Information reader

Abstract

To provide an information reader configured to simply prevent an IC card from being read when a QR code is displayed on a screen of a portable terminal.SOLUTION: An information reader 100 includes: a code reader 22 which acquires code information from an image captured within a first detection range DA1; an IC reader 23 which acquires response information from a non-contact IC chip 92 within a second detection range DA2; and a control apparatus 50. The code reader 22 starts reading the code information earlier than the IC reader 23 reading the response information. The control apparatus 50 stops detection operation of the IC reader 23 when acquisition of the code information is started.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information reading device that includes a code reader that obtains code information from a two-dimensional code and an IC reader that obtains response information from a contactless IC chip. [Background technology]

[0002] A processing machine that reads a two-dimensional code from a ticket medium or a screen, decodes the read two-dimensional code, and acquires data is known, and is equipped with a CPU, various memories, a communication unit, a display unit, a speaker unit, a magnetic ticket processing unit, an IC card reader / writer, a code reader, a door mechanism, a human presence sensor, etc. (Patent Document 1). Here, the IC card reader / writer reads information from an IC card.

[0003] An authentication device is known that performs an authentication process in which an IC card reader reads a user's authentication information from an IC card and authenticates whether or not each user is permitted to use a device to be used. The device selects a card recognition program to be used for reading the authentication information from among a plurality of card recognition programs based on the reading results, selects an authentication information sending program to be used according to the card recognition program, converts the authentication result into usage permission notification information, and sends it to the device to be used (Patent Document 2).

[0004] When the device described in Patent Document 1 is installed as a ticket gate at a station, a user must display a two-dimensional code on the smartphone screen when passing through the gate using their smartphone. However, if an IC card reader / writer is located near the two-dimensional code reader, the smartphone detects the polling signal emitted from the device and switches to the IC card screen. As a result, the two-dimensional code is no longer displayed on the screen, making it unusable. Furthermore, even if the two-dimensional code is successfully read, the IC card may react, resulting in unintended operations such as double-processing of payments using both the two-dimensional code and the IC card.

[0005] Regarding the above issue, one possible solution would be to make the smartphone's 2D code display function a unique application and stop the EMV or transportation IC card from responding while the application is running, but from an implementation standpoint, it is not easy to make different apps on the smartphone work together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-197591 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-069966 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide an information reading device that can easily prevent the reading of an IC chip when a two-dimensional code is displayed on the screen of a mobile terminal or the like.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the information reading device of the present invention comprises a code reader that acquires code information from an image captured within a first detection range, an IC reader that acquires response information from a contactless IC chip within a second detection range, and a control device, wherein the code reader starts acquiring the code information earlier than the IC reader starts acquiring the response information, and the control device stops the detection operation of the IC reader when acquisition of the code information has started.

[0009] In the above-mentioned information reading device, the code reader starts acquiring code information earlier than the IC reader starts acquiring response information, and the detection operation of the IC reader is stopped when the control device starts acquiring code information.Therefore, even if the information reading operation by the code reader and the information reading operation by the IC reader interfere with each other, the information reading operation by the code reader can be given priority, and problems such as the presentation of the code information intended by the user being hindered or the code information and response information being acquired twice can be avoided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a gate system including an information reading device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a conceptual plan view illustrating a gate device that is an information reading device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating the structure of an information reading device. [Figure 4] (A) is a conceptual diagram illustrating the detection range of a code reader, and (B) is a conceptual diagram illustrating the detection range of an IC reader. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating how an information reading device reads information from a mobile terminal. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a specific operation of the information reading device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a modified information reading device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the features of an information reading device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [First embodiment] An example of an information reading device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0012] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a gate system GS incorporating an information reading device 100. In addition to a plurality of information reading devices 100, the gate system GS includes a management device 300 that manages the plurality of information reading devices 100.

[0013] The information reading device 100 is a gate device 200 that manages entrance and exit to a facility, and specifically is an automatic ticket gate installed at a station ticket gate or the like. The management device 300 is installed outside the gate device 200, for example, in a location where it can be monitored by a supervisor, attendant, or the like at the facility where the gate device 200 is installed. The management device 300 is intended to be a management server installed in the facility where the gate device 200 is located, or a central server that manages multiple management servers.

