JP3923613B2 - Automatic ticket gate apparatus and automatic ticket gate method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic ticket gate device and an automatic ticket gate method applied to this device, and more particularly, to receive a plurality of ticket media possessed by passengers, separate them one by one, and automatically collect them. The present invention relates to an automatic ticket gate apparatus and an automatic ticket gate method for performing a ticket processing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, automatic ticket gates that perform automatic ticket gate processing and automatic ticket gate devices that perform automatic ticket gate processing have begun to be installed at transportation stations such as railways. In such an automatic ticket gate and an automatic ticket collector (hereinafter collectively referred to as an automatic ticket gate), the magnetic information recorded on the inserted ticket medium is read to determine whether or not the vehicle can pass, and as necessary. The inserted ticket medium is subjected to processing such as recording of magnetic information or punching and printing.
[0003]
Further, among such automatic ticket gates, there have been proposed devices that can cope with the combined use of a plurality of ticket media. The combined use of a ticket medium is, for example, using a combination of two or more boarding sections of a ticket medium, such as a regular ticket and a regular ticket, or a regular ticket and a regular ticket. It can also be used in combination with a prepaid card. Such an automatic ticket gate apparatus that can handle a plurality of sheets is used particularly in a ticket collection process at a transfer station or a ticket collection process in which an entrance / exit check is performed.
[0004]
In such an automatic ticket gate, when processing a plurality of ticket media, it is possible to collectively receive a plurality of stacked ticket media. Then, the data of all the received ticket media is read to determine the combination, and the illegality of the boarding section is checked to determine whether the vehicle can pass.
[0005]
By the way, in such an automatic ticket gate, in order to read the data of all the ticket media, a separation mechanism that reliably separates a plurality of received ticket media one by one is required.
[0006]
As a mechanism similar to such a separation mechanism, for example, a mechanism that shifts the sheets one by one by conveying them at different speeds on the upper surface and the lower surface of the sheet, or two sheets using the thickness of the sheet. A mechanism that separates the sheets one by one by conveying them through a gap that cannot physically pass more than one sheet, or conveys the conveying force only to this conveying surface with one surface of the sheet as the conveying surface, For example, a mechanism that separates the sheets one by one from the conveyance surface side by providing a stopper that becomes an obstacle to conveyance can be used.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The paper separation mechanism as described above is to separate the paper from the state where the leading edges of the paper are aligned.
[0008]
However, in an automatic ticket gate for multiple cards, it is fast and reliable even in the state where at least two types of ticket media are randomly stacked, such as a combination of an ordinary ticket and a regular ticket. Must be separated one by one.
[0009]
That is, in the conventional separation mechanism as described above, depending on conditions such as the arrangement when the ticket medium is inserted and the type of the ticket medium to be inserted, a plurality of sheets cannot be reliably separated one by one. There is a risk of being taken out. In this case, when reading the data on the ticket medium, a reading error occurs, which hinders smooth ticket gate processing.
[0010]
In addition, at least two types of ticket media may be mixed and loaded into the automatic ticket gate corresponding to a plurality of sheets. When such an automatic ticket gate is put in a mixed state of an 85 mm ticket having a size of 57.5 mm × 85 mm and an Edmonson ticket having a size of 30 mm × 57.5 mm, these tickets In order to reliably detect the medium in the separation mechanism, it is necessary to arrange the sensors at intervals of the minimum dimension of the inserted ticket medium.
[0011]
That is, in such a case, since the minimum dimension of the inserted ticket medium is 30 mm, it is necessary to arrange the sensors at an interval of less than 30 mm.
[0012]
If the sensors are arranged at such an interval, a large number of sensors are required, which increases the cost. Further, there is a problem that not only the control circuit for controlling these many sensors becomes complicated, but also the substrate of the control circuit becomes large.
[0013]
Therefore, there is a problem that efficient ticket gate processing cannot be realized.
[0014]
Furthermore, the number of sheets that can be processed in a batch is limited even with an automatic ticket gate that supports multiple sheets. In other words, in such an automatic ticket gate, a plurality of ticket media inserted in a lump are separated one by one and then temporarily held in a holding unit, and thereafter a ticket gate process is performed. . Since there is a limit to the number of ticket media that can be held in this holding section, only the number of ticket media that can be held in this holding section can be processed collectively.
[0015]
For example, in an automatic ticket gate apparatus having a holding unit capable of holding four ticket media, when five or more ticket media are loaded at a time, the ticket processing is performed on four ticket media first. Then, after the ticket is discharged, the remaining ticket medium is ticketed and discharged. That is, it is controlled to discharge in units of four sheets.
[0016]
However, the passenger does not know that the ticket medium that he / she has inserted will be discharged in two or more times, but only the first four discharged ticket mediums are extracted and then discharged. There is a risk of forgetting to take the ticket media.
[0017]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic ticket gate apparatus that can realize an efficient ticket gate processing by reliably separating the ticket medium one by one when a plurality of ticket mediums are loaded at once. It is to provide this automatic ticket gate method.
[0018]
Another object of the present invention is to reliably detect the presence or absence of a ticket medium without increasing the cost and reliably separate the ticket medium one by one when a plurality of ticket mediums are inserted. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic ticket gate apparatus and an automatic ticket gate method capable of realizing efficient ticket gate processing.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
This invention has been made on the basis of the above problems,
According to claim 1,
Receiving a plurality of ticket media, temporarily holding a plurality of the ticket media in a stacked state, separating them one by one, and recording on the ticket media separated by the separation means In an automatic ticket gate device comprising reading means for reading the data being read and ticket gate means for executing ticket gate processing based on the data of all the ticket media read by the reading means,
The separating means includes
A first belt stretched over at least two rollers; a driving means for driving the first belt in a predetermined driving direction; and being in pressure contact with a predetermined region of the first belt and opposite to the driving direction Between the second belt spanned by at least two other rollers urged in the direction and the roller spanned by the first belt, with a distance larger than the minimum dimension of the ticket medium. And detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the ticket medium conveyed by the first belt, and the driving means Start up at the first startup time By driving the first belt, in the predetermined area where the second belt is pressed, the plurality of the ticket media temporarily held in a stacked state are separated and conveyed one by one, and the detection After the ticket medium is no longer detected by means, The driving means is temporarily stopped, the driving means is raised again at a second rising time shorter than the first rising time, and the first belt is driven for a predetermined time, The detecting means detects whether or not the ticket medium remains while the detecting means is disposed. When the ticket medium is detected, the driving means is further controlled to control the first medium. There is provided an automatic ticket gate device comprising control means for driving one belt.
[0027]
Claim 2 According to
Receiving a plurality of ticket media, temporarily holding a plurality of the ticket media in a stacked state, separating them one by one, and recording on the ticket media separated by the separation means In an automatic ticket gate device comprising reading means for reading the data being read and ticket gate means for executing ticket gate processing based on the data of all the ticket media read by the reading means,
The separating means includes
A first belt stretched over at least two rollers; a driving means for driving the first belt in a predetermined driving direction; and being in pressure contact with a predetermined region of the first belt and opposite to the driving direction Between the second belt spanned by at least two other rollers urged in the direction and the roller spanned by the first belt, with a distance larger than the minimum dimension of the ticket medium. And detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the ticket medium conveyed by the first belt,
The boarding temporarily suspended in a state where a plurality of sheets are stacked in the predetermined area where the second belt is pressed by driving the driving means at a first starting time to drive the first belt. After the ticket medium is separated and conveyed one by one, and after the boarding ticket medium is no longer detected by the detecting means, the driving means is temporarily stopped, and the driving means is again set to a second time shorter than the first rise time. The first belt is driven for a predetermined time by the start-up time, and the detection means detects whether or not the ticket medium remains while the detection means is disposed. In the case where it is detected, there is further provided an automatic ticket gate method characterized by controlling the driving means to drive the first belt.
