Facility management system

Abstract

To provide a facility management system capable of tracking the number of facility users.SOLUTION: A facility management system 1 comprises a settlement processing unit 306 that settles an extension fee for facility use, and a display and operation control unit 311 that displays an operation element for instructing the settlement process and the number of facility users.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a facility management system. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to ensure proper operation, facilities such as theme parks may calculate the number of users of the facility and take measures based on this calculated number of users.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a device that uses a sensor to detect the number of people entering and leaving a leisure facility, and stops issuing tickets to the facility when the number of people remaining exceeds a limit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3411945 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the device described in Patent Document 1 uses sensors to detect people entering and exiting, which increases equipment costs and may result in an inaccurate count of people entering and exiting due to sensor detection errors.In addition, information related to the number of people entering and exiting could be used for other operations, not just to stop issuing admission tickets.

[0006] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a facility management system that can grasp the number of users of a facility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the facility management system according to the present invention comprises a settlement processing means for settling the extended fee for facility use, and a display means for displaying an operator for instructing the settlement processing and the number of facility users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the configuration of a facility management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the appearance of a ticket vending machine and a fare adjustment device. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a facility management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the facility management system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing facility tickets issued by the facility management system according to the present embodiment, and are examples of (a) a time-use ticket and (b) a free pass. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a setting information storage unit in the facility management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a usage status storage unit in the facility management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a performance record storage unit in the facility management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a ticket issuing process executed in a ticket vending machine in the facility management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram illustrating an example of a process executed when a management device acquires ticket issuance information in the facility management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a settlement process executed by a settlement device in the facility management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 4 is a process flow diagram showing an example of a process executed when a management device acquires settlement information in the facility management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a settlement process executed by a settlement device in a facility management system according to Example 2 of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram showing an example of the flow of a switching process in the facility management system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram showing another example of the flow of switching processing in the facility management system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a ticket is issued by a ticket vending machine in the facility management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when an extension fee is settled by the settlement device in the facility management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Overview of Facility Management System 1 A facility management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. A facility management system 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a system that manages facility operations such as ticket issuing and payment settlement as well as the number of people entering and exiting a facility such as an amusement facility. The facility in this embodiment is, for example, an amusement facility such as an amusement park or theme park, but it broadly includes facilities that issue tickets for facility use and allow customers to use the facility all day or for a certain period of time.

[0010] The facility management system 1 is composed of a ticket vending machine 2, a fare adjustment device 3, and a management device 4, each of which is configured to be able to communicate via a network NW. Note that multiple ticket vending machines 2 and multiple fare adjustment devices 3 are installed depending on the size and operation of the facility.

[0011] The ticket vending machine 2 is a device that issues tickets for receiving goods and services within a facility. In this embodiment, the ticket vending machine 2 issues a first ticket for using the facility and a second ticket for receiving additional services within the facility. The first type of ticket is a facility use ticket, which can be either a free pass that allows use of the facility all day without time restrictions, or a time use ticket that allows use of the facility only during a specified time period (hereinafter referred to as "time use"). Customers who wish to use the facility all day purchase a free pass, and customers who wish to use the facility for a limited time period purchase a time use ticket. The second ticket may be, for example, a meal ticket, but may also include any other ticket that serves as proof of purchase of various paid services or products that are recorded as sales. In the following description of this embodiment, the second ticket is a meal ticket, but other types of tickets can be used in the same manner. Furthermore, the first ticket or the second ticket may be referred to as a "ticket" when referring to them without distinguishing between their types.

[0012] This ticket vending machine 2 is installed, for example, near the entrance of a facility, and customers enter the facility by purchasing a first ticket and a second ticket from the ticket vending machine 2. Note that a ticket vending machine 2 that issues only second tickets may also be installed within the facility. Information on the ticket issued by the ticket vending machine 2 is provided to the management device 4 as ticket issuing information. In this embodiment, the ticket vending machine 2 may be any terminal or device that issues tickets, and regardless of its name, it may be configured as a manned (operated by a store clerk) POS terminal or an unmanned (self-service type operated by a customer) POS terminal.

[0013] The settlement device 3 is a device for settling the bill required for use of the facility, and is realized by, for example, a POS terminal. The settlement device 3 is installed, for example, near the exit of the facility and executes settlement processing when a customer finishes using the facility and exits. Information related to the settlement processing executed by the settlement device 3 is provided to the management device 4 as settlement information.

[0014] In one embodiment, the settlement process is carried out at the end of facility use, regardless of whether or not the customer has paid for the expenses. That is, whether the customer has been issued a free pass or a time-use ticket to use the facility, the customer will complete the settlement process before finishing their use of the facility. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the payment process is carried out only when there is a possibility of payment. In other words, if a customer uses a facility after being issued a free pass, there is no need to pay, but if a customer uses a facility after being issued a time-use ticket, there is a possibility that payment for an extension fee will be required, so the customer will go through the payment process and end their use of the facility regardless of whether they actually extend their stay.

[0015] The management device 4 is a higher-level device than the ticket vending machines 2 and the settlement device 3, and controls the entire facility management system 1, as well as stores and manages various files. This management device 4 is a so-called server, and may be installed within the facility or on the cloud.

[0016] Appearance of the ticket vending machine 2 and the fare adjustment device 3 FIG. 1 shows an example of the external configuration of a ticket vending machine 2 and a fare adjustment device 3 according to this embodiment. The ticket vending machine 2 has a touch panel 23 at the top of the front that serves as a data display and operation unit. The touch panel 23 displays a screen on which customers can perform predetermined operations, including issuing tickets, and customers can purchase tickets such as facility tickets and meal tickets by touching the screen. Below the touch panel 23, there are provided a bill insertion slot 21a, a bill return slot 21b, a coin insertion slot 21c, and a coin return slot 21d. On the side of the touch panel 23, there is an issuing port 24a for dispensing facility tickets and meal tickets, and a CAT terminal 22a for processing payments using credit cards (including magnetic type, contact IC type, and touch payment) and electronic money.

[0017] The settlement device 3 has a customer-side touch panel 34 at the top of the front side, which is the side operated by the customer. A screen for customers to perform predetermined operations, including settlement, is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 34, and customers settle their bill by touching the screen. A banknote insertion / withdrawal opening 31a, a coin insertion opening 31b, a coin withdrawal opening 31c, and a reject opening 31d are provided below the customer-side touch panel 34. The reject opening 31d is an outlet for discharging coins when a cancellation operation is performed after a deposit. A CAT terminal 32a is provided on the side of the customer-side touch panel 34 for processing payments using credit cards (including magnetic type, contact IC type, and touch payment) and electronic money. A store clerk-side touch panel 35 is provided on the rear side of the customer-side touch panel 34. A screen for the store clerk to perform predetermined operations such as settlement is displayed on the store clerk-side touch panel 35, and the store clerk performs settlement by touch operation. Regardless of the illustrated example, the ticket vending machine 2 and the settlement device 3 are appropriately equipped with functional units or mechanisms that realize the hardware configuration described below.

[0018] ●Ticket vending machine 2 hardware configuration The ticket vending machine 2 is a device that issues tickets such as facility tickets and meal tickets. As shown in Fig. 2, the ticket vending machine 2 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for executing information processing, and storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and is connected to a change / note machine 21, a non-cash settlement unit 22, a touch panel 23, an issuing unit 24, and a communication unit 25 via an interface circuit.