[0014] Although the gate system GS is usually constructed by connecting a large number of information reading devices 100 to a management device 300, for simplicity's sake, the following description will focus on one information reading device 100 or gate device 200 connected to the management device 300.

[0015] 2 is a conceptual plan view illustrating the information reading device 100. The information reading device 100 restricts a user US who does not possess an appropriate right-of-passage medium PM from entering or exiting the station premises through the passage PA. In the figure, the direction of travel DR1 of the user US is the X direction, the left-right direction (horizontal direction) perpendicular to the X direction is the Y direction, and the up-down direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the X and Y directions is the Z direction.

[0016] The information reading device 100 comprises a pair of a master unit 11 and a slave unit 12, which are arranged with a gap therebetween to allow passage of a user US, forming an aisle PA. The aisle PA is a conductor ML designed for passage of a user US. The master unit 11 and the slave unit 12 each have a pair of rotatably attached gate doors 11a, 12a, which form an opening / closing gate GT. The gate door 11a of the master unit 11 is disposed at both ends of the side surface of the master unit 11 facing the aisle PA. Similarly, the gate door 12a of the slave unit 12 is disposed at both ends of the side surface of the gate door 12a of the slave unit 12 facing the aisle PA.

[0017] The main machine 11 includes a reader 20 and a display 30 as exterior components. The reader 20 reads information from a pass right medium PM held by the user US. It is located upstream (in front of the user US) of the main machine 11, which is on the right side of the gate device 200 from the user US's travel direction DR1. The reader 20 includes an insertion slot 21a for accepting magnetic tickets, a code reader 22 for acquiring code information from an identification code DC, and an IC reader 23 for acquiring response information from a medium equipped with an IC chip 92. In other words, the pass right medium PM is expected to be a magnetic ticket, a ticket displaying an identification code DC, a portable terminal MT displaying the identification code DC, a portable terminal MT equipped with an IC chip 92, or the like. The main machine 11 also includes an outlet 21b on the opposite side of the insertion slot 21a, corresponding to the insertion slot 21a. The insertion slot 21a and outlet 21b are part of the magnetic ticket processing device 21. In addition, in the main machine 11, between the insertion port 21a and the removal port 21b, a magnetic ticket processing device 21 is installed, which is not shown in the figure, and which includes a mechanical mechanism and a magnetic head for transporting magnetic tickets and reading and writing magnetic information from them.

[0018] The identification code DC displayed on the passage right medium PM is, for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, etc. When the passage right medium PM is a portable terminal MT, the IC chip 92 is a part that functions as the IC chip of a contactless transportation IC card or a contactless EMV card, and does not need to be incorporated as an independent component into the portable terminal MT. Here, EMV is a payment technology that enhances the security of transactions by using smart payment cards with embedded small IC chips.

[0019] The display 30 displays guidance to the user US and is located downstream (farther back from the user US) of the reading device 20 in the direction DR1 of travel of the user US. The display 30 is constructed of, for example, an organic EL element or a liquid crystal element. The display 30 displays various guidance information to the user US, for example, a guidance screen corresponding to the results of ticket gate processing.

[0020] The slave unit 12 has the same structure as the master unit 11. The slave unit 12 is equipped with a reading device 20 and a display 30 as external elements. The reading device 20 and the display 30 are provided taking into consideration the fact that the user US passes through the information reading device 100 in the reverse direction, that is, the fact that the user US passes through the information reading device 100 in the -X direction. Therefore, if the user US does not pass through the information reading device 100 in the -X direction, the reading device 20 and the display 30 are unnecessary.

[0021] The detection device 40 detects the passage of a user US and is embedded in the side surface of the main locomotive 11 and the secondary locomotive 12 facing the aisle PA. The detection device 40 detects the position of the user US in the aisle PA and can track the position of the user US in the aisle PA from the time the user US enters the aisle PA until the time the user US passes through the aisle PA. The detection device 40 has multiple sensors 41 installed at predetermined intervals along the aisle PA. The sensors 41 are, for example, transmission-type optical sensors and are composed of multiple light-emitting elements 41a installed in the main locomotive 11 and multiple light-receiving elements 41b installed in the secondary locomotive 12 at positions facing the light-emitting elements 41a. Each light-receiving element 41b receives light from the corresponding light-emitting element 41a and detects the presence or absence of the user US based on whether or not the light is received. Note that the sensor 41 may be configured such that the light-emitting element 41a is installed in the secondary locomotive 12 and the light-receiving element 41b is installed in the main locomotive 11. The sensor 41 may also be a reflective optical sensor in which the light emitting section and the light receiving section are integrated and a mirror is provided on the opposite side across the passage.

