be issued. Ticketing means to write,
A ticketing system characterized by comprising:   The ticket issuing means receives a polling response from the portable terminal device placed in the communication area in response to a polling command transmitted from the communication means by wireless communication with the portable terminal device by the communication means. Based on the received information, the mobile terminal device is requested to transmit ticketing information and identification information, receives the ticketing information and identification information transmitted from the portable terminal device, and based on the received ticketing information and identification information. The ticket issuing system according to claim 1, wherein whether or not ticketing is permitted is determined, and information indicating that ticketing processing is completed is written in the portable terminal device based on the determination that ticketing is possible.   Furthermore, a memory unit for storing ticketing information and identification information transmitted from the mobile terminal device by wireless communication by the communication means, a condition setting unit for receiving a condition setting necessary for issuing a ticket medium, and a ticketing process The ticket issuing system according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit that displays a result.   The ticket issuing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising holding means capable of holding the portable terminal device in the communication area.

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