Station service apparatus, station service method, and station service program

Abstract

To automate, in a station service apparatus, update of the card expiration date of a handicapped person IC card and a carer IC card, in issuing a commuting pass.SOLUTION: A station service apparatus according to an embodiment comprises: a reading unit that reads, from each of a handicapped person IC card and a carer IC card, a user ID and a card expiration date; a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information including a user ID input from a user who owns the handicapped person IC card and the carer IC card, and a commuting pass issuance request for requesting issuance of a commuting pass; a user ID determination unit that determines if the read user ID and the input user ID match each other; an expiration date determination unit that determines whether the day the use of a commuting pass has ended exceeds the card expiration date; and an issuance control unit that, when the day the use of a commuting pass has ended is determined not to exceed the card expiration date, issues commuting passes for the handicapped person IC card and the carer IC card.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to station service equipment, a station service method, and a station service program. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, the validity period of the IC card for the disabled is one year. When renewing the IC card for the disabled, station staff check the validity period of the disability certificate before renewing it.

[0003] For example, if a disabled person wants to issue (renew) a commuter pass and their disabled person's IC card has expired, the station attendant will check the expiration date on their disability certificate, update the expiration date on the disabled person's IC card, and then issue the commuter pass.

[0004] In addition, if the expiration date of the disability IC card used as a Stored Fare (SF) ticket expires, station staff must check the expiration date of the disability certificate and then renew the card expiration date. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-168086 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As mentioned above, when a disabled person purchases a commuter pass, station staff must check the expiration date on the disability certificate, which places a burden on station staff in their commuter pass issuing duties.

[0007] Furthermore, disabled people must present their disability certificate to station staff when renewing their disability IC cards, which places a burden on users.

[0008] This invention was made in light of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology that can automate the updating of the expiration dates of IC cards for disabled persons and caregivers when issuing commuter passes using station service equipment. Another purpose of this invention is to reduce the burden on station staff and disabled persons by automating the updating of the expiration dates of IC cards for disabled persons and caregivers using station service equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The station service equipment of the embodiment comprises a reading unit that reads a user ID and a card validity expiration date from each of a disabled person's IC card and a caregiver's IC card, a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information including a user ID input by a user who owns the disabled person's IC card and a caregiver's IC card and a commuter pass issuance request requesting issuance of a commuter pass, a user ID determination unit that determines whether the read user ID matches the input user ID, an expiration determination unit that determines whether the expiration date of the commuter pass exceeds the card's validity expiration date, and an issuance control unit that issues the commuter passes to the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card if it is determined that the card's validity expiration date is not beyond the expiration date of use. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an IC card system for persons with disabilities according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an upper server according to the embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of station service equipment according to an embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for issuing a disabled person IC card and a caregiver IC card. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a disabled person's IC card including encoded information. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process when a disabled person and his / her caregiver issue a commuter pass. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The station service equipment, station service method, and station service program will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts with the same numbers perform the same operations, and will not be described again. For example, when there are multiple identical or similar elements, a common symbol may be used to describe each element without distinguishing between them, and a subnumber may be used in addition to the common symbol to describe each element with distinction between them.

[0012] [Embodiment] (composition) FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an IC card system for persons with disabilities according to an embodiment. The IC card system for disabled persons is a system for issuing commuter passes for IC cards for disabled persons and IC cards for caregivers who care for disabled persons, respectively. The IC card system for disabled persons may be a part of a system for issuing regular train tickets.

[0013] 1, the disabled person's IC card system includes an upper server 1, station service equipment 2, etc. In this embodiment, it is further assumed that a disabled person 3 and a caregiver 4 wish to issue a commuter pass using the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card at the station service equipment 2.