[0022] 3 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the information reading device 100. The information reading device 100 includes an opening / closing gate GT, a reading device 20, a display 30, and a detection device 40. The information reading device 100 further includes a control device 50, a storage device 61, a communication device 62, and an alarm device 70.

[0023] The code reader 22 of the reader device 20 includes a camera 22a, an illuminator 22b, and an image processing circuit 22c. The camera 22a captures an image of the identification code DC printed or displayed on the pass right medium PM and outputs image data. The illuminator 22b illuminates objects in front of the camera 22a, but is not essential. The image processing circuit 22c processes the image captured by the camera 22a, i.e., the image data output from the camera 22a, and acquires code information from the processed data. The code information, i.e., the code information decoded or restored from the identification code DC presented on the pass right medium PM, includes information about the validity of the ticket, such as the issue date, place of issue, type, validity zone, expiration date, and fare, and may also include ID information related to the ticket issuer or purchaser. The code reader 22 operates under the control of a first control circuit 51 of the control device 50, which performs the necessary processing of the code information. Specifically, the first control circuit 51 performs authentication processing and validity determination as necessary on the code information obtained by decoding the identification code DC printed or displayed on the right-of-passage medium PM. The combination of the code reader 22 and the first control circuit 51 is called a code reading device 20a.

[0024] The IC reader 23 of the reader device 20 includes an antenna 23a, a signal processing circuit 23b, an arithmetic processing unit 23c, etc. The antenna 23a transmits radio waves to a passable right medium PM incorporating a contactless IC chip 92 and receives a response from the passable right medium PM. The signal processing circuit 23b converts an electrical signal into a radio wave or vice versa, enabling digital data processing by the arithmetic processing unit 23c. The IC reader 23 acquires response information from the passable right medium PM incorporating a contactless IC chip 92. The IC reader 23 operates under the control of a second control circuit 52 of the control device 50, which performs necessary processing on the response information. Specifically, under the control of the second control circuit 52, the IC reader 23 performs polling as a detection operation within a second detection range DA2 (see FIG. 4(B) described below) to monitor whether or not there is a response from the IC chip 92. The second control circuit 52 performs a series of operations such as presence confirmation, authentication processing, data reading, validity determination, and writing on the right-of-passage medium PM via the IC reader 23. The combination of the IC reader 23 and the second control circuit 52 is called the IC reading device 20b.

[0025] The control device 50 includes an arithmetic processing unit and has the function of controlling the overall operation of the information reading device 100. The control device 50 executes programs stored in advance in the storage device 61 to realize various processes that cause the information reading device 100 to function as the gate device 200. The storage device 61 stores a control program for the information reading device 100, an application program, various data necessary for the operation of the information reading device 100, and the like.

[0026] The control device 50 comprehensively controls the operations of the reading device 20, the display 30, the detection device 40, etc. Specifically, the control device 50 operates the reading device 20, and when it detects a right-of-passage medium PM, it reads information from the right-of-passage medium PM. The control device 50 also operates the detection device 40 to detect the entry and exit of the user US into the passage PA, their position within the passage PA, etc. The control device 50 also opens and closes the opening and closing gate GT according to the results of analyzing the information on the right-of-passage medium PM received by the reading device 20. Specifically, the control device 50 opens the opening and closing gate GT to open the passage PA when allowing the user US to pass, and closes the opening and closing gate GT to close the passage PA when preventing the user US from passing. The control device 50 operates the display 30 to display various guidance information and information based on the right-of-passage medium PM to the user US.

[0027] The first control circuit 51 and the second control circuit 52 included in the control device 50 do not need to be independent circuits, and may be executed as a function of the control device 50.

[0028] The communication device 62 is an interface for communicating with the higher-level management device 300 and the like, and enables the control device 50 to obtain various information required for authentication of the passage right medium PM and the like.

[0029] The alarm device 70 includes a speaker and a lamp, and notifies the user US of various information based on commands from the control device 50. For example, the alarm device 70 outputs a warning sound indicating impassable status, a reading error, etc.

