Commuter pass issuance control server, commuter pass issuance control method, commuter pass issuance control program, and commuter pass issuance control system

Abstract

This technology enables the refund process for all types of commuter passes to be carried out using station equipment used by passengers. [Solution] A commuter pass issuance control server according to the embodiment comprises: a storage unit that stores commuter pass issuance information including commuter pass identification information, pass type, start date of use, validity period, usage section, and passenger's name; a receiving control unit that receives refund reason information indicating the reason for refunding the commuter pass from station equipment used by the passenger; a refund amount calculation unit that calculates a conditional refund amount for each condition satisfied by the refund reason and commuter pass issuance information; and a transmission control unit that transmits conditional refund amount information, including the conditional refund amount, to station equipment. .

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a season ticket issuance control server, a season ticket issuance control method, a season ticket issuance control program, and a season ticket issuance control system.

Background Art

[0002] When implementing a refund of a season ticket, it is necessary to confirm whether the passenger is the correct owner of the season ticket. Furthermore, since the refund rules are also complicated, it is carried out by station staff.

[0003] Currently, labor saving of station staff is required, and it is also required that the refund process of season tickets can be carried out by station equipment used by passengers, such as automatic ticket vending machines. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which, when within the refund period, in a season ticket issuing machine, after confirming the purchaser, the passenger himself / herself can perform the refund process.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The station equipment used by passengers has different specifications for each provider. Therefore, when implementing the season ticket refund process on the station equipment, it is necessary to make modifications according to the specifications for each provider, which is costly. Also, in Patent Document 1, since the refund rules are not referred to, a refund in accordance with the rules cannot be carried out, and there is also a problem that the types of tickets for which a refund can be made are limited.

[0006] This invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology that enables the refund process for all types of commuter passes to be carried out using station equipment used by passengers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The commuter pass issuance control server according to the embodiment includes: a storage unit that stores commuter pass issuance information including commuter pass identification information, pass type, start date of use, validity period, usage section, and passenger's name; a receiving control unit that receives refund reason information indicating the reason for refunding the commuter pass from station equipment used by the passenger; a refund amount calculation unit that calculates a conditional refund amount for each condition satisfied by the refund reason and the commuter pass issuance information; and a transmission control unit that transmits conditional refund amount information, including the conditional refund amount, to the station equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a commuter pass issuance control system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a commuter pass issuance control server according to one embodiment, and the software configuration associated with said hardware configuration. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of station equipment 2 according to one embodiment and the software configuration associated with said hardware configuration. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a commuter pass issuance process according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a commuter pass refund process according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The commuter pass issuance control server, commuter pass issuance control method, commuter pass issuance control program, and commuter pass issuance control system will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts with the same number are assumed to perform the same operation, and therefore repeated explanations will be omitted. For example, when there are multiple identical or similar elements, a common code may be used to describe each element without distinction, or a sub-number may be used in addition to the common code to describe each element separately.

[0010] [Embodiment] (composition) Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a commuter pass issuance control system according to one embodiment. The commuter pass issuance control system is a system that enables the issuance and refund of commuter passes using station equipment 2 used by passengers 3. The commuter pass issuance system may be part of a system for issuing general train tickets, i.e., a system managed by the railway operator.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the commuter pass issuance system includes a commuter pass issuance control server 1, station equipment 2, etc. Furthermore, in one embodiment, passenger 3 wishes to issue or refund a commuter pass.

[0012] The commuter pass issuance control server 1 is a server that is connected to the station equipment 2 in a communicative manner and installed in a designated location managed by the railway operator. The commuter pass issuance control server 1 is a server that manages and controls the issuance and refund of commuter passes. For example, the commuter pass issuance control server 1 stores the commuter pass information issued by passenger 3 in association with passenger 3's personal information. In addition, the commuter pass issuance control server 1 can perform identity verification, calculation of separate refund amounts, etc., in the commuter pass refund process.

[0013] Station equipment 2 is installed in a designated location within the station premises that is accessible to passengers 3. Although only one is shown in Figure 1 for simplicity, multiple pieces of station equipment 2 may be installed within the station premises. Station equipment 2 can be an automatic ticket vending machine, a commuter pass issuing machine, etc., and is accessible to passengers 3. In other words, station equipment 2 can be any equipment capable of issuing and refunding commuter passes in addition to regular tickets.