[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of an automatic ticket gate apparatus according to the present invention and an automatic ticket gate method applied to the apparatus will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0031]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the external appearance of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that the automatic ticket gate apparatus can execute a ticket gate process and a ticket collection process.
[0032]
This automatic ticket gate can cope with the combined use of a plurality of ticket media. For example, at a transfer station between the Shinkansen and a conventional line, this automatic ticket gate installed at this transfer station has a conventional line ticket starting from or at the transfer station, and an end or start point at this transfer station. The Shinkansen boarding ticket and limited express ticket can be received, and it can be checked whether there is any fraud in the boarding section based on these data, and the bill collection process can be performed.
[0033]
Hereinafter, such a bill collection process will be described in detail. In addition, the above-mentioned ticket medium in which the boarding sections are continuous is referred to as a related ticket.
[0034]
The main body 10 of the automatic ticket gate has a slot 12 into which a ticket medium is inserted when entering the station or entering the station, and a outlet for discharging the ticket medium received at the slot 12. 14 are provided.
[0035]
The ticket media are classified into ordinary tickets, commuter passes, limited express tickets, coupon tickets, transit tickets, etc., and prepaid cards, etc., and such ticket media include predetermined information, For example, expiration date information and rideable section information are magnetically recorded in a predetermined format.
[0036]
In addition, when these ticketing media are issued, information such as the ticketing station name, the date and time of issue, the expiration date, etc. are printed on the front or back of the ticket medium. And, in these ticket media, when passing through the automatic ticket gate device, that is, when being subjected to a predetermined processing after being put in and discharged, predetermined information is printed and discharged. There is.
[0037]
For example, information such as the date and time of use, the name of the station that passed through the automatic ticket gate, and the remaining amount of the card are printed on the card ticket media when passing through the automatic ticket gate. The coupon ticket is printed with information such as the date and time of use and the name of the station that passed through the automatic ticket checker during the ticket check process. The transit ticket is printed with information such as the station name of the transit station that has passed through the automatic ticket gate at the time of transit, and a message indicating that entry is possible on the way to the stop.
[0038]
In this embodiment, the slot 12 can accept batch loading of a plurality of ticket media. The slot 12 can, of course, accept a single ticket medium. As a combination of a plurality of ticket media, a regular ticket and a regular ticket, a regular ticket and a limited express ticket, a regular ticket and a regular ticket, and the like can be considered. Furthermore, the discharge port 14 of this embodiment can discharge a plurality of sheets at once when a plurality of the ticket media are put in a lump, and the plurality of ticket media are discharged in a stacked manner. This collective discharge will be described in detail later.
[0039]
In the vicinity of the insertion slot 12, a shutter for preventing the insertion of the ticket medium is provided. This shutter prohibits the insertion of another ticket medium for a predetermined period of time after the ticket medium is inserted. Due to the action of the shutter, it is possible to prevent another person's ticket medium from being continuously inserted.
[0040]
Further, in front of the insertion port 12, a vicinity of the insertion port display unit 16 is provided for displaying various guidance to the user. This insertion slot vicinity display part 16 displays the remaining amount, such as a prepaid card, for example. Further, a passage guidance display unit 13 for displaying guidance of the passage of the automatic ticket gate is provided at the lower portion of the insertion port 12. In front of the discharge port 14, a discharge port vicinity display unit 18 that displays various guidance to the user is provided.
[0041]
A door portion 20 is provided on a side surface portion of the main body 10 of the automatic ticket gate device to prevent a passenger entering the ticket medium from passing by closing. In addition, a frame 22 serving as a partition for distinguishing a passage corresponding to the main body 10 of the automatic ticket gate apparatus is provided on the upper part of the main body 10 of the automatic ticket gate apparatus. The frame 22 is provided with a display 26 for notifying the insertion of a child ticket, the insertion of an invalid ticket or an abnormal ticket, or an abnormality of a device. Furthermore, a plurality of human detection sensors 24 that detect the passage of the user are provided on the side surface portion of the main body 10 and the frame 22. The human detection sensor 24 detects the passage of the user, and a transmission type, a reflection type, or the like is used.
[0042]
An invalid ticket is a ticket that cannot be used in combination with other ticket media. For example, an expired ticket medium corresponds to this. An abnormal ticket is a ticket that cannot be read by this automatic ticket gate. For example, a credit card with a different recording format or a ticket that is not magnetically recorded corresponds to this.
[0043]
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the internal mechanism of the automatic ticket gate shown in FIG.
[0044]
Between the insertion port 12 and the discharge port 14, a main conveyance path 32 that conveys the ticket medium loaded from the insertion port 12 to the discharge port 14 is formed. On this main conveyance path 32, a sensor for detecting a ticket medium conveyed on the conveyance path 32, for example, a slot sensor 90 for detecting a ticket medium loaded from the slot 12, and discharging to a discharge port. A plurality of discharge port sensors 92 and the like for detecting the used ticket medium are provided.
[0045]
At the entrance to the main transport path 32 from the slot 12, a shutter 28 that prohibits the loading of the ticket medium for a predetermined period, a separation unit 33 that loads one or more of the ticket mediums loaded one by one, and the loading A take-in portion 30 having an alignment portion 34 for aligning the printed ticket medium is provided. Here, the predetermined period is a period until the inserted ticket medium is received from the discharge port 14. The shutter 28 is closed at the moment when the ticket medium is inserted. As a result, a distinction is made between the first-passed ticket medium and the next-passed ticket medium.
[0046]
In the aligning unit 34 of the take-in unit 30, alignment is performed such that a predetermined direction of the ticket medium inserted into the input port 12 is a transport direction and serves as a one-side reference. In addition, the alignment unit 34 is provided with a size detection sensor for detecting the size of the ticket medium.
[0047]
The ticket media includes small tickets called so-called Edmonson tickets such as ordinary tickets and transit tickets, medium-sized tickets such as commuter passes and prepaid cards, and large tickets such as limited express tickets. These sizes (in mm) are, for example, 30 × 57.5 for small-sized tickets, 57.5 × 85 for medium-sized tickets, and 57.5 × 120 for large-sized tickets.
[0048]
The alignment unit 34 can detect the size of these ticket media based on the sensor output.
[0049]
Even if the ticket medium is inserted on the downstream side of the take-in part 30 in the main conveyance path 32, that is, the ticket medium is input with the surface on which the entry station information, fee information, etc. are printed facing upward, Is provided on the back side of the ticket medium so that the magnetic information can be read even when the back side is inserted, that is, when the surface having the magnetic recording part on which magnetic information such as entrance station information and toll information is recorded is directed upward Read heads 36a and 36b for reading information magnetically recorded on the magnetic recording layer are provided above and below the conveyance path.
[0050]
A pre-write pool that includes a reversing unit 38 that unifies and sends out the front and back of the ticket medium on the downstream side of the read heads 36a and 36b in the main transport path 32, and pools the ticket medium before information is written. A portion 42 is provided.
[0051]
The reversing unit 38 is provided with a sorting gate 39. In order to unify the front and back of the ticket medium, the ticket medium is pulled into the reversing unit 38 from the main transport path 32 by the sorting gate 39 as necessary. It is. The ticket medium drawn into the reversing unit 38 is reversed by being conveyed through the reversing path 40 and returned to the main conveying path 32. The necessity of drawing the ticket medium into the reversing unit 38 is determined by the size of the ticket medium and information on the ticket medium read by the reading head 36a or 36b.
[0052]
The pre-writing pool unit 42 pools the ticket medium in order to check the validity of the ticket medium based on the combination of a plurality of sheets, for example, whether or not the possible sections are continuous.
