JP2828273B2 - Automatic seat reservation ticket release device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an automatic seat reservation ticket issuing device for issuing a seat reservation ticket for a train or the like.

(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 user needs to purchase a seat reservation ticket in advance to secure the reserved seat.

On the other hand, the railway company that issues (releases) a reserved seat ticket needs to know the availability of reserved seats, that is, the issuance of reserved seat tickets, for all trains in operation. This is because, when a seat reservation ticket is issued, it is determined whether or not a designated seat of a train requested by a user has an empty seat, and the seat reservation ticket is issued promptly. For this reason,
The issuance information of the seat reservation ticket is centrally managed by a host computer or the like. Here, an outline of a system related to the issuance of a seat reservation ticket for a train will be described.

 FIG. 2 shows a conceptual diagram of the seat reservation ticket issuing system.

As shown in the figure, the seat reservation ticket issuing system 1 includes a host computer 2 for centrally managing the issuance status of a seat reservation ticket, and a plurality of terminal devices 3. In addition,
A communication line 4 is provided between the host computer 2 and the terminal device 3.
Connected by The host computer 2 manages information on the issuance status of a designated seat ticket for each train, ie, a file indicating the presence or absence of a vacant seat. Terminal device 3
Is installed at each station or travel agency and operated by a dedicated staff, for example, an operation panel 3a composed of a keyboard and the like, a display device 3b composed of a display for displaying various information, and a seat designation ticket. An issuing device 3c including a printer or the like that issues prints is provided.

In the above system, when issuing a seat reservation ticket, first, the attendant operates the operation panel 3a of the terminal device 3,
The host computer 2 determines whether or not a desired train has vacant seats.
Contact Upon receiving this inquiry, the host computer 2 refers to a file stored in a disk device or the like (not shown) and transmits vacant seat information of the corresponding train to the terminal device 3. As a result, the vacant seat information sent from the host computer 2 is displayed on the display device 3b of the terminal device 3. When the clerk confirms the vacant seat on the display device 3b, the clerk operates the operation panel 3a to instruct the execution of the seat reservation ticket issuance. As a result, the terminal device 3 notifies the host computer 2 that a seat reservation ticket will be issued. Upon receiving this notification, the host computer 2 updates the file of the train, that is, deletes the vacant seat corresponding to the issued seat designation ticket, and ends the processing. On the other hand, in the terminal device 3,
The issuing device 3c is driven to issue a predetermined seat designation ticket.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In recent years, in addition to the terminal device 3, an automatic seat reservation ticket release device that automatically issues (releases) a seat reservation ticket has been used. This automatic seat reservation ticket issuing device is a device for issuing a desired seat reservation ticket by a user's own operation, similarly to the automatic ticket sales device.

By the way, it is desired that the operation of this automatic seat reservation ticket selling device is as easy as possible. Therefore, conventionally, the number of options to be selected by the user has been reduced as much as possible by limiting the flights to be handled for each time zone or by limiting the starting point and the arriving point. As described above, since only a limited number of seat reservation tickets are issued, a seat reservation ticket desired by the user is not always issued, and the request of the user is not satisfied.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is not limited to a specific limited flight, as well as a terminal device installed in a station or a travel agency, and can be used for any flight and section desired by a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic seat reservation ticket selling device capable of easily issuing a seat reservation ticket.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The automatic seat reservation ticket selling device according to the present invention, when a user of a transportation facility designates a train departure / arrival station from an operation unit and requests issuance of a seat reservation ticket, a connection between the departure / arrival stations is made. Inquiry to the host computer for the vacant seat information of the train to be operated, and when the vacant seat information is transmitted from the host computer, the vacant seat information is displayed on the display unit, thereby allowing the user to select a desired train seat reservation ticket, It is a device that issues a seat reservation ticket by depositing a purchase price, and is configured by the following means.

In other words, the area where the transportation business is operating is divided into a plurality of business blocks, means for displaying the business blocks so that they can be visually distinguished, operation keys provided corresponding to the business blocks, and the operation keys When a user designates a desired business block, the user is provided with a means for displaying a list of station names in the business block, and an operation key for the user to select a desired station from the list of station names. After a business block is selected, a desired arrival station is selected from a list of station names. Also, an operation key for designating a departure station selection mode is provided, and when the first mode is designated, the station where the apparatus is installed is automatically set as the departure station, and the second mode is designated. Then, similarly to the selection of the arrival station, the user is allowed to select a desired business block, then the desired station is selected from the station name list, and this station is set as the departure station.