[0014] The upper server 1 is a server that is communicatively connected to the station service equipment 2 and is installed at a predetermined location managed by the railway operator. The upper server 1 is a server that manages various information on the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card. For example, the upper server 1 stores the expiration date of the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card, the expiration date of the disability certificate, etc. The upper server 1 can also issue issuance permission in response to a request from the station service equipment 2 for the issuance of a commuter pass using the disabled person's IC card. For example, when a request for issuance of a commuter pass is received from the station service equipment 2, if it is possible to issue the commuter pass, the upper server 1 transmits issuance permission to the station service equipment 2.

[0015] The station service equipment 2 is installed at a predetermined location within the station. For simplicity, only one piece of station service equipment 2 is shown in FIG. 1, but multiple pieces of station service equipment 2 may be installed within the station. The station service equipment 2 includes vending machines, equipment exclusively for station staff (i.e., counter processing machines), etc. In addition to normal passenger tickets, the station service equipment 2 can issue commuter passes using disabled person IC cards. The station service equipment 2 issues commuter passes for disabled person IC cards and caregiver IC cards.

[0016] The disabled person 3 is a user who uses a disabled person IC card. Furthermore, the caregiver 4 is a user who takes care of a disabled person and uses a caregiver IC card. In this embodiment, the user refers to both the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4.

[0017] Here, the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card store the card validity expiration date. The card validity expiration date is the period during which the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card can be used, and is usually one year. In this embodiment, this expiration date is automatically updated using the station service equipment 2.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the host server 1 according to the embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. First, the hardware configuration of the upper server 1 will be described in detail. The upper server 1 includes a control unit 11, a program storage unit 12, a data storage unit 13, a communication interface 14, and an input / output interface 15. The control unit 11, the program storage unit 12, the data storage unit 13, the communication interface 14, and the input / output interface 15 are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0019] The host server 1 can realize various operations using a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer).

[0020] The control unit 11 controls the host server 1. The control unit 11 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0021] The program storage unit 12 is configured by combining a non-volatile memory such as a solid state drive (SSD) that can be written to and read from at any time as a storage medium, and a non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM), and stores application programs required to execute various control processes according to an embodiment, in addition to middleware such as an operating system (OS). Hereinafter, the OS and each application program will be collectively referred to as a program.

[0022] The data storage unit 13 may be, for example, a combination of a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time, and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), as a storage medium.

[0023] The communication interface 14 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 14 includes a communication module that connects to an external device including the station service equipment 2 by wire or wirelessly, directly or via a network. The communication interface 14 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate with the external device including the station service equipment 2 under the control of the control unit 11 and transmit and receive various information.

[0024] The input / output interface 15 is connected to the input unit 151, the output unit 152, and the like. The input / output interface 15 is an interface that enables transmission and reception of information between the control unit 11 and the input unit 151 and the output unit 152. The input / output interface 15 may be integrated with the communication interface 14. For example, the input / output interface 15 may be wirelessly connected to the control unit 11 and the input unit 151 or the output unit 152 using a short-range wireless technology or the like, and may transmit and receive information using the short-range wireless technology.

[0025] The input unit 151 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like, which are used by an administrator who manages the upper server 1 to input various information to the upper server 1. The input unit 151 may also include a reader for reading data to be stored in the program storage unit 12 or the data storage unit 13 from a memory medium such as a USB memory, or a disk device for reading such data from a disk medium.

[0026] The output unit 152 includes a display for displaying output data to be presented to the administrator from the upper server 1, a printer for printing the same, and the like.

[0027] Next, the software configuration of the upper server 1 will be described in detail. The control unit 11 includes a reception control unit 111, an issuance control unit 112, a transmission control unit 113, a name determination unit 114, a deadline determination unit 115, a deadline setting unit 116, a display control unit 117, etc. Furthermore, the data storage unit 13 includes a disability information database 131, a received information storage unit 132, etc.

[0028] The reception control unit 111 is a control unit that receives various information from the station service equipment 2. For example, the reception control unit 111 receives disabled person information when a disabled person IC card and a caregiver IC card are issued. For example, the disabled person information includes a user ID that identifies the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4, the last updateable date, the card validity expiration date, etc. The reception control unit 111 also receives card information including the user ID stored in the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card, and input information including the user ID entered by the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4.