[0053]
The pre-write pool section 42 is provided with a sorting gate 43, a pool transfer path 44, a stopper 45, and the like. When the ticket medium is pooled, the ticket medium is drawn from the main conveyance path to the pool conveyance path 44 by the sorting gate 43, and the drawn ticket medium is pooled by being stopped by the stopper 45. . At this time, the sorting gate 43 is operated so that a plurality of ticket mediums do not overlap each other in the pool conveyance path 44, that is, pooled one by one in another pool conveyance path 44. The pooled ticket media are returned to the main transport path 32 in a predetermined order as necessary.
[0054]
Further, on the downstream side of the pool section 42 before writing in the main transport path 32, recording is performed by a writing head 46 and a writing head 46 for recording predetermined magnetic information on a magnetic recording layer provided on the back surface of the ticket medium. The print head 48 for confirming the received information, punch processing sections 50 and 52 for punching the ticket medium, the first ticket detection sensor 54 for detecting the passage of the ticket medium, and the ink contained in the ink ribbon 55 Thermal head 56 that prints and records by thermal transfer to the ticket medium, thermal head 58 that prints and records color by heating the heat-sensitive layer of the ticket medium, and discharges when a plurality of ticket media are inserted For example, a collective pool unit 60 is provided that stacks and aligns a plurality of ticket media such that a large size ticket media is located below.
[0055]
When printing and recording is required for a ticket medium that does not include a heat sensitive layer, the inserted ticket medium is conveyed to the thermal head 56 by the sorting gate 51. Then, the ink is transferred from the ink ribbon 55 to the boarding ticket medium by the thermal head 56.
[0056]
Further, when printing record is necessary for the ticket medium having the heat sensitive layer, the inserted ticket medium is conveyed to the thermal head 58 by the sorting gate 51. Then, the ticket medium is heated by the thermal head 58, and the heat-sensitive layer is colored, whereby printing is recorded on the ticket medium.
[0057]
The collective pool unit 60 is provided with a pool unit 61, a sorting gate 62, a second ticket detection sensor 63, and the like. The collective pool unit 60 arranges a plurality of ticket media having different sizes in order of size so that a specific ticket media is not lost when a plurality of ticket media having different sizes are discharged. It is a mechanism for rearranging and aligning.
[0058]
As described above, when processing a plurality of related tickets having different sizes such as a small-sized ticket, a medium-sized ticket, and a large-sized ticket, when these related tickets are discharged one by one at the time of discharge, This hinders smooth ticket gate processing. However, when trying to eject all at once, the small ticket may be overlooked and hidden behind the large ticket, which may be lost.
[0059]
Therefore, the collective pool unit 60 prepares and discharges the ticket media as follows. For example, it is assumed that an ordinary ticket as a small-sized ticket and a commuter pass as a medium-sized ticket are put together or one by one and are pooled in the pool section 42 before writing. At this time, it is discharged from the pre-writing pool section 42 in order from the large ticket medium, that is, in the order of the commuter pass and the ordinary ticket, and is conveyed on the main conveyance path 32.
[0060]
First, when a large ticket is transported and this large ticket is detected by the first ticket detection sensor 54, the transport mechanism 64 is driven, and the commuter pass is taken into the pool unit 61 by the sorting gate 62. When the taken commuter pass is detected by the second ticket detection sensor 63, the driving of the transport mechanism 64 is stopped and the commuter pass is temporarily pooled at a predetermined position in the pool unit 61.
[0061]
Subsequently, when the ordinary ticket is detected by the first ticket detection sensor 54, the transport mechanism 64 is driven so that the tip of the commuter pass previously pooled matches the tip of the ordinary ticket. The normal ticket is taken into the pool section 61 by the gate 62. As a result, the commuter pass is taken into the pool unit 61 in a state where the front end of the commuter pass and the front end of the ordinary ticket coincide with each other and the ordinary commuter pass is superimposed on the commuter pass. When the ordinary ticket and the commuter pass taken into the pool unit 61 are detected by the second ticket detection sensor 63, the driving of the transport mechanism 64 is stopped. That is, the ordinary boarding ticket and the commuter pass are overlapped at a predetermined position of the pool unit 61 and are temporarily pooled with their tips aligned.
[0062]
If the ticket medium is not pooled in the pool section 42 before writing, the discharge roller 65 is rotated, and all the ticket medium taken into the pool section 61 is conveyed toward the discharge port 14.
[0063]
When a plurality of related tickets overlapped in this way are discharged, all the tickets can be confirmed as viewed from the side of the recipient of these related tickets. Therefore, by arranging the ticket media having different sizes in the order of size and discharging them together, it is possible to realize a smooth ticket gate process and to prevent the ticket media from being missed.
[0064]
The sorting gate 66 is a gate that sorts between discharge and collection depending on the type of ticket medium. For example, the commuter pass is discharged at the time of bill collection, and the ordinary ticket when entering the station is collected. The ticket medium collected by the sorting gate 66 is sorted and collected by the sorting gate 68 into the first bill collection box 70 and the second bill collection box 72 according to the type of the ticket ticket medium.
[0065]
A plurality of motors for driving each part are attached to the main body 10 of the automatic ticket gate. For example, a main motor (stepping motor, servo motor, etc.) 74 that drives a conveyance roller that conveys the ticket medium, and an induction motor 78 that conveys the ticket medium to the discharge port 14 are provided.
[0066]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the automatic ticket gate explained in FIG. 1 and FIG.
[0067]
The entire automatic ticket gate is controlled by the CPU 100. The CPU 100 includes a ROM 102 that stores the control program of the CPU 100, a RAM 104 that stores information read from the ticket medium and a buffer for the control program, and measures processing time in a predetermined process of the ticket gate processing. Timer 105, a fare memory 106 storing fare information from the entrance station to the station where the automatic ticket gate is installed, a reading circuit 108 for controlling the read heads 36a and 36b, and a document for controlling the write head 46 And the reading circuit 112 for controlling the reading head 48 are connected. The CPU 100 performs passability determination processing based on the information read by the reading head 36a or 36b and identifies the type of the ticket medium.
[0068]
The CPU 100 also includes a distribution control circuit 114 that controls the distribution gates 39, 43, 51, 59, 62, 66, and 68, a thermal head control circuit 116 that controls the thermal heads 56 and 58, and a first Controls a detection circuit 118 that detects the conveyance status of the ticket medium based on signals from the sensors such as the ticket detection sensor 54, the second ticket detection sensor 63, and the discharge port sensor 92, and a main motor 74 that conveys the ticket medium. A conveyance control circuit 120 that performs the detection, a passage detection circuit 122 that detects the passage of a boarder by the output of the human detection sensor 24, and a door control circuit 126 that controls the door opening / closing mechanism 124 that drives the door unit 20. It is connected.
[0069]
Further, the CPU 100 includes a display control circuit 128 that controls each display unit such as the passage guide display unit 13, the inlet vicinity display unit 16, and the outlet vicinity display unit 18, and display control that controls the display 26. A circuit 130, a punch processing control circuit 132 for controlling the punch processing units 50 and 52, a collective pool control circuit 136 for controlling the driving of the collective pool unit 60, and a monitoring panel 140 for monitoring a plurality of automatic ticket gates collectively. A monitoring panel interface 138 and the like are connected.
[0070]
Further, the CPU 100 is connected to a capture unit control circuit 134 that controls the capture unit 30 including the shutter 28, the separation unit 33, and the alignment unit 34. The take-in control circuit 134 includes a drive mechanism for driving the shutter 28 based on output signals from various sensors included in the separation unit 33 and the alignment unit 34, and various rollers included in the separation unit 33 and the alignment unit 34. Controls the drive of the motor that rotates Further, the take-in unit control circuit 134 detects the size of the ticket medium inserted by a sensor included in the aligning unit 34.
