Automatic ticket issuing machine, ticket reissuing method, and ticket reissuing program

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of reissuing a ticket which is recognized to be normally issued by an automatic ticket issuing machine.SOLUTION: An automatic ticket issuing machine in which an abnormality has occurred in ticket issuance according to an embodiment includes a storage unit that stores ticket issuance information on a ticket, an acquisition unit that acquires a ticket reissuance request for the ticket, a detection unit that detects an instruction on how to perform ticket reissuance of the ticket after acquiring the ticket reissuance request, and a ticket reissuance control unit that controls a ticket issuing unit to reissue the ticket according to the instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatic ticket issuing machine, a ticket reissuing method, and a ticket reissuing program. [Background technology]

[0002] When issuing tickets such as express tickets, the tickets are issued using automatic ticket vending machines such as ticket counter processing machines or multi-function ticket vending machines used by station staff. However, malfunctions in automatic ticket vending machines can sometimes result in tickets not being issued or being damaged, i.e., an abnormality occurs. Because tickets such as express tickets are treated as securities, it is not permitted to issue multiple tickets. For this reason, automatic ticket vending machines are equipped with a function that allows them to issue tickets midway if an abnormality occurs.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which, when a commuter pass is lost, commuter pass information stored in association with personal information is obtained from a server, and a two-dimensional code containing information for reissuing the commuter pass based on that information is printed on a medium. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-089508 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Even if an abnormality occurs and the ticket is not issued or is issued in a damaged state, the automatic ticket vending machine may recognize the ticket as having been issued normally. In such cases, the problem is that the ticket with the abnormality cannot be reissued.

[0006] This invention has been made in light of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology that makes it possible to reissue a ticket that has been recognized as having been issued correctly by an automatic ticket vending machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An automatic ticket issuing machine in accordance with an embodiment in which an abnormality occurs in issuing a ticket comprises a memory unit that stores ticket issuing information relating to the ticket, an acquisition unit that acquires a request for reissuance of the ticket, a detection unit that detects instructions on how to reissue the ticket after acquiring the reissuance request, and a reissue control unit that controls the issuing unit to reissue the ticket in accordance with the instructions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a ticket reissuing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an upper server according to an embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an automatic ticket vending machine according to an embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a ticket reissue process according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a reissue screen displayed on the display of the output unit according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the display content of the reissue report according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a reissue screen displayed on the display of the output unit according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The automatic ticket issuing machine, the ticket reissuing method, and the ticket reissuing program will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following embodiments, parts with the same numbers perform the same operations, and redundant description will be omitted. For example, when there are multiple identical or similar elements, a common symbol may be used to describe each element without distinguishing between them, or a subnumber may be used in addition to the common symbol to describe each element with distinction between them.

[0010] [Embodiment] (composition) FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a ticket reissuing system according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the ticket reissuance system includes an upper server 1, an automatic ticket vending machine 2, etc. It is assumed that there is a station attendant 3 who operates the automatic ticket vending machine 2 and a passenger 4 who wants to be issued a ticket.

[0011] The host server 1 is connected to the automatic ticket vending machine 2 so as to be able to communicate with it, and is installed at a predetermined location managed by a railway operator. The host server 1 is a server that manages the ticket issuance status, etc. For example, the host server 1 manages the reservation status of reserved seats on limited express trains that require limited express tickets.

[0012] The automatic ticket vending machine 2 is a device installed in a predetermined location within a station that can be used by station staff 3. The automatic ticket vending machine 2 includes a counter processing machine, a multi-function attendant machine, etc. However, the automatic ticket vending machine 2 may be any device that can be used by station staff 3 to issue tickets. For simplicity, only one automatic ticket vending machine 2 is shown in FIG. 1, but multiple automatic ticket vending machines 2 may be installed within a station.

