JP4517852B2 - Ticket gate system and management device - Google Patents

Description

  This invention uses an automatic ticket gate installed at a ticket gate of a station to send a message by e-mail to a user who enters or leaves the station yard, and informs the user of the message. The present invention relates to a system and a management device applied to the ticket gate system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a service has been proposed that sends a message to a user who uses a railway on a daily basis for commuting or attending school when using the railway. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a ticket gate system that transmits a message to a user when the user uses an automatic ticket gate installed at a station or a station service device such as a ticket vending machine. ing. In this system, a message sent to a user is received at the center. The center device accepts a registration request for a message transmitted to a user from a terminal such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, or a portable terminal (PDA) connected via a public line network. A sender of a message that operates the terminal inputs user specifying information for specifying a user who transmits the message and a message transmitted to the user from the terminal. The user specifying information may be information that can specify a user who transmits a message. For example, when accepting a message to be transmitted to the user, a ticket such as a commuter pass possessed by the user. ID code, user name, and mobile phone number held by the user.

  When the center receives a registration request for a message to be transmitted to the user, the center receives an identification code of a ticket such as a commuter pass possessed by the user specified by the user specifying information in the registration request, and the received message. Send to station equipment. The station equipment stores the identification code of the boarding ticket transmitted from the center and a message in association with each other. In addition, when a ticket such as a commuter pass is inserted, the station service device stores a message to be transmitted to the user holding the ticket using the identification code read from the inserted ticket. If a message to be transmitted to the user is stored, the message is displayed on the display unit and the message is transmitted to the user.

It has also been proposed to send a message to a user's mobile phone by e-mail instead of displaying a message on the display unit of the station service device (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-30244 A JP 2004-102928 A

  However, the conventional system is a system that transmits a message to the user if the user transmits a message to be transmitted to the user when the station service device is used. For this reason, when a user uses a railway from A station (boarding station) to B station (getting off station), the message received for this user is an action in the vicinity of B station that is the getting off station (B This message may be transmitted when the user enters the A station even if the content asks for shopping at a store operating near the station. As a result, we forgot the contents transmitted in the message sent when the user entered the boarding station (A station) when we left the getting off station (B station) and reported it when entering the A station. There was a case that the business was not done. Use this message even if the message you are accepting asks you to take action in the vicinity of station A, which is the boarding station (such as shopping at a store operating near station A). Sent and sent when a person enters A station. In this case, the user has to leave the boarding station where he / she entered just before in order to carry out the reported message. Therefore, the conventional system has a problem that the message conveyed to the user is not performed or the user feels troublesome. As described above, the conventional system only transmits a message received from the sender to the user without considering the behavior of the user who receives the message. There was a problem of sending messages to users at the right time.

  Further, as described in Patent Document 1, in a configuration in which a message transmitted to the user is displayed on the display unit of the station service device, the message displayed on the display unit by the user at the time of congestion such as during morning and evening rush hours. There was also a problem that the content of the message could not be accurately communicated to the user.

  An object of the present invention is to enable a user to enter and exit a station using an automatic ticket gate, and to send and convey a message at an appropriate timing according to the user's behavior. It is to provide a system and a management device applied to the ticket gate system.

  The ticket gate system of the present invention has the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.

(1) A ticket gate system having an automatic ticket gate installed at a ticket gate of a station, and a management device connected to the automatic ticket gate via a network,
The automatic ticket gate
A ticket information reading means for reading ticket information including an identification code for identifying the ticket from a ticket possessed by a user who enters or leaves the station;
When the ticket information reading means reads the ticket information from the ticket possessed by the user, the identification code included in the ticket information read here and the station where the user entered and exited are entered. Notification means for notifying the management apparatus connected via the network of usage information including entry / exit information indicating discrimination of exit, the management apparatus comprising:
For each ticket identification code, usage history storage means for storing the usage history of the ticket in association with each other,
Message storage means for associating and storing the identification code of the ticket, the mail address of the user possessing the ticket, the message to be transmitted to the user, and the transmission condition for executing transmission of the message;
Registration request receiving means for receiving, as a message registration request, user identification information used to identify a user transmitted from an external device, a message to be transmitted to this user, and a transmission condition for executing transmission of this message;
When the registration request accepting unit accepts a message registration request, the identification code of the ticket possessed by the user specified by the user specifying information on the message and transmission conditions included in the registration request; Message registration means for storing in the message storage means in association with the mail address of the user;
When the registration request accepting unit accepts a message registration request, for the user specified by the user specifying information included in the registration request, the use history storing unit stores the use history of the user. A transmission date and time estimating means for estimating the transmission date and time of the message accepted this time,
The estimated transmission date and time notification means for transmitting the transmission date and time of the message estimated by the transmission date and time estimation means to the external device that has transmitted the registration request for the message this time;
When the usage information is notified from the automatic ticket checker, if the message storage unit stores a message in association with the identification code included in the usage information notified this time, the transmission condition of this message is satisfied. Transmission condition determining means for determining whether or not
When the transmission condition determination unit determines that the transmission condition is satisfied, the message transmission unit transmits the message by e-mail to an associated mail address.
The transmission condition includes a station where the user enters and leaves, and a distinction between entry and exit.

