Ticket processing system, ticket processing device, server, and ticket processing method

Abstract

To provide a ticket processing system, a ticket processing device, a server, and a ticket processing method enabling transition to an operation using a ticket by a code image without spending cost.SOLUTION: A ticket processing system has a ticket processing device and a server. The ticket processing device has a first communication unit, an operation unit, a reading unit, and a control unit. The server has a second communication unit, a storage unit, and a processor. The first communication unit communicates with the server. The operation unit receives a processing request for a ticket. The reading unit reads a code image indicating the ticket which is a processing target. The control unit acquires original ticket information about the ticket indicated by the code image from the server, and based on the original ticket information acquired from the server, executes ticket processing in response to the processing request input to the operation unit. The second communication unit communicates with a station service apparatus including the ticket processing device. The storage unit stores the original ticket information about the ticket indicated by the code image. The processor transmits the original ticket information about the ticket indicated by the code image, read by the ticket processing device in response to the request from the ticket processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a ticket processing system, a ticket processing device, a server, and a ticket processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, transportation facilities such as railways operate station service systems as ticket processing systems that include station service equipment such as ticket processing devices that issue and refund various types of tickets, including ordinary tickets, commuter passes, and group tickets, and ticket gates that perform ticket gate operations at each station. Conventional station service systems are designed on the premise that they process magnetic tickets that record magnetic information as the ticket medium. Station service equipment that processes such magnetic tickets has the problem of incurring equipment and maintenance costs for taking in magnetic tickets and performing processes such as reading and writing magnetic information.

[0003] For this reason, in recent years, station systems have been proposed that use code images such as two-dimensional barcodes to enable the use of ticket gates, etc. In such station systems, for tickets that display a code image (hereinafter referred to as code tickets), information corresponding to the ticket ID indicated by the code image is managed by a server, and the ticket itself does not record ticket information like magnetic tickets. Therefore, the server determines whether or not to allow entry or exit based on the ticket ID read from the code image of the code ticket at the ticket gate.

[0004] However, when changing a station service system that processes magnetic tickets to one that can process code tickets, it is not easy to enable the server to perform all of the ticket processing currently performed by each existing station service device that supports magnetic tickets. For example, the refund processing for commuter passes with magnetic tickets implemented in conventional ticket processing devices that support magnetic tickets involves complex calculations because the refund rules are determined by each railway operator. Implementing all of the ticket processing for magnetic tickets currently performed by conventional ticket processing devices on a server would be extremely costly. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-357417 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ticket processing system, a ticket processing device, a server, and a ticket processing method that enable a transition to operation using tickets with code images without incurring additional costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to an embodiment, the ticket processing system includes a ticket processing device and a server. The ticket processing device includes a first communication unit, an operation unit, a reading unit, and a control unit. The server includes a second communication unit, a memory unit, and a processor. The first communication unit communicates with the server. The operation unit accepts processing requests for tickets. The reading unit reads a code image indicating the ticket to be processed. The control unit acquires original ticket information for the ticket indicated by the code image from the server, and performs ticket processing in accordance with the processing request input to the operation unit based on the original ticket information acquired from the server. The second communication unit communicates with station service equipment including the ticket processing device. The memory unit stores the original ticket information for the ticket indicated by the code image. The processor transmits the original ticket information for the ticket indicated by the code image read by the ticket processing device in response to a request from the ticket processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a station service system as a ticket processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket vending machine as a ticket processing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server in a station service system as a ticket processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the process of issuing a code ticket by a station service system including a ticket vending machine as a ticket processing device according to an embodiment and a server. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the code ticket refund operation performed by a station service system including a ticket vending machine as a ticket processing device according to an embodiment and a server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a station service system (ticket processing system) 1 including a ticket vending machine (ticket processing device) 1 as a ticket processing device according to an embodiment, a server 4, and a ticket gate 5. As shown in FIG. The station service system 1 according to this embodiment is a system made up of various station service devices that perform various station service processes for transportation facilities such as railways. The station service system enables the use of transportation facilities such as railways using tickets such as regular tickets, commuter passes, and group tickets. The station service system 1 enables the use of transportation facilities not only using tickets that are recording media on which magnetic or electronic information is recorded, but also using tickets that show code images such as two-dimensional codes.