[0029] Here, the user ID is information for identifying the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4, and may be the names, email addresses, telephone numbers, card IDs of the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4 IC cards, etc. In other words, in this embodiment, the user ID includes information for identifying the caregiver 4 in addition to information for identifying the disabled person 3.

[0030] The issuance control unit 112 is a control unit that generates an instruction to the station service equipment 2 to issue a disabled person's IC card and a caregiver's IC card, or an instruction to issue a passenger ticket with an expiration date, such as a commuter pass.

[0031] The transmission control unit 113 is a control unit that transmits various information to the station service equipment 2. For example, the transmission control unit 113 transmits the issuance instruction generated by the issuance control unit 112 to the station service equipment 2.

[0032] The name determination unit 114 is a determination unit that determines whether the user IDs included in the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card match the user IDs input by the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4. For example, when the names of the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4 are used as the user IDs, the name determination unit 114 determines whether the names included in the card information received by the reception control unit 111 match the names of the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4 included in the input information.

[0033] The expiration date determination unit 115 is a determination unit for determining whether the expiration dates of the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card can be updated.

[0034] The expiration date setting unit 116 is a setting unit for setting the expiration date of the card validity expiration date of the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card.

[0035] The display control unit 117 is a control unit for generating information to be displayed on the output unit 152 of the station service equipment 2.

[0036] The disability information database 131 is a database for storing the expiration date of a card linked to a user ID, the last update possible date, etc. The received information storage unit 132 is a storage unit for storing various information received by the reception control unit 111.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the station service equipment 2 according to the embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. First, the hardware configuration of the station service equipment 2 will be described in detail. The station service equipment 2 includes a control unit 21, a program storage unit 22, a data storage unit 23, a communication interface 24, and an input / output interface 25. The control unit 21, the program storage unit 22, the data storage unit 23, the communication interface 24, and the input / output interface 25 are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0038] The station service equipment 2 can realize various operations using a computer such as a PC.

[0039] The control unit 21 controls the station service equipment 2. The control unit 21 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0040] The program storage unit 22 is configured by combining, as a storage medium, a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time, and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, and stores the program.

[0041] The data storage unit 23 may be, for example, a combination of a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time, and a volatile memory such as a RAM, as a storage medium.

[0042] The communication interface 24 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 24 includes a communication module that is connected to the upper server 1 by wire or wirelessly, directly or via a network. The communication interface 24 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate with external devices including the upper server 1 under the control of the control unit 21 and transmit and receive various information.

[0043] The input / output interface 25 is connected to the input unit 251, the output unit 252, the issuing unit 253, and the like. The input / output interface 25 is an interface that enables transmission and reception of information between the control unit 21 and the input unit 251, the output unit 252, and the issuing unit 253. The input / output interface 25 may be integrated with the communication interface 24. For example, the input / output interface 25 may be wirelessly connected to the control unit 21 and at least one of the input unit 251, the output unit 252, and the issuing unit 253 using a short-range wireless technology or the like, and may transmit and receive information using the short-range wireless technology.

[0044] The input unit 251 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like, which are used by a user or a station staff member to input various information to the station service equipment 2. The input unit 251 may also include a reader for reading data to be stored in the program storage unit 22 or the data storage unit 23 from a memory medium such as a USB memory, or a disk device for reading such data from a disk medium.

[0045] The output unit 252 includes a display device using, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence display, etc. The display device displays various information and the like received from the upper server 1 to the user or station staff.

[0046] The issuing unit 253 includes, for example, a printer for printing various information on the surface of a general disabled person IC card. Furthermore, the issuing unit 253 includes a reader / writer capable of reading information from the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card, etc., or writing information to these cards. The reader / writer may be a reader / writer compatible with any or all of Type A, Type B, and Type F of NFC (Near Field Communication). For example, the issuing unit 253 can read information from the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card inserted into the issuing unit 253, and write various information to the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card. Furthermore, the issuing unit 253 may include a code reader capable of reading one-dimensional codes (for example, barcodes) or two-dimensional codes (for example, QR Code (registered trademark)).

