Adjustment system

Abstract

To provide an adjustment system which has high system stability and which can rapidly perform adjustment processing in an existing automatic ticket checking machine having relatively low arithmetic capability.SOLUTION: In an adjustment system S, key information added to a ticket or the like 9 possessed by a passenger is read by a key information reading device 7 provided in an automatic ticket checking machine 4 or a railroad vehicle 8 to be sent to a central processing unit 6. The central processing unit 6 selects predicted getting-off stations where the passenger may get off after this considering a current position of the key information reading device 7, determines, for each of the predicted getting-off stations, a predicted adjusted amount in a case where the passenger has a stopover at the selected predicted getting-off station, and sends predicted adjusted information including the predicted adjusted amount determined for each of the predicted getting-off stations and the key information to a station server 2 of the corresponding predicted getting-off station, enabling each of the predicted getting-off stations selected by the central processing unit 6 to prepare for adjustment in the case where the passenger possessing the ticket or the like 9 linked to the key information has the stopover thereat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fare adjustment system that adjusts at a railway passenger's alighting station any excess or deficiency that occurs when the passenger uses a railway at a boarding / alighting section or route different from the boarding / alighting section or route indicated on the ticket he or she purchased. [Background technology]

[0002] When a passenger using a medium- or long-distance ticket changes their destination or gets off the train, they need to pay the fare. The calculation logic for the fare settlement is complicated, so if an automatic ticket gate with low computing power is used to process the fare, it will not be able to process it in time for passengers to pass through. In addition, in order to process the fare at an automatic ticket gate, each ticket gate must always be provided with the latest program and a large amount of data. Therefore, existing automatic ticket gates and fare adjustment machines with relatively low computing power cannot handle medium- or long-distance tickets, and even now, medium- or long-distance tickets are settled at manned ticket counters. However, railway companies are promoting the automation and efficiency of station ticket gate operations as an effort to deal with the decline in the working population due to the declining birthrate and aging population, to reduce operating costs, and to improve the convenience of purchasing passenger tickets. In this era, it is desired to reduce the number of transactions at manned ticket counters, and it is desirable to reduce the number of settlement operations at manned ticket counters.

[0003] In response to this, a fare adjustment system has been proposed in which mobile phones are equipped with a ticket function, and travel information such as the train and section that the passenger has taken is stored in the mobile phone, and at the time of payment, the stored information in the mobile phone is used so that a fare adjustment machine or server can automatically calculate and settle the fare (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the fare adjustment system described in Patent Document 1, there is no need for station staff or the like to handle payments at manned counters, which contributes to reducing payment operations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-288696 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the fare adjustment system described in Patent Document 1 requires that a mobile phone with the ticket function enabled be prepared before entering the ticket gate, and that the mobile phone continuously records information such as the boarding section and transfer stations while using the train. Therefore, if the mobile phone loses its communication function while using the train due to a dead battery or other reason, the information on the boarding section and train will not be recorded, and even when you arrive at the station where you get off, you will not be able to adjust your fare using the information stored in the mobile phone, and as a result, you may need to go to a manned counter.

[0006] In addition, the fare adjustment system described in Patent Document 1 requires that a mobile phone be connected to a station fare adjustment machine or a fare adjustment system host server, and that various information stored in the mobile phone (such as information on transfer stations, intermediate stations, and trains in the section traveled) be provided, and that the station fare adjustment machine or the fare adjustment system host server perform the fare adjustment process. For railway passengers who are accustomed to having their fare automatically adjusted just by passing through an automatic ticket gate, the extra step of the fare adjustment process required before passing through the ticket gate feels the same as going to a fare adjustment machine or manned ticket counter, and is not necessarily convenient.

[0007] Therefore, if the management of the various information required for settlement is entrusted to the mobile phone carried by the passenger, as in the settlement system described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the reliability of the system will be lost, and since it is inconvenient because passengers are forced to use a settlement process that is different from using existing automatic ticket gates and fare adjustment machines, it is difficult to increase the utilization rate of this system and reduce the need for manned ticket counters. In order to reduce the need for manned ticket counters, it is desirable to safely manage the information required for settlement on the railway company side to increase the stability of the system, and to quickly perform settlement processes that require complex calculations, such as for medium- to long-distance tickets, using existing automatic ticket gates with relatively low computing power.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS The present invention aims to provide a payment system that is highly stable and can quickly perform payment processing at existing automated ticket gates that have relatively low computing power. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a ticket vending machine is provided at a railway station, which issues passenger tickets on which electronic information is recorded on a ticket piece or an electronic information recording medium, which electronic information certifying the right to use a railway to travel by boarding a railway vehicle by paying a fare according to the departure and arrival sections and the boarding route to be used by the railway, and a ticket vending machine is provided at the railway station, which reads the electronic information on the passenger tickets, is capable of processing bidding and issuing tickets at the railway station, and, if the railway station is not the arrival station set on the passenger tickets, issues an electronic fare based on the difference between the fare paid by a passenger for the issuance of the passenger tickets and the fare for the passenger to disembark at the railway station. a fare adjustment machine that is provided at the railway station and that, when the railway station is not the destination station set in the passenger tickets, is capable of performing a fare adjustment process of collecting or refunding a fare based on the difference between the fare paid by the passenger for issuing the passenger tickets and the fare if the passenger gets off at the railway station; and a central processing unit that is capable of directly or indirectly communicating with the ticket vending machines, the automatic ticket gates, and the fare adjustment machine provided at each railway station, and that manages information for selling the passenger tickets and answers inquiries about the issuance of the passenger tickets received from the ticket vending machines. and a central processing unit, in which the central processing unit assigns key information capable of uniquely identifying the passenger tickets issued based on an inquiry from the ticket vending machine to the passenger tickets, and records the key information in a passenger ticket database in association with at least the departure and arrival sections and the boarding route of the passenger tickets, the ticket vending machine issues the passenger tickets in which the key information assigned by the central processing unit is included in the electronic information and recorded, and a key information reading device capable of reading the key information of the passenger tickets held by passengers is provided at least in front of the automatic ticket gate and the ticket vending machine. The central processing unit, which is provided in the railway vehicle and receives the key information read by the key information reading device, identifies the tickets to which the key information is attached from the ticket database, selects predicted alighting stations where passengers are likely to alight in the future based on the departure and arrival sections and boarding routes of the identified tickets and the current location of the key information reading device which is the source of the key information, calculates predicted settlement amounts for each predicted alighting station in the case where the passenger alights at the selected predicted alighting station, and displays predicted settlement information including the predicted settlement amounts calculated for each predicted alighting station and the key information,The predicted fare information is transmitted to the corresponding predicted alighting stations, and the automated ticket gate that detects the ticket to which the key information included in the predicted fare information transmitted from the central processing unit is attached performs a fare adjustment process at the predicted fare amount included in the predicted fare information.

