Information acquisition device and automatic ticket examination machine

Abstract

To provide an information acquisition device and an automatic ticket examination machine that can prevent erroneous reading of information that a user does not intend to be read.SOLUTION: An automatic ticket examination machine 1 comprises a code reading part 18 which optically reads an information code 42 represented on a recording medium directed to a read reference surface 54 to acquire information included in the information code 42, and a credit card information reading part 17 which is provided adjacently to the code reading part 18, and communicates via radio waves meeting predetermined standards with a non-contact communication device present within a predetermined communication range to acquire information from the non-contact communication device. A casing 50 of the code reading part 18 comprises an opening 58 which is formed in an adjacent surface 57 and a radio wave shield member which is provided at an end part of the read reference surface 54, connected to the adjacent surface 57, on the side of the adjacent surface 57, and suppresses the radio wave from reaching an upper side from the read reference surface 54.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information acquisition device including a first information acquisition unit capable of acquiring information from an information recording medium, and a second information acquisition unit different from the first information acquisition unit, and to an automatic ticket gate. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, when traveling by train or airplane, information codes such as two-dimensional codes containing ticket information, contactless IC cards containing the ticket information, and mobile terminals such as smartphones equipped with contactless IC memory containing the ticket information have come to be used instead of traditional tickets.

[0003] For example, an automatic ticket gate installed at a railway ticket gate is equipped with an optical reading device and a non-contact communication device (see Patent Document 1). Here, the optical reading device is a device capable of reading the ticket information from an information code displayed on an information recording medium held over a reading reference surface. Also, the non-contact communication device is a device capable of reading the ticket information from the non-contact IC card or the mobile terminal by wireless communication of a specified standard. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-131292 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-mentioned devices for reading the ticket information are arranged in a concentrated manner on the entrance or exit side of the automatic ticket gate. Therefore, when the non-contact communication device is arranged adjacent to the optical reading device, the radio waves emitted from the non-contact communication device may be transmitted to the optical reading device. In this case, for example, when a user holds the screen of a portable terminal over the reading reference surface of the optical reading device to read the information code displayed on the screen of the portable terminal, the information in the non-contact IC memory of the portable terminal may be read first, causing a reading error or a problem that the toll payment is made by a means unintended by the user. On the other hand, it is also possible to arrange the non-contact communication device away from the optical reading device so that the radio waves do not get around to the optical reading device. However, in this case, since the devices are separated, the user may not be able to immediately identify which one of the devices he or she wants. Note that the above-mentioned problem is not limited to automatic ticket gates, but is a common problem to information reading devices equipped with the optical reading device and the non-contact communication device. The above problem may also occur when the optical reading device is a device that obtains information from an information recording medium using another information obtaining method.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an information acquisition device and an automatic ticket gate that are capable of preventing information unintended by a user from being erroneously acquired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information acquisition device includes a first information acquisition unit that acquires information in a non-contact manner from an information recording medium on which predetermined information is recorded, and a second information acquisition unit that is provided adjacent to the first information acquisition unit and communicates with a non-contact communication device present in a predetermined communication range via radio waves conforming to a predetermined standard to acquire information from the non-contact communication device. A housing of the first information acquisition unit includes an opening formed in an adjacent surface adjacent to the second information acquisition unit, and a radio wave shielding member that is provided at an end of an upper surface of the housing connected to the adjacent surface on the adjacent surface side and that suppresses the radio waves from penetrating from the upper surface to the upper side.

[0008] An automated ticket gate according to another aspect of the present invention includes the information acquisition device, and allows a user to pass when the information is acquired by either the first information acquisition unit or the second information acquisition unit. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent information that is not intended by the user from being erroneously acquired. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a credit card information reading unit and a code reading unit provided in the automated ticket barrier according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the configuration of a credit card information reading unit and a code reading unit provided in the automated ticket barrier according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the front side showing the configuration of a credit card information reading unit and a code reading unit provided in the automated ticket barrier according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view showing the configuration of a credit card information reading unit and a code reading unit provided in the automated ticket barrier according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the radio wave strength of a stand-alone credit card information reading unit and that of a credit card information reading unit installed in an automatic ticket gate. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the radio wave strength of a stand-alone credit card information reading unit and that of a credit card information reading unit installed in an automatic ticket gate. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an automatic ticket gate 1 (an example of an information acquisition device of the present invention) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The automated ticket gate 1 is a station service device used in a transportation service (railroad service) that transports users using railroad cars, and is installed at the ticket gate of a railroad station. The automated ticket gate 1 performs entry processing (traffic control processing) or exit processing (traffic control processing) in a passage 9 through which users pass.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows an automatic ticket gate 1 for entrance (hereinafter referred to as entrance ticket gate 1A) and an automatic ticket gate 1 for exit (hereinafter referred to as exit ticket gate 1B) installed facing each other.

