Ticket gates, ticket gate methods, and ticket gate processing programs

Abstract

We provide a ticket gate, a ticketing method, and a ticketing processing program that allow multiple people to pass through with a single ticket. [Solution] According to the embodiment, the ticket gate has a ticket processing unit, a plurality of detection sensors, a first memory, a second memory, a third memory, and a processor. The first memory stores a valid ticket counter. The second memory stores the number of people in the group recorded on the group ticket. The third memory stores the number of people who have reached the ticketless position. When the ticket processing unit reads a group ticket, the processor increments the number of people who have reached the ticketless position and the valid ticket counter to allow the first user who presented the group ticket to pass through. Each time the processor detects that users from the second person up to the group number have reached the ticketless detection position based on the detection results of the plurality of detection sensors, it increments the valid ticket counter and the number of people who have reached the ticketless position to allow the users from the second person up to the group number to pass through.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a ticket gate, a ticket gate method, and a ticket gate processing program.

Background Art

[0002] A ticket gate controls the passage of users by determining whether entry or exit (passage) is permitted based on information written on a ticket presented by the user. In many conventional ticket gates, since one ticket is configured to control the passage of one person, even when a plurality of people such as a group pass through, it is necessary to perform passage control processing based on the tickets held by each person.

[0003] In recent years, as tickets processed by ticket gates installed at stations and the like, there are various planned tickets such as train tickets that can be used for several days and train tickets that can be used for a round trip across multiple operators. Currently, for planned tickets for group passengers, the ticket gate processes them by means of staff handling at the ticket window or each user presenting the train tickets distributed to all group users.

[0004] In the case of operation with staff handling, since the ticket window is occupied by the passage of group passengers, the staff cannot handle other operations. Also, when distributing train tickets to all group users, there is a risk that each user may lose the train ticket, or congestion may occur around the ticket gate by distributing tickets to each user around the ticket gate. For example, planned tickets for groups are often used at theme parks and events that are prone to congestion, and it is desirable to reduce congestion and flow obstruction at ticket gates and entrances and exits as much as possible.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a ticket gate, a ticket gate method, and a ticket gate processing program that allow multiple people to pass through with a single ticket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the embodiment, the ticket gate has a ticket processing unit, a plurality of detection sensors, a first memory, a second memory, a third memory, and a processor. The ticket processing unit reads information from the ticket presented by the user. The plurality of detection sensors detect the presence or absence of people at multiple locations in the passage. The first memory stores a valid ticket counter that counts the number of people permitted to pass through the passage. The second memory stores the number of people in a group recorded on a group ticket when the ticket processing unit reads a group ticket that permits group users to pass through. The third memory stores a count of people who have reached a predetermined no-ticket detection location in the passage after the ticket processing unit has read the group ticket. When the ticket processing unit reads a group ticket, the processor increments the number of people who have reached the ticketless location and the valid ticket counter, and allows the first user who has presented the group ticket to pass through. Each time the processor detects that users from the second person up to the number of people in the group have reached the ticketless location based on the detection results of multiple detection sensors, it increments the valid ticket counter and the number of people who have reached the ticketless location, and allows the users from the second person up to the number of people in the group to pass through. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a side view showing an example of the exterior appearance of the passage-side side of a ticket gate according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system in a ticket gate according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 schematically shows the state when the first person presents their group ticket when multiple group passengers move sequentially in a predetermined direction through the ticket gate passage according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]Figure 4 schematically shows the state when the first person reaches the ticketless detection position when multiple people move sequentially in a predetermined direction along the passage of the ticket gate according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 schematically shows the state in which the first and second people are moving through the passage of a ticket gate according to the embodiment, when multiple people are moving sequentially in a predetermined direction of travel. [Figure 6] Figure 6 schematically shows the state when the second person reaches the ticketless detection position when multiple people move sequentially in a predetermined direction along the passage of the ticket gate according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 schematically shows the state when the first person has left the passage of a ticket gate according to the embodiment, as multiple people move sequentially in a predetermined direction of travel through the passage. [Figure 8] Figure 8 schematically shows the state after the last group of passengers has left the passage of the ticket gate according to the embodiment, when multiple people are moving sequentially in a predetermined direction of travel through the passage. [Figure 9] Figure 9 schematically shows a scenario in which, among a group of passengers moving in the direction of travel through the ticket gate passage according to the embodiment, one passenger temporarily moves in the opposite direction, and the first passenger presents a group ticket. [Figure 10] Figure 10 schematically shows a situation in which a second passenger, following the first passenger, reaches the ticketless detection position in an example where a passenger is moving in the opposite direction through the ticket gate passage according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 schematically shows a state in which the first passenger has left the passage in an example where a passenger is moving in the opposite direction through the passage of a ticket gate according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 schematically shows a situation in which a second passenger moves in the opposite direction within the passage of a ticket gate according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 schematically shows a situation in which a second passenger who has moved in the opposite direction has exited the entrance of a ticket gate in an example of the ticket gate according to the embodiment. [Figure 14]Figure 14 schematically shows a situation in which a second passenger, who has temporarily moved in the opposite direction, moves back in the direction of travel in an example where a passenger is moving in the opposite direction through the ticket gate passage according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 schematically shows a situation in which a second passenger has exited the ticket gate in an example where a passenger is moving in the opposite direction through the ticket gate passage according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 schematically shows the state after the last group of passengers has left the passage in an example where passengers are moving in the opposite direction through the ticket gate passage according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the group ticket processing mode used by the ticket gate according to the embodiment for controlling passage. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of the external configuration of the ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment. The ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment is installed at ticket gates (entrance / exit gates) at railway stations, entrance / exit gates at facilities, or entrance / exit gates at event venues. In this embodiment, the explanation will assume that the ticket gate 11 is installed at a station ticket gate. The ticket gate 11 performs ticket processing (entrance processing and exit processing) at the ticket gate.