[0014] Passenger 3 is a user who wishes to be issued a commuter pass, or who wishes to be refunded for a commuter pass that has already been issued.

[0015] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a commuter pass issuance control server 1 according to one embodiment, and the software configuration associated with said hardware configuration. First, we will describe the hardware configuration details of the commuter pass issuance control server 1. The commuter pass issuance control server 1 comprises 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, program storage unit 12, data storage unit 13, communication interface 14, and input / output interface 15 are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with one another.

[0016] The commuter pass issuance control server 1 can perform various operations using a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer).

[0017] The control unit 11 controls the commuter pass issuance control server 1. The control unit 11 is equipped with a hardware processor such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0018] The program memory unit 12 is configured by combining, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) that can be written to and read from at any time as a storage medium and a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). In addition to middleware such as an OS (Operating System), it stores application programs necessary to execute various control processes according to one embodiment. Hereinafter, the OS and each application program are collectively referred to as a program.

[0019] The data storage unit 13 may be, for example, a combination of a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that can be written to and read from at any time as a storage medium and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0020] The communication interface 14 includes one or more wired or wireless communication modules. For example, the communication interface 14 includes a communication module that is wired or wirelessly connected to an external device including the station equipment 2 directly or via a network. The communication interface 14 may be a general communication interface as long as it can communicate with an external device including the station equipment 2 under the control of the control unit 11 and transmit and receive various information.

[0021] 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 the transmission and reception of information between the control unit 11, 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 and the control unit 11, the input unit 151, or the output unit 152 may be wirelessly connected using a short-range wireless technology or the like, and information may be transmitted and received using the short-range wireless technology.

[0022] The input unit 151 may include, for example, a keyboard or pointing device for an administrator managing the commuter pass issuance control server 1 to input various information to the commuter pass issuance control 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.

[0023] The output unit 152 includes a display that shows output data to be presented to the administrator from the commuter pass issuance control server 1, and a printer for printing it.

[0024] Next, we will describe the details of the software configuration of the commuter pass issuance control server 1. The control unit 11 includes a communication control unit 111, an inquiry control unit 112, and a refund amount calculation unit 113, etc.

[0025] The communication control unit 111 is a control unit that transmits and receives various information by communicating with the station equipment 2. For example, the communication control unit 111 has the function of receiving commuter pass issuance information indicating that passenger 3 has issued a commuter pass. The communication control unit 111 also has the function of storing the received commuter pass issuance information in the commuter pass information storage unit 131, which will be described later. Here, the commuter pass issuance information includes personal information obtained from passenger 3, commuter pass identification information at the time of issuance, start date of use, validity period, and usage section. Personal information is information that can verify the identity of passenger 3, such as passwords, facial information, and identity verification document data. For example, identity verification document data is a photograph of a driver's license, a photograph of a My Number Card, etc.

[0026] Furthermore, the communication control unit 111 has the function of receiving information about the commuter pass held by passenger 3 and personal information including passenger 3's personal information when passenger 3 wishes to receive a refund for their commuter pass. The communication control unit 111 transmits the inquiry result to the station equipment 2. The communication control unit 111 has the function of receiving information about the reason for the refund. The communication control unit 111 also has the function of transmitting the refund amount for each condition.

[0027] The inquiry control unit 112 is a control unit that verifies the identity of passenger 3. For example, the inquiry control unit 112 has the function of verifying the identity of passenger 3 based on the personal information included in the personal information and the personal information stored in the commuter pass information storage unit 131, which will be described later. In other words, the inquiry control unit 112 has the function of determining whether passenger 3 who possesses a commuter pass is the same passenger 3 who purchased the commuter pass.

[0028] The refund amount calculation unit 113 is a calculation unit that calculates the refund amount. For example, the refund amount calculation unit 113 has the function of calculating conditional refund amounts based on the fare of the commuter pass stored in the fare storage unit 132, the expiration date included in the commuter pass information, and the refund reason included in the refund reason information. Details of conditional refund amounts will be described later.

[0029] The data storage unit 13 includes a commuter pass information storage unit 131, a fare storage unit 132, and the like. The commuter pass information storage unit 131 is a storage unit used to store commuter pass issuance information when passenger 3 purchases a commuter pass. The fare storage unit 132 is a storage unit used to store fares according to various conditions when a commuter pass is refunded.