[0015] A passage 9 is formed between the entrance ticket gate 1A and the exit ticket gate 1B. The passage 9 connects the inside and outside of the ticket gate. The entrance ticket gate 1A is responsible for performing entrance processing (passage control processing) for a user (enterer) who enters from the outside of the ticket gate to the inside (inside the ticket gate) along the user's moving direction when entering (the direction of arrow D10). The exit ticket gate 1B is responsible for performing exit processing (passage control processing) for a user (enterer) who exits from the inside of the ticket gate to the outside (outside the ticket gate) along the user's moving direction when exiting (the direction of arrow D11).

[0016] The automated ticket gate 1 may be an entrance gate 1A or an exit gate 1B used alone to perform entrance or exit processing for users passing in one direction. In this case, the entrance gate 1A is installed so that the transportation IC card reading unit 16, the credit card information reading unit 17 (an example of a second information acquisition unit of the present invention), and the code reading unit 18 (an example of a first information acquisition unit, an optical reading device, of the present invention) described below are located outside the ticket gate. The exit gate 1B is installed so that the transportation IC card reading unit 16, the credit card information reading unit 17, and the code reading unit 18 are located inside the ticket gate.

[0017] In this embodiment, the automatic ticket gate 1 is configured to be able to make electronic payment (two-dimensional code payment) for the fare, which corresponds to the distance of the boarding section from the entrance station where the user entered to the exit station where the user exited, using predetermined information contained in an information code 42 (one example of an information code of the present invention) held by the user. The automatic ticket gate 1 is also configured to be able to make electronic payment (credit card payment) for the fare, using credit card information registered in a credit card held by the user. The automatic ticket gate 1 is also configured to be able to make electronic payment for the fare, using card information registered in a transportation IC card held by the user.

[0018] In this embodiment, the automatic ticket gate 1 is configured to optically read an information code 42 displayed on a display screen 41 of a user terminal 4 (an example of an information recording medium of the present invention) held by a user, and perform passage control to permit or prohibit passage through a passage 9 in the automatic ticket gate 1 based on predetermined information contained in the information code 42. The automatic ticket gate 1 is also configured to read credit card payment information registered in a credit card held by a user, and perform passage control to permit or prohibit passage through a passage 9 in the automatic ticket gate 1 based on the credit card payment information. The automatic ticket gate 1 is also configured to read card information registered in a transportation IC card held by a user, and perform passage control to permit or prohibit passage through a passage 9 in the automatic ticket gate 1 based on the card information.

[0019] Here, the user terminal 4 is a portable terminal carried by a user who uses the railway service, and is, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, or a display terminal having a display screen 41. The information code 42 displayed on the display screen 41 is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark), which is an example of a two-dimensional code. Note that the information code 42 is merely one example of the information code of the present invention, and for example, a one-dimensional code such as a barcode or other types of information code can be used. The information code of the present invention is not limited to a two-dimensional code or a one-dimensional code, and may be any code in which predetermined information is converted into a code represented by an optically readable shape, pattern, color, or the like.

[0020] In addition, in this embodiment, an example is given of a case in which the information code 42 is displayed on the display screen 41 of the user terminal 4, but the information code 42 may also be printed on the surface of a sheet-like ticket (an example of an information recording medium) or on the surface of various cards (an example of an information recording medium) such as a contactless IC card.

[0021] Cases in which the credit card payment information is read by the credit card information reading unit 17 include, for example, a first case in which the credit card payment information is read directly from the credit card, and a second case in which the credit card payment information recorded in the contactless IC memory of the user terminal 4 is read from the user terminal 4.

[0022] In the first case, the credit card is a contactless IC card equipped with a contactless IC memory capable of communication based on the Near Field Communication (NFC) standard. In this case, the credit card payment information is recorded in the contactless IC memory provided in the credit card.

