JPH08115449A - Ticket-issuing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a ticket-issuing machine which can continuously read plural voting cards for making a ticket-issuing processing efficient and which is impervious to the influence of the occurrence of an error since it can take an appropriate countermeasure in the ticket-issuing machine which can issue ticket based on data which is read from the card. CONSTITUTION: The ticket-issuing machine which is provided with a read part 5 reading data of an optical read type-card and issues ticket based on data which has been read, is provided with a first insertion port 1 into which plural cards can be inserted, a first transportation path 2 transporting the cards to the read part 5, a residence part 3 keeping the cards inserted from the first port 1, a paying-out part 4 which sequentially transmits the cards kept in the residence part 3 to the first transportation path 2, a second insertion port 6 having the higher priority of a processing compared to the first insertion port 1 and a second transportion path 7 transporting the cards inserted from the second insertion port 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ticket issuing machine for issuing a ticket based on an entry on an optical reading card, and particularly in a public stadium such as a horse race, a bicycle race, or an auto race, to simplify the input of voting data. The present invention relates to a ticket issuing machine which issues a voting ticket based on the description of an optical reading type voting card applied for the purpose.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Voting ticket purchase applications include a method in which a voter verbally tells the operator what he / she wants to vote and the purchase amount. A method of issuing a voting ticket by writing the purchase amount and having the ticket issuing machine read the voting card at a counter is widely used.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a voting ticket issuing machine in the prior art. The configuration of each part in FIG. 6 will be described below. 10
Reference numeral 1 is an insertion slot for inserting a voting card. Reference numeral 102 is a transport path for transporting the inserted card. A reading unit 103 reads the voting card and transmits the read data to the voting ticket issuing unit 121.

Reference numeral 104 is a conveyance motor for driving the rollers 105 and 106. Reference numerals 105 and 106 denote rollers that convey the voting card. A sensor 107 detects the insertion of a voting card. Sensors 108 and 109 detect the passage of the voting card. A voting ticket issuing unit 121 issues a voting ticket and sends a control signal to each of the above units.

Reference numeral 122 is a keyboard for inputting voting data and control information using keys. 123 is the voting ticket issuing unit 1
21 is a ticket issuing key for giving an instruction to issue a voting ticket based on the data input from the keyboard 122. 1
A delete key 24 gives an instruction to delete the voting data input from the keyboard 122 and the reading unit 103.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a voting ticket reading procedure in the prior art. Hereinafter, each process S10
1 to S118 will be described. S101 The sensor 107 monitors the insertion of the voting ticket, and when the operator inserts the voting card into the insertion slot 101, it is detected and the process proceeds to S102. If not detected, continue monitoring. Note that only one card can be inserted. S102 The insertion shutter 110 is opened and the voting card is allowed to be taken in. S103 The conveyance motor 104 is turned on, and the rollers 105 and 106 are driven. As a result, the voting card is transported to the reading unit 103 on the transport path 102. S104 When the sensor 108 detects passage of the voting card, the process proceeds to S105. S10 until passage is detected
The process of 5 does not proceed. S105 The insertion shutter 105 is closed, and the insertion of the voting card is prohibited. S106 The reading unit 103 reads the data written on the voting card. S107 If the sensor 109 detects passage of the card, S107
The process of 108 is performed. The process of S108 does not proceed until the passage is detected. S108 The conveyance motor 104 is turned off, and the driving of the rollers 105 and 106 is stopped. S109 The read data is transmitted to the betting ticket issuing unit 121. S110 The read data is checked, and if no error is detected, the process of S111 is performed. If an error is detected, the process proceeds to S112. S111 A voting ticket is issued based on the read data, and the ticket issuing process for the inserted card is completed. S112 The error handling mode is entered. There are two types of error countermeasures, and it is the operator's decision which to select.

First, when it is determined that the correction data should be input from the keyboard 122, the following processing is performed. S113 The correction data is input from the keyboard 122. S114 By pressing the ticket issuing key 123, the keyboard 1
The data input from 22 is transmitted to the voting ticket issuing unit 121, and the process returns to S109.

When it is determined that the voting card should be corrected and re-entered, the following processing is performed. S115 Delete key 12 for deleting the read data
Press 4. S116 The read data is erased and the process ends. In addition, in order to input the corrected data, a new voting card is filled in and it is inserted into the insertion slot 101 again.

[0009]

In the conventional ticket issuing machine, even if an operator is handed a plurality of voting cards by one voter, only one voting card can be inserted into the ticket issuing machine, so that a voting ticket is issued. The next voting card cannot be inserted until it is done, and it takes a lot of time until the voting tickets for all voting cards are issued, which is a factor that reduces the efficiency of the window service.