[0010] In the configuration example shown in Fig. 1, the station service system 1 is made up of a ticket vending machine 2, a ticket gate 3, and a server 4. The ticket vending machine 2 and the ticket gate are connected to the server 4. Note that the station service system 1 may also be configured such that in addition to the ticket vending machine 2 and the ticket gate 3, station service equipment such as a fare adjustment machine and an attendant processing machine are communicatively connected to the server 4.

[0011] The ticket vending machine 2 functions as a ticket processing device operated by the user. The ticket vending machine 2 is installed, for example, at each station. The ticket vending machine 2 issues a code ticket S that displays a code image Sa in response to the user's operation. The ticket vending machine 2 issues not only regular tickets, but also tickets such as commuter passes, group tickets, and special tickets as code tickets. The ticket vending machine 2 also has the function of executing ticket processing such as refund processing for tickets held by users.

[0012] In this embodiment, the ticket vending machine 2 communicates with the server 4 and issues a code ticket S on which a code image Sa indicating a ticket ID is printed (displayed) on a medium. The code image Sa printed on the code ticket S is information indicating identification information that identifies the ticket as the ticket ID. Furthermore, the ticket vending machine 2 not only issues the code ticket S, but also performs ticket processing such as refund processing for the code ticket S. Note that the code image Sa indicating the ticket ID is not limited to being printed on a medium, but may also be displayed on the display unit of a mobile terminal held by the user.

[0013] The ticket gate 3 performs a process (ticket gate process) to control the passage (entrance and exit) of a user based on the ticket held (presented) by the user. The ticket gate 3 is installed, for example, at a ticket gate in a station. The ticket gate 3 determines whether the ticket presented by the user is allowed to pass (enter or exit), and controls the passage of the user based on the result of the determination.

[0014] In this embodiment, the ticket gate 3 communicates with the server 4 and performs passage control for the code ticket S. For example, the ticket gate 3 reads the code image Sa printed on the code ticket S presented by the user, and requests the server 4 to determine whether the ticket showing the code image Sa is allowed to pass (enter or exit). The ticket gate 3 obtains the determination result for the ticket showing the code image Sa from the server 4, and performs passage control for the user based on the determination result.

[0015] The server 4 communicates with station equipment such as the ticket vending machine 2 and the ticket gate 3. The server 4 stores information about tickets corresponding to the ticket IDs issued in response to requests from the ticket vending machine 2. The server 4 stores judgment data for determining whether or not a valid issued code ticket S is passable for each ticket ID of the ticket. The server 4 also stores original ticket information about the issued code ticket S as the code image Sa. In other words, the server 4 stores judgment data and original ticket information about valid issued code tickets S.

[0016] The determination data is information used to determine whether the code ticket S is permitted to pass through the ticket gate 3, etc. For example, the determination data may be information in the form of a list indicating whether each code ticket S is permitted to pass through each station. The original ticket information includes predetermined ticket information, including information necessary for ticket processing such as refund processing for the code ticket S. For example, in the case of a magnetic ticket, the original ticket information includes ticket information that should be written on the ticket itself. For example, the original ticket information for a commuter pass as a code ticket includes commuter pass information such as the validity period and validity zone of the commuter pass.

[0017] Next, the configuration of the ticket vending machine 2 as the ticket processing device according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ticket vending machine 2 as a ticket processing device according to an embodiment. In the configuration example shown in Figure 2, the ticket vending machine 2 has a control unit 10, a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a fare memory 13, a data memory 14, a communication unit 15, a code reader 16, a card processing unit 17, a cash processing unit 18 and a ticket issuing unit 19.

[0018] The control unit 10 is responsible for overall control of the ticket vending machine 2. The control unit 10 includes a processor 10a, a memory 10b, and various interfaces. The processor 10a is a CPU that executes programs. The memory 10b includes RAM, ROM, and rewritable non-volatile memory (e.g., EEPROM, FROM, etc.). The control unit 10 realizes various functions by having the processor 10a execute the programs stored in the memory 10b. For example, the control unit 10 is connected to each part within the ticket vending machine 2 via an interface and controls each part within the ticket vending machine 2. The control unit 10 also performs various arithmetic processing by having the processor 10a execute the programs stored in the memory 10b.