[0019] The change / note machine 21 is a mechanism that enables cash payments and is an example of a cash settlement unit that accepts money from customers, counts the money deposited, and dispenses change according to the settlement amount. The change / note machine 21 is made up of a banknote insertion slot 21a, a banknote return slot 21b, a coin insertion slot 21c, and a coin return slot 21d.

[0020] The non-cash payment unit 22 supports non-cash payment processing such as credit card payment, electronic money payment, and code payment. The CAT terminal 22a is an example of this non-cash payment unit 22. The ticket vending machine 2 can optionally support one or more non-cash payment methods as the non-cash payment unit 22, and is equipped with the functions and mechanisms required for each payment method as appropriate. For example, a scanner may be provided adjacent to the CAT terminal 22a as a reading means for reading two-dimensional codes for code payment.

[0021] The touch panel 23 is an example of a display / operation unit that constitutes a display means for displaying various information and an operation receiving means for receiving various operations. The touch panel 23 is an integrated configuration of a display unit and an operation unit, but the display / operation unit can also be realized by a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel and an operation unit such as a mechanical key.

[0022] The issuing unit 24 prints predetermined information on a print medium in response to a customer's operation, and ejects the printed facility use ticket or meal ticket from an issuing port 24a.

[0023] The communication unit 25 is realized by one or more communication means for realizing connection with each terminal or device. For example, interconnection with the management device 4 is realized by a wired or wireless LAN, a public communication network such as the Internet, or a dedicated line.

[0024] In addition, the ticket vending machine 2 may also be equipped with an alarm unit such as a speaker or a sign lamp, which may be used to notify customers or store clerks of processing errors, forgotten change, etc.

[0025] ●Hardware configuration of settlement device 3 The settlement device 3 is a device that performs settlement processing as a process for terminating use of the facility. As shown in Fig. 2, the settlement device 3 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for executing information processing, and storage devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and is connected to a change / ticket machine 31, a non-cash settlement unit 32, a camera 33, a customer-side touch panel 34, a store clerk-side touch panel 35, an issuing unit 36, and a communication unit 37 via an interface circuit.

[0026] The change machine 31 is a mechanism that enables cash payments, and accepts money from customers, counts the money deposited, and dispenses change according to the settlement amount. The change machine 31 is made up of a banknote insertion / withdrawal opening 31a, a coin insertion opening 31b, a coin dispensing opening 31c, and a reject opening 31d.

[0027] The non-cash payment unit 32 is a payment unit that handles non-cash payment processes such as credit card payments, electronic money payments, and code payments. The CAT terminal 32a is an example of this non-cash payment unit 32. The settlement device 3 can be equipped with one or more payment methods as the non-cash payment unit 32 according to any specifications, and is equipped with the functions and mechanisms required for each payment method as appropriate. For example, a scanner may be provided adjacent to the CAT terminal 32a as a reading means for reading two-dimensional codes for code payments.

[0028] The camera 33 is an example of a code reading means that reads the two-dimensional code printed on the facility use ticket. The camera 33 may also serve as a means for reading two-dimensional codes or the like in code settlement.

[0029] The customer-side touch panel 34 is an example of a display and operation unit that constitutes a display means for displaying various information and an operation reception means for receiving various operations, and is provided for use by customers. This customer-side touch panel 34 is an integrated configuration of a display unit and an operation unit, but regardless of this, the display and operation unit can also be realized by a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel and an operation unit such as a mechanical key.

[0030] The clerk-side touch panel 35 is an example of a display and operation unit that constitutes a display means for displaying various information and an operation reception means for receiving various operations, and is provided for use by the clerk. Like the customer-side touch panel 34, the clerk-side touch panel 35 is also an integrated unit consisting of a display unit and an operation unit, but regardless of this, the display and operation unit can also be realized by a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel and an operation unit such as a mechanical key.

[0031] The issuing unit 36 ​​prints predetermined information on a print medium in response to the payment operation, and ejects the printed receipt from a predetermined issuing port.

[0032] The communication unit 37 is realized by one or more communication means for realizing connection with each terminal or device. For example, interconnection with the management device 4 is realized by a wired or wireless LAN, or a public communication network such as the Internet, or a dedicated line.

[0033] Like the ticket vending machine 2, the settlement device 3 may also be equipped with other functional units such as notification units such as speakers and sign lamps, which may be used to notify customers, store clerks, etc. of processing errors or forgotten change.

[0034] ● Software configuration of ticket vending machine 2 As shown in Figure 3, the ticket vending machine 2 has the following software resources: an information storage unit 201, a coding processing unit 202, a calculation processing unit 203, a ticket issuance processing unit 204, a timing unit 205, a printing processing unit 206, a display / operation control unit 207, and a communication processing unit 208.

[0035] Information storage unit 201 is a storage unit that stores information necessary for issuing tickets and outputting information on touch panel 23. Information stored in information storage unit 201 includes, for example, the type and content of facility tickets and meal tickets, the unit price for calculating the sales price, the layout of the GUI displayed on touch panel 23, and layout information necessary for printing tickets on print media. This information is managed by management device 4, and may be sent from management device 4 to ticket vending machine 2 and updated at predetermined times, such as when facility management system 1 is started up or during maintenance. Regardless of this embodiment, the ticket vending machine 2 may not store this information, but may instead obtain the necessary information from the management device 4 when the information is needed for processing in the ticket vending machine 2.

[0036] The encoding processing unit 202 encodes predetermined information into a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a barcode when issuing a facility use ticket. The encoded information includes an ID (identification information issued by the management device 4 described below) issued when the ticket is issued, and may also include the ticket type (free pass or time use ticket), the time of entry to the facility, and the scheduled time of exit from the facility, as appropriate. The encoded information is referenced during the settlement process after use of the facility. However, it is also possible to obtain the ID from the encoded information while using the facility, not just during the settlement process, and to reference the information associated with the ID. In addition, not only when issuing facility tickets but also when issuing meal tickets, information that allows the contents of the meal ticket to be understood may be coded so that the coded information can be referenced when using the meal ticket within the facility.

[0037] The calculation processing unit 203 calculates a sales price based on the number of facility tickets, meal tickets, etc. purchased by the customer, based on the unit prices stored in the information storage unit 201. If the facility ticket is a time ticket, the calculation processing unit 203 calculates the sales price based on a unit price per unit time, such as 30 minutes.

[0038] The ticket issuing processor 204 issues tickets including meal tickets and facility tickets. That is, it executes payment processing according to the payment method designated by the customer, using the ticket sales price calculated by the calculation processor 203 as the payment amount, and generates ticket issuing information for issuing the ticket. Furthermore, it requests the print processor 206 to issue the ticket.

[0039] The ticket issuance information generated by the ticket issuance processing unit 204 includes, for example, information such as the type and name of the ticket to be issued, the sales price of the paid ticket, the entry time, the scheduled exit time, and the ID issued by the identification information issuing unit 402 described below.

