Free ride pass issuing system, free ride pass issuing server, free ride pass issuing method, and free ride pass issuing program

Abstract

To issue official passes using station service equipment, without using dedicated equipment for issuing free ride passes including official passes.SOLUTION: A free ride pass issuing system according to an embodiment includes a free ride pass issuing server and station service equipment connected to the free ride pass issuing server. The station service equipment includes an acquisition unit that acquires input information including identification information for issuing a free ride pass, a communication control unit that transmits the input information and receives an issuance permission in response to transmission of the input information, and an issuance control unit that issues a free ride pass based on the issuance permission. The free ride pass issuing server includes a storage unit that stores a list of issuance recipients for recipients to whom a free ride pass can be issued in association with the identification information, an extraction unit that extracts, from the issuance recipient list, registration information corresponding to the identification information included in the input information, and a transmission control unit that transmits an issuance permission indicating that a free ride pass can be issued based on the registration information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a fare-free pass issuing system, a fare-free pass issuing server, a fare-free pass issuing method, and a fare-free pass issuing program. [Background technology]

[0002] As part of employee benefits, employees working for railway operators are issued official travel passes that allow them to ride trains operated by the railway operator free of charge. Traditionally, official travel passes and other free travel passes have been issued as magnetic tickets using dedicated equipment (official travel pass issuing machines) to verify the identity of the employee. For railway operators, the cost of introducing and maintaining the dedicated equipment is a significant burden.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pass renewal system that can reduce the cost and effort involved in updating special passes such as official passes and the pass information recorded on the media used. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-024255 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To improve convenience, magnetic tickets issued as official travel passes are being replaced with IC cards. However, this work requires each employee to use the station service equipment installed at each station after distributing the magnetic tickets to the employees, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, this method of implementation complicates the management work of the railway operators, which also causes management losses.

[0006] This invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide technology that can issue official passes using station service equipment, without using dedicated equipment for issuing fare passes, including official passes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A free travel pass issuing system having a server according to an embodiment, comprising: a free travel pass issuing server; and station service equipment connected to the free travel pass issuing server and capable of issuing free travel passes. The station service equipment comprises an acquisition unit that acquires input information including identification information for issuing the free travel pass, a communication control unit that transmits the input information and receives an issuance permission in response to transmitting the input information, and an issuance control unit that issues a free travel pass based on the issuance permission. The free travel pass issuing server comprises a memory unit that stores a list of issuance targets for targets to which free travel passes can be issued, linked to the identification information, an extraction unit that extracts registration information corresponding to the identification information included in the input information from the issuance target list, and a transmission control unit that transmits the issuance permission indicating that the free travel pass can be issued based on the registration information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a fare-free travel pass issuing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a client device 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 an upper server according to the embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of registration information stored in the target person list storage unit. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 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 6] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for issuing a free ride pass in the free ride pass issuing system shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for issuing a free ride pass in the free ride pass issuing system shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for issuing a free ride pass in the free ride pass issuing system shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The following describes in detail the free ride ticket issuing system, the free ride ticket issuing server, the free ride ticket issuing method, and the free ride ticket issuing program with reference to the drawings. Note that 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.

[0010] [First embodiment] (composition) FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a fare-free travel pass issuing system according to an embodiment. The free ride pass issuing system is a system for issuing free ride passes to be used by employees of a railway operator, etc. The free ride pass issuing system may be a part of a system for issuing normal tickets.

[0011] Here, the passes issued as free passes include official passes, special passes, temporary passes (specified section), temporary passes (all train lines), discount passes, shareholder discount passes (all train and bus lines), shareholder discount passes (all train lines), family passes, and family school passes.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the fare-free pass issuing system includes a client device 1, a host server 2, station service equipment 3, and the like.

[0013] The client device 1 is connected to the upper server 2 so as to be able to communicate with the upper server 2, and is a device for inputting various information to be stored in the upper server 2. The client device 1 may be a device such as a desktop computer or a notebook computer owned by an administrator of a railway business operator, etc. The various information to be stored in the upper server 2 will be described later.

