JP3435170B2 - Ticketing terminal device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ticket issuing terminal device,
In particular, the present invention relates to a ticket issuing terminal device for issuing a railway ticket connected to a central processing unit. 2. Description of the Related Art Various means have been proposed as means for operating guidance in a ticket issuing terminal device. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-177186 proposes a method of performing operation guidance by using synthesized speech. According to this method, the guidance can be announced in synchronization with the input state of the operator. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-95687 proposes a system using map information for specifying a boarding station and a route. This method is effective as a means for facilitating the search for the destination station when the operator knows in advance the physical positional relationship between the designated stations. [0003] However, in the above-mentioned conventional ticketing terminal device, only a uniform operation environment is provided irrespective of the proficiency, operation results, individuality, etc. of each operator regarding the terminal operation. There is a problem that can not be. [0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a ticket issuing terminal device capable of selecting a different operation environment according to each operator or operation purpose. [0005] Provide functions that can be provided. With this,
The operator himself / herself can select the input means and the operation guidance, thereby realizing suitable operability. In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a plurality of types of input means are provided for one ticket issuing terminal device, and independent operation guide information is provided for each input means. An output unit is prepared, and an operation guide corresponding to the input unit selected by the operator is output. According to the present invention, each operator can select a desired one from a plurality of input means, and the information necessary for issuing a ticket according to the operation guide corresponding to the selected input means. Can perform input operations. Since the ticketing request information to be transmitted to the central processing unit needs to be uniform regardless of the input means, the ticketing terminal device analyzes the input information from each input means for each input means, and performs common processing. The data is edited in the data format and transmitted to the central processing unit. The central processing unit performs data processing according to the ticketing request information transmitted from the terminal regardless of the type of the input means, and returns answer information or ticketing instruction information to the requesting terminal device. Each terminal device
According to the received information from the central processing unit, the received information is displayed or the ticket is printed. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a ticket issuing terminal device according to the present invention having a function of inputting a series of information necessary for issuing a ticket for a railway or the like and a ticket printing function. The terminal device 1 includes a display screen (CRT) 2 for displaying already input information, an information input menu and other guidance information, and a video memory (CRT) for storing display information to be output on the display screen. VRAM) 3, a main storage device 4 for storing various control programs, a printer 5 for printing and outputting tickets, and a plurality of types of inputs operated by an operator for inputting route information and the like. Devices (keyboard 12, pointing device 13, multi-item input device 14), switching means 15 for selecting one of these input devices, and executing a control program read from main storage device 4. Central processing unit (CPU) 8 and a secondary storage medium 9 such as a hard disk for storing information used in the execution of the control program.
A system bus 6 interconnects these modules. In this embodiment, a series of information (hereinafter, referred to as a telegram) necessary for issuing a ticket generated by the terminal device is transmitted from the interface module 7 to the communication network 10 as necessary.
Is transmitted to the central processing unit (center) 11 via
The center 11 analyzes a received message from the terminal, executes predetermined data processing, and transmits a message including response information to the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 performs operations such as displaying the content of the received message, the next information input process, or issuing a ticket or a designated ticket by the printer device 5 according to the content of the message received from the center. A feature of the above embodiment is that a plurality of types of input devices 12, 13, and 14 are provided. The keyboard (KB) 12 is a general-purpose input unit that can input numbers, kana, alphabets, and the like. The pointing device (PD) 13 is for pointing an arbitrary position on the CRT 4, and includes a pointing device such as a mouse, a touch panel, and a pen point. The multi-item input device (SKS) 14 is a device that displays a menu item that can be selected at that time on a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and allows an input instruction by pressing a portion corresponding to the input item. The display contents can be automatically and sequentially switched according to the input items. [0012] For example, when inputting "riding station" which is one item of a telegram, a trained operator can enter the station name in KB12.