[0040] Information such as the type and name of the ticket is based on information stored in the information storage unit 201. The selling price of the ticket is calculated by the calculation processing unit 203 based on the type of ticket selected by the customer and the unit price for each type of ticket stored in the information storage unit 201. The entry time and scheduled exit time are determined when the facility use ticket is issued. The entry time is also the purchase time of the facility use ticket, measured by the timing unit 205. If the ticket being sold is a time use ticket, the scheduled exit time is calculated from the entry time according to the scheduled usage time. If the facility use ticket is a free pass, the scheduled exit time is not particularly considered, and the ticket may be printed with a statement that it is a free pass, or the closing time of the facility may be printed as the scheduled exit time.

[0041] The settlement process is carried out by the change dispenser 21 if the customer desires cash settlement, and by the non-cash settlement unit 22 if the customer desires non-cash settlement. The generated ticket information is printed on a predetermined printing medium by the issuing unit 24 and provided to the customer, and is also transmitted or output to the management device 4.

[0042] The clock unit 205 measures the current date and time. The clock unit 205 measures the facility entry time, which is printed on the face of the facility pass. In this embodiment, the time of purchase of the facility pass is treated as the entry time.

[0043] The print processing unit 206 generates information to be printed on a ticket based on a request from the ticket issuing processing unit 204, and causes the issuing unit 24 to print the generated information on a predetermined printing medium, which is then provided to the customer as a ticket. The information printed on the issued ticket corresponds to the ticket issuance information. The ticket issuance information or appropriate information contained in the ticket issuance information is coded by the coding processing unit 202 into a one-dimensional or two-dimensional symbol code and printed on the ticket.

[0044] An example of the facility pass printed by the print processing unit 206 is shown in FIG. Figure 4(a) shows an example of a time-use ticket, which has printed on it the sales price, purchase date (date of facility use), entry time, scheduled exit time (marked "Exit time" in the figure), a QR code (registered trademark), and other information, as well as important points to note when using the ticket. Figure 4(b) shows an example of a free pass, which has printed on its face the sales price, purchase date (date of facility use), entry time, a message indicating that it is a free pass (in the figure, it says "Free time"), a QR code (registered trademark), and other information. As with time-use tickets, important notes for using the ticket are printed on the face of the ticket.

[0045] 4 is issued in one embodiment, and a two-dimensional code that is read during the payment process is printed on the free pass. In this embodiment, payment is processed at the end of facility use regardless of whether or not payment is made, and even for a free pass, the two-dimensional code on the ticket is read and the payment process is carried out. On the other hand, in another embodiment, a two-dimensional code may not be printed on the face of a free pass. In this embodiment, payment may be processed only for time-use tickets that may require payment at the end of facility use. That is, for time-use customers, the two-dimensional code on the face of the ticket is read and payment is processed when the customer leaves the facility, while for all-day use customers, payment is not processed and the customer leaves the facility.

[0046] The display / operation control unit 207 controls the touch panel 23 to display various information on the touch panel 23, and accepts operations and information input from the touch panel 23. In this embodiment, the touch panel 23 displays a purchase screen for facility use tickets and meal tickets, etc.

[0047] The communication processing unit 208 is a functional unit that executes transmission and reception of data with the management device 4 via the communication unit 25, and realizes data communication in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The ticket vending machine 2 can transmit or output ticket issuance information to the management device 4 using this communication processing unit 208. At this time, the ticket vending machine 2 may transmit its own identification information to the management device 4 along with the ticket issuance information.

[0048] The software resources of the ticket vending machine 2 described above can be distributed or consolidated into any of the hardware resources through appropriate design, and the hardware resources can also be configured as a physically integrated device or separate devices. Alternatively, the software resources of the ticket vending machine 2 described above can be stored on a cloud server or the like, and data processing can be handled by the cloud server or the like, with the ticket vending machine 2 configured to only input and output data via the touch panel 23 and issue tickets via the issuing unit 24.

[0049] ● Software configuration of settlement device 3 As shown in Figure 3, the settlement device 3 has, as software resources, an information storage unit 301, a reading processing unit 302, a discrimination processing unit 303, a calculation processing unit 304, a notification processing unit 305, a settlement processing unit 306, a timing unit 307, a switching processing unit 308, a printing processing unit 309, a closing processing unit 310, a display / operation control unit 311, and a communication processing unit 312.

[0050] Information storage unit 301 is a storage unit that stores information necessary for outputting to customer-side touch panel 34 and clerk-side touch panel 35. Information stored in information storage unit 301 includes, for example, the type and content of the facility use ticket, the unit price for calculating the extended use of the facility, the layout of the GUI displayed on customer-side touch panel 34 and clerk-side touch panel 35, and layout information necessary for printing receipts on print media. This information is managed by management device 4, and may be sent from management device 4 to settlement device 3 at predetermined times, such as when facility management system 1 is started up or during maintenance, and may be updated. Regardless of this embodiment, the settlement device 3 may not retain this information, and may instead obtain the necessary information from the management device 4 at the time when the information is needed for processing in the settlement device 3.

[0051] The reading processing unit 302 reads the two-dimensional code printed on the facility use ticket. The two-dimensional code appropriately includes the ID issued at the time of ticket issuance (identification information issued by the management device 4 described below), the type of ticket such as a free pass or time-use ticket, the expected entry time, and the expected exit time. The settlement device 3 acquires and decodes this information that was coded by the reading processing unit 302 and refers to it during the settlement process. It can also acquire information necessary for the settlement process from the management device 4 based on the information acquired by decoding.

[0052] During payment processing, the discrimination processing unit 303 determines whether the usage time of the time-use ticket has been extended, and if the usage time has been extended, calculates the extended time. The extended time is calculated as the difference between the scheduled exit time and the current time measured by the timing unit 307. However, assuming that the customer takes time to complete the payment procedure, a time that is a predetermined amount shorter than the calculated extended time may be treated as the extended time when calculating the extension fee. In addition, if a time that is shorter by a specified amount is treated as extended time and no payment is made during the settlement process, a message such as "You have exceeded XX minutes, but there will be no additional payment" may be displayed on the customer-side touch panel 34 of the settlement device 3 that is performing the settlement process.

[0053] The calculation processing unit 304 calculates the amount to be settled after the customer has used the facility, for example, by calculating an extension fee according to the extended time based on the unit price stored in the information storage unit 301. More specifically, the extension fee is calculated based on the unit price, which is a predetermined unit time such as 30 minutes, and the extended time. This unit price per unit time may be the same as when the time use ticket was sold, or it may be different. Furthermore, as will be described later, if a customer wishes to settle the extension fee including the fees for members belonging to the same group, the extension fees for each member can be calculated separately and these can be added together to calculate the amount to be settled.

[0054] During the payment process, if there is information that should be notified to the customer performing the payment operation, the notification processing unit 305 notifies the customer of that information. For example, if a customer is visiting a facility in a group such as a family or friends, and other members of the group have already left, this may be notified when the payment operation is performed. Also, a notification may be provided that the payment processes for all members of the group can be performed together in a single payment process. Furthermore, if a group includes both adults and children, the payment process for the adult's facility use ticket may be restricted until the child's facility use ticket has been scanned. In this way, by preventing adults from leaving first in a group consisting of adults and children, the problem of children being left behind in the facility can be prevented. Regarding group registration, for example, customers who are issued tickets together in a single transaction may be treated as belonging to a single group. The notification by the notification processing unit 305 can be made by displaying a message or an icon on the customer side touch panel 34 or the store clerk side touch panel 35, for example.