[0030] Fig. 4(A) shows the range of detection by the code reader 22, i.e., the first detection range DA1 from which code information can be obtained by the code reader 22. Fig. 4(B) shows the range of detection by the IC reader 23, i.e., the second detection range DA2 from which response information can be obtained by the IC reader 23.

[0031] The first detection range DA1 of the code reader 22 is relatively wide and extends to an area far from the code reader 22. By adjusting the settings of the camera 22a of the code reader 22, it is possible to make the first detection range DA12 wider or more directional than usual, as shown by the dotted line. Furthermore, quasi-detection zones DX1 and DX2 exist outside the first detection ranges DA1 and DA12. The code reader 22 can normally detect the presence of an identification code DC, which is a two-dimensional code, for a passing right medium PM present in the quasi-detection zones DX1 and DX2, but the probability of accurately decoding the code information from the two-dimensional code is low. However, if the code reader 22 can detect the presence of a two-dimensional code in the quasi-detection zones DX1 and DX2, it can quickly confirm the proximity of the passing right medium PM.

[0032] The second detection range DA2 of the IC reader 23 is relatively narrow and limited to the vicinity of the IC reader 23. However, by adjusting the settings of the antenna 23a of the IC reader 23, it is possible to adjust the second detection range DA22, shown by the dotted chain line, to be wider than usual.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating interference between the code reader 22 and the IC reader 23 and how to avoid it. The code reader 22 and the IC reader 23 are arranged adjacent to each other. However, the code reader 22 is arranged adjacent to the IC reader 23 and upstream of the IC reader 23 along the user's conductor ML. In this case, the first detection range DA1 corresponding to the sensitivity of the code reader 22 is wider than the second detection range DA2 corresponding to the sensitivity of the IC reader 23. In other words, the average detection distance D1 of the code reader 22 is longer than the average detection distance D2 of the IC reader 23. As a result, the first detection range DA1 and the second detection range DA2 partially overlap, but the first detection range DA1 extends further upstream along the user's conductor ML than the second detection range DA2, and a leading area AA1 in which the code reader 22 can perform detection alone is formed within the first detection range DA1. In the following description, the first detection range DA1 is treated as a wide range that includes the quasi-detection zones DX1 and DX2 when detecting the presence of the identification code DC. When decoding the identification code DC, the first detection range DA1 is treated as a range that does not include the quasi-detection zones DX1 and DX2.

[0034] Consider a situation in which a passage right medium PM approaches the information reading device 100 and moves along a passage PA. Here, the passage right medium PM is a portable terminal MT, typified by a smartphone, and holds code information and response information. The portable terminal MT can display an identification code DC corresponding to the code information on its display 91, and when it moves within a first detection range DA1, it enables the code reader 22 to read the identification code DC. The portable terminal MT also has a built-in contactless IC chip 92, which enables the IC reader 23 to obtain response information when it moves within a second detection range DA2. Here, the response information includes various information returned during two-way communication initiated in response to polling from the IC reader 23.

[0035] As the pass right medium PM moves along the passage PA of the information reading device 100 and approaches the code reader 22 or IC reader 23, the pass right medium PM first enters the first detection range DA1 and enters the preceding area AA1. In this case, if an identification code DC is displayed on the portable terminal MT, the code reader 22 can read the identification code DC displayed on the portable terminal MT. The control device 50 extracts code information from the identification code DC, determines the validity of the ticket, and decides whether to allow the user US to pass. Furthermore, as the pass right medium PM moves, the pass right medium PM leaves the preceding area AA1 and enters the second detection range DA2. In this case, the IC reader 23 enables contactless two-way communication with the portable terminal MT, and the control device 50 can cooperate with the IC reader 23 to perform a series of processes for the portable terminal MT, such as authentication, data reading, validity determination, and writing. That is, the control device 50 can determine whether or not to permit the user US to pass by making a determination regarding the validity of the ticket.