[0071]
Next, the traffic determination process will be described.
[0072]
This traffic determination process is a traffic determination process capable of collecting bills using a plurality of related tickets. Note that the bill collection process by the traffic determination process is controlled by the CPU 100.
[0073]
Hereinafter, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6, the bill collection process by the traffic determination process will be described.
[0074]
The bill collection process is started by inserting a ticket medium. When the ticket medium discharged by the discharge port sensor 92 is no longer detected (ST10, YES), the shutter 28 opens (ST12), and the insertion of the ticket medium into the input port 12 is permitted. That is, when the ticket medium discharged to the discharge port 14 is received, the next ticket medium is permitted to be inserted.
[0075]
When the ticket medium discharged by the discharge port sensor 92 is detected (ST10, NO), the shutter 28 is closed (ST14) and the next ticket medium is prohibited from being inserted into the input port 12. This is to prevent equipment breakdown or confusion at the time of receipt of the ticket medium due to the insertion of another ticket medium when the ticket medium is held at the discharge port 14.
[0076]
When a ticket medium is inserted into the slot 12 (ST16, YES), the ticket medium is detected by the slot sensor 90 (ST18), the shutter 28 is closed (ST20), and the next ticket medium is inserted. It is forbidden. If only one ticket medium is inserted, this one ticket medium is taken into the main transport path 32 by the take-in roller 33 (ST22). When there are a plurality of ticket media inserted in ST14, the plurality of ticket media are separated and taken into the main transport path 32 by the take-in portion 33 one by one (ST22).
[0077]
The ticket medium taken in by the take-in unit 30 is aligned by the alignment unit 34 (ST24). The aligned ticket media are conveyed along the main conveyance path 32, and the magnetic data recorded on the ticket media are read by the read heads 36a and 36b (ST26). At this time, if the data cannot be read, it is determined that the inserted ticket is an abnormal ticket (ST28, YES), and the ticket determined to be an abnormal ticket is immediately discharged (ST31). In addition, if there is a ticket that is inserted at the same time as the ticket determined to be an abnormal ticket, this ticket is also immediately discharged. When it is determined that the ticket inserted in this way is an abnormal ticket, passage through the automatic ticket gate is not permitted.
[0078]
If the inserted ticket is not an abnormal ticket (ST28, NO), the CPU 100 determines whether the front and back of the boarding ticket medium are necessary (ST30) and reverses by the reversing unit 38 as necessary. Processing is performed (ST32). Then, all of the ticket media that are put together are pooled one by one in the pool section 42 before writing (ST32). At this time, until the ticket sensor is no longer detected by the slot sensor 90, the process of taking the ticket medium held at the slot 12 and pooling it into the pool section 42 before writing is repeated (ST36). In this traffic determination process, when only one ticket medium is put in a lump, the ticket medium is transported through the main transport path 32 and is not pooled in the pool section 42 before writing. Subsequent processing is performed on the ticket medium.
[0079]
When all of the ticket media entered in a lump are pooled in the pre-writing pool section 42, that is, when all the data of the ticket media entered in a lump is read, the traffic determination processing by the lump-sum ticket media entered in a lump Is performed (ST38). The content of the traffic determination process includes a boarding section and a boarding time limit.
[0080]
As a result of the traffic determination process, when traffic is permitted (ST40, YES), traffic blocking by the door unit 20 is not performed (ST42). When the passage is not permitted (NO in ST40), the passage is blocked by the door unit 20 (ST44).
[0081]
Along with the traffic determination process described above, the discharge process of the ticket medium pooled in the pre-writing pool unit 42 is started (ST46). The ticket media pooled in the pre-writing pool section 42 are sent to the main transport path 32 in order of size, for example. At this time, predetermined information is written by the writing head 46 (ST50) on the ticket medium that requires data writing (ST48, YES). The written information is read by the reading head 48, and the written content is confirmed (ST52).
[0082]
Further, the ticket medium that requires punching (ST54, YES) is subjected to punching (ST56).
[0083]
The ticket medium that has been processed as necessary is transported through the main transport path 32 and detected by the first ticket detection sensor 54, and then the transport mechanism 61 of the collective pool section 60 is driven, so that the ticket medium is It is taken into this collective pool section 60 (ST58).
[0084]
When there is still a ticket medium conveyed from the pool section 42 before writing (ST60, YES), it is taken into the collective pool section 60 continuously. And the front-end | tip of the taken ticket medium is aligned and pooled.
[0085]
When there is no ticket medium conveyed from the pool section 42 before writing (ST60, NO), all the ticket media arranged by the collective pool section 60 are discharged (ST62). At this time, all the ticket media are discharged so as not to be lost, that is, in a state where the small size ticket media is not hidden by the shadow of the large size ticket media. Further, during the period when the discharged ticket medium is detected by the discharge port sensor 92 (ST64), the shutter 28 prohibits the insertion of the next ticket medium.
[0086]
In this way, according to the automatic ticket gate according to the above-described embodiment, when processing a plurality of ticket media, after the ticket media are put together and the traffic determination process is performed, The inserted ticket medium is discharged in a lump.
[0087]
In the bill collection process, the ordinary ticket is not discharged, but is collected in the first collection box 70 or the second collection box 72 by the sorting gates 66 and 68.
[0088]
Next, the take-in part for taking in the ticket medium and the take-in process in the automatic ticket gate will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0089]
FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the take-in portion in the automatic ticket gate shown in FIG.
[0090]
As described above, the take-in unit 30 includes the shutter 28 that temporarily prevents the insertion of the ticket medium, the separation unit 33 that separates the plurality of stacked ticket media one by one, and the separation unit. And an aligning section 34 for aligning the transport direction of the ticket medium taken out one by one by 33. As shown in FIG. 7, the shutter 28 is provided on the most upstream side on the main conveyance path 32, that is, on the side close to the insertion port 12, and the separation unit 33 is provided on the downstream side of the shutter 28. 34 is provided on the downstream side of the separation portion 33.
[0091]
The separation unit 33 accepts and temporarily holds a plurality of stacked ticket media, and shifts these ticket media along the transport direction, and the passengers shifted by the shifting unit 33a. It consists of a separation unit 33b that separates ticket media one by one.
[0092]
A pair of rollers R1 and R2 arranged opposite to each other are provided on the most upstream side of the shifting portion 33a.
[0093]
A roller R4 and a roller R5 are provided in this order along the main conveyance path 32 on the downstream side of the roller R2. A conveyor belt B2 is stretched over the rollers R2, R4, and R5. The roller R5 is connected to the driving motor M1 and functions as a driving roller. When the roller R5 is driven, the conveying belt B2 is rotated, and the rollers R2 and R4 are rotated together with the rotation of the conveying belt B2. The main conveyance path between the rollers R2 and R4 defined by the conveyance belt B2 and the main conveyance path between the rollers R4 and R5 are inclined by a predetermined angle, and an angle θ1 formed by these main conveyance paths is, for example, 167 °.
[0094]
The roller R1 is pressed against the conveyor belt B2 with a predetermined tension, and is rotated by the rotation of the conveyor belt B2.
[0095]
Along the main conveyance path 32, rollers R7 and R9 are sequentially provided on the downstream side of the roller R5. Rollers R6 and R8 are provided at positions facing the rollers R7 and R9, respectively. A separation part 33b is formed by these four rollers R6, R7, R8, and R9.
[0096]
The roller R6 is a low friction roller that does not rotate in the transport direction of the ticket medium. The roller R7 is a high friction roller that is connected to the driving motor M2 and rotated along the conveying direction. The roller R9 is a rubber roller that is connected to the driving motor M3 and is rotated at a conveyance speed faster than R7. The roller R8 is a rubber roller that is pressed against the roller R9 and rotated by being driven by the roller R9.