[0010] In addition, in the above configuration, the adjustment machine may be provided with the key information reading device, and when the adjustment machine detects the ticket to which the key information included in the predicted settlement information transmitted from the central processing unit is attached, it may perform settlement processing at the predicted settlement amount included in the predicted settlement information.

[0011] In addition, in the above configuration, the railway station may be provided with a station server that is communicatively connected to at least the ticket vending machines, the automated ticket gates, and the fare adjustment machines installed at the railway station and that can communicate with the central processing unit, and when the automated ticket gates and / or the fare adjustment machines installed at the predicted disembarking station detect a ticket that requires settlement processing, they may inquire of the station server about the key information attached to the ticket, and when the station server that has received the inquiry for the key information has received and is managing the predicted settlement information including the key information from the central processing unit, they may send the predicted settlement amount included in the predicted settlement information to the automated ticket gate or the fare adjustment machine that originated the inquiry, and the automated ticket gate or the fare adjustment machine may perform settlement processing using the predicted settlement amount.

[0012] In addition, in the above configuration, the railway station is provided with a station server that is communicatively connected to at least the ticket vending machines, the automatic ticket gates, and the fare adjustment machines installed at the railway station and that can communicate with the central processing unit, and the station server of the predicted disembarking station that receives the predicted fare information from the central processing unit may transmit the key information and the predicted fare amount in advance to the automatic ticket gates and / or the fare adjustment machines installed at its own station, and when the automatic ticket gates and / or the fare adjustment machines detect the tickets with the key information received from the station server, they may perform a settlement process using the predicted fare amount corresponding to the key information.

[0013] In addition, in the above configuration, the central processing unit may record the predicted disembarking stations selected based on the key information received from the key information reading device in the ticket database, each linked to the key information.

[0014] In addition, in the above configuration, the central processing unit searches the passenger ticket database based on the key information received from the key information reading device, and if the predicted alighting station linked to the key information has already been recorded, selects a new predicted alighting station where the passenger is likely to alight in the future based on the current location of the key information reading device which is the source of the key information, issues an instruction to delete the predicted settlement information for railway stations which are no longer included in the predicted alighting stations, calculates new predicted settlement amounts for each railway station which has newly become a predicted alighting station, transmits the predicted settlement information to each of the new predicted alighting stations, and updates the passenger ticket database with the newly selected predicted alighting stations. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the settlement system of the present invention, when the key information attached to the passenger's ticket is read by the key information reader installed in the automatic ticket gate or the railway vehicle and transmitted to the central processing unit, the central processing unit selects the predicted alighting station where the passenger may alight in the future from the current position of the key information reader, calculates the predicted settlement amount for the passenger alighting at each of the selected predicted alighting stations, and transmits predicted settlement information including the predicted settlement amount and the key information calculated for each predicted alighting station to the corresponding predicted alighting station, so that each predicted alighting station selected by the central processing unit can prepare for settlement in the case where a passenger holding a ticket linked to the key information alights at the corresponding station. Therefore, when the automatic ticket gate at the predicted alighting station detects a ticket with the key information included in the predicted settlement information, the settlement process is performed using the predicted settlement amount included in the predicted settlement information, so that the settlement process can be performed quickly even with existing automatic ticket gates with relatively low computing power. In addition, the central processing unit manages passengers' boarding and alighting stations and transfer routes based on key information, and also calculates the predicted settlement amount when passengers disembark at the predicted disembarking station, making the system highly stable. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a ticket vending system according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the ticket vending system when a ticket with key information attached is detected upon entry through an automatic ticket gate installed at X station. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of a ticket database. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a route map showing an example of a route from station X (boarding station) to station Y using a railway vehicle. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the ticket vending system when a ticket with key information attached is detected in a railway car of the XX Shinkansen. [Figure 6] 1 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the ticket vending system when a ticket with key information attached is detected on a railway vehicle on the XX main line. [Figure 7]This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the ticket vending system when tickets with key information attached are detected upon exiting an automatic ticket gate installed at Y Station (descending station). [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the ticket vending system when tickets with key information attached are detected upon exiting an automatic ticket gate installed at Station O (a disembarking station outside the boarding section). [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the ticket vending system when a ticket with key information attached is inserted into a fare adjustment machine installed at Station O (a disembarking station outside the boarding section). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a fare adjustment system S. A station server 2 is provided at each railway station 1 belonging to a railway company, and is communicably connected to a ticket vending machine 3, an automatic ticket gate 4, a fare adjustment machine 5, etc. The station server 2 at each railway station 1 can communicate with a central processing unit 6 connected via a network NW. A key information reading device 7, which will be described later, is mounted on the automatic ticket gate 4, the fare adjustment machine 5, and a railway car 8 at the railway station 1, and is also provided at appropriate locations within the station. When the key information reading device 7 reads key information (described in detail later) on a passenger's ticket 9, the key information and information capable of identifying the current location of the key information reading device 7 (for example, the station code of the station where the device is installed and location information of the railway car 8, etc.) are transmitted to the central processing unit 6. In this embodiment, the station server 2, ticket vending machines 3, automatic ticket gates 4 and fare adjustment machines 5 installed at each railway station 1, a central processing unit 6 that comprehensively manages the issuance of tickets 9 at all railway stations 1, and key information reading devices 7 installed on the automatic ticket gates 4 and railway cars 8, etc. work together to function as a fare adjustment system S.

[0018] In FIG. 1, for example, station A 1a, station B 1b, station C 1c, station D 1d, station E 1e, station F 1f, station G 1g, station H 1h, station I 1i, station J 1j, station K 1k, station L 1l, station M 1m, station N 1n, station O 1o, station X 1x, and station Y 1y are shown as railway stations 1 belonging to a railway company, and the sale of tickets 9 at all these railway stations 1 is centrally managed by the central processing unit 6. In order for the central processing unit 6 to centrally manage the tickets 9 sold at each railway station 1, a ticket database 61 is used. Furthermore, the tickets 9 are a general term for tickets, express tickets, sleeper tickets, reserved seat tickets, etc., and the central processing unit 6 centrally manages the sale of tickets 9, thereby preventing problems such as duplicate issuance of reserved seat express tickets and reserved seat tickets.