You can input directly from. If the route name to which the “ride station” belongs is known from the operator's knowledge or the contents of the request of the customer (ticket requester), select the corresponding route from the “route name menu” displayed on the SKS 14, and It is also possible to display the names of the stations belonging to the above-mentioned route on the SKS 14, and to select a desired boarding station from among them. When the customer knows only the approximate geographical location of the station, the route map information of the corresponding area is displayed on the screen, and the destination station can be specified or searched by the PD 13 on the displayed route. is there. In the present invention, control is performed so that a message of the same format is generated for the same ticket request content irrespective of the type of the input means and the difference in the operation method.
This function is realized by the input information analysis program 16. The input information analysis program 16 analyzes various types of input information, generates a telegram 17, and then communicates with the center 11. FIG. 2 shows a schematic flowchart of the input information analysis program 16. The processing content of each step in this flowchart is as follows. Process 201: This is a process when the terminal is started. Specifically,
Initial processing such as network connection processing and data file version checking is performed. As one of them,
There is an input device initialization process. Here, in order to enable input operation from a plurality of input devices, CRT2 and SK
The initial menu is displayed in S14. The initial menu includes
For example, the type of ticket desired to be issued is displayed. FIG. 3 shows an example of the initial screen of the CRT 2, and FIG. 4 shows an example of the initial screen of the SKS 14. Process 202: An input operation is performed based on the contents of the initial screen displayed in process 201. On the initial screen of the CRT 2 (FIG. 3), entering a number from the KB 12 causes a transition to a corresponding business screen. For example, "0
When "1" is input, the CRT 2 displays a ticket sales screen. In the example of FIG. 4, the contents of the SKS 14 are
Items (1 to 8) and horizontal (8 items (a to h)) can simultaneously display 64 items on one screen. This display content,
It changes sequentially according to the input information. In the present invention, the number of display items is not particularly limited. Here, for example, if "a1" is selected,
The display content of CRT2 is the same ticket sale screen as when "01" is input from KB12. Also, SKS14
Also, an item menu for selling a ticket is displayed. Process 203: Waiting for input from the operator. Here, the process proceeds to step 204 when the input device switching operation is performed, and to step 205 when other valid information is input. Process 204: When the input means and the input guidance display means have a one-to-one correspondence, this processing has no meaning. This processing is effective when, for example, a normal guidance menu and a map are switched and displayed on the CRT 4. In this example, the input mode switching means 15 displays a map on the screen in a state where the input information from the KB 12 has been validated so far, and the PD 13
Enable input from. Process 205: If the input means is KB12, proceed to process 206, otherwise proceed to process 207. Process 206: Analyzes the content input from the KB and generates corresponding message information. Step 207: If the input means is the PD 13, proceed to step 208; otherwise, go to step 20
Go to 9. Process 208: Analyzes the contents input from the PD and generates corresponding message information. Process 209: In this embodiment, since the types of the input means are three types of KB12, PD13, and SKS14, if the input is not from the PD13 in the process 207, it can be uniquely determined that the input is from the SKS14. . Therefore, in this example, the input information is analyzed on the assumption that the input is from the SKS, and the corresponding message information is generated. Process 210: As a result of the analysis of the input information,
If it is “telegram transmission request”, the process proceeds to step 211; otherwise, the process returns to step 207 to wait for the next input operation. Process 211: A message is transmitted to the center 11. Process 212: Waits for response information from the center 11. Process 213: A process corresponding to the contents of the response information from the center is executed. For example, screen display processing such as an error message when there is a defect in the electronic message and a message indicating success / failure of securing a seat at the time of requesting a designated ticket issuance is performed. Process 214: For example, end processes such as ticket printing / ticketing processing, input message storage, resetting, etc. are executed. Process 215: If a process end command has been input, this program is ended; otherwise, the process returns to process 202 to perform the next job and waits for job confirmation. The terminal device of the present invention is provided with a plurality of types of input means and provides a unique operating environment or guidance information for each input means, and provides a predetermined data to the center regardless of the type of the input means. It is characterized in that it is possible to generate a telegram-format telegram. Therefore, particularly major processing steps in the program flowchart are the processings 204, 206, and 208 performed corresponding to the input means, and the method of implementing the other steps is not particularly defined. It should be noted that the types of input means are not limited to the above three types, and it is needless to say that other types can be applied. Hereinafter, the operation of the apparatus of the present invention will be described by taking a ticket issuing operation as an example. FIG.