[0097]
A gap of about 0.1 mm is provided between the rollers R6 and R7, and even when two or more ticket mediums enter in an overlapping manner, they face the lowermost side, that is, the driven roller R7. Only the ticket medium is transported, and the other ticket media is blocked by the low friction roller R6 that does not rotate in the transport direction of the ticket medium.
[0098]
In the shifting portion 33a, a roller R3 is provided at a position near the roller R1 and at a predetermined interval with respect to the main conveyance path defined by the rollers R2 and R4. A conveyor belt B1 is stretched over the rollers R3 and R6. The transport belt B1 is pressed against the transport belt B2 at a point A at the position of the roller R4.
[0099]
The roller R3 is provided such that the conveyance belt B1 is disposed at a position of an angle θ2, for example, about 2 ° from the point A with respect to the conveyance belt B2 spanned between the rollers R2 and R4. The roller R3 is provided with a torque keeper of 200 gf · cm, for example, and applies a force in the direction opposite to the conveying direction.
[0100]
Although the transport belt B1 does not have a driving force, since it is pressed against the transport belt B2 at the point A as shown in FIG. 7, it is normally rotated by being driven by the transport belt B2. At this point A, a force of 200 gf (200 gf · cm / 10 mm) acts between the conveyor belts B1 and B2.
[0101]
An impeller F having a plurality of elastic blades is provided near the roller R4 and below the main conveyance path 32. The impeller F is provided at a position where the blade projects from the main conveyance path 32. And this impeller F is pushed and rotated when the boarding ticket medium conveyed hits a blade | wing.
[0102]
The separation unit 33 is provided with a plurality of sensors. A sensor S1 that detects the presence or absence of a ticket medium to be loaded into the take-in portion 30 is provided upstream of the position where the rollers R1 and R2 are pressed. Between the rollers R2 and R4, there is provided a slot sensor 90 that detects the presence or absence of a ticket medium that passes between the rollers R1 and R2 and is inserted between the conveying belts B1 and B2. .
[0103]
Further, the separation unit 33 includes a sensor S2 that detects the presence or absence of a ticket medium upstream of the impeller F, a sensor S3 that detects the presence or absence of a ticket medium that has passed the point A, and a ticket that has passed the roller R5. A sensor S4 for detecting the presence or absence of a medium, a sensor S5 for detecting the presence or absence of a ticket medium passing between the rollers R6 and R7, and a presence or absence of a ticket medium passing between the rollers R8 and R9. A sensor S6 and the like are provided.
[0104]
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the arrangement positions of a plurality of sensors provided in the separation unit 33. As shown in FIG. 8, the separation portion 33 is formed along the main conveyance path 32 defined by a plurality of guide rails. The width W of the main transport path in the separation unit 33 is about 62.0 mm.
[0105]
The plurality of sensors provided in the shifting portion 33a of the separation portion 33 are arranged in the order of S1, 90, S2, S3, S4, and S5 from the insertion port 12 side. These sensors S1, 90, S2, S3, S4, and S5 are each composed of a pair of sensors arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction X of the ticket medium, and S1a and S1b, 90a and 90b, S2a and S2b, S3a and S3b, S4a and S4b, S5a and S5b.
[0106]
Next, the taking-in process in the taking-in part 30 of such a structure is demonstrated.
[0107]
Here, a case will be described as an example where a plurality of ticket media having different sizes that are likely to cause a separation error in the conventional apparatus are put in a lump. Here, it is assumed that an 85 mm sized commuter pass and a 57.5 mm sized regular ticket are used as different sized ticket media.
[0108]
If a plurality of ticket media are to be loaded at a time with the shutter 28 open, these ticket media are detected by the sensor S1. When the ticket ticket medium is detected by the sensor S1, the motor M1 is driven to rotate the roller R5, and the rollers R2 and R4 and the conveyor belt B2 are rotated following this. Further, the roller R1 and the conveyance belt B1 are rotated following the rotation of the conveyance belt B2.
[0109]
The ticket medium loaded together with the rotation of the rollers and the conveyor belt is taken in between the conveyor belts B1 and B2. The taken ticket medium is detected by the slot sensor 90.
[0110]
And a plurality of boarding ticket media are conveyed to point A by conveyance belts B1 and B2 in the state where they were piled up.
[0111]
The fact that the ticket medium has been transported to the vicinity of the point A is detected by the sensor S2. At point A, a force of 200 gf is applied between the conveyor belts B1 and B2, so when a plurality of ticket media reach the point A, the ticket media are shifted in the transport direction.
[0112]
And by the action of the blades of the impeller F provided in the vicinity of the point A and the rotational force of the impeller F, the stacked ticket media having different sizes in the stacked state are separated one by one. It is conveyed toward point A.
[0113]
The ticket medium thus separated passes through point A and is further conveyed downstream. The fact that the ticket medium has passed the point A is detected by the sensor S3. Then, the ticket medium is transported further down the main transport path 32. The fact that the ticket medium has passed the roller R5 is detected by the sensor S4.
[0114]
Further, when the ticket medium is conveyed downstream and passes between the rollers R6 and R7, the ticket medium is detected by the sensor S5.
[0115]
At this time, in order to prevent the ticket medium transported later from catching up with the previously transported ticket medium, the roller R5 of the shifting portion is used when the leading edge of the ticket medium blocks the sensor S5. The driving of the motor M1 that rotates the motor is temporarily stopped. When the boarding ticket medium blocks the sensor S5, the motor M3 is driven, and the roller R9 and the roller R8 pressed against the roller R9 are rotated.
[0116]
Since the motor M2 continues to be driven, the ticket medium transported between the rollers R6 and R7 is transported further downstream and passes between the rollers R8 and R9. The driving of the motor M2 is stopped when the front end of the ticket medium interrupts the sensor S6.
[0117]
That is, when the leading edge of the ticket medium is sandwiched between the rollers R8 and R9, the driving of the roller R7 is stopped, and the rollers R8 and R9 are rotated, so that the sandwiched ticket medium is removed from between the rollers R6 and R7. It will be pulled out. As a result, the ticket media in a state of being securely stacked are separated one by one and conveyed to the rear alignment unit 34.
[0118]
Such an operation is performed until there is no more ticket medium held in the holding portion formed between the conveyance belts B1 and B2 between the rollers R2 and R4, that is, the ticket medium is input by the slot sensor 90. Repeatedly until no more is detected.
[0119]
In the aligning section 34, transport belts B3 and B4 are respectively wound around a pair of upper and lower rollers R10 and R11 provided across the main transport path by the motor M4.
[0120]
The size of the ticket medium conveyed to the alignment unit 34 is detected by the sensor S7. That is, based on the output signal from the sensor S7, it is determined whether the size of the transported ticket medium is an 85mm size ticket such as a commuter pass or a 57.5mm ticket such as an ordinary ticket, that is, an Edmonson ticket.
[0121]
Then, the ticket medium is further conveyed to the downstream side, and subsequent processing after the data reading processing (ST26) shown in FIG. 4 is executed.
[0122]
When the data reading process is completed, it is detected whether there is a ticket medium remaining in the separation unit 33a. Specifically, if the sensors S1, 90, S2, S3, and S4 in the separation unit 33a are detected to be shielded from light by the boarding ticket medium, it is determined that there is a remaining ticket, and the motors M1 and M2 are turned on. Driving again, the above-described processing is performed to perform the separation operation.
[0123]
By the way, in the separation unit 33 having the sensors arranged in the positional relationship as shown in FIG. 8, the Edmonson ticket T1 can be detected by the sensor S1b, and the Edmonson ticket T2 can be detected by the sensor 90b.