[0047] Next, the software configuration of the station service equipment 2 will be described in detail. The control unit 21 includes an input information acquisition unit 211, an issuance control unit 212, a communication control unit 213, a name determination unit 214, a deadline determination unit 215, a deadline setting unit 216, a display control unit 217, etc. The data storage unit 23 includes an acquired information storage unit 231.

[0048] The input information acquisition unit 211 is an acquisition unit for acquiring input information inputted into the input unit 251 by a station staff member, or a disabled person 3 and a caregiver 4. The input information acquisition unit 211 also functions as a reading unit for reading card information contained in a disabled person's IC card and a caregiver's IC card when these cards are inserted into the station service equipment 2.

[0049] The issuance control unit 212 is a control unit for controlling the issuance of the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card. The issuance control unit 212 can also issue a ticket with an expiration date to the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card.

[0050] The communication control unit 213 is a control unit for transmitting and receiving various information to and from the upper server 1. For example, the communication control unit 213 transmits the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 211 to the upper server 1.

[0051] The name determination unit 214 is a determination unit that determines whether the user IDs included in the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card match the user IDs input by the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4. For example, when the names of the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4 are used as the user IDs, the name determination unit 214 determines whether the names included in the card information read by the input information acquisition unit 211 match the names of the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4 included in the input information.

[0052] The expiration date determination unit 215 is a determination unit for determining whether the expiration dates of the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card can be updated or not. The method of determination will be described later in detail.

[0053] The expiration date setting unit 216 is a setting unit for setting the expiration date of the card validity termination date of the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card. The method of determination will be described later in detail.

[0054] The display control unit 217 is a control unit for generating information to be displayed on the output unit 252 of the station service equipment 2.

[0055] In addition, the name determination unit 114, deadline determination unit 115, deadline setting unit 116, and display control unit 117 described in Figure 2 may have functions similar to those of the name determination unit 214, deadline determination unit 215, deadline setting unit 216, and display control unit 217 in the control unit of the station service equipment 2.

[0056] The acquired information storage unit 231 is a storage unit for storing the information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 211 .

[0057] (operation) First, as a preliminary step, the procedure for issuing IC cards for disabled persons and IC cards for caregivers will be explained. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for issuing a disabled person IC card and a caregiver IC card. The operations in this flowchart are carried out by station staff and users (the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4).

[0058] First, this flow chart begins with a user wishing to issue a disabled person IC card and a caregiver IC card.

[0059] In step ST101, the user applies to a station attendant for a purchase of an IC card for persons with disabilities. For example, the user fills out a prescribed application form with necessary information and hands it to the station attendant.

[0060] In step ST102, the station attendant executes a new issuing operation for an IC card for a person with a disability. For example, the station attendant who receives the application form executes an operation for issuing a new IC card for a person with a disability.

[0061] In step ST103, the station attendant checks the expiration date of the disability certificate brought by the user, the disabled person 3. The station attendant checks the expiration date written on the disability certificate owned by the disabled person 3.

[0062] In step ST104, the station staff checks whether the disability certificate has an expiration date. If an expiration date is listed, the process proceeds to step ST105. On the other hand, if no expiration date is listed, that is, if the certificate has no expiration date, the process proceeds to step ST106.

[0063] In step ST105, the station attendant sets the expiration date of the disability certificate to the last updateable date. The station attendant inputs the last updateable date into the station service equipment 2, which is a vending machine or a station attendant-only device. In other words, the last updateable date is set to be the same as the expiration date of the disability certificate. In addition, the station attendant inputs the user ID, such as the name of the disabled person, the name of the caregiver, an email address, and a phone number, written on the application form.

[0064] In step ST106, the station attendant sets the date after the predetermined period as the last update possible date. The predetermined period can be set arbitrarily, for example, three years. Furthermore, the station attendant inputs the user ID.

