JP2024098352A - Ticket processor and ticket processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ticket processor and a ticket processing system that can guide users to an apparatus that can withdraw cash in the event of a cash shortage.

SOLUTION: A ticket processor according to an embodiment includes a ticket processing unit, a cash processing unit, and a control unit. The ticket processing unit processes tickets. The cash processing unit deposits and withdraws cash. When the cash processing unit cannot withdraw a refund amount in cash for a ticket processed by the ticket processing unit, the control unit displays guidance on other ticket processors that can withdraw the refund amount in cash on the display unit.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a ticket processing device and a ticket processing system.

Some ticket processing devices, such as automatic ticket vending machines and automatic commuter pass issuing machines, have the ability to refund tickets such as passenger tickets or commuter passes by user operation. Generally, passenger tickets and other tickets are refunded using the same payment method as when they were purchased. For example, if a ticket is purchased by credit card, the refund amount is returned by credit card, and if a ticket is purchased by cash, the refund amount is returned in cash.

Ticket processing devices that process cash refunds will not be able to make refunds if they are not loaded with the amount of cash to be refunded. Conventional ticket processing devices will inform users that a refund is not possible when a refund is not possible. When a refund is not possible, users must either complete the refund procedure at a counter where an attendant is present, or find a ticket processing device that will allow refunds and make the refund themselves. For this reason, there is a demand for a device that can reduce the labor required for station operations and improve convenience by informing users of a device that will allow cash refunds without the intervention of an attendant when a ticket processing device is unable to make a refund due to insufficient cash.

JP 2013-73538 A

In order to solve the above problem, the objective is to provide a ticket processing device and a ticket processing system that can guide users to a device that can dispense cash when a cash shortage occurs.

According to an embodiment, the ticket processing device has a ticket processing unit, a cash processing unit, and a control unit. The ticket processing unit processes tickets. The cash processing unit deposits and withdraws cash. If the cash processing unit cannot withdraw the refund amount for a ticket processed by the ticket processing unit in cash, the control unit displays on the display device information about other ticket processing devices that can withdraw the refund amount in cash.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a station service system as a ticket processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic ticket vending machine as a ticket processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a first operation example of a refund process by an automatic ticket vending machine as a ticket processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a second operation example of the refund process by the automatic ticket vending machine as the ticket processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a guide screen displayed on a customer display unit by the ticket processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a guide screen displayed on a customer display unit by the ticket processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a station service system as a ticket processing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server in a station service system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a third operation example of a refund process by an automatic ticket vending machine as a ticket processing device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a fourth operation example of the refund process by the automatic ticket vending machine as the ticket processing device according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a station service system made up of various station service devices including an automatic ticket vending machine 1 as a ticket processing device according to the first embodiment and a commuter pass issuing machine 5.
The station service system according to this embodiment is a system that is composed of various station service devices that perform various station service processes for transportation facilities such as railways. The station service system enables the use of transportation facilities such as railways using ticket media such as passenger tickets, commuter passes, express tickets, adjustment tickets, and cards (e.g., prepaid cards or postpaid cards).

As shown in Fig. 1, the station service system is composed of automatic ticket vending machines 1 (1A, 1B, ..., 1N), automatic ticket gates 2 (2A, 2B, ..., 2N), attendant processing machine 3, and commuter pass issuing machine 5. For example, station service equipment such as the automatic ticket vending machine 1, automatic ticket gates 2, attendant processing machine 3, and commuter pass issuing machine 5 shown in Fig. 1 are installed at each station.

The automated ticket gate 2 controls the passage of a user (ticket gate processing) based on the information stored in the ticket medium (ticket) held by the user. The automated ticket gate 2 is installed, for example, at a ticket gate in a station. The automated ticket gate 2 determines whether or not the user is allowed to pass (enter or exit) based on the information stored in the ticket medium, such as a magnetic ticket or IC card, presented by the user, and controls the passage of the user based on the result of this determination.

Station service equipment such as the automatic ticket vending machine 1 and the commuter pass issuing machine 5 are ticket processing devices that have the function of performing station service processes such as issuing ticket media (tickets) and refunding ticket media held by users. In addition, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 and the commuter pass issuing machine 5 are ticket processing devices for users that perform processes in response to user operations.

The ticket processing device according to this embodiment may be any device that has at least the function of performing the cash refund process for the passenger ticket medium through user operation. In addition, ticket processing devices for users, such as the automatic ticket vending machine 1 and the commuter pass issuing machine 5, have the function of informing users of other ticket processing devices that can refund tickets in cash if the cash refund process is not possible due to a lack of cash.

The automatic ticket vending machine 1 is installed, for example, at each station. The automatic ticket vending machine 1 functions as a ticket processing device operated by the user himself. For example, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 issues a ticket medium such as a passenger ticket, a coupon ticket, or a limited express ticket according to the cash received from the user. The automatic ticket vending machine 1 may also have the function of issuing a new card (for example, an IC card) on which amount information usable as electronic money is written according to the amount received from the user, or updating the amount information usable as electronic money recorded on a card held by the user.

Furthermore, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 executes a refund for the ticket medium held by the user. In this embodiment, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 performs a refund for the ticket medium using a payment method that corresponds to the payment method used at the time of ticket issuance. For example, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 refunds in cash a ticket medium issued by cash payment, and refunds by credit card a ticket medium issued by credit card payment.

The commuter pass issuing machine 5 is installed, for example, at each station. The commuter pass issuing machine 5 functions as a ticket processing device that is operated by the user himself. The commuter pass issuing machine 5 has the function of receiving an amount from the user and issuing a new ticket medium (for example, an IC card or a magnetic ticket) with commuter pass information written on it, and updating the commuter pass information recorded on the ticket medium used as a commuter pass.