[0055] The settlement processing unit 306 executes the settlement process according to the payment method designated by the customer, using the extension fee calculated by the calculation processing unit 304 as the settlement amount, thereby completing the settlement process. The settlement process is executed by the change / ticket machine 31 if the customer desires cash settlement, or by the non-cash settlement unit 32 if the customer desires non-cash settlement.

[0056] The clock unit 307 clocks the current date and time. This clock unit 307 clocks the time of exit from the facility. In this embodiment, the time when the payment processing operation is accepted is treated as the time of exit. However, assuming that the customer takes time to complete the payment operation, the time a predetermined time later than the actual time of exit may be treated as the time of exit when calculating the extension fee.

[0057] The switching processing unit 308 switches the operation mode of the payment device 3. The payment device 3 can be switched, by any setting, between a store clerk operation mode operated by a store clerk and a self-operation mode operated by the customer themselves. In other words, a payment device 3 operated in the store clerk operation mode functions as a manned device in that a store clerk assists the customer, while a payment device 3 operated in the self-operation mode functions as an unmanned device in that no store clerk assists the customer.

[0058] In the clerk operation mode, the clerk receives a facility use ticket from the customer and performs a predetermined operation based on the facility use ticket in accordance with the payment screen displayed on the clerk's touch panel 35. At this time, the payment details are displayed on the customer's touch panel 34, and if there is any payment due, the customer makes the payment using the change machine 31 or the non-cash payment unit 32. In the self-operation mode, the customer performs predetermined operations based on the facility use ticket in hand, following the payment screen displayed on the customer-side touch panel 34. At this time, no particular information may be displayed on the clerk-side touch panel 35, or the operations on the customer-side touch panel 34 may be displayed so that the clerk can check the customer's operations.

[0059] The switching of the operation mode by the switching processing unit 308 may be performed in response to a predetermined switching operation by a store clerk, or may be performed automatically when a predetermined condition is met. For example, the system may operate in self-operation mode when there are no facility users who need to settle the extension fee, and automatically switch to clerk operation mode when a facility user who needs to settle the extension fee appears, or when it is expected that a facility user who needs to settle the extension fee will appear. A case where it is expected that a facility user who needs to settle the extension fee will appear occurs when a customer who has extended their stay appears and the scheduled time of departure approaches without the settlement process being executed, such as five minutes before the scheduled time of departure, and this can be determined based on information from the usage status storage unit 4012, which will be described later. Conversely, if there are facility users who need to settle the extension fee, the system may be operated in clerk operation mode, and if, as a result of the settlement process for a specific customer, there are no facility users who need to settle the extension fee, the system may automatically switch to self-operation mode.

[0060] The print processing unit 309 generates information to be printed on a receipt in accordance with the payment of the extension fee, and causes the issuing unit 36 ​​to print the generated information on a predetermined printing medium, which is then provided to the customer as a receipt. The receipt issued at this time will include the extended time and the amount of the extended fee.

[0061] The store-closing processing unit 310 executes store-closing processing in response to a request from a store clerk. The store-closing processing is a so-called settlement process that is carried out when the facility is closed or when the use of the settlement device 3 is finished, and includes counting cash and turning off the power. When the store closing processing unit 310 receives a request from a store clerk to execute the store closing process, it may notify the store clerk if there are a predetermined number or more facility patrons who have not yet completed their checkout. In one example, the display / operation control unit may display a message on the store clerk's touch panel 35 indicating that there are still patrons, such as "A customer is currently using the facility. Closing cannot be performed until all patrons have left." In another example, the store closing processing may be restricted as long as there are a predetermined number of patrons. In yet another example, the store closing processing may be executed while resetting the counted number of patrons to zero.

[0062] The number of facility users is determined based on information stored in a usage status storage unit 4012 of the management device 4 (described later) or information counted by the counting processing unit 404, for example. Furthermore, the notification method is not limited to the form of a message, but may be a flashing display of an icon or the like, or an appropriate method such as a lit or flashing sign lamp separately provided on the settlement device 3, or audio guidance using an audio output means such as a speaker.

[0063] The display / operation control unit 311 comprises a display means for controlling the customer-side touch panel 34 and the clerk-side touch panel 35 to display various information on the customer-side touch panel 34 and the clerk-side touch panel 35, and an input means for accepting operations and information input from the customer-side touch panel 34 and the clerk-side touch panel 35. In this embodiment, the customer-side touch panel 34 and the clerk-side touch panel 35 display a payment screen for facility tickets, etc. The payment screen may display not only the payment details and operators for accepting payment operations, but also the status of facility users. The status of facility users may display, for example, the number of customers currently using the facility, a breakdown of whether customers currently using the facility are using the facility all day or by the hour, and the number of customers who need to pay extension fees.

[0064] The communication processing unit 312 is a functional unit that executes transmission and reception of data with the management device 4 via the communication unit 37, and realizes data communication in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The settlement device 3 can transmit or output settlement information to the management device 4 using this communication processing unit 312. At this time, the settlement device 3 may transmit its own identification information to the management device 4 together with the settlement information.

[0065] The software resources of the settlement device 3 can be distributed or consolidated into any of the hardware resources by appropriate design, and the hardware resources can also be configured as physically integrated or separate devices. Alternatively, the software resources of the settlement device 3 can be stored on a cloud server or management device 4, etc., and data processing can be handled by the cloud server or management device 4, with the settlement device 3 only performing the functions of reading two-dimensional codes with the camera 33, inputting and outputting data with the customer-side touch panel 34 and the clerk-side touch panel 35, and issuing receipts with the issuing unit 36.

[0066] ● Software configuration of management device 4 As shown in FIG. 3, the management device 4 includes, as software resources, an information storage unit 401, an identification information issuing unit 402, a registration processing unit 403, a counting processing unit 404, an accounting processing unit 405, and a communication processing unit 406.

[0067] The information storage unit 401 is a storage unit that stores information necessary for the ticket issuing process by the ticket vending machine 2 and the settlement process by the settlement device 3, as well as information based on the results of these ticket issuing processes and settlement processes. This information storage unit 401 is composed of, for example, a setting information storage unit 4011, a usage status storage unit 4012, and a performance storage unit 4013.

[0068] The setting information storage unit 4011 is a storage unit that stores information necessary for ticket issuing processing and payment processing. The setting information storage unit 4011 stores unit prices for each type of ticket, as shown in FIG. 5, for example. Ticket types are broadly divided into facility use tickets and meal tickets, and facility use tickets are further divided into all-day use free passes and time use tickets for time use. While different unit prices are set for adults and children for free passes and time use tickets, this is not limited to this in other embodiments. The unit price for time use tickets may be a fee per unit of time. For example, it may be set at a certain price per 30 minutes, allowing customers to select the desired time. Time use tickets with predetermined usage times, such as 3 hours or 5 hours, may also be available, with a unit price set for each. The fee for extending time use may be set at the same unit price as the unit price set for the time use ticket, or a separate unit price for the extension fee may be set.