[0010] The ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment executes a ticket gate process based on information read from a medium (ticket medium) serving as a boarding ticket (ticket) held by a user. The ticket medium may be any medium on which information readable by the ticket gate 11 is recorded. For example, the ticket medium may be a magnetic recording medium (magnetic ticket) on which information is recorded in a magnetic recording section, a recording medium (code ticket) that records (prints or displays) coded information such as a two-dimensional code, a contactless IC card that transmits and receives information by contactless communication, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone having the same function as a contactless IC card, or a mobile terminal that displays coded information such as a two-dimensional code.

[0011] For example, the ticket gate 11 forms a passage for one ticket gate (entrance or exit) in a set of two. The ticket gate 11 may be a dedicated machine for only entrance or only exit that allows passage through the ticket gate passage in only one direction, or may be a dual-purpose machine that allows passage through the ticket gate passage in both directions.

[0012] In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the ticket gate 11 has a housing 21 that forms a passage for entrance or exit. The housing that forms the ticket gate 11 is provided with a ticket processing unit 22 that performs ticket processing such as processing for reading information from a boarding ticket held by a user. A reading unit (communication unit) of the ticket processing unit 22 for a user to present a boarding ticket is provided at one end (the end on the entrance side) of the upper surface of the housing 21 that forms the ticket gate 11. The ticket processing unit 22 reads information recorded on an IC card serving as a boarding ticket presented by the user to the reading unit.

[0013] For example, the ticket processing unit 22 includes a card reader / writer that reads information from an IC card serving as a boarding ticket presented by a user at a predetermined reading unit. Note that the ticket processing unit 22 may be provided with a device that processes a medium other than an IC card used as a boarding ticket. For example, the ticket processing unit 22 may have a configuration that includes a magnetic ticket processing unit that processes a magnetic ticket in which ticket information is recorded in a magnetic recording section. Also, the ticket processing unit 22 may have a configuration that includes a code reader that reads code information from a medium on which code information as boarding ticket information is printed.

[0014] A display unit 23 is provided on the top surface of the housing that forms the ticket gate 11 for providing guidance to users or staff. The display unit 23 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The display unit 23 displays a guidance screen that informs users passing through the passage of the results of the ticket gate processing. The display unit 23 should be placed in a position where users can check the displayed content. The display unit 23 is not limited to being set at the exit end of the top surface of the housing, but may also be set in the center of the top surface of the housing or adjacent to the reading unit of the ticket processing unit 22 on the top surface of the housing.

[0015] The housing 21 forming the ticket gate 11 is provided with doors 24 and 25 at both ends of the passage-side side, which can be opened and closed to permit or deny passage of pedestrians. In the configuration example shown in Figure 1, if the direction of arrow a is the direction of travel (positive direction) from the entrance to the exit, door 24 is provided at the exit end of the passage to prevent users from passing through the passage. Door 25 is provided at the entrance end of the passage to prevent users from entering the passage.

[0016] Multiple detection sensors (human detection sensors) 31-36 are provided on the passage-side of the housing 21 that forms the ticket gate 11. The detection sensors 31-36 detect whether or not a person is present at a predetermined detection location. For example, the detection sensors 31-36 are composed of reflective or transmissive detection sensors. The output signal from the detection sensors 31-36 will be either "bright (off)" or "dark (on)".

[0017] The ticket gate 11 detects the presence or absence of people at each detection position in the passageway using multiple detection sensors 31-36. The ticket gate 11 not only detects the position of each person in the passageway based on the detection results of each detection sensor 31-36, but also determines the movement and direction of movement of each person in the passageway based on the time-series changes in the detection results of each detection sensor 31-36.

[0018] Furthermore, the ticket gate 11 is equipped with a proximity sensor 26 on the side (entrance) where the reading unit of the ticket processing unit 22 is located. The proximity sensor 26 detects a person approaching the ticket gate 11. The ticket gate 11 detects a person approaching the passage using the proximity sensor 26 and ensures that the ticket processing (entry processing or exit processing) for that person is carried out smoothly. For example, the ticket gate 11 may be controlled to enable the operation of the ticket processing unit 22 according to the detection result of the proximity sensor 26.

[0019] For example, in an operation where passengers pass through the passage in both directions, the ticket gate 11 controls the direction of passage (direction of ticket gate) of users by controlling the opening and closing of doors 24 and 25 according to the detection result of the proximity sensor 26. The ticket gate 11 may also be configured to switch between a power-saving mode, which reduces power consumption by turning off the display unit 23, and a normal operation mode (an operation mode in which ticket gate processing is performed), according to the detection result of the proximity sensor 26.

[0020] Furthermore, the ticket gate 11 is equipped with a guide display 27 on the side facing the direction of entry into the passage, on the side where the reading unit of the ticket processing unit 22 is located (the entrance side of the passage). The guide display 27 displays information to people outside the passage, such as people approaching the passage. For example, the ticket gate 11 displays on the guide display 27 whether or not entry into the passage of the ticket gate is permitted. Specifically, if the ticket gate 11 is in a state where it can process the next ticket (next passenger), it displays on the guide display 27 an indication that processing is possible, and if it is in a state where processing the next ticket (next passenger) is prohibited, it displays on the guide display 27 an indication that processing is prohibited.

[0021] Next, the configuration of the ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the control system configuration in the ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment. In the configuration example shown in Figure 2, the ticket gate 11 includes a processor 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, storage unit 44, communication unit 45, door control unit 47, ticket processing unit 22, display unit 23, proximity sensor 26, information display unit 27, and detection sensors 31-36, etc.

[0022] The processor 41, ROM 42, and RAM 43 function as a control unit that controls the entire ticket gate 11. The processor 41 is, for example, an arithmetic unit such as a CPU. The processor 41 realizes various processing functions by executing programs stored in the ROM 42 or memory unit 44. For example, the processor 41 executes a ticket gate processing program stored in the ROM 42 or memory unit 44 for processing in the group processing mode described later. The processor 41 also includes a clock or timer for measuring elapsed time, etc.