  In this configuration, the ticket information reading means of the automatic ticket checker reads the ticket information recorded on a ticket such as a commuter pass held by a user who enters or leaves the station. In the ticket, together with an identification code for identifying this ticket, information indicating the valid period of this commuter pass, the regular use section, the prepaid amount (remaining amount), the valid period of the ticket, etc. is recorded as the ticket information. . Using the ticket information read from the ticket, the automatic ticket gate determines whether to allow users who have this ticket to enter or leave the station. Restrict entry / exit of users based on the judgment result. In addition, the automatic ticket gate includes usage information including the identification code read from the ticket and entrance / exit information indicating the station where the user entered and exited (the station where the automatic ticket gate is installed) and the entrance / exit distinction. Notify the management device.

  When the usage information is notified from the automatic ticket gate, the management device searches the message storage means using the identification code contained in the usage information notified this time as a key, and identifies with this identification code. It is determined whether or not a message to be transmitted to a user to be stored is stored. In other words, it is determined whether there is a message to be communicated to a user who enters or leaves the station using the automatic ticket gate this time. Here, if the transmission condition determination means determines that there is a message to be transmitted to the user, it determines whether or not the transmission condition of this message is satisfied. This transmission condition includes the entry / exit station and the entry / exit distinction. For example, transmission conditions such as transmission when entering station A and transmission when exiting station B are included. The message transmission means stores the message determined to satisfy the transmission condition by the transmission condition determination means in association with the message, such as a user's mail address, for example, a mobile phone or PDA owned by the user E-mail is sent to the e-mail address of the mobile terminal.

  Note that the message transmitting means does not transmit the message determined by the transmission condition determining means that the transmission condition is not satisfied at this time.

  In this way, it is configured to determine whether to send a message to the user using the station where the user entered and exited and the distinction of entrance and exit, so the user will tell the requirements to be performed near the getting-off station The user gets a message (for example, a message for requesting shopping at a store near the getting-off station) or a message (for example, a message for requesting shopping at a store near the getting-off station) that conveys a request to be made near the boarding station. You can prevent sending and telling when entering the station. In other words, there is a situation where the message is not transmitted to the user at an improper timing that does not match the user's behavior, the message transmitted to the user is not performed, or the user feels annoyed. Can be prevented.

  In addition, since the message is transmitted to the user by e-mail, the user can send the contents of the message transmitted by e-mail to a mobile phone, PDA, etc. even during busy hours such as in the morning and evening rush hours. You can check slowly.

The registration request accepting unit accepts a registration request for a message transmitted from a terminal such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) or a mobile phone. This message registration request includes a message body, user identification information used to identify a user who transmits the message, and a transmission condition of the message. The message registration unit causes the message storage unit to store the message included in the message registration request received by the registration request reception unit. At this time, the message and the transmission condition are stored in association with the identification code of the ticket possessed by the user specified by the user specifying information included in the registration request for this message.

  Therefore, a message to be transmitted to an arbitrary user can be easily registered on a terminal such as a personal computer or a mobile phone.

Further, when the transmission date and time estimation means accepts the message registration request, the transmission date and time for estimating the transmission date and time when the estimated transmission date and time notification means is estimated is estimated. Notify the external device that sent the message registration request this time. Since the transmission date and time estimation means estimates the transmission date and time using the use history of the ticket stored in the usage history storage means, the transmission date and time of the message that accepted the registration request can be estimated with high accuracy. It is possible to inform the person who made the registration request for the message this time.

( 2 ) After the estimated transmission date / time notifying unit transmits the transmission date / time of the message estimated by the transmission date / time estimation unit to the external device that has transmitted the registration request for the current message, the message registration unit registers the current message. A registration confirmation means for confirming whether or not to stop storing the message based on the request and the transmission condition in the message storage means; and
The message registering unit is a unit that causes the message storage unit to store a message and a transmission condition based on a registration request for the current message when it is confirmed that the message is not canceled by the registration checking unit.

  In this configuration, after notifying the estimation result of the transmission date and time of the message that received the registration request this time, when the person who made the registration request for the current message determines that the transmission date and time of the message is not appropriate from the estimation result, Message registration request can be canceled.

In addition, the management device of the present invention includes an identification code of a ticket possessed by a user who has entered or exited the station premises, transmitted from an automatic ticket gate installed at a ticket gate of the station, and the use Receiving means for receiving usage information including entrance / exit information indicating the distinction between entrance / exit and the station where the person entered / exited,
For each ticket identification code, usage history storage means for storing the usage history of the ticket in association with each other,
Message storage means for associating and storing the identification code of the ticket, the mail address of the user possessing the ticket, the message to be transmitted to the user, and the transmission condition for executing transmission of the message;
Registration request receiving means for receiving, as a message registration request, user identification information used to identify a user transmitted from an external device, a message to be transmitted to this user, and a transmission condition for executing transmission of this message;
When the registration request accepting unit accepts a message registration request, the identification code of the ticket possessed by the user specified by the user specifying information on the message and transmission conditions included in the registration request; Message registration means for storing in the message storage means in association with the mail address of the user;
When the registration request accepting unit accepts a message registration request, for the user specified by the user specifying information included in the registration request, the use history storing unit stores the use history of the user. A transmission date and time estimating means for estimating the transmission date and time of the message accepted this time,
The estimated transmission date and time notification means for transmitting the transmission date and time of the message estimated by the transmission date and time estimation means to the external device that has transmitted the registration request for the message this time;
When the usage information transmitted from the automatic ticket gate is received by the receiving means, the message storage means stores a message in association with the identification code included in the usage information notified this time. , Transmission condition determination means for determining whether the transmission condition of this message is satisfied,
When the transmission condition determination unit determines that the transmission condition is satisfied, the message transmission unit transmits the message by e-mail to an associated mail address.
The transmission condition includes a station where the user enters and leaves, and a distinction between entry and exit.