1 shows an example of a ticket release screen of the CRT 2 displayed on the screen. The display screen of the CRT 2 has the following three areas 501 to 501.
503. An area 501 is an input information display screen, which displays information necessary for selling a ticket. Area 502: A guide display screen for displaying guide information of an item to be currently input. There are various formats for displaying guide information.
In this example, a two-digit number is displayed and the corresponding number is KB1
By inputting from step 2, the corresponding information can be set in the corresponding item column. Area 503: A system message screen on which response information from the center, an error message on operation managed by the terminal, and the like are displayed. The screen includes the following input item area. Area 504: Boarding day input area 505: Boarding station input area 506: Getting off station input area 507: Adult input area 508: Child input area 509-514: Route input area 515 : Discount rate input area FIGS. 6 and 7 show, as an example of an operation when the operator knows the station name of the boarding station, a screen when the boarding station “Tokyo” is designated from the KB12 on the ticket input screen. The transition of Screen 601 shows a state where the cursor is positioned in the boarding station input area (area 505). Screen 602: A state in which "G" which is the initial of "Tokyo" is input from KB12. In response to this operation, a list of station names starting with “G” is displayed in the guide menu display area 502. If the character next to the station name is input in the boarding station input area 505 in this state, the station names displayed in the list are further narrowed down. Screen 701: "Tokyo" from the list of station names
Shows a state in which the code number “08” corresponding to is input. Screen 702: A state in which "Tokyo" is entered in the boarding station input area 505 by the input operation of the code number "08" and the cursor is moved to the next entry item, the getting off station input area 506. FIGS. 8 and 9 show an example in which the operator knows the name of the route to which the destination station belongs, and narrows down the destination station based on the route name. The screen transition when "Tokyo" is designated is shown. State 801: Shows the initial menu of SKS. Here, when the item 802 “ticket” is selected, the screen changes to the next ticket sales screen. State 803: Ticket sales screen. Here, if the operator selects any of the items 804 to 806, the value of the selected day is set in the boarding date input area. If you select any of items 807-813,
Transition to the state 901 (FIG. 9). When any of the items 814 to 816 is selected, the boarding station is set in the boarding station input area 505 and the boarding station input area 506, respectively. These items are used to reduce the number of input operations for ticket types that are frequently requested. When any of the items 817 to 819 is selected, a corresponding discount rate is set in the discount amount input area 515. When any one of the items 820 to 825 is selected, a value corresponding to the number input area 507 or 508 is set. As described above, in the SKS 14, the input can be performed regardless of the cursor position displayed on the CRT 2. An example in which “Tokaido Line” 807 is selected is the state 901 in FIG. State 901: Station names 902-908 belonging to the selected line are displayed on SKS14. here,
When "Tokyo" 902 is selected, the corresponding station is input in the boarding station input area 505. Similarly, a menu of the selected route may be displayed on the CRT 2 so that a corresponding number can be input. FIGS. 10 and 11 show an example of an operation for inputting the boarding station with reference to the map displayed on the screen. In response to the input mode switching operation by the input mode switching means 15, the map display screen 1001 shown in FIG.