[0023] In the latter second case, the user terminal 4 is a terminal device equipped with a contactless IC memory capable of communication based on the short-range wireless communication standard. In this case, the credit card payment information is recorded in the contactless IC memory provided in the user terminal 4.

[0024] Incidentally, in the automated ticket gate 1 equipped with the code reading unit 18 and the credit card information reading unit 17, the code reading unit 18 and the credit card information reading unit 17 are arranged together on the entrance side or the exit side of the automated ticket gate 1. For this reason, if the credit card information reading unit 17 is arranged adjacent to the code reading unit 18, the radio waves for communication emitted from the credit card information reading unit 17 may wrap around to the code reading unit 18 side. In this case, for example, when a user holds the display screen 41 of the user terminal 4 over the reading reference surface 54 (see FIG. 2) on the upper surface of the code reading unit 18 to read the information code 42 displayed on the screen of the user terminal 4, the credit card payment information in the non-contact IC memory of the user terminal 4 may be read first, resulting in a reading error or a problem that the fare payment is made by a means unintended by the user. On the other hand, it is also possible to arrange the credit card information reading unit 17 away from the code reading unit 18 so that the radio waves do not wrap around to the code reading unit 18 side. In this case, however, since the devices are separated, the user cannot immediately identify which one is desired.

[0025] The automated ticket gate 1 according to this embodiment is configured to be able to prevent information unintended by the user from being erroneously read by the credit card information reading unit 17.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the automatic ticket gate 1 includes a control unit (not shown), a display unit 13, a flap door 15, a transportation IC card reading unit 16, a credit card information reading unit 17, a code reading unit 18, and a human presence sensor 19, all of which are provided in a housing 10 of the automatic ticket gate 1.

[0027] The display unit 13 displays a message for a user passing through the passage 9 in accordance with instructions from the control unit. The display unit 13 is, for example, a display device having a liquid crystal panel. The display unit 13 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 10 of the automatic ticket gate 1. In detail, the display unit 13 is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 10, on the forward side in the proceeding direction of the user in the passage 9 (the direction of the arrow D10 or the arrow D11). When the user is permitted to pass, the display unit 13 displays a message indicating that the user is permitted to pass. When the user is not permitted to pass, the display unit 13 displays a message indicating that the user is not permitted to pass (prohibited).

[0028] When the automated ticket gate 1 is used for exiting, the display unit 13 may display, for example, a message indicating that the fare is insufficient, a message indicating that the available credit card limit is insufficient, a message encouraging cash settlement at the settlement device, etc. The settlement device is equipped with an information reading unit similar to the credit card information reading unit 17 and the code reading unit 18, and the credit card or information code 42 read by the automated ticket gate 1 at the time of entry is read, thereby making it possible to settle the fare in cash.

[0029] The human presence sensor 19 is provided in the housing 10, and more specifically, is provided on the side surface of the housing 10 on the passage 9 side. The human presence sensor 19 is a sensor that detects a user who has entered the passage 9, and the detection signal is transmitted to the control unit. The human presence sensor 19 is, for example, an optical proximity sensor that detects a user without contact. In this embodiment, the human presence sensor 19 is provided in the passage 9 on the near side (entrance side) of the travel direction D10 at the time of entry and on the forward side (exit side) of the travel direction. In other words, the human presence sensor 19 is provided on the side surface of the housing 10 at a position on the inner side of the ticket barrier and a position on the outer side of the ticket barrier.

[0030] The flap doors 15 are a pair of doors that can be opened and closed, and are provided near the passageways 9A and 9B on both sides in the passageway 9 of the automatic ticket gate 1. The flap doors 15 are provided at the passageway 9, at the passageway 9, which is on the inner side of the ticket gate and at the passageway 9B on the outer side of the ticket gate. The former passageway 9A is an exit (passageway) on the front side in the traveling direction D10 when entering, and the latter passageway 9B is an exit (passageway) on the front side in the traveling direction D11 when exiting. The flap doors 15 are opened when the user is permitted to pass through, and thus the user can pass through the passageway 9 of the automatic ticket gate 1. On the other hand, when the user is not permitted to pass through, the flap doors 15 are closed or maintained in the closed position.