[0030] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of station equipment 2 according to one embodiment and the software configuration associated with said hardware configuration. First, we will describe the hardware configuration details of station equipment 2. The station equipment 2 comprises 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 that they can communicate with one another.

[0031] Station equipment 2 can perform various operations using a computer such as a PC.

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

[0033] The program storage unit 22 is configured, for example, by combining a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that allows writing and reading at any time as a storage medium, and a non-volatile memory such as ROM, and stores the program.

[0034] The data storage unit 23 may, for example, be a combination of a non-volatile memory such as an SSD that allows for on-demand writing and reading, and a volatile memory such as RAM, as the 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 commuter pass issuance control server 1 via wired or wireless connection, either directly or via a network. The communication interface 24 can be any general communication interface that can communicate with external devices, including the commuter pass issuance control server 1, and send and receive various types of information under the control of the control unit 21.

[0036] The input / output interface 25 is connected to the input unit 251, output unit 252, emitter unit 253, and camera 254, etc. The input / output interface 25 is an interface that enables the transmission and reception of information between the control unit 21 and the input unit 251, output unit 252, emitter unit 253, and camera 254. 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, output unit 252, emitter unit 253, or camera 254 using short-range wireless technology, and information may be transmitted and received using said short-range wireless technology.

[0037] The input unit 251 may include, for example, a keyboard or pointing device for a user or station staff member to input various information to the station equipment 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, such as a liquid crystal or organic EL display. The display device displays various information received from the commuter pass issuance control server 1 to the user or station staff.

[0039] The issuing unit 253 includes, for example, a printer for issuing commuter passes. Furthermore, the issuing unit 253 includes a reader / writer capable of writing various information, such as commuter pass information, to an IC card. The reader / writer may include one or all of the following: NFC (Near Field Communication) Type A, Type B, and Type F.

[0040] Camera 254 is capable of photographing passenger 3's face and acquiring facial information. Furthermore, camera 254 can also photograph identification documents placed by passenger 3 in a designated location and acquire identification document information.

[0041] Next, we will describe the details of the software configuration of station equipment 2. The control unit 21 includes an input information acquisition unit 211, an issuance control unit 212, a communication control unit 213, a display control unit 214, and a refund control unit 215, etc. The data storage unit 23 includes a charge storage unit 231 and an operation rule storage unit 232, etc.

[0042] The input information acquisition unit 211 is an acquisition unit for acquiring input information entered into the input unit 251 by passenger 3 who wishes to purchase or refund a commuter pass. The input information includes a commuter pass issuance request for issuing a commuter pass, or refund reason information including the reason for refunding a commuter pass. Here, the commuter pass issuance request includes information such as the type of pass (commuter pass, student pass, special discount pass, all-line pass, etc.), the start date of use of the pass, the validity period, the section to be used, and the name. The name may be in katakana or the alphabet. The refund reason includes any of the following: personal reasons, change of section, or mistaken purchase.

[0043] The issuance control unit 212 is a control unit that calculates the fare for a commuter pass and controls its issuance. For example, the issuance control unit 212 has the function of calculating the amount of the commuter pass based on the fare information stored in the fare storage unit 231 (described later) and the commuter pass issuance request. Furthermore, the issuance control unit 212 has the function of issuing the commuter pass after confirming payment of the amount for the commuter pass from the passenger 3.

[0044] The communication control unit 213 is a control unit that sends and receives various information by communicating with the commuter pass issuance control server 1. For example, the communication control unit 213 has the function of transmitting commuter pass issuance information, personal information, and refund reason information to the commuter pass issuance control server 1. The communication control unit 213 also has the function of receiving inquiry results and condition-based refund amount information.

[0045] The display control unit 214 is a control unit that controls the display of various information on the output unit 252. For example, the display control unit 214 has a function to control the display of various information necessary for passenger 3 to input items when issuing a commuter pass or when requesting a refund for a commuter pass. The display control unit 214 also has a function to control the display of various information on issued commuter passes or refunded commuter passes on the output unit 252.

[0046] The refund control unit 215 is a control unit that controls the implementation of refunds for commuter passes. For example, the refund control unit 215 has the function of selecting a refund amount that conforms to the operating rules and refund conditions from the condition-specific refund amount information. The refund control unit 215 then has the function of refunding the selected amount to passenger 3.