[0013] The station attendant 3 is a station attendant who can use the automatic ticket vending machine 2, and the passenger 4 is a user who wishes to be issued with a ticket that is an express ticket.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, when a passenger requests a station attendant 3 to issue a ticket, the station attendant 3 inputs an issuance instruction into the automatic ticket vending machine 2. The automatic ticket vending machine 2 issues a ticket based on the issuance instruction. Then, the passenger 4 receives the ticket.

[0015] Here, the ticket reissuing system is assumed to be a system that is capable of reissuing a ticket that has been normally issued even when an abnormality occurs in the automatic ticket issuing machine 2. Here, in this embodiment, the ticket refers to a ticket printed on a paper medium or the like. And, in this embodiment, the ticket is described as being a limited express ticket, but it is not limited to a limited express ticket and may of course be any ticket.

[0016] For example, a ticket may not be issued or a dirty ticket may be issued due to the roll paper of the printer provided in the automatic ticket vending machine 2 spinning freely or the printing surface of the printer being dirty. Even in such cases, the automatic ticket vending machine 2 may recognize that the ticket has been issued normally. In this embodiment, when the automatic ticket vending machine 2 recognizes that the ticket has been issued normally, but in fact the ticket has not been issued normally, this is simply referred to as an abnormality occurring in the issuance of the ticket.

[0017] Furthermore, in this embodiment, reissuing refers to reissuing a ticket that has developed an abnormality. Therefore, the defaced ticket (the ticket that has developed an abnormality) and the reissued ticket have the same ticket identification information for identifying the tickets (for example, the same ticket number is assigned). In this case, station staff 3 must properly collect the defaced ticket.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the host server 1 according to an embodiment and the software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. First, the hardware configuration of the upper server 1 will be described in detail. The upper server 1 includes a control unit 11, a program storage unit 12, a data storage unit 13, a communication interface 14, and an input / output interface 15. The control unit 11, the program storage unit 12, the data storage unit 13, the communication interface 14, and the input / output interface 15 are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other.

[0019] The host server 1 can realize various operations using a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer).

[0020] The control unit 11 controls the host server 1. The control unit 11 includes a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0021] The program storage unit 12 is configured by combining, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a solid-state drive (SSD) as a storage medium that can be written to and read from at any time, and a nonvolatile memory such as a read-only memory (ROM), and stores middleware such as an operating system (OS), as well as application programs required to execute various control processes according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, the OS and each application program will be collectively referred to as the program.

[0022] The data storage unit 13 may be, for example, a combination of a nonvolatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time, and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), as a storage medium.

[0023] The communication interface 14 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 14 includes a communication module that connects to an external device, including the automatic ticket vending machine 2, by wire or wirelessly, directly or via a network. The communication interface 14 may be any general communication interface as long as it can communicate with external devices, including the automatic ticket vending machine 2, under the control of the control unit 11 and send and receive various information.

[0024] The input / output interface 15 is connected to the input unit 151, the output unit 152, etc. The input / output interface 15 is an interface that enables transmission and reception of information between the control unit 11 and the input unit 151 and the output unit 152. The input / output interface 15 may be integrated with the communication interface 14. For example, the input / output interface 15 may be wirelessly connected to the control unit 11 and the input unit 151 or the output unit 152 using short-range wireless technology or the like, and may transmit and receive information using the short-range wireless technology.

[0025] The input unit 151 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc., which are used by an administrator who manages the upper server 1 to input various information to the upper server 1. The input unit 151 may also include a reader for reading data to be stored in the program storage unit 12 or the data storage unit 13 from a memory medium such as a USB memory, or a disk device for reading such data from a disk medium.

[0026] The output unit 152 includes a display that displays output data to be presented to the administrator from the upper server 1, a printer that prints it, and the like.

[0027] Next, the software configuration of the upper server 1 will be described in detail. The control unit 11 includes a communication control unit 111, etc. The data storage unit 13 includes a ticket issuing information storage unit, etc.

