JP2614349B2 - Automatic reserved seat ticket issuing device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an automatic designated seat ticket issuing device for issuing designated seat tickets by a customer operation in a transportation system such as a railway and a bus, and more particularly to an issued free seat ticket issuing device. The present invention relates to an automatic reserved seat ticket issuing device having a function of changing a seat ticket to a reserved seat ticket and issuing the ticket.

(Prior Art) In recent years, in a transportation system such as a railway or a bus, an automatic designated seat ticket issuing device for issuing a designated seat ticket by a customer operation has been put into practical use (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-137657).

That is, this type of automatic reserved seat ticket issuing apparatus is connected to a host computer on the center side, transmits designated seat reservation information such as destination, type of seat, and number of sheets to the host computer to inquire whether reservation is possible. Has a structure in which a designated seat ticket is issued when a response indicating that issuance is possible is received from.

By the way, when changing a purchased unreserved seat ticket to a reserved seat ticket, since the conventional automatic reserved seat ticket issuing device merely has a function of issuing a reserved seat ticket, the customer can use the unreserved seat ticket. They bring them to the counter and purchase reserved seat tickets with the difference.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, when changing the unreserved seat ticket to the designated seat ticket at the counter in this way, the attendant checks the validity or invalidity of the unreserved seat ticket visually or using a ticket reader (for example, , The validity of the unreserved seat ticket, whether or not it is within the validity period, etc.), and if it is determined to be valid, the attendant makes a reservation for the desired designated seat to the host computer of the center using the reservation terminal device, It is necessary to calculate the difference from the unreserved seat ticket, receive the difference from the customer, and release the reserved seat ticket in exchange for the unreserved seat ticket.

Therefore, since the work at the counter will increase,
Not only did the staff take more work, but at the terminal stations where there were many passengers to transfer, the windows were crowded.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic designated seat ticket issuing apparatus capable of changing a free seat ticket to a designated seat ticket.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention is connected to a host computer at a center which centrally manages the issuance of a reserved seat ticket based on reserved seat reservation information, and automatically designates the issuance of a reserved seat ticket by a customer operation. In the seat ticket issuing device, a ticket insertion slot for inserting the unreserved seat ticket issued by the customer, a transport unit for transporting the inserted unreserved seat ticket and the issued designated seat ticket in the device, and a free seat ticket. A ticket information reading unit that reads recorded free seat ticket information, a data storage unit that stores determination data for determining validity / invalidity of the free seat ticket, and a free seat ticket information and the determination data. A main control unit that determines the validity / invalidity of the unreserved seat ticket and calculates the difference between the fee for the unreserved seat ticket that is determined to be valid and the fee for the reserved seat ticket that can be reserved. Reserved seats for selecting and entering reserved seat reservation information A reservation information input unit, a communication control unit that transmits the input reserved seat reservation information to the host computer and receives a determination result of reservation availability, and a display that displays designated seat selection information and a difference calculated by the main control unit. And a ticket issuing unit for issuing a designated seat ticket based on designated seat ticket information when the difference is paid.

(Operation) The issued unreserved seat ticket inserted by the customer is carried into the apparatus by the transport unit, and the unreserved seat ticket information is read by the ticket information reading unit.

The main control unit determines whether the free seat ticket is valid or invalid based on the determination data in the data storage unit and the read free seat ticket information.

The reserved seat reservation information input section displays designated seat selection information such as the train name and departure time, and allows the customer to select and enter the reserved seat reservation information.

The communication control unit transmits the input reserved seat reservation information to the host computer, and receives the determination result of the reservation possibility.

On the other hand, the main controller calculates the difference between the fee of the unreserved seat ticket determined to be valid and the fee of the reserved seat ticket that can be reserved, and the difference is displayed on the display unit.

When the difference is paid by the customer, the ticket issuing unit issues a designated seat ticket based on the designated seat ticket information.

Therefore, the automatic reserved seat ticket issuing device of the present invention automatically changes the unreserved seat ticket to the reserved seat ticket and issues it, so that there is no need to change the unreserved seat ticket to the reserved seat ticket at the counter.