[0031] The transportation IC card reader 16 is provided on the front side in the traveling direction on the top surface of the housing 10. The transportation IC card reader 16 is a non-contact communication device that reads information (passenger ticket information) recorded on a non-contact transportation IC card in a non-contact manner.

[0032] The ticket information includes a user ID that identifies the user, the charge amount (balance) charged to the transportation IC card, the expiration date of the transportation IC card, etc. The ticket information that is read when exiting includes information on the entrance station.

[0033] The transportation IC card reading unit 16 is a reader / writer device that reads and writes information stored in the contactless IC memory in the transportation IC card in a contactless manner by the near field communication (NFC) standard defined by the communication standard ISO / IEC14443. The communication method based on the near field communication standard is roughly classified into three types of communication types, and more specifically, a communication type called "Type-A", a communication type called "Type-B", and a communication type called "FeliCa (registered trademark)". For example, the transportation IC card reading unit 16 reads and writes information stored in the contactless IC memory in the transportation IC card in a contactless manner according to the communication method of FeliCa (registered trademark). The FeliCa (registered trademark) is also called "Type-F".

[0034] The transportation IC card reader 16 has an antenna coil located near the top surface to which the transportation IC card is brought, and a 13.56 MHz signal generated by a clock generator is amplified and supplied to the antenna coil, which generates a 13.56 MHz radio wave (AC magnetic field) from the antenna coil upward from the top surface. According to the communication standard ISO / IEC14443, the communication range that the radio waves can reach is a maximum of about 10 cm from the top surface. When the transportation IC card is brought close to within the communication range, an AC voltage is generated by electromagnetic induction in the antenna coil provided on the transportation IC card, which enables communication between the transportation IC card reader 16 and the transportation IC card through coupling by electromagnetic induction.

[0035] When using the railroad service, a user who uses the transportation IC card brings the transportation IC card close to the upper surface of the transportation IC card reader 16, thereby causing the transportation IC card reader 16 to read the ticket information. The ticket information read by the transportation IC card reader 16 is transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit performs an entrance process or an exit process based on the ticket information.

[0036] The credit card information reading unit 17 is an example of a second information acquiring unit of the present invention, and is a contactless communication device that acquires information from a contactless communication device present within a predetermined communication range by communicating with the contactless communication device via radio waves according to the near field communication standard (NFC: Near Field Communication) defined in the communication standard ISO / IEC 14443. Here, the contactless communication device is a contactless type credit card having a contactless IC memory therein, or a user terminal 4 having a contactless IC memory that holds credit card payment information.

[0037] The credit card information reading unit 17 is provided on the top surface of the housing 10, closer to the front in the traveling direction than the transportation IC card reading unit 16. The credit card information reading unit 17 reads credit card payment information recorded on a contactless type credit card having a contactless IC memory therein, or credit card payment information recorded in the contactless IC memory inside the user terminal 4, in a non-contact manner.

[0038] The credit card payment information includes a user ID that identifies the user, the available credit limit for credit card payments, the expiration date of the credit card, etc. The credit card payment information that is read at the time of exiting also includes information on the entrance station.

[0039] The credit card information reading unit 17 has a basic configuration similar to that of the transportation IC card reading unit 16, and is a reader / writer device that contactlessly reads and writes information stored in the contactless type credit card or the contactless IC memory in the user terminal 4 by using the near field communication (NFC) standard defined by the communication standard ISO / IEC14443. For example, the credit card information reading unit 17 mainly reads and writes information contactlessly from the credit card or the contactless IC memory in the user terminal 4 according to the Type-A or Type-B communication method.

[0040] The credit card information reading unit 17 has an antenna coil located near the top surface to which the non-contact communication device (credit card or user terminal 4) is brought close, and a 13.56 MHz signal generated by a clock oscillator is amplified and supplied to the antenna coil, causing the antenna coil to generate a 13.56 MHz radio wave (AC magnetic field) upward from the top surface. According to the communication standard ISO / IEC14443, the communication range that the radio wave can reach is a maximum of about 10 cm from the top surface. When the non-contact communication device is brought close within the communication range, an AC voltage is generated by electromagnetic induction in the antenna coil provided in the non-contact communication device, and this enables communication between the credit card information reading unit 17 and the non-contact communication device through coupling by electromagnetic induction.