[0014] The upper server 2 is a free-ride pass issuing server that is communicatively connected to the client device 1 and the station service equipment 3 and is installed at a predetermined location managed by the railway operator. The upper server 2 is a server that manages the issuance of free tickets. The upper server 2 stores information such as to whom a free ticket has been issued and the validity period of the free ticket. The upper server 2 can issue issuance permission in response to a request from the station service equipment 3 to issue various types of tickets. For example, when a request to issue a free-ride pass is received from the station service equipment 3, if the free-ride pass can be issued, the upper server 2 sends issuance permission to the station service equipment 3.

[0015] The station service equipment 3 is installed at a predetermined location within the station. For simplicity, only one piece of station service equipment 3 is shown in FIG. 1, but multiple pieces of station service equipment 3 may be installed within the station. The station service equipment 3 includes vending machines, equipment exclusively for station staff (i.e., ticket counter processing machines), etc. The station service equipment 3 is capable of issuing free travel passes in addition to normal tickets. The station service equipment 3 issues free travel passes to users 4.

[0016] User 4 is a user 4 to whom a free ride pass is issued. For example, when a duty pass is issued as a free ride pass, user 4 is a station attendant (employee). Furthermore, when a family pass is issued, user 4 is a family member of the station attendant.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the client device 1 according to the embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. First, the hardware configuration of the client device 1 will be described in detail. The client device 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.

[0018] The client device 1 is capable of implementing various operations using a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer).

[0019] The control unit 11 controls the client device 1. The control unit 11 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The communication interface 14 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 14 includes a communication module that is connected to the upper server 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 external devices including the upper server 2 under the control of the control unit 11 and transmit and receive various information.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The input unit 151 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like, through which an administrator who manages the client device 1 inputs various information to the client device 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.

[0025] The output unit 152 includes a display for displaying output data to be presented to the administrator from the client device 1, a printer for printing the data, and the like.

[0026] Next, the software configuration of the client device 1 will be described in detail. The control unit 11 includes a registration information acquisition unit 111 and a communication control unit 112. Furthermore, the data storage unit 13 includes a registration information storage unit 131 and the like.

[0027] The registration information acquisition unit 111 is an acquisition unit that acquires registration information corresponding to each person to whom a free ride pass is to be issued that is input by the administrator of the client device 1. The registration information is information that includes items necessary for issuing a free ride pass. Furthermore, the registration information acquisition unit 111 may include a password in the registration information.

[0028] The communication control unit 112 is a control unit that transmits the target person list to the upper server 2. The target person list is a list in which the registration information acquired by the registration information acquisition unit 111 is compiled.

[0029] The registration information storage unit 131 is a storage unit for storing the registration information acquired by the registration information acquisition unit 111 .

[0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the host server 2 according to the embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. First, the hardware configuration of the upper server 2 will be described in detail. The upper server 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.

[0031] The host server 2 can realize various operations using a computer such as a PC.

[0032] The control unit 21 controls the host server 2. The control unit 21 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0033] The program storage unit 22 is configured by combining a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written and read at any time as a storage medium with a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, and stores application programs required to execute various control processes according to an embodiment in addition to middleware such as an OS. Hereinafter, the OS and each application program will be collectively referred to as a program.

[0034] 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.

[0035] The communication interface 24 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 24 includes a communication module that connects to the client device 1 or the station service equipment 3 by wire or wirelessly, directly or via a network. The communication interface 24 may also include a communication module that connects wirelessly to a user device carried by the user 4. The communication interface 24 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate with external devices including the client device 1 and the station service equipment 3 under the control of the control unit 21 and transmit and receive various information.

[0036] The input / output interface 25 is connected to the input unit 251, the output unit 252, etc. 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 and the output unit 252. 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 the input unit 251 or the output unit 252 using a short-range wireless technology or the like, and may transmit and receive information using the short-range wireless technology.

[0037] The input unit 251 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like, through which an administrator (railroad operator) who manages the upper server 2 inputs various information to the upper server 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.