[0047] The fare storage unit 231 is a storage unit used to store fare information for commuter passes. For example, the fare storage unit 231 may be a storage unit that stores fare tables for each section and for each validity period. The operational rules storage unit 232 is a storage unit used to store operational rules that apply when refunding commuter passes as determined by the railway operator.

[0048] (operation) Next, we will explain the processing procedure when passenger 3 issues a commuter pass using station equipment 2. Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a commuter pass issuance process according to one embodiment. For example, the operation of this sequence is realized when the control unit 11 of the commuter pass issuance control server 1 and the control unit 21 of the station equipment 2 read and execute programs stored in the program storage unit 12 and the program storage unit 22, respectively. For example, this sequence is started when passenger 3 requests the issuance of a commuter pass.

[0049] In step ST101, the input information acquisition unit 211 acquires a commuter pass issuance request. Passenger 3 inputs the commuter pass issuance request into the input unit 251 of the station equipment 2. The input information acquisition unit 211 acquires the commuter pass issuance information entered into the input unit. As described above, the commuter pass issuance information includes information such as the type of commuter pass that passenger 3 wishes to be issued, the start date of use, the validity period, the section to be used, and the passenger's name. The input information acquisition unit 211 outputs the commuter pass issuance request to the issuance control unit 212. Furthermore, the input information acquisition unit 211 may also output to the display control unit 214 that it has acquired the information. The display control unit 214 controls the display of the output unit 252 to display instructions for inputting passenger 3's personal information.

[0050] In step ST102, the input information acquisition unit 211 acquires personal information. The input information acquisition unit 211 acquires personal information that can identify passenger 3 using the input unit 251 or camera 254. Here, personal information is at least one of the following: date of birth, telephone number, password, identity verification document information, facial information, etc. However, personal information is not limited to this information and may be any information that can identify passenger 3. The input information acquisition unit 211 outputs the acquired personal information to the communication control unit 213.

[0051] In step ST103, the issuance control unit 212 calculates the price of the commuter pass based on the commuter pass issuance request. For example, the issuance control unit 212 extracts the fare corresponding to the pass type, validity period, and usage section included in the commuter pass issuance request from the fare storage unit 231. The issuance control unit 212 outputs the amount to the display control unit 214. The display control unit 214 controls the display of the output unit 252 to display information prompting payment of the commuter pass fare and the amount. Alternatively, the price of the commuter pass may be calculated by the control unit 11 of the commuter pass issuance control server 1. In this case, the communication control unit 213 transmits the commuter pass issuance information to the commuter pass issuance control server 1 and receives the amount information calculated by the control unit 11 of the commuter pass issuance control server 1.

[0052] In step ST104, the issuance control unit 212 issues the commuter pass. The issuance control unit 212 issues the commuter pass after confirming payment of the commuter pass amount from passenger 3. Note that the commuter pass does not need to include information such as name and date of birth, nor does it need to be printed on the pass surface. The display control unit 214 may control the display of the output unit 252 to display information such as the identification number, expiration date, and route of the issued commuter pass. The issuance control unit 212 outputs commuter pass identification information, such as the issuance number of the commuter pass, to the communication control unit 213.

[0053] In step ST105, the communication control unit 213 transmits the commuter pass issuance information to the commuter pass issuance control server 1. The communication control unit 213 generates commuter pass issuance information that includes the information contained in the commuter pass issuance request, such as the type of pass, start date of use, validity period, section of use, and name, as well as the commuter pass identification information received from the issuance control unit 212, and transmits the generated commuter pass issuance information to the commuter pass issuance control server 1.

[0054] In step ST106, the communication control unit 111 stores the commuter pass issuance information. The communication control unit 111 stores the commuter pass issuance information received from the station equipment 2 in the commuter pass information storage unit 131 of the data storage unit 13. For example, the communication control unit 111 stores personal information linked to the commuter pass identification information in the commuter pass issuance information. As a result, the commuter pass issuance control server 1 stores information about the commuter pass issued to passenger 3 and the personal information of passenger 3.

