Commuter pass system

Abstract

To provide a commuter pass system that allows users to purchase a commuter pass and start using it without going to a sales office, etc.SOLUTION: A commuter pass system 1 is a system for using an identification medium 2 having identifiable information as a commuter pass. The commuter pass system 1 is provided with a turnstile 3 that acquires information on the identification medium 2, and a commuter pass server 4 connected to the turnstile 3. When a commuter pass is purchased, commuter pass information for each identification medium 2 as a commuter pass is stored on the commuter pass server 4 in association with identification information for uniquely identifying the identification medium 2. The commuter pass server 4 transmits the identification information and the commuter pass information to the turnstile 3. The turnstile 3 stores the identification information and commuter pass information received from the commuter pass server 4. When the identification medium 2 is used, the turnstile 3 obtains the identification information from the identification medium 2 and determines its validity as a commuter pass based on the commuter pass information corresponding to the identification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a commuter pass system for using an identification medium having identifiable information as a commuter pass. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, IC cards have been used as passenger tickets in transportation such as buses and trains. Such IC cards also function as commuter passes. When using an IC card as a commuter pass, a user purchases the pass at a place that sells commuter passes, such as a bus office or a train station. Commuter pass information (commuter pass information) is written as electronic data onto the IC card by a device at the office or other location.

[0003] A commuter pass issuing system that allows users to purchase commuter passes using a portable information terminal is known (see Patent Document 1). In this commuter pass issuing system, the portable information terminal functions as a commuter pass by having station service equipment (commuter pass issuing machine) write specific items (commuter pass information) into the portable information terminal based on commuter pass purchase information. In other words, before the portable information terminal can be used as a commuter pass, a procedure must be performed at the station.

[0004] Also, a commuter pass purchasing system has been proposed in which an automatic ticket gate writes content information (commuter pass information) onto an IC card commuter pass after the purchase process has been completed (see Patent Document 2). In other words, before the IC card can be used as a commuter pass, the content information needs to be written onto the IC card at the automatic ticket gate installed at the station. The original function of an automatic ticket gate is to perform entry / exit processing in a short time after a user holds up their IC card. However, in this commuter pass purchasing system, when the automatic ticket gate performs the process of writing content information onto the IC card commuter pass, this takes processing time in addition to the entry / exit processing, and there is a risk of disrupting the flow of people passing through the automatic ticket gate.

[0005] Furthermore, it would be convenient if users could purchase commuter passes without going to a sales office, even for purposes other than public transport. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-87015 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-164011 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and has an object to provide a commuter pass system that allows a user to purchase a commuter pass and start using the commuter pass without going to a sales office or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The commuter pass system of the present invention is a system for using an identification medium having identifiable information as a commuter pass, and is equipped with a ticket gate that acquires information on the identification medium, and a commuter pass server connected to the ticket gate, and when a commuter pass is purchased, the commuter pass information of each identification medium is associated with identification information that uniquely identifies the identification medium and stored in the commuter pass server, the commuter pass server transmits the identification information and commuter pass information to the ticket gate, and the ticket gate stores the identification information and commuter pass information received from the commuter pass server, and when the identification medium is used, the ticket gate acquires the identification information from the identification medium and determines its validity as a commuter pass based on the commuter pass information corresponding to the identification information.

[0009] In this commuter pass system, a purchasing server is provided which is connected to an information terminal via a network and processes the purchase of commuter passes, the information terminal inputs identification information, commuter pass information, and information for payment, and transmits the input information to the purchasing server, and upon receiving the input information, the purchasing server transmits the commuter pass information to the commuter pass server in association with the identification information after payment is completed.

[0010] In this commuter pass system, it is preferable that the identification information is an identification code, and that the ticket gate obtains the identification code from the identification medium by short-range wireless communication.

[0011] In this commuter pass system, the identification information may be an identification code, and the ticket gate may obtain the identification code from the identification medium as a two-dimensional code or a barcode.