[0019] The ticket vending machine 3 installed at the railway station 1 issues passenger tickets 9 in response to passenger requests. The passenger tickets 9 are tickets (e.g., magnetic tickets) or electronic information recording media (e.g., contactless IC cards, mobile terminal devices such as smartphones) that record electronic information that certifies the right to use the railway to board a railway vehicle 8 and travel from a departure station to a destination station via a specified route, by paying a fee according to the departure and arrival section (the section from the departure station where the passenger boards the train to the arrival station where the passenger disembarks) and the boarding route (the boarding route and intermediate stations, etc.). When the ticket vending machine 3 receives a purchase request for a passenger ticket 9 operated by a passenger, it inquires of the central processing unit 6 via the station server 2 regarding the issuance of the passenger ticket 9, and performs ticket issuing processing based on the reply sent from the central processing unit 6 to the inquiry.

[0020] For example, if the passenger has an electronic information recording medium that can be used as a passenger ticket 9, the ticket vending machine 3 debits the purchase amount from the electronic money linked to the electronic information recording medium, writes electronic information that can be used as a passenger ticket 9 to the electronic information recording medium, and ends the ticket issuing process. On the other hand, if the passenger does not have an electronic information recording medium that can be used as a passenger ticket 9, the ticket vending machine 3 provides the passenger with a passenger ticket 9 such as a magnetic ticket on which the necessary electronic information is magnetically recorded by inserting the purchase amount in cash or by performing a cashless payment, and ends the ticket issuing process. Note that the electronic information recorded on the passenger ticket 9 does not necessarily need to include detailed information such as the departure and arrival sections and the boarding route. As long as the electronic information includes information required for the central processing unit 6 to manage it using the passenger ticket database 61 (for example, key information attached to each passenger ticket 9 sold), the central processing unit 6 can identify the contents of the railway use right linked to the passenger ticket 9 from the key information.

[0021] An automatic ticket gate 4 installed at a railway station 1 reads electronic information on a ticket 9 and processes bidding and issuing tickets at the railway station 1. When a passenger inserts a ticket 9 such as a magnetic ticket into the automatic ticket gate 4 to make a bid, the automatic ticket gate 4 opens the bidding gate and performs bidding processing to return the ticket 9, on which information such as the time of bidding and the station at which the bid is made, to the passenger. When a passenger inserts a ticket 9 such as a magnetic ticket into the automatic ticket gate 4 to issue a ticket, the automatic ticket gate 4 opens the ticket issuing gate and performs ticket issuing processing to collect the inserted ticket 9. When a passenger places a ticket 9 such as a contactless IC card or a mobile terminal device close to a reading section of the automatic ticket gate 4 to make a bid, the automatic ticket gate 4 opens the bidding gate and performs bidding processing to write information such as the time of bidding and the station at which the bid is made onto the ticket 9. When a passenger brings a ticket 9 such as a contactless IC card or a mobile terminal device close to the reader of the automated ticket gate 4 to issue a ticket, the automated ticket gate 4 opens the ticket gate and performs a ticket issuing process in which information such as the ticket issuing time and ticket issuing station is written and the ticket 9 is marked as used. When a mobile terminal device is used as the ticket 9, a two-dimensional code or the like generated based on the recorded electronic information may be used as an electronic ticket, and the electronic ticket may be read by the code reader of the automated ticket gate 4 to perform bidding and ticket issuing processes.

[0022] Furthermore, when the railway station 1 where the automatic ticket gate 4 is installed is not the destination station set in the ticket 9, and a passenger puts a ticket 9 (such as a contactless IC card or a mobile terminal device) that can be paid for and received by electronic money close to a reader of the automatic ticket gate 4 to pay for the ticket, the automatic ticket gate 4 performs a settlement process to electronically collect or refund the difference between the fare paid by the passenger to issue the ticket 9 and the fare if the passenger gets off at the railway station 1. However, when the railway station 1 where the automatic ticket gate 4 is installed is not the destination station set in the ticket 9, and a passenger puts a ticket 9 (such as a magnetic ticket) that cannot be paid for and received by electronic money into the automatic ticket gate 4 to pay for the ticket, the automatic ticket gate 4 closes the ticket gate (or keeps it closed) and urges the passenger to pay at the fare adjustment machine 5 or a manned counter.

[0023] If the automatic ticket gate 4 has a fare database and an electronic money handling function, the automatic ticket gate 4 can perform the settlement process by itself. In this case, the automatic ticket gate 4 is also connected to an electronic money management server (not shown) and updates information for depositing and withdrawing electronic money to an electronic information recording medium that uses electronic money. However, in order to have the automatic ticket gate 4 perform the settlement of mid- to long-distance tickets 9 by itself, it is necessary to install a large-capacity storage device and a computer with high processing performance in the automatic ticket gate 4. Such a high-performance automatic ticket gate 4 is not realistic because of the high introduction cost and maintenance cost. Therefore, in the settlement system S of this embodiment, as described later, the key information included in the electronic information of the ticket 9 is read by the key information reading device 7, and the central processing unit 6 predicts the movement of the passenger holding the ticket 9 based on this key information, and prepares for the case where the passenger gets off at an intermediate station or changes the route to get off, so that the settlement process can be performed quickly even with the existing automatic ticket gate 4 with a relatively low computing power. In addition, for automatic ticket gates 4 that are equipped as standard with the function of reading electronic information on tickets 9, it is possible to add the function of the key information reading device 7 by modifying the software without adding special hardware.