[0028] The communication control unit 111 is a control unit that transmits and receives various information by communicating with the automatic ticket vending machine 2. For example, the communication control unit 111 has a function to receive ticket issuance information including information about tickets issued by station attendant 3. The ticket issuance information includes information such as the ticket identification information of the ticket, the date of use, the section, reserved seat information, and whether or not a discount is available. The communication control unit 111 also has a function to store the received ticket information in the ticket issuance information storage unit 131, which will be described later.

[0029] The ticketing information storage unit 131 is a storage unit used to store ticketing information, etc. The ticketing information storage unit 131 may also store information such as whether or not a reserved seat for an express train has been reserved.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the automatic ticket dispenser 2 according to an embodiment and a software configuration associated with the hardware configuration. First, the hardware configuration of the automatic ticket vending machine 2 will be described in detail. The automatic ticket dispenser 2 includes a control unit 21, a program storage unit 22, a data storage unit 23, a communication interface 24, and an input / output interface 25. The control unit 21, the program storage unit 22, the data storage unit 23, the communication interface 24, and the input / output interface 25 are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0031] The automatic ticket vending machine 2 can realize various operations using a computer such as a PC.

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

[0033] The program storage unit 22 is configured by combining, as a storage medium, a nonvolatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time, and a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM, and stores the program.

[0034] The data storage unit 23 may be, for example, a combination of a nonvolatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time, and a volatile memory such as a RAM, as a storage medium.

[0035] The communication interface 24 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 24 includes a communication module that connects to the upper server 1 by wire or wirelessly, directly or via a network. The communication interface 24 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate with external devices, including the upper server 1, under the control of the control unit 21 and send and receive various information.

[0036] The input / output interface 25 is connected to the input unit 251, the output unit 252, the ticket issuing unit 253, etc. The input / output interface 25 is an interface that enables transmission and reception of information between the control unit 21 and the input unit 251, the output unit 252, and the ticket issuing unit 253. The input / output interface 25 may be integrated with the communication interface 24. For example, the input / output interface 25 may be wirelessly connected to the control unit 21 and at least one of the input unit 251, the output unit 252, and the ticket issuing unit 253 using short-range wireless technology or the like, and may transmit and receive information using the short-range wireless technology.

[0037] The input unit 251 includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc., which are used by a user or a station attendant to input various information to the automatic ticket vending machine 2. The input unit 251 may also include a reader for reading data to be stored in the program storage unit 22 or the data storage unit 23 from a memory medium such as a USB memory, or a disk device for reading such data from a disk medium.

[0038] The output unit 252 includes a display device that uses, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence display, etc. The display device displays various information received from the upper server 1 to the user or station staff.

[0039] The ticket issuing unit 253 includes, for example, a printer for issuing tickets such as express tickets. Furthermore, the ticket issuing unit 253 includes a reader / writer capable of writing various information such as express ticket information to an IC card. The reader / writer may include a reader / writer compatible with any or all of NFC (Near Field Communication) Type A, Type B, and Type F.

[0040] Next, the software configuration of the automatic ticket vending machine 2 will be described in detail. The control unit 21 includes an input information acquisition unit 211, a ticket issuance control unit 212, a display control unit 213, a reissue control unit 214, and a communication control unit 215. The data storage unit 23 includes a ticket issuance information storage unit 231 and the like.

[0041] The input information acquiring unit 211 is an acquiring unit that acquires input information input to the input unit 251, etc. The input information acquiring unit 211 may also be capable of detecting the pressing of a button displayed on the display of the output unit 252 and acquiring the instruction of the pressed button. When a station staff member 3 notices that an abnormality has occurred in the issuance of a ticket, he or she presses the reissue button arranged on the input unit 251, or presses the reissue button displayed on the display. The input information acquiring unit 211 has a function of detecting the pressing of these buttons.