[0041] When using the railway service, a user who uses the contactless communication device (credit card or user terminal 4) brings the contactless communication device close to the upper surface of the credit card information reading unit 17, thereby causing the credit card payment information to be read by the credit card information reading unit 17. The credit card payment information read by the credit card information reading unit 17 is transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit executes an entrance process or an exit process based on the credit card payment information.

[0042] The code reading unit 18 is an example of a first information acquiring unit of the present invention, and is a device that acquires information from an information recording medium on which predetermined information is recorded in a non-contact manner without going through a contact part such as a terminal. Specifically, the code reading unit 18 is an optical reading device that optically reads an information code 42 displayed on an information recording medium directed to a reading reference surface 54 (see FIG. 2) of the code reading unit 18, and acquires the information contained in the information code 42. Here, the information recording medium is, for example, a user terminal 4 on which the information code 42 is displayed on a display screen 41.

[0043] The code reading unit 18 is provided on the top surface of the housing 10, closer to the front in the traveling direction than the credit card information reading unit 17. In other words, the code reading unit 18 is provided at the end of the housing 10 on the front side in the traveling direction. The code reading unit 18 reads the information code 42 held by the user when the user passes through the passage 9 of the automated ticket gate 1 upon entering or exiting.

[0044] The code reading unit 18 includes an imaging unit (not shown) such as a digital camera, a calculation unit (not shown) including a CPU, and the like. The imaging unit captures a screen image including the information code 42 displayed on the display screen 41 of the user terminal 4, and outputs it as digital image data (read data). When the user holds the display screen 41 of the user terminal 4 over a reading reference surface 54 (see FIG. 2) of the code reading unit 18, the imaging unit captures the display screen 41 through a light-transmitting window 55 (see FIG. 2) formed on the reading reference surface 54. When the screen image of the display screen 41 is captured, the calculation unit of the code reading unit 18 decodes the information code 42 included in the screen image to obtain predetermined information (ticket information such as a user ID) included in the information code 42. In this embodiment, the information code 42 includes at least the user ID, and the code reading unit 18 obtains the user ID as the predetermined information. Whether or not the display screen 41 is held up against the reading reference surface 54 can be determined based on a change in the amount of light incident on the imaging section.

[0045] A user who uses the information code 42 when using the railway service holds the information code 42 over the reading reference surface 54 on the top of the code reading unit 18, causing the code reading unit 18 to read the information contained in the information code 42. The information read by the code reading unit 18 is transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit executes an entrance process or an exit process based on the information.

[0046] Next, the mounting structure of the credit card information reading unit 17 and the code reading unit 18 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 5. Fig. 2 is a side view of the credit card information reading unit 17 and the code reading unit 18 as viewed from the aisle 9 side. Fig. 3 is a front view of the credit card information reading unit 17 and the code reading unit 18 as viewed from the front side of the aisle 9. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the front side of the credit card information reading unit 17 and the code reading unit 18. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the rear side of the credit card information reading unit 17 and the code reading unit 18. In Figs. 2 and 3, only the credit card information reading unit 17 and the code reading unit 18 are shown by solid lines, and other parts are shown by dashed lines.

[0047] 2, the credit card information reading unit 17 is provided adjacent to the code reading unit 18. As described above, in this embodiment, the code reading unit 18 is provided on the nearer side in the traveling direction than the credit card information reading unit 17. In other words, the credit card information reading unit 17 and the code reading unit 18 are arranged side by side in the traveling direction.

[0048] The code reading unit 18 includes a casing 50 (an example of a housing of the present invention) for housing the imaging unit, etc. The upper surface of the casing 50 is a reading reference surface 54 on which the information code 42 is placed.

[0049] The casing 50 has a main body 51 that houses the imaging unit, and a base 52 that supports the credit card information reading unit 17. The upper surface of the main body 51 is a reading reference surface 54. The entire casing 50 is formed from a metal plate that reflects or attenuates radio waves. In other words, the casing 50 is formed from sheet metal. In this case, the metal plate that constitutes the reading reference surface 54 of the casing 50 corresponds to the radio wave shielding member of the present invention.

[0050] In this embodiment, in order to make it easier for a user passing through passage 9 to hold up the information code 42, the reading reference surface 54 is inclined at a predetermined first angle θ1 (see Figure 2) toward the entrance side in the travel direction, and is also inclined at a predetermined second angle θ2 (see Figure 3) toward the passage 9 side.