[0038] The output unit 252 includes a display for displaying output data to be presented to the administrator from the upper server 2, a printer for printing the same, and the like.

[0039] Next, the software configuration of the upper server 2 will be described in detail. The control unit 21 includes a reception control unit 211, an issuance confirmation control unit 212, and a transmission control unit 213. Furthermore, the data storage unit 23 includes a target person list storage unit 231.

[0040] The reception control unit 211 is a control unit for receiving the target person list. Furthermore, the reception control unit 211 is a control unit for receiving input information and the like, which will be described later.

[0041] The issuance confirmation control unit 212 is a control unit that extracts registration information corresponding to the user 4 from the target person list stored in the target person list storage unit 231 described later. Furthermore, the issuance confirmation control unit 212 determines whether a free ride pass can be issued to the user 4.

[0042] The transmission control unit 213 is a control unit that, when it extracts the registration information or determines that a free ride pass can be issued to the user 4, transmits an issuance permission indicating that a free ride pass can be issued.

[0043] The target person list storage unit 231 is a storage unit for storing the target person list received by the reception control unit 211.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of registration information stored in target person list storage unit 231. As shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 4, items include data number, ticket type number, ticket number, validity start date, validity end date, department name, issue category, employee number for printing, encoded employee number, departure station code, arrival station code, name, age, issued flag, etc.

[0045] The data number is a number for identifying the data to be issued. The ticket type number is a number for identifying the type of ticket. For example, a ticket type number of 1 indicates an official pass. The ticket number is a number printed on the face of the pass or stored in the IC card. The valid start date and valid end date define the valid start and end dates of the free pass. The department name defines the department name of the person to whom the pass is issued. The issue category, for example, distinguishes whether the pass was issued in an even year or an odd year. The employee number for printing defines the employee number for printing or stored in the IC card. The departure station code and arrival station code define the codes for the departure and arrival stations of the free pass. The name and age define the name and age of the person who uses the free pass. The issued flag defines the issue status of the free pass. For example, if the issued flag is 0, it indicates that the pass has not been issued, if it is 1, it has been issued, and if it is 2, it indicates that the data is an error.

[0046] The registration information may include a user ID instead of the employee number. The user ID is information capable of identifying the user 4 to whom the ID is to be issued, such as an email address or fingerprint information.

[0047] Depending on the type of free pass, it may not be necessary to have information on all of the above items. For example, if the free pass issued to user 4 is an official pass, the user can board and disembark at all stations operated by the railway operator, and therefore information such as the departure station code and arrival station code is not required.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the station service equipment 3 according to the embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. First, the hardware configuration of the station service equipment 3 will be described in detail. The station service equipment 3 includes a control unit 31, a program storage unit 32, a data storage unit 33, a communication interface 34, and an input / output interface 35. The control unit 31, the program storage unit 32, the data storage unit 33, the communication interface 34, and the input / output interface 35 are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0049] The station service equipment 3 can realize various operations using a computer such as a PC.

[0050] The control unit 31 controls the station service equipment 3. The control unit 31 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0051] The program storage unit 32 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.

[0052] The data storage unit 33 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.

[0053] The communication interface 34 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 34 includes a communication module that is connected to the upper server 2 by wire or wirelessly, directly or via a network. The communication interface 34 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate with external devices including the upper server 2 under the control of the control unit 31 and transmit and receive various information.

[0054] The input / output interface 35 is connected to the input unit 351, the output unit 352, the issuing unit 353, and the like. The input / output interface 35 is an interface that enables transmission and reception of information between the control unit 31 and the input unit 351, the output unit 352, and the issuing unit 353. The input / output interface 35 may be integrated with the communication interface 34. For example, the input / output interface 35 may be wirelessly connected to the control unit 31 and at least one of the input unit 351, the output unit 352, and the issuing unit 353 using a short-range wireless technology or the like, and may transmit and receive information using the short-range wireless technology.