[0069] The usage status storage unit 4012 is a storage unit that stores the usage status of the facility by customers. 6, the usage status storage unit 4012 stores the group, ticket type, entry time, scheduled exit time, and settlement flag in association with an ID issued by the identification information issuing unit 402 (described later). In the illustrated example, an ID is issued for each customer or facility use ticket. Customers who issue tickets in one transaction are treated as customers belonging to the same group, and customers belonging to the same group are given identification information indicating that they are in the same group. The ticket type, entry time, and scheduled exit time are information acquired from the ticket vending machine 2 as ticket issuing information.

[0070] The settlement flag is a flag that indicates whether or not the settlement process has been performed for each customer, and is based on the settlement information obtained from the settlement device 3. If the settlement process has been completed, the settlement flag is set and the time when the settlement process was performed may also be registered. For free passes, flag management may not be performed regardless of whether or not payment processing has been performed. Also, when a customer using a time pass extends their stay, the extended status and the extended time may be displayed. The extended status and the extended time are calculated or determined based on the scheduled exit time and the current time.

[0071] The actual sales amount storage unit 4013 is a storage unit that stores the sales amount resulting from the issuance of tickets and the settlement of extension fees as actual sales amount, and is recorded by the recording processing unit 405. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, this record storage unit 4013 stores information related to the date and time of payment, sales amount, type, and quantity for each payment ID that individually identifies a payment. In terms of types, there are processes that generate payments, such as ticket issuance and settlement of extension fees, and for ticket issuance, the specific details of the issued ticket are registered in more detail. This makes it possible to collectively manage the type and number of tickets purchased for each customer.

[0072] The identification information issuing unit 402 issues a unique ID (identification information) to each customer or each issued facility use ticket when issuing a facility use ticket. Even if a customer purchases facility use tickets for multiple customers in one transaction, an ID is issued for each of the multiple customers or facility use tickets purchased collectively. In addition, if a customer purchases facility use tickets for multiple customers in one transaction, a group ID will be issued to the facility use tickets purchased in that transaction or to the customers who use them.

[0073] The registration processing unit 403 associates the customer's usage status with the ID and registers it in the usage status storage unit 4012 based on the ticket issuance information received from the ticket vending machine 2 and the settlement information received from the settlement device 3.

[0074] The counting processing unit 404 counts the number of issued facility tickets as the number of facility users based on the ticket issuance information obtained from the ticket vending machine 2 and / or the settlement information obtained from the settlement device 3. The number of facility users includes the total number of facility users on the day regardless of whether they have paid or not, the number of facility users at the current time, the number of customers using the facility for an hour who may extend their stay, and the number of customers using the facility for an hour who have extended their stay at the current time.

[0075] The total number of facility users on that day is counted based on the number of facility tickets issued by the ticket vending machine 2. Specifically, the counting processing unit 404 adds up the number of facility users according to the number of facility tickets issued. However, among the ticket issuing information, the number of issued meal tickets is not added to the number of facility users.

[0076] The number of facility users at the current time is calculated by subtracting the number of issued facility tickets from the number of tickets that have been processed for payment. In this case, for example, when facility tickets are issued based on the ticket issuance information, the number of facility users is added according to the number of issued tickets, and when payment processing is performed based on the payment information, the number of facility users is subtracted according to the number of payments processed. Even in this case, the number of issued meal tickets from the ticket issuance information is not added to the number of facility users.

[0077] The number of customers who may extend their time among customers using the time service is counted by adding the number of customers according to the number of issued time use tickets and subtracting the number of customers according to the number of time use tickets that have been settled. The number of customers using the facility for an extended period of time at the current time is calculated based on the information in the usage status memory unit 4012 by adding the number of customers according to the number of time-use tickets that are using the facility past the scheduled exit time, and subtracting the number of customers according to the completion of the settlement process for the time-use tickets that are using the facility past the scheduled exit time.

[0078] The counting processing by the counting processing unit 404 may be performed each time the management device 4 obtains ticket issuance information and settlement information from the ticket vending machine 2 and the settlement device 3, respectively, and the counting results may be stored in a predetermined table or the like. In this case, the number of customers may be added or subtracted from the counting results stored in the table, or the counting may be performed from scratch by referring to the usage status storage unit 4012. The settlement device 3 may also display the counting results on the clerk-side touch panel 35 by referring to the predetermined table. Furthermore, the counting process by the counting processing unit 404 may be performed in response to an operation of the settlement device 3 by a store clerk or a request from the settlement device 3, and the settlement device 3, upon acquiring the result of the counting process, may display the result of the counting process on the store clerk touch panel 35. In this case, the management device 4 may update the information relating to the result of the counting process each time it acquires ticket issuance information from the ticket vending machine 2.

[0079] Based on the ticket issuance information, the accounting processing unit 405 accounts for the issued meal tickets and facility tickets as sales in the actual result storage unit 4013. In addition, based on the settlement information, the accounting processing unit 405 accounts for the extension fee settled by the settlement processing unit 306 as sales in the actual result storage unit 4013.

[0080] The communication processing unit 406 is a functional unit that executes transmission and reception of data with the ticket vending machine 2 and the settlement device 3, and realizes data communication in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. The management device 4 uses this communication processing unit 406 to receive ticket issuance information from the ticket vending machine 2 and to transmit information stored in the information storage unit 401 and processing results by each functional unit. In addition, the management device 4 uses this communication processing unit 406 to receive settlement information from the settlement device 3 and to transmit information stored in the information storage unit 401 and processing results by each functional unit.

[0081] The software resources of the management device 4 can be distributed or consolidated into any of the hardware resources through appropriate design, and the hardware resources can also be configured as a physically integrated device or separate devices. For example, the functions of the management device 4 can be stored in the ticket vending machine 2 or the settlement device 3. [Example]

[0082] ●Processing flow 1 An example of a process executed when issuing a ticket in the facility management system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. In this first embodiment, the settlement process is carried out at the end of facility use for both a free pass and a time-use ticket.

[0083] FIG. 8 shows the flow of processing when a ticket is issued by the ticket vending machine 2. The ticket vending machine 2 accepts a customer's ticket issuing operation from the touch panel 23 (S101). That is, the customer selects a desired ticket on the ticket issuing screen displayed on the touch panel 23. A plurality of tickets can be selected at once in one transaction. Since the time when the facility use ticket is issued is the starting point for calculating the scheduled exit time, the ticket vending machine 2 may display a message on the top screen (standby screen) of the touch panel 23 before accepting the ticket issuing operation, urging the customer to check in their luggage. If the customer makes preparations such as checking in their luggage after issuing the ticket, the time from the time when the ticket is issued to the start of facility use (entrance) will be wasted, so the message is displayed to prevent this.

[0084] The calculation processing unit 203 calculates the payment amount based on the unit price of the ticket selected by the customer, displays it on the touch panel 23, and requests the customer to make payment (S102). The ticket vending machine 2 executes the payment process based on the payment method specified by the customer (S103), and if the ticket purchased by the customer is only a meal ticket (S104), it issues the meal ticket (S105) and transmits the ticket issuance information to the management device 4 (S106).

[0085] If the ticket is a facility use ticket, or if multiple tickets include a facility use ticket, the ticket vending machine 2 transmits a request to issue an ID to the management device 4 (S107). In response, the management device 4 issues an ID for each issued facility use ticket using the identification information issuing unit 402 (S108) and notifies the ticket vending machine 2 of this (S109). The issued ID is registered in the usage status storage unit 4012 by the registration processing unit 403 (S110).