[0051] The first angle θ1 is an angle determined within a range greater than 0 degrees and equal to or less than 90 degrees, and in this embodiment, the first angle θ1 is set to, for example, approximately 25 degrees.

[0052] The second angle θ2 is an angle determined within a range greater than 0 degrees and equal to or less than 90 degrees, and in this embodiment, the second angle θ2 is set to, for example, approximately 8 degrees.

[0053] 4, the base 52 is located on the traveling direction side of the main body 51. The base 52 is disposed so as to provide a step below the reading reference surface 54 on the upper surface of the main body 51. In other words, the mounting surface 56 on the upper surface of the base 52 is located below the reading reference surface 54 of the main body 51.

[0054] The upper surface of the base 52 is a mounting surface 56 for supporting the credit card information reading unit 17 and fixing the credit card information reading unit 17. The mounting surface 56 is inclined toward the passage 9 so that a user passing through the passage 9 can easily bring the non-contact communication device (credit card or user terminal 4) close to it. The inclination angle of the mounting surface 56 is set to the same angle as the second angle θ2. The external shape of the credit card information reading unit 17 is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0055] In order to realize stable communication between the credit card information reading unit 17 and the non-contact communication device, the installation state of the credit card information reading unit 17 is important. If the installation state of the credit card information reading unit 17 is improper, the radio waves (AC magnetic field) emitted from the credit card information reading unit 17 are weakened, and the non-contact communication device may not be recognized. For example, if the credit card information reading unit 17 is enclosed in a metal housing, the magnetic field emitted from the credit card information reading unit 17 is shielded or attenuated by the metal housing, and the magnetic field emitted from the credit card information reading unit 17 is weakened, and the non-contact communication device may not be recognized.

[0056] Furthermore, for example, if the credit card information reading unit 17 is housed in a metal casing, a resonance point may appear in the 13.56 MHz radio waves (AC magnetic field) emitted from the antenna coil, and the AC voltage generated by electromagnetic induction in the contactless communication device may exceed the allowable value of the contactless IC memory in the contactless communication device, causing the protection circuit of the contactless IC memory to activate and making it impossible to recognize the contactless communication device.

[0057] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to dispose the credit card information reading unit 17 and the non-contact communication device in close proximity to each other and prevent attenuation or resonance of radio waves emitted from the credit card information reading unit 17, an opening 58 is formed in the main body 51 of the casing 50. As shown in Fig. 5, the opening 58 is formed in an adjacent surface 57 of the main body 51 that is adjacent to the credit card information reading unit 17.

[0058] Opening 58 is formed over the entire adjacent surface 57, and is formed in a shape that is long in the width direction perpendicular to the traveling direction. Therefore, since no metal plate that attenuates or resonates radio waves is provided on the side of credit card information reading unit 17, the radio waves emitted from credit card information reading unit 17 are not weakened, and the radio waves do not resonate.

[0059] By forming the opening 58 in the main body 51, there is a risk that the radio waves emitted from the credit card information reading unit 17 will go around the opening 58 into the main body 51 and penetrate upward through the reading reference surface 54 of the code reading unit 18. However, as described above, the casing 50 is made of sheet metal, so the strength of the radio waves that enter the inside of the main body 51 from the opening 58 is sufficiently attenuated by the metal plate that constitutes the reading reference surface 54.

[0060] Here, Fig. 6 is a graph showing the radio wave strength L11 of the credit card information reading unit 17 alone in the traveling direction, and the radio wave strength L21 of the credit card information reading unit 17 mounted on the automated ticket gate 1 in the traveling direction. Also, Fig. 7 is a graph showing the radio wave strength L12 of the credit card information reading unit 17 alone in the width direction, and the radio wave strength L22 of the credit card information reading unit 17 mounted on the automated ticket gate 1 in the width direction. As can be easily understood from Figs. 6 and 7, the radio wave strength on the code reading unit 18 side is sufficiently small.

[0061] Because the casing 50 is formed in this manner, even if the credit card payment information is recorded on the user terminal 4 and the user terminal 4 is brought close to the reading reference surface 54 to read the information code 42, the credit card payment information is prevented from being erroneously read from the user terminal 4 or a reading error is prevented from occurring.