It is displayed above T2. When the station name “Tokyo” displayed here is selected by the PD 13, as shown in FIG. 11, the boarding station determination screen 1 with “Tokyo” set in the boarding station column
It transits to 101. Here, when the confirm button 1102 is selected, the display of the CRT 2 transits to the boarding station confirming screen 702 described with reference to FIG. The input mode is effective when the user knows the geographical position of the target station. In addition to the above-mentioned boarding station, it is also possible to collectively input and designate a drop-off station, a route, and the like using the map information. Next, a description will be given of the configuration of a data file necessary for generating a message in a common data format from information input from the above three types of input means, and a control method thereof. FIG. 12 shows the control for receiving an input from the SKS 14 or the KB 12 in a state where the pre-processing 201 has been completed, that is, the contents of the control of the business confirmation processing in the processing 202. The CRT 2 displays the initial screen shown in FIG. Further, the SKS 14 displays the initial input items shown in FIG. Here, KB12, S
Management tables 1201 and 1202 referred to for analyzing input information from the KS 14 are prepared. The initial screen management table 1201 is for managing input information from the KB 12. Information to be managed includes a number (code data) input from the KB 12 and
This is a data file name for each job corresponding to this. The initial input item management table 1202 stores a file name for each job corresponding to an item in the SKS 14. In the present embodiment, the input information from the SKS 14 is a two-dimensional coordinate value of the selected item in the SKS 14. In this case, in the initial input item management table 1202, a management file name for each task is managed corresponding to a management item represented by two-dimensional coordinates (x, y). By referring to these tables, the input information from the KB 12 and the SKS 14 is analyzed, the corresponding business management file is searched, the display contents of the SKS 14 and the CRT 12 are updated according to the contents, and the necessary information is updated. Expand to MM4. Next, the processing contents corresponding to each input means to be executed after the work is determined (processing 206, 208, 209)
Will be described. FIG. 13 shows detailed information of the management file for each task. Each business file includes a CRT drawing information field 1301, a KB input management information field 1302,
SKS input management information field 1303, PD input management information field 1304, and message information field 1
205. The CRT drawing information field 1301 contains
Information indicating a drawing position on the screen of an input item required for work and control information of a cursor are stored.
The KB input management information field 1302, the SKS input management information field 1303, and the PD input management information field 1304 store management information corresponding to the respective input means. When a job is designated, the input information analysis program 16 sends the message information 1 of the job file corresponding to the job.
305 is copied to the message table 17 in MM4, and the management information 1302-1304 corresponding to each input is expanded in MM4. Here, the message table 17 is a table for managing items that need to be input in the task. Thereafter, the input information is analyzed based on the management information corresponding to the input means, and the components of the message are stored in the message table 17. Hereinafter, the processing corresponding to each input means will be described by taking the ticket release management file 1203 as an example. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a control system for specifying a boarding station by the KB 12. According to the position of the cursor, the corresponding item in the input item-specific management table 1401 is referred to, and processing corresponding to the input information is performed. The management table 1401 for each input item manages a message and a guidance information pointer for each input item. From the business screen,
If the message can be directly input, describe the matching condition of the input information in the message field in the table. For example, when the cursor is located in the boarding date input area 504 and the input information from the KB 12 is a numerical value, the input numerical value is written in the boarding date input area 504, and the input numerical value is set in the boarding date information field of the electronic message table 17. . In this example, if the input is numeric information, it is determined that the input is valid input information, and data is set in the message table. If the condition is satisfied, a condition determination process may be executed to invalidate the input. Also, as shown in FIG.
When narrowing down the station name list step by step, 1402, 1
A chain management table such as 403 is required. The input information analysis program 16 refers to the message field of the management table 1401 for each input item corresponding to the input area where the cursor is located, and if "NULL", refers to the chain management table 1402 indicated by the guidance information pointer. Here, the input contents are compared with the items of the chain management table 1402. In the chain management table 1402 of the present embodiment, a secondary chain table 1403 for managing station information with the first character as the first character is prepared for one character of the pseudonym. In this case, since the telegram is not determined in the chain table 1402, the configuration of the table is such that a telegram and a guidance information pointer are provided for each kana character. If there is no corresponding message, the message field is “NULL”.