[0086] When the ticket issuing processor 204 receives an ID for the facility use ticket, it causes the encoding processor 202 to generate a two-dimensional code including the ID (S111), and causes the print processor 206 to generate print information to issue the ticket (S105). When the ticket issuing information is sent to the management device 4 (S106), the ticket issuing process in the ticket vending machine 2 ends.

[0087] FIG. 9 shows the flow of processing executed when the management device 4 acquires ticket issuing information from the ticket vending machine 2. When the management device 4 acquires ticket issuance information from the ticket vending machine 2 (S201), it adds the number of facility users and / or counts the results according to the type of ticket included in the ticket issuance information. That is, for meal tickets, the number of tickets issued is not added to the number of facility users according to the number of tickets issued (S202), and the counting processing unit 405 counts the sales in the results storage unit 4013 (S205).

[0088] On the other hand, for facility tickets, the counting processing unit 404 adds the number of issued tickets or IDs to the number of facility users (S202, S203). Furthermore, the usage status is stored in the usage status storage unit 4012 in association with the ID (S204). Here, the information stored in the usage status storage unit 4012 includes, for example, the group identification information, ticket type, entry time, and scheduled exit time. The group identification information is information that associates the IDs included in one transaction with each other, and may be issued when the ID is issued by the identification information issuing unit 402. Also, the settlement flag may be registered with information indicating that the transaction has not been settled or that it is a free pass.

[0089] Regarding the issuance of the facility ticket, the accounting processing unit 405 accounts for the sales in the record storage unit 4013 (S205), and the processing based on the ticket issuance information is thereby completed.

[0090] FIG. 10 shows the flow of the settlement process executed by the settlement device 3. The settlement device 3 accepts settlement operations on the customer-side touch panel 34 or the clerk-side touch panel 35 (S301). When the settlement device 3 is operated in self-operation mode, the clerk performs the settlement operations on the customer-side touch panel 34, and when the settlement device 3 is operated in clerk-operation mode, the clerk performs the settlement operations on the clerk-side touch panel 35 in response to a customer request.

[0091] The settlement device 3 prompts the customer or store clerk to read the two-dimensional code printed on the face of the facility use ticket, for example, on the customer-side touch panel 34 or the store clerk-side touch panel 35. When the customer or store clerk holds the facility use ticket over the camera 33 in response, the reading processing unit 302 reads the two-dimensional code on the face of the ticket, and the settlement device 3 obtains the coded ID (S302). The settlement device 3 obtains usage status information associated with the ID from the management device 4 (S303).

[0092] If, based on the usage information associated with the ID, there are other IDs associated as part of the same group (S304), the customer or store clerk who is the operator is notified of this by a message on the customer's touch panel 34 or the store clerk's touch panel 35, and the operator is asked to confirm whether or not to process the payment for the other members of the group together (S312). In addition, at the time when usage status information is acquired, if other members of the same group have already left, the customer or store clerk who is the operator may be notified of this by a message on the customer-side touch panel 34 or the store clerk-side touch panel 35.

[0093] If there are no other members in the group, or if there are other members in the same group but the payment process is not performed collectively, and the facility use ticket to be paid for is a free pass (S305), the payment process is completed without paying the expenses, and a message to that effect is displayed (S310). When payment information including at least information indicating that payment has been completed and information on the ID of the person to be paid for is sent to the management device 4 (S311), the payment process in the payment device 3 is completed.

[0094] On the other hand, if the facility use ticket to be settled is a time use ticket in S305, the discrimination processing unit 303 determines whether the facility use time has been extended (S306), and if it has not been extended, the settlement is completed without any expense settlement, and a message to that effect is displayed (S310). As in the case where settlement for a free pass has been completed, when settlement information including at least information indicating that settlement has been completed and information on the ID of the person to be settled is sent to the management device 4 (S311), the settlement process in the settlement device 3 is completed.

[0095] If the facility usage time has been extended in S306, the extended usage fee is calculated and displayed as the payment amount (S307), and the payment process is executed in accordance with the payment process request (S308). When a receipt is issued in response to the execution of the payment process (S309), the settlement is completed and a message indicating this is displayed (S310). When the settlement information includes at least information indicating that the settlement has been completed, information on the ID of the person to be settled, and information on the payment amount, it is sent to the management device 4 (S311), and the settlement process in the settlement device 3 is completed.

[0096] Returning to S312, if the customer selects to settle the fare including the fare for other members of the same group (S313), and the facility use ticket to be settled is a free pass (S314), the settlement for the members of the same group is completed without settlement of the expenses, and a message to that effect is displayed (S310). When the settlement information including at least information indicating that the settlement has been completed and information on the ID of the person to be settled is sent to the management device 4 (S311), the settlement process in the settlement device 3 is completed.

[0097] On the other hand, if the facility use ticket to be settled is a time use ticket in S314, the discrimination processing unit 303 determines whether the facility use time has been extended (S315), and if it has not been extended, the settlement is completed for all members of the same group without settlement of the expenses, and a message to that effect is displayed (S310). As in the case where settlement of a free pass has been completed, when settlement information including at least information indicating that settlement has been completed and information on the ID of the person to be settled is sent to the management device 4 (S311), the settlement process in the settlement device 3 is completed.

[0098] If the facility usage time has been extended in S315, the extended usage fee is calculated and displayed as the payment amount (S316), and the payment process is executed in accordance with the payment process request (S308). The extended usage fee calculated and settled here includes the total cost for other members of the group. When a receipt is issued in response to the execution of the payment process (S309), the settlement is completed and a message indicating this is displayed (S310). When the settlement information includes at least information indicating that the settlement has been completed, information on the ID of the person to be settled, and information on the payment amount, it is sent to the management device 4 (S311), and the settlement process in the settlement device 3 is completed. If a customer selects to adjust the fare for other members of the group, the facility use tickets of the other members may be read by the reading processing unit 302, and the fare for the read members may be adjusted together. Furthermore, information on the other members may not be obtained by reading the facility use tickets of the other members by the reading processing unit 302, but may be obtained from the usage status storage unit 4012 in accordance with the customer's selection.

[0099] FIG. 11 shows the flow of processing when the management device 4 acquires settlement information from the settlement device 3. When the management device 4 acquires payment information from the payment device 3 (S401), the counting processing unit 404 subtracts the number of facility users according to the number of IDs for which payment has been made (S402).

[0100] Information corresponding to the content of the payment information is stored in the usage status storage unit 4012 (S403). That is, a payment flag, exit time, etc. are stored in association with the ID of the person to be paid. Furthermore, if the settlement information includes information relating to the payment of the extended use fee (S404), the accounting processing unit 405 accounts for the information relating to the payment in the performance record storage unit 4013 (S405).

[0101] According to the facility management system 1 of the first embodiment, store staff can grasp the number of users of the facility and perform appropriate tasks, which results in efficient and smooth operation of the facility. [Example]

[0102] ●Processing flow 2 Next, a facility management system 1 according to a second embodiment will be described. In Example 2, among facility use tickets, free passes are not subject to settlement processing, and only time use tickets are subject to settlement processing. In other words, free passes are unlikely to require settlement, and only time use tickets for which settlement may be required are subject to settlement processing. Furthermore, in Example 2, the number of facility users is counted as customers or time use tickets with the possibility of extending their use. This makes it possible to quantify and grasp the possibility of needing to settle an extended use fee.