[0065] In step ST107, the station attendant issues a disabled person IC card. After completing a prescribed procedure, the station attendant presses an issue button or the like. The issuance control unit 212 detects the pressing of the issue button and issues a disabled person IC card and a caregiver IC card. The issuance control unit 212 issues a disabled person IC card and a caregiver IC card on which the last updateable date and the card validity expiration date are encoded.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a disabled person's IC card including encoded information. As shown in Fig. 5, the last updateable date and the card validity expiration date are encoded on the disabled person's IC card. Similar information may be encoded on the caregiver's IC card. Although not shown in Fig. 5, information such as a card ID and a user ID may also be encoded on the disabled person's IC card.

[0067] The issuance control unit 212 also generates disabled person information. Here, the disabled person information includes at least the card ID, user ID, card expiration date, and last updateable date of the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card. The communication control unit 213 may then transmit the disabled person information to the upper server 1. As a result, the disabled person information on the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card is stored in the disabled person information database 131 of the upper server 1. In this case, it is not necessary to encode the last updateable date on the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card.

[0068] Next, a process for issuing (or updating) a commuter pass using a disabled person's IC card and a caregiver's IC card issued to the disabled person 3 and caregiver 4, who are users, will be described. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of a process when the disabled person 3 and his / her caregiver 4 issue a commuter pass. For example, the control unit 11 of the host server 1 and the control unit 21 of the station service equipment 2 read out and execute programs stored in the program storage unit 12 and the program storage unit 22, respectively, to realize the operation of this flowchart.

[0069] This flowchart starts when the users, a disabled person 3 and a caregiver 4 , wish to issue a commuter pass and insert their disabled person IC card and caregiver IC card into the station service equipment 2 .

[0070] In step ST201, the control unit 21 detects that both the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card have been inserted. The input information acquisition unit 211 reads the card information, such as the card ID, user ID, last updateable date, and card validity expiration date, contained in the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card. The input information acquisition unit 211 stores the read card information in the acquired information storage unit 231.

[0071] In step ST202, the name determination unit 214 determines whether the names of the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4 match. When the name is used to confirm the match of the user ID, the display control unit 217 of the station service equipment 2 prompts the disabled person 3 and the caregiver 4, who are the users, to input a user ID such as a name. The user inputs the name into the input unit 251. The input information acquisition unit 211 outputs the name to the name determination unit 214. The name determination unit 214 determines whether the name included in the user ID read from the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card stored in the acquired information storage unit 231 matches the name acquired by the input information acquisition unit. If they do not match, it is determined that the update is unauthorized, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the names match, the process proceeds to step ST203.

[0072] In this embodiment, an example is described in which matching of personal information is determined by name, but it goes without saying that matching may also be determined by using any of the user IDs, such as email address, card ID, etc.

[0073] Furthermore, if the user ID is not encoded on the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card, the communication control unit 213 may transmit the user ID acquired by the input information acquisition unit 211 to the upper server 1. Then, the control unit 11 of the upper server 1 may refer to the disabled person information database 131 and acquire the disabled person information linked to the user ID. Then, the name determination unit 114 may perform the above-mentioned process.

[0074] Alternatively, the control unit 11 of the upper server 1 may acquire the disabled person information linked to the card ID stored in the disabled person information database 131, and transmit the acquired disabled person information to the station service equipment 2. Then, the name determination unit 214 may carry out the above-mentioned processing using the received disabled person information.

[0075] In step ST203, the expiration date determination unit 215 determines whether the expiration date of the commuter pass falls within the validity expiration date of the IC card for the disabled person. If it falls within the validity expiration date, the process proceeds to step ST204. On the other hand, if it does not fall within the validity expiration date, the process proceeds to step ST205.

[0076] In step ST204, the issuance control unit 212 issues two commuter passes simultaneously, a disabled person IC card and a caregiver IC card. After the user pays a predetermined fee, the issuance control unit 212 encodes information about the commuter pass desired by the user onto the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card, and issues the commuter passes.