[0024] When the railway station 1 is not the destination station set on the ticket 9, the fare adjustment machine 5 installed at the railway station 1 performs a fare adjustment process to collect or refund the fare based on the difference between the fare paid by the passenger to purchase the ticket 9 and the fare if the passenger gets off at the railway station 1. In order for the fare adjustment machine 5 to perform the fare adjustment process, it is necessary to calculate the fare if the passenger gets off at the railway station 1. In order for the fare adjustment machine 5 to perform the fare adjustment process for the medium- to long-distance ticket 9 alone, it is necessary to install a large-capacity storage device and a computer with high processing performance in the fare adjustment machine 5, which is not realistic. Therefore, in the fare adjustment system S of this embodiment, as described later, the key information included in the electronic information of the ticket 9 is read by the key information reading device 7, and the central processing unit 6 predicts the movement of the passenger holding the ticket 9 based on this key information, and prepares for the case where the passenger gets off at an intermediate station or changes the route to get off, so that the fare adjustment process can be performed quickly even with the existing fare adjustment machine 5 with a relatively low computing power. In particular, when a fare needs to be paid for using tickets 9 (magnetic tickets, etc.) that cannot be paid for or received using electronic money, the fare can be quickly processed using this fare adjustment machine 5 without going to a manned counter, which is highly convenient for both railway companies and railway passengers. Note that for fare adjustment machines 5 that come standard with a function for reading the electronic information of tickets 9, the function of the key information reader 7 can be added by modifying the software, without adding special hardware.

[0025] The station server 2 installed in the railway station 1 is a higher-level device that is communicatively connected to at least the ticket vending machines 3, the automatic ticket gates 4, and the fare adjustment machines 5 installed in the railway station 1 and performs overall management of these installed devices. The in-station network that connects the station server 2 to the in-station installed devices (ticket vending machines 3, automatic ticket gates 4, fare adjustment machines 5, etc.) may be wireless or wired. It is also possible to configure each railway station 1 without providing a station server 2, and to configure all the ticket vending machines 3, automatic ticket gates 4, and fare adjustment machines 5 installed in the railway station 1 to be directly connected to the central processing unit 6 via the network NW. However, if the station server 2, which is a higher-level device, is configured to perform overall management of the various facilities in the railway station 1, it is practical because it is not necessary to perform individual facility management at each railway station 1.

[0026] The central processing unit 6 can communicate with the station server 2 installed at each railway station 1, and manages information for selling passenger tickets 9 in an integrated manner, and responds to inquiries about the issuance of passenger tickets 9 received from the ticket vending machines 3 at each railway station 1 via the station server 2. For example, when the central processing unit 6 receives a train reservation inquiry including boarding date and time, train number, number of passengers, etc., it checks available seats on the relevant train and transmits response information such as seats and fares to the ticket vending machine 3 that made the inquiry via the station server 2. When a purchase request based on this response information is transmitted from the ticket vending machine 3, it generates key information corresponding to the passenger tickets 9 and transmits it to the ticket vending machine 3 that made the purchase request, and manages the information of the passenger tickets 9 linked to the key information in the passenger ticket database 61. The central processing unit 6 may be configured as a large-scale server group that can realize various functions, such as not only fare calculation but also management of special promotional tickets and information provision services such as train guides and route guides.

[0027] As described above, a ticket 9 with key information is issued by the ticket vending machine 3, and a railway passenger uses this ticket 9 to enter through the automatic ticket gate 4 at the railway station 1. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the electronic information of the ticket 9 is read by the automatic ticket gate 4 at X station 1x, and if X station 1x is the departure station of the ticket 9, the gate of the automatic ticket gate 4 opens without any problem, allowing the railway passenger to enter. This automatic ticket gate 4 is provided with a key information reading device 7, which can obtain the key information of the ticket 9 that performs the bidding process.

[0028] This key information and bid information (e.g., boarding station, entry date and time, ticket gate identification number, etc.) are transmitted to the central processing unit 6 via the station server 2, and the central processing unit 6 fills in the necessary information in the field of the data record corresponding to the ticket 9 linked to the key information from the ticket database 61, thereby updating the data. An example of the ticket database 61 is shown in FIG. 3. In addition to recording the contents of the ticket 9 (e.g., departure station, arrival station, route, validity period, etc.) linked to the key information, the contents for managing the usage history of the ticket 9 (e.g., boarding station, disembarking station, previous target station for distribution, etc.) can also be recorded. Since the electronic information of the ticket 9 is read by the key information reader 7 provided in the automatic ticket gate 4 of station X 1x, station X 1x is input as the boarding station of the data record corresponding to this key information, and the ticket database 61 is updated.

[0029] Furthermore, the central processing unit 6, which has identified the ticket 9 with the key information from the ticket database 61, can select a predicted alighting station where the passenger may alight in the future, based on the departure and arrival section and boarding route of the identified ticket 9 and the current location of the key information reader 7 that is the source of the key information. For example, in the railway network shown in Figure 4, if the departure station of the key information: 20230123-0000001 is X station 1x, the arrival station is Y station 1y, and the route is XX Shinkansen → XX Main Line → □□ Loop Line → △△ Line, the only line that can be entered and boarded through the automatic ticket gate 4 at X station 1x is the XX Shinkansen, so it is reasonable to select A station 1a, B station 1b, C station 1c, and D station 1d as the predicted alighting stations.

[0030] The method of selecting the predicted alighting station is not particularly limited, and all the stations from the current location to the branching station may be selected as the predicted alighting stations, or a predetermined number of stations from the current location may be selected as the predicted alighting stations. Also, E station 1e and F station 1f may be included as predicted alighting stations in consideration of the possibility that a passenger who holds this ticket 9 will continue to use the XX Shinkansen without changing at D station 1d. In any case, if it is possible to avoid a situation in which the alighting station where the passenger actually got off is not included in the predicted alighting stations, it is desirable to select the predicted alighting stations so as to cover all the railway stations 1 where the passenger may alight, even if the prediction accuracy is low.

[0031] The central processing unit 6, which has selected the predicted alighting stations as described above, calculates the predicted settlement amount for each predicted alighting station in the case of getting off at the selected predicted alighting station, and transmits predicted settlement information including the predicted settlement amount calculated for each predicted alighting station and key information to the station server 2 of the corresponding predicted alighting station. That is, the difference between the fare and the purchase amount of the ticket 9 in the case of boarding the XX Shinkansen at X station 1x and getting off at A station 1a is distributed as predicted settlement information to the station server 2 of A station 1a. Similarly, predicted settlement information is distributed to the station servers 2 of B station 1b, C station 1c, and D station 1d. The central processing unit 6 then records stations A to D 1a to which it has transmitted the predicted settlement information as "stations targeted for previous distribution" in the ticket database 61. In other words, the predicted disembarking stations selected based on the key information received from the key information reading device 7 and location information (the station where the automatic ticket gate 4 included in the bidding information is installed) are linked to the key information and recorded in the ticket database 61.