[0023] ROM42 is a non-volatile memory. ROM42 functions as program memory, storing programs executed by the processor 41. ROM42 stores programs and control data executed by the processor 41.

[0024] RAM43 is memory that temporarily holds data. RAM43 functions as working memory. RAM43 loads programs and holds data that the processor 41 is processing. RAM43 also functions as memory that holds various counter values, which will be described later.

[0025] In the ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment, the RAM 43 is provided with a memory area (first memory) 43a for storing a valid ticket counter (described later), a memory area (second memory) 43b for storing the number of people in a group (described later), and a memory area (third memory) 43c for storing the number of people who have reached the ticketless position (described later). The first memory 43a may be a memory area reserved when a valid ticket is read by the ticket processing unit 22. The second memory 43b and the third memory 43c may also be memory areas reserved when a valid group ticket is read by the ticket processing unit 22.

[0026] The storage unit 44 is a memory for storing data. The storage unit 44 includes rewritable non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 44 stores information such as fare information used for ticket gate processing. The storage unit 44 may also store programs and control information executed by the processor 41. Some or all of the first memory 43a, second memory 43b, and third memory 43c described above may be provided in the storage unit 44.

[0027] The communication unit 45 is a communication interface for communicating with devices such as a monitoring panel and a higher-level device. The communication unit 45 may be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface. For example, the processor 41 transmits information indicating its operating status to the monitoring panel and receives control instructions such as the operating mode from the monitoring panel 12 via the communication unit 45.

[0028] The ticket processing unit 22 processes the ticket medium presented by the user. The ticket processing unit 22 has the function of reading information recorded on the ticket medium presented by the user. For example, if the ticket medium is a contactless IC card or a mobile terminal device with equivalent functionality to a contactless IC card, the ticket processing unit 22 is composed of a card reader / writer that performs contactless communication. If the ticket medium is a medium with a printed code image or a mobile terminal device that displays a code image, the ticket processing unit 22 is composed of a code reader for reading the code image. Furthermore, if the ticket medium is a magnetic ticket, the ticket processing unit 22 is composed of a magnetic ticket processing unit that has the function of reading information from the magnetic ticket.

[0029] The display unit 23 is a display device that shows information to users passing through the ticket gate. The display unit 23 is installed, for example, near the exit side or near the center of the ticket gate 11 so that it is easily visible to users passing through the ticket gate. The content of the information displayed on the display unit 23 is controlled by the processor 41.

[0030] The door control unit 47 includes a door opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing doors 24 and 25. The door control unit 47 controls the passage of users by opening and closing doors 24 and 25. For example, the door control unit 47 prevents passage through the passage formed by the ticket gate 11 at the ticket gate by closing door 24.

[0031] The proximity sensor 26 detects a person approaching the ticket gate 11. The proximity sensor 26 is installed on the entrance side of the ticket gate 11's housing and outputs a detection signal to the processor 41 indicating the presence or absence of a person near the entrance of the ticket gate 11.

[0032] The detection sensors 31-36 are sensors that detect the presence or absence of a person (object). Each detection sensor 31-36 is installed at a predetermined position on the side of the ticket gate 11, as shown in Figure 1. The detection sensors 31-36 output a detection signal to the processor 41 indicating the presence or absence of a person at a predetermined position in the passageway.

[0033] The processor 41 detects the position of each person in the passageway based on the person detection results from each detection sensor 31-36, and detects the direction of movement of each person in the passageway based on the time-series changes in the person detection results from each detection sensor 31-36. For example, the detection sensors 31-36 detect a person moving in the passageway in direction a as shown in Figure 1, in the order of detection sensors 31, 32, ..., 35, 36. In this way, the processor 41 detects, based on the person detection results from the detection sensors 31-36, that a person has entered the passageway, that a person has passed a predetermined position set in the passageway, that a person has exited the passageway, etc.

[0034] Next, the process of detecting the position and direction of movement of a person using the detection sensors 31-36 in the ticket gate 11 will be described. The processor 41 of the ticket gate 11 detects the position and direction of movement of a person based on the detection results indicating the presence or absence of a person from the detection sensors 31-36 provided as shown in Figure 1. In the configuration example shown in Figure 1, the multiple detection sensors 31-36 are provided in the order of detection sensors 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 in direction a on the passage-side side of the housing 21 that forms the ticket gate 11.

[0035] Detection sensor 31 is installed on the entrance side of the passage in direction a and detects a person entering the passage. Detection sensor 32 is installed between the entrance side and the center of the passage in direction a. Detection sensor 32 detects a person moving in direction a from the entrance side to the center of the passage. Detection sensor 33 is installed near the entrance side in direction a in the center of the passage. Detection sensor 34 is installed near the exit side in direction a in the center of the passage.

[0036] Detection sensors 33 and 34 detect a person located in the center of the passageway. For a person moving in the passageway in direction a as shown in Figure 1, detection sensor 32 detects the person first, followed by detection sensor 33. In other words, the direction of movement of the person can also be determined by the order in which detection sensors 33 and 34 detect the person.

[0037] Furthermore, the ticket gate 11 is configured to detect a person passing through the central part of the passageway where the detection sensors 33 and 34 are installed as a ticketless detection position (ticketless detection line) L (see Figure 3-16) for detecting a person passing through without a ticket. In this case, the processor 41 of the ticket gate 11 performs a ticketless determination to determine whether or not a person is passing through without a ticket when a person moving in a predetermined direction is detected at the ticketless detection position by the detection sensors 33 and 34.

[0038] The detection sensor 35 is installed midway from the center of the passageway to the exit side in direction a. The detection sensor 35 detects a person moving in direction a from the center of the passageway to the exit side. The detection sensor 36 is installed on the exit side of the passageway in direction a and detects a person exiting the passageway. The ticket gate 11 sets the detection position of the detection sensor 36 as the exit detection position. In this case, the processor 41 of the ticket gate 11 determines that a person has exited when it detects that a person who has been moving in the passageway in direction a has exited from the exit side where the detection sensor 36 is installed.