The commuter pass issuing machine 5 also issues refunds for ticket media held by users. For example, the commuter pass issuing machine 5 refunds in cash a ticket medium such as a commuter pass or a passenger ticket issued by cash payment, and refunds by credit card a ticket medium such as a commuter pass or a passenger ticket issued by credit card payment.

The attendant processing machine 3 is a station service device operated by station attendants, and is a processing device for attendants that performs processing in response to the operation of the attendant. The attendant processing machine 3 is installed, for example, in the attendant window at each station. The attendant processing machine 3 has the function of performing various processes on the ticket medium presented by the user in response to the user's request. For example, the attendant processing machine 3 has the function of performing refunds for tickets or ticket media such as commuter passes, in response to the operation of an attendant who receives a request from the user.

Next, a configuration of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 as the ticket processing device according to the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic ticket vending machine 1 as a ticket processing device according to an embodiment.
The automatic ticket vending machine 1 shown in Fig. 2 is installed at each railway station, etc., and issues tickets such as passenger tickets, coupon tickets, limited express tickets, reserved seat tickets, etc. For example, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is assumed to issue passenger tickets in response to user operation, which are processed by station service equipment such as automatic ticket gates installed at each railway station, etc.

As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 has a control unit 10, a customer service display unit 11, an attendant display unit 12, a fare memory 13, a data memory 14, a communication unit 15, a card processing unit 16, a banknote processing unit 17, a coin processing unit 18, and a ticket processing unit 19.

The control unit 10 is responsible for controlling the entire ticket vending machine 1. The control unit 10 has a processor 10a, a memory 10b, and various interfaces. The processor 10a is a CPU that executes programs. The memory 10b includes RAM, ROM, and rewritable non-volatile memory (e.g., EEPROM, FROM, etc.). The control unit 10 realizes various functions by the processor 10a executing the programs stored in the memory 10b. For example, the control unit 10 is connected to each part in the ticket vending machine 1 via an interface and controls each part in the ticket vending machine 1. The control unit 10 also performs various calculation processes by the processor 10a executing the programs stored in the memory 10b.

The customer service display unit 11 is a display device that displays various kinds of information to users. The customer service display unit 11 is configured with a liquid crystal display device that incorporates a touch panel 11a as an operation unit. For example, the customer service display unit 11 displays buttons for selecting whether to issue or refund a ticket. When the ticket issue button is touched, the control unit 10 executes the ticket issue process for the ticket selected by the user, and when the refund button is touched, it executes the refund process for the ticket medium (ticket) presented by the user.

The attendant display unit 12 is a display device that displays various kinds of information to the attendant. The attendant display unit 12 is composed of a liquid crystal display device that incorporates a touch panel 12a as an operating means. The attendant display unit 12 displays various keys for accepting operations by the attendant, and various operations by the attendant are accepted by touching the display areas of these keys.

The control unit 10 also has the function of controlling the display unit 11 and the display unit 12. That is, the content displayed on the display unit 11 or the display unit 12 is controlled by the control unit 10. The control unit 10 also detects input to the touch panel 11a of the display unit 11 or the touch panel 12a of the display unit 12.

The fare memory 13 stores fare data, etc. The control unit 10 has a function of calculating the fare of a ticket, etc. based on the fare data stored in the fare memory 13.
The data memory 14 stores various data. For example, the data memory 14 stores information on cash that can be dispensed by a cash processing unit including the banknote processing unit 17 and the coin processing unit 18. The data memory 14 may also store information indicating other automatic ticket vending machines and commuter pass issuing machines (for example, ticket processing units installed in the same corner as the automatic ticket vending machine 1) that are other ticket processing units capable of performing cash refund processing in place of the automatic ticket vending machine.

The communication unit 15 is an external communication unit for performing data communication with other station service equipment (for example, other automatic ticket vending machines 1, attendant processing machines 3, or commuter pass issuing machines 5). For example, the communication unit 15 is a network interface.

The card processing unit 16 is connected to the card port 16a. The card processing unit 16 processes a card inserted into the card port 16a and ejects the processed card from the card port 16a. The card processing unit 16 has a processing unit according to the type of storage medium of the card it handles. For example, when handling a contactless IC card, the card processing unit 16 is equipped with a reader/writer for communicating with the contactless IC card. When handling a magnetic card that stores magnetic information, the card processing unit 16 is equipped with a magnetic head for reading and writing magnetic information. For example, the card that the card processing unit 16 handles may be a stored fare (SF) card, a commuter pass, a credit card, or an electronic money card.

The banknote processing unit 17 and the coin processing unit 18 function as cash processing units.
The bill processing unit 17 is connected to the bill port 17a. The bill processing unit 17 processes bills inserted into the bill port 17a and ejects bills as change processed in the bill processing unit 17 from the bill port 17a. The bill processing unit 17 has the function of determining the denomination of bills and inspecting the authenticity of bills.

The coin processing unit 18 is connected to the coin insertion port 18a and the coin discharge port 18b. That is, the coin processing unit 18 processes coins inserted into the coin insertion port 18a, and discharges coins stored in a storage unit (not shown) from the coin discharge port 18b as change. The coin processing unit 18 has the functions of determining the type of coin inserted, inspecting the coins, storing inspected coins in a storage unit (not shown), and discharging the amount of coins from the storage unit instructed by the control unit 10.