[0012] In this commuter pass system, the identification information may be biometric information that can be biometrically authenticated or a feature extracted from the biometric information.

[0013] In this commuter pass system, it is preferable that the commuter pass is a commuter pass for using public transportation, the identification medium is an IC card held by a user of the public transportation, and the identification information is a card ID that uniquely identifies the IC card.

[0014] In this commuter pass system, it is preferable that each IC card has remaining fare information, and when the IC card is used, the ticket gate reads the remaining fare information from the IC card and deducts the fare for any section other than the commuter pass from the remaining fare information. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the commuter pass system of the present invention, commuter pass information is stored in the ticket gate and is used to determine the validity of the commuter pass, so there is no need to store the commuter pass information on an identification medium at a sales office, etc. Therefore, a user can purchase a commuter pass and start using it without going to a sales office, etc. As the identification medium does not contain the commuter pass information, tampering with the commuter pass information is prevented. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a commuter pass system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system in which the identification medium is an IC card held by a user. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] A commuter pass system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the commuter pass system 1 is a system for using an identification medium 2 as a commuter pass. In the present invention, a commuter pass allows a user to use a specific service for a certain period of time. For example, in the case of a commuter pass for use with public transport such as a bus or train, the specific service is travel on a specific section. In the present invention, the commuter pass is not limited to a commuter pass for use with public transport.

[0018] The identification medium 2 is a medium having identifiable information. That is, each identification medium 2 has information that can be distinguished from other identification media. The identifiable information is, for example, but is not limited to, an identification code. The identification medium 2 is, for example, but is not limited to, an IC card or a smartphone. Although the identification medium 2 is used in the commuter pass system 1, the identification medium 2 is not a part of the commuter pass system 1.

[0019] The commuter pass system 1 includes a ticket gate 3 and a commuter pass server 4. The ticket gate 3 is a device that acquires information from the identification medium 2. The commuter pass server 4 is connected to the ticket gate 3.

[0020] When a commuter pass is purchased, commuter pass information for each identification medium 2 as a commuter pass is stored in the commuter pass server 4 in association with identification information that uniquely identifies the identification medium 2. The commuter pass information includes, for example, information on available services and available periods.

[0021] The commuter pass server 4 transmits the identification information and the commuter pass information to the ticket gate 3.

[0022] The ticket gate 3 stores the identification information and commuter pass information received from the commuter pass server 4. The ticket gate 3 has a memory or storage device, and stores the commuter pass information in association with the identification information.

[0023] When the identification medium 2 is used, the ticket gate 3 obtains the identification information from the identification medium 2 and judges the validity of the commuter pass based on the commuter pass information corresponding to the identification information. The commuter pass information used for this judgment is the commuter pass information stored in the ticket gate 3. Note that the ticket gate 3 is not limited to a device installed on a train or on the ground, but may be a device that can be transported or carried.

[0024] In this way, in commuter pass system 1, commuter pass information is stored in ticket gate 3 and is used to determine the validity of the commuter pass, so there is no need to store the commuter pass information in identification medium 2 at an office or the like. This allows users to purchase a commuter pass and start using it without going to an office or the like. As the identification medium 2 does not contain commuter pass information, tampering with the commuter pass information is prevented.

[0025] The configuration and processing relating to the purchase of commuter passes in the commuter pass system 1 will be further described. The commuter pass system 1 includes a purchasing server 5. The purchasing server 5 is connected to an information terminal 6 via a network 7. When the identification medium 2 and the information terminal 6 are both smartphones, they may be the same smartphone. Furthermore, the information terminal 6 may be something different from the identification medium 2, for example, the identification medium 2 may be an IC card and the information terminal 6 may be a smartphone. The information terminal 6 is not limited to being a smartphone.

[0026] Identification information, periodic information, and information for payment are input to the information terminal 6. The information terminal 6 transmits the input information (identification information, periodic information, and information for payment) to the purchasing server 5.