[0062] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the entire casing 50 is formed from a metal plate, but, for example, only the reading reference surface 54 may be formed from a metal plate, and the other parts may be formed from a synthetic resin. Also, only the end 60 of the reading reference surface 54 on the adjacent surface 57 side may be formed from a metal plate. In this case, in the reading reference surface 54, only the end 60 from the light transmission window 55 to the connecting edge 59 with the adjacent surface 57 may be formed from a metal plate.

[0063] In the above embodiment, a metal plate is given as an example of the radio wave shielding member of the present invention, but the radio wave shielding member may be made of, for example, a material in which metal powder is mixed into synthetic resin.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the reading reference surface 54 is inclined at the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2, but the reading reference surface 54 may be a flat surface. The mounting surface 56 on the upper surface of the base 52 does not necessarily have to be an inclined surface, and may be a flat surface.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the code reading unit 18 is the optical reader, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the transportation IC card reading unit 16, which performs non-contact communication using a communication method different from that of the credit card information reading unit 17, may be provided as an example of the first information acquisition unit of the present invention at the installation location where the code reading unit 18 is provided in the housing 10. The present invention is also applicable to such a configuration. In this case, the transportation IC card reading unit 16 includes a reader / writer unit that reads or writes information in a non-contact manner between the transportation IC card and the non-contact IC memory, a housing (similar to the casing 50) that accommodates the reader / writer unit, an opening (similar to the opening 58) formed in the housing on the adjacent surface on the credit card information reading unit 17 side, and a radio wave shielding member provided at the end of the adjacent surface side of the upper surface of the housing connected to the adjacent surface. The code reading unit 18 may be disposed on the travel direction side of the credit card information reading unit 17, or may not be provided in the housing 10 of the automatic ticket gate 1.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the code reading unit 18 is provided on the front side of the credit card information reading unit 17 in the traveling direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which the code reading unit 18 is provided adjacent to the credit card information reading unit 17 on the traveling direction side.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the credit card information reading unit 17 and the code reading unit 18 are arranged side by side in the travel direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which the credit card information reading unit 17 and the code reading unit 18 are arranged side by side in the width direction perpendicular to the travel direction on the top surface of the housing 10.

[0068] (Modification of the embodiment) As a modification of the above-described embodiment, for example, as shown in Fig. 8, the credit card information reading unit 17 may be attached to the housing 10 of the automatic ticket gate 1 instead of being attached to the casing 50 of the code reading unit 18. In this case, an end 60 from the light transmitting window 55 to the connecting edge 59 on the reading reference surface 54 corresponds to the radio wave shielding member of the present invention. Note that only this end 60 may be formed of a rectangular metal plate that is long in the width direction.

[0069] 9, for example, it is preferable that the end 60 made of a metal plate has a length D1 of 20 mm or more from the connecting edge 59 with the adjacent surface 57. In other words, the end 60 is a metal plate that covers an area of ​​at least 20 mm from the adjacent surface on the reading reference surface 54. If the length D1 of the end 60 is less than 20 mm, the radio waves emitted from the credit card information reading unit 17 and passing through the opening 58 to the code reading unit 18 cannot be sufficiently weakened, but if the length D1 is 20 mm or more, the radio waves can be sufficiently weakened.

[0070] 10, two metal plates 61 (one example of the radio wave shielding member of the present invention) arranged side by side in the width direction may be provided in the region from the light transmission window 55 to the connecting edge 59 on the reading reference surface 54. In this case, it is preferable that the length D1 of the metal plate 61 in the traveling direction is 20 mm or more, and the gap D2 between each metal plate 61 in the width direction is 20 mm or less. If the gap D2 between each metal plate 61 is 20 mm or more, the radio waves emitted from the credit card information reading unit 17 and going around to the code reading unit 18 from the opening 58 cannot be sufficiently weakened, but if the gap D2 is less than 20 mm, the radio waves can be sufficiently weakened. Note that three or more metal plates 61 may be arranged at equal intervals in the width direction.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the automatic ticket gate 1 used for the railway service has been described as an example of the information reading device of the present invention, but the present invention is also applicable to automatic ticket gates installed at boarding gates in airports. Also, the present invention is not limited to automatic ticket gates, but can be applied to, for example, payment devices, ticket vending machines, and check-in terminals installed in stations and airports, and further, can be applied to check-in terminals and check-out terminals installed in accommodation facilities such as hotels.