[0019] The display unit 11 is a display device that displays various kinds of guidance to the user. The touch panel 12 is an example of an operation unit that accepts operations by the user. For example, the display unit 11 is configured with a liquid crystal display device that includes the touch panel 12 as an operation unit. The control unit 10 has the function of controlling the display unit 11 and the operation unit (touch panel) 12. The control unit 10 controls the content displayed on the display unit 11, and detects the area indicated (touched) by the user using the touch panel as the operation unit 12.

[0020] For example, the display unit 11 displays buttons for selecting a ticket issuing button or a refund button. When the control unit 10 detects that the ticket issuing button has been touched on the touch panel serving as the operation unit 12, it executes a process for issuing a code ticket in accordance with an instruction from the user. Also, when the control unit 10 detects that the refund button has been touched on the touch panel serving as the operation unit 12, it executes a process for refunding the ticket in accordance with an instruction from the user.

[0021] The fare memory 13 stores fare data, etc. The control unit 10 calculates the amount of a ticket to be issued, etc., based on the fare data stored in the fare memory 13. The control unit 10 also executes refund processing (ticket processing), which includes processing to calculate the refund amount for a commuter pass, etc., based on the fare data stored in the fare memory 13.

[0022] The data memory 14 stores various data. For example, the data memory 14 may store calculation rules and formulas for calculating the amount of a refund in a refund process. The data memory 14 may also store a program for executing the refund process.

[0023] The communication unit 15 is an external communication unit for performing data communication with the server 4. For example, the communication unit 15 is a network interface. The communication unit 15 may also perform data communication with other station service equipment.

[0024] The code reader 16 is connected to the imaging unit 16a. The code reader 16 and the imaging unit 16a function as a reading unit that reads the code image on the code ticket. The imaging unit 16a is composed of a camera or the like. The code reader 16 acquires the image captured by the imaging unit 16a and extracts the code image from the captured image. The code reader 16 also supplies the captured code image to the control unit 10. The code reader 16 may also encode the code image captured by the imaging unit 16a into a ticket ID and supply the ticket ID to the control unit 10.

[0025] Card processing unit 17 is connected to card slot 17a. Card processing unit 17 processes a card inserted into card slot 17a and ejects the processed card from card slot 17a. Card processing unit 17 has a processing unit according to the type of storage medium used as the card to be handled. For example, card processing unit 17 may be a reader / writer compatible with contact or contactless IC cards, or a unit that processes magnetic cards that store magnetic information.

[0026] The cash processing unit 18 is connected to the cash port 18a. The cash processing unit 18 has the function of determining the type of cash (banknotes or coins) and inspecting the authenticity of banknotes or coins. The cash processing unit 18 processes cash inserted into the cash port 18 and releases cash to be dispensed that has been processed in the cash processing unit 18 from the cash port 18a.

[0027] The ticket issuing unit 19 is connected to the ticket issuing port 19a. The ticket issuing unit 19 issues a ticket with a print image printed on its face in accordance with instructions from the control unit 10. In this embodiment, the ticket issuing unit 19 issues a code ticket S with a print image including a code image Sa indicating the ticket ID supplied from the control unit 10.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the server 4 in the station service system 1 as the ticket processing system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 4 in the station service system 1 as the ticket processing system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the server 4 includes a processor 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a storage unit 24, a communication unit 25, and the like. The processor 21 controls the server 4. The processor 21 executes programs to realize various functions. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU.

[0029] The ROM 22 is a non-volatile memory. The RAM 22 stores control programs and control data that govern basic operations. The RAM 23 is a volatile memory. The RAM 23 functions as a working memory that temporarily stores working data.

[0030] The storage unit 24 is a memory that stores data. The storage unit 24 is configured as a rewritable nonvolatile storage device. The storage unit 24 is configured as, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0031] The storage unit 24 has a storage area 24a for storing the determination data and a storage area 24b for storing the original note information. The memory area 24a stores determination data used for determining whether a ticket corresponding to a ticket ID indicated by a code image printed or displayed on the code ticket is allowed to enter or exit the station. The determination data is, for example, information in list form indicating whether or not each ticket ID is allowed to enter or exit the station.

[0032] Memory area 24b stores original ticket information for a ticket corresponding to the ticket ID indicated by the code image printed or displayed on the code ticket. The original ticket information includes ticket information indicating the validity of the ticket, such as the validity period and validity zone. For example, the original ticket information includes ticket information to be written to the ticket medium when the ticket is issued as a magnetic ticket. Specifically, the original ticket information for a commuter pass as a code ticket includes information such as the amount at the time of issuance, the validity period (validity start date and validity end date), the validity zone, purchaser information (user name, etc.), issue date, and issuing company. The original ticket information may also include additional information in addition to the ticket information.