And a pointer to a secondary chain table having station information starting with a kana character is stored in the guidance information pointer field. Now, when "G" is input from the KB12, the station starting with "G" is set to 2 according to the guidance information pointer.
A search is made from the next chain table 1403, and the search content is displayed on the screen according to the guidance display field. by this,
As shown in the screen 702, a list of station names starting with “G” is displayed in the guide display area. Here, when the number "08" is input, the corresponding station "Tokyo" is displayed on the screen, and the corresponding message code "Touki" is stored in the boarding station information in the message table. Thus, desired information can be input from the KB 12. It is conceivable that the above-mentioned chain management table has a further continuous hierarchy, but in this case, it is possible to cope with the same control as the above-described processing. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the control of the input from the SKS 14. Similarly to the above, an input item management table 1501 and a chain table 1502 exist, and in the input item management table 1501, the SKS1
The two-dimensional coordinate information specifying the display position of No. 4 and input contents corresponding to each display item are managed. For example, the state 8 of the SKS 14 shown in FIG.
In the item a1 of 03, the input content is “ride date” and the display content is “today”, and the corresponding message information “920101”
Is managed. Therefore, when this item is selected, “920101” is stored in the message table 17. On the other hand, when the item b1 is selected, since the content field indicating the item to be input is “ride station” and the message field is “NULL”, the linkage table 1502 is set based on the guidance information pointer. Referenced. According to the chain table 1502, c1 in SKS14
Display data corresponding to the subsequent positions are output. As a result, the display state of the SKS 14 becomes 901. Here, when "c1" is selected, the corresponding station name "Tokyo" is displayed in the boarding station input area 505 of CRT2, and the message "Touki" corresponding to the boarding station input position in the message table 17 is stored. Next, the input control from the PD 13 will be described with reference to FIG. Management table 16 for each input item
Reference numeral 01 manages coordinate information of the drawing on the CRT 2 and a message for each drawing. In this example, an example in which the drawing is only a station is shown, and the drawing and the message uniquely correspond to each other. Now, the coordinate information input from the PD 13 is (x,
y), the input coordinates and the coordinate information (x
w, yw). X-mx <xw <x + mx∩y-my <yw <y + my When the expression 1 is satisfied, it is determined that the input information of the PD 13 specifies the station w, and the boarding of the electronic message table 17 is performed. The corresponding message is stored at the station input position. Here, mx and my are PD
Expression 13 shows the function of determining that the corresponding station has been selected if the input coordinates are within the margin range from the reference station coordinates. When a map is displayed at a plurality of scales or when a list of station names is displayed based on instruction information on the map, a chain table is displayed similarly to the control by other input means. May be provided. Further, in this embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, only one item is input in the PB 13, and when inputting from the PD 13, the screen 50 is used.
In 1, the operation example in which the cursor is positioned at the item position to be input and the input switching means 15 instructs the input from the PD 13 has been described. In this method, PD1
When the input operation is performed in step 3, it is necessary to return to the screen 501 again after the input operation for one item, move the cursor to the next input position, and select the PD 13 by the input switching unit 15 again. This makes the operation complicated, so that the input items may be designated on the screen 1001.
That is, no matter where the cursor is located, when the PD 13 is selected by the input switching means 15, the screen transitions to the screen 1001 so that the input items other than the station can be displayed and selected in the map information. Be able to give instructions. Further, as a modification of the present invention, a plurality of operation guides may be prepared for the same input means. For example, when entering the boarding station from KB12,
Instead of the station name search in the order of the kana, an operation screen for directly inputting a message code can be presented so that an operator who is familiar with the message code can quickly perform an input operation. This is because the input means SKS14 or K
This can be realized by making it possible to operate items and buttons for selecting a guidance function when switching B12. As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the operator can select from a plurality of types of input operation environments.