[0124]
Further, the ticket medium separated one by one by the separation unit 33 of the take-in unit 30 can be detected by a sensor provided after the alignment unit after the alignment unit 34.
[0125]
However, the boarding ticket medium remaining in the separating unit 33, in particular, the shifting unit 33a may not be able to detect the remaining ticket depending on its position. This is because it is mechanically difficult to dispose a sensor capable of detecting the remaining ticket in the shifting portion regardless of the position of the ticket medium, and it is disadvantageous in terms of circuit and cost. is there.
[0126]
For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 8, the positions of the ticket mediums T3 and T4 are positions that are not detected by any sensor, and when the ticket medium is located at such a position, The CPU of the automatic ticket gate cannot determine that there is a remaining ticket in the shifting part.
[0127]
For this reason, after a plurality of ticket media that have been inserted simultaneously are separated by the separation unit, the ticket media remaining in the shifting unit avoid any of the sensors S1, 90, S2, S3, and S4 that detect the remaining ticket. If there is a ticket medium remaining in the take-in section, the CPU cannot grasp the presence of the ticket medium. As a result of comprehensive judgment of a plurality of simultaneously inserted ticket mediums, There is a possibility that it will be misjudgment of insufficient insertion, or it may become a factor such as mis-judgment of excessive insertion combined with the remaining ticket, and ticket jamming due to subsequent ticket insertion of the next customer.
[0128]
Therefore, the remaining ticket detection mode is executed in the shifting portion after separating the ticket medium. That is, in the shifting unit, the motor of the shifting unit is driven for a predetermined time in order to reliably detect a remaining ticket that remains in a position that is not detected by the remaining sheet detection sensors S1 to S4 and 90. If any of the sensors detects the ticket medium at that time, it is determined that there is a remaining ticket, and the control of shifting, separating, and transporting can be normally continued. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ticket medium from remaining in the shifting part without changing the mechanical system and the circuit system.
[0129]
Here, the predetermined time for driving the motor of the shifting unit is, for example, the time for which the conveyor belt is driven for a distance corresponding to the maximum value L1 of the interval at which the sensors are arranged, or the sensors are arranged. This is the time during which the conveyor belt is driven for a distance corresponding to the difference (L1−L2) between the maximum value L1 of the interval and the minimum dimension L2 of the inserted ticket medium. By driving the motor of the shifting part at least for these times, it is possible to reliably detect the boarding ticket medium staying in the shifting part, that is, the remaining ticket.
[0130]
In addition, in the automatic ticket gate as described above, when an excessive number of ticket media exceeding the number that can be simultaneously subjected to ticket gate processing are simultaneously loaded, an excessive amount is placed in the shifting unit 33a of the separation unit 33. Since the number of ticket media is inserted, the shifting portion 33a requires a large conveyance torque. For this reason, the motors M1 to M3 that drive the shifting portion 33a are slowly started up as shown in the graph P of FIG. 9, and the start-up time B until these motors reach a predetermined motor speed Will be longer.
[0131]
On the other hand, as described above, in order to reliably detect the remaining ticket that remains in the position that is not detected by the sensor that detects the remaining ticket, that is, the remaining ticket detection sensor, in the shifting portion after separating the ticket medium. In the case where the motor of the shifting unit is driven for a predetermined time, there is no more ticket medium remaining in the shifting unit 33a of the separating unit 33 as if it was excessively charged. Does not require a large transfer torque.
[0132]
For this reason, the motors M1 to M3 that drive the shifting portion 33a can be started up instantaneously as shown in the graph Q of FIG. 9, and the motors M1 to M3 can be started up until these motors reach a predetermined motor speed. The raising time A is shorter than the starting time B in the case of excessive charging. Thereby, it becomes possible to relatively extend the conveyance time for the remaining bill detection in the shifting part. That is, it is possible to extend the time required for the remaining bill detection by reducing the motor start-up time with the same motor driving time.
[0133]
That is, when the conveyance torque is required, as shown in the graph P of FIG. 9, when the time B is required for the motor startup time, the time D can be secured as the shifted conveyance time. On the other hand, when the transfer torque is not required, as shown in the graph Q of FIG. 9, the time for starting the motor requires time A and is shortened by time C from time B. It is possible to secure time C + D as time.
[0134]
As described above, when detecting the remaining bill in the shifting portion, it is possible to extend the time required for detecting the remaining bill, that is, the shift transport time by reducing the startup time of the motor. It becomes possible to detect a remaining ticket.
[0135]
Next, motor control for the remaining bill detection to which the control as described above is applied will be described with reference to a flowchart.
[0136]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control method for executing the remaining bill detection according to this embodiment.
[0137]
First, a check for the insertion of a ticket medium in the take-in unit 30 is performed.
[0138]
In other words, the CPU 100 determines the input port based on the output of the sensor S1 provided at the most upstream portion of the shifting portion 33a disposed immediately after the input port 12 and the input port sensor 90 provided downstream of the sensor S1. 12 determines whether a ticket medium has been inserted (ST101).
[0139]
When the sensors S1 and 90 are "dark", that is, when the light is blocked by the ticket medium, the CPU 100 determines that the ticket medium is inserted from the insertion slot 12 (ST101, YES), and the separation unit The 33 motors M1 to M3 are turned "ON" to start driving (ST102).
[0140]
When driving of the motors M1 to M3 is started, the inserted ticket medium is sequentially conveyed toward the downstream side.
[0141]
Then, whether or not the sensor S1 located on the most upstream side becomes “bright”, that is, the position where the ticket medium that was located on the most upstream side is conveyed toward the downstream side and the sensor S1 is disposed. Is determined (ST103).
[0142]
When the sensor S1 becomes “bright” (ST103, YES), subsequently, whether or not the sensor 90 becomes “dark”, that is, the ticket medium is conveyed further downstream, and the sensor 90 is It is determined whether or not the position has been passed (ST104).
[0143]
When the sensor 90 becomes “bright” (ST104, NO), the CPU 100 determines that all of the ticket medium inserted from the insertion slot 12 has been conveyed toward the downstream side, returns to step ST101 again, and proceeds to the next. Wait for the ticket media to be inserted.
[0144]
On the other hand, when the sensor 90 is in the “dark” state (ST104, YES), the CPU 100 shields the ticket medium from the sensor 90 despite the fact that the ticket medium is transported downstream. Therefore, it is determined that a plurality of ticket media have been inserted, and separation control by the separation unit 33 of the take-in unit 30, that is, the shifting unit 33a and the separation unit 33b is executed.
[0145]
That is, among the ticket media that are loaded in a stacked state at the same time, the ticket media that are shifted one by one by the shifting portion 33a are conveyed to the separation portion 33b.
[0146]
Then, by detecting whether or not the sensor S5 has become “dark”, the CPU 100 determines whether or not the leading end portion of the ticket medium conveyed to the separation unit 33b has passed between the rollers R6 and R7. (ST105).
[0147]
When the sensor S5 becomes “dark” (ST105, YES), that is, when the CPU 100 determines that the front end portion of the ticket medium has passed between the rollers R6 and R7, the motor M1 is turned off and the conveyor belt B2 is turned off. Is stopped (ST106). As a result, the transport of the subsequent ticket medium, which cannot be separated by the shifting portion 33a and continues to be transported while being stacked on the ticket medium detected by the sensor S5, is stopped. At this time, the roller R7 continues to be driven by the motor M2.
[0148]
For this reason, the ticket medium detected by the sensor S5 is conveyed further downstream by driving the roller R7, and the subsequent ticket medium following this ticket medium is stopped when the driving of the conveying belt B2 is stopped. Therefore, it is not conveyed downstream.