[0036] If the portable terminal MT has a ticket function that displays the identification code DC as a proprietary application and does not disable IC card response while the application is running, the identification code DC may be read by the code reader 22, and the IC reader 23 may communicate with the portable terminal MT or the IC chip 92, resulting in a series of processes such as authentication, potentially resulting in duplicated payments and other transactions. Therefore, in this embodiment, assuming that the relative positions of the first detection range DA1 and the second detection range DA2 are adjusted to ensure the preceding area AA1, when the code reader 22 starts acquiring code information, i.e., when the portable terminal MT enters the first detection range DA1 or the quasi-detection zone DX1 shown in FIG. 4A, the control device 50 determines that acquisition of code information has begun and stops polling, which is the detection operation of the IC reader 23. This allows the information reading operation by the code reader 22 to take priority over the information reading operation by the IC reader 23, regardless of the functions of the portable terminal MT. In other words, the presentation of the identification code DC intended by the user US is ensured, and even if the identification code DC is read by the code reader 22, it is possible to prevent authentication processing or other processing from being performed by the IC reader 23 between the portable terminal MT or the IC chip 92 (i.e., double processing).

[0037] A series of operations performed by the information reading device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0038] First, under the control of the first control circuit 51 of the control device 50, the information reading device 100 operates the code reader 22 to start monitoring for the presence of the identification code DC (step S11). That is, the first control circuit 51 starts an operation of detecting the presence of the identification code DC displayed on the passage right medium PM from images sequentially captured by operating the camera 22a of the code reader 22.

[0039] Next, under the control of the second control circuit 52 of the control device 50, the information reading device 100 activates the IC reader 23 and starts polling to detect the IC chip 92 (step S12).

[0040] Next, the control device 50 of the information reading device 100 checks whether a validity determination magnetic ticket has been inserted into the insertion slot 21a of the magnetic ticket processing device 21 (step S13), and if a magnetic ticket has been inserted (Y in step S13), executes processing on the magnetic ticket (step S14). Specifically, the control device 50 checks the information on the magnetic ticket and determines its validity. If the user US is permitted to pass, the control device 50 opens the opening / closing gate GT to open the passage PA, and returns the magnetic ticket to the user US through the withdrawal slot 21b, or collects the magnetic ticket.

[0041] If a magnetic ticket has not been inserted (N in step S13), the control device 50 or the first control circuit 51 checks whether the code reader 22 has detected the presence of the identification code DC (step S15). If the presence of the identification code DC has not been detected (N in step S15), the control device 50 or the second control circuit 52 checks whether the IC reader 23 has detected a response to polling (step S16). If there is no response to polling (N in step S16), the control device 50 returns to step S15 and repeats the same confirmation process until either the presence of the identification code DC is detected or a response to polling is received.

[0042] If the code reader 22 detects the presence of the identification code DC (Y in step S15), the code reader 22 notifies the IC reader 23 of the detection of the identification code via the first control circuit 51 and the second control circuit 52 (step S17). If a relay device is present between the first control circuit 51 and the second control circuit 52, the detection of the identification code is indirectly notified via the relay device. The state in which the code reader 22 detects the presence of the identification code DC means that a right-of-passage medium PM displaying the identification code DC is present in the preceding area AA1. Note that the detection of the presence of the identification code DC assumes, but is not limited to, a case in which the identification code DC is in the normal quasi-detection zones DX1 and DX2.

[0043] Next, the IC reader 23 operates under the control of the second control circuit 52 and stops polling (step S18). This makes it possible to prevent the IC chip 92 of the passing right medium PM from unintentionally responding even if the passing right medium PM enters the second detection range DA2. In other words, if the code reader 22 is given priority and starts acquiring code information first, stopping polling can temporarily suspend the detection operation of the IC reader 23, making it possible to avoid duplicate reading, in which response information is acquired after code information is acquired for the same user US.

[0044] Next, the code reader 22 decodes the code information from the photographed identification code DC, and transmits the code information obtained by reading to the first control circuit 51 (step S19).

[0045] Next, the control device 50 executes processing on the obtained code information (step S20). Specifically, the control device 50 checks the code information and determines its validity. If the user US is permitted to pass through, the control device 50 opens the opening / closing gate GT to open the passage PA.

[0046] Next, the control device 50 checks whether a predetermined condition for accepting the next user US is satisfied (step S21). Here, the predetermined condition is assumed to be that the current user US has passed through the gate device 200, which is composed of the master unit 11 and the slave unit 12, or is in a state equivalent thereto. For example, if it is determined based on the detection result by the detection device 40 that the current user US has moved to the exit of the gate device 200, the control device 50 determines that the predetermined condition for accepting the next user US is satisfied. Alternatively, the control device 50 may determine that the predetermined condition for accepting the next user US is satisfied when a certain time (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed since the code reader 22 detected the identification code DC and started processing the code information, or when a certain time (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed since processing of the code information acquired by the code reader 22 was completed. The control device 50 may also determine that the predetermined condition for accepting the next user US is satisfied when the next user US approaches the entrance of the gate device 200 within a certain distance.