[0027] When the purchasing server 5 receives the input information, it transmits information for payment to the payment agent server 8 and performs payment. After completing the payment, the purchasing server 5 transmits the commuter pass information to the commuter pass server 4 in association with the identification information. The commuter pass server 4 stores the information received from the purchasing server 5, i.e., the commuter pass information associated with the identification information. Note that the purchasing server 5 may have a function to perform payment without using the payment agent server 8.

[0028] In this way, according to the commuter pass system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to purchase a commuter pass remotely using the information terminal 6 via a network.

[0029] The identification information will be described in more detail. In this embodiment, the identification information is an identification code, that is, a code that uniquely identifies the identification medium 2. The ticket gate 3 acquires the identification code from the identification medium 2 by short-range wireless communication. Since short-range wireless communication is used, the identification code acquired by the ticket gate 3 is that possessed by the identification medium 2 located near the ticket gate 3.

[0030] In a modification of this embodiment, the ticket checker 3 obtains the identification code from the identification medium 2 as a two-dimensional code or a barcode. That is, the identification medium 2 displays the identification code as a two-dimensional code or a barcode. The ticket checker 3 reads the two-dimensional code or the barcode.

[0031] In another modification of this embodiment, the identification information is biometric information that can be biometrically authenticated or a feature amount extracted from the biometric information. For example, when the biometric authentication is face authentication, the ticket gate 3 captures a face image and acquires the captured face image or a feature amount extracted from the face image as the identification information. The biometric authentication is not limited to face authentication.

[0032] The commuter pass system 1 will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the commuter pass is a commuter pass for using a means of transport. As shown in Fig. 2, the identification medium 2 is an IC card 21 held by a user of the means of transport. The identification information is a card ID that uniquely identifies the IC card 21.

[0033] In this embodiment, the IC card 21 is a transportation IC card that can be used as a passenger ticket. Transportation IC cards that are standardized by the Japan Railway Cybernetics Council are widely used in Japan. The IC card 21 may be an IC card for buses.

[0034] The ticket gate 3 has a reader, and the reader reads and writes information on the IC card 21 by short-distance wireless communication. The short-distance wireless communication is standardized by international standards. In this embodiment, the ticket gate 3 is an on-board device installed on a bus. The ticket gate 3 may also be an on-board device installed on a train, a taxi, etc., or an automatic ticket gate installed at a station, etc.

[0035] The commuter pass server 4 is a computer, and is connected to the ticket gate 3 via a communication line. The communication line may be a dedicated line or the Internet. The commuter pass server 4 is, for example, a cloud server.

[0036] When a commuter pass is purchased, commuter pass information of each IC card 21 as the commuter pass is stored in the commuter pass server 4 in association with the card ID.

[0037] The card ID is a code that uniquely identifies the IC card 21. For example, if the IC card 21 is a transportation IC card, the card ID is printed on the lower right corner of the back of the IC card 21. The commuter pass information includes the commuter pass type (adult / child, work / school, etc.), the section, the validity period, etc.

[0038] The commuter pass server 4 transmits the card ID and commuter pass information to the ticket gate 3. The timing of transmission may be any timing, for example, when the ticket gate 3 is started up, or when the information stored in the commuter pass server 4 is updated. The commuter pass server 4 may transmit the card ID and commuter pass information to the ticket gate 3 via a relay server (not shown) that relays data.

[0039] The ticket gate 3 stores the card ID and commuter pass information received from the commuter pass server 4.

[0040] When the IC card 21 is used, the ticket gate 3 reads the card ID from the IC card 21 (acquires the card ID) and determines its validity as a commuter pass based on the commuter pass information corresponding to that card ID.

[0041] In this embodiment, the ticket checker 3 displays the determination result. If the ticket checker 3 is an automatic ticket checker having doors, the ticket checker 3 may open or close the doors of the automatic ticket checker based on the determination result.

[0042] The process for purchasing a commuter pass will now be described in further detail. Commuter pass system 1 comprises purchasing server 5. Purchasing server 5 is connected to information terminal 6 via network 7. Purchasing server 5 processes the purchase of a commuter pass.