[0077] In step ST205, the expiration date determination unit 215 determines whether the last updateable date - the card validity end date ≧1 year. If, in step ST203, the end date of the commuter pass usage is not within the card validity end date, the card validity end date needs to be updated. First, the expiration date determination unit 215 determines whether the last updateable date - the card validity end date ≧1 year in order to determine whether the last updateable date is one year or more after the card validity end date. If it is determined that it is one year or more later, the process proceeds to step ST206. On the other hand, if it is less than one year, the process proceeds to step ST207.

[0078] In step ST206, the expiration date setting unit 216 sets the card validity expiration date to one year after the current card validity expiration date. That is, the expiration date setting unit 216 updates the card validity expiration date. Then, the process proceeds to step ST204, and a commuter pass is issued.

[0079] At this time, the display control unit 217 may perform control so as to display on the display of the output unit 252 that the card validity expiration date has been updated by one year.

[0080] Furthermore, the communication control unit 213 transmits to the upper server 1 information on the updated card expiration date.

[0081] In step ST207, the expiration date determination unit 215 determines whether the commuter pass expiration date is less than the last renewable date. If the commuter pass expiration date is before the last renewable date, the process proceeds to step ST208. On the other hand, if the commuter pass expiration date is after the last renewable date, the process proceeds to step ST209.

[0082] In step ST208, the expiration setting unit 216 sets the card validity end date to the same date as the last renewable date. If the determinations in steps ST205 and ST207 show that the card validity end date is too short to be renewed by one year, but the last renewable date is longer than the end date of the commuter pass usage, the expiration setting unit 216 determines that the commuter pass can be issued, and sets the card validity end date to the same date as the last renewable date. Then, the process proceeds to step ST204, and the commuter pass is issued.

[0083] At this time, the display control unit 217 may control the display of the output unit 252 to display that the card validity expiration date is up to the last renewable date. Furthermore, the display may emphasize that the card validity expiration date is not one year, but up to the last renewable date. Furthermore, the display control unit 217 may also notify by voice, using a speaker of the output unit 252, that the card validity expiration date will be renewed in less than one year. Note that if the expiration date of the commuter pass is close to the last renewable date (for example, less than one month), the display control unit 217 may display information urging the user to go to the counter next time on the display of the output unit 252.

[0084] Furthermore, the communication control unit 213 transmits to the upper server 1 information on the updated card expiration date.

[0085] In step ST209, the display control unit 217 guides the user to go to the attendant's window. The display control unit 217 displays on the display of the output unit 252 that the commuter pass expiration date is past the last updateable date, and tells the user to go to the attendant's window where a station attendant is present.

[0086] The user updates the last updatable date in a manner similar to the process described with reference to FIG.

[0087] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the station service equipment 2 performs each process shown in FIG. 6 has been described, but the upper server 1 may perform various processes. For example, the processes of steps ST202 to ST209 may be performed by the upper server 1. As described in step ST202, after the upper server 1 receives the acquisition information, the deadline determination unit 115 performs the processes of steps ST203, ST205, and ST207. The deadline setting unit 116 performs the processes of steps ST206 and ST208. Furthermore, in the process of step ST204, the issuance control unit 112 generates an issuance instruction, and the issuance control unit 212 issues in response to the issuance instruction. Moreover, the display control unit 117 generates a display instruction, and the display control unit 217 performs display control such as step ST209 in response to the instruction.

[0088] The above embodiment is also applicable to cases where it is desired to update the card validity end date of the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card used as the SF ticket. For example, the card validity end date may be updated as long as the current date is not later than the last updateable date. For example, if the last updateable date is more than one year after the current date, the card validity end date may be set to one year later, and if the last updateable date is less than one year after the current date, the same date as the last updateable date may be set as the card validity end date. That is, except for steps ST203 and ST204 described in FIG. 6, in steps ST205 and ST207, the operation may be performed using the current date instead of the end date of the commuter pass use.