[0033] The communication unit 25 is a communication interface for performing data communication with each station service device. For example, the communication unit 25 is a network interface that communicates with each station service device via a network. In this embodiment, the communication unit 25 functions as a communication unit (second communication unit) that communicates with the ticket vending machine 2 and the ticket gate 3.

[0034] Next, a code ticket issuing operation by the station service system (ticket processing system) 1 including the ticket vending machine 2 as the ticket processing device according to the embodiment and the server 4 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the process of issuing a code ticket by the station service system 1 including the ticket vending machine 2 as the ticket processing device and the server 4 according to the embodiment. Here, the explanation will be made assuming the operation when issuing a commuter pass as a code ticket using the ticket vending machine 2 operated by a user. First, when purchasing a commuter pass code ticket, the user uses the operation unit 12 of the ticket vending machine 2 to instruct the purchase of the commuter pass.

[0035] When the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 detects that an instruction to issue a commuter pass has been given by the operation unit 12, it accepts input of issuance information regarding the conditions of the commuter pass to be issued (step ST11). For example, the user inputs issuance information for the commuter pass to be purchased, such as the validity zone and validity period, using a touch panel as the operation unit 12. The control unit 10 generates issuance information regarding the commuter pass to be issued based on the information input by the operation unit 12. When the issuance information necessary to issue the commuter pass is complete, the control unit 10 accepts an instruction to the operation unit 12 to issue the ticket. In this case, the control unit 10 may display on the display unit 11 the commuter pass fare and other issuance information based on the input information.

[0036] When the operation unit 12 instructs the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 to issue a commuter pass, the control unit 10 accesses the server 4 via the communication unit 15 and transmits a request to issue a ticket ID for the commuter pass to the server 4 (step ST12). Here, the issuance request transmitted by the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 to the server 4 may be any request to issue a ticket ID for the commuter pass to be issued.

[0037] The server 4 receives a request for issuing a ticket ID for a commuter pass from the ticket vending machine 2 via the communication unit 25. The processor 21 of the server 4 issues a ticket ID for the commuter pass to be issued in response to the issuance request from the ticket vending machine 2 (step ST13). The processor 21 issues unique identification information as the ticket ID. The ticket ID may be unique identification information that can be converted into a code image, and may be issued randomly or based on a predetermined rule. When the processor 21 of the server 4 issues the ticket ID in response to the issuance request for the commuter pass ticket ID, it generates a code image indicating the issued ticket ID (step ST14).

[0038] After generating a code image indicating the issued ticket ID, processor 21 of server 4 transmits the issued ticket ID and the code image indicating the ticket ID to the ticket vending machine 2 that issued the issuance request (step ST15). However, the code image indicating the ticket ID issued by server 4 may also be generated by the ticket vending machine 2. In this case, processor 21 of server 4 may transmit the ticket ID issued in response to the issuance request to the ticket vending machine 2.

[0039] The ticket vending machine 2 receives the ticket ID and code image from the server 4 via the communication unit 15. When the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 receives the ticket ID and code image in response to the ticket issuance request, it executes a ticket issuance process to issue a code ticket S as a commuter pass with the received code image Sa printed on the ticket medium (step ST16). The control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 generates a print image to be printed on the face of the commuter pass S, which is a code ticket including the code image Sa. For example, the control unit 10 generates a print image that displays predetermined information to be printed on the commuter pass (e.g., validity period, valid zone, etc.) in addition to the code image Sa. The control unit 10 supplies an issuance instruction to the ticket issuing unit 19, including the print image to be printed on the face of the ticket. In response to the instruction from the control unit 10, the ticket issuing unit 19 issues a code ticket (commuter pass) S with a print image including the code image Sa printed on the face of the code ticket.

[0040] When the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 issues a commuter pass S as a code ticket, it generates original ticket information including ticket information of the commuter pass to be issued (step ST17). The original ticket information is information stored in the server 4 as information relating to the code ticket as the commuter pass to be issued. The original ticket information is information including at least ticket information. Here, the ticket information is assumed to be information recorded on a conventional magnetic ticket. For example, the ticket information of a commuter pass includes the validity zone, validity period, issue date, issued amount, issuing company, etc.