  According to this invention, the message is not transmitted to the user at an improper timing that does not match the user's behavior, the message transmitted to the user is not performed, or the user feels annoyed The situation can be prevented from occurring.

  In addition, since the user can check the content of the message on a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or PDA, the message content can be accurately conveyed to the user even during busy hours such as during morning and evening rush hours. Can do.

  Hereinafter, a ticket gate system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a ticket gate system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ticket gate system of this embodiment includes an electric railway server 1 (corresponding to a management device referred to in the present invention) installed in a center, and an automatic ticket gate 2 installed in each station. In addition, a station server 3 is installed at each station, and an automatic ticket gate 2 of the installed station is connected to each station server 3 via a data communication line. The automatic ticket gate 2 installed in each station is configured to be capable of data communication with the station server 3 via a data communication line. Furthermore, the station server 3 installed in each station is connected to the electric railway server 1 through a dedicated line, and is configured to be able to perform data communication with the electric railway server 1. As will be described later, the electric railway server 1 publishes a page for accepting a registration request for a message to be transmitted to a user on the Internet 4 and sends an e-mail to an arbitrary terminal (a personal computer, a mobile phone, It can be transmitted to a PDA or the like. At each station, when station equipment such as the automatic ticket gate 2 installed is used by a user, the usage contents (usage information) are notified to the station server 3. The station server 3 manages the usage status of the station based on the usage information notified from the station service device. In addition, each station server 3 transmits the usage information notified from the station service equipment to the railway server via a dedicated line. The electric railway server 1 manages the usage status of the railway based on the usage information notified from each station server 3.

  In FIG. 1, although not particularly illustrated, station equipment other than the automatic ticket gate 2 such as a ticket vending machine and a payment machine is installed at each station. These station service devices are also connected to the station server 3 via a data communication line. Further, reference numeral 5 (5a, 5b) shown in FIG. 1 denotes a mobile phone possessed by the user. The mobile phone 5 can acquire a page published on the Internet 4 and receive an e-mail transmitted via the Internet 4.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the electric railway server in the ticket gate system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The railway server 1 includes a control unit 11 that controls the operation of the main body, a message storage unit 12 that stores a message to be transmitted in association with each user, and a ticket such as a commuter pass or a prepaid card issued to the user. The usage history storage unit 13 for storing and managing the usage history for each user, the first communication unit 14 for controlling communication via the Internet 4, and the communication with the station server 3 via the dedicated line are controlled. And a second communication unit 15. In the message storage unit 12, as shown in FIG. 3, user information related to each user is associated with message information related to a message requested to be transmitted to the user. It is remembered. The user whose user information is stored in the message storage unit 12 is not all the users who have issued the boarding ticket but the user who wishes to transmit the message. Specifically, the user information is stored in the message storage unit 12 only for the user who has performed the user registration process described later. A user whose user information is stored in the message storage unit 12 can be provided with a service for receiving a message by e-mail when entering or leaving the station using the automatic ticket gate 2. .

  The user information stored in the message storage unit 12 includes the identification code of the ticket possessed by the user, the name of the user, the e-mail address of the portable terminal such as the mobile phone 5 or PDA possessed by the user, and usage. Information such as the telephone number of the mobile phone 5 held by the person or the landline of the home is included. The message information associated with the user information is message information related to a message requested to be transmitted to the user of the user information. The message information includes the date of receipt of this message, the name of the person who requested the transmission of this message (name of the sender of the message), the message body, the designated station that is the transmission condition for sending this message, and the entry / exit Distinction, transmission designation date and time, and the like. The message storage unit 12 can store message information associated with a plurality of messages in the user information. As will be described later, the electric railway server 1 transmits a message when a user enters or leaves a designated station at a designated station at a designated transmission date and time. In other words, the electric railway server 1 does not transmit a message to the user when the message transmission condition based on the transmission designation date / time, designated station, and entry / exit is not satisfied. Also, the message information can be registered in the message storage unit 12 by the person himself / herself. In other words, a message that the person himself / herself tells himself / herself can be registered in the electric railway server 1. Message information can be registered in the message storage unit 12 by executing a message registration process described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the usage history storage unit 13 is associated with the identification information of the ticket for each user, as shown in FIG. History information indicating the use of is stored. The history information includes a station that has entered and exited, a distinction between entrance and exit, a time of entry and exit, and the like. The usage history storage unit 13 stores history information for each issued ticket. When the railway server 1 receives the ticket usage information transmitted from the automatic ticket gate 2, the railway server 1 performs usage history update processing for updating the history information of the corresponding ticket stored in the usage history storage unit 13. Details of this usage history update processing performed by the electric railway server 1 will also be described later.