[0072] [Notes on the invention] The following will provide an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0073] <Appendix 1> a first information acquisition unit that acquires information in a non-contact manner from an information recording medium on which predetermined information is recorded; a second information acquisition unit that is provided adjacent to the first information acquisition unit and communicates with a non-contact communication device that is present within a predetermined communication range via radio waves conforming to a predetermined standard to acquire information from the non-contact communication device, The housing of the first information acquisition unit includes: an opening formed in an adjacent surface adjacent to the second information acquisition unit; a radio wave shielding member provided at an end of the upper surface of the housing connected to the adjacent surface on the side of the adjacent surface, the radio wave shielding member suppressing leakage of the radio waves from the upper surface to the upper side; An information acquisition device comprising:

[0074] <Appendix 2> The information acquisition device described in Appendix 1, wherein the radio wave shielding member is a metal plate that reflects or attenuates the radio waves.

[0075] <Appendix 3> The first information acquisition unit is The information acquisition device described in Appendix 1 or 2, which is an optical reading device that optically reads an information code displayed on an information recording medium directed to a reading reference surface on the top surface of the housing and acquires the information contained in the information code.

[0076] <Appendix 4> 4. The information acquisition device according to claim 3, wherein the radio wave shielding member is provided between a light-transmitting window formed on the reading reference surface and the adjacent surface.

[0077] <Appendix 5> 5. The information acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein the radio wave shielding member is arranged to cover an area of ​​at least 20 mm from the adjacent surface.

[0078] <Appendix 6> An information acquisition device described in any of Appendices 1 to 5, wherein the radio wave shielding member includes a plurality of plate pieces provided at the end portion of the upper surface of the housing on the adjacent surface side, and the spacing between each plate piece is 20 mm or less.

[0079] <Appendix 7> 7. The information acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is entirely made of a metal plate.

[0080] <Appendix 8> 8. An automatic ticket gate including the information acquisition device according to any one of appendixes 1 to 7, and permitting passage of a user when the information is acquired by either the first information acquisition unit or the second information acquisition unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1: Automatic ticket gate 4: User terminal 9: Passage 10: Housing 16: Transportation IC card reader 17: Credit card information reader 18: Code reader 41:Display screen 42: Information code 50: Casing 51: Main body 52: Base 54: Reading reference surface 55: Light-transmitting window 56: Mounting surface 57: Adjacent surface 58 :Aperture 59: Connecting edge 60: End 61:Metal plate

Claims

1. a first information acquisition unit that acquires information in a non-contact manner from an information recording medium on which predetermined information is recorded; a second information acquisition unit that is provided adjacent to the first information acquisition unit and communicates with a non-contact communication device that is present within a predetermined communication range via radio waves conforming to a predetermined standard to acquire information from the non-contact communication device, The housing of the first information acquisition unit includes: an opening formed in an adjacent surface adjacent to the second information acquisition unit; a radio wave shielding member provided at an end of the upper surface of the housing connected to the adjacent surface on the side of the adjacent surface, the radio wave shielding member suppressing leakage of the radio waves from the upper surface to the upper side; An information acquisition device comprising:

2. The information acquisition device according to claim 1 , wherein the radio wave shielding member is a metal plate that reflects or attenuates the radio wave.

3. The first information acquisition unit is The information acquisition device according to claim 1 or 2, which is an optical reading device that optically reads an information code displayed on an information recording medium directed to a reading reference surface on the top surface of the housing and acquires information contained in the information code.

4. The information acquisition device according to claim 3 , wherein the radio wave shielding member is provided between a light transmitting window formed on the reading reference surface and the adjacent surface.

5. The information acquisition device according to claim 1 , wherein the radio wave shielding member is provided so as to cover an area of ​​at least 20 mm from the adjacent surface.

6. The information acquisition device according to claim 1 , wherein the radio wave shielding member includes a plurality of plate pieces provided at an end of the upper surface of the housing on the adjacent surface side, the plate pieces being spaced apart from one another by 20 mm or less.

7. The information acquisition device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing is entirely made of a metal plate.

8. 2. An automatic ticket gate comprising the information acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein the automatic ticket gate permits passage of a user when the information is acquired by either the first information acquisition unit or the second information acquisition unit.

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