[0042] The ticket issuance control unit 212 is a control unit that issues a ticket based on input information. For example, the ticket issuance control unit 212 has a function of calculating the fare of the ticket based on the route and discount information included in the input information. Furthermore, after the fare payment process is completed, the ticket issuance control unit 212 has a function of controlling the ticket issuance unit 253 to issue the ticket.

[0043] The display control unit 213 is a control unit that controls various information to be displayed on the display of the output unit 252. For example, the display control unit 213 has a function of controlling the ticket issuance control unit 212 to display various information when a ticket is issued on the display of the output unit 252. The display control unit 213 also has a function of controlling the display of the output unit 252 to display a reissue screen. Details of the reissue screen will be described later.

[0044] The ticket reissue control unit 214 is a control unit that controls the ticket issuing unit 253 to reissue a ticket in accordance with an instruction from the station staff 3. For example, the ticket is reissued depending on which button is pressed among the buttons displayed on the ticket reissue screen. The method for reissuing a ticket will be described in detail later.

[0045] The communication control unit 215 is a control unit that communicates with the upper server 1 and transmits and receives various information. For example, the communication control unit 215 has a function of transmitting ticket issuance information to the upper server 1 after issuing a ticket. The communication control unit 215 also has a function of transmitting a ticket reissue report to the upper server 1 after reissuing the ticket. Details of the ticket reissue report will be described later.

[0046] The ticket issuance information storage unit 231 is a storage unit used to store ticket issuance information, etc. For example, the ticket issuance information storage unit 231 stores an issued ticket including information on a ticket issued in a ticket issuance operation, etc.

[0047] (operation) Next, the processing procedure when a passenger 4 issues a commuter pass using the automatic ticket vending machine 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a ticket reissue process according to an embodiment. For example, the operation of this flowchart is realized by the control unit 21 of each automatic ticket vending machine 2 reading and executing a program stored in the program storage unit 22. For example, this flowchart starts when a passenger 4 requests the station attendant 3 to issue a ticket.

[0048] In step ST101, the input information acquisition unit 211 acquires input information. The station attendant 3 inputs input information corresponding to a passenger's ticket issuance request into the input unit 251 of the automatic ticket vending machine 2. The input information acquisition unit 211 acquires the input information input into the input unit. For example, the input information includes information such as the date of use of a limited express ticket, which is a train ticket, reserved seat information, the section of use, whether or not a discount is available, etc. The input information acquisition unit 211 outputs the input information to the ticket issuance control unit 212 and the communication control unit 215.

[0049] In step ST102, the ticket issuance control unit 212 controls the ticket issuance unit 253 to issue a ticket based on the input information. For example, the ticket issuance control unit 212 calculates the fare of the ticket based on the route and discount information, etc., included in the input information. The communication control unit 215 also sends an inquiry to the upper server 1 based on the reserved seat information in the input information. The communication control unit 215 then receives a response result to the inquiry from the upper server 1. The response result includes information on whether the reserved seat is available. For example, if the response result indicates that the reserved seat is available, the ticket issuance control unit 212 outputs the fare to the display control unit 213. The display control unit 213 controls the display of the output unit 252 to display information prompting the passenger 4 to pay the fare and the amount. After confirming that the passenger 4 has paid the fare for the ticket, the ticket issuance control unit 212 controls the ticket issuance unit 253 to issue a limited express ticket, which is a passenger ticket.

[0050] The ticket fare may be calculated by the control unit 11 of the upper server 1. In this case, the communication control unit 215 transmits input information to the upper server 1 instead of an inquiry, and the control unit 11 of the upper server 1 receives fare information calculated based on the information and a response result.

[0051] In step ST103, the display control unit 213 displays the ticket issuance information. When issuing a ticket (limited express ticket), the ticket issuance control unit 212 outputs the ticket issuance information, including ticket identification information (for example, ticket number) for identifying the ticket, the date of use, the fare, the section, etc., to the display control unit 213. The display control unit 213 displays the ticket issuance information on the display of the output unit 252.