(Operation) According to the present invention, the area where the transportation business operates is divided into a plurality of business blocks, and the business blocks are displayed so as to be visually distinguishable. When the user specifies a desired business block using the operation keys, a list of station names in the business block is displayed. Next, the user selects a desired station from the station name list using the operation keys. Thereby, a desired arrival station was selected. Further, when the user designates the departure station selection mode by the operation keys and thereby designates the first mode, the station in which the apparatus is installed is automatically set as the departure station, and the second station is selected. When the mode is specified, the user is allowed to select a desired business block in the same manner as in the selection of the arrival station, and then a desired station is selected from the station name list, and this station is set as the departure station. Thereby, a desired departure station is selected.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the automatic seat reservation ticket selling apparatus of the present invention.

Here, it is assumed that a seat reservation ticket is issued for a train.

As shown in the figure, in the automatic seat reservation ticket issuing device 10, the main control unit 11 includes a communication control unit 12, a storage device 13, a disk device 14, a receipt issuing unit 15, a ticket issuing unit 16, a display control unit 17,
Banknote deposit / withdrawal section 18, coin deposit / withdrawal section 19, card reader / writer
20, a voice guidance unit 21, and a key input control unit 22 are connected.

The communication control unit 12 includes a modem or the like that controls communication with the host computer 2 that centrally manages the plurality of automatic seat reservation ticket issuing devices 10. The storage device 13 stores information to be transmitted to the host computer 2 and the host computer 2.
And a RAM for temporarily storing information received from the server. The disk device 14 includes a hard disk device or the like that stores programs, data, and the like necessary for the operation of the main control unit 11. Receipt issuing unit 15
Is composed of, for example, a printer that prints and issues a receipt and a credit slip copy. The ticket issuing unit 16 is configured by a printer or the like that prints and issues a seat designation ticket, a ticket, and the like. Display control unit 17
Controls the display of the display unit 25 including a display and the like. In this embodiment, the display unit 25
Is composed of a first display device 26 and a second display device 27. The banknote pay-in / pay-out section 18 performs payment and withdrawal of banknotes among the bills. Coin deposit and withdrawal department 19
Is for depositing and withdrawing coins from the price of the ticket. The card reader / writer 20 has a magnetic head for reading or writing information recorded on a magnetic card. The voice guidance unit 21 is composed of a voice synthesis circuit or the like for guiding the operation of the device and the confirmation thereof. The key input control unit 22 determines which of the various keys has been pressed. The key input control unit 22 is connected to four keys from a first key group 31 to a fourth key group 34.

The main control unit 11 includes a block selection control unit 11a, a departure / arrival station (departure point) selection control unit 11b, and a corresponding flight inquiry control unit 11
c, use flight selection control means 11d and reservation execution control means 11e are provided. The block selection control unit 11a selects and determines a business area including an arrival point or a departure point, for example, a business block such as Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Kanto Koshinetsu, and further, a more subdivided business block, for example, a prefecture. The control is performed. Departure and arrival station selection control means
Reference numeral 11b controls display of a list of departure and arrival points in the business block selected by the block selection control means 11a, that is, a departure point (departure station) and an arrival point (arrival station) and selection thereof. The pertinent flight inquiry control means 11c transmits the flights operating between the arrival point and the departure point determined by the control of the departure / arrival station selection control means 11b to the host computer 2.
Is controlled. The available flight selection control unit 11d displays the inquiry result by the relevant flight inquiry control unit 11c (displays a list of applicable trains and their vacant seats), and class of trains and seats (classification of seats such as green, normal, and non-smoking). Is selected. Reservation execution control means 11
"e" is for securing the designated seat of the train selected by the use flight selection control means 11d, that is, executing the reservation.

FIG. 3 shows an external perspective view of the automatic seat reservation ticket selling device of the present invention.

The automatic seat reservation ticket selling device 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first operation unit 35 and a second operation unit 36.

The first operation unit 35 includes a display screen 26 of the first display device 26.
a, a first key group 31, a second key group 32, a ticket ejection port 16a of the ticket issuing unit 16, a bill insertion port 18a of the bill depositing / dispensing unit 18, a coin insertion slot 19a of the coin depositing / dispensing unit 19, and Card reader / writer 2
A zero card insertion slot 20a is provided. In addition, the input amount display part 37, a return port 38 for returning banknotes and coins,
A staff call button 39 and an operation status display unit 40 are provided.

On the other hand, the second operation unit 36 is provided with a display screen 27a of the second display device 27, a third key group 33, and a fourth key group 34.