  The electric railway server 1 publishes a page for requesting registration of user information to the message storage unit 12 and a page for receiving a message registration request on the Internet 4. If necessary, the user accesses these pages, inputs necessary items, and transmits them to the electric railway server 1, thereby making it possible to register user information and request message registration. A user who does not have a boarding ticket cannot register user information in the electric railway server 1, but can make a message registration request to other users who have a boarding ticket. Moreover, the electric railway server 1 can transmit an e-mail. The first communication unit 14 controls communication via the Internet 4. Further, the second communication unit 15 controls communication with the station server 3.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a non-contact type IC card issued to a user as a boarding ticket. Hereinafter, the non-contact type IC card is simply referred to as an IC card. The IC card 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22 that stores ticket information, and a wireless communication unit 23 that controls wireless communication with the automatic ticket gate 2. The storage unit 22 includes an identification code for identifying the IC card 20 (identification code for identifying a boarding ticket, referred to in the present invention), a commuter pass section that can be used with the IC card 20, and the validity of the commuter pass on the IC card 20. The period, the prepaid balance of the IC card 20, the previous use history information of the IC card 20, the validity period of the IC card 20, and the like are stored as the ticket information. The IC card 20 that is not issued as a commuter pass does not store information indicating the commuter pass section or the valid period of use of the commuter pass. The previous use history information includes the station where the IC card 20 was used last time and the entry / exit distinction at that station. The IC card 20 updates the ticket information stored in the storage unit 22 based on the information transmitted from the used device when used in the automatic ticket gate 2 or the like. When the IC card 20 is located in the wireless communication area of the automatic ticket gate 2, the IC card 20 acquires the operating power supply of the main body by electromagnetic coupling with the power carrier transmitted from the automatic ticket gate 2 and operates. Therefore, the IC card 20 operates when it is located in the wireless communication area with the automatic ticket gate 2.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic ticket gate in the ticket gate system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The automatic ticket gate 2 includes a control unit 31 that controls the operation of the main body, a wireless communication unit 32 that wirelessly communicates with the IC card 20 that is a boarding ticket possessed by the user, and a passage that detects the passage of the user in the passage. A detection unit 33, a door opening / closing unit 34 that opens and closes a door that restricts the passage of the user in the passage, a display unit 35 that displays guidance for the user, and a communication unit 36 that controls communication with the station server 3, It has. The wireless communication unit 32 repeatedly polls the IC card 20 located in the communication area at intervals of several ms. When there is a response from the IC card 20 to this polling, the IC card 20 is placed in the wireless communication area. Is determined to be located. The wireless communication unit 32 acquires the ticket information stored in the storage unit 22 of the non-contact IC card 20 by wireless communication with the IC card 20. The traffic detection unit 33 detects the user's traffic in the passage by a plurality of sensors arranged along the passage. The door opening / closing part 34 closes a door provided on the exit side of the passage, thereby restricting a user who does not have an appropriate boarding ticket from passing the passage illegally. The display unit 35 is provided on the exit side of the passage, and performs guidance display for a user who is passing through the passage. The communication unit 36 transmits usage information including the ticket information read from the IC card 20 possessed by the user to the station server 3. When the station server 3 receives the usage information transmitted from the automatic ticket gate 2, the station server 3 stores the usage information in an accumulative manner and transfers it to the electric railway server 1. The usage information is transferred to the electric railway server 1 in substantially real time.

  The operation of the ticket gate system according to this embodiment will be described below. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electric railway server. When the railway server 1 receives a user information registration request to the message storage unit 12 (s1), the user information for registering user information in the message information storage unit 12 based on the user information registration request received this time A registration process is executed (s2). This user information registration request is transmitted to the railway server 1 via the Internet 4. In addition, when the railway server 1 receives a message registration request to the message storage unit 12 (s3), it executes a message registration process for registering a message in the message information storage unit 12 based on the message registration request received this time. (S4). This message registration request is also transmitted to the railway server 1 via the Internet 4. Further, when the railway server 1 receives the usage history information related to the use of the IC card 20 from the automatic ticket gate 2 via the station server 3 (s5), the corresponding IC card 20 stored in the usage history storage unit 13 is received. The usage history update process for updating the usage history is performed (s6), and if there is a message to be transmitted for the user to whom the usage history information is transmitted this time, the message transmission process for transmitting the message is executed (s7). . In FIG. 7, the message transmission process is executed after the use history update process is executed, but either may be executed first in this order. Furthermore, when there is an input other than the above, the electric railway server 1 executes processing (other processing) according to the input (s8, s9).

  First, user information registration processing in the electric railway server 1 will be described. This user registration process is a process of registering user information in the message storage unit 12 of the electric railway server 1. A user whose user information is registered in the message storage unit 12 can receive a message transmission service provided by the electric railway server 1. The user information can be registered in the message storage unit 12 by the user who has issued the IC card 20.