[0041] When the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 creates original ticket information for the issued code ticket, it transmits the created original ticket information to the server 4 as information associated with the ticket ID (step ST18). The server 4 receives original ticket information corresponding to the issued ticket ID from the ticket vending machine 2. When the processor 21 of the server 4 acquires the original ticket information from the ticket vending machine 2, the processor 21 stores the received original ticket information of the issued code ticket in the memory area 24b of the memory unit 24 in association with the ticket ID (step ST19).

[0042] Furthermore, when the processor 21 of the server 4 receives the original ticket information of the issued code ticket, it validates the code ticket (step ST20). The processor 21 registers judgment data for the code ticket of the ticket ID from the ticket information indicated by the original ticket information in the memory area 24a of the storage unit 24. For example, the processor 21 registers judgment data indicating information indicating stations, etc., at which entry and exit are permitted with the code ticket in a list format in association with the ticket ID of the code ticket in the memory area 24a. This enables the server 4 to make an entry and exit judgment for the code ticket when the code ticket is presented to the ticket gate 3.

[0043] Through the above ticket issuance process, the ticket vending machine can issue code tickets on which a code image that can be used as a ticket such as a commuter pass is printed, and the original ticket information of the ticket issued as a code ticket can be stored in the server. The server also validates the code ticket by storing determination data that enables the code ticket issued by the ticket vending machine to be used, and can store the original ticket information associated with the ticket ID of the code ticket separately from the determination data that enables the code ticket issued by the ticket vending machine to be used.

[0044] The code ticket issued by the above-described ticket issuing process can be used for ticket gate processing (passage control) at the ticket gate 3. That is, the station service system 1 executes ticket gate processing at the ticket gate 3 using the code ticket S displaying the code image Sa issued by the ticket vending machine 2 by bidirectional communication between the ticket gate 3 and the server 4.

[0045] For example, the ticket gate 3 reads the code image Sa on the code ticket S presented by the user, and requests the server 4 to make a pass judgment (determine whether to enter or exit) for the ticket with the ticket ID indicated by the read code image Sa. When the server 4 receives a pass judgment request including the ticket ID from the ticket gate 3, it determines whether the ticket with the ticket ID is passable based on the judgment data stored in the memory area 24a of the memory unit 24, and returns the judgment result to the ticket gate 3. The ticket gate 3 obtains the pass judgment result for the code ticket S from which the code image Sa has been read, and controls the user's passage based on the pass judgment result obtained from the server 4.

[0046] Next, a refund operation of a commuter pass as a code ticket by a station service system (ticket processing system) 1 including a ticket vending machine 2 as a ticket processing device according to an embodiment and a server 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the refund operation for a commuter pass as a code ticket by a station service system (ticket processing system) 1 including a ticket vending machine 2 as a ticket processing device according to the embodiment and a server 4. In FIG. Here, we will explain the process of refunding a commuter pass as a code ticket as an example of ticket processing in the ticket vending machine 2 operated by a user. First, when refunding a commuter pass as a code ticket in the ticket vending machine 2, the user will use the operation unit 12 of the ticket vending machine 2 to instruct the commuter pass to be refunded.

[0047] The control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 detects that an instruction to refund the commuter pass has been given by the operation unit 12 (step ST30). When the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 detects that an instruction to refund the commuter pass has been given, it displays on the display unit 11 a guidance screen that guides the user to present the face of the code ticket, which is the commuter pass to be refunded and on which a code image is printed, to the imaging unit 16a of the code reader 16.

[0048] The control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 guides the user to present the code ticket to be refunded, and performs a process of reading the code image based on the image captured by the imaging unit 16a using the code reader 16 (ST31). For example, the code reader 16 extracts the code image from the image captured by the imaging unit 16a, and decodes the extracted code image to read the ticket ID indicated by the code image.

[0049] When the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 acquires the ticket ID as a result of reading the code image by the code reader 16, it accesses the server 4 via the communication unit 15 and sends a request for original ticket information for the acquired ticket ID to the server 4 (step ST32).