Because you can select the operating environment that matches the situation and enter information,
Ticketing can be performed efficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a ticket issuing terminal device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart showing the operation of the ticket issuing terminal device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an input initial screen of the display device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an input initial screen of the multi-item input device. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen for selling a ticket. FIG. 6 is a view showing a screen transition when an operation for releasing a ticket is performed from a keyboard (part 1). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen transition when an operation for releasing a ticket is performed from a keyboard (part 2). FIG. 8 is a view showing a screen transition when an operation for releasing a ticket is performed from the multi-item input device (part 1). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen transition when an operation for releasing a ticket is performed from the multi-item input device (part 2). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen transition when an operation for releasing a ticket is displayed on a display device by using a pointing device and performed by a pointing device (part 1). FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a screen transition when an operation for releasing a ticket is displayed on a display device with route map information and is performed by a pointing device. FIG. 12 is a view showing the relationship between management files searched at the time of initial input. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management file for each input means and each task. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a table referred to when performing an input operation from a keyboard. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a table referred to when performing an input operation from the multi-item input device. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a table configuration referred to when a pointing device input operation is performed. [Description of Signs] 1: Terminal device, 2: CRT (display device), 3: VRAM
(Video memory), 4: MM (main storage device), 5: output device (printer), 6: system bus, 8: CPU (main storage device), 9: HD (secondary storage medium), 10: communication line Network, 11: Central center, 12: KB (keyboard), 13: PD (pointing device), 14:
SKS (multi-item input device), 15: input mode switching means, 16: input information analysis program, 17: telegram table, 301: CRT initial screen, 401: SKS initial screen, 1201: initial screen management table, 1202: various information Input item management table, 1203: data file for ticket issuing business, 1204: data file for express ticket issuing business, 1204: data file for commuter ticket issuing business, 1
205: Ticket ticketing business data file, 1206:
Bed ticket issuing data file, 1301: CRT drawing information of ticket issuing business, 1302: KB of ticket issuing business
Input management information, 1303: SKS input management information of a ticket issuing business, 1304: PD input management information of a ticket issuing business, 1305: Message management information of a ticket issuing business.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Katsunori Ishibashi 1099 Ozenji Temple, Aso-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Hitachi, Ltd. System Development Laboratory (72) Inventor Masafumi Hori 1st Ikegami, Haraoka-cho, Owari-shi, Aichi Pref. Hitachi, Ltd. Asahi Plant (72) Inventor Isamu Machida 1 Ikegami, Haruoka-cho, Owari City, Aichi Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd. Asahi Plant (72) Inventor Tetsuo Machida 1099 Ozenji, Aso-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd. System Development Laboratory (72) Inventor Toshikazu Tsurugige 1-2-13 Shirahata, Urawa-shi, Saitama (72) Inventor Yoshinao Endo 1-45--3 Hikaricho, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo (56) References 3-192417 (JP, A) JP-A-2-103692 (JP, A) JP-A-64-15864 (JP, A) JP-A-63-261496 (JP, A) Hei 2-130057 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07B 1/00-5/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] In a ticket issuing terminal device connected to a center device, a keyboard for inputting numbers, kana, etc., and a menu
Input by displaying the item and pressing the input item
A multi-item input device for instructing; display means for displaying guidance information; input from the keyboard and the multi-item input device;
An analysis program for analyzing force information, and when a ticket issuing operation is designated, the analysis program
When the input information from the keyboard is a numerical value,
Displaying the name of the boarding station on the display means;
When the ride station item is selected from the location, the selected ride
A station name is displayed on the display means, and the key analyzed by the analysis program is displayed.
Based on input information from the board and the multi-item input device
A message table for managing message information, wherein the analysis program is stored in the message table and
Generated by the keyboard and the multi-item input device
Information on the issue of issued tickets
The center device is controlled by generating
Device , and further responds to the contents of the received message received from the center device.
And a printer for issuing a ticket.