[0089] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, even if the validity expiration date of the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card is before the expiration date of the commuter pass and the card validity expiration date needs to be updated, the card validity expiration date can be automatically updated by the station service equipment 2. This reduces the work required by station staff.

[0090] Furthermore, the disabled user 3 and his / her caregiver 4 do not need to present their disability certificate to station staff when updating the card expiration date, improving convenience.

[0091] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the card validity expiration date is updated when a commuter pass is issued, but the present invention can also be applied to the operation when a commuter pass is renewed.

[0092] In short, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Moreover, each embodiment may be implemented in combination as appropriate as possible, in which case the combined effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment includes inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the disclosed constituent elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1... Upper server 11...Control section 111...Reception control unit 112... Issuance control unit 113...Transmission control unit 114...Name Determination Department 115...Deadline determination section 116…Deadline setting section 117...Display control unit 12...Program memory section 13...Data storage unit 131…Disability Information Database 132...received information storage unit 14...Communication interface 15... Input / Output Interface 151...Input section 152...Output section 2…Station equipment 21...Control unit 211...input information acquisition unit 212... Issuance control unit 213…Communication control unit 214…Name Determination Department 215...Deadline determination section 216…Deadline setting section 217...Display control unit 22...Program memory section 23...Data storage unit 231...Acquired information storage unit 24…Communication interface 25... Input / Output Interface 251...Input section 252...Output section 253…Publishing Department 3. People with disabilities 4. Caregivers

Claims

1. a reading unit for reading a user ID and a card expiration date from each of the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card; a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information including a user ID input by a user who owns the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card, and a commuter pass issuance request that requests issuance of a commuter pass; a user ID determination unit that determines whether the read user ID matches the input user ID; an expiration date determination unit that determines whether the expiration date of the commuter pass is beyond the expiration date of the card; an issuance control unit that issues the commuter pass to the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card when it is determined that the card validity expiration date is not later than the end of use date; Station service equipment equipped with:

2. The reading unit further acquires a last updateable date of the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card from the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card, When the card validity expiration date is later than the usage termination date, the expiration date determination unit determines whether the usage termination date is later than the last updateable date. Station equipment according to claim 1.

3. the expiration date determination unit determines whether the last updateable date is one year or more after the card validity expiration date; Station equipment according to claim 2.

4. and a time limit setting unit that updates the card validity expiration date to a date one year later if the latest updateable date is one year or more later than the card validity expiration date. Station equipment according to claim 3.

5. If the last updateable date is less than one year from the usage termination date, the deadline determination unit determines whether the usage termination date is before the last updateable date. Station equipment according to claim 3.

6. a time limit setting unit that sets the card validity expiration date to the same date as the last updateable date if the last updateable date is before the end of use date; Station equipment according to claim 5.

7. a communication control unit that transmits the user ID to a server and receives a response including a last updateable date for the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card in response to the transmission; When the card validity expiration date is later than the usage termination date, the expiration date determination unit determines whether the usage termination date is later than the last updateable date. Station equipment according to claim 1.

8. A station service method executed by a processor of station service equipment, comprising: reading a user ID and a card expiration date from each of the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card; acquiring user information including a user ID inputted by a user who possesses the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card, and a commuter pass issuance request requesting issuance of a commuter pass; determining whether the read user ID matches the input user ID; determining whether the expiration date of the commuter pass is beyond the expiration date of the card; When it is determined that the card validity expiration date is not later than the end of use date, the commuter pass is issued to the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card; A station operation method that includes the following.

9. A station service program comprising instructions for execution by a processor of station service equipment, reading a user ID and a card expiration date from each of the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card; acquiring user information including a user ID inputted by a user who possesses the disabled person's IC card and the caregiver's IC card, and a commuter pass issuance request requesting issuance of a commuter pass; determining whether the read user ID matches the input user ID; determining whether the expiration date of the commuter pass is beyond the expiration date of the card; When it is determined that the card validity expiration date is not later than the end of use date, the commuter pass is issued to the disabled person IC card and the caregiver IC card; A station service program that includes:

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