[0050] The server 4 receives a request for original document information from the ticket vending machine 2 via the communication unit 25. When the processor 21 of the server 4 receives the request for original document information from the ticket vending machine 2, it extracts the original document information corresponding to the ticket ID for which the original document information is requested from the memory area 24b of the memory unit 24 (step ST33). When the processor 21 of the server 4 extracts the original document information from the memory area 24b, it transmits the original document information corresponding to the ticket ID extracted from the memory area 24b to the ticket vending machine 2 that made the request (step ST34).

[0051] The ticket vending machine 2 receives the original document information sent from the server 4 in response to the request for original document information via the communication unit 15. As a result, the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 acquires the original document information of the code document serving as the commuter pass to be refunded by the user. Upon acquiring the original document information of the commuter pass (code document) to be refunded, the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 executes the refund process (document process) based on the acquired original document information of the commuter pass (code document) (step ST35).

[0052] For example, the control unit 10 executes a predetermined refund processing program to calculate the refund amount for the original ticket information of the commuter pass and pay out the calculated refund amount. Here, the refund processing program can be a part or all of a program (refund processing program for magnetic tickets) for executing the refund processing for ticket information (commuter pass information) read from a magnetic ticket. The original ticket information includes ticket information that should be recorded as commuter pass information on the ticket medium in the case of a magnetic ticket commuter pass.

[0053] By acquiring the original ticket information containing the commuter pass information described above from the server 4, the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 can calculate the refund amount using a refund processing program for magnetic tickets for the commuter pass information contained in the original ticket information. After calculating the refund amount from the original ticket information of the code ticket, the control unit 10 refunds the refund amount in cash or by card.

[0054] For example, if the user can select from multiple options for the refund amount, the control unit 10 may allow the user to select the refund method. When the refund amount is to be paid in cash, the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 dispenses the cash of the refund amount from the cash processing unit. Also, when the user selects to receive the refund amount as electronic money on an IC card or the like, the control unit 10 uses the card processing unit to execute the refund amount on the card presented by the user.

[0055] When the refund process for the commuter pass (code ticket) is completed, the control unit 10 of the ticket vending machine 2 accesses the server 4 via the communication unit 15 and transmits a notification of the completion of the refund for the ticket indicated by the ticket ID to the server 4 (step ST36).

[0056] The server 4 receives a notification of the completion of refund for the commuter pass as a code ticket via the communication unit 25. When the processor 21 of the server 4 receives the notification of the completion of refund for the commuter pass as a code ticket from the ticket vending machine 2, it performs a process to invalidate the commuter pass for which the refund has been completed (step ST37). For example, the processor 21 deletes (or invalidates) the original ticket information for the commuter pass for which the refund has been completed, which is stored in the memory area 24b of the memory unit 24. The processor 21 of the server 4 also deletes the determination data corresponding to the ticket ID from the memory area 24a of the memory unit 24, thereby invalidating the code ticket (commuter pass) so that it cannot be used.

[0057] In the above-described operation example, the refund process for a commuter pass was described as an example of ticket processing that the ticket vending machine executes using the original ticket information of the code ticket that it acquires from the server, but the ticket processing that the ticket vending machine executes using the original ticket information is not limited to the refund process for a commuter pass. For example, ticket processing such as issuing a renewal commuter pass, extending the validity period for a predetermined period, or refunding a group ticket may also be executed using the original ticket information of the code ticket that the ticket vending machine acquires from the server.

[0058] In other words, the ticket vending machine as a ticket processing device according to the embodiment is configured to acquire original ticket information containing information similar to ticket information read from a magnetic ticket or the like from a server, and therefore the ticket processing that an existing ticket vending machine performs on ticket information read from a magnetic ticket or the like can be made to be ticket processing that is performed on original ticket information of a code ticket acquired from a server. In other words, the ticket vending machine as a ticket processing device according to the embodiment can apply an existing processing program for executing ticket processing on ticket information read from a magnetic ticket or the like by an existing ticket vending machine to ticket processing on original ticket information of a code ticket acquired from a server.

[0059] As described above, the ticket processing system according to the embodiment stores original ticket information of a ticket indicated by a code image of a code ticket that is validated by the server in a storage unit. The ticket processing device acquires, from the server, original ticket information of a ticket indicated by a code image read from a code ticket to be processed, and executes ticket processing based on the original ticket information acquired from the server.