[0055] Next, we will explain the procedure for when passenger 3 wishes to receive a refund for their commuter pass. Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a commuter pass refund process according to one embodiment. For example, the operation of this sequence is realized when the control unit 11 of the commuter pass issuance control server 1 and the control unit 21 of the station equipment 2 read and execute the programs stored in the program storage unit 12 and the program storage unit 22, respectively. For example, if the commuter pass held by passenger 3 is an IC card or a magnetic ticket, first, passenger 3 inserts the commuter pass into the issuance unit 253. Then, this sequence starts when passenger 3 presses the commuter pass refund button or inputs an instruction to perform a refund process into the input unit 251 of the station equipment 2. In the case of a mobile commuter pass stored on a mobile terminal held by passenger 3, passenger 3 simply places the mobile terminal in the designated place on the issuance unit 253 and allows the mobile commuter pass information to be read.

[0056] In step ST201, the input information acquisition unit 211 acquires commuter pass information and personal information. For example, when the input unit receives an instruction from passenger 3 to perform a refund, the input information acquisition unit 211 acquires commuter pass information from the commuter pass inserted into the issuing unit 253. Here, the commuter pass information includes commuter pass identification information, ticket type, expiration date, section, etc. The station equipment 2 is not limited to the type of ticket that can be refunded. That is, in one embodiment, the station equipment 2 used by passenger 3 can perform refunds for all types of commuter passes.

[0057] Furthermore, the display control unit 214 displays a prompt on the output unit 252's display for passenger 3 to input the personal information registered when the commuter pass was issued. Passenger 3 inputs the personal information using the input unit 251 or camera 254 in accordance with the instructions. The input information acquisition unit 211 acquires the personal information from the input unit 251 or camera 254. The input information acquisition unit 211 generates personal information including the acquired commuter pass information and personal information, and outputs this personal information to the communication control unit 213.

[0058] In step ST202, the communication control unit 213 transmits the personal information. The communication control unit 111 of the commuter pass issuance control server 1 receives the personal information. The communication control unit 111 outputs the received personal information to the inquiry control unit 112.

[0059] In step ST203, the inquiry control unit 112 performs identity verification. The inquiry control unit 112 obtains commuter pass identification information from the commuter pass information included in the personal information and obtains commuter pass issuance information (personal information) linked to the said commuter pass identification information, which is stored in the commuter pass information storage unit 131. Then, it compares the personal information included in the personal information with the personal information included in the commuter pass issuance information to determine whether the passenger 3 using the station equipment 2 is the person who purchased the commuter pass. The inquiry control unit 112 outputs the inquiry result to the communication control unit 111.

[0060] In step ST204, the communication control unit 111 transmits the inquiry result. The communication control unit 111 transmits the inquiry result to the station equipment 2.

[0061] In step ST205, the display control unit 214 requests that the passenger enter the reason for the refund. For example, the communication control unit 213 receives the inquiry result. The communication control unit 213 outputs the inquiry result to the display control unit 214. If the inquiry result contains information indicating that the passenger is the person in question, the display control unit 214 displays a screen for entering the reason for the refund on the display of the output unit 252, prompting passenger 3 to enter the reason for the refund. On the other hand, if the inquiry result indicates that the passenger is not the person in question, the display control unit 214 displays a message indicating that authentication failed and displays information on the display of the output unit 252 prompting the passenger to enter personal information again. In this case, the process returns to step ST201.

[0062] In step ST206, the input information acquisition unit 211 acquires the refund reason. The input information acquisition unit 211 acquires the refund reason entered by passenger 3 in the input unit 251. As mentioned above, the refund reason may be any of the following: personal reasons, change of route, or incorrect purchase.

[0063] In step ST207, the communication control unit 213 transmits refund reason information. The input information acquisition unit 211 generates refund reason information including the acquired refund reason and outputs the refund reason information to the communication control unit 213. The communication control unit 213 transmits the refund reason information to the commuter pass issuance control server 1.

[0064] In step ST208, the refund amount calculation unit 113 calculates the refund amount for each condition. When the communication control unit 111 receives the refund reason information, it outputs the refund reason information to the refund amount calculation unit 113. The refund amount calculation unit 113 calculates the refund amount for each condition based on the fare of the commuter pass stored in the fare storage unit 132, the expiration date included in the commuter pass information, and the refund reason included in the refund reason information. Here, the refund amount for passenger 3 differs depending on the refund reason and the validity period (i.e., the period of use). Therefore, the refund amount calculation unit 113 calculates the refund amount for each applicable refund condition. That is, the refund amount for each condition includes all refund amounts for the applicable refund conditions, and therefore includes one or more refund amounts. The refund amount calculation unit 113 may also calculate the refund amount for reasons other than the refund reason included in the refund reason information. That is, the refund amount calculation unit 113 may calculate the refund amount for all refund reasons.