Therefore, insert a plurality of voting cards all at once,
There has been a need for a ticket issuing machine that can continuously read each sheet. However, even with such a ticket issuing machine, if a reading error occurs during the continuous reading process, the reading process will be stopped for the time to correct the voting card, and the delay in ticketing work due to the error occurrence will be dealt with. Can not.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a ticket issuing machine capable of continuously reading a plurality of voting cards in order to achieve efficient ticket issuing processing at a ticket issuing window.
Further, it is another object to provide a ticket issuing machine that is not easily affected by the occurrence of an error by taking appropriate measures even if an error occurs.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention. Hereinafter, 1 for explaining each part of FIG. 1 is a first insertion port. Reference numeral 2 is a first transport path for transporting the card to the reading unit 5 described later.

Reference numeral 3 is a retaining portion for retaining the card inserted from the first insertion slot 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a feeding unit that sequentially sends the cards retained in the retaining unit 3 to the first transport path 2. A reading unit 5 reads the information written on the card. Reference numeral 6 is a second insertion slot having a higher processing priority than the first insertion slot 1.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a second transport path for transporting a card which is inserted from the second insertion slot 6. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a card reading procedure according to the present invention.
Each processing of No. 9 will be described. S1 Normally, the insertion slot 1 is in an effective state, and the card is inserted into the insertion slot 1. The card inserted from the insertion slot 1 is retained in the retaining section 3. S2 The payout unit 4 pays out the card in the retention unit 3. S3 The reading unit 5 reads the information written on the sent card. (Data will be input.) S4 Check if there is an error in the read information,
If not, go to the process of S5. If there is, the process of S6 is performed. S5 It is confirmed whether or not there is an instruction (interruption instruction) to change the effective insertion opening to the second insertion opening 6. If there is S6
Process, and if not, the process returns to the process of S2, and the remaining cards are paid out. S6 The second insertion slot becomes effective, and the card can be inserted through the second insertion slot. S7: Determine whether to correct the error immediately. If it is determined that the correction should be made immediately, the process of S8 is performed, and if it is determined that the correction need not be made immediately, the process of S9 is performed. (Return the effective insertion slot to the first insertion slot.) S8 Correct the error. The error is corrected by inserting the corrected card into the second insertion slot and reading by the reading unit 5, or by inputting correction data from another input means (for example, a keyboard or the like). The S9 data is erased, and the process returns to S1.

[0015]

In the present invention, by providing the first insertion slot into which a plurality of voting cards can be inserted and the feeding section 4 for sequentially feeding out the cards, it is possible to continuously read a plurality of cards. In addition, by providing a second insertion slot having a higher priority than the first insertion slot and activating the second insertion slot when a reading error occurs, the corrected card can be removed from the second insertion slot. Can be inserted and read preferentially. The correction data can be preferentially input also from the keyboard.

Further, by providing the interrupt input means, the second insertion slot can be made effective even when a reading error occurs, and an arbitrary card can be inserted into the second insertion slot. It can be read preferentially. Furthermore,
By providing the input means for giving an instruction to return the effective insertion opening from the second insertion opening to the first insertion opening when a reading error occurs, the reading process can be restarted without inputting the correction data. , Card correction and reading process can be performed in parallel.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, issuance of a voting ticket will be described as an example.
FIG. 3 is an overall view of the ticket issuing machine of the present invention. A display unit 24 displays data error information regarding voting.

A keyboard 25 is used to input voting data and control information. Reference numeral 21 is a voting card reading unit for reading the voting data written on the voting card. 22 is a voting ticket issuing unit, which issues an error check of voting data transmitted from the voting card reading unit 21 or the keyboard 25 and a voting ticket based on the voting data. In addition, a control signal based on the control information from the keyboard 25 and the result of the error check is given to the voting card reading unit 21.

Reference numeral 23 is a host computer, which collects voting data. It also performs a final check of voting data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the voting card reading unit of the ticket issuing machine shown in FIG. Hereinafter, each part shown in FIG. 4 will be described. The parts corresponding to the parts already described are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a first sensor, which confirms whether or not there is a voting card in the retention section 3. Reference numeral 10 denotes a second sensor, which confirms whether or not there is a voting card on the second transport path. Reference numeral 11 is a third sensor, which confirms the passage of the voting card.

Numeral 12 is a fourth sensor which, like the sensor 11, confirms the passage of the voting card. Reference numeral 13 denotes a first conveyance roller, which conveys the voting card inserted from the first insertion slot 1 and the second insertion slot 6 to the reading unit 5. Reference numeral 14 denotes a second transport roller, which is the reading unit 5
The voting card, whose data was read in, is led to the outlet.

Reference numeral 15 is a feeding motor, which drives the feeding roller 4. Reference numeral 16 denotes a carry motor, which drives the carry roller 13 and the carry roller 14. Reference numeral 17 denotes an insertion shutter that shuts off the second conveyance path 7. 26 is an interrupt key, which is the first
It is inserted from the insertion slot of and interrupts the reading operation of the voting card.