The ticket processing unit 19 is connected to the ticket port 19a. The ticket processing unit 19 issues passenger ticket media and processes the passenger ticket media to be refunded. For example, the ticket processing unit 19 has a ticket paper insertion unit, a posture control unit, a cutter unit, a printing unit, a collection unit, a transport unit, a punch unit, an encoding unit, a holding unit, and a discharge port unit (none of which are shown).

When performing ticket issuing processing, the ticket processing unit 19 cuts a roll paper-like medium (for example, a magnetic recording medium) to a predetermined size, prints the ticket face and records magnetic information on the cut ticket paper, and releases it from the ticket opening 19a as a ticket. When performing refund processing, the ticket processing unit 19 reads the information recorded on the ticket medium inserted by the user into the ticket opening 19a, collects the ticket medium for which refund based on the read information has been completed using the collection unit, and releases from the ticket opening 19a the ticket medium for which refund based on the read information was not possible.
The commuter pass issuing machine 5 functions as a ticket processing device by having a configuration as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 as the ticket processing device according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a first operation example of a refund process for a ticket medium in the automatic ticket vending machine 1 as the ticket processing device according to the first embodiment.
The control unit 10 of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 performs processes such as ticket issuing and refunding in response to user operations. That is, the control unit 10 detects that the user has instructed to refund the ticket medium (ST11).

For example, when a user wishes to make a refund for a passenger ticket medium that the user possesses, the user uses the touch panel 11a to press the refund button that instructs the refund process for the passenger ticket medium displayed on the customer service display unit 11. The control unit 10 detects that a refund for the passenger ticket medium has been instructed by detecting that the refund button has been pressed on the touch panel 11a.

When the control unit 10 detects that a refund has been instructed for the ticket medium, it displays a guidance screen on the customer display unit 11 that guides the user to present the ticket medium (refund ticket) that is the subject of the refund. The control unit 10 guides the user to present the refund ticket and has the ticket processing unit 19 read the information recorded on the refund ticket presented by the user (ST12).

For example, the control unit 10 displays on the display unit 11 a guide to insert a refund ticket into the ticket slot 19a, and accepts the insertion of the ticket into the ticket slot 19a. When a user inserts a ticket medium to be refunded into the ticket slot 19a, the ticket processing unit 19 takes in the ticket medium inserted into the ticket slot 19a and reads the information stored in the inserted ticket medium.

When the control unit 10 reads the information recorded on the refund ticket by the ticket processing unit 19, it calculates the amount to be refunded for the refund ticket (refund amount) based on the read information (ST13).

Furthermore, the control unit 10 determines the method of payment for the refund amount for the refund ticket based on the information read from the refund ticket. For example, the control unit 10 determines the payment method at the time of issuance of the ticket based on the information read from the refund ticket, and determines the refund according to the payment method at the time of issuance. In this case, the control unit 10 determines the refund in cash for a refund ticket issued with cash payment, and determines the refund in credit card for a refund ticket issued with credit card payment.

The control unit 10 may allow the user to select the refund method when multiple refund methods are available. For example, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 as a ticket processing device may be configured to allow a refund ticket issued upon payment in cash to be refunded in either cash or electronic money. In this case, the control unit 10 may display the selectable refund methods on the customer display unit 11, and identify the method selected by the user on the touch panel 11a from the displayed refund methods as the refund method.

When the control unit 10 identifies the refund method for the refund ticket presented by the user, it determines whether or not it is a cash refund (ST14). If the refund method for the refund ticket is other than cash (ST14, NO), the control unit 10 executes a refund process using the identified refund method other than cash (ST15). For example, if the refund method is a credit card, the control unit 10 executes a refund process to refund the refund amount for the refund ticket by credit card.

If the payout method for the refund ticket is cash (ST14, YES), the control unit 10 determines whether there is a shortage of cash to be paid out based on whether the calculated payout amount can be paid out in cash (ST16). If there is no shortage of cash to be paid out (ST16, NO), the control unit 10 executes the cash payout process (ST17). For example, the control unit 10 executes the cash payout process by collecting the refund ticket using the ticket processing unit 19 and releasing the cash equivalent to the payout amount using the cash processing unit including the banknote processing unit 17 and the coin processing unit 18.

If there is insufficient cash for the refund (ST16, YES), the control unit 10 selects a device (ticket processing device) other than the automatic ticket vending machine 1 that has a function for refunding the ticket medium in cash (ST18). The control unit 10 selects a device with a cash refund function from among ticket processing devices such as other automatic ticket vending machines 1 and commuter pass issuing machines 5 that are installed in the same corner (around the ticket gate) as the automatic ticket vending machine 1. For example, information indicating devices with a cash refund function may be stored in the data memory 14, and the control unit 10 may select a device with a cash refund function from the information stored in the data memory 14.

When the control unit 10 selects a device that has a function for refunding the ticket medium in cash, it communicates with each selected device via the communication unit 15 and queries each device as to whether it can pay out the cash refund amount for the refund ticket (ST19). The control unit 10 receives responses to the queries from each device, and identifies devices that can pay out the cash refund for the refund ticket based on the responses to the queries from each device.

Based on the responses from each device, the control unit 10 determines whether there is another device (ticket processing device) that can dispense the refund amount of the refund ticket in cash (ST20). If there is no other device that can dispense the refund amount in cash (ST20, NO), the control unit 10 displays a message on the customer display unit 11 indicating that a cash refund is not possible due to insufficient cash, or a message screen that guides the customer to a cash refund by an attendant (ST21). When the control unit 10 displays a message indicating that a refund is not possible on the customer display unit 11, it returns the refund ticket presented by the user (ST25), and ends the series of processes in the automatic ticket vending machine 1.