[0039] Next, we will briefly explain the ticket gate processing (passage control processing) performed by the ticket gate 11 according to the embodiment, in accordance with tickets that allow group use (use by multiple people) (hereinafter referred to as "group tickets"). The ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment enters a processing mode (group processing mode) that performs ticket gate processing for group tickets when a group ticket is presented. In group processing mode, the ticket gate 11 performs passage control processing that allows people to pass through continuously until the number of people in the group recorded on the group ticket is reached.

[0040] The ticket gate 11 has a ticket counter for counting the number of people with valid tickets who are in the passageway. In the embodiment, the ticket gate 11 is equipped with a counter for counting the number of people who reach the ticketless location (number of people passing through with group tickets) when a group ticket is presented (group processing mode). When the ticket gate 11 detects a person passing through the ticketless detection location without a ticket (a passenger who is allowed to pass through with a group ticket), it increments the ticket counter and the number of people who reached the ticketless location. Furthermore, when a person exits the passageway, the ticket gate 11 decrements the ticket counter, thereby counting the number of people in the passageway using the ticket counter and counting the number of people who passed through with group tickets as the number of people who reached the ticketless location.

[0041] As a result, in the group processing mode when a group ticket is presented, the ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment can determine the number of people who have passed through using a group ticket as the number of people who have reached the ticketless position, and can control passage to allow multiple people to pass through until the group size is reached. Next, as a first example of traffic control, we will explain the processing of the ticket gate 11 when each person (passenger) using a group ticket T passes through the passage in order from the entrance side to the exit side. Figures 3 to 8 are schematic diagrams illustrating the position and movement of each passenger in a passageway when each passenger (group passenger) using a group ticket T passes through from the entrance to the exit in order. As shown in Figure 3, the first passenger P1 to pass through the ticket gate 11 presents a group ticket to the ticket processing unit 22 to allow subsequent group passengers to pass through. The ticket gate 11 reads the information recorded on the group ticket T presented by passenger P1 as they approach or enter the passage using the ticket processing unit 22.

[0042] When the ticket processing unit 22 reads the information from the ticket gate 11 and determines that the presented ticket is a group ticket T, it enters a group processing mode to process group passengers and identifies the number of group passengers (number of people in the group) based on the information read from the group ticket T. In the example shown in Figure 3, the ticket gate 11 reads from the group ticket T presented to the ticket processing unit 22 that the number of group passengers is "10".

[0043] When the ticket gate 11 identifies the number of group passengers recorded on the group ticket T read by the ticket processing unit 22, it stores the number of group passengers in memory such as the RAM 43 or storage unit 44. The ticket gate 11 also sets "1" to the regular ticket counter and the number of people reaching the ticketless position (ticketless counter) in memory such as the RAM 43 or storage unit 44. In the example shown in Figure 3, the ticket gate 11 stores "10" as the number of group passengers and sets "1" to the number of people reaching the ticketless position and the regular ticket counter.

[0044] The ticket gate 11 has a function to detect when a passenger passes through a ticketless detection line (ticketless detection position) L provided in the passageway. In the example shown in Figures 3 to 8, the ticketless detection line L is set as the ticketless detection position between the detection positions of detection sensors 33 and 34 provided in the center of the passageway. In this case, the ticket gate 11 detects when a passenger passing in direction a (direction of travel) reaches the ticketless detection line L based on the detection results of detection sensors 33 and 34. In this embodiment, the ticket gate 11 increments the ticket counter and the number of people who have reached the ticketless position when it is determined that a passenger passing through the ticketless detection position is ticketless, until the number of people in the group is reached.

[0045] For example, when the first passenger P1 reaches the ticketless detection line L, the ticket gate 11 detects, based on the detection results of the detection sensors 33 and 34, that passenger P1, moving in direction a (direction of travel), has reached the ticketless detection line L. When the ticket gate 11 detects that the first passenger P1 (the passenger who presented a group ticket) has reached the ticketless detection line L, it allows passenger P1 to pass through without updating the values ​​of the number of people who have reached the ticketless position and the valid ticket counter (keeping the number of people who have reached the ticketless position and the valid ticket count at "1"), as shown in Figure 4.

[0046] In other words, when the ticket gate 11 determines that the first passenger P1 presents a group ticket is a valid ticket, the determination is OK and the valid ticket counter becomes "1", just like in normal ticket gate processing. Therefore, when the first passenger P1 reaches the ticketless detection line, the determination is OK and the valid ticket counter is "1", so the passenger is not ticketless and is allowed to pass through. Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the ticket read by the ticket gate 11 is a group ticket, when the determination is OK and the valid ticket counter becomes "1", the number of people who have reached the ticketless position also becomes "1". Therefore, when the first passenger P1 reaches the ticketless detection line, the ticket gate 11 retains the value of the number of people who have reached the ticketless position and the valid ticket counter and allows passenger P1 to pass through.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, even if passenger P1 moves further in direction a from the ticketless detection line L, the ticket gate 11 will maintain the valid ticket counter and the number of people reaching the ticketless position at "1" until passenger P1 exits the passage.

[0048] On the other hand, when the second passenger P2, who is moving in direction a following passenger P1, reaches the ticketless detection line L, the ticket gate 11 determines that passenger P2 has no ticket. If the ticket gate 11 determines that the second passenger P2 has no ticket in group processing mode, it switches the passage determination result for passenger P2 to allow passage (determination OK) and increments the valid ticket counter and the number of people who have reached the ticketless position. In the example shown in Figure 6, since passenger P1 is in the passage when passenger P2 reaches the ticketless detection line L, the ticket gate 11 sets the number of people who have reached the ticketless position to "2" and the value of the valid ticket counter to "2".

