JP2690166B2 - Automatic ticket vending system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of use) The present invention relates to an automatic ticket vending system that sells seat reservation tickets for trains and the like by the operation of users.

(Prior Art) In a transportation system such as a train, designated seats are provided so that seats of flights to be used can be secured in advance. The customer needs to purchase a seat reservation ticket in advance in order to secure this reserved seat.

Therefore, when a customer wants to purchase a seat reservation ticket, he / she must go to the window of the station and have the staff manually release the seat reservation ticket. However, when the counter was crowded, there was a problem that seat reservation tickets could not be purchased promptly.

Therefore, in recent years, an automatic ticket vending device that automatically sells a seat reservation ticket by a user's operation has begun to be used.

As such an automatic ticket vending machine, there is an online limited express ticket vending machine described in Technical Research Institute Technical Report 1988 Vol.19P12-P19 issued by Kinki Nippon Railway Co., Ltd.

This limited express ticket vending machine is installed at the station where the limited express train stops, and knows the sale status of the reserved seats by sending and receiving information via the center computer and the communication line. It is possible to sell the seat reservation ticket only at the getting-off station.

(Problems to be solved by the sale) However, with the device having the above configuration, the sale of the seat reservation ticket is limited to the next train, and the alighting station is also limited.
It was not always the case that the seat reservation ticket desired by the passenger was released, and it did not satisfy the request of the passenger.

Furthermore, since the device with the above-mentioned configuration is such that the seat reservation ticket can be released until a predetermined time when the train departs, the installation place of the device is limited to the place where the passenger can board during this predetermined time, I was afraid that I would be late if I left the place free. Alternatively, if you give up a train a few minutes before departure and try to purchase a designated ticket for a subsequent train, it will not start selling until a certain time before departure,
The customer had to wait until that time to purchase the designated ticket.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable not only a limited specific train but also a seat reservation ticket for all trains and sections desired by a user to be easily sold, which further imposes a psychological burden on the user. It is to provide an automatic ticket sales system that eliminates the worry of delays.

(Means for Solving the Problem) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a train schedule information file for storing train schedule information in an automatic ticket selling system for issuing a seat reservation ticket by a user's own operation, A selection means for selecting a line zone, a direction, a train name and an alighting station by a user's operation, a timekeeping unit for counting the current time, and a travel time setting unit for setting a travel time from the ticket issuing place to the train stop, When the travel time is set in the travel time setting unit, an inquiry time calculation unit that calculates the boardable time by adding the travel time and the current time, and the current time or the inquiry that is counted by the counting unit Based on the train timetable search means for searching the train timetable information file for train timetables after the boarding time calculated by the time calculation means, and based on the train timetable search means And a display unit for displaying train timetable information after the searched current time or available boarding time, and the train is arbitrarily selected by the selecting means from the train timetable information displayed on the display unit. It is a thing.

(Operation) According to the present invention, with the above configuration, the train timetable information is searched by the train timetable search means for the train timetable information after the current time or after the boarding time including the travel time and the searched train timetable information. Is displayed on the display. The user can arbitrarily select the desired train from the train schedule information displayed on the display unit by the selecting means.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an automatic ticket vending system which is an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 is a host computer, which comprises a main control unit 2, a communication control unit 3, and a reservation management file 4 for storing the reservation status of seat reservation tickets.

Reference numeral 10 is an automatic ticket vending device that issues seat reservation tickets and the like by the operation of a customer. A main control unit 20, a communication control unit 31 for communicating with the host computer 1, and a local communication control for communicating with a remote terminal device described later. Part 32, line area / direction, train (train name, destination, departure time, etc.), stop station information (hereinafter,
A train schedule information file 41 or the like that stores a train schedule) is mainly configured.

Reference numeral 100 denotes a remote terminal device for maintenance of the train schedule stored in the train schedule information file 14 from a remote location, including a main control unit 101, a local communication control unit 102, and a printing unit.
It is composed of 103, a display unit 104, and an operation unit 105.

Next, the configuration of the automatic ticket vending machine 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

A customer operation surface 11 is provided on the front surface of the automatic ticket vending machine 10 for the customer to operate. On this customer operation surface 11,
A status display section 12 for displaying the handling status of the apparatus, a display section 61 for displaying a guide screen, etc., a push button operation section 72 (third part) for inputting the ticket type such as an ordinary car or a green car and the number of adults and children.
(Refer to the drawing), a bill slot 82 for paying the purchase price by banknotes and discharging change, a coin slot 84 for paying the purchase price by coins, and a ticket issuing slot 52 for issuing seat reservation tickets and the like. The ticket issuing port 52 also serves as a discharge port for change by coins.