Reference numeral 27 is a ticket issuing key for issuing an instruction to issue a voting ticket based on voting data input from the keyboard 25. Reference numeral 28 denotes an erase key, which gives an instruction to erase the data read by the reading unit 5. Figure 5
It is a figure which shows operation | movement of the ticket issuing machine in the Example of this invention.
Hereinafter, each processing procedure S21 to S45 will be described. S21 The sensor 9 monitors the presence of the voting card in the retention unit 3. When the voting card is inserted, the voting card is sandwiched between the feeding roller 3 and the first transport path and fixed. The sensor 9 detects the presence of the voting card and performs the process of S22, but if not detected, it remains in the state of waiting for the insertion of the voting card. S22 The feeding motor 15 and the conveyance motor 16 are turned on, and the feeding roller 4 and the conveyance rollers 13 and 14 are driven. As a result, one voting card is fed out and is conveyed to the reading unit 5 on the first conveying path 2. S23 The voting card passes through the sensor 11 while being conveyed to the reading unit 5. The sensor 11 monitors the passage of the voting card, and when the passage of the voting card is detected, the process of S24 is performed. S24 The feeding motor 15 is turned off, and the driving of the feeding roller 4 is stopped. S25 The voting card reaches the reading unit 5, and the data written on the voting card (optical mark reading) is performed. When the reading of S26 data is completed, the voting card is conveyed to the discharge port by the conveying roller 14, but passes the sensor 12 on the way. When the sensor 12 senses the passage of the voting card, the process of S27 is performed. S27 The conveyance motor 16 is turned off, and the driving of the conveyance rollers 13 and 14 is stopped. S28 The reading unit 5 transmits the read voting data to the betting ticket issuing unit 22 and causes the display unit 24 to display the read data. S29 The voting ticket issuing unit 22 checks the voting data for errors. The error check is performed not only by the voting ticket issuing unit 22 but also by the host computer 23. If no error is detected by the voting ticket issuing unit 22, the host computer 23 performs a final error check. If the host computer 23 also detects no error, the process of S30 is performed, and if it is detected, the process of S31 is performed. S30 The host computer 23 issues a ticket issuing instruction to the betting ticket issuing unit 22, which activates the betting ticket issuance. S32 If the press of the interrupt key 26 is detected, S33
Is performed, and if not detected, the process of S45 is performed.
The interrupt key 26 is pressed when there is a voting card to be read with priority over the voting card in the retention unit 3. S31 The host computer 23 or the voting ticket issuing unit 22 gives an instruction for error correction to the voting card reading unit 21 and causes the display unit 24 to display an error message. S33 The insertion shutter 17 is opened, and the voting card can be inserted from the second insertion slot 6. This enters the error handling mode. S34 As for error handling in this embodiment, there are three methods as described below, and which method is to be taken is determined by the operator.

First, the first error coping method will be described. S35 If the error in the read data is minor (for example, the race number is not entered or the place name is not entered in the voting for horse racing), it is better to correct the voting card on the spot and read it again. The operator corrects the error portion of the voting card in which the error is confirmed, and inserts it into the second transport path 7 through the second insertion port 6. S36 The sensor 10 monitors the insertion of the voting card from the second insertion slot 6, and when the insertion of the voting card is confirmed, the process of S37 is performed. S37 The conveyance motor 16 is turned on and the rollers 13 and 14 are driven. By driving the roller 13, the voting card is conveyed to the reading unit 5 on the first conveying path. S38 While passing the voting card to the reading unit 5, the voting card passes through the sensor 11. The sensor 11 monitors the passage of the voting card, and when the passage of the voting card is detected, the process of S39 is performed. S39 The insertion shutter 17 is closed, and the insertion of the voting card from the second insertion slot 6 is prohibited.

When the reading section 5 is reached, the processing from S25 is performed again. Even if you modify the voting card, the first
The insertion slot 1 of is closed by the remaining voting cards.
Therefore, the remaining voting cards cannot be inserted until the reading operation is completed, and in particular, if the corrected voting card has a close voting deadline, there is a possibility that the voting ticket cannot be purchased. However, according to the first error coping method, since the second insertion port is provided, it is possible to insert the second insertion port from here and read it preferentially.
Even urgent votes can be made in time for the deadline.

Next, the second error coping method will be described. S40 Voting data can be input not only from the voting card but also from the keyboard 25. If the cause of the error is an incorrect entry (if you are voting in a horse race, if you accidentally specify a race number that is not on sale or try to vote for a horse that does not run),
Erroneous entries need to be erased, but they cannot be erased if they are filled with ballpoint pen or ink. for that reason,
Even if there are few errors, you have to rewrite it on a new voting card. Therefore, when it is determined that the voting data should be corrected on the spot by key input, the operator uses the keyboard 25 to correct the data. S41 When the input is completed, the ticket issuing key 27 provided on the keyboard 25 is pressed. S42 The insertion shutter 17 is closed, and the processing from S28 is performed again.