[0049] In the embodiment, when the ticket gate 11 increments the number of people who have reached the ticketless position in group processing mode, it determines whether the number of people who have reached the ticketless position has reached the number of people in the group. If the number of people who have reached the ticketless position has reached the number of people in the group, the ticket gate 11 terminates the group processing mode and switches to normal processing mode; if the number of people who have reached the ticketless position has not reached the number of people in the group, it continues the group processing mode.

[0050] When the first passenger P1 exits the passage, the ticket gate 11 detects that passenger P1 has exited the passage based on the detection results of the detection sensor 36 and other devices, and decrements the value of the valid ticket counter (-1). As shown in Figure 7, if passenger P1 exits the passage after passenger P2 has reached the ticketless detection line L, the ticket gate 11 sets the number of people who have reached the ticketless position to "2" and sets the value of the valid ticket counter to "1".

[0051] If the number of people reaching the ticketless location and the valid ticket counter are repeatedly updated in response to the ticketless detection and exit detection as described above, when the last person in the group passing through with a group ticket T reaches the ticketless detection line L, the number of people reaching the ticketless location will reach the number of people in the group. When the last passenger reaches the ticketless detection line L, the ticket gate 11 will set the number of people reaching the ticketless location to the number of group passengers, and the valid ticket counter to the number of group passengers remaining in the passage who have not yet exited the passage. Therefore, unless a new ticket gate process is started before the last passenger exits the passage, the value of the valid ticket counter will become "0" when the last passenger exits the passage.

[0052] In other words, when the 10th passenger P10 reaches the ticketless detection line L, the number of people reaching the ticketless location becomes "10," which matches the group size of "10," as shown in Figure 8. When the number of people reaching the ticketless location reaches the group size, the ticket gate 11 exits the group processing mode and switches to normal operation mode for ticket gate processing.

[0053] When the group processing mode is terminated and the system switches to normal operation mode for ticket gate processing, the number of people reaching the ticketless position becomes "10," the number of people in the group. However, the valid ticket counter is decremented each time a group passenger exits, so it becomes a value indicating the number of people in the passageway. This allows the ticket gate 11 to allow the last group passenger to exit the passageway. For example, when the 10th passenger P10, who is the last group passenger, exits the passageway, as shown in Figure 8, the number of people reaching the ticketless position becomes "10" and the valid ticket counter becomes "0," indicating that all group passengers with group tickets have passed through the gate.

[0054] Next, as a second example of traffic control, we will explain the operation of the ticket gate 11 when a passenger temporarily turns back in the middle of the passageway during group processing mode, illustrating the movements of each passenger using a group ticket. Figures 9 to 16 are schematic diagrams illustrating the position and movement of each passenger in a group of passengers moving in the direction of travel down an aisle, when some passengers temporarily move in the opposite direction. Figure 9 shows the state in which the first passenger P1 approaches the passage of the ticket gate 11 and presents a group ticket T to the ticket processing unit 22, similar to Figure 3 described above. If the ticket read by the ticket processing unit 22 of the ticket gate 11 is a group ticket T, the ticket processing unit 22 sets the number of people in the group to be read from the group ticket T and sets the regular ticket counter and the number of people who have reached the ticketless position (ticketless counter) to an initial value of "1". In the example shown in Figure 9, the ticket gate 11 stores "10" as the number of people in the group and stores "1" as an initial value for the number of people who have reached the ticketless position and the regular ticket counter.

[0055] Here, if passenger P1 moves in the same direction as illustrated in Figure 4-6 and passes through the ticketless detection line L, and then passenger P2 moves in the same direction as illustrated in Figure 4-6 and reaches the ticketless detection line L, the ticket gate 11 sets the number of people who have reached the ticketless position to "2" and sets the value of the valid ticket counter to "2", as shown in Figure 10.

[0056] When the first passenger P1 exits the passageway from the exit side, the ticket gate 11 detects that passenger P1 has exited the passageway based on the detection results of the detection sensor 36, etc., and decrements the value of the ticket counter (-1). When the ticket gate 11 decrements the ticket count in conjunction with passenger P1's exit, it sets the number of people who have reached the ticketless position to "2" and the value of the ticket counter to "1", as shown in Figure 11. In the state shown in Figure 11, passenger P2, who has moved in direction a following passenger P1, is present in the passageway.

[0057] Here, as shown in Figure 12, we assume that passenger P2, as shown in Figure 11, changes direction of movement within the aisle and moves in the opposite direction to direction a. In the example shown in Figure 12, since passenger P2 changes direction of movement within the aisle after passenger P1 has exited, the number of people reaching the ticketless position is "2", and the value of the valid ticket counter is "1".

[0058] The ticket gate 11 detects the position and direction of movement of each passenger in the passageway based on the time-series changes in the detection results from multiple detection sensors 31-36. For example, if passenger P2 moves from the position shown in Figure 12 to the position shown in Figure 13 after passenger P1 has exited, the ticket gate 11 detects that passenger P2 has moved in the passageway in the opposite direction to direction a based on the time-series changes in the detection results from each detection sensor 31-31.

[0059] Since the ticket gate 11 is aware of the position and direction of movement of each passenger in the passageway, it does not determine that a person is without a ticket when they pass the ticketless detection line L while moving in the opposite direction to direction a, and retains the number of people who have reached the ticketless location and the value of the valid ticket counter. Furthermore, even if a passenger who has moved in the opposite direction to direction a passes through the passageway again in direction a and passes the ticketless detection location, the ticket gate 11 does not determine that the passenger is without a ticket and retains the number of people who have reached the ticketless location and the value of the valid ticket counter.