If there is another device (ticket processing device) that can dispense the refund amount in cash (ST20, YES), the control unit 10 displays the devices that can dispense the refund amount in cash on the customer service display unit 11 (ST22). For example, the control unit 10 displays a list of other devices (ticket processing devices) that can dispense the refund amount in cash on the customer service display unit 11 as icons (buttons) that can be selected by the user.

FIG. 4 is a display example of a guide screen displaying a list of other devices (ticket processing devices) that can make cash refunds for the refund ticket displayed on the customer display unit 11. In FIG.
In the display example shown in Figure 4, the control unit 10 displays on the customer service display unit 11 icons (device buttons) A1 and A2 indicating each device (ticket processing device) that can dispense the refund amount for the refund ticket in cash, an icon (attendant counter button) A3 indicating "attendant counter" and an icon (cancel button) A4 indicating "cancel."

When either of the device buttons A1, A2 is selected via the touch panel 11a, the control unit 10 displays on the customer service display unit 11 guidance regarding the device for the selected device button. When the attendant counter button A3 is selected via the touch panel 11a, the control unit 10 displays on the customer service display unit 11 guidance regarding the attendant counter. When the cancel button A4 is selected via the touch panel 11a, the control unit 10 ends the series of processes in the automatic ticket vending machine 1.

If the user does not select another device that can provide a refund (ST23, NO), the control unit 10 displays a guidance screen on the customer display unit 11 that provides guidance on canceling (cash refunding) (ST21). After displaying the guidance on canceling the cash refund, the control unit 10 returns the refund ticket presented by the user (ST25), and the series of processes by the automatic ticket vending machine 1 ends.

For example, when the Cancel button A4 in the display example shown in FIG. 4 is selected by the touch panel 11a, the control unit 10 displays a guide screen instructing the user to cancel the cash refund, returns the refund ticket, and ends the series of processes. Also, when the Attendant Counter button A3 in the display example shown in FIG. 4 is selected by the touch panel 11a, the control unit 10 displays a guide screen on the customer service display unit 11 that provides information about an attendant counter where a cash refund can be made by an attendant, returns the refund ticket, and ends the series of processes.

When the user selects any of the devices that allow cash refunds (ST23, YES), the control unit 10 displays a guide screen on the customer display unit 11 to guide the user to the selected device (ST24).
For example, when the device button A1 or A2 shown in FIG. 4 is selected, the control unit 10 displays on the customer display unit 11 a guidance screen that provides information about the device corresponding to the selected device button.

FIG. 5 is a display example of a guide screen that is displayed on the customer display unit 11 when the device button A2 is selected in the display example shown in FIG.
The display example shown in FIG. 5 is an example of a guide screen that shows the location of a selected device (another ticket processing device) in the corner (near the ticket gate) where the automatic ticket vending machine 1 is installed.

In the display example shown in FIG. 5, a guide map showing the corner (around the ticket gate) where the ticket vending machine 1 is installed is displayed, and a screen is displayed on the guide map to guide the user to the relative positions of the ticket vending machine 1 being operated and the selected device (ticket vending machine). By displaying a guide screen such as that shown in FIG. 5, the ticket vending machine 1 being operated can clearly show the relative positions of the ticket vending machine 1 and the selected device (ticket vending machine 1) on the guide map, and can clearly guide the user to the ticket vending machine 1 as another ticket processing device that can refund refund tickets in cash instead of the ticket vending machine 1.

The control unit 10 displays a guide screen on the customer display unit 11 to guide the user to the selected device, then returns the refund ticket presented by the user (ST25), and ends the series of processes in the automatic ticket vending machine 1.

Next, a second operation example of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 as the ticket processing device according to the first embodiment will be described.
In the above-mentioned first operation example, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 as a ticket processing device that was short of cash inquired of other devices as ticket processing devices as to whether or not they could dispense the refund amount in cash, but the automatic ticket vending machine 1 in the second operation example is adapted to obtain cash information indicating the amount of cash (number of banknotes and coins) that can be dispensed from other devices as ticket processing devices. In such a second operation example, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 may identify other devices that can dispense the refund amount in cash based on the cash information of the other devices.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a second operation example of the refund process for the ticket medium in the automatic ticket vending machine 1 as the ticket processing device according to the first embodiment.
The control unit 10 of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 performs processes such as ticket issuing and refund processing in response to user operations. The control unit 10 detects that a refund has been instructed for the ticket medium held by the user (ST11).

When the control unit 10 detects that a refund for the ticket medium has been instructed, it displays a guidance screen on the customer service display unit 11 that guides the user to present the ticket medium (refund ticket) that is the subject of the refund, and the ticket processing unit 19 reads the information recorded on the refund ticket presented by the user (ST12).

When the control unit 10 reads the information recorded on the refund ticket by the ticket processing unit 19, it calculates the amount to be refunded (refund amount) based on the read information (ST13).

The control unit 10 further identifies the refund method from the information read from the refund ticket, and determines whether the refund for the refund ticket is a cash refund (ST14). If the refund for the refund ticket is something other than cash (ST14, NO), the control unit 10 executes the refund process using the identified non-cash refund method (ST15).

If the refund for the refund ticket is cash (ST14, YES), the control unit 10 determines whether there is a shortage of cash for the refund based on whether the calculated refund amount can be paid out in cash (ST16). If there is not a shortage of cash for the refund (ST16, NO), the control unit 10 collects the refund ticket using the ticket processing unit 19 and executes the cash refund process by releasing the refund amount in cash using the cash processing unit including the banknote processing unit 17 and coin processing unit 18 (ST17).