[0060] As a result, according to the embodiment, even in a configuration in which a server determines whether a code ticket has passed, ticket processing such as refunds can be performed using the ticket processing functions of existing ticket processing devices that support magnetic tickets. As a result, an existing station service system that processes magnetic tickets can be migrated at low cost to a system that can process code tickets with the same quality as before. Furthermore, even if the equipment for processing magnetic tickets in an existing station service system that processes magnetic tickets is eliminated, it can be easily and completely migrated to a station service system that processes code tickets at low cost.

[0061] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...Station service system (ticket processing system), 2... Ticket vending machines (ticket processing devices, station equipment), 3...Ticket gates (station equipment), 4...server, 10...control unit, 10a...processor, 10b...memory, 11...Display section, 12...Operation unit (touch panel), 14...Data memory, 15...Communication department (first communication department), 16...Code reader (reading unit), 17...Card processing unit, 18...Cash processing unit, 19...Ticketing Department, 21...processor, 22...ROM, 23...RAM, 24...Storage section, 24a...Storage area, 24b...Storage area, 25...Communication department (second communication department).

Claims

1. A ticket processing system having a ticket processing device and a server, The ticket processing device includes: a first communication unit that communicates with the server; an operation unit that accepts a processing request for the ticket; a reading unit that reads a code image indicating a ticket to be processed; a control unit that acquires original document information of the document indicated by the code image from the server, and executes document processing in accordance with a processing request input to the operation unit based on the original document information acquired from the server, The server A second communication unit that communicates with station service equipment including a ticket processing device; a storage unit for storing original document information of the document indicated by the code image; a processor that transmits original document information of a document indicated by a code image read by the document processing device in response to a request from the document processing device, Ticket processing system.

2. The storage unit of the server further stores determination data for determining whether or not the ticket indicated by the code image is permitted to pass through a ticket gate; The processor of the server determines whether or not a ticket indicated by the code image read by a ticket gate installed at the ticket gate can be passed through the ticket gate based on the determination data, and transmits the determination result to the ticket gate. The ticket processing system of claim 1 .

3. When a refund for the ticket indicated by the code image is requested from the operation unit, the control unit of the ticket processing device executes a refund process using the original ticket information acquired from the server and notifies the server of the completion of the refund; the processor of the server invalidates the ticket for which the refund has been completed based on a notification from the ticket processing device that the refund for the ticket indicated by the code image has been completed. The ticket processing system according to claim 2 .

4. a communication unit that communicates with the server; an operation unit that accepts a processing request for the ticket; a reading unit that reads a code image indicating a ticket to be processed; a control unit that acquires original document information of the document indicated by the code image from the server, and executes document processing in accordance with a processing request input to the operation unit based on the original document information acquired from the server; A ticket processing device having the same.

5. a ticket issuing unit that issues a code ticket displaying a code image; the control unit acquires from the server a ticket ID of the ticket instructed to be issued by the operation unit, and causes the ticket issuing unit to issue a code ticket displaying a code image indicating the ticket ID acquired from the server. The ticket processing device according to claim 4.

6. When a refund for the code ticket is requested by the operation unit, the control unit executes a refund process using original ticket information of the code ticket acquired from the server, and notifies the server of the completion of the refund process. The ticket processing device according to claim 5 .

7. a communication unit that communicates with station service equipment including a ticket processing device; a storage unit for storing original ticket information of a ticket issued as a code ticket displaying a code image; a processor that transmits original document information of a document indicated by a code image read by the document processing device in response to a request from the document processing device; A server having:

8. The storage unit further stores determination data for determining whether or not the ticket indicated by the code image is permitted to pass through a ticket gate; The processor determines whether or not a ticket indicated by the code image read by a ticket gate installed at the ticket gate can pass through the ticket gate based on the determination data, and transmits the determination result to the ticket gate. The server of claim 7.

9. the processor invalidates the ticket for which the refund has been completed based on a notification from the ticket processing device that the refund for the ticket indicated by the code image has been completed. The server of claim 8.

10. A ticket processing method used in a ticket processing system having a ticket processing device and a server, comprising: The server stores original information of the note indicated by the code image in a storage unit, The ticket processing device accepts a processing request for the ticket, The ticket processing device reads a code image indicating a ticket to be processed, the server transmits original document information of the document indicated by the code image read by the document processing device in response to a request from the document processing device; the ticket processing device acquires original ticket information of the ticket indicated by the code image from the server, and executes ticket processing in accordance with the accepted processing request based on the original ticket information acquired from the server; Ticket processing method.

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