Therefore, congestion at the counter can be alleviated, the work load of the staff at the counter can be reduced, and the reserved seat ticket can be promptly provided to the customer.

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part showing an embodiment of an automatic designated seat ticket issuing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an internal mechanism showing one embodiment of the automatic designated seat ticket issuing device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of the automatic designated seat ticket issuing apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the automatic designated seat ticket issuing device of the present invention comprises:
It has an automatic designated seat ticket issuing device main body 1, and a CRT display 2 serving as a display section of various information is provided in the device main body 1. On the CRT display 2, a touch-type input unit 3 serving as a reserved seat reservation information input unit for inputting reserved seat reservation information to be described later is arranged. Selection information and the like can be selected and input only by touching with a finger. Reference numeral 4 denotes a key for inputting various data, and reference numeral 5 denotes a bill insertion / payment port. The bill insertion / payment port 5 is used for depositing / dispensing bills shown in FIG. It is connected to Kimbe 24. 6 is a coin slot,
Reference numeral 7 denotes a ticket issuing port / coin payout port. The coin input port 6 and the ticket issuing port / coin payout port 7 are connected to a coin depositing / dispensing section 25 for depositing and withdrawing coins shown in FIG. ing. Reference numeral 8 denotes a ticket insertion slot for inserting an issued unreserved seat ticket.

Next, in FIG. 1, the main control unit 19 includes a voice guidance control unit 20, an operation control unit 21, a communication control unit 22, a cash processing control unit 23,
A bill receiving / dispensing unit 24, a coin receiving / dispensing unit 25, an auxiliary storage control unit 26, a print control unit 27, and a display control unit 28 are connected. here,
The voice guidance control unit 20 causes the speaker 29 to perform operation guidance under the control of the main control unit 19. Operation control unit 21
Sends a control signal to the main control unit 19 based on an input from the input key 4 or the touch-type input unit 3. The main controller 19 is connected to a host computer 11 of a center, which will be described later, via a communication controller 22 and a communication line 30. Cash processing control unit 23
Controls the banknote depositing / dispensing unit 24 and the coin depositing / dispensing unit 25, and the auxiliary storage control unit 26 is a hard disk drive that is a data storage unit in which data and the like are stored under the control of the main control unit 19. (HDD) 31 and floppy disk drive (FDD) 32 are controlled. Further, the print control unit 27 controls a print unit 33 which is a ticket issuing unit that issues a reserved seat ticket under the control of the main control unit 19, and the display control unit 28 controls under the control of the main control unit 19. The display control of the CRT display 2 is performed.

The HDD 31 stores determination data for determining whether a free seat ticket is valid or invalid. The determination data includes, for example, data for determining the authenticity of the unreserved seat ticket, data indicating the number of valid days of the unreserved seat ticket, and the like. The HDD 31 stores reserved seat selection information. The reserved seat selection information includes line section / direction option information, train schedule information, calendar information, getting on / off station information, and the like.

Next, in FIG. 2, a flicker lamp 41 is arranged in the vicinity of the ticket insertion slot 8, and the flicker lamp 41 blinks in the ticket change mode, so that the issued unreserved seat ticket can be inserted. Notify the customer. Reference numeral 42 denotes a feed roller, and the feed roller 42
The unreserved seat ticket inserted is taken into the automatic designated seat ticket issuing device. Reference numeral 43 denotes a transport path, and a plurality of transport rollers 44 are arranged on both sides of the transport path 43 in pairs at appropriate intervals, and unreserved seat tickets and designated seat tickets are passed through the transport path 43. 1 is conveyed. Reference numeral 45 denotes a switching unit that switches the transport path 43 between the ticket insertion slot 8 direction and the ticket issue slot / coin payment slot 7 direction. 46 is a blade,
By switching the blade 46, the ticket from the transport path 43 is collected by the ticket collection unit 47. A transport unit is configured by the feed roller 42, the transport path 43, the transport roller 44, and the like. Reference numeral 48 denotes a ticket standby unit provided in the transport path 43 for temporarily holding tickets. Numeral 49 denotes a magnetic recording / reading section of a ticket information reading section which is provided in the transport path 43 and records / reads ticket information. This magnetic recording / reading unit 49
Has a recording head / erasing head 49a and a reading head 49b. 50 is a roll paper using plain paper,
A magnetic tape is attached to the back side of the roll paper 50. Reference numeral 52 denotes a cutter for cutting the roll paper 50 supplied via the guide roller 51 and the transport roller 44. Printing unit 33
Performs printing on the roll paper 50 of a predetermined length which has been switched and sent by the switching unit 53, and is issued as a designated seat ticket as described later. 33a and 33b are thermal transfer type thermal print heads, 33c and 33d are platens, 33e and 33f are thermal transfer ink ribbon supply sides, and 33g and 33h are thermal transfer ink ribbon winding sides.