[0052] Furthermore, the ticket issuance control unit 212 outputs the ticket issuance information to the communication control unit 215. The communication control unit 215 transmits the ticket issuance information to the upper server 1. The communication control unit 111 of the control unit 11 stores the received ticket issuance information in the ticket issuance information storage unit 131. This may update the fact that the reserved seat has been reserved.

[0053] In this embodiment, let us assume that an abnormality occurs when issuing a limited express ticket. As a result, the automatic ticket vending machine 2 recognizes that the limited express ticket has been issued properly, as described above, but the limited express ticket is not issued or is issued in a damaged state.

[0054] In step ST104, the input information acquisition unit 211 detects the pressing of the reissue button. For example, the station staff member 3 who notices that an abnormality has occurred in the issuance of a ticket presses the reissue button arranged in the input unit 251, or presses the reissue button displayed on the display. For example, the display control unit 213 controls the display of the output unit 252 to display the reissue button when displaying ticket issuance information. The input information acquisition unit 211 outputs to the reissue control unit 214 that the button has been pressed.

[0055] The station attendant 3 removes the cause of the abnormality. For example, if the roll paper is spinning freely, the station attendant 3 replaces the roll paper. Or, if a soiled ticket is issued, the station attendant 3 cleans the printed surface and removes the cause of the soiling.

[0056] In step ST105, the display control unit 213 displays a reissue screen. For example, when information indicating that the reissue button has been pressed is received from the input information acquisition unit 211, the reissue control unit 214 outputs an instruction to display the reissue screen to the display control unit 213. In response to this instruction, the display control unit 213 performs control so that the reissue screen is displayed on the display of the output unit 252.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a reissue screen displayed on the display of the output unit 252 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, on the reissue screen, an all-item reissue button 51, a single-item reissue button 52, and a designated ticket and subsequent reissue button 53 are displayed.

[0058] The all-reissue button 51 is a button that includes an instruction to perform the task of reissuing all the limited express tickets (passenger tickets) that were just issued. The all-reissue button 51 is a button that is pressed when the ticket issuance identification information included in the ticket issuance information displayed on the display of the output unit 252 in step ST103 is unknown.

[0059] The single ticket reissue button 52 is a button that includes an instruction to execute the task of reissuing only one specified ticket. For example, the station staff 3 presses this button when an abnormality occurs when only one ticket is issued, when multiple tickets have been issued but an abnormality occurred with only one ticket, or when it is desired to issue reissued tickets one by one.

[0060] The reserved ticket subsequent reissue button 53 is a button that contains an instruction to perform the operation of reissuing the specified limited express ticket and subsequent limited express tickets. For example, if multiple tickets are issued in one transaction, the tickets that need to be reissued are usually the tickets after the ticket where the abnormality occurred. Therefore, station attendant 3 presses this button when he or she wants to reissue the specified ticket and subsequent tickets among the multiple tickets issued in the previous transaction.

[0061] The station attendant 3 presses one of these buttons displayed on the display of the output unit 252. That is, the station attendant 3 inputs instructions on how to reissue the ticket into the automatic ticket vending machine 2. Note that, although this embodiment shows an example in which these buttons are displayed on the display of the output unit 252, it goes without saying that the input unit 251 may also be provided with these buttons.

[0062] In step ST106, the input information acquisition unit 211 determines whether the all-reissue button 51 has been pressed. If it is determined that the all-reissue button 51 has been pressed, the input information acquisition unit 211 outputs information indicating that the all-reissue button 51 has been pressed to the reissue control unit 214. That is, after acquiring the reissue request, the input information acquisition unit 211 operating as a detection unit detects instructions on how to reissue the tickets. Then, the process proceeds to step ST107. On the other hand, if it is determined that the all-reissue button 51 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step ST108.