[0103] In this embodiment, since no settlement process is performed for free passes, it is not necessary to generate a two-dimensional code encoding an ID, nor to print a two-dimensional code on the face of the ticket. Therefore, when issuing a ticket, the ticket vending machine 2 may request the management device 4 to issue an ID only if the ticket type is a time-use ticket, and no ID may be issued if the ticket is a meal ticket or free pass. In this case, a message indicating that settlement process is not required may be printed on the face of the free pass.

[0104] In addition, when the management device 4 acquires ticket issuance information, the number of issued time-use tickets is counted as the number of registered users, while free passes and meal tickets are only counted as actual results.

[0105] FIG. 12 shows the flow of the settlement process executed by the facility management system 1 according to the second embodiment. The settlement device 3 accepts settlement operations on the customer-side touch panel 34 or the store clerk-side touch panel 35 (S501). In this embodiment, the two-dimensional code is printed only on the time-use ticket, and the two-dimensional code on the face of the time-use ticket is read by the settlement device 3 so that only customers using the time-use ticket can make the payment (S502). The settlement device 3 obtains usage status information associated with the ID obtained by reading the two-dimensional code from the management device 4 (S503).

[0106] If, based on the usage information associated with the ID, there are other IDs associated as part of the same group (S504), the customer or store clerk who is the operator is notified of this by a message on the customer touch panel 34 or the store clerk touch panel 35, and the operator is asked to confirm whether or not to process the payment for the other members of the group together (S511).

[0107] If there are no other members in the group, or if there are other members in the same group but they are not to be settled together (S504), the discrimination processing unit 303 determines whether the facility usage time has been extended (S505), and if not, the settlement is completed without settlement of expenses, and a message to that effect is displayed (S509). When settlement information including at least information indicating that settlement has been completed and information on the ID of the person to be settled is sent to the management device 4 (S510), the settlement process in the settlement device 3 is completed.

[0108] If the facility usage time has been extended in S506, the extended usage fee is calculated and displayed as the payment amount (S507), and the payment process is executed in accordance with the payment process request (S507). When a receipt is issued in response to the execution of the payment process (S508), the settlement is completed and a message indicating this is displayed (S509). When the settlement information includes at least information indicating that the settlement has been completed, information on the ID of the person to be settled, and information on the payment amount, it is sent to the management device 4 (S510), and the settlement process in the settlement device 3 is completed.

[0109] Returning to S511, if the customer selects to include the payment for other members of the same group (S512), the discrimination processing unit 303 determines whether the facility usage time has been extended (S513), and if not, the expense settlement is not carried out as is, and the settlement for all members of the same group is completed, and a message indicating this is displayed (S509). When the settlement information includes at least information indicating that the settlement has been completed and information on the ID of the person to be settled, it is sent to the management device 4 (S510), and the settlement process in the settlement device 3 is completed.

[0110] If the facility usage time has been extended in S513, the extended usage fee is calculated and displayed as the payment amount (S514), and the payment process is executed in accordance with the payment process request (S507). As in the first embodiment, the extended usage fee calculated and settled here includes the total cost for other customers in the group. When a receipt is issued in response to the execution of the payment process (S508), the payment is completed and a message indicating this is displayed (S509). When payment information including at least information indicating that the payment has been completed, information on the ID of the person being paid, and information on the payment amount is sent to the management device 4 (S510), the payment process in the payment device 3 is completed.

[0111] In this embodiment, the processing performed when the management device 4 acquires ticket issuance information differs from the example described with reference to Fig. 9 in the following respects: In other words, in the processing of S202, the number of facility users is added and the situation is stored only when the ticket type is a time-use ticket, and when the ticket type is a free pass or a meal ticket, it is only counted as an actual result.

[0112] According to the facility management system 1 of this embodiment, the number of facility users is counted by counting customers or time tickets who may extend their stay. As a result, store staff can quantify the possibility of needing to settle an extended use fee. If they determine that an extended use fee is necessary, they can operate the settlement device 3 in staff operation mode and prepare to handle the customer. Also, if they determine that an extended use fee is not necessary, they can switch the settlement device 3 to self-operation mode, allowing the staff to use their time efficiently, such as by working on other tasks.

[0113] ●Other processing examples FIG. 13 shows an example of the flow of processing in the switching process of the payment terminal 3, and illustrates an example in which the operation of the payment terminal 3 is switched from a self-operated mode (unmanned machine) to a store clerk-operated mode (manned machine). When the management device 4 is operating in the self-payment mode and receives ticket issuance information or payment information (S601), the counting processing unit 404 counts the number of facility users who need to pay for extension fees (S602). The number of facility users who need to pay for extension fees is calculated by subtracting the number of time use tickets that have been paid for from the number of time use tickets issued beyond the scheduled exit time.

[0114] The management device 4 transmits information regarding the number of facility users who need to settle the extension fee or the presence or absence of such facility users to the settlement device 3 (S603). If there is a facility user who needs to settle the extension fee (S604), the settlement device 3 switches the operation mode to the clerk operation mode by the switching processing unit 308 (S605). On the other hand, if there is no facility user who needs to settle the extension fee as before, the settlement device 3 maintains the self-operation mode.

[0115] FIG. 14 shows another example of the process flow in the switching process of the payment terminal 3, in which the operation of the payment terminal 3 is switched from a store clerk-operated mode (manned terminal) to a self-operated mode (unmanned terminal). When the management device 4 is operating in the clerk operation mode and receives ticket issuance information or settlement information (S701), the counting processing unit 404 counts the number of facility users who need to settle the extension fee (S702).

[0116] The management device 4 transmits information regarding the number of facility users who need to settle the extension fee or the presence or absence of such facility users to the settlement device 3 (S703). If there are no facility users who need to pay for the extension fee (S704), the settlement device 3 switches the operation mode to the self-operation mode (S705) using the switching processing unit 308. On the other hand, if there are facility users who need to pay for the extension fee as before, the settlement device 3 maintains the clerk operation mode.

[0117] Regardless of this example, the settlement device 3 may inquire of the management device 4 at a predetermined timing as to whether there are any facility users who need to settle the extension fee, and switch the operation mode depending on the result. In addition, the management device 4 may be configured to send information to the settlement device 3 notifying the facility user that an extension fee needs to be settled only when the user appears or disappears, and the settlement device 3 may switch its operation mode at that timing.

[0118] ●Screen example FIG. 15 shows a payment screen G1 as an example of a screen displayed on the clerk-side touch panel 35 of the payment device 3 during payment processing. The settlement screen G1 displays operators G11 for accepting settlement operations and executing settlement processing. The operators G11 include, for example, a button for specifying a predetermined payment method, a button for inputting the amount and quantity, and a cash total button.

[0119] The settlement screen G1 also displays an amount display field G12 that displays the settlement amount and its breakdown, such as the extension fee to be settled, subtotal, and total. The example shown in the figure shows a case where the unit price for extension use is 800 yen per minute or more but less than 30 minutes, and the total amount displayed is "2,400 yen" obtained by multiplying the unit price of "800 yen" by the quantity "3" for the extension use fee of 1 hour or more but less than 1 hour 30 minutes for one person. In the example shown in the figure, an extension of 1 minute or more but less than 30 minutes is treated as one product, and an extension of 1 hour or more but less than 1 hour 30 minutes is treated as three products.