[0047] If the predetermined condition for accepting the next user US is satisfied (Y in step S21), the control device 50 returns to step S11 and repeats the same process. As a result of the above operations, the first control circuit 51, after completing the processing of the code information, performs an operation of sending a command to the second control circuit 52 to resume polling by the IC reader 23 (step S11 from the second time onwards). Furthermore, the second control circuit 52 performs an operation of resuming polling by the IC reader 23 when a predetermined time has elapsed since receiving a notification from the first control circuit 51 that processing of the code information has started (step S11 from the second time onwards).

[0048] On the other hand, if there is a response to the polling (Y in step S16), the IC reader 23 operates under the control of the second control circuit 52 and performs a series of processes such as authentication processing, data reading, validity determination, writing, etc. (step S22). This series of processes is realized by transmitting a command signal from the IC reader 23 to the passage right medium PM, and performing predetermined data processing on the response signal received from the passage right medium PM. Note that if the control device 50 allows the user US to pass as a result of the validity determination, it opens the opening / closing gate GT to open the passage PA.

[0049] After the processing in step S22, the process proceeds to step S21 to determine whether or not predetermined conditions for accepting the next user US are satisfied. In this case, it is also determined, for example, whether or not the current user US has moved to the exit of the gate device 200. Also, instead of the elapsed time from the start or end of processing by the code reader 22, the elapsed time from the start or end of processing by the IC reader 23 can be used.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a modified information reading device 100. Unlike the information reading device 100 shown in FIG. 5, the code reader 22 and the IC reader 23 are spaced apart from each other along the conductor ML by a predetermined distance. However, the average detection distance D1 of the code reader 22 and the average detection distance D2 of the IC reader 23 are set to approximately the distance between the code reader 22 and the IC reader 23, and are therefore substantially equal. Therefore, the first detection range DA1 and the second detection range DA2 partially overlap, but the first detection range DA1 extends further upstream along the conductor ML of the user US than the second detection range DA2, and the second detection range DA2 extends further downstream along the conductor ML of the user US than the first detection range DA1. As a result, a leading area AA1 is formed within the first detection range DA1, in which the code reader 22 can perform detection operations independently.

[0051] In this way, when the code reader 22 is positioned far enough upstream along the user's wire than the IC reader 23, even if there is not a large difference between the detection distance D1 of the code reader 22 and the detection distance D2 of the IC reader 23, the code reader 22 is given priority and can obtain the code information first.

[0052] The information reading device 100 of the first embodiment described above comprises a code reader 22 that acquires code information from an image captured within the first detection range DA1, an IC reader 23 that acquires response information from a contactless IC chip 92 within the second detection range DA2, and a control device 50, in which the code reader 22 starts acquiring the code information earlier than the IC reader 23 starts acquiring the response information, and the control device 50 stops the detection operation of the IC reader 23 when acquisition of the code information has started.

[0053] In the above-mentioned information reading device 100, the code reader 22 starts acquiring code information earlier than the IC reader 23 starts acquiring response information, and the detection operation of the IC reader 23 is stopped when the control device 50 starts acquiring code information.Therefore, even if the information reading operation by the code reader 22 interferes with the information reading operation by the IC reader 23, the information reading operation by the code reader 22 can be given priority, and problems such as the presentation of the code information intended by the user US being hindered or the code information and response information being acquired twice (specifically, a payment or other process being executed twice).

[0054] Second Embodiment An example of an information reading device according to the second embodiment will be described below. In the second embodiment, the same matters as in the first embodiment will not be described.

[0055] 8, in the information reading device 100 of the second embodiment, the code reader 22 and the IC reader 23 are arranged adjacent to each other. Furthermore, the first detection range DA1 corresponding to the sensitivity of the code reader 22 is wider than the second detection range DA2 corresponding to the sensitivity of the IC reader 23, and the first detection range DA1 covers the second detection range DA2, while the second detection range DA2 is included in the first detection range DA1 and is part of the first detection range DA1.