If there is insufficient cash for the refund (ST16, YES), the control unit 10 selects a device (ticket processing device) other than the automatic ticket vending machine 1 that has the function of refunding the ticket medium in cash (ST18).

When the control unit 10 selects a device that has a function for refunding the ticket medium in cash, the control unit 10 communicates with each selected device via the communication unit 15 and acquires cash information indicating the cash that each device can dispense (ST31). Based on the cash information acquired from each device, the control unit 10 identifies a device that can issue a cash refund for the refund ticket.

For example, the control unit 10 acquires, as cash information, information indicating the number of each banknote and the number of each coin that each device can dispense. The control unit 10 calculates the number of banknotes and the number of coins required to dispense the refund amount, and identifies cash information having the number of banknotes and the number of coins required for the refund. As a result, the control unit 10 identifies the device with the cash information that has the cash required for the refund as a device that can dispense cash for the refund ticket.

Based on the cash information acquired from each device, the control unit 10 determines whether there is another device (ticket processing device) that can dispense the refund amount of the refund ticket in cash (ST20). If there is no other device that can dispense the refund amount in cash (ST20, NO), the control unit 10 displays a message on the customer display unit 11 indicating that a cash refund is not possible due to a lack of cash, or a message screen that guides the customer to a cash refund by an attendant (ST21). After displaying the message indicating that a refund is not possible on the customer display unit 11, the control unit 10 returns the refund ticket presented by the user (ST25), and ends the series of processes.

If there is another device (ticket processing device) that can dispense the refund amount in cash (ST20, YES), the control unit 10 displays the device that can dispense the refund amount in cash on the customer service display unit 11 (ST22). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 10 displays icons on the customer service display unit 11 that allow the user to select other devices (ticket processing devices) that can dispense the refund amount in cash.

In the second operation example, since the cash information of each device is obtained, if there are multiple other devices (ticket processing devices) that can dispense the refund amount in cash, the control unit 10 may provide guidance according to the amount (cash information) that each device can dispense. For example, the control unit 10 may provide guidance on each device that can dispense the refund amount in cash in order of the largest balance of dispenseable cash (amount of banknotes and coins).

If the user does not select another device that allows refunds (ST23, NO), the control unit 10 displays a message screen on the customer display unit 11 informing the user that cash refunds are not possible (ST21), returns the refund ticket presented by the user (ST25), and ends the series of processes by the automatic ticket vending machine 1.

When the user selects a device that allows cash refunds (ST23, YES), the control unit 10 displays a guide screen on the customer display unit 11 to guide the user to the selected device (ST24). After displaying the guide screen on the customer display unit 11 to guide the user to the selected device, the control unit 10 returns the refund ticket presented by the user (ST25), and ends the series of processes in the automatic ticket vending machine 1.

In the first and second operation examples described above, if another device capable of making a cash refund is selected, the control unit 10 may notify the device selected by the user of information related to the refund of the refund ticket presented by the user. As a result, the device selected by the user as the device for making a cash refund (the other ticket processing device) may display a message on the customer display unit indicating that a cash refund is possible in advance on a standby screen or the like, or may prepare for the cash refund process for the refund ticket (for example, by securing cash for the refund amount).

According to the first embodiment described above, if the ticket processing device is unable to dispense the refund amount in cash for the ticket presented by the user, it identifies other ticket processing devices capable of dispensing the cash refund amount based on information obtained from other ticket processing devices with which it can communicate, and displays a guide on the customer service display unit indicating the other ticket processing devices capable of dispensing the cash refund amount.

As a result, according to the first embodiment, even if a ticket processing device is unable to dispense the refund amount of a ticket presented by a user in cash, the user can be guided to a ticket processing device that can dispense the refund amount in cash, and the user can be prompted to withdraw the cash by operating the device without the intervention of an attendant.

The ticket processing device according to the first embodiment also queries other ticket processing devices as to whether they can dispense the refund amount in cash, and identifies other ticket processing devices that can dispense the refund amount in cash for the ticket presented by the user. This allows the ticket processing device to easily identify ticket processing devices that can dispense the refund amount in cash, and quickly provide guidance to the user.

The ticket processing device according to the first embodiment also acquires cash information indicating the cash that can be dispensed from other ticket processing devices, and identifies other ticket processing devices that can dispense the refund amount in cash based on the cash information acquired from the other ticket processing devices. This allows the ticket processing device to identify the remaining amount of cash that can be dispensed by each ticket processing device, and therefore not only can it guide users to ticket processing devices that can dispense the refund amount in cash, but it can also provide guidance based on the remaining amount of cash that can be dispensed by each ticket processing device.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a station service system (ticket processing system) made up of various station service devices including an automatic ticket vending machine (ticket processing device) 1 according to the second embodiment.
As shown in Figure 7, the station service system according to the second embodiment has automatic ticket vending machines 1 (1A, 1B, ..., 1N), automatic ticket gates 2 (2A, 2B, ..., 2N), an attendant processing machine 3, and a commuter pass issuing machine 5, and further has a configuration in which a server 6 is added to the station service system according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Server 6 is composed of, for example, a computer used as a general server device. Server 6 has a communication function with each station equipment. Server 6 distributes information to each station equipment and collects information from each station equipment. Server 6 is provided for each station and connects each station equipment of each station. Also, one server 6 may be provided for multiple stations and connect each station equipment of multiple stations.