[0120] The payment screen G1 also has a user information display field G13 that displays the number of facility users. The number of facility users displayed in this user information display field G13 is a value counted by the counting processing unit 404, and may display a value conforming to the above-described first and second embodiments. For example, the user information display field G13 may display the total number of facility users on the day, the number of facility users at the current time, the number of hourly users who may extend their stay, the number of hourly users who have extended their stay at the current time, etc. Furthermore, one or more of these pieces of information may be displayed by item or in a detailed breakdown format.

[0121] In the illustrated example, in addition to the number of facility users (8 people) who have been issued time-use tickets and are using the facility before the settlement process, the number of facility users who have not yet extended their time (5 people), the number of facility users who have extended their time by 30 minutes (2 people), and the number of facility users who have extended their time by one hour (1 person) are displayed. These numbers of facility users may be numbers counted by the counting processing unit 404 based on the number of time-use tickets issued and the number of settlement processes, or numbers counted based on information stored in the usage status storage unit 4012.

[0122] Furthermore, regardless of the illustrated example, the breakdown of the number of facility users may be displayed as the status after a predetermined time, such as 10 minutes later. For example, assuming that the payment process has not been performed within 10 minutes, the number of facility users who have received a time-use ticket and are using the facility after 10 minutes and have not yet been paid for may be displayed, with the breakdown of the number of facility users who have not yet extended their stay and the number of facility users who have extended their stay by a predetermined time. Furthermore, the number of facility users may take into consideration not only customers using the facility for a certain period of time but also customers using the facility for the entire day, and the number of facility users who have been issued a free pass may be displayed as a breakdown of this number.

[0123] This screen display allows store clerks to predict the number of customers who will be processing payments and their trends while they are processing payments, allowing them to work efficiently. Furthermore, if this information could be shared with a higher-level controller that manages the payment devices 3, a manager who manages the situation through the controller could allocate store clerks appropriately, ensuring smooth operation within the facility.

[0124] FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel 23 of the ticket vending machine 2 when a ticket is issued. The payment amount for the issued ticket is displayed on the touch panel 23 as "Total Item Price," and the amount paid by the customer is displayed as "Deposit." The amount of change and whether or not a receipt is desired are also displayed so that the customer can check it, and if a receipt is desired, a receipt will be issued.

[0125] In the center of the screen, along with the message "Please be careful not to forget to take your ticket," icons are displayed indicating the location of the ticket issuing port 24a where the "ticket" is issued, and the locations of the bill return port 21b and coin return port 21d where the "change" is dispensed. In order to prevent tickets from being forgotten, a sensor for preventing tickets from being forgotten may be attached to the ticket vending machine 2, and a notification of the forgotten ticket may be displayed on the touch panel 23 or the like. The customer receives the ticket and any change, and then uses the ticket to enter the facility.

[0126] ● Overview of implementation The present invention relates to a facility management system.

[0127] In order to ensure proper operation, facilities such as theme parks may calculate the number of users of the facility and take measures based on this calculated number of users.

[0128] Japanese Patent No. 3411945 discloses a device that uses a sensor to detect the number of people entering and leaving a leisure facility, and stops issuing admission tickets to the facility if the number of people remaining exceeds a limit.

[0129] However, the device described in Patent Document 1 uses sensors to detect people entering and exiting, which increases equipment costs and may result in an inaccurate count of people entering and exiting due to sensor detection errors.In addition, information related to the number of people entering and exiting could be used for other operations, not just to stop issuing admission tickets.

[0130] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a facility management system that can grasp the number of users of a facility.

[0131] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the facility management system according to the present invention comprises a settlement processing means for settling the extended fee for facility use, and a display means for displaying an operator for instructing the settlement processing and the number of facility users.

[0132] The system may further include a ticket issuing processing means for issuing meal tickets and facility use tickets, a first accounting means for accounting the meal tickets and facility use tickets as sales, and a counting processing means for counting the number of facility use tickets issued as the number of facility users, and the counting processing means may not count the number of meal tickets issued as the number of facility users.

[0133] The facility may further include a second accounting means for accounting the extension fee settled by the settlement processing means as sales, and the counting processing means may subtract the number of facility users based on the settlement processing of the extension fee.

[0134] The display means may be configured to display a message regarding the facility users when a request to execute a closing process is received and the number of facility users is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

[0135] The facility may also have a settlement device equipped with the settlement processing means, which functions as an unmanned machine operated by a facility user until an extended use of the facility occurs, and when an extended use occurs or is expected to occur, it functions as a manned machine operated by a store staff member of the facility.

[0136] In addition, the computer programs that cause the ticket vending machines, the settlement devices, and the facility management system to perform specified processing can be provided by downloading via a network such as the Internet, or by recording them on various computer-readable recording media such as CD-ROMs.

[0137] The facility management system according to this embodiment allows for the operation of ticket vending machines that issue meal tickets and facility tickets, without counting up the number of facility users by the number of meal tickets. This allows store staff to accurately manage the number of facility users. Furthermore, the system allows staff to grasp the number of facility users and work appropriately, and also allows staff to change the operating mode of the payment device 3 depending on the customers who may be staying at the facility for extended periods and their circumstances. This allows for efficient and smooth operation of the facility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 1: Facility management system 2: Ticket machine 3:Payment device 4: Management device 201: Information storage section 202: Encoding processing unit 203: Calculation processing unit 204: Ticket issuing processing unit 205: Timing section 206: Print processing unit 207: Display and operation control unit 208: Communication processing unit 301: Information storage section 302: Reading processing unit 303: Discrimination processing unit 304: Calculation processing unit 305: Notification processing unit 306: Settlement Processing Unit 307: Timing section 308: Switching processing unit 309: Print processing unit 310: Closing Department 311: Display and operation control unit 312: Communication processing unit 401: Information storage section 402: Identification Information Issuer 403: Registration processing section 404: Counting processing unit 405: Accounting processing section 406: Communication processing unit NW: Network

Claims

1. a settlement processing means for settling an extension fee for facility use; and a display means for displaying an operator for instructing payment processing and the number of facility users. Facility management system.

2. a ticket issuing means for issuing meal tickets and facility tickets; a first accounting means for accounting the meal tickets and the facility use tickets as sales; a counting processing means for counting the number of issued facility tickets as the number of facility users, The counting processing means does not count the number of issued meal tickets as part of the number of facility users. The facility management system of claim 1 .

3. The system further includes a second accounting means for accounting the extension fee settled by the settlement processing means as sales, The counting processing means subtracts the number of facility users based on the settlement process of the extension fee. The facility management system of claim 2 .

4. the display means, when receiving a request to execute a closing process, displays a message regarding the facility users if the number of facility users is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. The facility management system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A settlement device including the settlement processing means, The settlement device functions as an unmanned machine operated by a facility user until an extended use of the facility occurs, and functions as a manned machine operated by a store clerk of the facility when an extended use occurs or is expected to occur.

3. The facility management system according to claim 1 or 2.

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