FIG. 4 shows a system configuration using the automatic designated seat ticket issuing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the figure, an automatic designated seat ticket issuing device 10 of the present invention is connected to a host computer 11 on the center side via a communication line 30 and to a remote terminal device 16 via a dedicated line 15. Host computer
Reference numeral 11 denotes a recording device 12, and the storage device 12 stores a reservation management file 12a. The storage device 12 is controlled by the control unit 14, and transmission and reception with the device 10 are performed via the communication control unit 13. The remote terminal device 16 monitors the status of the automatically designated seat ticket issuing device 10, and is operated by a staff member as needed. The remote terminal device 16 has a control unit 17, an operation unit 17a, and a communication control unit 18. The communication control unit 18 is connected to the private communication control unit 9 (see FIG. See).

Next, the operation of the automatic designated seat ticket issuing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the operation flowcharts of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 and FIG.

First, when the power of the automatic designated seat ticket issuing device is turned on (step 1), a preparation screen is displayed on the CRT display 2 (step 2). Wait in this state. When the customer approaches, a proximity sensor (not shown) detects (step 3) and notifies the main controller 19. As a result, the main control unit 19
The initial screen information is read from the HDD 31. This initial screen information is sent to the display control unit 28, and the initial screen is displayed on the CRT display 2 (step 4). In this initial screen, as shown in FIG. 6, "Issuance of a reserved seat ticket" and "Change of unreserved seat ticket → designated seat ticket" are displayed, and "Issuance of a reserved seat ticket" is performed by the touch input unit 3. Is selected, the process proceeds to a normal reserved seat ticket issuing operation.

When the customer selects “unreserved seat ticket → reserved seat ticket change” with the touch input unit 3 in step 4, the main control unit 19 switches the automatic designated seat ticket issuing device to the change ticketing mode, and the ticket slot 8 The flicker lamp 41 in the vicinity blinks (step 5). Further, the main control unit 19 controls the voice guidance control unit 20,
Guidance is given by voice from the speaker 29 saying "Please insert a ticket" (step 6). This allows the customer to know that the free seat ticket can be inserted.

When the customer inserts the issued unreserved seat ticket from the ticket slot 8 (step 7), the unreserved seat ticket is taken into the apparatus by the feed roller 42, and as shown in FIG.
It is carried in along the transport path 43 along the routes a, b, and c. Then, the magnetic data (ticket information) of the unreserved seat ticket is read by the magnetic recording / reading unit 49 (step 8), and then the unreserved seat ticket is conveyed to the ticket waiting unit 48 along the route of arrows d and e. stand by.

On the other hand, the main control unit 19 takes in the judgment data from the HDD 31 (step 9), receives the read magnetic data of the free seat ticket from the magnetic recording / reading unit 49, and based on the magnetic data and the judgment data, the free seat ticket. Is determined to be valid or invalid (step 10). That is, the main control unit 19 determines whether or not the magnetic data conforms to the format or the like indicated by the data for determining authenticity, and determines whether or not the number of valid days has elapsed from the issue date. . Then, when it is determined that the unreserved seat ticket is valid, steps 12 to 16 described later are performed.
Then, the reserved seat reservation information is obtained, and the reserved seat reservation information is transmitted to the host computer 11 on the center side via the communication control unit 22 and the communication line 30 (step 11).