Further, the main control unit 20 of the automatic ticket vending apparatus 10 has an inquiry time calculation unit 21 and a train schedule search unit 22 described later,
Further, the communication control unit 31, the premises communication control unit 32, the auxiliary storage control unit 40, the print control unit 50, the display control unit 60, the operation control unit 70, the cash processing control unit 80, the voice guidance control unit 90, the proximity sensor.
14, the clock unit 23 is connected.

The communication control unit 31 performs communication control with the host computer 1 that centrally manages a plurality of automatic ticket vending apparatuses 10, and the local communication control unit 32 communicates with the remote terminal device 100 installed in the train handling room where station staff stand by. It controls. The auxiliary storage control unit 40 controls a train schedule information file 41 that stores train schedules and a disk 42 that stores operation programs and the like. The print control unit 50 controls the ticket issuing unit 51 that prints and issues seat reservation tickets, boarding tickets, and the like. The operation control unit 70 includes a touch panel 71 provided on the display unit 61, a push button operation unit 72 operated by a user, and an automatic ticket vending machine 10.
The internal operation unit 73 is provided inside and is operated by a staff member. The internal operation unit 73 includes an automatic ticket vending machine 10
A travel time setting unit 74 for presetting the travel time from the place where the vehicle is installed to the platform is provided.

The cash processing control unit 80 includes a banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 81 and a coin deposit / withdrawal unit 83.
And credit card reader / writer 85. The bill deposit / withdrawal unit 81 deposits / dispenses bills out of the purchase price of the bills, and bills are inserted and change is discharged through the bill slot 82. The coin depositing / dispensing unit 83 deposits and withdraws coins. The coins are inserted through the coin inlet 84, and the change is discharged through the ticket issuing port 52. The credit card reader / writer 85 has a magnetic head for reading or writing information recorded on the credit card inserted by the customer, and enables the customer to carry out transactions without cash.

The voice guidance 90 is composed of a voice synthesizing circuit for guiding the operation and confirmation of the device, and the proximity sensor 14 detects the approach of the customer and automatically changes the screen of the display unit from the guide screen to the selection screen. To switch to.

The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 (a) to 7 (b).

Normally, when there are no passengers near the automatic ticket vending machine 10, a demo guidance screen is displayed on the display unit 61 (S
1). When the customer stands in front of the automatic ticket vending machine 10, the proximity sensor 14 detects the customer (S2) and switches to the selection screen.

As the selection screen, the main control unit 20 first reads out the line section and direction information stored in the train schedule information file 41, and displays the line section / direction selection screen shown in FIG. 7 (a). It is displayed on the part 61 (S3). Since the display screen is a touch panel, the user can touch the inside of the frame in which the line section / direction in which he / she wants to board (in this example, the Joetsu Shinkansen is desired) is displayed. Good. When the line section / direction is selected, the train schedule is searched (S4). The main control unit 20 of the automatic ticket vending machine 10 reads the current time from the clock unit 23 (S20). Next, the main control unit 20 determines whether or not the moving time is set in the moving time setting unit 74 (S21). If the travel time is set, read the travel time (S22),
The inquiry time calculation function 21 of the main control unit 20 adds the travel time to the current time to calculate the boardable time, and sets this time as the inquiry time (S23). If the travel time is not set, the current time is set as the inquiry time (S24). Therefore, the main control unit 20 generates an address of train information corresponding to the line section and direction input by the customer, and reads the train information from the train information file 41. Among the read train information, the train departing from the inquiry time is searched (S25), and the train selection screen is displayed on the display unit 61 (S5). That is, for example, the train information for the Joetsu Shinkansen is as shown in Table 1, and the current time is 13:00.
If the travel time is set to 0 minutes, 13:08 Asahi 317 will be displayed on the display 61. Since the moving time is set to 18 minutes in this embodiment, the display unit 61 displays 1
3:32 It will be displayed from time 415 (Fig. 7 (b))
reference). The user selects the desired train by looking at this screen, but in this embodiment, it is assumed that the train departing at 13:32 is selected.

When a train is selected, stop station information corresponding to the selected train is read from the train schedule information file 41.
Based on the read out station information, a disembarking station selection screen shown in FIG. 7E is generated and displayed on the display unit 61. Therefore, the user touches the place corresponding to the desired exit station displayed on the screen and selects the exit station (S6). In this embodiment, it is assumed that Takasaki is selected.

The confirmation screen is displayed after the input for purchasing the seat reservation ticket is completed. FIG. 7D shows a display example of the confirmation screen. The customer looks at this screen to see if there are any mistakes,
If there is no mistake, touch the confirmation key 75 (S7). If there is an error in the input item, the change key displayed on the right side of the screen
By touching 76, it is possible to return to the corresponding selection screen and make corrections. In addition, "normal car reserved seat",
"Smoking seat" and "one adult" are set as the initial state, and when it is desired to change this item, it can be changed by the push button operation unit 72.