[0063] In step ST107, the reissue control unit 214 controls the ticket issuing unit 253 to reissue the tickets (limited express tickets in this embodiment) issued in the ticket transaction of the immediately preceding transaction. When the all-reissue button 51 is pressed, the reissue control unit 214 performs the same ticket issuing operation as the ticket issuing operation performed in step ST102. For example, the reissue control unit 214 obtains the ticket issuing information stored in the ticket issuing information storage unit 131 in the immediately preceding transaction, and controls the ticket issuing unit 253 to reissue the tickets based on the ticket issuing information. Furthermore, the display control unit 213 may display the ticket issuing information in the same manner as in the processing of step ST103.

[0064] In step ST108, the reissue control unit 214 controls the issuing unit 253 to issue a reissue report. For example, when the reissue control unit 214 performs the reissue operation, it controls the issuing unit 253 to issue a reissue report indicating that the ticket has been reissued.

[0065] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the display content of the reissue report according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, it states that the ticket has been reissued, that the reissue report should be submitted to the Inspection Department, that if there is a ticket with an abnormality, that ticket should be submitted to the Inspection Department along with the reissue report, the date and time of reissue, the number of tickets reissued, etc.

[0066] For example, a defaced express ticket also has value as a security. Therefore, in order to prevent fraud (for example, resale) by station staff 3, station staff 3 is required to submit a ticket reissue report.

[0067] The reissue control unit 214 may also output the reissue report to the communication control unit 215. Then, the communication control unit 215 may transmit the reissue report to the higher-level server 1 or a server that is an external device managed by the inspection department.

[0068] Alternatively, instead of the processing of step ST108, the reissue report is output to the communication control unit 215. Then, the communication control unit 215 may transmit the reissue report to the higher-level server 1 or a server that is an external device managed by the inspection department.

[0069] In step ST109, the input information acquiring unit 211 determines whether the single reissue button 52 has been pressed. If it is determined that the single reissue button 52 has been pressed, the input information acquiring unit 211 outputs information indicating that the single reissue button 52 has been pressed to the reissue control unit 214. Then, the processing proceeds to step ST110. On the other hand, if it is determined that the single reissue button 52 has not been pressed, that is, the reissue button for designated tickets or later has been pressed, the processing proceeds to step ST113.

[0070] In step ST110, the display control unit 213 displays a reissue screen. The reissue control unit 214 outputs an instruction to the display control unit 213 to display the reissue screen associated with pressing the single reissue button. In response to this instruction, the display control unit 213 controls the display of the output unit 252 to display the reissue screen.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a reissue screen displayed on the display of the output unit 252 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the reissue screen displays a place to input the ticket number, a reissue button, and an end button. The ticket number is where the ticket identification information of the ticket issued in step ST102 is entered. The reissue button may be a button that is activated after the ticket identification information is entered. The end button is a button for ending this process. While FIG. 7 shows an example in which the ticket number is entered as the ticket identification information, it is of course not limited to the ticket number and any information that can identify the ticket may be entered.

[0072] In step ST111, the input information acquiring unit 211 acquires the ticket number. The ticket identification number of the express ticket in which the abnormality has occurred is input by the station attendant 3 to the input unit 251, and the input information acquiring unit 211 acquires the ticket identification information. Note that if information such as the ticket identification information is printed on the face of the ticket as a two-dimensional code (for example, a QR code (registered trademark)), the ticket issuing unit 253 may read the ticket identification information from the two-dimensional code and output the read ticket identification information to the input information acquiring unit 211.

[0073] In step ST112, the reissue control unit 214 reissues the specified ticket (a limited express ticket in this embodiment) based on the ticket identification information. The input information acquisition unit 211 outputs the acquired ticket identification information to the reissue control unit 214. The reissue control unit 214 refers to the ticket issuance information storage unit 231 and extracts the ticket issuance information associated with the ticket identification information. Then, the reissue control unit 214 reissues the ticket based on the ticket issuance information. Furthermore, the display control unit 213 may display the ticket issuance information in the same manner as in the processing in step ST103. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step ST108, and the reissue control unit 214 issues a reissue report.