  A user who registers user information in the message storage unit 12 operates a terminal such as a personal computer, a cellular phone 5 or a portable terminal (PDA) that can be connected to the Internet 4 to request the railway server 1 to register the user information. Send. As described above, the railway server 1 publishes a user information registration page that accepts a registration request for user information on the Internet 4. A user who registers user information in the message storage unit 12 operates a terminal that can be connected to the Internet 4 and acquires this user information registration page from the Internet 4. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the terminal that has acquired the user information registration page.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the user information registration page includes a field for inputting an identification code of the IC card 20, a user's name, e-mail address, and telephone number, and an operation for transmitting the entered information to the railway server 1. And a cancel button that is operated when canceling the operation related to the registration of the user information. In the identification code field, the identification code of the IC card 20 issued to the user is entered. This identification code is written on the surface of the IC card 20. Therefore, when the user performs an operation related to registration of user information, the situation where the identification code of the IC card 20 is not known and cannot be input does not occur. Enter your name in the Name field. In the field of the mail address, the mail address that is the transmission destination of the message in the transmission of the message provided by the electric railway server 1, for example, the mail address of the mobile phone 5 is entered. In the telephone number field, a telephone number (contact telephone number of the user) such as the mobile phone 5 or a fixed telephone at home is input. The send button is operated when the input information is transmitted to the railway server 1. The cancel button is operated when canceling the registration process of the user information. A user who registers user information in the message storage unit 12 performs input to each field of the user information registration page acquired from the Internet 4 and operates the send button, thereby providing user information to the electric railway server 1. Registration request can be sent. At this time, information input in each field of the user information registration page is also transmitted to the railway server 1.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing user information registration processing in the electric railway server. When the first communication unit 14 receives the user information registration request in s1, the electric railway server 1 executes this process. The electric railway server 1 determines whether or not the user who has transmitted the user information registration request this time is the user to whom the IC card 20 has been issued. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the IC card 20 having the identification code transmitted together with the user information registration request this time has already been issued (s11). The electric railway server 1 manages the issued IC card 20 by an IC card issue management unit (not shown). This IC card issue management unit stores an identification code, a user, an issue date, a contact telephone number, and the like in association with an issued IC card. The electric railway server 1 determines that the identification code transmitted this time has already been issued if the identification code managed by the IC card issuance management unit, and conversely, the identification code managed by the IC card issuance management unit Otherwise, it is determined that it has not been issued. If the electric railway server 1 determines that it has not been issued in s11, the electric railway server 1 determines that it is an input error of the identification code of the IC card 20, confirms the user information to the terminal that sent the user information registration request this time, An input is requested (s12). For example, the page shown in FIG. 8 is transmitted to the terminal together with a message such as “The identification code is wrong. Please re-enter after confirmation”. At this time, information transmitted from the terminal to the railway server is input in each field. As described above, the identification code is written on the front surface (or back surface) of the IC card 20. Therefore, if the user has the IC card 20, the identification code of the IC card 20 can be confirmed.

  When the re-input request is made at s12, the electric railway server 1 waits for the canceled or re-input user information to be transmitted from the terminal that has requested re-input (s13, s14). The electric railway server 1 ends this process when there is an input to cancel registration of user information from the terminal that has requested re-input. On the other hand, when the re-input user information is transmitted, the process returns to s11.

  When the electric railway server 1 determines that it has been issued in s11, it determines whether or not the names of the users match (s15). In s15, it is determined whether the name of the user managed by the IC card management unit matches the name of the user included in the user information registration request transmitted this time. Yes. If the user name does not match in s15, the electric railway server 1 performs the above-described processing after s12. The process related to s15 is to prevent others from registering user information without permission. Specifically, this is to prevent unauthorized registration of user information when the appropriately input identification code is the identification code of the IC card 20 that has already been issued. Even if the identification code of the IC card 20 is appropriately input, the name of the user who owns the IC card 20 with this identification code is not known, so that other people cannot register user information without permission.

  When the electric railway server 1 determines that the user names are the same in s15, the user information is registered in the message storage unit 12 (s16), and the registration is completed in the terminal that has transmitted the user information registration request this time. (S17), and this process is terminated. When the user information is registered in the message storage unit 12 in s16, there is no message information associated with the user information.

  The user who made the registration request for the user information can confirm that the registration of the user information is completed by the registration completion notification transmitted by the electric railway server 1 in s17. In addition, since the user information is registered in the message storage unit 12, the message transmission service provided by the electric railway server 1 can be provided.

  In this example, user information is registered in the message storage unit 12 via the Internet 4. However, for example, a document describing necessary items when the IC card 20 is issued is submitted to the railway company, and the railway company employee is registered. May be operated by operating a terminal connected to the electric railway server 1, or user information may be registered in the message storage unit 12 by other methods.

  Next, processing for registering a message to be transmitted to the user whose user information is stored in the message storage unit 12 in the message storage unit 12 (message registration processing according to s4) will be described. As described above, the electric railway server 1 publishes a page on the Internet 4 that accepts a registration request for a message that conveys user information to a user stored in the message storage unit 12. A person who wants to send a message to a user whose user information is stored in the message storage unit 12 (hereinafter referred to as a sender) operates a terminal that can be connected to the Internet 4 such as a mobile phone 5 or a personal computer. Then, the railway server 1 accesses a page that accepts a message registration request published on the Internet 4. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a terminal that has acquired a page for receiving a registration request for a message published on the Internet 4 by the electric railway server 1. The page for receiving the message registration request includes an identification code of the IC card 20 possessed by the user who is the message recipient, the name of the user who is the message recipient, and the user who is the message recipient. Mail address, the phone number of the user who is the recipient of the message, the name of the sender, the body of the message to be sent, the station (designated station) that is the condition for sending this message, the distinction of entrance / exit at the designated station, the message A field for inputting a transmission date, a transmission button operated when transmitting information input on this page to the electric railway server, and a cancel button operated when canceling an operation related to a message registration request are provided.

  In the identification code field, the identification code of the IC card 20 possessed by the user who is the recipient of the message is entered. Enter the name of the user who is the recipient of the message in the field for entering the name of the user. Enter the email address of the user who is the recipient of the message in the email address field. In the user phone number field, enter the phone number of the user who is the recipient of the message. In the sender's name field, enter the name of the person who requests to register this message. Enter the message to be sent to the user in the message body field. In the designated station field, enter the station where the user is located when sending the message. In the entry / exit distinction field, information indicating whether a message is sent when the user enters the station or a message is sent when the user leaves is entered. In the transmission date field, the transmission date for transmitting the message is entered. The transmission date may be an input specifying a transmission date such as December 5, 2004, or an input specifying a transmission period such as after December 5, 2004. Moreover, you may enable it to designate time.