Note that the configurations of the automatic ticket vending machine 1, automatic ticket gate 2, attendant processing machine 3, and commuter pass issuing machine 5 shown in FIG. 7 can be realized with those explained in the first embodiment, so detailed explanations will be omitted. Also, the configurations of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 and commuter pass issuing machine 5 as ticket processing devices will be explained as being similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 2. However, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 and commuter pass issuing machine 5 are configured to be able to communicate with the server 6 via a communication unit.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 6 in the station service system according to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the server 6 includes a control unit 60, a data memory 61, and a communication unit 62.
The control unit 60 controls the server 6. The control unit 60 has a processor 60a, a memory 60b, and various interfaces. The processor 60a is a CPU, etc. The memory 60b is a RAM, a ROM, a rewritable non-volatile memory (for example, an EEPROM, a FROM, etc.), etc. The memory 60b includes a buffer memory that temporarily stores data, and a program memory that stores various programs executed by the processor 60a, control data, etc. The control unit 60 realizes various functions by the processor 60a executing the programs stored in the memory 60b.

The data memory 61 is a storage device that stores data. The data memory 61 stores, for example, information acquired from each device. For example, the control unit 10 acquires cash information indicating the cash that can be dispensed (stored cash) from the automatic ticket vending machine 1 and the commuter pass issuing machine 5 as ticket processing devices, and stores the cash information of each automatic ticket vending machine 1 and commuter pass issuing machine 5 in the data memory 61.
The communication unit 62 is a communication interface for performing data communication with each station service equipment. For example, the communication unit 62 is a network interface that communicates with each station service equipment via a network.

Next, the operation of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 as the ticket processing device in the ticket processing system according to the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a third operation example of the refund process by the automatic ticket vending machine 1 as the ticket processing device in the ticket processing system according to the second embodiment.
The control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 1 performs processes such as ticket issuing and refund processing in response to user operations. When the control unit 10 detects that a refund has been instructed for the passenger ticket medium, it displays a guide screen on the customer display unit 11, instructing the user to present the passenger ticket medium (refund ticket). The control unit 10 notifies the user to present the refund ticket, and also performs a process of reading information recorded on the refund ticket presented by the user using the ticket processing unit 19 (ST12).

When the control unit 10 reads the information recorded on the refund ticket by the ticket processing unit 19, it calculates the amount to be refunded for the refund ticket (refund amount) based on the read information (ST13).

The control unit 10 further identifies the method of payment for the refund amount for the refund ticket based on the information read from the refund ticket, and determines whether the refund for the refund ticket presented by the user is to be a cash refund (ST14). If the method of payment for the refund ticket is other than cash (ST14, NO), the control unit 10 executes the refund process using the identified method other than cash (ST15).

If the refund method for the refund ticket is cash (ST14, YES), the control unit 10 determines whether there is a shortage of cash to be refunded based on whether the calculated refund amount can be paid out in cash (ST16). If there is no shortage of cash to be refunded (ST16, NO), the control unit 10 executes the cash refund process (ST17).

If there is insufficient cash for refund (ST16, YES), the control unit 10 selects a device (ticket processing device) other than the ticket vending machine 1 that has a function of refunding the ticket medium in cash (ST18).
When the control unit 10 selects a machine with a cash refund function, it communicates with the server 6 via the communication unit 15 and inquires of the server 6 whether each machine is capable of paying out the cash refund amount for the refund ticket (ST41).

The server 6 receives a refund inquiry from the automatic ticket vending machine 1 via the communication unit 62. The control unit 60 of the server 6 identifies another device (ticket processing device) that can dispense the cash refund amount in response to the inquiry from the automatic ticket vending machine 1.

For example, the server 6 inquires of each machine with a cash refund function located in the same section as the ticket vending machine 1 whether it can pay out the refund amount in cash, and identifies machines capable of paying out the refund amount in cash based on the response of each machine to the inquiry. The server 6 may also identify machines capable of paying out the refund amount in cash based on cash information acquired from each machine located in the same section as the ticket vending machine 1.

When the control unit 60 of the server 6 identifies another device (ticket processing device) capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash in response to the inquiry, it notifies the ticket vending machine 1 that made the inquiry of information indicating the other device capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash.

The automatic ticket vending machine 1 obtains information from the server 6 indicating a device capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash as a response to the inquiry via the communication unit 15. When the control unit 10 of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 obtains information from the server 6 indicating a device capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash, it determines based on the information from the server 6 whether there is another device (ticket processing device) capable of dispensing the refund amount of the refund ticket in cash (ST20).

If there is no other device capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash (ST20, NO), the control unit 10 displays on the customer service display unit 11 a message informing the customer that a cash refund is not possible due to insufficient cash, or a message screen informing the customer that a cash refund is possible through the assistance of an attendant (ST21). After displaying the message that a refund is not possible on the customer service display unit 11, the control unit 10 returns the refund ticket presented by the user (ST25), and ends the series of processes in the automatic ticket vending machine 1.

If there is another device that can dispense the refund amount in cash (ST20, YES), the control unit 10 displays information indicating the device that can dispense the refund amount in cash on the customer service display unit 11 (ST22). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 10 displays a list of other devices (ticket processing devices) that can dispense the refund amount in cash on the customer service display unit 11 as icons (buttons) that can be selected by the user.

If the user does not select another device that allows refunds (ST23, NO), the control unit 10 displays a guide screen on the customer display unit 11 to guide the user to cancel the cash refund (ST21). After displaying the guide screen to cancel the refund, the control unit 10 returns the refund ticket presented by the user (ST25), and the series of processes by the automatic ticket vending machine 1 ends.