[0149]
Subsequently, by detecting whether or not the sensor S6 has become “dark”, the CPU 100 determines whether or not the leading end portion of the ticket medium conveyed by the rollers R6 and R7 has passed between the rollers R8 and R9. Is determined (ST107).
[0150]
When the sensor S6 becomes “dark” (ST107, YES), that is, when the CPU 100 determines that the front end portion of the ticket medium has passed between the rollers R8 and R9, the motor M2 is turned off to turn on the roller R7. The drive is stopped (ST108).
[0151]
As a result, the transport of the subsequent ticket media that cannot be separated by the rollers R6 and R7 of the separation unit 33b and continue to be transported in a state of being stacked on the ticket media detected by the sensor S6 is stopped. At this time, the roller R9 continues to be driven by the motor M3. That is, only the ticket medium whose tip portion is sandwiched between the rollers R8 and R9 is pulled out by the driving force of the roller R9 among the ticket media sandwiched between the rollers R6 and R7.
[0152]
For this reason, only the ticket medium detected by the sensor S6 is conveyed further downstream by driving the roller R9, and the subsequent ticket medium following this ticket medium stops driving the rollers R6 and R7. Therefore, it is not conveyed downstream.
[0153]
In this way, the separation unit 33 separates a plurality of ticket mediums that are simultaneously loaded one by one.
[0154]
Subsequently, by detecting whether or not the sensor S7 has become “dark”, the CPU 100 determines whether or not the leading end portion of the ticket medium conveyed by the rollers R8 and R9 has reached the alignment unit 34. (ST109).
[0155]
When the sensor S7 becomes “dark” (ST109, YES), that is, when the CPU 100 determines that the ticket medium is transported to the alignment unit 34 of the take-in unit 30, a group of sensors arranged in the alignment unit Thus, the size of the transported ticket medium is detected (ST110).
[0156]
At this time, the CPU 100 detects whether any of the sensors S1, 90, S2, S3, and S4 as the remaining bill detection sensors is “dark”, whereby the CPU 100 shifts the shifting unit 33a of the capturing unit 30. It is determined whether or not a plurality of ticket media inserted into the card remains (ST111).
[0157]
When any of the remaining ticket detection sensors is “dark” (ST111, YES), that is, when the CPU 100 determines that the boarding ticket medium remains in any position of the shifting portion 33a, the motor is again used. M1 and M2 are turned on to start driving the roller R5 to start transporting the transport belt B2, and to start driving the roller R7 (ST112).
[0158]
At this time, the motors M1 and M2 are started up with a start-up time B as shown in the graph P of FIG. This is because a large amount of ticket medium may remain in the shifting portion 33a, and a large conveyance torque is required.
[0159]
And it returns to step 105 and separation control of a boarding ticket medium is performed again.
[0160]
On the other hand, when both of the remaining ticket detection sensors are “bright” (ST111, NO), the CPU 100 executes the above-described remaining ticket detection mode and keeps the motors M1 and M2 stopped for a predetermined time. During this time, the remaining ticket detection medium staying between the sensors of the shifting portion is reliably detected by any of the remaining ticket detection sensors.
[0161]
That is, the stopped motors M1 and M2 are turned on again, driving of the roller R5 is started to start transporting the transport belt B2, and driving of the roller R7 is started (ST113).
[0162]
At this time, the motors M1 and M2 are started up instantaneously with a start-up time A shorter than the time B as shown in the graph Q of FIG. This is because, in step ST111 described above, no remaining ticket is detected in any remaining ticket detection sensor, so even if the ticket medium remains in the shifting unit 33a, the remaining ticket detection sensor between the shifting unit 33a This is because there is a high possibility that only one or two ticket media remain, and a large conveyance torque is not required.
[0163]
Then, in order to drive the motors M1 and M2 for a predetermined time, the CPU 100 activates the connected timer 105 (ST114).
[0164]
Here, the predetermined time for driving the motors M1 and M2 is, for example, a difference between at least the maximum sensor interval L1 where the remaining ticket detection sensor is arranged and the minimum dimension L2 of the inserted ticket medium. Is a time required for driving the conveyor belt. The maximum sensor interval L1 is, for example, the interval between the sensor 90 and the sensor S2, and the minimum dimension L2 of the ticket medium is, for example, the dimension of the short side of a 57.5 mm ticket, that is, an Edmonson ticket.
[0165]
The time for driving the motors M1 and M2 in the remaining bill detection mode is stored in the RAM 104 in advance.
[0166]
Then, after driving the motors M <b> 1 and M <b> 2, the CPU 100 detects whether any of the remaining bill detection sensors has become “dark”, and stays in the shifting portion 33 a by any remaining bill detection sensor. It is determined whether or not the ticket medium that has been detected is detected (ST115).
[0167]
If any of the remaining ticket detection sensors are “dark” and it is determined that there is a remaining ticket medium (ST115, YES), the CPU 100 continues to drive the motors M1 and M2 as it is, and steps again. Returning to 105, the ticket medium separation control is executed.
[0168]
On the other hand, when none of the remaining ticket detection sensors is “dark” (ST115, NO), CPU 100 determines whether or not the driving time of motors M1 and M2 measured by timer 105 has reached a predetermined time. (ST116).
[0169]
When the time measured by the timer 105 has reached a predetermined time (ST116, YES), the CPU 100 determines that there is no remaining ticket in the shifting portion 33a and stops driving the motors M1 to M3 (ST117). .
[0170]
Then, the process ends.
[0171]
As described above, a remaining ticket detection mode for determining whether or not there is a remaining ticket is added to the motor control process of the separating unit 33 when a plurality of ticket mediums are captured by the capturing unit 30. Therefore, even when a small number of sensors are arranged in the separation unit 33, it becomes possible to detect the remaining ticket more reliably even with a ticket medium having the smallest dimension, and malfunctions such as malfunction or ticket jamming in traffic determination Can be prevented.
[0172]
Further, when executing the remaining bill detection mode, it is possible to relatively extend the time required for the remaining bill detection by instantly starting up the motor.
[0173]
Further, in order to reliably separate the shifted ticket medium in the shifting portion 33a and the separating portion 33b, a sensor is provided on a roller disposed on the downstream side along the conveyance path. When the light is shielded, the upstream drive is stopped and only the downstream drive is continued, so that only the ticket medium transported previously with the sensor shielded is pulled out by the downstream drive force. It is possible to effectively prevent the ticket medium that has been double-fed together with the ticket medium from running further downstream.
[0174]
Next, in the automatic ticket gate of this embodiment, a case will be described in which an excessive number of ticket media exceeding the number that can be simultaneously subjected to ticket gate processing are loaded simultaneously.
[0175]
In the automatic ticket gate of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, it is considered that two pool transport paths 44 are provided in the pool section 42 before writing, and the reversing section 38 is used as a pool transport path. Then, it is possible to temporarily hold a maximum of three ticket media.
[0176]
That is, in such an automatic ticket gate, as described above, when a plurality of ticket media are inserted from the insertion slot 12, the ticket media are temporarily stored one by one in the pool conveyance path of the pool section 42 before writing. And after the combination is determined, the large-sized ticket medium is discharged from the pre-writing pool section 42 in order. Then, subsequent processing is sequentially performed on the ticket medium discharged from the pre-writing pool section 42. Thereafter, in the collective pool section 60, the three ticket media are stacked in order so that the small-sized ticket media are placed on the large-sized ticket media, and in this state, they are collectively discharged from the discharge port 14. The
[0177]
In such an automatic ticket gate, when the number of ticket media that can be processed at once, for example, more than three ticket media in this embodiment, is batched, it is divided into a plurality of times. The ticket gate processing is performed.