4 and 5 show detailed front views of the first operation unit 35 and the second operation unit 36. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the first operation unit 35 according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, a first key group 31 is arranged on the left side of the display screen 26a. The first key group 31 includes ten keys. This key is used to select each item displayed on the display screen 26a. Display screen 26
Below the a, a second key group 32 is arranged. The second key group 32 includes three keys (green, normal, and non-smoking keys) indicating the class of the seat, and twelve keys (one adult to six adults) for specifying the number of issued tickets for each adult or child. Key, and one to six children keys). The ticket outlet 16a is an opening for receiving a issued ticket or receipt. Note that a flicker lamp 16b (flashing lamp) for calling the user's attention is provided above the opening.

On the other hand, an operation state display section 40 is provided on the upper right side of the first operation section 35. The operation state display unit 40 is a display unit for notifying the user whether the apparatus is in an operation state (a ticket is being sold) or in a halt state. Below the operation status display section 40, a clerk call button 39 is arranged. The clerk call button 39 is a button used to call a clerk when a failure or the like occurs in this apparatus. Below the clerk call button 39, an input amount display section 37 is arranged. The inserted amount display unit 37 is configured by a display or the like that displays the amount inserted from the bill insertion slot or the currency insertion slot.

Below the input amount display section 37, a bill insertion slot 18a and a coin insertion slot 19a are provided. Flicker lamps 18b and 19b are provided above the bill insertion slot 18a and the coin insertion slot 19a to draw the user's attention. Below the bill insertion slot 18a and the coin insertion slot 19a, a return port 38 for returning bills and coins such as change is provided. Below the return port 38, a card insertion port 20a is provided. A flicker lamp 20b for calling a user's attention is provided above the card insertion slot 20a. To the left of the card insertion slot 20a, a ticket discharge slot 16a for receiving a seat reservation ticket by a user is provided. A flicker lamp 16b for calling the user's attention is provided above the ticket outlet 16a.

Next, FIG. 5 is a front view of the second operation unit 36 according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, on the left and bottom of the display screen 27a,
A third key group 33 is arranged. This third key group 33
Consists of 15 keys (Hokkaido key, Tohoku key, confirmation key, cancel key, etc.). On the right side of the display screen 27a, a fourth key group 34 is arranged.
The fourth key group 34 is composed of general numeric keys used for inputting numerical values.

Here, the operation of the automatic seat reservation ticket issuing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).

6A and 6B are operation flowcharts according to the present invention.

First, the block selection control means 11a of the main control unit 11 (FIG. 1) drives the display control unit 17 to control the display of the second display device 27. Specifically, the display control unit 17 reads the data of the business area (a map of Japan or a prefecture divided into a plurality of business blocks) stored in the disk device 14 and displays the display screen of the second display device 27. It is displayed on 27a (step S1). Further, the block selection control means 11a
Drives the voice guidance unit 21 to guide the user to select the business block including the destination (step
S2). The data relating to this business block is stored in the disk device 14 in advance. As a result of step S2, the user can select any one of the keys in the third key group 33 (the Hokkaido key,
Tohoku key). Next, the block selection control means 11a determines whether or not a key of the third key group 33 has been pressed (step S3). In step S3, for example, when the Hokkaido key is pressed, a list of station names such as "01 Kikonai" and "02 Hakodate" is displayed on the display screen 27a. If the result of step S3 is NO, it waits for a key to be pressed. If the result of step S3 is YES, the departure / arrival station selection control means 11b stores the list of stations existing in the selected business block in the disk device 14
Is displayed on the display screen 27a with reference to the station data stored in the storage area (step S4). And the departure and arrival station selection control means 11b
Drives the voice guidance unit 21 to provide guidance to select a desired station (arrival point) (step S5). In this case, a numerical value assigned to each station is input using the fourth key group 34. Next, the fourth key group 34
(Step S)
6). In step S6, the information of the corresponding station is stored in the storage device 13 at the same time when the key is pressed.
If the result of step S6 is NO, the process waits for a key to be pressed. Also, the result of step S6 is YE
In the case of S, the departure and arrival station selection control means 11b drives the voice guidance unit 21 to confirm whether the departure station is a station operated by the user and installed by the automatic seat reservation ticket release device. Perform (Step S7). The user depresses the departure station automatic setting key or the departure station selection key provided in the third key group 33. When the result of step S7 is NO, that is, when the departure station selection key is pressed, the departure station is selected in the same manner as described in steps S1 to S6 (steps S8 to S13), and step S15 is performed. Move on to If the result of step S7 is YES, that is, if the departure station automatic key has been pressed, the departure / departure station selection control means 11b refers to the disk device 14 to determine the departure / departure point at the station where the automatic seat reservation ticket release device is installed. Is set (step S14), and the process proceeds to step S15. It should be noted that the disk device 14 stores information (installation station data) for designating the station corresponding to the station where the automatic seat reservation ticket selling device is installed. That is, in step S14, the installation station data is referred to.

