JPH0437469B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a reserved seat ticket issuing device, which is capable of reserving a vacant seat and issuing a reserved seat ticket using, for example, a reserved seat ticket in which the name of the train to board is not predetermined. Regarding a new reserved seat ticket issuing device.

Recently, reserved seat tickets have been issued for the convenience of passengers who frequently ride the Shinkansen, for example. This reserved seat ticket is issued by paying the usage fee in advance, and the ticket section and whether it is a green car or a regular car are recorded. Other train names and seat numbers are not recorded. If you wish to board a train using such a reserved seat ticket, please go to the reserved seat ticket issuing counter at the station.
You will need to have a reserved seat ticket issued instead of a coupon ticket. At this time, since the boarding section and class are recorded on the reserved seat ticket, the staff can quickly issue a reserved seat ticket just by specifying the train name, and there is no need to handle fares, making the work extremely efficient. It can be simplified.

However, general customers who do not have reserved seat tickets are also lining up at the reserved seat ticket issuing counter.
When issuing reserved seat tickets to such general customers, it is necessary to specify not only the train name but also the boarding section and class, and the fare must also be handled, and the processing by the staff must be handled. It gets complicated. For this reason, if there are many general customers, customers who have reserved seat tickets will have to wait for a long time, and the purpose of purchasing the ticket will be lost. Furthermore, even if there are empty seats on a train, reserved seat tickets may not be issued in time, and the train may depart with empty seats, resulting in inefficiency. On the other hand, confusion arises among station staff as they treat general passengers differently than those with reserved seat tickets.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to very efficiently issue a desired reserved seat ticket to a customer who is in possession of a recording medium for issuing a reserved seat ticket, such as a reserved seat ticket, on which at least boarding section data is recorded in advance. An object of the present invention is to provide a reserved seat ticket issuing device that can issue reserved seat tickets.

To summarize this invention, at least the boarding section data is read from a recording medium for issuing a reserved seat ticket, and in response to this reading, vacant seats on a train departing after the current time and arriving at a destination based on the boarding section data are determined. Make a tentative reservation and view data about the train. If a passenger looks at the display and specifies it in order to secure a vacant seat on the train, the provisionally reserved vacant seat will be secured and a reserved seat ticket for that vacant seat will be issued.

The present invention will be described in more detail below along with embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. First, referring to FIG. 1, the operation surface of the reserved seat ticket issuing device 1 is provided with a display section 10, an operation section 20, and a reserved seat ticket release port 31. The display section 10 has 3
1 time display 11, 12 and 13, contiguous seat display 14, 15 and 16, and number display 17
including. The departure time displays 11 to 13 display the departure time of trains with vacant seats.
The consecutive seat indicators 14 to 16 are the departure time indicators 1
This is to display that there are consecutive vacant seats in each of the trains displayed in numbers 1 to 13. The number display 17 displays the number of coupons inserted into the coupon insertion slot 25, which will be described later.

The operation section 20 includes operation button switches 21 to 23 provided corresponding to the departure time indicators 11 to 13, an attachment button switch 24, and a coupon insertion slot 25. Operation button switch 2
1 to 23 are departure time indicators 11 to 13
This is to instruct the issuance of reserved seats for trains departing at the times indicated in each. The cancel button switch 24 is used to cancel the designation made by operating the operation button switches 21 to 23. The coupon insertion slot 25 is for inserting a reserved seat coupon. The reserved seat ticket release port 31 is for discharging a reserved seat ticket for a train designated by one of the operation button switches 23.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. In its configuration, the reserved seat ticket issuing device 1 includes, in addition to the display section 10 and operation section 20 shown in FIG. 1, an optical character reader (OCR) 30, a central processing unit (CPU) 40, and a random access memory. (RAM) 50 and read-only memory (ROM)
60, a printer 70, and a transmission circuit 80. OCR is used to read ride section data and class data recorded on the ticket inserted into the ticket insertion slot 25 shown in FIG. CPU
Reference numeral 40 accomplishes the operations necessary to issue reserved seat tickets based on the program recorded in the ROM 60. The RAM 50 includes areas for storing various data shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later. The printer 70 is used to print the train name, departure time, etc. on the reserved seat ticket. The transmission circuit 80 is for exchanging data with a host computer (not shown) that manages whether or not vacant seats on each train are reserved.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing various data stored in the ROM 50 shown in FIG. 2. Next, referring to FIG. 3, RAM 50 includes areas 501-549. More specifically, area 501 stores date data for the day on which reserved seat tickets are issued. Area 502 is used as a timer register to measure the current time. area 50
3 is for storing the number of reserved seat coupons inserted into the coupon insertion slot 25. area 51
1 to 51n store boarding section data read from the reserved seat ticket. Area 521
52n to 52n similarly store class data read from reserved seat tickets. Areas 531 to 533 are for storing train names, departure time data, and data representing the presence or absence of adjacent seats for three trains read from the host computer. Areas 541 to 549 are for storing the numbers for nine seats read from the host computer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the specific operation of one embodiment of the present invention.