[0032] In addition, since there is a possibility that after entering through the automatic ticket gate 4 at X station 1x, a railroad passenger may exit the station temporarily without boarding the railroad car 8 as a disembarkation, or may cancel the railroad trip by paying the fare, the system may be set not to select the predicted disembarking station or distribute the predicted fare information when the key information reading device 7 of the automatic ticket gate 4 reads the key information of the passenger ticket 9. For example, when a passenger boards a railroad car 8, the key information reading device 7 mounted on the railroad car 8 reads and transmits the key information of the passenger ticket 9, and when the central processing unit 6 receives the key information, the predicted disembarking station may be selected and the obtained predicted fare information may be distributed to each predicted disembarking station.

[0033] 5, when a key information reading device 7 installed in a railway vehicle 8 (e.g., railway vehicle 8a of the XX Shinkansen) reads key information on a ticket 9, the read key information and information unique to the railway vehicle 8a (e.g., train number, location information such as station where the train is stopped and running section) are transmitted to the central processing unit 6 via the network NW. Note that the location information of the railway vehicle 8a can be obtained from the unique information of the railway vehicle 8a transmitted by the key information reading device 7, or the current location of the vehicle can be estimated based on the train schedule and current time managed by the central processing unit 6, or the current location of the vehicle can be estimated from the installation location of a fixed base station connected to a wireless communication device mounted on the railway vehicle 8a.

[0034] Then, when the key information reading device 7 reads the key information of the passenger ticket 9, if the train 8a is stopped at the X station 1x or is traveling from the X station 1x to the A station 1a, the central processing unit 6 selects the A station 1a, the B station 1b, the C station 1c, and the D station 1d as predicted disembarking stations, calculates the predicted fare amount for each station, transmits the predicted fare information to each predicted disembarking station, and records the A to D stations 1a to 1d as "previous distribution target stations" in the passenger ticket database 61. The installation location of the key information reading device 7 and the method of reading the key information are not particularly limited. For example, the key information reading device 7 may be installed at the entrance of the train 8a, and when a passenger holding the passenger ticket 9 boards the train, the passenger may insert a magnetic ticket or bring a non-contact IC card, a mobile terminal device, or the like close to the key information reading device 7, so that the key information of the passenger ticket 9 can be read. In addition, key information reading devices 7 may be installed at multiple locations within the vehicle, so that when a ticket or other document 9 capable of short-range wireless communication comes within a specified communication range, the key information reading device 7 automatically reads the key information.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a case in which predicted alighting stations are selected based on the key information of the passenger ticket 9 and the current location, predicted fare adjustment information is transmitted to each predicted alighting station to update the passenger ticket database 61, and then the train car 8a arrives at station D 1d and the passenger transfers to another train car 8 (for example, train car 8b on the XX main line). The passenger ticket 9 is read by the key information reader 7 of the train car 8b, and the key information and the current location of the train car 8b are transmitted to the central processing unit 6. The central processing unit 6 searches the passenger ticket database 61 based on the key information read by the key information reader 7 of the train car 8b, and finds that stations A to D 1a to 1d are already recorded as "previous distribution target stations" in the data record corresponding to this key information.

[0036] Therefore, the central processing unit 6 selects new predicted alighting stations where passengers may alight in the future based on the current location of the key information reading device 7 that is the source of the key information, and issues an instruction to delete the predicted fare information to each railway station 1 that is no longer included in the predicted alighting stations. For example, if stations A to D 1a to 1d have already been recorded as the "previous distribution target stations" in the data record linked to the key information read by the key information reading device 7 of the railway car 8b, the central processing unit 6 sends deletion information to stations A to D 1a to 1d, thereby instructing each station server 2 of stations A to D 1a to 1d to delete the predicted fare information distributed thereto. In addition, if the railway vehicle 8b is stopped at Station D 1d or traveling from Station D 1d to Station G 1g, the central processing unit 6 selects, from among the stations that can be reached on the ○○ main line, for example, Station G 1g and Station H 1h as predicted disembarking stations, obtains the predicted fare information for each, transmits the predicted fare information for each to the station servers 2 of Station G 1g and Station H 1h, records Station G 1g and Station H 1h as the ``previous target stations for distribution,'' and updates the ticket database 61.

[0037] In addition, when the key information of the ticket 9 is read by the key information reading device 7 installed in the railcar 8b, the traveling direction of the railcar 8b can be known from the train number of the railcar 8b, so the predicted alighting station can be selected by narrowing down to stations in the traveling direction. However, when the key information reading device 7 is installed in the middle of the passage in the station or the stairs leading to the platform, and the predicted alighting station is selected based on the key information read by the key information reading device 7, it is not known whether the passenger will board the up line or the down line at that platform, so multiple stations in both directions may be selected as the predicted alighting stations. In addition, when there are multiple types of lines that can be boarded at the platform where the passenger holding the ticket 9 with the key information read by the key information reading device 7 installed in the middle of the stairs leading to the platform is presumed to have moved, the predicted alighting stations may be selected to cover the multiple lines.

[0038] The central processing unit 6, which has determined that a passenger on the railcar 8b of the XX main line has transferred to the □□ loop line at G station 1g based on key information transmitted from the key information reader 7 installed in the railcar 8 of the □□ loop line, transmits deletion information to the station servers 2 of G station 1g and H station 1h, and selects I station 1i and J station 1j in the □□ loop line as new predicted alighting stations. Note that, based on route information recorded in the passenger ticket database 61 linked to the key information, the central processing unit 6 has selected the stations from I station 1i, which is the next station after G station 1g, which is a transfer station, to J station 1j, which is a route station, as predicted alighting stations, but the method of selecting predicted alighting stations is not limited to this. For example, all stations in the □□ loop line (I station 1i, J station 1j, K station 1k, L station 1l, M station 1m) except for G station 1g, which is a transfer station, may be selected as predicted alighting stations.

[0039] The central processing unit 6, which has determined that a passenger on a railcar 8 on the □□ loop line has transferred to the △△ line based on key information transmitted from a key information reader 7 installed on the railcar 8 on the △△ line, transmits deletion information to the station servers 2 of G station 1g and H station 1h, and selects N station 1n and O station 1o on the △△ line as new predicted disembarking stations. Note that since the arrival station information recorded in the passenger ticket database 61 linked to the key information is Y station 1y on the △△ line, only N station 1n, which is the station before Y station 1y, may be selected as the predicted disembarking station, but since there is a possibility that the passenger will disembark beyond the scheduled arrival station Y station 1y, it is preferable to also select O station 1o beyond Y station 1y as the predicted disembarking stations.