[0065] Specifically, the refund amount calculation unit 113 may calculate all applicable refund amounts for multiple reasons such as a validity period of one month or more, a refund made before the start of the validity period, or a refund made before the start of the validity period, such as a change of address or loss. Note that the reasons listed above are merely examples, and the refund reason may be any applicable reason.

[0066] For example, if the reason for the refund is due to the customer's own reasons, the refund amount calculation unit 113 calculates the refund amount by subtracting a predetermined fee from the fare for a predetermined period unit (e.g., one month) within the validity period. For example, if the validity period is 4 months and 4 days, the refund amount calculation unit 113 determines that 4 months is the period for which the refund is due. The refund amount calculation unit 113 then calculates the fare corresponding to 4 months and calculates the refund amount by subtracting a predetermined fee from the calculated amount. If the reason for the refund is a change of route, the refund amount calculation unit 113 determines the refund amount by subtracting a predetermined fee from the fare for a shorter period unit (e.g., daily) within the validity period than the period unit for the customer's own reasons. Alternatively, if the refund is due to an incorrect purchase, the refund amount calculation unit 113 calculates the purchase price as the refund amount.

[0067] In step ST209, the communication control unit 111 transmits condition-specific refund amount information. The refund amount calculation unit 113 generates condition-specific refund amount information, including the calculated condition-specific refund amounts, and outputs it to the communication control unit 111. The communication control unit 111 transmits the condition-specific refund amount information to the station equipment 2. Note that the refund amount information may include only the refund amounts corresponding to the refund reasons included in the refund reason information, or it may also include refund amounts for reasons other than the refund reasons.

[0068] In step ST210, the refund control unit 215 selects the refund amount. The refund control unit 215 selects a refund amount that conforms to the operating rules and refund conditions from the condition-specific refund amount information. Then, it outputs information about the selected refund amount to the display control unit 214. The display control unit 214 displays the refund amount and confirmation buttons, etc., on the display of the output unit 252.

[0069] In step ST211, the refund control unit 215 executes the refund to passenger 3. If the refund is due to the passenger's own reasons, the refund control unit 215 simply executes the refund. On the other hand, if the refund is due to a change in route, the issuance control unit 212 issues a commuter pass for the changed route (i.e., after processing the settlement and issuing a new commuter pass, the refund control unit 215 performs the refund process). Similarly, in the case of an incorrect purchase, the refund process is performed after issuing the correct commuter pass.

[0070] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the embodiment described above, the commuter pass issuance control server 1 performs identity verification of passenger 3 and calculates the refund amount according to the reason for refund, so that the station equipment 2 available to passenger 3 can process refunds for all types of commuter passes. As a result, station staff do not need to process the refunds for commuter passes, thus saving labor.

[0071] Furthermore, because the commuter pass issuance control server 1 performs the above-mentioned processing, it eliminates the need to modify station equipment 2, which has different specifications for each service provider. Therefore, the overall system modification costs can be reduced.

[0072] [Other embodiments] In step ST210, when selecting the refund amount, if there is a better refund amount in the condition-based refund amount information (i.e., a refund amount greater than the reason specified by passenger 3), the refund control unit 215 may also select that refund amount and output the selected information to the display control unit 214. If passenger 3 selects a better refund amount, the refund control unit 215 may process the refund at the amount selected by passenger 3.

[0073] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the commuter pass issuance control system is described as being part of a system managed by the railway operator. However, the commuter pass issuance control system may also be part of a system managed by another operator capable of issuing commuter passes. For example, it may be any operator that issues and refunds commuter passes, such as a bus operator or ferry operator.