Next, the specific operation of one embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. First, when a reserved seat ticket is inserted into the ticket insertion slot 25, the OCR 30 reads the ride section data and class data recorded in advance on the ticket.
Give to CPU40. The CPU 40 constantly determines whether or not a coupon ticket has been inserted in step 1 (abbreviated as SP in the drawing). and,
When the reading data of the coupon ticket is input from the OCR 30, the CPU 40 determines that the coupon ticket has been inserted. Then, +1 is stored as the number of read tickets in area 503 of the RAM 50, and ride section data and class data read from the coupon ticket are stored in areas 511 and 521, respectively. moreover,
The CPU 40 determines in step 3 whether the inserted coupon ticket is valid or not. This is done based on whether the coupon is a regular one and whether it is still within its validity period. If it is determined that the ticket is valid, in step 4 the ride section data and class data stored in areas 511 and 521 are read out and sent to the transmission circuit 80.
give to Accordingly, the transmission circuit 80 transmits those data to the host computer to check whether there is a vacant seat or not.

The host computer searches for three trains with vacant seats in order from the earliest departure time based on the transmitted boarding section data and class data. If a plurality of boarding section data and class data are transmitted, three trains with consecutive vacant seats are selected in descending order of departure time on the condition that they are the same train. Furthermore, the host computer searches for the seat number of the train with the earliest departure time from among the three selected trains and transmits it to the reserved seat ticket issuing device 10. At the same time, the selected seat number is made reserved.

Data transmitted from the host computer is given to the CPU 40 via the transmission circuit 80. Accordingly, in step 5, the CPU 40 reads data for three trains transmitted from the host computer and stores it in areas 531 to 533. That is, data representing the train names, departure times, and presence or absence of consecutive vacant seats for three trains is stored. Furthermore, in step 6, the seat number of the train with the earliest departure time transmitted from the host computer is stored in area 541. In step 7, the CPU 40 causes the departure time data for the three trains stored in areas 531 to 533 to be displayed on the departure time displays 11 to 13, respectively. Furthermore, the indicators 14 to 16 are turned on based on data indicating the presence or absence of consecutive vacant seats. In addition,
In this case, since only one ticket was inserted, the indicators 14 to 16 do not light up. Furthermore, after resetting the timer register in area 502, CPU 40 measures the time until any one of push button switches 21 to 23 is operated. Note that when no seat number is stored in areas 541 to 549, that is, if there is no vacant seat on any train, the CPU 40 displays "----" on each departure time display 11 to 13,
At step 18, the inserted coupon ticket is released into the reserved seat ticket release port 31, and the number of tickets in the area 503 is cleared.

When it is determined in step 8 that there is a vacant seat, it is subsequently determined in step 9 whether or not a coupon ticket has been inserted. If it is determined that multiple tickets have been inserted consecutively, the seat number reservation made in step 6 is canceled in step 10. This is because the seat number reservation in step 6 is for one ticket, and if multiple tickets are inserted, consecutive vacant seats must be reserved, so the reserved vacant seats This was designed to eliminate the problem. Step 9
If it is determined in step 11 that no coupon tickets have been continuously inserted, the CPU 40 determines in step 11 whether any of the operation button switches 21 to 23 has been operated. If the cancel button switch 24 is operated without operating any of the operation button switches 21 to 23, step 19 is executed.
This is determined in step 20, and the reserved seat is canceled in step 20. When it is determined in step 11 that any of the operation button switches 21 to 23 has been operated, and in step 12 that it is determined that switches 22 and 23 other than the operation button switch 21 have been operated, the reservation is canceled in step 14. . This is because only the seats corresponding to the train displayed on the departure time display 11 are reserved, and the seats on the trains displayed on the departure time displays 12 and 13, respectively, are not reserved. This is because if 22 or 23 has been operated, a seat must be secured again. And push button switch 22
or 23 is operated, these information is transmitted to the host computer in step 15. Then, the host computer tentatively reserves a vacant seat on the train displayed on the departure time display 12 or 13.

When it is determined in step 12 that the operation button switch 21 has been operated, the host computer is notified of this fact. And step
Only the display on the departure time display 11 corresponding to the push button switch 21 operated at step 13 is left, and the displays on the other displays 12 and 13 are erased. Incidentally, when the push button switch 22 or 23 is operated, the departure time of the train corresponding to the seat provisionally reserved in step 15 is displayed. Then, in step 16, the host computer determines whether or not a seat has been secured. If the seat has been secured, in step 17, the date, departure time, and train name are added to the ticket inserted into the ticket insertion slot 25 for the first time. and the seat number are printed by the printer 70. Then, in step 18, the coupon ticket with each data printed is sent to the reserved seat ticket outlet 31.
At the same time, the number of sheets in area 503 is cleared.