[0060] For example, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, even if passenger P2 moves in the opposite direction to direction a within the passageway and passes through the ticketless detection line L, the ticket gate 11 will keep the number of people reaching the ticketless position as "2" and the value of the valid ticket counter as "1". Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14, even if passenger P2, who has moved in the opposite direction to direction a within the passageway, moves again in direction a within the passageway and passes through the ticketless detection position, the ticket gate 11 will not determine that passenger P2 is ticketless, and will keep the number of people reaching the ticketless position as "2" and the value of the valid ticket counter as "1".

[0061] In other words, the ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment monitors (detects) the position and direction of movement of each passenger in the passageway, so that even if each passenger moves in the opposite direction, the number of people who have reached the ticketless location and the valid ticket counter are incremented only when each passenger first passes through the ticketless detection line in direction a, and the number of people who have reached the ticketless location and the valid ticket counter are not updated even if one passenger passes through the ticketless detection line two or more times.

[0062] Furthermore, the ticket gate 11 according to this embodiment only needs to be such that when one passenger who is allowed to pass through with a group ticket moves in direction a (a predetermined direction of travel) and passes the ticketless detection line L, the number of people who have reached the ticketless position and the valid ticket counter are increased by 1. The method of monitoring passengers in the passageway and the procedure for updating the number of people who have reached the ticketless position and the valid ticket counter are not limited to the methods described above.

[0063] Furthermore, after a passenger who has temporarily moved in the opposite direction to direction a moves back to direction a and passes through the ticketless detection line L, the ticket gate 11, as described above, increments the number of people who have reached the ticketless position and the valid ticket counter each time a passenger passes through the ticketless detection line L, and repeatedly decrements the valid ticket counter each time a passenger who has been permitted to pass exits the passage from the exit side.

[0064] For example, if passenger P2 temporarily moves in the opposite direction and then moves again in direction a and passes through the ticketless detection line L, the ticket gate 11 will increment the number of people who have reached the ticketless position and the valid ticket counter if passenger P3 has also passed through the ticketless detection line L, and will allow passenger P3 to pass through. Furthermore, if passenger P2 exits from the exit side of the passage, the ticket gate 11 will decrement the valid ticket counter while maintaining the number of people who have reached the ticketless position. As a result, if passenger P3 passes through the ticketless detection line L and passenger P2 exits, the number of people who have reached the ticketless position will be "3" and the valid ticket counter will be "1", as shown in Figure 15.

[0065] With the processing described above, even if there are passengers in a group traveling with group tickets who are moving in the opposite direction to the direction of travel from entrance to exit, the number of times the ticketless passenger reaches the designated area will not be counted multiple times due to the passenger moving in the opposite direction. The number of people reaching the ticketless area will reach the number of people in the group when the last person in the group travels reaches the ticketless detection line L. As a result, as shown in Figure 16, if the group has 10 people and the last passenger P10 exits through the exit, the number of people reaching the ticketless area will be 10, and the value of the valid ticket counter that was counting the group travelers in the passage will become "0".

[0066] Next, we will describe the passage control processing (ticket gate processing) performed by the group processing mode when the ticket gate 11 according to the embodiment reads a group ticket. Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating the passage control process (ticket gate processing) performed by the group processing mode when the ticket gate 11 according to the embodiment reads a group ticket. The processor 41 of the ticket gate 11 monitors the approach of passengers (users) to the passageway using the proximity sensor 26 while in standby mode. When the processor 41 detects a passenger approaching the passageway, it activates the ticket processing unit 22 to read the information recorded on the ticket presented by the passenger. Based on the information read by the ticket processing unit 22, the processor 41 determines whether the ticket presented by the passenger is a group ticket or not.

[0067] If the processor 41 determines that the presented ticket is a group ticket, it enters a group processing mode to control the passage of group passengers based on the group ticket. When the processor 41 enters group processing mode, it prohibits the acceptance of the next ticket in order to not accept ticket processing using any ticket other than the group ticket that was read (step ST11).

[0068] Here, the processor 41 displays a message on the information display 27 located on the entrance side of the ticket gate 11's casing, indicating that the acceptance of the next ticket is currently prohibited or that the gate is processing tickets for a group of passengers. This informs any person outside the ticket gate that the gate is processing tickets for a group of passengers using group tickets. The processor 41 may also display a message on the display unit 23 indicating that the gate is processing tickets for a group of passengers using group tickets when it enters group processing mode.

[0069] Furthermore, when the processor 41 prohibits the acceptance of the next ticket in group processing mode, the ticket processing unit 22 sets the number of people (group size) that are allowed to pass through as group passengers based on the information read from the group ticket (step ST12). For example, the processor 41 stores the group size read from the group ticket in a storage area 43b provided in the RAM 43, which is a second memory.

[0070] When the number of people in a group is set, the processor 41 sets the ticket counter and the number of people who have reached the ticketless position to "1" (step ST13). The processor 41 provides the ticket counter in the storage area 43a of the RAM 43, which is the first memory, and the counter for the number of people who have reached the ticketless position in the storage area 43c of the RAM 43, which is the third memory.

[0071] For example, when processor 41 reads a valid single-person ticket during normal ticket gate processing (normal processing mode), it sets the valid ticket counter to "1" to control the passage of the person presenting the ticket. Similarly, when processor 41 reads a valid group ticket, it sets the valid ticket counter to "1". Furthermore, when processor 41 reads a group ticket, it sets the valid ticket counter to "1" and also sets the number of people who have reached the ticketless position to "1" to count the number of group passengers passing through the passage. As will be described later, processor 41 counts the number of group passengers who have passed through the passage by counting up the number of people who have reached the ticketless position together with the valid ticket counter.

[0072] When the processor 41 sets the valid ticket counter and the number of people reaching the ticketless position to "1", it monitors the detection signals from the detection sensors 31-36 to determine whether a passenger moving in the direction of travel has reached the ticketless detection line (ticketless detection position) L set up in the aisle (step ST14). The ticketless detection line L is set at a predetermined position, such as the center of the aisle, as shown in Figures 3 to 16.