[0040] As described above, Fig. 7 shows a case where a passenger who has traveled from X station 1x, which is a departure station, to Y station 1y, which is a destination station, via the boarding route indicated on the purchased ticket 9 exits through the automatic ticket gate 4 at Y station 1y. The electronic information on the ticket 9 is read by the automatic ticket gate 4 at Y station 1y, and if Y station 1y is the destination station of the ticket 9, the gate of the automatic ticket gate 4 opens without any problems, allowing the railway passenger to exit. The ticket 9 is also read by the key information reader 7 of the automatic ticket gate 4, and the key information and ticket issuing information are transmitted to the central processing unit 6 via the station server 2 at Y station 1y.

[0041] The central processing unit 6 searches the passenger ticket database 61 based on the key information read by the key information reader 7 of the automated ticket gate 4 at Y station 1y, registers Y station 1y as the disembarking station information of the data record corresponding to this key information, and marks this passenger ticket 9 as used. In addition, since N station 1n and O station 1o are recorded as the "previous target station for distribution" of the data record corresponding to this key information, deletion information is distributed to each station server 2 of N station 1n and O station 1o, and instructs them to delete the predicted settlement information. Note that in the "previous target station for distribution" field of the data record corresponding to the key information of the used passenger ticket 9, records of N station 1n and O station 1o as the last target stations for distribution may be left, or the "previous target station for distribution" field may be cleared to make it clear that the passenger ticket 9 with this key information has been used.

[0042] On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows the case where a passenger exits from an automatic ticket gate 4 at a railway station 1 other than station Y 1y, which is the destination station of the purchased ticket 9, for example station O 1o. If a passenger has a ticket 9a with an electronic money function as the ticket 9, and if the ticket 9a has a necessary and sufficient amount charged, the fare can be settled at the automatic ticket gate 4 at station O 1o, and the passenger can exit directly. Note that the automatic ticket gate 4 is connected directly or indirectly via the station server 2 to a management server of an electronic money settlement institution (not shown), and the fare for the ticket 9a when getting off midway or changing the destination can be settled at the automatic ticket gate 4 by collecting or returning the fare in electronic money.

[0043] As shown in Figure 8, when a passenger holding a ticket 9a exits through the automated ticket gate 4 at station O 1o, the electronic information on the ticket 9a is read by the automated ticket gate 4, and the gate of the automated ticket gate 4 is closed or left closed because station O 1o is not the destination station of the ticket 9. At this time, the key information on the ticket 9 is read by the key information reader 7 of the automated ticket gate 4, and an inquiry about settlement based on this key information is made to the station server 2 at station O 1o.

[0044] The station server 2 of the O station 1o, which is the predicted disembarking station, manages the predicted fare information received from the central processing unit 6, and searches for predicted fare information including key information that matches the key information read by the key information reading device 7 of the automatic ticket gate 4 (or fare adjustment machine 5) installed at the station. If there is predicted fare information including the corresponding key information, the predicted fare amount included in the predicted fare information is sent to the automatic ticket gate 4 that made the inquiry, and the answer is the fare amount. The automatic ticket gate 4 that received the answer of the fare amount from the station server 2 performs an additional charge or a refund in electronic money according to the predicted fare amount, and completes the settlement process. In this way, if the predicted fare information corresponding to the key information of the ticket 9a is distributed in advance from the central processing unit 6 to the predicted disembarking station, even if the passenger disembarks at a railway station 1 that is not the original arrival station and needs to be settled, the delay time from inquiring about the fare amount to the central processing unit 6 until the result is returned can be eliminated, and the settlement process can be performed quickly.

[0045] As described above, when the settlement process at the automated ticket gate 4 is completed, the automated ticket gate 4 opens the ticket gate and performs ticket issuing process of writing information such as the ticket issuing time and ticket issuing station to mark the ticket 9a as used, and the ticket issuing information is transmitted to the central processing unit 6 together with the key information via the station server 2. The central processing unit 6 searches the ticket database 61 based on the key information transmitted from O station 1o, registers O station 1o as the alighting station information of the data record corresponding to this key information, and marks the ticket 9 as used. In addition, since N station 1n and O station 1o are recorded as the "previous distribution target station" of the data record corresponding to this key information, deletion information is transmitted to the station servers 2 of N station 1n and O station 1o, and instructs them to delete the predicted settlement information. In addition, since the station server 2 of O station 1o knows that the ticket 9 linked to the key information has been used at the time when the station server 2 causes the automated ticket gate 4 to perform the settlement process using the predicted fare information corresponding to the key information, the station server 2 may delete the corresponding predicted fare information without waiting for the delivery of the deletion information from the central processing unit 6. In this case, the central processing unit 6 may omit the delivery of the deletion information to the predicted disembarking station that has become the disembarking station.

[0046] The station server 2 of the above-mentioned O station 1o receives predicted fare information including key information from the central processing unit 6 and manages it in a centralized manner, and when the automated ticket gate 4 or fare adjustment machine 5 installed at the station detects a ticket 9a that requires settlement processing, it determines whether or not there is predicted fare information from the key information attached to the ticket 9a, and if there is corresponding predicted fare information, it transmits the predicted settlement amount to the automated ticket gate 4 or fare adjustment machine 5 that made the inquiry, and has the automated ticket gate 4 or fare adjustment machine 5 perform settlement processing. However, the method of performing settlement processing by the automated ticket gate 4 or fare adjustment machine 5 based on the predicted fare information is not limited to the method in which the station server 2 manages the predicted fare information received from the central processing unit 6 in a centralized manner and provides it to the targeted automated ticket gate 4 or fare adjustment machine 5 when the key information is detected.