Thus, in the second error coping method,
By providing a keyboard, even if it is impossible to make corrections to the voting card that has caused an error, the correction data can be input quickly without rewriting to a new voting card. Finally, the third error coping method will be described. S43 If there are many error points in the read data or if the data could not be read due to damage or dirt on the card,
It takes a lot of time to correct the voting card and enter the voting data with the key. In such a case, the operator presses the delete key 28 provided on the keyboard 25. S44: The read data is erased by pressing the erase key 28. As a result, the error handling mode is released and the insertion shutter 17 is closed. S45 It is confirmed whether the voting card remains in the retention section 3. If not, the read operation for all inserted voting cards ends. If it remains, S2
Return to processing after 2.

During the read operation of the remaining voting cards,
The operator is rewriting the voting card. After rewriting the voting card, the operator may wait for the completion of reading all the voting cards in the retention unit 3 and insert the rewritten voting card into the first insertion slot to input the voting data. However, by pressing the interrupt key 26, it is possible to interrupt the reading operation of the voting card of the staying unit 3 and preferentially read the rewritten voting card.

The depression of the interrupt key 26 is confirmed in the process of S32. When the depression is confirmed, the error handling mode after S33 is entered, and the operator inserts the rewritten voting card from the second insertion slot 6. The subsequent operation is the same as the processing after S36 already described. When an error occurs, the reading operation remains stopped unless the correction data is input by a voting card or key input. Therefore, if it takes a lot of time to correct the error data, it will cause the ticket issuing to be significantly delayed.

However, according to the third error coping method,
By providing the delete key, the reading operation can be restarted without inputting the correction data, and the voting card can be corrected in parallel with the reading operation, which is efficient. Further, by providing the interrupt key, the modified voting card can be read in preference to the other voting cards when the modification of the voting card is completed, which is effective in an urgent case.

In the above-described embodiment, the insertion shutter 17 of the second insertion slot 6 is opened by using the fact that an error has occurred in the voting card inserted from the first insertion slot 1 as a key, but as another embodiment. By pressing the interruption key 26, the insertion slot for inserting the voting card is changed from the first insertion slot 1 to the second insertion slot 6, that is, the interruption key 26.
By opening the insertion shutter 17 in response to pressing, the second insertion slot 6 can be used even for voting when the voting deadline is close.
It is also possible to realize so-called additional processing of inserting and processing from, and thereby further improving the service to the customer.

[0032]

According to the present invention, a plurality of voting cards can be inserted, and the inserted cards can be continuously drawn out. As a result, a large number of voting cards can be issued at one time, and it is not necessary for the operator to insert the voting cards one by one, improving the efficiency of the counter and reducing the load on the operator.

Even if a reading error occurs during the ticket issuing process, since a plurality of error countermeasures are prepared, the cause of the error, the degree of the error, the priority of the voting card, and the like are taken into consideration, depending on the situation. You can take the best possible response. As a result, the time for error correction can be shortened, and the situation in which the customer cannot purchase the voting ticket due to an error can be suppressed as much as possible, and the reliability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a card reading procedure in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a ticket issuing machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a voting card reading unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation of the ticket issuing machine in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a conventional technique.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a voting card reading procedure in the prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... 1st insertion port 2 ... 1st conveyance path 3 ... Retaining part 4 ... Feeding part 5 ... Reading part 6 ... 2nd insertion port 7 ... 2 transport paths

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In a ticket issuing machine having a reading unit for reading data of an optical reading type card and issuing a ticket based on the read data, a first insertion slot into which a plurality of cards can be inserted, and a card. A first transport path for transporting the card to the reading section, a retention section for retaining the card inserted from the first insertion slot, and a card retained in the retention section for delivery to the first transport path in sequence. And a second insertion port having a processing priority higher than that of the first insertion port, and a second transport path for transporting a card inserted from the second insertion port. Ticket machine to do. 2. One of the first insertion slot and the second insertion slot is validated, and data is read from a card inserted in the valid insertion slot. The ticket issuing machine according to Item 1. 3. The ticket issuing machine according to claim 2, wherein the second insertion slot becomes effective when an error occurs in the data read from the card. 4. The ticket issuing machine according to claim 3, wherein when the second insertion slot is valid, data can be input from an input means other than a card. 5. When an error occurs in the data read from the card, an input means is provided for giving an instruction to return the effective insertion opening from the second insertion opening to the first insertion opening, and the input means is provided. The ticket issuing machine according to claim 3, wherein the read data is erased by an instruction. 6. An interrupt input means for giving an instruction to switch an effective insertion port from the first insertion port to the second insertion port is provided.
Ticketing machine described in.