[0056] The information reading device 100 of the second embodiment can also perform the operation described in Fig. 6, as in the first embodiment. However, when determining whether or not the predetermined condition for accepting the next user US is satisfied (step S21), it is also possible to use, for example, the detection result of the code reader 22 as an additional predetermined condition to that of the first embodiment, and determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when it is detected that the identification code DC has moved from inside to outside the first detection range DA1.

[0057] 〔others〕 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0058] The information reading device 100 may be one in which the magnetic ticket processing device 21 is omitted.

[0059] The code reader 22 and the IC reader 23 can have all or part of the functions of the first control circuit 51 and the second control circuit 52, in which case the code reader 22 and the IC reader 23 will execute all or part of the processing that was performed by the first control circuit 51 and the second control circuit 52 in the above embodiments.

[0060] In the above explanation, it has been assumed that the IC reader 23 can distinguish between contactless transportation IC cards and contactless EMV cards and effectively read each of them, but the IC reader 23 may be divided into a section that reads contactless transportation IC cards and a section that reads contactless EMV cards. Even in this case, the code reader 22 starts to acquire code information earlier than the IC reader 23 starts to acquire response information, and when acquisition of code information starts, the detection operation or polling for the transportation IC card or EMV card is stopped.

[0061] The code reader 22 and the IC reader 23 may be arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the conductor ML, rather than being arranged side by side along the conductor ML as shown in Fig. 2. The code reader 22 and the IC reader 23 may be arranged so that they partially overlap when viewed from above or the +Z side. Furthermore, in Fig. 2, even if the IC reader 23 is located on the -X side, i.e., upstream, of the code reader 22, the first detection range DA1 and the second detection range DA2 may be formed in the positional relationship shown in Fig. 5.

[0062] The information reading device 100 can be used not only for station ticket gate management but also for various entrance and exit management. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 11...master unit, 11a, 12a...gate door, 12...slave unit, 20...reading device, 20a...code reading device, 20b...IC reading device, 21...magnetic ticket processing device, 22...code reader, 23...IC reader, 30...display, 40...detecting device, 41...sensor, 41a...light emitting unit, 41b...light receiving unit, 50...control device, 61...storage device, 62...communication device, 70...alarm device, 91...display, 92...IC chip, 100...information reading device, 200...gate device, 300...management device, AA1...leading area, DR1...direction of travel, D1, D2...detection distance, DC...identification code, DX1...quasi-detection zone, DX1, DX2...quasi-detection zone, GS...gate system, GT...opening / closing gate, ML...conductor, MT: Mobile terminal, PA: Passageway, PM: Passage right medium, US: User

Claims

1. a code reader that acquires code information from an image captured within the first detection range; an IC reader that acquires response information from a contactless IC chip within the second detection range; a control device; The code reader starts to acquire the code information earlier than the IC reader starts to acquire the response information; the control device stops the detection operation of the IC reader when acquisition of the code information is started; Information reading device.

2. 2. The information reading device according to claim 1, wherein a detection distance of said code reader is longer than a detection distance of said IC reader.

3. 2. The information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the code reader is disposed upstream of the IC reader along the user's lead wire.

4. The information reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the code information and the response information are stored in a mobile terminal.

5. the IC reader performs polling as the detection operation within the second detection range to monitor whether or not there is a response from the IC chip; The information reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the control device stops polling by the IC reader when acquisition of the code information starts.

6. the control device includes a first control circuit that processes the code information and a second control circuit that processes the response information; 6. The information reading device according to claim 5, wherein, when the first control circuit acquires the code information, the first control circuit notifies the second control circuit of the code information directly or indirectly.

7. 7. The information reading device according to claim 6, wherein the second control circuit stops polling by the IC reader when the second control circuit receives notification of the code information from the first control circuit.

8. 2. The information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the control device restarts the operation of obtaining the response information by the IC reader on condition that the device is ready to accept a next user.

9. the control device includes a first control circuit that processes the code information and a second control circuit that processes the response information; 6. The information reading device according to claim 5, wherein the first control circuit transmits a command to the second control circuit to restart polling by the IC reader after completing processing of the code information.

10. the control device includes a first control circuit that processes the code information and a second control circuit that processes the response information; 6. The information reading device according to claim 5, wherein the second control circuit restarts polling by the IC reader when a predetermined time has elapsed since the second control circuit received a notification from the first control circuit that processing of the code information has started.

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