[0074] If the ticket issuance information is stored in the ticket issuance information storage unit 131 of the higher-level server 1, the reissue control unit 214 outputs the ticket identification information to the communication control unit 215. Then, the communication control unit 215 transmits the ticket identification information to the higher-level server 1. The communication control unit 111 of the higher-level server 1 may extract the ticket issuance information stored in the ticket issuance information storage unit 131, and transmit the extracted ticket issuance information to the automatic ticket vending machine 2. The reissue control unit 214 may control the ticket issuing unit 253 to reissue a ticket based on the received ticket issuance information.

[0075] In step ST113, the display control unit 213 displays a reissue screen. The reissue control unit 214 outputs an instruction to the display control unit 213 to display a reissue screen in response to pressing of the reissue button 53 after designated ticket. In response to this instruction, the display control unit 213 controls so that the reissue screen is displayed on the display of the output unit 252. Note that the reissue screen may be the same as the reissue screen shown in FIG. 7.

[0076] In step ST114, the input information acquiring unit 211 acquires the ticket number. The ticket identification number of the express ticket in which the abnormality has occurred is input by the station attendant 3 to the input unit 251, and the input information acquiring unit 211 acquires the ticket identification information. Note that if information such as the ticket identification information is printed on the face of the ticket as a two-dimensional code (for example, a QR code (registered trademark)), the ticket issuing unit 253 may read the ticket identification information from the two-dimensional code and output the read ticket identification information to the input information acquiring unit 211.

[0077] In step ST115, the reissue control unit 214 controls the issuing unit 253 to reissue the specified ticket (in this embodiment, a limited express ticket) based on the ticket identification information. The input information acquisition unit 211 outputs the acquired ticket identification information to the reissue control unit 214. The reissue control unit 214 refers to the ticket issuance information storage unit 231 and extracts ticket issuance information for the ticket and subsequent tickets indicated by the ticket issuance information associated with the ticket identification information. The reissue control unit 214 then controls the issuing unit 253 to reissue the ticket based on the extracted ticket issuance information. The display control unit 213 may also display the ticket issuance information in the same manner as in the processing in step ST103. Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step ST108, and the reissue control unit 214 issues a reissue report.

[0078] If the ticket issuance information is stored in the ticket issuance information storage unit 131 of the upper server 1, the reissue control unit 214 outputs the ticket identification information to the communication control unit 215. Then, the communication control unit 215 transmits the ticket identification information to the upper server 1. The communication control unit 111 of the upper server 1 may extract the ticket issuance information stored in the ticket issuance information storage unit 131, and transmit the extracted ticket issuance information to the automatic ticket vending machine 2. The reissue control unit 214 may reissue the ticket based on the received ticket issuance information.

[0079] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, even if the automatic ticket vending machine 2 determines that the issuance of a ticket, including an express ticket, has worked normally, but the ticket has not been issued normally, the station staff 3 can have the automatic ticket vending machine 2 reissue the ticket.

[0080] In addition, when a ticket is reissued, a ticket reissue report can be issued to prevent fraud by station staff 3.

[0081] [Other embodiments] In steps ST107, ST112, and ST115, if the input information acquiring unit 211 detects that the reissue button has been pressed again after the display control unit 213 has displayed the ticket issuance information on the display of the output unit 252, the process of step ST108 is performed, and then the process may return to step ST105. This allows the automatic ticket vending machine 2 to reissue a ticket a third time even if an abnormality occurs in the reissue.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the automatic ticket vending machine 2 is described as a device that can be used by the station staff 3. However, the automatic ticket vending machine 2 may also be a device that can be used by the passenger 4. In this case, the control unit 21 of the automatic ticket vending machine 2 does not issue a ticket to the passenger 4, but simply transmits a ticket reissue report to the higher-level server 1 or a server that is an external device managed by the inspection department.