[0043] The purchasing server 5 is, for example, a cloud server. In this embodiment, the information terminal 6 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, or personal computer operated by a user. The information terminal 6 may be a terminal installed in a convenience store, a station, or the like and operated by a customer. The information terminal 6 is not limited to a person who operates it, and may be operated, for example, by a staff member at a sales office, a station, or the like. The network 7 is, for example, the Internet, or may be a dedicated line.

[0044] The purchasing server 5 receives the card ID, the commuter pass information, and the information for payment from the information terminal 6.

[0045] The information for payment is, for example, the amount and credit card information. The purchasing server 5 transmits the information for payment to the payment agent server 8. The payment agent is, for example, a credit card company. The payment agent server 8 notifies the purchasing server 5 of whether or not the payment has been completed.

[0046] After the payment is completed, the purchasing server 5 transmits the commuter pass information to the commuter pass server 4 in association with the card ID.

[0047] The following describes the case where a user travels outside the commuter pass's scheduled section. Each IC card 21 has remaining fare information. The remaining fare information is the remaining amount of a previously charged amount. When using an IC card 21, the ticket gate 3 can be set to read the remaining fare information from the IC card 21 and deduct the fare for the section outside the commuter pass from the remaining fare information. When the fare is deducted, the remaining fare after use is written into the usage history in the IC card 21.

[0048] According to this commuter pass system 1, commuter pass information is stored in the ticket gate 3 and is used to determine the validity of the commuter pass, so there is no need to store the commuter pass information on the IC card 21 at an office or the like. This allows a user to purchase a commuter pass without going to an office or the like, and to start using the IC card 21 as that commuter pass. As the IC card 21 does not store the commuter pass information, tampering with the commuter pass information is prevented.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the commuter pass in the commuter pass system 1 is not limited to a commuter pass for a transportation facility, but may be a commuter pass for entering or leaving a resort facility, a bathing facility, an exercise facility, an amusement park, a movie theater, an event venue, etc. The validity period in the commuter pass information may be two days or more or one day or less. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Commuter pass system 2 Identification medium 21 IC Card 3 Ticket gates 4 Commuter pass server 5 Purchasing Server 6 Information terminal

Claims

1. A commuter pass system for using an identification medium having identifiable information as a commuter pass, comprising: A ticket gate that acquires information on the identification medium; A commuter pass server connected to the ticket gate, When a commuter pass is purchased, commuter pass information for each identification medium is stored in the commuter pass server in association with identification information that uniquely identifies the identification medium; The commuter pass server transmits the identification information and the commuter pass information to the ticket gate, The ticket gate stores the identification information and commuter pass information received from the commuter pass server, A commuter pass system characterized in that, when the identification medium is used, the ticket gate obtains identification information from the identification medium and determines the validity of the pass based on the commuter pass information corresponding to the identification information.

2. a purchasing server connected to the information terminal via a network and processing the purchase of commuter passes; said information terminal receives input of identification information, periodic information, and information for payment, and transmits the input information to said purchasing server; The commuter pass system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the purchasing server receives the input information, after payment is completed, it transmits the commuter pass information to the commuter pass server in association with the identification information.

3. The identification information is an identification code, 3. The commuter pass system according to claim 1, wherein the ticket gate acquires the identification code from the identification medium by short-range wireless communication.

4. The identification information is an identification code, 3. The commuter pass system according to claim 1, wherein the ticket gate acquires the identification code from the identification medium as a two-dimensional code or a bar code.

5. 3. The commuter pass system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is biometric information that can be biometrically authenticated or a feature amount extracted from the biometric information.

6. The commuter pass is a commuter pass for using a transportation facility, the identification medium is an IC card held by a user of the transportation facility, 3. The commuter pass system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is a card ID that uniquely identifies the IC card.

7. Each IC card has remaining balance information.

7. A commuter pass system according to claim 6, wherein, when said IC card is used, said ticket gate reads the remaining fare information from said IC card and deducts the fare for the commuter pass section from said remaining fare information.

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