[0055] The input unit 351 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like, which allow the user to input various information to the station service equipment 3. The input unit 351 may also include a reader for reading data to be stored in the program storage unit 32 or the data storage unit 33 from a memory medium such as a USB memory, or a disk device for reading such data from a disk medium.

[0056] The output unit 352 includes a display device using, for example, a liquid crystal, an organic electroluminescence (EL), etc. The display device displays various information received from the upper server 2 to the user 4.

[0057] The issuing unit 353 includes, for example, a printer for printing a general ticket or a free ride pass. The printer issues a ticket or a free ride pass based on input information from the user 4 and various information received from the upper server 2. The issuing unit 353 also includes a reader / writer capable of reading and writing information from an IC card or the like. 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 353 can read information from an IC card inserted into the issuing unit 353 and write boarding information or free ride information to the IC card. The issuing unit 353 may also include a code reader capable of reading one-dimensional codes (for example, barcodes) or two-dimensional codes (for example, QR codes (registered trademark)).

[0058] Next, the software configuration of the station service equipment 3 will be described in detail. The control unit 31 includes an input information acquisition unit 311, a communication control unit 312, an issuance control unit 313, a display control unit 314, etc. The data storage unit 33 includes an input information storage unit 331.

[0059] The input information acquisition unit 311 is an acquisition unit that acquires input by the user 4 or input information read from an IC card of the user 4, etc. The input information includes, for example, a card type number and identification information. The identification information includes an employee number and a password. The input information acquisition unit 311 stores the input information in the input information storage unit 331. Note that the identification information may include a user ID instead of the employee number.

[0060] The communication control unit 312 includes a transmitting unit that acquires the input information stored in the input information storage unit 331 and transmits the input information to the upper server 2 through the communication interface 34. Furthermore, the communication control unit 312 includes a receiving unit that receives an issuance permission from the upper server 2.

[0061] The issuance control unit 313 is a control unit that controls the issuing unit 353 to issue a fare-free ticket based on the received issuance permission and the acquired input information.

[0062] The display control unit 314 is a control unit that controls the output unit 352 to display information required for the user 4 when issuing a free travel pass. Furthermore, after issuing the free travel pass, the display control unit 314 controls the output unit 352 to display information on the issued free travel pass.

[0063] The input information storage unit 331 is a storage unit for storing the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 311 .

[0064] (operation) FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for issuing a free ride pass in the free ride pass issuing system shown in FIG. The operation of this sequence is realized by the control unit 11 of the client device 1, the control unit 21 of the upper server 2, and the control unit 31 of the station service equipment 3 reading and executing the programs stored in the program memory unit 12, the program memory unit 22, and the program memory unit 32, respectively.

[0065] First, the sequence is started when an administrator of the client device 1 inputs to the client device 1 a list of persons to whom free travel passes are to be issued, which should be stored in the upper server 2.

[0066] In step ST101, the registration information acquisition unit 111 of the client device 1 acquires the registration information. The registration information is information in which the necessary items among the items described in FIG. 4 are entered according to the type of free travel pass to be issued to the user 4 (e.g., a duty pass). Furthermore, the registration information may include a password required when issuing a free travel pass. The password may be, for example, any character string that differs for each person to whom the free travel pass is issued. The registration information acquisition unit 111 stores the registration information in the registration information storage unit 131.

[0067] Here, after the processing of step ST101, the administrator of the railway business safely notifies each person eligible for a free fare pass of the password included in the registration information.

[0068] In step ST102, the communication control unit 112 transmits the target person list. When it detects that the administrator has finished inputting, the communication control unit 112 acquires the registration information stored in the registration information storage unit 131, and generates a target person list that compiles this information. Then, the communication control unit 112 transmits the target person list to the upper server 2 via the communication interface 14. The reception control unit 211 of the upper server 2 stores the received target person list in the target person list storage unit 231.

[0069] The above-mentioned processing of steps ST101 to ST102 and the processing of step ST103 and subsequent steps described below do not have to be consecutive. Furthermore, the processing of step ST103 and subsequent steps may be performed every time a station attendant or the like makes a request to issue a free fare pass to the station service equipment 3.