[0073] If the processor 41 detects a person reaching the ticketless passenger detection line L in the aisle (step ST14, YES), it determines whether the person reaching the ticketless passenger detection line L is the passenger who was deemed OK by presenting a group ticket (the first passenger) (step ST15). If the processor 41 determines that the person detected by the ticketless detection line L is a passenger who meets the criteria (step ST15, YES), it proceeds to step ST18 while retaining the number of people who have reached the ticketless location and the value of the valid ticket counter. The processor determines whether the person detected by the ticketless detection line L is ticketless or not based on whether they are presenting a valid ticket.

[0074] Furthermore, if the processor 41 detects a second or subsequent passenger moving in the direction of travel following the first passenger who presented a group ticket at the ticketless detection line L, it determines that the passenger (the second or subsequent passenger) is NG (Step ST15, YES). In group processing mode, if the processor 41 determines that a passenger who has reached the ticketless detection line L is NG (Step ST15, YES), it switches to OK to allow the passenger to pass (Step ST16), and increments the valid ticket counter and the number of people who have reached the ticketless location (+1) (Step ST17).

[0075] In other words, if the person detected by the ticketless detection line L is not the first passenger to present a group ticket, but is a passenger who is permitted to pass with the group ticket (the second or subsequent passenger), the processor 41 proceeds to step ST16 to permit the passenger to pass, and increments the valid ticket counter and the number of people who have reached the ticketless location (+1).

[0076] Furthermore, the processor 41 may display information for group travelers on the display unit 23 each time the number of people who have reached the ticketless location is updated, corresponding to the updated number of people who have reached the ticketless location and the number of people in the group recorded on the group ticket. For example, the processor 41 may calculate the remaining number of people who can pass through with the presented group ticket by subtracting the number of people in the group from the number of people who have reached the ticketless location, and display that remaining number on the display unit 23.

[0077] Furthermore, when the processor 41 updates the number of people who have reached the ticketless location, it determines whether the number of people who have reached the ticketless location has reached the number of people in the group (step ST18). The processor 41 counts the group passengers who have passed through a predetermined location in the passageway (ticketless detection location) based on the number of people who have reached the ticketless location. Therefore, if the number of people who have reached the ticketless location has reached the number of people in the group (step ST18, YES), the processor 41 determines that all passengers permitted to pass through with group tickets have passed through the ticketless detection location, and terminates the group processing mode and starts accepting the next ticket in normal processing mode (step ST24).

[0078] Furthermore, when the number of people reaching the ticketless entry point reaches the group size, the processor 41 may terminate the group processing mode and begin accepting the next ticket, and may also display on the display unit 23 and the information display 27 that the passage control using group tickets has ended. For example, when the number of people reaching the ticketless entry point reaches the group size, the processor 41 may display on the information display 27 a message indicating that it will accept the next ticket in normal processing mode. Alternatively, when the number of people reaching the ticketless entry point reaches the group size, the processor 41 may also display on the display unit 23 that the passage control using group tickets has ended.

[0079] If the number of people who have reached the ticketless location does not reach the group size (step ST18, NO), the processor 41 determines whether or not passengers who were in the aisle have exited the aisle from the exit side (step ST19). If the processor 41 does not detect any passengers who have exited the aisle from the exit side (step ST19, NO), it returns to step ST14 and executes the above process again.

[0080] Furthermore, if the processor 41 detects a passenger who has exited the aisle from the exit side of the aisle (step ST19, YES), it decrements the ticket counter (-1) (step ST20). After decrementing the ticket counter, the processor 41 determines whether the ticket counter has become "0" or not (step ST21). If the ticket counter is not "0" (step ST21, NO), the processor 41 returns to step ST14 and executes the above process again.

[0081] If the valid ticket counter becomes "0" (step ST21, YES), the processor 41 determines whether or not the passage is unoccupied based on the detection results of the detection sensors 31-36 (step ST22).

[0082] If the processor 41 determines that the aisle is not empty when the valid ticket counter becomes 0 (step ST22, NO), it returns to step ST14. However, if the return to step ST14 is due to "NO" in step ST22, the valid ticket counter is 0. Therefore, if the return to step ST14 is due to "NO" in step ST22, and the result in step ST14 is also "NO", the processor 41 proceeds to step ST22.

[0083] Furthermore, if the processor 41 determines that the passage is unoccupied (step ST22, YES), it determines whether the elapsed time during which the passage has remained unoccupied has reached a predetermined time (step ST23). If the elapsed time during which the passage has remained unoccupied has not reached a predetermined time (step ST23, NO), the processor 41 returns to step ST22 and repeatedly determines whether the passage is unoccupied.

[0084] For example, if the number of people reaching the ticketless location is less than the number of people in the group and the ticket counter becomes 0, the processor 41 will start timing the elapsed time while the aisle remains unoccupied. This allows the processor 41 to monitor the state of the aisle until the elapsed time while the aisle remains unoccupied reaches a predetermined time, and to determine whether the elapsed time while the aisle remains unoccupied has reached the predetermined time, provided that the number of people reaching the ticketless location is less than the number of people in the group and the ticket counter is 0.

[0085] If the number of people reaching the ticketless entry point does not reach the group size, and the regular ticket counter becomes 0, it is assumed that the number of group passengers who passed through the passageway is less than the group size specified on the group ticket. In this case, if no new group passengers pass through the passageway within the specified time (i.e., if the passageway remains unoccupied for the specified time), the ticket gate 11 can terminate the group processing mode, assuming that the number of group passengers who passed through with a group ticket was less than the group size.

[0086] If the processor 41 determines that the passage has been empty for a specified period of time (step ST23, YES), it terminates the group ticket processing mode and switches to normal processing mode to begin accepting the next ticket (step ST24). As a result, even if the number of group passengers who actually pass through is less than the number of group passengers recorded on the group ticket, the ticket gate 11 can terminate the group ticket processing mode and switch to normal processing mode once the specified period of time has passed without group passengers passing through.