In step S15, the relevant flight inquiry control unit 11c drives the communication control unit 12, transmits the information of the departure station and the arrival station stored in the storage device 13 to the host computer 2, and transmits the information from the host computer 2. Receives train information (train name, departure time, etc.) and vacant seat information (vacancy seat availability and its grade). Upon receiving the information from the host computer, the relevant flight inquiry control means 11c drives the display control unit 17 to display train information and vacant seat information (for each class) on the display screen 26a of the first display device 26. (Step S1
6). When the information of the departure station “Tokyo” and the arrival station “Shin-Osaka” is transmitted to the host computer 2 in step S15, the information of the Tokaido Shinkansen is received from the host computer 2. Therefore, in step S16, information of the Tokaido Shinkansen is displayed on the display screen 26a.

Now, after the execution of step S16, next, the service selection control means 11d drives the voice guidance unit 21 and sets the class of the seat and the number of issued seats to the desired train using the first key group 31 in the second key group. Provide guidance as specified by 31 (step S1
7). Then, it is determined whether the first key group 31 and the second key group 32 have been pressed (step S18). In step S18, at the same time when the key is pressed, information on the corresponding train, grade, and number of people are stored in the storage device 13. If the result of step S18 is NO, the process waits for a key to be pressed. If the result of step S18 is YES, the reservation execution control unit 11
e drives the communication control unit 12 so that the host computer 2
To secure (reserve) seats for the vehicle (step S1
9). More specifically, the reservation execution control means 11e transmits to the host computer 2 information such as the train and the class of the seat selected and stored in the storage device 13 according to the guidance in step S17, together with the command indicating the seat reservation. If the host computer 2 can secure a seat that meets the conditions received from the automatic seat reservation ticket issuing device 10, it specifies the seat of the corresponding train and transmits information such as a seat number to the automatic seat reservation ticket issuing device 10. I do. Also, if you can not secure a seat,
For example, if it is not possible to secure a seat for a desired number of people, the host computer 2 notifies the automatic seat reservation ticket selling device 10 of that fact. Upon receipt of the notification from the host computer 2, the reservation execution control means 11e determines whether a seat has been secured (step S20). If the result is NO, the reservation execution control unit 11e and the voice guidance unit 21
To notify that a seat meeting the conditions could not be secured (step S21), and execute step S15 and subsequent steps again. If the result of step S20 is YES, the process moves to step S22. In step S22, the reservation execution control unit 11e drives the display control unit 17 to
The display of the required amount of money is displayed on the display screen 27a of 7, and further, an instruction to insert cash or a card (credit card or pre-paid card) is issued. Reservation execution control means 11e
Determines whether or not cash has been received (step S23). This determination is made based on whether or not cash has been inserted into the bill insertion slot 18a or the coin insertion slot 19a. If the result of step S23 is YES, the input amount is displayed on the input amount display unit 37 (step S24), and the voice guidance unit 21 is driven to request confirmation of the input amount (step S2).
Five). The confirmation in step S25 is to press the confirmation key of the first key group 31 if the input amount is correct. If the result is NO, the user waits for the confirmation key to be pressed.
If the result of step S25 is YES, that is, if the confirmation key is pressed, the reservation execution control means 11e determines whether or not a change is necessary (step S26). If the result is YES, the change is released to the return port 38 (step S27), and the reservation information on the designated seat secured by the host computer 2 is received (step S28). Then, the reservation execution control means 1
1e drives the ticket issuing unit 16 and the receipt issuing unit 15 to issue a seat designation ticket, a ticket, and a receipt (step S29), and ends the process.

By the way, when the determination of NO is made in step S23, that is, when the cash is not deposited, the reservation execution control unit 11e sets the flicker lamp 39a of the card insertion slot 39.
Is blinked, and the voice guidance unit 21 is driven to instruct insertion of a card (step S30). Then, the reservation execution control means 11e determines whether or not a card has been inserted (step S31). If the result is NO, it will wait for the card to be inserted. If the result is YES, the card reader / writer 20 is driven to read predetermined data from the card (step S32). The reservation execution control unit 11e determines whether the card is a prepaid card based on the read data (step S33). If the result is YES, it is determined whether or not the settlement can be made with the amount indicated by the pre-bade card (step S34). Result is Y
In the case of ES, the content of the prepaid card is changed to the amount after settlement (step S35), and the card is returned (step S36). The execution after step S28 is performed. If the result of step S34 is NO, the reservation execution control means 11e drives the display control unit 17 to display the shortage amount on the second display device 27 (step S37), and executes step S24 and subsequent steps.