[0070] In step ST103, the input information acquisition unit 311 acquires input information. A user 4 who desires to issue a free ride pass inserts an IC card for issuing a free ride pass into the station service equipment 3. Furthermore, the user 4 inputs input information required for issuing the free ride pass into the input unit 351.

[0071] In step ST104, the communication control unit 312 transmits the input information. The communication control unit 312 acquires the input information stored in the input information storage unit 331, and transmits the input information to the upper server 2 through the communication interface .

[0072] In step ST105, the issuance confirmation control unit 212 checks the target person list. Having received the input information, the issuance confirmation control unit 212 extracts information (each item) corresponding to the employee number included in the input information from the target person list storage unit 231. The issuance confirmation control unit 212 then determines whether the password included in the input information matches the extracted password. Furthermore, the issuance confirmation control unit 212 may determine whether the ticket type number in the target person list matches the ticket type number included in the input information.

[0073] If they do not match, the transmission control unit 213 transmits information that the password is incorrect to the station service equipment 3. The display control unit 314 of the station service equipment 3 causes the output unit 352 to display the information that the password is incorrect, and prompts the user 4 to re-enter the password.

[0074] In step ST106, the transmission control unit 213 transmits an issuance permission. If the passwords match, the issuance confirmation control unit 212 generates an issuance permission indicating that a free ride pass may be issued, and including the validity end date, departure station code, arrival station code, and the like stored in the target user list. The transmission control unit 213 then transmits the issuance permission to the station service equipment 3. Here, the information included in the issuance permission is not limited to the above-mentioned information, and may be any information including information necessary for issuing a free ride pass and information to be stored in the IC card of the user 4.

[0075] Here, in the processing of steps ST103 to ST106, only the employee number included in the input information may be sent to the upper server 2, and the station service equipment 3 may receive a list of eligible persons corresponding to the employee number. Then, the station service equipment 3 may check the password and determine whether a free boarding pass can be issued.

[0076] In step ST107, the issuance control unit 313 issues a free ride pass. Having received the issuance permission, the issuance control unit 313 controls the issuing unit 353 to issue a free ride pass based on the validity end date included in the issuance permission. The free ride pass may be issued to an IC card held by the user 4. After issuing the free ride pass, the display control unit 314 may cause information about the free ride pass to be displayed on the output unit 352.

[0077] In step ST108, the communication control unit 312 transmits the issuance details. After the free ride pass is issued, the communication control unit 312 creates an issuance detail indicating that the free ride pass has been issued, and transmits the issuance detail to the upper server 2. Upon receiving the issuance detail, the issuance confirmation control unit 212 changes the issued flag in the target user list to information indicating that the pass has been issued.

[0078] If the issued flag indicates that the pass has already been issued, the pass will not be issued. This ensures that the pass is issued only once to the applicable user. For example, if a user loses their pass and needs to have it reissued, they will need to go through the series of processes described in Figure 6 again.

[0079] (Effects of the first embodiment) According to the first embodiment described above, in the free ride system, it becomes possible to issue free ride passes without installing dedicated equipment. This allows railway operators to reduce the costs of introducing and maintaining dedicated equipment. Furthermore, since it is no longer necessary to issue free ride passes as magnetic tickets once, it is possible to reduce the workload of railway operators' administrators.

[0080] [Second embodiment] In the second embodiment, instead of using an employee number or user ID for identity verification, a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code is used to extract registration information.

[0081] (composition) The configuration in the second embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted here.

[0082] (operation) FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for issuing a free ride pass in the free ride pass issuing system shown in FIG. The operation of this sequence is realized by the control unit 11 of the client device 1, the control unit 21 of the upper server 2, and the control unit 31 of the station service equipment 3 reading and executing the programs stored in the program memory unit 12, the program memory unit 22, and the program memory unit 32, respectively.