When the user selects a device that allows cash withdrawal (ST23, YES), the control unit 10 displays a guidance screen on the customer display unit 11 that provides information about the selected device (ST24). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 10 displays a guidance screen on the customer display unit 11 that provides information about the location of the device selected by the user.

The control unit 10 displays a guide screen on the customer display unit 11 to guide the user to the selected device, then returns the refund ticket presented by the user (ST25), and ends the series of processes in the automatic ticket vending machine 1.

Next, a fourth operation example of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 as the ticket processing device according to the second embodiment will be described.
In the above-mentioned third operation example, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 as a ticket processing device that was short of cash inquired of the server about other devices as ticket processing devices that can dispense the refund amount in cash, but the automatic ticket vending machine 1 in the fourth operation example obtains cash information indicating the amount of cash (number of bills and coins) that can be dispensed by the other devices as ticket processing devices from the server 6. In such a fourth operation example, the automatic ticket vending machine 1 may identify devices that can dispense the refund amount in cash based on the cash information of the other devices obtained from the server 6.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a fourth operation example of the refund process by the automatic ticket vending machine 1 as the ticket processing device in the ticket processing system according to the second embodiment.
The control unit 10 of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 performs processes such as ticket issuing and refund processing in response to user operations. When the control unit 10 detects that a refund of the passenger ticket medium has been instructed (ST11), it displays a guide screen on the customer display unit 11 to guide the user to present the passenger ticket medium (refund ticket), and performs a process of reading information recorded on the refund ticket presented by the user using the ticket processing unit 19 (ST12).

When the control unit 10 reads the information recorded on the refund ticket by the ticket processing unit 19, it calculates the amount to be refunded (refund amount) based on the read information (ST13). Furthermore, the control unit 10 identifies the refund method from the information read from the refund ticket, and determines whether the refund for the refund ticket is a cash refund (ST14). If the refund for the refund ticket is something other than cash (ST14, NO), the control unit 10 executes the refund process using the identified non-cash refund method (ST15).

If the refund for the refund ticket is cash (ST14, YES), the control unit 10 determines whether there is a shortage of cash for the refund based on whether the calculated refund amount can be paid out in cash (ST16). If there is not a shortage of cash for the refund (ST16, NO), the control unit 10 collects the refund ticket using the ticket processing unit 19 and executes the cash refund process by releasing the refund amount in cash using the cash processing unit including the banknote processing unit 17 and coin processing unit 18 (ST17).

If there is insufficient cash for the refund (ST16, YES), the control unit 10 selects a device (ticket processing device) other than the automatic ticket vending machine 1 that has the function of refunding the ticket medium in cash (ST18).

When the control unit 10 selects a device that has the function of refunding the ticket medium in cash, it communicates with the server 6 via the communication unit 15 and obtains cash information from the server 6 indicating the cash that each device can dispense (ST51).

For example, the control unit 10 requests the server 6 for cash information of each device with a cash refund function that is located in the same corner as the automatic ticket vending machine 1. The server 6 receives the request for the cash information of each device from the automatic ticket vending machine 1 via the communication unit 62. The control unit 60 of the server 6 transmits the cash information of each device to the automatic ticket vending machine 1 in response to the request from the automatic ticket vending machine 1.

The automatic ticket vending machine 1 acquires the cash information of each device from the server 6 via the communication unit 15. The control unit 10 of the automatic ticket vending machine 1 determines, based on the cash information of each device acquired from the server 6, whether there is another device (ticket processing device) that can dispense the refund amount of the refund ticket in cash (ST20).

If there is no other device capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash (ST20, NO), the control unit 10 displays on the customer service display unit 11 a message informing the user that a cash refund is not possible due to a lack of cash, or a message screen informing the user that a cash refund can be made by an attendant (ST21). After displaying the message on the customer service display unit 11 that a refund is not possible, the control unit 10 returns the refund ticket presented by the user (ST25), and the series of processes ends.

If there is another device (ticket processing device) that can dispense the refund amount in cash (ST20, YES), the control unit 10 displays the device that can dispense the refund amount in cash on the customer service display unit 11 (ST22). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 10 displays icons on the customer service display unit 11 that allow the user to select other devices (ticket processing devices) that can dispense the refund amount in cash.

In the fourth operation example, since the cash information of each device is obtained, if there are multiple other devices (ticket processing devices) that can dispense the refund amount in cash, the control unit 10 may provide guidance according to the amount (cash information) that each device can dispense. For example, the control unit 10 may provide guidance on each device that can dispense the refund amount in cash in order of the largest balance of dispenseable cash (amount of banknotes and coins).

If the user does not select another device that allows refunds (ST23, NO), the control unit 10 displays a message screen on the customer display unit 11 informing the user that cash refunds are not possible (ST21), returns the refund ticket presented by the user (ST25), and ends the series of processes by the automatic ticket vending machine 1.

When the user selects a device that allows cash refunds (ST23, YES), the control unit 10 displays a guide screen on the customer display unit 11 that provides information about the device selected by the user (ST24). After displaying the guide screen on the customer display unit 11 that provides information about the selected device, the control unit 10 returns the refund ticket presented by the user (ST25), and ends the series of processes in the automatic ticket vending machine 1.

In the third and fourth operation examples described above, if another device capable of making a cash refund is selected, the control unit 10 may notify the device selected by the user of information related to the refund of the refund ticket presented by the user. As a result, the device selected by the user as the device for making a cash refund (other ticket processing device) may display a message on the customer display unit indicating that a cash refund is possible in advance on a standby screen or the like, or may prepare for the cash refund process for the refund ticket (for example, by securing cash for the refund amount).