[0047] For example, the station server 2 of the predicted disembarking station that has received the predicted fare information from the central processing unit 6 may transmit the predicted fare information (key information and predicted fare amount) in advance to all automated ticket gates 4 and fare adjustment machines 5 installed at the station, and leave the management of the key information and the predicted fare amount to each automated ticket gate 4 or fare adjustment machine 5. In that case, when the automated ticket gate 4 or fare adjustment machine 5 detects a ticket or similar item 9a with the key information received from the station server 2, it only has to carry out the settlement process with the predicted settlement amount corresponding to the key information, which eliminates the time required to make an inquiry to the station server 2 and wait for a response, making it possible to carry out the settlement process even more quickly. In addition, at railway stations 1 in urban areas and other locations where stations are frequently selected as predicted disembarking stations, a large amount of predicted fare adjustment information will be managed simultaneously, requiring a large memory capacity to be allocated to temporarily store the predicted fare information, as well as high computational performance to enable quick search using key information from a large number of groups of predicted fare adjustment information. Therefore, it is desirable to install automated ticket gates 4 and fare adjustment machines 5 with large memory capacities and high computational performance.

[0048] FIG. 9 shows a case where a passenger exits the station after paying for a fare at a fare adjustment machine 5 at a railway station 1 other than station Y 1y, which is the destination station of the purchased ticket 9, for example, station O 1o. If a passenger has a ticket 9b consisting of a magnetic ticket without an electronic money function as the ticket 9, the fare cannot be paid at the automatic ticket gate 4 at station O 1o, and the passenger must pay for the fare at the fare adjustment machine 5. If a passenger attempts to exit the station using the ticket 9b even though payment is required, the gate of the automatic ticket gate 4 closes, a warning sound is sounded, and a message is displayed urging the passenger to pay for the fare at the fare adjustment machine 5. In any case, a passenger who has a ticket 9b that is not eligible for payment at the automatic ticket gate 4 goes to the fare adjustment machine 5 and inserts the ticket 9b into the fare adjustment machine 5 to pay for the fare.

[0049] The key information of the inserted ticket 9b is read by the key information reader 7 of the fare adjustment machine 5, and an inquiry about settlement based on this key information is made to the station server 2 of O station 1o. The station server 2 of O station 1o, which is the predicted disembarking station, searches for predicted settlement information including key information that matches the key information read by the key information reader 7 of the fare adjustment machine 5, and if there is predicted settlement information including the corresponding key information, it sends the predicted settlement amount included in the predicted settlement information to the fare adjustment machine 5 that made the inquiry as a settlement amount response. The fare adjustment machine 5 that received the settlement amount response from the station server 2 presents the predicted settlement amount to the passenger and encourages the passenger to insert cash or pay by cashless payment. In addition, if a refund is made at the fare adjustment machine 5, the predicted settlement amount included in the predicted settlement information is presented to the passenger, and after obtaining the passenger's consent by button operation or the like, the settlement amount is paid out in cash.

[0050] As described above, when the fare adjustment machine 5 completes the settlement process by collecting or returning the predicted settlement amount corresponding to the key information of the passenger ticket 9b, it performs an exit process in which the passenger ticket 9b is treated as used and taken in, and an exit pass is issued to the passenger. The passenger can use this exit pass to pass through the automatic ticket gate 4 or the manned ticket gate and exit at O ​​station 1o. In addition, when the fare adjustment machine 5 performs the exit process, the ticket issuing information is transmitted to the central processing unit 6 together with the key information via the station server 2. The central processing unit 6 searches the passenger ticket database 61 based on the key information transmitted from O station 1o, registers O station 1o as the alighting station information of the data record corresponding to this key information, and marks this passenger ticket 9 as used. In addition, since N station 1n and O station 1o are recorded as the "previous distribution target station" of the data record corresponding to this key information, deletion information is transmitted to each station server 2 of N station 1n and O station 1o, and instructs them to delete the predicted settlement information. In addition, since the station server 2 of O station 1o knows that the ticket 9 linked to the key information has been used at the time when the station server 2 causes the automated ticket gate 4 to perform the settlement process using the predicted fare information corresponding to the key information, the station server 2 may delete the corresponding predicted fare information without waiting for the delivery of the deletion information from the central processing unit 6. In this case, the central processing unit 6 may omit the delivery of the deletion information to the predicted disembarking station that has become the disembarking station.

[0051] In addition, when a passenger gets off at a railway station 1 other than Y station 1y, which is the arrival station of the purchased ticket 9, the central processing unit 6 may not have selected the station as a predicted alighting station due to circumstances such as the key information reading device 7 not being able to read the key information of the ticket 9 during the previous transfer. For example, if O station 1o has not been selected as a predicted alighting station by the central processing unit 6 and the predicted fare information has not been sent to the station server 2 of O station 1o, even if a passenger tries to get off at O ​​station 1o, the automatic ticket gate 4 cannot perform a settlement process at the predicted settlement amount, and the ticket cannot be issued. However, if the passenger passes through the automatic ticket gate 4 equipped with the key information reading device 7 at the time of bidding, the boarding station (bidding station) is always recorded in the ticket database 61, so that the normal settlement process in which the central processing unit 6 calculates the settlement amount can be performed. For example, when the key information reader 7 of the fare adjustment machine 5 installed at station O 1o, where a passenger has changed their route, reads key information from the ticket 9 for disembarking fare, it transmits the key information to the central processing unit 6 together with a notice that disembarking fare is to be paid at that station, and the central processing unit 6 calculates the fare amount based on the prescribed fare calculation rules, including the unknown route portion, and transmits the disembarking fare amount to the fare adjustment machine 5 at station O 1o, so that the fare adjustment process can be performed at the fare adjustment machine 5. Therefore, even if the look-ahead operation of selecting the predicted disembarking station and transmitting predicted fare information does not work, the fare adjustment system S has the advantage of being able to perform the fare adjustment process at the fare adjustment machine 5 at the disembarking station, thereby reducing the need to deal with inquiries at manned counters.

[0052] Even if the passenger gets off at station Y 1y, which is the destination station set on the purchased ticket 9, if it is known from the history of the detection positions of the key information that the route used from the departure station to the destination station is different from the original route set on the ticket 9 and settlement is necessary, the central processing unit 6 can select station Y 1y as a predicted station for getting off and transmit predicted settlement information. For example, at station Y 1y, which is set as the destination station of the ticket 9, the key information reader 7 of the automatic ticket gate 4 or fare adjustment machine 5 reads the key information of the ticket 9, and if the predicted settlement amount corresponding to this key information is transmitted to station Y 1y from the central processing unit 6 as predicted settlement information, the automatic ticket gate 4 or fare adjustment machine 5 does not perform ticket issuing processing, and settlement processing based on the predicted settlement amount can be performed.