[0087] Furthermore, if the number of people reaching the ticketless area is less than the number of people in the group recorded on the group ticket, and the group processing mode is terminated and the system switches to the normal processing mode, the processor 41 may display on the display unit 23 that the ticket gate processing using the group ticket has been terminated, or display on the information display unit 27 that a new ticket will be accepted.

[0088] As described above, in the embodiment, when the ticket processing unit reads a group ticket, it increments the number of people who have reached the ticketless position and the regular ticket counter and allows the first group passenger who has presented the group ticket to pass through. Each time a second or subsequent group passenger is detected moving in the direction of travel along the passage and reaching the ticketless detection position, the number of people who have reached the ticketless position and the regular ticket counter are incremented and users from the second person onward up to the number of people in the group are allowed to pass through. When the number of people who have reached the ticketless position reaches the number of people in the group, the passage control in group processing mode based on the group ticket is terminated. As a result, according to the ticket gate according to the embodiment, it is possible to implement a passage control system that allows multiple people to pass through with a single group ticket.

[0089] Furthermore, the ticket gate according to this embodiment adds the number of people who have reached the ticketless detection position and the valid ticket counter each time a second or subsequent user moving in the direction of travel reaches the ticketless detection position. However, it does not update the number of people who have reached the ticketless detection position and the valid ticket counter for users moving in the opposite direction of travel, or for users who move in the opposite direction and then move back in the direction of travel to reach the ticketless detection position. As a result, according to the ticket gate according to the embodiment, even if there are users among the multiple users using a group ticket who are moving in the opposite direction through the passage, the number of users who actually pass through the passage (exit from the exit) can be accurately counted, and passage control can be realized that allows multiple people to pass through until the number of users in the group recorded on the group ticket has actually passed through the passage.

[0090] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0091] 11... Ticket gate, 21... Housing, 22... Ticket processing unit, 23... Display unit, 24, 25... Door, 26... Approach sensor, 27... Information display, 31-36... Detection sensor, 41... Processor, 42... ROM, 43... RAM, 43a... Memory area (first memory), 43b... Memory area (second memory), 43c... Memory area (third memory), 44... Memory unit, 45... Communication unit, 47... Door control unit.

Claims

1. A ticket processing unit that reads information from the ticket presented by the user, Multiple detection sensors that detect the presence or absence of people at multiple locations in the passageway, A first memory that stores the number of authorized persons in the passageway, When the ticket processing unit reads a group ticket that permits group users to pass through for the number of people in the group, a second memory stores the number of people in the group recorded on the group ticket. A third memory stores the number of users who reached the ticketless detection point in the passageway after the ticket processing unit read the group ticket, and When the ticket processing unit reads the group ticket, it increments the number of people who have reached the ticketless location and the regular ticket counter to allow the first user who presented the group ticket to pass. The processor also increments the regular ticket counter and the number of people who have reached the ticketless location each time it detects, based on the detection results of the multiple detection sensors, that users from the second person up to the number of people in the group have reached the ticketless location to allow the users from the second person up to the number of people in the group to pass. A ticket gate with [a specific feature / ability].

2. The processor, when the ticket processing unit reads the group ticket, disables the acceptance of other ticket processing by the ticket processing unit, and when the number of people reaching the no-ticket location reaches the number of people in the group, it starts accepting other ticket processing by the ticket processing unit. The ticket gate according to claim 1.

3. The processor starts accepting the processing of other tickets by the ticket processing unit when the number of people reaching the ticketless location is less than the number of people in the group, and the elapsed time since the valid ticket counter became zero while the passage was unoccupied reaches a predetermined time. The ticket gate according to claim 1.

4. The processor increments the valid ticket counter and the number of times a user has reached a ticketless position when a user moving in a predetermined direction from the entrance side of the passage where the ticket processing unit is located toward the exit side of the passage reaches a ticketless position, and retains the valid ticket counter and the number of times a user has reached a ticketless position when a user reaches a ticketless position from the opposite direction to the predetermined direction. The ticket gate according to claim 1.

5. Furthermore, it has a display unit that shows instructions, The processor displays information on the display unit according to the number of people who have reached the ticketless location and the number of people in the group. A ticket gate according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. In ticket gates that control traffic flow in passageways, The ticket processing unit reads information from the ticket presented by the user. When the ticket processing unit reads a group ticket that permits group users to pass through the passage for the number of people in the group, it sets in memory a memory area that stores a valid ticket counter that counts the number of people permitted to pass through the passage, a memory area that stores the number of people in the group recorded on the group ticket, and a memory area that stores the number of people who have reached the ticketless location in the passage after the group ticket has been read. When the ticket processing unit reads the group ticket, it increments the number of people who have reached the ticketless location and the regular ticket counter, and allows the first user who presented the group ticket to pass through. Each time the system detects that a user from the second person up to the group size has reached the ticketless detection location based on the detection results of multiple detection sensors, the ticket counter and the number of users who have reached the ticketless location are incremented, and permission is granted for the users from the second person up to the group size to pass through. How to go through the ticket gate.

7. The processor of the ticket gate that controls traffic flow in the passageway, The ticket processing unit reads information from the ticket presented by the user. When the ticket processing unit reads a group ticket that permits group users to pass through the passage for the number of people in the group, it sets in memory a memory area that stores a valid ticket counter that counts the number of people permitted to pass through the passage, a memory area that stores the number of people in the group recorded on the group ticket, and a memory area that stores the number of people who have reached the ticketless location in the passage after the group ticket has been read. When the ticket processing unit reads the group ticket, it increments the number of people who have reached the ticketless location and the regular ticket counter, and allows the first user who presented the group ticket to pass through. Each time the system detects that a user from the second person up to the group size has reached the ticketless detection location based on the detection results of multiple detection sensors, the ticket counter and the number of users who have reached the ticketless location are incremented, and permission is granted for the users from the second person up to the group size to pass through. A ticket gate processing program that executes the action.

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