  The sender inputs the designated station and the entry / exit distinction field in consideration of the user who has received the message (the message to be registered this time). For example, in the case of a message requesting shopping at a store operating near B station, the designated station is B station and the entry / exit distinction is set to exit.

  The sender obtains the message registration page shown in FIG. 10 at a terminal that can be connected to the Internet 4 and inputs necessary items. At this time, the sender inputs information in two or more fields with respect to the four fields of the identification code, the user's name, the mail address, and the user's telephone number. In other words, the sender does not have to enter information for all these four fields. For example, when the identification code of the IC card 20 possessed by the user who wants to send a message is not known, a message registration request can be made without inputting this identification code. Information input in these fields is used as information for identifying a user who is a message recipient.

  Note that the sender name, message text, designated station, entry / exit distinction, and transmission date cannot be omitted.

  The sender can send a message registration request to the electric railway server 1 together with the information inputted this time by inputting necessary items on the page shown in FIG. 10 and operating the send button. When the electric railway server 1 receives this message registration request, the electric railway server 1 executes the message registration process according to s4. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing message registration processing in the electric railway server. As described above, when the first communication unit 14 receives a message registration request, the electric railway server 1 starts this process.

  The electric railway server 1 determines whether or not two or more fields are input for the four fields of the identification code, the user's name, the mail address, and the user's telephone number (s21). If it is determined that the input is insufficient in s21, the message registration page shown in FIG. 10 is transmitted together with a message requesting additional input of the user identification information to the terminal that has transmitted the registration request for the message this time (s22). At this time, the electric railway server 1 transmits a message registration page in which the information input this time is entered in each field to the terminal. For example, the page shown in FIG. 10 is transmitted to the terminal together with a message such as “The user who is the recipient of the message cannot be identified. Please enter additional information.”

  When the electric railway server 1 determines in s21 that two or more fields have been input for the four fields of identification code, user name, mail address, and user telephone number, the user identification information is specified. It is determined whether the user to be registered is a registrant (s23). In s23, the message storage unit 12 is searched using any of the input user identification information as a key, and the user information of the corresponding user is read. For example, when an identification code is input, the message storage unit 12 is searched using the identification code as a key, and user information stored in association with the corresponding identification code is read. When the message storage unit 12 is searched using the user's name or the like as a key, user information may be extracted for a plurality of users having the same surname and the same name. In the electric railway server 1, when there is a user whose two or more pieces of user identification information included in the current message registration request all match in the user information read from the message storage unit 12. Let this user be the recipient of the message.

  On the other hand, the electric railway server 1 has no user information in which all of the two or more pieces of user identification information included in the current message registration request match in the user information read from the message storage unit 12. Then, it is determined that there is an input error in the user identification information in the message registration request transmitted this time, and a re-input is requested to the terminal that has transmitted the message registration request this time (s24). For example, the page shown in FIG. 10 is transmitted to the terminal together with a message such as “The input is incorrect. Please confirm the input and re-enter.” At this time, the electric railway server 1 transmits a message registration page in which the information input this time is entered in each field to the terminal.

  When the electric railway server 1 requests re-input in s22 or s24, the registration request of the message in which the user-specific information is additionally input or re-input is retransmitted from the terminal that has requested re-input. (S25, s26). The electric railway server 1 ends this process when there is an input to cancel the message registration request from the terminal that has requested re-input. On the other hand, when a registration request for the additionally input or re-input message is transmitted, the process returns to s21.

  If the railway server 1 can identify the user whose user information is stored in the message storage unit 12 by the user identification information included in the registration request for the current message in s23, the current registration request is made. The date and time (transmission execution date and time) at which the received message is transmitted to the user is estimated (s27). In s27, for the user who receives the message specified in s23, from the usage history of the IC card 20 stored in the usage history storage unit 12, this user is included in the designated station included in the message registration request this time. In, the time to enter or leave specified is estimated. The railway server 1 estimates the transmission date / time of the message in s27, and notifies the terminal that has transmitted the registration request for the current message (s28). For example, a message “This message is sent around 6 pm on December 10, 2004. Are you sure?” Is sent to the terminal. Therefore, the user who made the message registration request this time can confirm the date and time when the message is transmitted.

  When the transmission server 1 transmits the message transmission date and time estimated in s28, the railway server 1 waits for input to register or cancel from the terminal (s29). Therefore, if the sender determines that the transmission date and time of the message notified from the electric railway server 1 is not appropriate, the sender can cancel the message registration request at this point. The electric railway server 1 completes this process when there is an input to cancel the message registration request from the terminal. On the contrary, if there is an input for registering a message, message information is registered in the message storage unit 12 based on the current registration request (s30). Then, the electric railway server 1 notifies registration completion to the terminal that has transmitted the registration request for the message this time (s31), and ends this processing.

  As described above, when the electric railway server 1 is requested to register a message to be transmitted to the user, two or more types of user specifying information for specifying the user who will receive the message are input. Even if an appropriate identification code is input due to mischief or the like, it is possible to prevent a message from being transmitted to a user who has the IC card 20 with this identification code. In other words, a message registered for mischief can be prevented from being transmitted to a user whose user information is registered in the message storage unit 12.