[0083] First, the sequence is started when an administrator of the client device 1 inputs into the client device 1 a list of persons to whom free ride passes are to be issued, which are to be stored in the upper server 2.

[0084] Steps ST201 to ST202 are the same as those of step ST described with reference to FIG. Since steps 101 to ST102 are the same as those in steps ST102, a duplicated description will be omitted here.

[0085] In step ST203, the issuance confirmation control unit 212 links the issuance target person with the code information. The issuance confirmation control unit 212 generates code information (one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code) linked to the issuance target person of the free ride pass stored in the target person list storage unit 231. The code information may be any information as long as it is information that can search the corresponding issuance target person list.

[0086] In step ST204, the transmission control section 213 transmits the code information to the client device 1.

[0087] In step ST205, the communication control unit 112 transmits the code information. The communication control unit 112 transmits the code information to a user device carried by the user 4. For example, the communication control unit 112 may transmit the code information to the user device by email or the like. Alternatively, the control unit 11 of the client device 1 may print a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code on a paper medium or the like based on the code information, and hand over the printed paper medium to the user 4.

[0088] In step ST206, the user 4 causes the station service equipment 3 to read the one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code displayed based on the code information. The user 4 causes a code reader provided in the issuing unit 353 to read the one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code. The input information acquiring unit 311 of the station service equipment 3 acquires the code information read by the issuing unit 353, and stores the acquired code information in the input information storage unit 331.

[0089] In step ST207, the communication control unit 312 transmits the code information. The communication control unit 312 acquires the code information stored in the input information storage unit 331, and transmits the input information to the upper server 2 via the communication interface .

[0090] In step ST208, the issuance confirmation control unit 212 extracts a target person list. The issuance confirmation control unit 212 that has received the code information extracts, from the target person list storage unit 231, a target person list linked to the code information.

[0091] In the second embodiment, the code information serves as a substitute for identity verification, so that the issuance confirmation control unit 212 does not need to confirm whether or not it is OK to issue a target user list.

[0092] In step ST209, the transmission control unit 213 transmits an issuance permission. The issuance confirmation control unit 212 generates an issuance permission including the validity end date, departure station code, arrival station code, and the like stored in the target person list. Then, the transmission control unit 213 transmits the issuance permission to the station service equipment 3. Here, the information included in the issuance permission is not limited to the above-mentioned information, and may be any information including information necessary for issuing a fare-free pass and information to be stored in the IC card of the user 4.

[0093] Steps ST210 to ST211 may be the same as steps ST107 to ST108 described with reference to FIG. 6, and therefore a duplicated description will be omitted here.

[0094] (Effects of the second embodiment) According to the second embodiment described above, it becomes possible to issue free tickets in the free ride system without installing dedicated equipment. This allows railway operators to reduce the costs of introducing and maintaining dedicated equipment.

[0095] The user 4 to whom the free ride pass is issued only needs to have the station service equipment 3 read the one-dimensional or two-dimensional code containing the information required for identity verification, reducing the burden on the user 4.

[0096] Furthermore, since the code information serves as a substitute for identity verification, the issuance confirmation control unit 212 does not need to confirm whether or not it is OK to issue a target user list.

[0097] [Third embodiment] In the third embodiment, instead of using an employee number or user ID to extract registration information, the card ID of an IC employee ID card is used.

[0098] (composition) The configuration of the third embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted here.

[0099] Here, it is assumed that User 4 is a user 4 to whom an IC employee ID card is to be issued. The IC employee ID card is an IC card compatible with any one of NFC Type A, Type B, and Type F.

[0100] (operation) FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for issuing a free ride pass in the free ride pass issuing system shown in FIG. The operation of this sequence is realized by the control unit 11 of the client device 1, the control unit 21 of the upper server 2, and the control unit 31 of the station service equipment 3 reading and executing the programs stored in the program memory unit 12, the program memory unit 22, and the program memory unit 32, respectively.

[0101] First, it is assumed that an IC employee ID card is to be issued to user 4. Then, this sequence starts when the IC employee ID card is issued.