[0074] In short, this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways during implementation without departing from its essence. Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined as appropriately as possible, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Moreover, the embodiments described above include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the multiple constituent elements disclosed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 1… Commuter pass issuance control server 11…Control Unit 111...Communication Control Unit 112... Inquiry Control Unit 113... Refund Amount Calculation Section 131… Commuter pass information storage unit 132... Billing memory unit 12…Program memory 13…Data storage unit 14…Communication Interface 15… Input / Output Interface 151...Input section 152…Output section 2…Station equipment 21... Control Unit 211... Input information acquisition unit 212…Issuance Control Unit 213...Communication Control Unit 214...Display Control Unit 215... Refund Control Unit 22...Program memory unit 23...Data storage unit 24…Communication Interface 25… Input / Output Interface 231... Billing memory unit 232...Operating rules storage unit 251...Input section 252…Output section 253…Publishing Department 254... Camera 3...Passenger

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores commuter pass issuance information including commuter pass identification information, pass type, start date of use, validity period, travel section, and passenger's name, A receiving control unit that receives refund reason information indicating the reason for the refund of the aforementioned commuter pass from station equipment used by the passenger, A refund amount calculation unit calculates a conditional refund amount for each condition that satisfies the aforementioned refund reason and the aforementioned commuter pass issuance information, A transmission control unit that transmits condition-specific refund amount information, including the condition-specific refund amount, to the station equipment, A commuter pass issuance control server equipped with the following features.

2. The receiving control unit further receives commuter pass information, including commuter pass identification information, read from the commuter pass held by the passenger, and personal information, including the passenger's personal information. The memory unit is linked to the aforementioned commuter pass identification information and further stores the personal information of the passenger at the time the commuter pass was issued. The system further includes an inquiry control unit that extracts the passenger's personal information stored in the storage unit from the commuter pass identification information contained in the commuter pass information, and performs identity verification using the personal information contained in the personal information and the extracted personal information, The refund amount calculation unit, after determining through the identity verification that the passenger is the passenger who purchased the commuter pass, calculates the refund amount according to the conditions. A commuter pass issuance control server according to claim 1.

3. The refund amount calculation unit calculates the condition-specific refund amount, which includes multiple refund amounts for each applicable refund condition based on the refund reason and the expiration date included in the commuter pass information. The commuter pass issuance control server according to claim 2.

4. The reason for the refund is one of the following: personal reasons, change of route, or incorrect purchase. The refund amount calculation unit calculates the refund amount for each condition of a refund reason different from the refund reason included in the refund information. A commuter pass issuance control server according to claim 1.

5. The reason for the refund is one of the following: personal reasons, change of route, or incorrect purchase. The refund amount calculation unit calculates the refund amount for each condition based on all refund reasons and the commuter pass information. The commuter pass issuance control server according to claim 2.

6. A commuter pass issuance control method executed by the processor of a commuter pass issuance control server, The system stores commuter pass issuance information, including commuter pass identification information, pass type, start date of use, validity period, travel section, and passenger's name. The refund reason information indicating the reason for the refund of the aforementioned commuter pass is received from the station equipment used by the passenger, The refund amount is calculated for each condition that satisfies the aforementioned refund reason and the aforementioned commuter pass issuance information, The station equipment transmits the refund amount information for each condition, including the refund amount for each condition, A method for controlling the issuance of commuter passes, comprising the above.

7. A commuter pass issuance control program comprising instructions to be executed by the processor of a commuter pass issuance control server, The system stores commuter pass issuance information, including commuter pass identification information, pass type, start date of use, validity period, travel section, and passenger's name. The refund reason information indicating the reason for the refund of the aforementioned commuter pass is received from the station equipment used by the passenger, The refund amount is calculated for each condition that satisfies the aforementioned refund reason and the aforementioned commuter pass issuance information, The station equipment transmits the refund amount information for each condition, including the refund amount for each condition, A commuter pass issuance control program that includes the following features.

8. A commuter pass issuance control server, Station equipment that is connected to the aforementioned commuter pass issuance control server and is available to passengers, A commuter pass issuance control system comprising: The aforementioned commuter pass issuance control server is: A storage unit that stores commuter pass issuance information including commuter pass identification information, pass type, start date of use, validity period, travel section, and passenger's name, A receiving control unit that receives refund reason information indicating the reason for the refund of the aforementioned commuter pass from station equipment used by the passenger, A refund amount calculation unit calculates a conditional refund amount for each condition that satisfies the aforementioned refund reason and the aforementioned commuter pass issuance information, A transmission control unit that transmits condition-specific refund amount information, including the condition-specific refund amount, to the station equipment, Equipped with, The aforementioned station equipment is A receiving unit that receives the refund amount for each of the aforementioned conditions, A refund control unit selects the refund amount to be refunded to the passenger from the refund reason and the refund amount information by condition, and controls the refund of the selected amount to the passenger. A commuter pass issuance control system equipped with the following features.

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