If the result of step S33 is NO, it is determined that the card is a credit card, and the main control unit 11 drives the communication control unit 12 to query the host computer 2 for credit information (step S33). S38). Specifically, the host computer 2 accesses the computer of the credit company and receives notification of the validity or invalidity of the credit card. If the result of step S38 is valid, the reservation execution control means 11e writes the data of the transaction content in the storage device 13 (step S39), and executes step S28 and subsequent steps. If the result of step S38 is invalid, the reservation execution control means 11e drives the display control unit 17 to display on the display screen 27a of the second display device 27 that transaction is not possible (step S40). Return the card (Step S
41), end the process.

In the above procedure, a key input wait may be restricted to a certain time, and if no input is made within that time, the process may return to step S1.

Here, another embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a first operation unit 35 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The first operation unit 35 shown in FIG. 7 and the first operation unit 35 shown in FIG.
The display of the display screen 26a is different from that of the operation unit 35. The display screen 26a is a display when the automatic seat reservation ticket selling device is not operated.

As shown in the figure, the display screen 26a may be divided into upper and lower parts, the upper screen may display the vacant seat status of a specific route, and the lower screen may display the business area. Here, the specific route indicates a route that is frequently used, for example, at a station where the automatic designated ticket vending device is installed. As described above, by actively displaying the vacancy status of the specific route, the user can grasp the vacancy status without operating the automatic seat reservation ticket selling device.

The automatic seat reservation ticket selling device of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

In the embodiment, the explanation has been made by taking the sale of the seat reservation ticket as an example, but by the same operation as the release procedure of the seat reservation ticket,
Tickets can also be sold. Further, the ticket to be released is not limited to a railway seat reservation ticket and the like, but can be applied to issuance of a ticket accompanied with seat specification, for example, issuance of an airplane boarding pass and the like. Furthermore, when there is no class in the seats, for example, when all seats are ordinary seats, the display related to the class and the selection thereof can be omitted. Also, the display screens 26a, 27a
By providing a touch sensor on the key input control unit 22
Can be shared with the display screen.

(Effect of the Invention) The automatic seat reservation ticket selling apparatus of the present invention having the above configuration can be operated relatively easily by the user himself, and can sell a wide range of seat reservation tickets.
The user can purchase a desired seat reservation ticket without going to a window or the like. Furthermore, since tickets can be sold without the need for a dedicated staff member or the like, the processing efficiency can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic seat reservation ticket issuing apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a seat reservation ticket issuing system, FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of a first operation unit according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a front view of a second operation unit according to the present invention, FIGS. 6A and 6B are operation flowcharts according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a first operation unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. 2 Host computer 11 Main control section 11a Block selection control means 11b Departure and arrival station selection control means 11c Applicable flight inquiry control means 11d Use flight selection control means 11e ... reservation execution control means, 12 ... communication control unit, 13 ... storage device, 14 ... disk device, 15 ... receipt issuing unit, 16 ... ticket issuing unit, 17 ... display control unit, 18 ... banknote Deposit and withdrawal unit, 19: coin deposit and withdrawal unit, 20: card reader / writer, 21: voice guide unit, 22: key input control unit, 25: display unit, 26: first display device, 27 ... Second display device 31 First key group 32 Second key group 33 Third key group 34 Fourth key group

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] When a user of a transportation system designates a departure / departure station of a train from an operation unit and requests issuance of a seat reservation ticket, the vacancy information of a train operating between the departure / departure stations is referred to a host computer, and vacant seat information is obtained. When the information is transmitted from the host computer, the vacant seat information is displayed on the display unit, whereby the user selects a seat reservation ticket of a desired train and issues a seat reservation ticket by depositing a purchase price. In the automatic seat reservation ticket selling device, a means for dividing an area where the transportation facility operates, dividing the area into a plurality of business blocks, and displaying the business blocks so as to be visually distinguishable, provided in correspondence with the business blocks An operation key; a means for displaying a list of station names in the business block when the user specifies a desired business block by the operation key; and a user selecting a desired station from the station name list. After selecting the desired business block by the user, select the desired arrival station from the station name list, and press the operation key to specify the departure station selection mode. When the first mode is designated, the station where the apparatus is installed is automatically set as the departure station, and when the second mode is designated,
Automatic seat designation, characterized in that after allowing the user to select a desired business block as in the selection of the arrival station, the user is allowed to select a desired station from the station name list, and the station is set as the departure station. Ticket release device.