By inputting the confirmation key 75, the automatic ticket vending machine 10 inquires of the host computer 1 about the availability of seats (S8). The host computer 1 confirms the vacant seat status by the reservation management file 4 (S9). If there are vacant seats, the purchase price is calculated, a notification of reservation permission is sent to the automatic ticket vending machine 10, and if the seats are full, a notification of reservation disapproval is sent.

If the reservation is not permitted, a full-seat message shown in FIG. 7 (e) is displayed on the display unit 61 (S10). The operation method is almost the same as the confirmation screen described above. However, on the full message screen, there is a free seat key 77 that allows the purchase of free seats for urgent users. When the customer presses any one of the keys, the full seat processing is executed (S21).

If the reservation is permitted, the purchase price is displayed on the display unit 61 (S12). The customer inserts bills and / or coins into the respective insertion openings (S13). The automatic ticket vending apparatus 10 prompts the re-insertion of money if the inserted amount does not reach the purchase amount. If the purchase amount has been reached, communication with the host computer 1 is performed (S14).

In response to the notification from the automatic ticket vending machine 10, the host computer 1 updates the reservation status stored in the reservation management file 4 and also notifies the automatic ticket vending machine 10 of the ticket issuing permission. Upon receipt of this notification, the automatic ticket selling device 10 issues a seat reservation ticket (S15).

In this embodiment, the configuration of the automatic ticket vending system is such that the host computer 1, the automatic ticket vending device 10 and the remote terminal device 100 are directly connected, but a relay device is provided between the host computer 1 and the automatic ticket vending device 10. By connecting, one host computer 1 may control a plurality of automatic ticket vending machines.

(Effect of the invention) As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the automatic ticket vending apparatus is provided with the timekeeping section and the train timetable information file, and the timetable information searching means searches the train timetable after the current time and displays it. Since it is possible to display multiple tickets on the department for sale, seat reservation tickets for subsequent trains can be purchased regardless of the departure time. In addition, the automatic ticket vending machine was provided with a travel time setting unit so that the time from the installation location of the automatic ticket vending machine to the platform could be set, and the seat reservation ticket was released in consideration of this travel time. , Customers can purchase designated tickets without worrying about delays.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of an automatic ticket vending system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an automatic ticket vending device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a push-button operating portion. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an automatic ticket vending machine, FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a train timetable search flowchart, and FIG. 7 (a) is a line / direction selection screen. Figure, Figure 7 (b) shows the train selection screen,
FIG. 7 (c) is a diagram showing a selection screen of an exit station, FIG. 7 (d) is a diagram showing a confirmation screen, and FIG. 7 (e) is a diagram showing a full-occupancy message. 1 ... Host computer, 10 ... Automatic ticket vending machine, 20 ...
… Main control unit, 21 …… Inquiry time calculation means, 22 …… Timetable information retrieval means, 23 …… Timekeeping unit, 40 …… Auxiliary storage control unit, 41
…… Train timetable information file, 74 …… Movement time setting section.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Naoshi Sawamoto 1-6-5 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Within East Japan Railway Company (72) Inventor Akio Otani 1 Ikegami, Haruoka-cho, Owariasahi-shi, Aichi Hitachi, Ltd. Asahi Plant (72) Inventor Kunio Ushijima 1 Ikegami, Haruoka-cho, Owariasahi-shi, Aichi Hitachi Ltd. Asahi Plant (72) Inventor Masafumi Hori 1-Ikegami, Haruoka-cho, Owariasahi, Aichi Ltd. Hitachi, Ltd. Asahi Plant (72) Inventor Hayao Mizutani 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasushi Hasunuma 1-7-12 Toranomon Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd. (56) References Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-211064 (JP, A) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-3857 (JP, A) Actual Kaihei No. 1-68568 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] In an automatic ticket vending system for issuing a seat reservation ticket by a user's own operation, a train timetable information file that stores train timetable information and a line section, a direction, a train name and an alighting station are operated by the user. Selecting means for selecting, a timekeeping section for counting the current time, a travel time setting section for setting the travel time from the ticket issuing location to the train stop, and if the travel time is set in the travel time setting section, Inquiry time calculating means for calculating the boarding time by adding the traveling time and the current time, and the train time after the boarding time calculated by the current time or the inquiry time calculating means by the counting section Train timetable search means for searching from the timetable information file, and train timetable information after the current time or boardable time searched by the train timetable search means An automatic ticket vending system, comprising: a display unit for displaying information, wherein the selecting unit arbitrarily selects a train desired by the user from the train schedule information displayed on the display unit.