According to the second embodiment described above, if the ticket processing device is unable to dispense the refund amount in cash for the ticket presented by the user, it identifies other ticket processing devices capable of dispensing the cash refund amount based on information obtained from the server, and displays a guide on the customer service display unit indicating the other ticket processing devices capable of dispensing the cash refund amount.

As a result, according to the second embodiment, even if a ticket processing device is unable to dispense the refund amount of a ticket presented by a user in cash, the user can be guided to a ticket processing device that can dispense the refund amount in cash, and the user can be prompted to withdraw the cash by operating the device without the intervention of an attendant.

The ticket processing device according to the second embodiment queries the server for other ticket processing devices capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash, and identifies other ticket processing devices capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash. This allows the ticket processing device according to the embodiment to easily identify ticket processing devices capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash, and to quickly provide guidance to the user.

The ticket processing device according to the second embodiment also acquires cash information from the server indicating the cash that can be dispensed at other ticket processing devices, and identifies other ticket processing devices that can dispense the cash refund amount based on the cash information of the other ticket processing devices. This allows the ticket processing device to identify the remaining amount of cash that can be dispensed at each ticket processing device, and therefore not only can it guide users to ticket processing devices that can dispense the refund amount in cash, but it can also provide guidance based on the remaining amount of cash that can be dispensed at each ticket processing device.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

1... Automatic ticket vending machine (ticket processing device), 5... Commuter pass issuing machine (ticket processing device), 6... Server, 10... Control unit, 10a... Processor, 10b... Memory, 11... Customer service display unit, 11a... Touch panel, 12... Staff display unit, 12a... Touch panel, 14... Data memory, 15... Communication unit, 16... Card processing unit, 17... Banknote processing unit (cash processing unit), 18... Coin processing unit (cash processing unit), 19... Ticket processing unit, 60... Control unit (second control unit), 60a... Processor, 60b... Memory, 61... Data memory, 62... Communication unit (second communication unit).

Claims (9)

a ticket processing unit for processing tickets;
a cash processing unit for depositing and withdrawing cash;
a control unit that displays on a display device information about other ticket processing devices that can dispense the refund amount in cash when the cash processing unit cannot dispense the refund amount for the ticket processed by the ticket processing unit;
A ticket processing device having the above structure. Further, a communication unit for communicating with other ticket processing devices is provided,
the control unit displays on a display device a guide to other ticket processing devices capable of dispensing the refund amount of cash, the guide being specified based on information acquired from the other ticket processing devices by the communication unit.
The ticket processing device according to claim 1 . the control unit transmits an inquiry to the other ticket processing devices through the communication unit as to whether or not the refund amount can be dispensed in cash, and displays on a display device a guide to the other ticket processing devices that can dispense the refund amount in cash, the guide being identified based on a response to the inquiry.
The ticket processing device according to claim 2 . The control unit acquires cash information indicating cash that can be dispensed to the other ticket processing device through the communication unit, and displays on a display device a guide to the other ticket processing device that can dispense the cash of the refund amount specified based on the cash information acquired from the other ticket processing device.
The ticket processing device according to claim 2 . Further, a communication unit for communicating with a server that communicates with each station service device is provided,
the control unit displays on a display device a guide to other ticket processing devices capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash, the guide being specified based on information acquired from the server by the communication unit.
The ticket processing device according to claim 1 . the control unit inquires of the server through the communication unit about information indicating other ticket processing devices capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash, and displays on a display device information about other ticket processing devices capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash, the information being specified based on a response from the server to the inquiry.
The ticket processing device according to claim 5 . The control unit acquires cash information indicating cash that can be dispensed by other ticket processing devices from the server via the communication unit, and displays on a display device a guide to other ticket processing devices that can dispense the cash refund amount specified based on the cash information of the other ticket processing devices acquired from the server.
The ticket processing device according to claim 5 . A ticket processing system in which a plurality of ticket processing devices are communicatively connected,
The ticket processing device includes:
A communication unit that communicates with other ticket processing devices;
a ticket processing unit for processing tickets;
a cash processing unit for depositing and withdrawing cash;
a control unit which, when the cash processing unit is unable to dispense the refund amount for the ticket processed by the ticket processing unit in cash, displays on a display device information about other ticket processing devices capable of dispensing the refund amount in cash, the information being specified based on information acquired from the other ticket processing devices by the communication unit, and, when an inquiry is received from the other ticket processing devices regarding the cash that can be dispensed, responds to the ticket processing device that made the inquiry with information indicating whether or not the refund amount can be dispensed in cash.
Ticket processing system. A ticket processing system including a server and a plurality of ticket processing devices,
The ticket processing device includes:
A communication unit that communicates with the server;
a ticket processing unit for processing tickets;
a cash processing unit for depositing and withdrawing cash;
a control unit which, when the cash processing unit is unable to dispense the refund amount for the ticket processed by the ticket processing unit in cash, displays on a display device information about other ticket processing devices which can dispense the refund amount in cash, the information being specified based on information acquired from the server by the communication unit, and, when an inquiry is received from the server regarding the cash which can be dispensed, responds to the server with information indicating whether the refund amount in cash can be dispensed;
The server,
A second communication unit that communicates with the plurality of ticket processing devices;
and a second control unit that, when receiving an inquiry from one ticket processing device regarding cash that can be dispensed in another ticket processing device, responds to the ticket processing device that originated the inquiry with information indicating whether the other ticket processing device can dispense the cash of the refund amount.
Ticket processing system.