[0102] In step ST301, an IC employee ID card is issued to user 4. For example, an IC employee ID card is issued to user 4 because the IC employee ID card has expired. The IC employee ID card includes information such as a card ID and an expiration date. Here, the card ID is any ID that can identify the IC employee ID card.

[0103] The process of step ST301 may be performed at any timing before the process of step ST302 described below. Then, it is assumed that the administrator of the client device 1 obtains the card ID information of the IC employee ID card.

[0104] In step ST302, the registration information acquisition unit 111 of the client device 1 acquires registration information. The registration information further includes the card ID of the IC employee ID card in addition to the information described in step ST101. In other words, the registration information may be information linked to the card ID of the IC employee ID card. Also, similar to the first embodiment, the registration information may include a password required when issuing a fare-free travel pass.

[0105] In step ST303, the communication control unit 112 transmits the target person list. When it detects that the administrator has finished inputting, the communication control unit 112 acquires the registration information stored in the registration information storage unit 131, and generates a target person list that compiles this information. Then, the communication control unit 112 transmits the target person list to the upper server 2 via the communication interface 14. The reception control unit 211 of the upper server 2 stores the received target person list in the target person list storage unit 231.

[0106] In step ST304, user 4 causes station service equipment 3 to read the employee information stored in the IC employee ID card. User 4 holds the IC employee ID card over a reader / writer provided in issuing unit 353 to read the employee information including the card ID, expiration date, etc. stored in the IC employee ID card. The input information acquisition unit 311 of station service equipment 3 acquires the employee information read by issuing unit 353 and stores the acquired employee information in input information storage unit 331. Here, similar to the first embodiment, input information acquisition unit 311 may request user 4 to input a password and acquire the password.

[0107] In step ST305, the communication control unit 312 transmits the employee information. The communication control unit 312 acquires the employee information stored in the input information storage unit 331, and transmits the employee information to the upper server 2 via the communication interface .

[0108] In step ST306, the issuance confirmation control unit 212 extracts a target person list. Having received the employee information, the issuance confirmation control unit 212 extracts, from the target person list storage unit 231, a target person list linked to the card ID included in the employee information.

[0109] In the third embodiment, the card ID serves as a substitute for personal identification, so that the issuance confirmation control unit 212 does not need to confirm whether or not it is OK to issue a target user list.

[0110] Steps ST307 to ST309 may be the same as steps ST106 to ST108 described with reference to Fig. 6, so duplicated explanations will be omitted here. Here, the expiration date of the free ride pass issued to the employee IC ID card is set to match the expiration date of the employee IC ID card, not the expiration date stored in the target person list. In other words, the issuance control unit 313 issues a free ride pass with the same expiration date as the expiration date included in the employee information. By matching the expiration date with the expiration date of the employee IC ID card, when the employee IC ID card expires, there is no need to carry the expired employee IC ID card in order to use the free ride pass.

[0111] (Effects of the third embodiment) According to the third embodiment described above, it becomes possible to issue free tickets in the free ride system without installing dedicated equipment. This allows railway operators to reduce the costs of introducing and maintaining dedicated equipment.

[0112] By storing the fare-free pass on the IC employee ID card, there is no need to issue a new IC card, reducing the workload of railway operator administrators.

[0113] Furthermore, since the card ID serves as a substitute for personal identification, the issuance confirmation control unit 212 does not need to confirm whether or not it is OK to issue a target user list.

[0114] [Other embodiments] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the administrator of the client device 1 inputs the registration information to the client device 1, but the registration information may be input directly to the upper server 2 instead of inputting it to the client device 1. In this case, the client device 1 may not be necessary.