  Next, the operation of the automatic ticket gate in the ticket gate system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic ticket gate in the ticket gate system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The automatic ticket gate 2 polls the IC card 20 located in the wireless communication area at regular time intervals (several tens of milliseconds) in the wireless communication unit 32 (s41 to s43). When the automatic ticket checker 2 receives a response from the IC card 20 to this polling, it determines that the IC card 20 is located in the wireless communication area of the wireless communication unit 32.

  When responding to polling from the automatic ticket gate 2, the IC card 20 transmits the ticket information stored in the storage unit 22 from the communication unit 23 to the automatic ticket gate 2. The automatic ticket checker 2 uses the ticket information transmitted from the IC card 20 to determine whether or not the user in the passage (the user possessing the IC card 20 that has transmitted the current ticket information) can pass. (S44). If the automatic ticket gate 2 determines that the passage is impossible in s44, the door opening / closing part 34 closes the door provided on the exit side of the passage (s48), and the process is terminated. As a result, passage of the passage to the user is restricted, and the user is prohibited from entering or leaving the station. Whether or not the passage is permitted in s44 is determined whether the station where the automatic ticket gate 2 is installed is in the commuter pass section, whether the current pass is in the valid period, whether the prepaid balance is insufficient, etc. Performed comprehensively.

  When the automatic ticket gate 2 determines that the passage is permitted in s44, the wireless communication unit 32 instructs the IC card 20 to update the ticket information (s45). In the instruction relating to the update of the ticket information relating to s45, the previous use history information is updated or the prepaid balance is updated as necessary. The IC card 20 performs an update process for rewriting the ticket information stored in the storage unit 22 in accordance with an instruction from the automatic ticket gate 2. Further, when the automatic ticket gate 2 instructs the IC card 20 to update the ticket information in s45, the automatic ticket gate 2 opens the door provided in the passage (s46) and permits the passage of the user in the passage. . Further, the automatic ticket gate 1 receives the ticket information read from the IC card 20 this time and the installed station and usage information indicating whether the user has entered or exited from the communication unit 36 via the station server 3. And transmitted to the electric railway server 1 (s47). The automatic ticket checker 1 ends this process when the passage detector 33 detects that the passage of the user in the passage is completed.

  Next, the operation of the railway server 1 that has received the usage information transmitted from the automatic ticket gate 2 via the station server 3 will be described. When receiving the usage information transmitted from the automatic ticket gate 2, the electric railway server 1 performs usage history update processing for updating the usage history of the corresponding user stored in the usage history storage unit 13 in s6. In the usage history update process according to s6, if the usage history for the user whose usage information has been transmitted this time has been stored in the usage history storage unit 13 for the last 20 times, the oldest usage history has been transmitted this time. Rewrite the usage history based on usage information. On the other hand, for the user to whom the usage information is transmitted this time, if the usage history for the last 20 times is not stored, the usage history based on the usage information transmitted this time is additionally stored in the usage history storage unit 13.

  In addition, the electric railway server 1 executes the message transmission process by receiving the usage information transmitted from the automatic ticket gate 2. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing this message transmission process. The electric railway server 1 is provided with a service related to the transmission of the message whether or not the identification code included in the usage information transmitted via the station server 3 is stored in the message storage unit 12 in other words. It is determined whether or not the user is a user (s51). If the electric railway server 1 determines that it is not a registrant in s51, it ends this process.

On the other hand, if the electric railway server 1 determines that it is a registrant in s51, it will determine whether the message transmitted about the registrant is memorize | stored in the message storage part 12 (s52). If the electric railway server 1 determines that the message to be transmitted in s52 is not stored in the message storage unit 12, the process ends. If it is determined that the message to be transmitted is stored in the message storage unit 12 in s52, it is determined whether or not the transmission condition g is satisfied for each message, and a message that satisfies the transmission condition is extracted (s53). . In s53
(1) Whether the designated station associated with the message is the station where the user whose usage information has been transmitted this time via the station server 3 has entered or exited,
(2) Whether the entry / exit distinction associated with the message is the same as the action of the user whose usage information has been transmitted through the station server 3 this time,
(3) Is the current transmission date and time?
And a message satisfying all of (1) to (3) is extracted. In other words, messages that do not satisfy any one of (1) to (3) are not extracted.

  When the process related to s53 is completed, the electric railway server 1 determines whether or not there is a message extracted in s53 (s54). If there is no extracted message, the process ends. On the other hand, when there is a message extracted in s53, the electric railway server 1 transmits the message to the user by electronic mail (s55). Then, the electric railway server 1 deletes the message transmitted to the user from the message storage unit 12 (s56), and ends this process.

  As described above, in the ticket gate system of this embodiment, when a message to be transmitted to the user is registered in the electric railway server 1, the transmission condition for the message is input to the sender, and the message is used when the transmission condition is satisfied. The message is sent to the user at an inappropriate timing that does not match the user's behavior when the sender inputs the transmission conditions in consideration of the user's behavior. Absent. In other words, a message can be transmitted to the user at an appropriate timing that matches the user's behavior. Therefore, the user can promptly carry out the message conveyed by the message.