When the main controller 19 determines that the unreserved seat ticket is valid in step 10, the main controller 19 fetches designated seat selection information from the HDD 31 (step 12). This reserved seat selection information includes line section / direction option information, and this information is displayed on the CRT display 2 for the line section / area selection information.
It is displayed as a direction selection screen. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a line section / direction selection screen. A plurality of line sections / directions are displayed on the screen, and the area where each line section / direction is displayed is a touch panel. Therefore, the customer presses the touch panel of the desired line section / area to
The direction is selected (step 13).

When the line section / direction is selected, the information is stored in the storage unit of the main control unit 19, and then the train schedule information is selected from the reserved seat selection information and displayed on the CRT display 2 as a train name selection screen. . FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a train name selection screen. As shown in the figure, a plurality of train names in the selected line section / area are displayed on this screen. The area where each train name is displayed is also a touch panel. The departure time is also displayed together with the train name. The trains displayed here depart after the current time of the day, and are in order of departure time from the top.

In addition, this screen shows “Change boarding date”, “Change boarding time”
And "Line / Direction change" are displayed. If the customer wants to change the boarding date, boarding time and line / direction,
Press these change touch panels.

When a train name is selected on the train name selection screen (step 14), the information is similarly stored in the storage unit of the main control unit 19. Next, train schedule information is selected from the reserved seat selection information, and a drop-off station selection screen is displayed on the CRT display 2. FIG. 9 shows an example of a drop-off station selection screen. The getting-off station selection screen displays each station where the selected train stops. The area where each station is displayed is a touch panel, and the customer presses any of the touch panels to select a drop-off station. The getting-off station selection screen is provided with a “change boarding date” touch panel, a “train change” touch panel, and a “get off station change” touch panel, which can be changed respectively.

When the getting off station is selected on the getting off station selection screen (step 15), the information is stored in the storage unit of the main control unit 19,
Next, all the information stored in the storage unit is used as the reserved seat reservation information as CR.
T Display on display 2.

On this display screen, the distinction between smoking and non-smoking seats and the number of smoking seats are displayed, and the setting can be made by the customer pressing a push button indicating the desired number of seats.

When the "confirmation" touch panel is pressed on this screen (step 16), the main control unit 19 transmits the selected designated seat reservation information to the communication control unit 22 and the communication line 30 in step 11 as described above. It sends an inquiry to the host computer 11 as to whether reservation is possible.

In FIG. 4, a host computer 11 includes a control unit 14.
Is checked against the reservation management file 12a in the storage device 12 to determine whether reservation is possible. Here, if the reservation is possible, a signal indicating that the reservation is possible and the charge data of the designated seat are transmitted to the automatic designated seat ticket issuing device 10 of the present invention, and if the reservation is not possible, a signal indicating that the reservation is impossible is transmitted to the device 10 ( Step 17).

If there is a response indicating that reservation is possible in step 17, the main control unit
19 compares the received reserved seat price data with the unreserved seat fee data obtained as magnetic data of the unreserved seat ticket, and calculates the difference between the reserved seat ticket and the unreserved seat ticket (step 18). Further, the main control unit 19 controls the display control unit 28 to convert this difference into a CR.
At the same time as displaying on the T display 2 (step 19), the voice guidance control unit 20 is controlled to provide voice guidance, for example, "Please deposit money" from the speaker 29, to urge the customer to deposit the difference.

When the customer deposits money from the coin insertion slot 6 and the bill insertion / payment slot 5 shown in FIG.
24 and the coin depositing and withdrawing unit 25. As a result, if the deposit amount is sufficient, a deposit completion signal is transmitted to the main control unit 19. The main controller 19 causes the CRT display 2 to display a confirmation screen for instructing the user to press the confirmation key, and when there is a change, displays the amount on the CRT display 2 at the same time.

When the customer presses the confirmation key of the touch input unit 3 on this confirmation screen, the main control unit 19 makes a reservation for the reserved seat ticket to the host computer 11 via the communication control unit 22 and the communication line 30. The host computer 11 thereby executes a reserved seat reservation process (step 20), and upon completion of this process, transmits a reservation completion signal to the main control unit 19 and transmits designated seat ticket information.