[0083] In short, this invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in combination as appropriate as possible, and in such cases, the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining the disclosed multiple constituent elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1...Upstream server 11...Control unit 111...Communication control unit 12...Program memory section 13...Data storage unit 131...Ticket issuing information storage unit 14...Communication interface 15...Input / output interface 151...input section 152...Output section 2...Automatic ticket machine 21...Control unit 211...Input information acquisition unit 212...Ticket issuing control unit 213...Display control unit 214...Reissue control unit 215...Communication control unit 22...Program memory section 23...Data storage unit 231...Ticket issuing information storage unit 24...Communication interface 25...Input / output interface 251...input section 252...Output section 253...Ticketing Department 3...Station staff 4...Passenger 51...Reissue all items button 52...1 reissue button 53...Reissue button for reserved seats and later

Claims

1. An automatic ticket vending machine that has experienced an abnormality in issuing a ticket, a storage unit that stores ticket issuing information related to the ticket; an acquisition unit that acquires a reissue request for the ticket; a detection unit that detects instructions on how to reissue the ticket after receiving the reissue request; a reissue control unit that controls the ticket issuing unit to reissue the ticket in accordance with the instruction; Equipped with an automatic ticket vending machine.

2. The abnormal ticket is a ticket that is recognized as having been issued normally by the automatic ticket vending machine but is not issued, or is a defaced ticket. The automatic ticket dispenser according to claim 1.

3. a display control unit that, after receiving the reissue request, controls the display to display a reissue screen including an all-ticket reissue button including an instruction to reissue all tickets issued immediately before, a single-ticket reissue button including an instruction to reissue a specified ticket, and a designated ticket or subsequent tickets reissue button including an instruction to reissue tickets subsequent to the specified ticket; The automatic ticket dispenser according to claim 1.

4. When the detection unit detects that the all-reissue button has been pressed, the reissue control unit controls the ticket issuing unit to reissue all tickets that were issued immediately before based on the ticket issuing information stored in the memory unit. The automatic ticket dispenser according to claim 3.

5. When the detection unit detects that the single reissue button has been pressed, the acquisition unit acquires the ticket identification information of the ticket, and the reissue control unit controls the ticket issuing unit to reissue the ticket based on the ticket issuance information linked to the ticket identification information. The automatic ticket dispenser according to claim 3.

6. When the detection unit detects that the reserved ticket subsequent reissue button has been pressed, the acquisition unit acquires the ticket identification information of the ticket, and the reissue control unit controls the ticket issuing unit to reissue tickets subsequent to the ticket indicated by the ticket issuance information linked to the ticket identification information. The automatic ticket dispenser according to claim 3.

7. the reissue control unit controls the ticket issuing unit to issue a reissue report indicating that the ticket has been reissued, after the ticket has been reissued. The automatic ticket dispenser according to claim 1.

8. a transmission control unit that transmits, after the ticket is reissued, a ticket reissue report indicating that the ticket has been reissued; The automatic ticket dispenser according to claim 1.

9. A ticket reissuing method executed by a processor of an automatic ticket vending machine when an error occurs in issuing a ticket, comprising: storing ticketing information relating to said ticket; obtaining a reissue request for the ticket; After receiving the reissue request, detecting instructions on how to reissue the ticket; controlling a ticket issuing unit to reissue the ticket in accordance with the instruction; A ticket reissuing method comprising:

10. A ticket reissuing program having instructions to be executed by a processor of an automatic ticket issuing machine when an error occurs in issuing a ticket. storing ticketing information relating to said ticket; obtaining a reissue request for the ticket; After receiving the reissue request, detecting instructions on how to reissue the ticket; controlling a ticket issuing unit to reissue the ticket in accordance with the instruction; A ticket reissue program that includes:

Images