  In the above embodiment, the boarding ticket possessed by the user is the IC card 20, but may be a magnetic ticket. In this case, the automatic ticket gate 2 may be provided with a magnetic recording unit that can read and write the ticket information recorded on the magnetic ticket.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the ticket gate system which is embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electric railway server in the ticket gate system which is embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the memory content of the message storage part of the electric railway server in the ticket gate system which is embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the memory content of the utilization log | history memory | storage part of the electric railway server in the ticket gate system which is embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the IC card which is a boarding ticket. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the automatic ticket gate in the ticket gate system which is embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electric railway server in the ticket gate system which is embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen of the terminal which acquired the page which receives a user's registration request. It is a flowchart which shows the user registration process of the electric railway server in the ticket gate system which is embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen of the terminal which acquired the page which receives the registration request of a message. It is a flowchart which shows the message registration process of the electric railway server in the ticket gate system which is embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the automatic ticket gate in the ticket gate system which is embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the message transmission process of the electric railway server in the ticket gate system which is embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1-Railway server 2-Automatic ticket gate 3-Station server 4-Internet 5a, 5b-Mobile phone 11-Control unit 12-Message storage unit 13-Usage history storage unit 14-First communication unit 15-Second communication Unit 20-IC card 21-control unit 22-communication unit 23-storage unit

Claims (3)

A ticket gate system having an automatic ticket gate installed at a ticket gate of a station and a management device connected to the automatic ticket gate via a network,
The automatic ticket gate
A ticket information reading means for reading ticket information including an identification code for identifying the ticket from a ticket possessed by a user who enters or leaves the station;
When the ticket information reading means reads the ticket information from the ticket possessed by the user, the identification code included in the ticket information read here and the station where the user entered and exited are entered. Notification means for notifying the management apparatus connected via the network of usage information including entry / exit information indicating discrimination of exit, the management apparatus comprising:
For each ticket identification code, usage history storage means for storing the usage history of the ticket in association with each other,
Message storage means for associating and storing the identification code of the ticket, the mail address of the user possessing the ticket, the message to be transmitted to the user, and the transmission condition for executing transmission of the message;
Registration request receiving means for receiving, as a message registration request, user identification information used to identify a user transmitted from an external device, a message to be transmitted to this user, and a transmission condition for executing transmission of this message;
When the registration request accepting unit accepts a message registration request, the identification code of the ticket possessed by the user specified by the user specifying information on the message and transmission conditions included in the registration request; Message registration means for storing in the message storage means in association with the mail address of the user;
When the registration request accepting unit accepts a message registration request, for the user specified by the user specifying information included in the registration request, the use history storing unit stores the use history of the user. A transmission date and time estimating means for estimating the transmission date and time of the message accepted this time,
The estimated transmission date and time notification means for transmitting the transmission date and time of the message estimated by the transmission date and time estimation means to the external device that has transmitted the registration request for the message this time;
When the usage information is notified from the automatic ticket checker, if the message storage unit stores a message in association with the identification code included in the usage information notified this time, the transmission condition of this message is satisfied. Transmission condition determining means for determining whether or not
When the transmission condition determination unit determines that the transmission condition is satisfied, the message transmission unit transmits the message by e-mail to an associated mail address.
The transmission condition includes a station where the user enters and leaves, and a distinction between entry and exit.
Ticket gate system. The management device
After the estimated transmission date / time notifying means transmits the message transmission date / time estimated by the transmission date / time estimation means to the external device that has transmitted the current message registration request, the message registration means is based on the current message registration request. Registration confirmation means for confirming whether to stop storing the message and the transmission condition in the message storage means,
The message registration unit, when it is confirmed that no stop by the registration confirmation unit, a message and a transmission condition based on the registration request of this message means for storing in said message storage means, according to claim 1 Ticket gate system. The identification code of the ticket possessed by the user who entered or exited the station, as well as the station where the user entered and exited, sent from the automatic ticket gate installed at the ticket gate of the station Receiving means for receiving usage information including entrance / exit information indicating the distinction between,
For each ticket identification code, usage history storage means for storing the usage history of the ticket in association with each other,
Message storage means for associating and storing the identification code of the ticket, the mail address of the user possessing the ticket, the message to be transmitted to the user, and the transmission condition for executing transmission of the message;
Registration request receiving means for receiving, as a message registration request, user identification information used to identify a user transmitted from an external device, a message to be transmitted to this user, and a transmission condition for executing transmission of this message;
When the registration request accepting unit accepts a message registration request, the identification code of the ticket possessed by the user specified by the user specifying information on the message and transmission conditions included in the registration request; Message registration means for storing in the message storage means in association with the mail address of the user;
When the registration request accepting unit accepts a message registration request, for the user specified by the user specifying information included in the registration request, the use history storing unit stores the use history of the user. A transmission date and time estimating means for estimating the transmission date and time of the message accepted this time,
The estimated transmission date and time notification means for transmitting the transmission date and time of the message estimated by the transmission date and time estimation means to the external device that has transmitted the registration request for the message this time;
When the usage information transmitted from the automatic ticket gate is received by the receiving means, the message storage means stores a message in association with the identification code included in the usage information notified this time. , Transmission condition determination means for determining whether the transmission condition of this message is satisfied,
When the transmission condition determination unit determines that the transmission condition is satisfied, the message transmission unit transmits the message by e-mail to an associated mail address.
The transmission apparatus includes a management apparatus that includes a station where the user enters and leaves and a distinction between entry and exit.

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