If coupons are inserted consecutively,
The ride section data of each coupon ticket is sequentially stored in areas 511 to 51n, and the class data is sequentially stored in areas 521 to 52n. and,
These data are given to the host computer. The host computer searches for train names with consecutive vacant seats equal to the number of inserted coupon tickets. Then, if there is a corresponding train, the host computer transmits to the CPU 40 data representing the train name, departure time, and presence or absence of consecutive seats of that train.
Thereafter, when the push button switch 21 is operated in the same manner, the date, departure time, train name, and seat number are printed on each inserted ticket and released.

In addition, the departure time is displayed on the departure time display 11 or 1.
3, if none of the operation button switches 21 to 23 or the push button switch 24 is operated, it is determined in step 21 whether or not an output signal measuring a predetermined time has been input from the timer 502, and a predetermined If the time has not elapsed, it is determined in step 9 whether or not the next coupon ticket has been inserted. If the predetermined time has been counted, the previously reserved seat number is canceled in step 22, and the boarding section data and class data are transmitted to the host computer again in step 4. If a reserved seat is not issued after a certain period of time, the previously reserved seat number is canceled and other customers can reserve the seat using another reserved seat ticket issuing device. It's for a reason.

Note that in the above embodiment, consecutive seats are reserved when multiple coupon tickets are inserted.
It is also possible to omit this reservation of consecutive seats. In this case, the displays 21 to 23 can be omitted, and the amount of data transmitted to and from the host copier can be reduced. In addition, if multiple tickets are inserted, the display 21 can be set as a requirement to reserve consecutive vacant seats.
23 can also be made unnecessary. In this case, when transmitting data to the host computer in step 4 described above, a condition may be added to ensure that consecutive vacant seats are reserved.

In addition, in the above embodiment, information such as train departure time, train name, seat number, etc. are printed on the ticket, but the inserted ticket is not limited to this, and the inserted ticket can be collected and replaced with another reserved seat ticket. It may also be issued with information such as departure time printed on it.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, only the vacant seat of the earliest train among the three trains with vacant seats is reserved. However, according to this method, the second and third vacant seats are reserved for other passengers between the time the departure times of the three trains are displayed and the time the pushbutton switch 22 or 23 is operated. Even if the push button switch 22 or 23 is operated, the reservation may not be possible. One way to prevent this is to temporarily reserve one seat for each of the three trains that have vacant seats, i.e., to temporarily reserve three times as many seats as the passenger actually wants to reserve.
The reservation for the remaining two seats may be canceled after the customer operates one of the push button switches 21 to 23.

As described above, according to the present invention, at least the boarding section data is read from the recording medium for issuing reserved seat tickets, and in response to this reading, a train or the like that arrives at a destination later than the current time and based on the boarding section data, etc. It is possible to make a provisional reservation for a vacant seat on a train, etc., display data related to that train, etc., and when a seat on that train, etc. is specified, the provisionally reserved seat can be secured and a reserved seat ticket for that train can be issued. .
Therefore, according to the reserved seat ticket issuing device of the present invention, by simply inserting the recording medium for issuing a reserved seat ticket that the user already has into the device, the system will automatically issue multiple vacant seats. Since information such as trains and their departure times are displayed, the user can request a reserved seat ticket by simply selecting the desired seat from the displayed information, which is extremely convenient. Furthermore, since reserved seat tickets can be issued extremely quickly and efficiently, handling at the reserved seat ticket issuing counter can be simplified, and service to passengers can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing each data stored in the RAM shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the specific operation of one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a reserved seat ticket issuing device, 10 is a display unit, 11 to 13 are departure time indicators, 14 to 16 are continuation seat indicators, 21 to 23 are push button switches, 30 is an OCR, 40 is a CPU, 5
0 indicates RAM.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A method for reserving vacant seats using a recording medium for issuing reserved seat tickets and issuing reserved seat tickets for a center device that manages reservations for seats on vehicles such as trains, airplanes, and ships. a reserved seat ticket issuing device that reads the data of a boarding section recorded in a recording medium for issuing reserved seats; Temporary seat reservation means for selecting a plurality of vehicles that will depart later and provisionally reserving vacant seats for each vehicle; displaying information regarding the plurality of vehicles selected by the provisional seat reservation means; and information regarding the provisionally reserved vacant seats for each vehicle. a display means; a designation means for designating a desired seat from among the tentatively reserved vacant seats displayed on the display means; a seat securing means for securing a seat in accordance with the designation from the designation means; A reserved seat ticket issuing device comprising a reserved seat ticket issuing means for issuing a reserved seat ticket for a seat secured by the securing means. 2. The reading means is capable of continuously reading a plurality of recording media for issuing reserved seat tickets, and the provisional seat reservation means has as many vacant seats as the number of recording media read by the reading means. Claim 1: selects a plurality of vehicles, temporarily reserves a plurality of vacant seats in each vehicle, and the seat securing means secures a plurality of seats according to the number of recording media read by the reading means. Reserved seat ticket issuing device as described. 3. The provisional seat reservation means selects a plurality of vehicles in which there are consecutive vacant seats equal to the number of the recording media read by the reading means, and provisionally reserves the consecutive seats in each vehicle; , the reserved seat ticket issuing device according to claim 2, which secures the consecutive seats.