[0178]
That is, when a number of ticket media exceeding the number that can be collectively processed are simultaneously inserted, the first ticket gate processing is performed in which ticket gate processing is performed on the number of ticket media that can be temporarily held first. The first discharge processing mode is executed to discharge all of these ticket media at once. Thereafter, a second ticket gate process is performed in which the ticket gate process is performed on the remaining ticket media, and a second discharge processing mode is executed in which all of these ticket media are discharged at once. After the second ticket gate process is executed, if the ticket medium that has been inserted still remains in the take-in section, the third, fourth,... Ticket gate processes are executed.
[0179]
For example, when five boarding ticket media are simultaneously inserted from the insertion slot 12, the first ticket gate processing is first executed. That is, the ticket medium is separated one by one in the take-in section 30, and the three ticket mediums are temporarily held in the pool conveyance path of the pool section 42 before writing. Then, the three ticket media are discharged from the pre-writing pool section 42 in descending order of size, and are subjected to subsequent processing. And in the collective pool part 60, it laminates | stacks so that a large sized ticket medium may become down. Then, the first discharge processing mode is executed, and the three stacked ticket media are collectively discharged from the discharge port 14.
[0180]
Then, after the first ticket gate process is completed, if the ticket medium still remains in the take-in unit 30, the CPU 100 causes the second ticket gate process to be executed.
[0181]
At this time, following the three ticket media discharged in the first discharge processing mode of the first ticket gate processing, the remaining ticket media are discharged in the second discharge processing mode of the second ticket gate processing. Notify that it will come. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a message with a content such as “Continue to get a ticket ...” is displayed on the discharge port display unit 18 arranged in the vicinity of the discharge port 14.
[0182]
By displaying such a message on the discharge port display unit 18, a user who has inserted a plurality of ticket media picks up the three ticket media discharged from the discharge port 14 in the first discharge processing mode. At this time, it becomes easier to recognize that the remaining ticket medium is subsequently discharged, and forgetting to remove the ticket medium can be effectively prevented.
[0183]
In addition, in this embodiment, although the example which displays a message on the discharge port display part 18 was demonstrated, the alerting | reporting method for alert | reporting a user to forgetting to extract may be a voice guidance, The displayed message may be blinked at a predetermined interval.
[0184]
Then, the second ticket gate process is executed. That is, similarly to the first ticket gate processing, the ticket medium is separated one by one in the take-in section 30, and the remaining two ticket media are temporarily held in the pool conveyance path of the pool section 42 before writing. The Then, the two ticket media are ejected from the pre-writing pool section 42 in the descending order of size and are subjected to subsequent processing. And in the collective pool part 60, it laminates | stacks so that a large sized ticket medium may become down. Then, the second discharge processing mode is executed, and the two stacked ticket media are discharged from the discharge port 14 at a time.
[0185]
As described above, in the automatic ticket gate corresponding to a plurality of sheets, when the number of ticket media exceeding the number that can be processed at one time is simultaneously inserted, the ticket gate process is executed in a plurality of times, Each time the processing is completed, the ticket medium is divided and discharged.
[0186]
At this time, when the ticket medium processed in the first ticket gate processing is discharged from the discharge port, the processed ticket medium is discharged to the discharge port display unit 18 installed in the vicinity of the discharge port 14. By displaying a message to that effect, it is possible to effectively prevent forgetting to remove the ticket medium.
[0187]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when a plurality of ticket media are put together, an efficient ticket gate process can be realized by reliably separating the ticket media one by one. An automatic ticket gate apparatus and an automatic ticket gate method can be provided.
[0188]
Further, according to the present invention, when a plurality of ticket media are inserted, the presence or absence of the ticket media is reliably detected without increasing the cost, and the ticket media are reliably separated one by one. Thus, it is possible to provide an automatic ticket gate apparatus and an automatic ticket gate method capable of realizing efficient ticket gate processing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an external appearance of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an internal mechanism of the automatic ticket gate shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the automatic ticket gate shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a ticket collection process based on a traffic determination process applied to the automatic ticket gate of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a bill collection process based on a traffic determination process;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a bill collection process based on a traffic determination process;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the structure of the take-in portion in the automatic ticket gate shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the arrangement position of sensors provided in a shift part included in the take-in part shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the motor start-up time in the remaining ticket detection mode applied to the automatic ticket gate according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for executing a remaining ticket detection mode applied to the automatic ticket gate of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a case in which a ticket gate process is performed a plurality of times and a ticket medium is loaded a plurality of times when a number of ticket media exceeding the number that can be processed all at once by the automatic ticket gate device is inserted. It is a figure which shows an example of the alerting | reporting method which alert | reports to a user that it discharges | emits.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Automatic ticket gate
12 ... Inlet
14 ... Discharge port
18 ... Discharge port indicator
28 ... Shutter
30 ... take-in part
32 ... Main transport path
33. Separation part
33a ... Shifting section
33b ... separation part
34 ... Alignment part
35 ... Size detection sensor
36a, 36b... Read head
38 ... reversing part
42 ... Pool before writing
46. Writing head
60 ... Batch pool club
90: Input port sensor
100 ... CPU
105 ... Timer
A ... Shift point
B1-B4 ... Conveyor belt
M1 to M4 ... Driving motor
R1-R11 ... Roller
S1 to S7 ... Sensor

Claims (2)

Separating means for receiving a plurality of ticket media and temporarily separating them in a state where a plurality of the ticket media are stacked;
Reading means for reading data recorded on the ticket medium separated by the separating means;
In an automatic ticket gate apparatus comprising ticket gate means for executing ticket gate processing based on data of all ticket media read by the reading means,
The separating means includes
A first belt spanned by at least two rollers;
Driving means for driving the first belt in a predetermined driving direction;
A second belt that is in pressure contact with a predetermined region of the first belt and is stretched over at least two other rollers that are biased in a direction opposite to the driving direction;
Detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the ticket medium that is disposed between the rollers over which the first belt is stretched and is spaced at a larger interval than the minimum dimension of the ticket medium;
The boarding temporarily suspended in a state where a plurality of sheets are stacked in the predetermined area where the second belt is pressed by driving the driving means at a first starting time to drive the first belt. The ticket medium is separated and conveyed one by one, and after the boarding ticket medium is no longer detected by the detecting means, the driving means is temporarily stopped, and the driving means is again set to a second time shorter than the first rise time. The first belt is driven for a predetermined time by the start-up time, and the detection means detects whether or not the ticket medium remains while the detection means is disposed. If detected, further control means for controlling the drive means to drive the first belt;
An automatic ticket gate characterized by comprising: Separating means for receiving a plurality of ticket media and temporarily separating them in a state where a plurality of the ticket media are stacked;
Reading means for reading data recorded on the ticket medium separated by the separating means;
In an automatic ticket gate apparatus comprising ticket gate means for executing ticket gate processing based on data of all ticket media read by the reading means,
The separating means includes
A first belt spanned by at least two rollers;
Driving means for driving the first belt in a predetermined driving direction;
A second belt that is in pressure contact with a predetermined region of the first belt and is stretched over at least two other rollers that are biased in a direction opposite to the driving direction;
Detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the ticket medium conveyed by the first belt with are arranged at intervals greater than the minimum dimension of the ticket medium between the rollers where the first belt is bridged, the Prepared,
The boarding temporarily suspended in a state where a plurality of sheets are stacked in the predetermined area where the second belt is pressed by driving the driving means at a first starting time to drive the first belt. Separate and transport the ticket media one by one,
After the ticket medium is no longer detected by the detection means, the drive means is temporarily stopped,
The drive means is raised again at a second rise time shorter than the first rise time to drive the first belt for a predetermined time,
Detecting whether or not the ticket medium remains while the detecting means is disposed by the detecting means;
An automatic ticket gate method further comprising: controlling the driving means to drive the first belt when the ticket medium is detected .

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