[0115] 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]

[0116] 1...Client device 11...Control section 111…Registration Information Acquisition Department 112...Communication control unit 131...Registration information storage unit 12...Program memory section 13...Data storage unit 14...Communication interface 15... Input / Output Interface 151...Input section 152...Output section 2. Upper server 21...Control unit 211... Reception control unit 212...Issue confirmation control unit 213...Transmission control unit 22...Program memory section 23...Data storage unit 231... Target list storage unit 24…Communication interface 25... Input / Output Interface 251...Input section 252...Output section 3…Station equipment 31...Control unit 311...Input information acquisition unit 312…Communication control unit 313... Issuance control unit 314...Display control unit 32...Program memory section 33...Data storage unit 331...input information storage unit 34…Communication interface 35... Input / Output Interface 351... Input section 352...Output section 353…Publishing Department 4. User

Claims

1. A fare-free pass issuing server; A station service device connected to the fare-free pass issuing server and capable of issuing fare-free passes; The station service equipment includes: an acquisition unit that acquires input information including identification information for issuing the free ride pass; a communication control unit that transmits the input information and receives an issuance authorization in response to the transmission of the input information; an issuance control unit that issues a fare-free ticket based on the issuance permission; The fare-free ticket issuing server includes: a storage unit that stores a list of persons to whom a free ride pass can be issued in association with the identification information; an extraction unit that extracts, from the issue target list, registration information corresponding to the identification information included in the input information; a transmission control unit that transmits the issuance permission indicating that the free travel pass can be issued based on the registration information; A free ride pass issuing system.

2. The issuance permission includes information necessary for issuing the free ride ticket among information included in the registration information, The fare-free pass issuing system according to claim 1.

3. The identification information includes a user ID for identifying a user who uses the free ride pass and a password, The extraction unit extracts the registration information corresponding to the user ID from the issue target list, The free travel pass issuing server further includes an issuance confirmation control unit that checks whether a password included in the identification information matches a password included in the registration information to determine whether the free travel pass can be issued. The fare-free pass issuing system according to claim 1.

4. the acquiring unit acquires the input information including code information, which is the identification information, from a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code; The extraction unit extracts the registration information based on the code information. The fare-free pass issuing system according to claim 1.

5. The acquisition unit reads the input information from an IC employee ID card, and the identification information includes a card ID of the IC employee ID card. The extraction unit extracts the registration information corresponding to the card ID. The fare-free pass issuing system according to claim 1.

6. The input information includes the expiration date of the IC employee ID card, The issuance control unit issues the free ride pass to the IC employee ID card with the same expiration date as the expiration date of the IC employee ID card. The fare-free pass issuing system according to claim 5.

7. The identification information further includes a password; The free travel pass issuing server further includes an issuance confirmation control unit that checks whether a password included in the identification information matches a password included in the registration information to determine whether the free travel pass can be issued. The fare-free pass issuing system according to claim 5.

8. The transmission control unit transmits the issuance details after issuing the free ride ticket, The free travel pass issuing server further includes a control unit that changes an issued flag included in the registration information for which the free travel pass was issued to "issued" after receiving the issuance details. The fare-free pass issuing system according to claim 1.

9. a storage unit that stores a list of persons to whom a free ride pass can be issued in association with identification information; a receiving unit for receiving input information including identification information for issuing the free ride pass; an extraction unit that extracts, from the issue target list, registration information corresponding to the identification information included in the input information; a transmission control unit that transmits an issuance permission indicating that the free travel pass can be issued based on the registration information; A free ride pass issuing server comprising:

10. A fare-free pass issuing method executed by a processor of a fare-free pass issuing server, comprising: storing a list of persons to whom a free ride pass can be issued in association with the identification information; receiving input information including identification information for issuing the free ride pass; extracting registration information corresponding to the identification information included in the input information from the issue target list; Transmitting an issuance authorization indicating that the free ride pass can be issued based on the registration information; and A method for issuing a free ride pass, comprising:

11. A fare-free pass issuing program comprising instructions to be executed by a processor of a fare-free pass issuing server, the instructions comprising: storing a list of persons to whom a free ride pass can be issued in association with the identification information; receiving input information including identification information for issuing the free ride pass; extracting registration information corresponding to the identification information included in the input information from the issue target list; Transmitting an issuance authorization indicating that the free ride pass can be issued based on the registration information; and A free ride pass issuing program.

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