When the main controller 19 receives the reserved seat ticket information (step 2
1) The print control unit 27 is controlled based on this information, and the designated seat ticket is issued by the print unit 33 (step 22). That is, in FIG. 2, the roll paper 50 is pulled out, and the roll paper 50 is cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 52. The cut roll paper 50 portion is transported upward in the transport path 43,
The sheet is switched by the switching unit 53 and transported to the route indicated by the arrow f. The printing unit 33 performs predetermined printing as a designated seat ticket based on the designated seat ticket information received for the cut roll paper 50 portion. The printed portion of the roll paper 50, that is, the designated seat ticket, is sent to the ticket issuing port / coin payout port 7 by the transport section through the transport path 43 along the route of arrow g, and the designated seat ticket is issued. . If there is change, the ticket issuing port /
It is paid from the coin payout slot 7.

On the other hand, after the issuance of the reserved seat ticket, the unreserved seat ticket waiting in the ticket waiting section 48 is sent by the transport section to the magnetic recording / reading section 49 along the route of arrows b and c, and the magnetic data on the back of the ticket is read. Will be canceled. The unreserved seat ticket is then conveyed to the printing unit 33, the printing unit 33 performs "invalid" printing on the ticket surface, returns to the position of the magnetic recording / reading unit 49 again, and further moves to the arrow by the conveying unit. The paper is conveyed on the conveyance path 43 along routes d and e, and is collected by the ticket collection unit 47 by switching the blade 46.

If it is determined in step 10 that the unreserved seat ticket is invalid, the invalid unreserved seat ticket waiting in the ticket standby unit 48 is returned from the ticket slot 8 along the route indicated by the arrows b and a (step S10). 23) At the same time, "invalid" is displayed on the CRT display 2 under the control of the main controller 19 (step 24).

In addition, the present invention is not limited to transportation such as railways and buses,
It can be applied to an automatic reserved seat issuing device for various events.

(Effect of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, the unreserved seat ticket can be automatically changed to the designated seat ticket and issued.
It is possible to carry out the task of changing a free seat ticket to a reserved seat ticket without going to the counter. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an automatic reserved seat ticket issuing device which can reduce congestion at a window, reduce the work load of a staff member, and quickly change a non-reserved seat ticket to a reserved seat ticket and issue it. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an automatic designated seat ticket issuing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an internal mechanism of the device, FIG.
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the device, FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram using the device, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an initial screen, and FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a ward / direction selection screen, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a train name selection screen, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a getting-off station selection screen. 2 ... CRT display, 3 ... Touch input unit, 8 ... Voucher slot, 11 ... Host computer, 19 ... Main control unit, 23 ... Cash processing control unit, 27 ... Print control unit, 31 …… Hard disk drive, 33… Printing section, 43… Convey path, 48… Ticket standby section, 49… Magnetic recording / reading section, 50… Roll paper.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An automatic reserved seat ticket issuing apparatus which is connected to a host computer of a center for centrally managing issuance of a reserved seat ticket based on reserved seat reservation information and issues a reserved seat ticket by a customer operation. A ticket insertion slot for inserting an issued unreserved seat ticket, a transport unit for transporting the inserted unreserved seat ticket and the issued designated seat ticket in the apparatus, and a free seat ticket recorded in the unreserved seat ticket A ticket information reading unit that reads information; a data storage unit that stores determination data for determining whether the free seat ticket is valid / invalid; and the free seat ticket based on the free seat ticket information and the determination data. The main control unit determines the validity / invalidity of the reserved seats and calculates the difference between the price of the unreserved seat ticket that is determined to be valid and the price of the reserved reserved seat ticket. Reserved seats for selecting and entering reservation information An information input unit, a communication control unit that transmits the input reserved seat reservation information to the host computer, and receives a determination result of reservation availability, and displays the designated seat selection information and a difference calculated by the main control unit. An automatic designated seat ticket issuing device, comprising: a display unit for issuing a designated seat ticket based on designated seat ticket information when the difference is paid.