[0053] As described above, according to the settlement system S of this embodiment, the key information attached to the ticket 9 held by the passenger is read by the key information reading device 7 installed on the automatic ticket gate 4 or the railway vehicle 8 and transmitted to the central processing unit 6. The central processing unit 6 then selects a predicted alighting station where the passenger is likely to get off in the future from the current location of the key information reading device 7, calculates a predicted settlement amount for each predicted alighting station in the event that the passenger gets off at any of the selected predicted alighting stations, and transmits predicted settlement information including the predicted settlement amount calculated for each predicted alighting station and the key information to the station server 2 of the corresponding predicted alighting station. Therefore, at each predicted alighting station selected by the central processing unit 6, it is possible to prepare for settlement in the event that a passenger holding a ticket 9 linked to that key information gets off at an intermediate station. Therefore, when the automated ticket gate 4 or fare adjustment machine 5 at the predicted disembarking station detects a ticket 9 with key information included in the predicted fare information, the settlement process is performed using the predicted settlement amount included in the predicted fare information, so that settlement process can be performed quickly even with existing automated ticket gates 4 and fare adjustment machines 5 that have relatively low computing power. In addition, the passenger's boarding and alighting stations and travel routes such as transfers based on the key information are managed by the central processing unit 6, and the central processing unit 6 also calculates the predicted settlement amount when the passenger disembarks at the predicted disembarking station, so the system is highly stable.

[0054] The above describes an embodiment of the ticket vending system according to the present invention based on the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and may be implemented by adapting publicly known, existing equivalent technical means as long as the configuration described in the claims is not changed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] S Ticket Sales System 1. Train Station 2 Station Server 3 Ticket Machine 4. Automatic ticket gates 5 Payment machine 6 Central Processing Unit 61 Ticket Database 7 Key information reader 8. Railroad cars 9. Tickets NW Network

Claims

1. A ticket vending machine is provided at a railway station and issues train tickets on which electronic information is recorded on a ticket piece or an electronic information recording medium, which electronic information certifies the right to use a railway vehicle by paying a fare according to the departure and arrival section and the route to be taken; an automatic ticket gate provided at the railway station, capable of reading the electronic information of the passenger tickets, processing bidding and issuing tickets at the railway station, and, if the railway station is not a destination station set on the passenger tickets, performing settlement processing to electronically collect or refund the difference between the price paid by the passenger for the issuance of the passenger tickets and the fare for the passenger disembarking at the railway station; a fare adjustment machine provided at the railway station, capable of performing a fare adjustment process of collecting or refunding a difference between the fare paid by a passenger for issuing the ticket and the fare for the passenger to disembark at the railway station when the railway station is not a destination station set on the ticket; a central processing unit that can directly or indirectly communicate with the ticket vending machines, the automated ticket gates, and the fare adjustment machines installed in each railway station, that collectively manages information for selling the passenger tickets, and that responds to inquiries about the issuance of the passenger tickets received from the ticket vending machines; A settlement system including: the central processing unit assigns key information capable of uniquely identifying the passenger tickets issued in response to an inquiry from the ticket vending machine to the passenger tickets, links the key information to at least the departure and arrival sections and the boarding route of the passenger tickets, and records the key information in a passenger ticket database; the ticket vending machine issues the passenger ticket having the key information assigned by the central processing unit recorded in the electronic information; a key information reading device capable of reading the key information of the passenger's ticket is provided at least in the automated ticket gate and the railway vehicle; the central processing unit, having received the key information read by the key information reading device, identifies the tickets to which the key information is attached from the ticket database, selects predicted alighting stations at which passengers are likely to alight in the future based on the departure and arrival sections and boarding routes of the identified tickets and the current location of the key information reading device which is the source of the key information, calculates a predicted settlement amount for each predicted alighting station in the case where the passenger alights at the selected predicted alighting station, and transmits predicted settlement information including the predicted settlement amount calculated for each predicted alighting station and the key information to the corresponding predicted alighting stations, The automated ticket gate that detects the ticket to which the key information included in the predicted settlement information transmitted from the central processing unit is attached performs a settlement process at the predicted settlement amount included in the predicted settlement information. A settlement system characterized by:

2. The settlement machine is provided with the key information reading device, The fare adjustment machine, which detects the ticket to which the key information included in the predicted fare information transmitted from the central processing unit is attached, performs a settlement process at the predicted settlement amount included in the predicted fare information.

2. The settlement system according to claim 1 .

3. a station server provided at the railway station, communicably connected to at least the ticket vending machines, the automated ticket gates, and the fare adjustment machines provided at the railway station, and communicable with the central processing unit; When the automated ticket gate and / or the fare adjustment machine installed at the predicted station of disembarkation detects the passenger ticket requiring fare adjustment, the automated ticket gate and / or the fare adjustment machine inquires of the station server about the key information attached to the passenger ticket, When the station server receives an inquiry about the key information and manages the predicted fare information including the key information received from the central processing unit, the station server transmits the predicted fare amount included in the predicted fare information to the automated ticket gate or the fare adjustment machine that originated the inquiry, and the automated ticket gate or the fare adjustment machine performs a settlement process using the predicted fare amount.

3. The settlement system according to claim 2.

4. a station server provided at the railway station, communicably connected to at least the ticket vending machines, the automated ticket gates, and the fare adjustment machines provided at the railway station, and capable of communicating with the central processing unit; The station server of the predicted disembarking station that has received the predicted fare information from the central processing unit transmits the key information and the predicted fare amount to the automated ticket gate and / or the fare adjustment machine installed in the station in advance, When the automated ticket gate and / or the fare adjustment machine detects the ticket with the key information attached thereto received from the station server, the automated ticket gate and / or the fare adjustment machine performs a fare adjustment process using the estimated fare amount corresponding to the key information.

3. The settlement system according to claim 2.

5. the central processing unit records the predicted alighting stations selected based on the key information received from the key information reader in the passenger ticket database in association with the key information. The settlement system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the central processing unit searches the passenger ticket database based on the key information received from the key information reading device, and if the predicted alighting station linked to the key information has already been recorded, selects a new predicted alighting station where the passenger may alight in the future based on the current location of the key information reading device which is the source of the key information, issues an instruction to delete the predicted fare information for the railway stations which are no longer included in the predicted alighting stations, calculates new predicted fare amounts for each railway station which has newly become a predicted alighting station, transmits the predicted fare information to each of the new predicted alighting stations, and updates the passenger ticket database with the newly selected predicted alighting stations.

6. The settlement system according to claim 5.

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